Ning Yao narrowed her eyes slightly; it turned out they were from the Zhang family.

"I've already told you, can you please not feed me to the wolves?"

Ning Yao smiled slightly: "Of course... not!"

Zhang Qianruo was terrified, and her voice was extremely harsh: "I've already told you! Why won't you let me go!"

"Because you know my secret, and also because you are a member of the Zhang family."

After Ning Yao finished speaking, she loosened her grip and threw her into the animal carcasses.

Seeing her struggling desperately, Ning Yao smiled.

The wolves were restless, as if they dared not approach with Ning Yao present.

Ning Yao flashed into the secret realm and observed everything inside.

Zhang Qianruo watched Ning Yao suddenly disappear, and the panic in her heart reached its maximum, causing her to have a mental breakdown!

"A ghost...there's a ghost..."

As soon as Ning Yao's presence disappeared, the wolves swarmed forward, drowning out Zhang Qianruo's screams.

A moment later, only the sound of wolves feeding remained; in the vast darkness, there was no other sound.

Ning Yao was already used to this kind of scene. After glancing at it twice, she went to the spiritual spring to wash the bloodstains off her body.

"We can't let our parents see this, otherwise they'll be worried sick again."

He took off his coarse cloth shorts and then immersed himself in the spiritual spring.

This was the second time she had bathed in the spiritual spring; the first time was a year ago.

At that time, Lingquan was still small, so she brought in a bath tub and filled it with spring water.

My first bath was also to cleanse my bones and marrow, hoping to quickly learn martial arts on my own. A year had passed without any progress, but this spiritual spring was the only solution.

With a try-it-out mentality, Ning Yao underwent her first physical training session.

She didn't know how long she had been soaking in the water, but she felt that the whole process was worse than death, with unbearable pain, as if a thousand ants were gnawing at her heart.

After the pain comes the itching, an itch that goes deep into the bones, not just on the surface of the skin. Even scratching the skin raw cannot stop the itch.

When you finally reach the end, you feel completely comfortable, as if you've been injected with vitality when you're exhausted. Your whole body is enveloped in warmth from the inside out, which is extremely comfortable.

When she woke up, she found that the spring water in the bucket had long since evaporated.

With this additional twenty years of skill, she became even more adept at learning the techniques on the scrolls.

He even comprehended many new techniques, similar to those suitable for Ning's father and mother.

This was her second time soaking in the spiritual spring. Even though the reaction wasn't as strong as the last time, it still helped her strengthen her body and relieve the fatigue from the journey.

Judging by the speed at which the wolves outside were feeding, Ning Yao slowly closed her eyes, letting the spring water patter against her skin.

The girl had long, flowing hair, snow-white skin, long, fluttering eyelashes, a delicate, high nose, and slightly pursed pink lips.

Her rounded shoulders were hidden further down in the thin mist, obscuring that hint of spring.

Ning Yao kept her eyes closed and did not see anything unusual about the spring water.

After her thoughts settled, ripples began to appear on the surface of the water.

The lotus in the water trembled slightly, as if it were somewhat excited.

The unopened golden flower buds bumped against each other, as if whispering secrets.

The fog grew thicker and thicker, eventually completely concealing Ning Yao within it.

It also concealed the golden fish tail in the water.

A gentle breeze stirred within the secret realm, rustling through the spiritual plants and the spiritual spring, dispersing the mist. Ning Yao opened her eyes, emitting a captivating gaze.

After getting dressed, use your internal energy to dry your hair.

Dressed in a black outfit that accentuated her beautiful figure, with her black hair styled high, she looked dashing and capable!

The snake-skin whip wrapped around her slender waist twice, like an ornament.

Wearing a pair of matching leather boots, her legs appeared even longer and straighter.

Ning Yao felt very free to move around, so she casually grabbed a fur-trimmed cloak and put it on to block the cold wind.

Finally, they ate something quick and easy in the secret realm to fill their stomachs before leaving.

Outside the secret realm, it was already broad daylight, and the wolf pack had long since departed, leaving the forest in a state of utter devastation.

The animal carcasses were frozen stiff, and no blood was flowing out.

So apart from some animal skins and bones, there was almost nothing else left on the ground.

Ning Yao scanned the area twice to make sure there was no danger, then lightly touched the ground with her toes and used her light footwork to leave.

The carriages didn't stop all night, and it wasn't until dawn that everyone dared to relax.

After settling in a secluded place, Shen Ci'an suggested going back to find Ning Yao.

No one objected.

"Uncle, I'll go with you!"

Ning Wenyi looked at him, and her first reaction was to refuse.

"Father, let An'an go with them," Shen Cile said.

“Let him go!” Shen Wei agreed.

Ning Wenyi also agreed: "Alright then, let's go and come back quickly!"

Watching their departing figures, Shen Cile narrowed his eyes.

"You little rascal, you've got a lot on your mind!"

...

“Uncle, let’s go back the way we came. If nothing unexpected happens, Yao Yao will come along this road.”

"Alright! I'll listen to you!" Ning Wenyi had a strange feeling in his heart, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it, so he simply ignored it.

The horses galloped like two flashes of lightning.

Ning Yao, dressed in black, brushed past them.

As if sensing something, Shen Ci'an turned around and immediately exclaimed, "Uncle, that's Yao Yao!"

Ning Wenyi turned around and looked around: "Where? Where?"

The next second, Ning Yao appeared before them.

"Yaoyao! Are you alright?" Ning Wenyi was overjoyed.

Ning Yao smiled faintly: "Father, I'm fine. Did you come to see me?"

Ning Wenyi nodded: "I came with the Crown Prince."

Upon hearing this, Ning Yao looked at Shen Ci'an on the other side, and the boy's delighted expression caught her eye.

Shen Ci'an's gaze was somewhat intense, and Ning Yao slightly turned her head to reduce the strange feeling in her heart.

Ning Yao changed out of her short men's clothing and into a tight-fitting outfit. After removing the dirt from her face, she stood tall and graceful.

“Daughter, come ride with me, let’s hurry and catch up with your mother and the others.”

Ning Yao was about to agree.

"Sister, ride with me. I'm small, and the horse will run faster."

Upon hearing this, Ning Wenyi thought it made some sense.

"That's fine then. I'll trouble you, Your Highness, to give Yao Yao a ride so we can get there faster."

Shen Ci'an smiled alluringly, her peach blossom eyes becoming even more affectionate: "Sister, come on."

The boy reached out his hand to her.

Her hands were fair and slightly large, with long, slender fingers and distinct knuckles.

Ning Yao reached out her hand as if possessed.

Shen Ci'an grasped her hand, lifted it up, and placed Ning Yao in front of him.

When she came to her senses, she was already on horseback, held in Shen Ci'an's arms.

The boy's warm breath brushed against her ear: "Hold on tight, sister, we're off."

After saying that, the boy placed his hand on her waist and held her tightly.

Shen Ci'an's contact sent a chill down Ning Yao's spine, and her heart pounded like a drum.

"Uncle, let's go!" Shen Ci'an cracked his whip, and the horse carried the two of them away.

Ning Wenyi looked at the person in front of him and muttered to himself, "Why does something seem off the more I look at him?"

At this time, the Duke of Zhenguo was unaware that something was wrong. By the time he realized that something was amiss, it was already too late.