As darkness fell, Zhang Wu and Wo Ningyan returned to the secluded valley.

The two of them looked very unwell, their faces showing signs of exhaustion.

These past few days of searching for Wu Er must have exhausted the two of them.

Upon seeing his third junior brother and junior sister return, Xiao Ming immediately informed his eldest senior brother of their return.

Zhang Wu and Wo Ningyan breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this, and even the fatigue on their faces disappeared.

Zhang Wu patted his chest and said, "It's good that you're back. Senior Brother is finally back."

"Where is my senior brother?" Wo Ningyan's face lit up with a smile. "I miss him so much!"

She's been incredibly anxious these days, feeling like she'd go crazy if she were separated from her senior brother for even a day.

Now that she heard that her senior brother was coming, Wo Ningyan was naturally eager to meet him.

Seeing his junior sister's joy, Xiao Mingmu pursed his lips, but in the end decided to pour cold water on her and make Wo Ningyan feel a little inferior.

"Our eldest brother has been under some kind of spell, and he's in a bad mood right now. He's acting strangely, so it's best not to disturb him while he's resting."

"Ah?!" Zhang Wu, who had just calmed down, panicked again. "What should we do? Is there any way to break this evil spell?"

Xiao Mingmu shook his head and then stood there without saying a word.

Wo Ningyan, who was initially excited, could no longer be happy, and a look of horror appeared on her face.

He kept muttering, "That bastard, once I can beat him, I'm going to cut him into eight pieces... no, I'm going to chop him into minced meat."

For a girl to utter such terrifying words, it's clear just how furious Wo Ningyan is.

To be honest, apart from Xiao Mingmu, Wo Ningyan was probably the most furious of the others.

"Where is my senior brother? I need to see him!"

Even after Xiao Mingmu poured cold water on her enthusiasm, Wo Ningyan still insisted on seeing Wu Er.

Although Xiao Mingmu didn't want Wu Er to be disturbed, he couldn't persuade Wo Ningyan, so he could only point to the cave next to him and say, "Senior Brother is resting inside... Ningyan, please control your emotions."

"Yes, I know."

Knowing where Wu Er was, Wo Ningyan casually agreed and then anxiously ran into the cave.

"Senior Brother!"

Although Wo Ningyan promised to control her emotions, she couldn't control herself when she saw Wu Er.

Then, Wo Ningyan pounced on Wu Er, wishing she could turn into a kitten and shrink into her senior brother's arms.

Wu Er, who had been in a daze, naturally opened his arms when he saw Wo Ningyan rushing towards him.

"Senior Brother, why did you leave without saying goodbye?"

As she hugged Wu Er, Wo Ningyan's voice choked with emotion, and there was a hint of resentment in her words.

Hearing his junior sister's words, Wu Er's dull, lifeless eyes showed a ripple, and he reached out to touch Wo Ningyan's head.

"I'm afraid... I'm afraid of implicating you all... so I just want to find a place to wait for death."

His dull words were filled with despondency, a far cry from his usual cheerful demeanor.

Wo Ningyan, who was holding Wu Er, also trembled and looked up at Wu Er with disbelief in her eyes.

"Senior brother, you're not that kind of person... Waiting to die? How could you possibly wait to die?"

Wu Er did not answer Wo Ningyan's question, but instead began to stare blankly again, completely devoid of energy.

After a while, Wo Ningyan released Wu Er and slowly withdrew from the cave.

After leaving the cave, Wo Ningyan was completely dejected.

He didn't speak to the other senior brothers, but just kept clutching his sleeves tightly.

Of course, no one else said anything either.

Chen Ping and Yan Zheng were busy setting up the formation, so they didn't have time to talk. Perhaps this would put their minds at ease.

The timid Zhang Wu was squatting in a corner. He was not a very strong-willed person to begin with, and it was good enough that he could stand up. It was impossible for him to speak up.

Xiao Mingmu was even less likely to speak, and the atmosphere around him was the most eerie.

An invisible killing intent was brewing, and even the ants around dared not approach Xiao Mingmu.

Perhaps because the clouds in the sky were low, the air became stuffy and the atmosphere in the entire valley was very oppressive.

Amidst this oppressive atmosphere, footsteps echoed from the cave.

Wu Er came out and looked up at the low, oppressive sky.

"Senior Brother, what brings you out here?"

When Xiao Mingmu saw Wu Er come out, he immediately followed, fearing that Wu Er would leave without saying goodbye again.

Everyone else dropped what they were doing and rushed to their senior brother's side.

"Senior Brother?"

One of them called out.

Upon hearing the calls from the group, Wu Er's expression changed slightly.

Even if he was under a spell, even if he was dull-witted, his junior brothers and sisters could still move Wu Er.

These are the people he cherishes most and values ​​the most.

Wu Er's gaze shifted from the sky to the crowd, and he said, almost as if possessed, "Shouldn't we be eating?"

Have a meal?

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

I've been practicing for so many years and have even started fasting. Although I occasionally eat something when I feel hungry, I don't eat anything on ordinary days anymore.

Although it was strange to suggest having a meal, since it was Wu Er who suggested it, everyone naturally complied.

"Senior Brother, what would you like to eat?"

Xiao Mingmu immediately stepped forward and asked.

Wu Er thought for a moment, then said, "What else can we eat? Let's boil some millet and make some wild vegetable soup."

Upon hearing these two items, Xiao Mingmu was taken aback.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!