The Misty Mountain
It is a perilous mountain range filled with countless deep abysses and dark caves.
Here, it is a hell for hunters and a paradise for ancient fierce beasts. Those with spiritual power lower than a fifth - rank spiritual herb master generally dare not set foot here. This alone is enough to show how terrifying the things hidden here are.
When Zhao Shuning came, Yan Ruyu accompanied her.
She won the championship and sent the news back to the Wang family. Due to the grand occasion, the Wang family couldn't deny it and thus granted Zhao Shuning a wish. When the letter was sent back to Qinghui Town, Zhao Shuning and Yan Ruyu set off.
As for Zhao Xiangxiang, she was temporarily entrusted to the Xie family.
Xie Yuan and Xie Yu owed Zhao Shuning a great debt of gratitude as she had bestowed the Huo Dou on them. Such a great kindness would surely be remembered for generations. So Zhao Xiangxiang would definitely be well - treated in their mansion.
Moreover, although Xie Yu was a bit unreliable, he had a good temper. His business was mainly north of the Huai River. Zhao Xiangxiang could gain more experience by following him.
In fact, according to Zhao Shuning's observation, Zhao Xiangxiang seemed to be willing to follow Xie Yu.
After finishing all the arrangements, Zhao Shuning and Yan Ruyu set off.
Strangely enough, before they set off, Du She found Zhao Shuning and asked her a rather strange question.
"Is that senior beside you really a good person?"
Zhao Shuning naturally nodded. She didn't know why Du She had such concerns.
"You'd better be more careful. I once met Zhang Tianyuan in the Misty Rain Tower. He was so young but had such high spiritual power because he took an evil path. I haven't figured out exactly what it is, but I think the person beside you must have an extraordinary background. You'd better be vigilant."
Zhao Shuning was at ease. She knew that Du She felt guilty about what had happened at the venue before.
But what did it have to do with him? Zhao Shuning wanted to win the championship herself to secure a place for the Zhao family. Even without the participation of Nan Feng and Nan Tianyuan, Zhao Shuning would surely have fought against Du She to win the title.
So this couldn't be blamed on Xie An.
After hearing this, Xie An seemed to relax a bit.
"Anyway, I'm sorry, and thank you. Although you're young, you're braver than me in some things."
After saying this, Xie An left.
Zhao Shuning didn't know what he meant by his last words, but she wasn't the type to dwell on such things. In less than a moment, she had forgotten about it.
Thanks to the company of her master, Zhao Shuning had an easier time entering the Misty Mountain.
Yan Ruyu led her to an open grassland. Unexpectedly, there was such a vast grassland opposite the Misty Mountain. If she wasn't afraid of disturbing her master, Zhao Shuning really wanted to rush onto it and enjoy the soft grass.
Walking along the grassland to the end, they could reach the foot of the Misty Mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, there was a rock. Due to the wind and rain over the years, the words on it were barely legible.
Zhao Shuning looked up and found that the terrain of the Misty Mountain was extremely rugged.
The Misty Mountain was surrounded by water on three sides and connected to the broad grassland on one side. It stood like an isolated peak, with green bamboos providing shade. The mountain walls were steep, and the river was surging. Before even climbing the mountain, Zhao Shuning could already feel its horror.
Here, Yan Ruyu had to stop.
"Master, I'll go up alone. You wait for me here for a few days."
"I'll let Xiaobai go with you."
"Master, you'd better keep Bai Ze with you. I can't command it. It's not my contracted divine beast, and there's no spiritual connection between us. If I take it with me and meet other spiritual herb masters, I'll have even more trouble in the future."
Yan Ruyu didn't stop her and then said, "It'll take you at least three months to get out of the Misty Mountain."
"Master, you should trust me. Think about it. Which steep mountain haven't I been to? You can't protect me for a lifetime. There are many difficulties I have to face on my own."
These words were said casually, but they struck a chord in Yan Ruyu's heart.
"Xiaoning'er, do you know that I have the fate of a thousand - year lone evil?"
Zhao Shuning stopped in her tracks.
She had heard about it before, but hearing it from her master still made her feel a bit heart - ache.
"Master."
"Xiaoning'er, you're right. I can't accompany you for a lifetime. There are many difficulties you have to face. Even for your own good, I shouldn't interfere in your affairs."
"Master, I didn't mean that. What's wrong with you?"
Yan Ruyu said, "These experiences are necessary for you. I understand the principle, but I don't want you to get hurt again. Xiaoning'er, if being close to me will bring you misfortune, will you push me away?"
Yan Ruyu in his green robe looked so handsome and elegant.
Her master didn't seem like a sentimental person, but at this moment, Zhao Shuning saw the hope in his eyes.
It turned out that her master also had emotions.
"Master, what are you talking nonsense about?"
My life was given by you. How could I ever push you away?
Zhao Shuning never knew her master's background. She only remembered that he looked the same when she first met him. Decades had passed, and he still looked the same.
She respected and loved her master. As long as he didn't want to talk about his private affairs, she would never ask.
"Never mind. Go in."
"Master, you'll always be my master, whether I'm Ye Ling or Zhao Shuning. You're also the person I respect the most."
A flicker of disappointment flashed in Yan Ruyu's eyes.
Just a master, the most respected person? That's all?
Indeed, whether she was Ye Ling or Zhao Shuning, she was always just his disciple. When she was a child, she used to say that she wanted to marry him when she grew up, but it was just childish talk.
Yan Ruyu thought he was really ridiculous. He had lived for so many years, yet he had taken a child's joke to heart.
"Go in. I'll come to find you in three months. During these three months, I'll go back to the Qingyun Kingdom. If you have anything, you can tell me through the realm of mental communication."
Su Mu's letters had been coming more and more frequently.
Now that he had found Xiaoning'er and felt a bit more at ease, it was time for him to deal with those political affairs.
"Master, are you leaving?"
It was understandable. Her master had a mysterious identity and was always busy. The fact that he had spent so many days with her was already a great kindness. Zhao Shuning was very content, but she still felt reluctant to part with him.
"Here, this is for you."
A karmic red lotus emerged from Yan Ruyu's palm.
At this moment, it was burning fiercely.
"The Karmic Red Lotus Fire? An accompanying fire?"
Yan Ruyu smiled, then held the red lotus in his palm, gently tightened his fingers, and placed his finger on Zhao Shuning's forehead. Before long, the red lotus disappeared.
"Master, how could you give me such a precious thing of yours?"
"It's of little use to me. With it, it can protect your heart meridian when you're in danger."
The Karmic Red Lotus Fire was superior to all armors in the world.
This red lotus was passed down to him by his father. Now, he used it to protect the woman he loved. The red lotus had finally fulfilled its value.