Kong's gentleness always makes people relax unconsciously. After the girl welcomed the group into the house, she sat down somewhat reservedly. After all, Wendy and the others were all very good-looking, and would be top-tier celebrities on Earth.

Now, after experiencing the stark difference in their appearances, the girl feels somewhat inferior.

"Don't be nervous, tell us what happened." Kong's dark golden eyes were fixed on the girl's face, his voice gentle yet firm. The girl blushed under his gaze, lowered her head, and stammered, not knowing what to say.

"Hey, don't think so much, just tell us everything, maybe we can help you!" Hu Tao patted the girl's shoulder, her overly familiar manner making the girl a little flustered. "Master Hu, you scared her." Kong said helplessly. Paimon flew around the room, and Wendy stepped forward, her big eyes shining, and said, "Tell us, okay, okay, okay."

She couldn't resist his coquettishness, so she took a deep breath and nodded.

"As far back as I can remember, this place has always been covered in ice and snow. I don't know where my parents are. I grew up eating food from many different families."

My family and friends all say that our current lives are all because of the rulers. I often see many people in the alleys who are starving...

However, I've grown up to this point, and since the house is empty, I've taken over this place.

It's said that the ruler was cruel, but I don't know why. You can ask the village chief though; he's in the biggest house in the village." After saying this, the girl kept her mouth tightly shut, refusing to speak no matter how much Paimon and Kong pressed her.

“It seems there are no clues here. Travelers, you should go ask the village chief. Xiao and I will look around the village; perhaps we can find some other clues.” Wendy and Xiao left the house hand in hand.

"Wendy, where are you... um, going?" Xiao was a little worried, but Wendy smiled and said, "It's okay, this area is quite interesting, and this village also hides some unspeakable secrets. Didn't you notice? That girl seems a little scared, and her eyes keep glancing outside."

So I guess this village holds some secrets. Let's go, let's uncover secrets, isn't that interesting?" Wendy's big eyes sparkled, clearly showing her interest in this kind of thing. "Okay, whatever you say." Xiao's eyes softened, letting Wendy pull him along.

The village was quite large, but Wendy and Xiao managed to avoid repeating any paths until Wendy stopped in front of an abandoned house. The house was in a very remote location, and if it weren't for the wind guiding them, they probably would have missed it entirely.

“It’s right here. The wind tells me there’s definitely something underground,” Wendy said. She looked left and right but couldn’t see anything special about the place. If she had to describe it, it just looked very dilapidated.

Pushing open the door, Xiao found traces of life still visible inside, but everything was old and worn. The first impression was one of mess and filth. Xiao noticed a particularly clean spot in a corner, walked over, and knocked; it was hollow underneath. "Hmm, it really is here. Can you smell it, Xiao?" Wendy stood behind Xiao, nodding. "Yes, the scent of blood." Having fought monsters for centuries, the smell of blood was familiar to Xiao. He crossed his arms and replied calmly.

"Take a step back." He Puyuan appeared in Xiao's hand, and Wendy obediently took a few steps back. He Puyuan's spear tip pierced a large hole in the wooden board, and the bloody smell that could already be smelled from outside hit her face even more, making Wendy cough a few times.

"Let's go, let's go." Wendy's aura suddenly changed. Xiao paused for a second, then nodded. Wendy walked in front, and Xiao followed behind.

The underground was incredibly dark, with only a few flickering candlelight that seemed ready to go out at any moment. Wendy couldn't help but complain, "How many times have I gone down into a basement now? Why do people always like building basements?" "Hmm? Maybe the space underground is more spacious, so..." Xiao replied seriously after hearing Wendy's complaint.

"Alright, alright, we should be at our destination up ahead." Wendy stopped in his tracks; he could hear faint breathing behind the door.

The door was violently broken open, and the scene inside made all the viewers nauseous.

The pale-faced girl was hanging naked from the ceiling, her entire body covered in wounds, and her breathing was extremely weak, as if she were about to die at any moment.

Upon hearing the noise, the girl reacted violently, struggling intensely. The chains binding her clanged loudly. A gentle breeze enveloped the girl, and her reaction gradually calmed down. Xiao stood at the door, holding He Puyuan, acting as a doorman, while Wendy searched the basement.

A gentle breeze enveloped the girl. Although her injuries had not healed, they did not cause her pain. There was nothing of value in the room; Wendy only found a note and could not piece together anything from it.

"Let's go back and find the traveler. What else is hidden in this village?" Wendy put the girl down, glanced at the corner as she left, and gently curled the corners of her lips into a smile.

After the three left, a shifty-eyed man emerged from the corner, glaring at the entrance with gritted teeth. "The ritual was almost complete. Damn it, I'll make them wish they were dead when I get the chance."

"Who are you talking to?" A cold voice suddenly appeared behind him, startling the man. He turned around and saw a huge, fanged monster standing before him. Anyone would be terrified. "Yo-ho, it really came out." A boy emerged from behind the fanged monster, smiling sweetly and adorably. The man recognized him at a glance.

"You...you left, didn't you? How come..." The man stammered, while Wendy smiled innocently. "Guess, I think it's easy to guess, isn't it?" "You, you..." Well, perhaps overwhelmed with anger, the man actually fainted.

“Ugh, this is so boring.” Wendy shrugged. Xiao tied the man up, and only then did the two of them finally leave the basement.

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Hey~ I'd love a little gift and some book recommendations~

Good luck to all the test takers! It's time to prepare for the college entrance exam!

Last year's college entrance exam seems like it was just yesterday. Best wishes to everyone for a successful exam!