The flying boat sailed for two hours, entering a patch of dark clouds. Suddenly, the hull lurched violently, nearly capsizing.
A mountain peak, soaring into the clouds, abruptly appeared in sight. Its dark brown slopes were covered in moss and thorns, enshrouded in thick mist that obscured the view ahead. 138 Reading Network.
Mu Heng's eyes widened. He cast a spell to turn the boat around, but a sudden demonic wind whipped up ahead, shaking the vessel uncontrollably and almost causing it to crash.
He hurriedly channeled his spiritual energy to protect himself, simultaneously reaching for the helm.
"There's something below!" Ye Ziling leaped off the flying boat, landing on a silver sword and effortlessly steadying herself.
Damn it, which suicidal little demon dared to intercept her path?
With a flick of her sleeves, Ye Ziling stabilized the boat in mid-air. She glanced at Mu Heng, instructing, "Guard the boat here. I'll be back soon."
The silver sword flashed and vanished into the sky.
She leaped forward, unleashing her Lingbo Weibu technique, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Ye Ziling landed on a cliff summit, gazing ahead. The cliff plunged into an unfathomable abyss, with churning seas of clouds below, a vast expanse of darkness from which the sound of rushing water could faintly be heard.
"Come out," Ye Ziling turned, shouting sternly behind her.
Normally, she wouldn't mind wasting time with these minor demons. But now, she was in a hurry to return to the valley. Anyone who dared to block her path at this time had just run into a wall.
After shouting, only the whistling wind answered her.
"Since you've blocked my path, why won't you come out to meet me?"
Ye Ziling's gaze darkened. She walked forward, looking back periodically, her steps steady and firm.
The moment she stepped onto a massive stone as smooth as a mirror, a dark shadow shot out from beneath her feet, creating a fierce gust of wind.
Her eyes turned cold. She unleashed a ball of immortal power, striking the object and sending it reeling back several dozen feet.
Instantly, the white mist split into over a dozen parts, scattering in all directions to reveal a ferocious and terrifying face, blood dripping from its lips, its eyes filled with venomous hatred as it glared at Ye Ziling.
"So it's you." Ye Ziling hesitated for a moment, then scanned the monster before her, a mocking smile curling her lips.
During the celestial collapse, these soul-devouring monsters had been driven back by her to the demon capital. Now that the demon capital was unsealed, they were likely seeking revenge.
Ye Ziling raised an eyebrow, looking at the blood-drenched monster before her, and sneered, "Since you've come, none of you will leave."
With that, she charged forward, her palms striking out in unison. Immortal power erupted, and three consecutive palm strikes hit the monster, blasting it to the ground.
The surrounding clouds churned, condensing into thousands of sharp arrows that whistled and rained down on Ye Ziling.
She dodged nimbly, simultaneously conjuring immortal techniques, struggling to fend them off.
Sensing the potent malevolent energy around her, she felt a growing unease.
She scanned her surroundings. The demonic fog had condensed into a vortex, trapping her at its mouth.
Only then did she realize she had fallen into a trap, ensnared by a formation on the cliff edge.
At the critical moment, a figure somersaulted through the air, their toes touching the ground as they landed beside her.
He pulled off his cloak and spun it; the arrows surged with his movements, shattered by an immense force.
Ye Ziling looked up at the newcomer. Ling Xi was dressed in a dark brocade robe, his long sleeves billowing. His obsidian-like hair was casually tied back. Beneath his high-bridged nose, his full, red lips were pursed, his gaze coldly fixed ahead.
"The times are not in your favor. It seems Miss Ye may not be able to leave today," Ling Xi lowered his eyes, his tone lazy yet clear.
Ye Ziling retracted her palms, her gaze clear, and asked him in confusion, "What are you doing here?"
Ling Xi closed his palm, turned, and walked towards her, his gaze fixed on her slender form.
At some point, the cloak had quietly fallen onto Ye Ziling's shoulders. A gentle breeze lifted the cloak and her beautiful hair, making them sway together.
Ling Xi looked at her, as if admiring a beautiful vista, and a smile touched his lips. He did not reply.
After a long silence, his expression gradually cleared. He suddenly spoke, "It's windy here. Come back with me first."
Ye Ziling frowned, tilting her head slightly, squinting at him in confusion.
???
Just a few days ago, he had tried every way to drive her away, even picking on the path they walked, saying he simply disliked her. Had he taken the wrong medicine now? He was so moody; his thoughts were truly hard to fathom.
Ye Ziling withdrew her gaze, her expression calm. With a smile, she said, "I recall Scholar Ling was quite annoyed with me a few days ago. You said you simply didn't like me, so why are you different today?"
Ling Xi's gaze darkened, his heart tightening.
So she had heard everything.
He had tried to probe her feelings, but he hadn't expected to overdo it, leading to this irreversible situation.
She hadn't taken in any of the kind words, but she remembered every angry word more clearly than anyone.
Seeing the thoughts forming in his eyes, Ye Ziling's gaze brightened. She unfastened the cloak, saying, "In the future, I wish you well."
Even if he had said he found her a little annoying, she wanted to stay far away from him, even if she had developed feelings.
Ye Ziling held the cloak out to Ling Xi, her eyes returning to their usual coldness. She looked at him calmly, waiting for him to take it.
The surrounding mist swirled, enveloping them like a dream.
"Do you remember what you said yesterday?" Ling Xi suddenly smiled, gazing at her with interest, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
"What did I say?" Ye Ziling was somewhat bewildered. Her eyes flickered as she tried to recall yesterday's memories, but her mind remained blank.
"Ye Ziling, besides making things difficult for me, you also make things difficult for yourself. Your heart is quite cruel."
Ling Xi's every word struck Ye Ziling's heart. Her expression remained composed as she quietly watched him.
Soon, Ling Xi's lips curved. He looked at her with a laugh born of exasperation, "I had no idea that besides going against others, the divine maiden also goes against herself."
"Scholar Ling, did you follow me just to say these things?" Ye Ziling frowned.
"Not entirely." Ling Xi took the cloak, reverently draped it over her again, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her along. "Since we're already halfway there, why not come back with me."
"As for Peach Blossom Valley, I'll return with you after the matter of the divine spring is resolved."