"Xiao Ye, if there's a next time, I'll definitely cripple your hands and feet."

Qin Qing suddenly landed, holding a sharp sword and aiming it at Xiao Ye, who was lying on the ground in a sorry state.

Xiao looked at Qin Qing with a hurt expression, "Qingqing, I just wanted to protect you."

He couldn't bear to see her hurt, which is why he jumped into the abyss with her without hesitation.

Because he was worried about the dangers in the abyss, he held her in his arms, wanting to protect her and prevent her from getting hurt.

Unexpectedly, Qin Qing misunderstood his intention to take advantage of him and kicked him away.

"Ha! What man would admit to being a scoundrel?" Qin Qing sneered, the tip of her sword moving even closer to Xiao Ye.

Xiao Ye: "..."

"Big brother." Xiao Ye looked at Xiao Ci for help.

Xiao Ci glanced at him indifferently and said in an icy tone, "I don't know you."

"?" Xiao Ye's eyes were filled with accusation. "Big brother, you've changed."

Unfortunately, Xiao Ci ignored him and turned to look at Qin Wan with concern.

Are you cold?

Upon hearing this, Qin Wan snapped out of her daze and subconsciously touched her arm, feeling a cold sensation wash over her palm.

"A little."

Almost as soon as she finished speaking, a warm cloak was placed on her shoulders.

Then, Xiao Ci naturally took her hand, and before Qin Wan could struggle, a warm current flowed from their clasped hands into her body.

“…Thank you.” Qin Wan was taken aback, a faint unease flashing in her eyes, but she did not break free.

Seeing her awkward reaction and feeling her tension and stiffness in his palm, Xiao Ci didn't think much of it at first, but for a moment he seemed to be infected by her emotions, and his heart trembled involuntarily.

Xiao Ci's favorability increased by 2, current favorability is 38.

Seeing the two's intimate interaction, Qin Qing's eyes flickered, a strong sense of gossip appearing in them.

I'm starting to think Qin Wan and Xiao Ci are a perfect match!

Xiao Ci usually seems unsmiling, aloof, and difficult to get along with, but in front of Qin Wan, he is completely different from the rumors.

Look, he's only just landed and he's already worried about whether Qin Wan is cold.

Knowing that Qin Wan could not cultivate, had no spiritual power to protect her, and could not regulate her body temperature automatically, he considerately held her hand to warm her up.

That's so heartwarming!

Then look at Xiao Ye, not only is he not loyal in relationships, but he also dares to try to take advantage of her under the guise of caring for her.

Just kidding, she's not Qin Wan. Her cultivation level is the same as Xiao Ye's, both are Great Sword Masters!

If there is any danger in this ice cave, Xiao can handle it, and she can resist it as well.

If Xiao couldn't handle it, neither could she.

Therefore, Xiao's so-called protection was just a pretense; this man just wanted to take advantage of her and grope her!

Thinking of this, Qin Qing felt even more disgusted and disdainful of Xiao.

This male lead is truly unlikable and annoying!

Xiao had just gotten up from the ground when he looked up and was met with a fierce glare from Qin Qing...

"Stay away from me!" Qin Qing threatened fiercely.

Xiao Ye: "..."

-

After looking around, Qin Qing subconsciously glanced at Qin Wan, only to find that Qin Wan was also looking at her.

The place where the male and female protagonists fell in love!

A cave of eternal ice!

In the book she was reading, Qin Wan and Xiao also survived countless near-death experiences in this icy cave, remaining inseparable from each other throughout.

It was also in this place that Xiao truly opened his heart to Qin Wan, and romantic feelings blossomed between them...

Thinking of this, Qin Qing gave Qin Wan a deep look, then glanced at Xiao Ci, who was holding Qin Wan's hand...

Finally, he looked at Xiao Ye beside him.

This place is a good place.

It's just that the man is no good...

Since that's the case, let's just go with the flow!

Thinking of this, Qin Qing unusually showed a kind expression to Xiao Ye.

"Come here," Qin Qing said to Xiao Ye, squinting her eyes.

Xiao was taken aback at first, but after regaining his senses, he was overjoyed and walked excitedly toward Qin Qing.

"Qingqing? Have you forgiven me?" Xiao asked cautiously.

Qin Qing frowned slightly, glanced at him sideways, and then gave a soft snort.

"Didn't you say you'd protect me? Remember to stay close to me and don't wander off, okay?"

After speaking, Qin Qing narrowed her eyes and stared at Xiao Ye, her blatant threat making no attempt to conceal it.

"good!"

"no problem!"

"Don't worry, Qingqing! I will definitely protect you!"

Xiao Ye's face was so excited that he was practically swearing an oath to the heavens.

Seeing this, Qin Qing snorted and ignored him.

Ahead.

Xiao Ci protected Qin Wan as they moved forward, keeping an eye on the changes in their surroundings.

Yes, this ice cave is full of formations, and the formations around them have been constantly changing ever since they landed here.

"This seems to be a maze," Qin Wan's voice came from beside her.

"If nothing unexpected happens, it's a maze combined with an illusion." Xiao Ci pursed his thin lips, his expression slightly grave.

If it's just him alone, there's no need to worry.

However, Qin Wan, who was beside her, had no cultivation. The longer she stayed here, the greater the impact on her body would be.

To prevent her from getting frostbite, they had to get out of there quickly.

Moreover, this labyrinth is located deep within the Monster Forest, and the surrounding area is bound to be fraught with danger...

Thinking of this, Xiao Ci tightened his grip on Qin Wan's hand, a rare hint of seriousness appearing on his usually composed face.

"Stay close, don't get lost!"

"good!"

Qin Wan nodded obediently in response.

Almost at the same time...

A familiar voice echoed in Qin Wan's mind...

"Is this the place?"

"In the story, it seems that Qin Wan was trapped in an illusion here..."

As soon as Qin Qing finished speaking, Qin Wan felt that her surroundings had changed drastically.

The next second, she appeared in a cave filled with flames, with a pool of churning lava right in front of her.

Qin Wan: "..."

After looking around, Qin Wan's understanding of Qin Qing's incredible luck was completely refreshed.

"Brother Xiao?" Qin Wan called out tentatively.

Her voice echoed through the cave, but she received no response from Xiao Ci.

Qin Wan looked down at the hand beside her; the warmth and touch of Xiao Ci that once belonged to her palm had vanished.

She's the only one left...

Strangely, although she could clearly sense the high temperature of the magma, her body did not feel unbearably hot...

Is Xiao Ci still alive?

"Brother Xiao, I think I'm trapped in an illusion," Qin Wan called out again.

"..."

Her voice echoed in the cave, but once again no one answered her.

Qin Wan remained calm, carefully observing her surroundings and describing them softly.

"I feel like I'm in a cave right now..."

"There's a lot of magma here, and it's extremely hot. It's constantly churning and roaring..."

"But for some reason, I didn't feel any burning or unbearable heat in my body..."

"Brother Xiao, is that you?"

"You must still be with me. You're the one who helped regulate my body temperature, right?"

"Brother Xiao, I believe you..."

"You said you would protect me, and you definitely won't abandon me..."

"But I... am still so... scared..." As she spoke, Qin Wan's voice grew softer and softer, her tone filled with undisguised disappointment and sadness.