Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

"Which direction do you all plan to go next?"

Liu Yunshu gently stroked the teacup with her fingertips, and when she looked up, she met Xiao Hanxing's smiling gaze.

The playful smile in his eyes made her ears burn slightly, and she involuntarily lowered her gaze to look away, but her voice remained clear and gentle:

"Miss Mu remembered some fragmented information, saying that her relatives might be in the Black Stone Mountain area outside the pass, so we're going to try our luck there."

"Black Rock Mountain?"

Xiao Hanxing paused, his folding fan still in his hand, his dark blue sleeves swaying in the wind, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"What a coincidence? The valley I'm looking for is right deep inside Black Rock Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Shen Run's face lit up with joy, and he clapped his hands and laughed:

"That's perfect! Brother Xiao is highly skilled in martial arts. If we can travel together, we can look out for each other."

Xiao Hanxing's gaze remained fixed on Liu Yunshu's lowered eyelashes, and he asked in a light tone, "What does Miss Liu think?"

Liu Yunshu looked up and saw that his eyes were full of undisguised anticipation.

That carefree and unrestrained demeanor suddenly seemed to carry a touch of childlike stubbornness, and a strange feeling stirred within me, prompting me to nod slightly.

"Since Alliance Leader Xiao is going the same way, let's travel together."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Hanxing's eyes lit up with starlight. He slammed the folding fan shut and tapped his fingertips lightly on the fan ribs.

"It's settled then. We'll set off first thing tomorrow morning."

He gazed at her flushed earlobes, the lingering scent of plum blossoms from that day seemingly rising in his throat, as he secretly considered the treacherous path through Black Stone Mountain.

Along the way, he's sure to find many "unexpected" moments that will give him the opportunity to get closer to her.

The next morning, just as dawn broke, the streets and alleys of Yulong Pass were still shrouded in a cool morning mist.

The four rode out of the city. The morning mist gradually dissipated, and the rising sun pierced through the clouds, casting a warm glow on the official road.

The outline of Black Stone Mountain gradually became clear in the distance, its steep slopes and swirling clouds and mist giving it a mysterious air.

"The paths in Black Rock Mountain are complex and teeming with ferocious beasts and poisonous insects. If Miss Mu feels unwell, please let us know."

Liu Yunshu turned her head to give instructions, the white horse moved steadily, and her voice was clear and gentle in the wind.

Mu Yunling nodded vigorously, but couldn't help but peek out at the majestic mountain range, her eyes full of wonder.

"I'm not afraid! With Miss Liu, Brother Shen, and Alliance Leader Xiao here, everything will be fine."

Upon hearing this, Shen Run gently echoed, "Don't worry, Miss Mu, we will protect you."

He rode his horse on the left, his eyes constantly scanning the road ahead, remaining vigilant at all times.

Xiao Hanxing walked on the outermost side, playing with his black iron folding fan between his fingers. He seemed nonchalant, but in reality, his sharp eyes were scanning the surrounding plants and trees.

He occasionally glanced at Liu Yunshu and saw the silver ribbon in her hair fluttering in the wind.

Her profile was sharp yet still gentle, and her Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

Around noon, the four of them found a place by a stream to rest.

Just as Liu Yunshu removed the water pouch from her waist, she saw Xiao Hanxing suddenly flash by, his black iron folding fan slashing towards the grass not far away with a sharp gust of wind.

With a "whoosh," a jet-black venomous snake darted out of the bushes, struck seven inches by the fan bone, and died instantly.

"The poisonous insects of Black Rock Mountain are indeed formidable; one can easily fall victim if one is not careful." Shen Run frowned, stepped forward, kicked aside the snake carcass, and spoke with a grave tone.

Mu Yunling turned pale with fright and instinctively moved closer to Liu Yunshu, saying, "So...so scary..."

Liu Yunshu patted the back of her hand to comfort her, then looked up at Xiao Hanxing with a hint of approval in her eyes:

"Alliance Leader Xiao, your skills are truly impressive. Thank you."

Xiao Hanxing closed his folding fan, a smile playing on his lips.

"It's nothing. If Miss Liu is afraid of snakes, I'll be more careful in the future."

Although he said it in jest, it carried a hint of intimacy.

Liu Yunshu's ears felt slightly hot as she turned to pack her bags, avoiding his gaze.

"People of the martial world have no reason to be afraid of snakes."

Shen Run walked up to Xiao Hanxing at some point and handed him a piece of dry food.

"Brother Xiao, thank you for your help earlier. Although Yun Shu is highly skilled in martial arts, she is still a woman after all. With you here, I feel more at ease."

Xiao Hanxing took the dry rations, the smile in his eyes fading slightly, but his tone remained carefree:

"Brother Shen, rest assured, Miss Liu is your fiancée, and I will naturally protect her."

Even so, he felt inexplicably uneasy, and his gaze unconsciously drifted towards Liu Yunshu's direction.

She was bending down to hand water to Mu Yunling, her profile looking incredibly gentle in the sunlight.

After resting for a while, they continued on their way. The mountain road became increasingly rugged, making it difficult for the horses to pass, so the four of them abandoned their horses and walked.

Mu Yunling was exhausted and gradually fell behind. Shen Run slowed down to accompany her and occasionally reached out to help her.

Liu Yunshu and Xiao Hanxing walked ahead. The forest was quiet, with only the sound of their footsteps and the rustling of leaves.

"Alliance Leader Xiao, is there a specific marker for the valley you're looking for?"

Liu Yunshu broke the silence first, her voice echoing through the woods.

Ancient texts record that at the entrance to the valley there is a giant rock shaped like a jade dragon.

Xiao Hanxing turned his head to look at her, his eyes showing a hint of seriousness.

"It is said that the valley is shrouded in white mist all year round, and there is also a cold pool where the silver fish hide."

"White mist? Cold pool?" Liu Yunshu frowned slightly. "Such a peculiar landscape is easy to identify."

"Miss Liu! Brother Shen! Look! Isn't that a giant rock shaped like a jade dragon?"

Upon hearing the sound, Liu Yunshu looked up and followed the direction Mu Yunling was pointing. At the end of the dense forest ahead, a towering boulder stood abruptly.

The stone body meanders and spirals, with naturally formed scale-like patterns, and the dragon's head is raised as if it wants to soar into the clouds.

It truly resembled a jade dragon poised to take flight, its surface gleaming with a cold, bluish-gray light in the twilight.

"It is indeed a jade dragon stone."

A glint of light flashed in Xiao Hanxing's eyes as his dark blue robes fluttered gently in the evening breeze through the forest.

"It seems the entrance to the valley is nearby."

The four quickened their pace and approached, and sure enough, they saw a narrow crevice hidden to the left of the boulder.

A faint white mist, carrying a crisp chill, permeated the gaps between the trees, a stark contrast to the humid heat of the forest.

Liu Yunshu reached out and touched the mist with her fingertips, which was surprisingly cool. Her brows furrowed slightly.

"This fog is strange; it's probably miasma."

Xiao Hanxing took out four small sachets from his bosom and handed them to the three of them.

"This is a medicine pouch for repelling insects and warding off miasma. It's always a good idea to carry it with you."

When he extended his fingertips to Liu Yunshu, he deliberately slowed down his movements, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against her palm.

Both of them paused slightly, then casually looked away.

Mu Yunling quickly tied the sachet to her clothes, the faint scent of herbs lingering around her nose, which calmed her heart considerably.

"I feel much more at ease with this."

Shen Run carefully put away the medicine pouch, his gaze sweeping over the narrow mountain crevice, his tone grave:

"The crevice is narrow, only one person can pass at a time. Be careful, stay close behind, and don't get separated."

Xiao Hanxing stepped in first, holding a black iron folding fan in his palm, and warily scanned his surroundings.

The rock walls on both sides of the mountain crevice were slippery and covered with moss. The fog grew thicker and thicker, and the visibility was less than three feet.

Liu Yunshu pulled Mu Yunling close behind, while Shen Run brought up the rear. The four of them slowly made their way through the white mist, stepping on the slippery moss.

The mountain crevice was so narrow that one could only pass sideways, and water droplets seeping from the rock wall dripped onto one's clothes.

It carried a bone-chilling coolness, intertwined with the herbal scent of the medicine bag.

"Miss Liu, hold on tight."

Xiao Hanxing's voice pierced through the white mist.

He kept moving, yet always managed to precisely avoid the slippery moss.

Occasionally, when turning around, the tip of the black iron folding fan would gently push aside the vines blocking the way, clearing a path for the person behind.

Liu Yunshu pulled Mu Yunling along, her steps light yet steady.

She could clearly hear Xiao Hanxing's footsteps ahead, and she tightened her grip on Mu Yunling's hand: "Don't be afraid, follow me."

Mu Yunling gripped her hand tightly, the white mist blurring her vision.

All I could hear was the dripping sound of water from the stone wall, and my own slightly rapid breathing.

She couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Miss Liu, when will this fog clear up?"

"Soon."

As soon as Liu Yunshu finished speaking, Xiao Hanxing, who was in front of her, suddenly stopped and tapped his folding fan lightly in his palm.

"The view ahead has opened up."

The group quickened their pace and emerged from the mountain crevice, where a bright and open view suddenly appeared before them.

A long, narrow valley stretched out before us, its floor covered with lush green moss, and glistening icicles hanging from the cliffs on either side.

"Where is the cold pool?"

Xiao Hanxing lightly waved his folding fan, parting the white mist swirling around him. His gaze swept over the moss-covered ground at the bottom of the valley, and his tone carried a hint of surprise:

According to ancient texts, the Cold Pool should be located in the middle of the valley.

"Could it be that we haven't reached the center of the valley yet?"

Liu Yunshu took a step forward, her moon-white skirt brushing against the soft, damp moss, leaving faint traces.

She gathered a wisp of internal energy at her fingertips, gently parted the white mist in front of her, and scanned her surroundings with sharp eyes.

"This valley is deeper than I imagined; perhaps the icy pool is hidden even deeper."

Xiao Hanxing followed closely behind, his black iron folding fan occasionally striking the cliff walls on both sides.

The crisp sound echoed through the valley, probing for any hidden mechanisms or secret passages.

"This fog is eerie; ordinary miasma wouldn't condense and remain like this."

He turned his head to look at Liu Yunshu and saw that there were some dewdrops on her temples, like scattered pieces of jade. His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

"Miss Liu, watch your step, the moss is slippery."

As soon as she finished speaking, Mu Yunling suddenly exclaimed in surprise, her foot slipped and she was about to fall.

Shen Run reacted quickly, reaching out to steady her, and said with concern, "Miss Mu, walk slowly, don't rush."

Mu Yunling's cheeks flushed slightly. She quickly steadied herself, took a step back, and whispered her thanks, "Thank you, Brother Shen. I was so careless."

Liu Yunshu turned around upon hearing the sound and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Mu Yunling had already stood firm.

My gaze swept over the dense vines hanging down the cliff face, and I suddenly noticed that the way a cluster of ancient vines on the right was intertwined was unusual.

The vines intertwined, yet neat gaps were faintly visible, unlike anything that had grown naturally.