The path into the back mountains was exceptionally bumpy.
The carriage rolled and tumbled over it repeatedly.
Finally crossing the barrier, the two swiftly dismounted and entered the forbidden area together.
As soon as they stepped inside, they sensed something peculiar.
Before them, black mist swirled, and a long, drawn-out sound echoed from the depths of the forest.
The surrounding chill sent a shiver down Gu Qianying's spine.
She narrowed her eyes indifferently and stopped, surveying their surroundings.
Bai Yufeng also halted, asking impatiently, "What is it now?"
Gu Qianying's brows furrowed, her voice becoming hesitant, "This place is fraught with danger. What exactly is inside? It's truly perplexing."
Bai Yufeng unceremoniously grabbed Gu Qianying's arm and strode forward, stating indifferently, "This place is a forbidden area precisely because it is home to many ferocious beasts that devour human flesh and drink human blood. Should you fall into their clutches, death is certain."
He raised an eyebrow, speaking with a hint of amusement, "Are you perhaps afraid?"
Gu Qianying was taken aback, her face instantly turning ashen. She replied testily, "Nonsense. I wasn't afraid of the forbidden areas below the mountain, so how could I be afraid of these? Don't jest."
Bai Yufeng paused for a moment, then chuckled again.
"If that's the case, then why are we dawdling? Do you intend to waste time here?"
Gu Qianying suddenly realized she was being lifted, suspended awkwardly in mid-air.
She flared with cold anger, "What are you doing?"
Bai Yufeng smiled, "Naturally, I'm bringing you into the forbidden area. You look scared, so I'm merely protecting you."
Gu Qianying's expression turned cold, and she muttered indignantly,
"Are you sick!"
Bai Yufeng found it even more amusing and responded crisply, "If I am sick, do you like that?"
Gu Qianying rolled her eyes back, speechless. She simply hugged her arms tighter and continued towards the cave behind them.
Within the cave, a chilling aura constantly enveloped them.
With every step they took, they could feel the oppressive pressure.
However, apart from the complex atmosphere, nothing else occurred, and they safely reached the deepest part of the forbidden area.
But upon arriving, they immediately noticed the strangeness of the place.
Before them lay five terrifyingly powerful presences.
Gu Qianying's fingertips moved, channeling spiritual energy, finally bringing a sliver of light to the dark, eerie forbidden zone.
And in the wake of this light,
They successfully spotted five massive blood-sucking beasts.
These were the terrifying creatures Bai Yufeng had spoken of, those that ate human flesh and drank human blood.
They were poisonous all over, their bodies pale, and their demeanor frantic.
Upon seeing Gu Qianying and Bai Yufeng, the five colossal figures began to roar ferociously, then rapidly shifted their bodies, charging towards them with great speed.
Bai Yufeng's brows narrowed as he pulled Gu Qianying into his embrace.
Transforming into a blur, they landed in a corner of the cave.
There was a rock that perfectly obscured them from the beasts' line of sight.
Gu Qianying subtly composed herself and said gravely, "Bai Wenshan's physique is identical to these monsters. He also craved blood. It seems he was entangled with these monsters in this cave, was unfortunately poisoned, and thus became like these blood-sucking beasts!"
Bai Yufeng tilted his head, his brows tightly knit, his voice icy, "What exactly are we trying to do?"
He was highly vigilant, his gaze fixed on Gu Qianying's periphery, fearing the blood-sucking beasts would discover their location and attack, injuring her when he was not on guard.
Gu Qianying's finger touched her nose as she fell into thought.
She recalled texts stating that blood-sucking beasts were poisonous and possessed formidable spiritual power, by no means ordinary creatures. However, their inner beast cores were rich in spiritual energy, making them the optimal choice for detoxification.
If this item were used as medicine, the persistent poison on Fang Wenshan's body might be dispelled by its effect.
Gu Qianying took out a few silver needles, her gaze sharp and unwavering, looking directly ahead.
"Now, we must kill them and retrieve their beast cores."
Bai Yufeng's knuckles cracked. He placed Gu Qianying in her spot and said decisively, "Stay here. I'll handle it."
Gu Qianying was not satisfied. Before Bai Yufeng could leap down, she swiftly rose.
"Don't underestimate me. Dealing with these things is effortless."
Bai Yufeng helplessly tugged at the corner of his lips, "When you get hurt, don't come crying to me."
Gu Qianying rolled her eyes, "Young Master, stop looking down on people."
As the two landed, the five colossal blood-sucking beasts sensed their presence. Instantly, they opened their gaping maws and charged towards them madly.
Their immense size meant their feet were as large as human faces.
This stirred up clouds of dust, causing the cave to shake violently, almost to the point of collapse.
Gu Qianying, with her petite frame, effortlessly floated amidst the five blood-sucking beasts, carefully avoiding their toxins, using only her silver needles to provoke their movements.
Bai Yufeng conjured power in his hands, forming a barrier before him.
No matter how the blood-sucking beasts attacked, they could not affect him within it, nor could the sudden venom.
Bai Yufeng's gaze was icy. He calmly settled himself before the blood-sucking beasts, his body unmoving, showing no fear of the creatures before him.
Gu Qianying infused more spiritual energy into her silver needles and then shouted towards Bai Yufeng.
"I will attack their vital points. The rest will be up to you, Young Master."
Bai Yufeng's sword-like brows rose, a flicker of expression finally appearing on his face.
He surged forward, his entire body erupting with spiritual energy, transforming into several ice blades that scattered across the air.
Gu Qianying sidestepped, evading all the blood-sucking beasts.
She brought her fingers together, swiftly forming a hand seal.
In an instant, the previously pliable silver needles became incredibly resilient, crackling with sparks as they launched a fierce assault on the blood-sucking beasts.
The blood-sucking beasts' massive forms, while intimidating,
Were also their downfall.
They were unable to evade nimble objects, including Gu Qianying's silver needles.
The silver needles rang out with a metallic ping, carving an arc through the air and precisely piercing the beasts' acupuncture points.
The attacked blood-sucking beasts, feeling intense pain,
Their already enormous bodies expanded further. They frantically lifted their feet, stomping down from the ground.
Gu Qianying, unable to dodge in time, was nearly crushed.
Bai Yufeng's brows shot up. In a flash, he surged forward and pulled Gu Qianying into his embrace once more.
He frowned slightly, seemingly perplexed by the situation, "These blood-sucking beasts seem to have become even more powerful after being struck by the silver needles!"
As he spoke, he swiftly waved his sleeve, and the nearby stationary ice blades followed, slicing through the air.
With a swish, the ice blades circled the blood-sucking beasts, engaging them in combat.
Gu Qianying let out a soft sigh of relief and meditated in mid-air, regulating the stagnant spiritual energy within her body.
A faint smile graced her lips, "Young Master, do not worry. The real show is yet to come. Just you wait!"