Since he said he would take her away, Yan Xingzhi really didn't want to waste any time. Early the next morning, the two rode the same horse together and left Yangyue Manor.

Tang Ning has not seen Ye Xiao since yesterday morning.

However, she didn't really care.

At first, their horses galloped for a distance, but then, perhaps because the road was not very smooth and there were still a few days before the battle at Ghost Howl Cliff began, Yan Xingzhi gradually slowed down his horses.

At this moment, Tang Ning, who was being held in his arms, glanced at the sky above, which was clear and blue like a piece of glass with only a few white clouds floating above it. She also looked at the wildflowers growing wildly by the roadside and the white cabbage white butterflies busily flitting among them.

In a good mood, she naturally leaned into Yan Xingzhi's arms behind her, her lips curving into a wide smile, and began to hum an unknown folk tune.

At this moment, his mind had been constantly calculating and scheming all the way. How much benefit could he gain from the battle of Ghost Howl Cliff? How much effort should he contribute in the great battle? How should he arrange his people after this battle? And how should he manipulate Yan Xingzhi to most easily swallow up other forces? As soon as he heard the humming sound next to him, his many chaotic thoughts suddenly stopped.

With a slight frown, the man looked down at Tang Ning in his arms.

Unexpectedly, I saw her face full of joy and satisfaction, and her eyes were filled with pure happiness and anticipation as she looked ahead.

It was as if being with him meant that even if you traveled to the ends of the earth and experienced all kinds of hardships, you would only feel happiness and sweetness.

Tang Ning, so overjoyed, had no idea what awaited her ahead.

Just as he thought of this, a complex and restless feeling, inexplicable to him, arose in Yan Xingzhi's heart.

The man's inner turmoil and confusion manifested in Tang Ning through the increase in his favorability towards her.

Tang Ning, whom she doesn't yet regard for this level of favorability, isn't acting at this moment. While she's trying to win people over, being happy and joyful is also important. Always being able to see the most beautiful things in life and genuinely appreciating and enjoying them is Tang Ning's consistent way of life.

She liked the weather, the scenery, and the feeling of riding a horse with the wind on her face. That's why she hummed a song, unrelated to the strategy. Unexpectedly, this caused a change in Yan Xingzhi's favorability towards her.

Even now that she knows, Tang Ning doesn't treat it any differently. Instead, she continues to immerse herself in the pure, unpolluted ancient air and scenery that she could never enjoy in her original world.

As night fell, before the afterglow of the sunset faded, a crescent moon slowly climbed into the distant gray-blue sky.

Before night completely fell, the two finally found an inn where they could stay. When the waiter asked them enthusiastically whether they wanted a meal or a room, Yan Xingzhi replied that he wanted a room. He then glanced at Tang Ning, who was already wearing a veil, and hesitated before saying, "My wife and I will have enough for one room."

Although Tang Ning, who came from Medicine God Valley, had not encountered many people from the martial arts world before, she had spent some time on Kongming Mountain. To put it simply, most people in the Kongshan Sect could recognize her. The closer one got to Ghost Howl Cliff, the greater the chance of encountering Kongshan Sect disciples.

The rumors he had heard before were that Tang Ningtang, the successor of Medicine God Valley, disappeared unexpectedly on Kongming Mountain on her wedding day. It was said that she was very likely kidnapped by members of the Demonic Sect who took advantage of the situation. There were also rumors that she suddenly learned on her wedding day that her master, the Valley Master of Medicine God Valley, was missing, so she went down the mountain to look for her master without even getting married, and then disappeared without a trace.

However, given that Fang Yunyang, the groom, was eventually found seriously injured and lying on the roadside that day, people in the martial arts world were more inclined to the former guess.

To avoid trouble, Yan Xingzhi took the initiative to ask Tang Ning to put on the veil. She didn't ask any questions and obediently put it on.

Just as the two were led into their room upstairs by the waiter and the door closed, a group of martial arts practitioners dressed in white and wearing sun hats appeared at the inn's entrance.

As soon as the group entered the inn, before they had even taken off their straw hats, one of them immediately said, "Senior Brother, it's getting late. Why don't we stay here for the night and continue our journey early tomorrow morning?"

Upon hearing this, the white-clad man leading the group and holding the sword gave a soft "hmm".

At the same time, a slender woman following closely beside the man reached out and took off her straw hat, revealing a face as radiant as a spring flower.

She looked at the white-clad man at the head of the group with adoration, and said lightly, "Brother Fang, your internal injuries haven't healed yet. It's obvious that this inn can't make the medicinal cuisine I specially researched for you. How about I go and talk to the innkeeper later and ask if I can borrow their kitchen so I can cook for you myself?"

Upon hearing this, the man in white reached out and removed his bamboo hat, revealing a handsome, pale face.

Who else could it be but Fang Yunyang?

He glanced indifferently at Huo Qingqing, who was dressed in the white robes of their Kongshan Sect and looking at him with a cautious and expectant expression. He lowered his eyes slightly and said politely, "Miss Huo, your father, the Master of the Food God Manor, is on his way here. Once he arrives, I think it would be best if you followed behind him. After all, swords have no eyes, and the Kongshan Sect has no kinship with you, so I'm afraid they can't protect you."

After saying that, he completely ignored Huo Qingqing's expression, which went from longing and anticipation to disbelief, and then to heartbreak and tears welling up in her eyes. He then walked up to the second floor of the inn, led by the waiter.

The group of Kongshan Sect disciples following behind him stood awkwardly in place for a while. After seeing Fang Yunyang go upstairs, they hurriedly followed, but none of them went forward to comfort the heartbroken Miss Huo Qingqing.

They had seen this kind of scene far too many times and were no longer surprised. Ever since Miss Tang disappeared on the day of the wedding and the senior brother went into a state of demonic possession and was saved by his master, he had always acted as if he didn't care about anything.

This Miss Huo was already on her way back to the God of Food Manor, but upon hearing about her senior brother's situation, she rushed back immediately. She then spent every day hanging around him, enduring his repeated rejections and avoidances, but she wasn't annoyed at all. Instead, she racked her brains every day to help him with his internal injuries. This time, she somehow heard about Ghost Howling Cliff. Even though her senior brother had already directly rejected her, she still changed into the clothes of the Empty Mountain Sect and secretly followed them until they had almost walked halfway before her senior brother caught her.

Then began the daily routine of her senior brother ignoring, rejecting, and ostracizing her, yet she still refused to leave.

They had tried to persuade her, but they were too weak and their words carried little weight. They couldn't persuade their eldest brother, let alone Miss Huo. They had never seen such a stubborn girl in their lives. If they weren't worried about what would happen if word got out, they would have described her as shameless. After that, whenever they saw her like this, they would deliberately avoid her.

In fact, anyone in the Kongshan Sect with eyes could see that the eldest brother already had someone in his heart, the girl Tang Ning whose whereabouts are still unknown. It's just that the two of them are destined to be apart, even though they are about to get married.

well.

At this moment, Huo Qingqing, standing at the entrance of the inn, looked at Fang Yunyang's back on the second floor with teary eyes. She raised her hand to wipe away her tears, sniffed, and then followed him up.

Tang Ning has disappeared, vanished. No one knows whether she is alive or dead. She refuses to believe that she cannot move Brother Fang. Sincerity can move mountains, and she believes that one day Brother Fang will see her existence and all her sacrifices.

Meanwhile, in the guest room on the second floor, looking at Tang Ning who had made the bed and placed two pillows in front of her, Yan Xingzhi swallowed back the words "sleep on the floor" that were already on the tip of his tongue.

After quickly washing up, Yan Xingzhi stood in front of the bed. He had just glanced at Tang Ning before avoiding her gaze. He paused, then reached out and lowered the bed curtains in front of him. He smiled slightly at Tang Ning and said, "Go to sleep. We have to get up and travel tomorrow morning. In another day, we should be able to reach Ghost Howl Cliff."

Upon hearing this, Tang Ning nodded obediently and climbed into the inner part of the bed, lay down, covered herself with the quilt, leaving only her bright and alluring eyes visible outside.

Seeing her like this, Yan Xingzhi clenched his fist and slowly lay down on the outside of the bed. Then he turned his head, waved his hand, and extinguished the candlelight not far away, plunging the room into darkness.

Perhaps he was really tired from traveling all day. As soon as the candlelight went out, Yan Xingzhi, who had been staring at the top of the tent with his eyes open, heard Tang Ning's even breathing after she fell asleep. This made his slightly anxious heart immediately settle down.

In the darkness, he turned his head and looked at the peaceful sleeping face of the person beside him for a while, raised his eyebrows, and was just about to turn back and close his eyes, as usual, to get through this long night.

The next second he suddenly heard a rustling sound beside him. As soon as he opened his eyes, he immediately felt a warm arm naturally placed on his waist. At the same time, the other person moved closer, rested their head on his shoulder, and subconsciously rubbed against him.

Having never had such intimate contact with any woman in his entire life, Yan Xingzhi froze uncontrollably, even his breathing stopped.

He waited for a while, but Yan Xingzhi didn't make any further moves from Tang Ning. He gently placed his hand on her arm, and just as he was about to remove it, Tang Ning's indistinct voice rang in his ears.

"Brother Xingzhi..."

These four light words struck Yan Xingzhi's ears, causing him to freeze for a moment. He then turned and glanced at Tang Ning beside him with mixed feelings, noticing a thin line of blood slowly appearing behind her ear. This was a sign that the Miao poison in Ye Xiao's body was taking effect on her, and she wouldn't live much longer.

At most six months, at least three months, death is certain.

He didn't know how long he stared at the bloodshot veins, but in the end, Yan Xingzhi still didn't remove Tang Ning's arm from his waist, letting her hug him like that.

Just then, Tang Ning, who was asleep, seemed to be having a sweet dream, and the corners of her mouth slightly turned up.

Afterwards, Tang Ning, half-asleep, gave 54088 her last command, instructing it to find the most hypnotic radio waves in the item shop and release them at Yan Xingzhi before falling into a deep sleep.

The next day, Yan Xingzhi was suddenly awakened by a hawker's cry from the street downstairs, and he opened his eyes warily.

When he opened his eyes, he realized that he had somehow already pulled Tang Ning into his arms. And to make matters worse, it was already daylight outside.

But he didn't even know when he fell asleep last night. There were no nightmares, no waking up in fright, no insomnia. It was the first time in thirteen years that he had such a sweet and satisfying sleep.

Yan Xingzhi opened his eyes wide in disbelief. Why was this happening? Could it be...?

He shifted his gaze to Tang Ning in his arms, his eyes flickering for a long time. Just as he was about to lower his head to sniff the scent on her neck to see if it was working, Tang Ning let out a soft moan and slowly opened her eyes.

Upon seeing Yan Xingzhi, she gave him a sweet, sleepy smile.

Good morning, Xingzhi.

"Good morning……"

Yan Xingzhi's voice still carried a hint of hoarseness from just waking up.

Yan Xingzhi's current favorability rating: 25.

Upon waking up to such good news, Tang Ning's smile brightened considerably.

Because they needed to keep moving, they didn't rest much at the inn. After checking out, they left without even having breakfast. The reason they didn't have breakfast was entirely because of Tang Ning's encouragement. As soon as she woke up, she could smell the aroma of various foods coming from outside the window. She didn't want to eat dry steamed buns at the inn; all she wanted to do was try a little of everything on the street.

Yan Xingzhi, whose favorability rating had just increased, naturally followed her lead.

The two had just stepped out of the inn when Fang Yunyang and the others immediately came down the wooden stairs.

Fang Yunyang, who was leading the way, had only gone halfway down the stairs when he saw a familiar figure flash by outside the inn. He was struck dumb and immediately froze on the stairs. After a moment, he seemed to go crazy and hurriedly chased after the figure using his lightness skill.

But after he chased after them, he looked blankly at the endless stream of people outside the inn, his hands constantly pushing aside one person after another, but there was nothing, nothing, nowhere at all.

He wasn't mistaken, he definitely wasn't mistaken, that white figure was definitely Tang Ning.

Why is she here?

Why did Yan Xingzhi bring her here?

Tang Ning, Tang Ning, Tang Ning...

His eyes were filled with pain and sorrow, and Huo Qingqing, who had hurriedly followed him out, immediately understood what he had just seen.

Tang Ning, Tang Ning, Tang Ning... It's Tang Ning again!

Why? She's already disappeared, so why is she still haunting us? Why does Brother Fang only ever see her?

Forcibly suppressing the grief and indignation in her heart, Huo Qingqing slowly walked up to Fang Yunyang and softly called out to him, "Brother Fang..."

But Fang Yunyang seemed not to hear anything and continued searching around relentlessly.

"square……"

Huo Qingqing reached out and grabbed his arm, but before she could even speak, Fang Yunyang immediately slapped her hand away. His expression, which showed he didn't want to get close to her at all, instantly stung Huo Qingqing's heart.

She wasn't a particularly gentle person to begin with; the reason she had always gone along with Fang Yunyang was simply because she truly loved him.

Seeing that she had tried so hard, said all the nice things, done all the flattering things, and abandoned all pretense of dignity and ladylike modesty, she realized that even after all that, it still didn't have as much impact on Fang Yunyang as Tang Ning's sudden appearance.

Overwhelmed by resentment and anger, Huo Qingqing immediately launched into a tirade against Fang Yunyang.

"Tang Ning, Tang Ning, all you know is Tang Ning! She was kidnapped by the demonic cult long ago. She was so beautiful, and so much time has passed; she's probably a withered flower by now, you..."

"Smack!"

Before Huo Qingqing could even finish her sentence, Fang Yunyang slapped her across the face without hesitation.

A crisp sound immediately startled the people walking on the street and the Kongshan Sect members who had followed from the inn.

Huo Qingqing covered her burning cheeks, suddenly raised her head, her eyes bloodshot, her body trembling slightly.

"Fang Yunyang, I hate you!"

Huo Qingqing, who didn't call him Brother Fang for the first time, pushed him hard, covered her face, and ran away.

Fang Yunyang stared at his palm in disbelief, then slowly placed his pale hand on his dantian.

"Senior Brother!"

Seeing him like this, the disciples of the Kongshan Sect hurriedly called out anxiously.

Before they came, their master had already warned them that their eldest brother's internal injuries were severe. If his dantian were further damaged, he might be forever barred from martial arts. In fact, their master had also advised him against coming to Ghost Howling Cliff, but no matter how much their master and mistress pleaded, their eldest brother wouldn't listen. Now…

Unaware of the exciting developments in the story, Tang Ning stared longingly at Yan Xingzhi as soon as she saw the donkey meat sandwiches being sold by the roadside.

She learned that puppy-like look from Ye Xiao.

Seeing her pitiful look, Yan Xingzhi, who was standing to the side, didn't know why, but he couldn't help but step forward and start paying for her.

This is delicious, I'll buy it!

Ah, this looks fun, I'll buy it!

Wow, I've never seen this before! It's so beautiful, I'll buy it!

Take one look, buy it!

Buy, buy, buy!

When Tang Ning was finally satisfied, Yan Xingzhi looked at the white horse in the distance, which they had decorated with food, toys, decorations and all sorts of things, with a solemn face, and saw the bewilderment in the horse's eyes.

Yan Xingzhi remained silent.

But when he turned to look at Tang Ning, who was eating candied hawthorns beside him, and saw her happy and satisfied expression, he breathed a sigh of relief and resignedly led her onto the white horse that was completely out of his taste.

The moment she sat down, Tang Ning's muffled voice rang out, "Mmm, this tastes so good... When we're done here, can we bring some back for Ye Xiao too? He likes sweet things."

Upon hearing these words, a fleeting discomfort, which even he himself did not notice, flashed across Yan Xingzhi's eyes, and he slowly nodded.

Just passing by?

I'm afraid she won't be able to pass by here.

Thinking of his arrangements for Tang Ning at Ghost Howl Cliff, and glancing at her smiling profile, Yan Xingzhi's heart sank slightly.

Unfortunately, before he could figure out what he was thinking, the two of them had already arrived at Ghost Howl Cliff, where heroes gathered.

"Master Yan!"

"Master Yan, I've long admired your name!"

...

As soon as Yan Xingzhi appeared, a group of so-called upright leaders, whose average age was over forty, immediately came forward to exchange pleasantries.

Standing directly opposite them, Fang Yunyang, who belonged to the Kongshan Sect's territory, had his gaze fixed on Tang Ning, who was wearing a veil, from the very beginning, not daring to even blink.

He hadn't been mistaken; it was Tang Ning, it really was Tang Ning, and she had been brought here by Yan Xingzhi as well.

With his mind racing, Fang Yunyang was about to step towards them when he heard an elder greet Yan Xingzhi with a smile, "May I ask who this gentleman is...?"

Upon hearing the question, Yan Xingzhi's gaze subtly swept over Fang Yunyang, who was approaching from a distance. He then reached out and took Tang Ning's hand, exchanging a smile with her. "This is my wife."

wife?

Everyone present, including Huo Qingqing who was obediently staying by her father's side and forcibly suppressing herself from looking at Fang Yunyang, looked up in surprise.

Wife? When did Brother Yan get a wife? How come she didn't know...?

She turned her head and looked at the veiled woman beside him.

Why did she feel that Brother Yan's wife looked familiar, as if... as if she had seen her somewhere before?

On the Kongshan Sect's side, upon hearing the word "wife," Fang Yunyang felt as if his legs weighed a thousand pounds, unable to lift them. After a long while, he could only manage a bitter smile before returning to his original spot, but his eyes never left Tang Ning.

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Silent Moon Cult.

Upon hearing the news from his subordinates, the leader of the Lonely Moon Sect, Yan Wuyai, immediately raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Even Xingzhi, that child, is here?"

"Yes, Master Yan just arrived at Ghost Howl Cliff today."

"Good! If we can defeat those hypocritical and sanctimonious people this time, I will definitely give Xingzhi a great credit."

After letting out a hearty sigh, his eyes immediately turned dark and sinister. "But if... Xingzhi betrays the Silent Moon Divine Sect, I will make him wish he were dead!"

The eerie voice reached the ears of the entire Silent Moon Cult below, and almost everyone involuntarily shrank back.

Yes, Yan Xingzhi's treacherous leader already knew everything. This time, the seven major forces' siege of Protector Jiyue was an opportunity given to him by the leader. If the information he passed on was accurate, that would be fine. But if there was even the slightest mistake, the leader would probably chase him to the ends of the earth and not let him go.

It's fortunate that Tang Ning didn't know about the scheming behind the arrogant and conceited leader of the Jiyue Sect. If she did, she would probably have directly told him that Yan Xingzhi, as a traitor, was fearless because he didn't want to join the righteous forces. He simply wanted to overturn the chessboard and become the boss himself.

The information couldn't possibly be wrong; it's just a bit off, just enough for you guys to fight to the death.

Time passed second by second, and the atmosphere at Ghost Howl Cliff became increasingly stagnant, like a string that was being stretched tighter and tighter, and would probably snap completely at the slightest disturbance.

At the place where the God of Food Manor was lying in ambush, Huo Qingqing, who was following behind her father, stared intently at the profile of Tang Ning, who was wearing a veil, not far away. She didn't even care about Fang Yunyang.

She was certain she had seen this woman before, but couldn't remember where.

Unfortunately, she couldn't get to Brother Yan's side for the time being.

Lost in thought, Huo Qingqing suddenly noticed that Tang Ning's veil had been lifted by the wind, revealing her bright red lower lip.

With just one glance, Huo Qingqing's eyes widened immediately.

She is... Tang Ning!!

What's going on? Why? Why is Tang Ning, who had clearly disappeared, appearing beside Brother Yan as his wife? Why would Brother Yan marry her even though he knew she was Brother Fang's fiancée? Why is Tang Ning pretending not to recognize Brother Fang when she has already seen him?

As she thought about it, she suddenly remembered that time when she caught Tang Ning coming out of Brother Yan's courtyard late at night. Could it be that the two of them had already...

She had said it before: Tang Ning had always been a promiscuous and shameless woman. One Brother Fang wasn't enough for her, and now she was even involved with Brother Yan. Shameless!

She was even wearing a veil!

She'll tear off her fig leaf right now and let everyone here see just how shameless she really is!

Huo Qingqing was about to get up when she heard her father murmur.

"They're here."

These two words seemed to have triggered some kind of signal; before they even knew which side had made the first move, the two sides were already locked in a fierce battle.

Shouts of killing, screams of agony, cries of pain—the sounds never ceased.

Blood was everywhere, along with severed limbs and dead martial arts figures with their eyes wide open in disbelief.

In a moment of distraction, Huo Qingqing realized that Tang Ning, Yan Xingzhi, and Fang Yunyang had all completely disappeared.

Tang Ning, who was always protected in Yan Xingzhi's arms, saw the tacit exchange between him and a certain demonic sect protector who was fighting Fang Yunyang on the other side, and saw Fang Yunyang being forced closer and closer to the cliff. She knew that Fang Yunyang in the plot was probably also tricked by Yan Xingzhi.

What a cunning old fox!

She cursed him inwardly, but on the surface, she still followed him toward the cliff with a look of panic.

Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that the gaze of another black-clad member of the Demonic Sect, who was pretending to fight Yan Xingzhi, lightly touched her.

Upon seeing the meaning in the other person's eyes, Yan Xingzhi's heart leaped into his throat.

This was someone he had specifically arranged before he came, so that he would kill Tang Ning by accident, thus extinguishing all of Ye Xiao's hopes.

Seeing that Yan Xingzhi had given him a signal, the man in black immediately thrust his sword towards Tang Ning's chest. However, Yan Xingzhi, who was holding her tightly, somehow managed to deflect the sword strike.

As he wondered what he had done, Tang Ning didn't hesitate to tell 54088 in his mind, "System, trick him!"

The man in black on the other end initially thought that Yan Xingzhi had accidentally blocked his attack, but he persisted and raised his hand to strike the two of them.

"careful!"

In a panic, Tang Ning hurriedly turned around to block, but the newcomer's palm strike was unusually precise, hitting Yan Xingzhi's shoulder with a single blow. The force that was originally only three-tenths of the original force instantly turned into twelve-tenths of the force. Yan Xingzhi didn't even have time to react before he was forcefully knocked off the cliff by this unnatural palm strike.

"don't want!"

Tang Ning, whose veil was blown off by the palm strike, jumped down without the slightest hesitation.

"Ningning!"

Fang Yunyang rushed over immediately, but it was too late.

Hearing his call, Huo Qingqing and the other disciples of the Kongshan Sect all looked over in disbelief, just in time to catch a glimpse of Tang Ning's fleeting profile.

That's not...

What exactly happened?

At that moment, below the cliff, Yan Xingzhi, whose descent was slowed by a pine tree, looked incredulously at Tang Ning, whose face was pale, and she grabbed his hand.

"you……"

He had barely uttered that one word when Tang Ning desperately clung to his waist, her face deathly pale, but her bright black eyes filled with unwavering determination, "Even in death, I'll go with Xingzhi!"

Why?

Why did she do that? Why did she jump?

He was just... not long ago

This is not, absolutely not, the effect of the Silk-Pulling Gu!

What exactly happened?

Before Yan Xingzhi could sort out the chaotic thoughts in his mind, the two of them were about to fall into the deep pool below the cliff. In that instant, he only had time to channel the remaining internal energy in his body into Tang Ning in his arms to protect her, and then—

Bang!

With a loud bang, the once calm and peaceful deep pool below the cliff instantly spewed up huge sprays of water several meters high.

Fang Yunyang's current favorability rating: 95.

Yan Xingzhi's current favorability rating: 45.

These were the last two messages Tang Ning received from 54088 before she lost consciousness.

That's really not easy!