The forest was very deep, and it took about an hour to vaguely feel the damp warmth permeating the air deep in the forest.
As the fog rose, the chirping of insects ceased, and the place became as silent as a dead land.
This is no ordinary fog, but a miasma specifically designed for cultivators. Even those with profound cultivation cannot walk freely in the dense fog.
As the field of vision narrowed, Qinghe quickly walked to a large tree and stopped.
He subconsciously touched the Great Light Mantra on his hand, hesitated for a moment, and then withdrew his hand.
Someone walked up behind her, carrying the familiar scent of ink.
She turned around and saw that Qi Rong's eyes were clear, as if unaffected by the fog, and couldn't help but ask, "How can you see?"
She regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth. After spending so many days with him, she had forgotten that Qi Rong was the Lord of the God Realm. How could a mere Yuanbei Valley possibly do anything to him?
However, Qi Rong gave her a different answer.
"This fog only affects people."
In other words, no species other than humans is affected by the miasma.
Qinghe suddenly realized what was going on, and was about to say something, but then shut up.
Qi Rong glanced at her, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Don't tell me you've forgotten my true form."
Suppressing her guilty conscience, Qing shook her head like a rattle-drum, "How could I forget?"
Under Qi Rong's intense gaze, Qinghe casually looked up at the sky and said, "The weather is nice today, and the sun is shining."
Thick fog filled the sky, and miasma raged.
The chirping of insects resumed, seemingly mocking her lies.
Qi Rong raised an eyebrow and smiled at her, then waved her sleeve to dispel the fog, allowing Qing He to see the light of day again.
Looking at the bright sun in the sky, Qinghe nodded and smiled, "I was right, wasn't I? The sun is really shining today."
Qi Rong echoed her, "The sunshine is nice, but it's a pity that only the two of us can appreciate it."
Looking around, Qinghe realized that apart from the two of them, all their companions were nowhere to be seen; they had obviously gotten separated.
She wasn't worried about Shen Xun, after all, he was a book spirit, not human, so the miasma shouldn't have any effect on him. Perhaps he was just playing around and went off to have some fun by himself.
But Li Jiang and the other two...
"Go find them."
Qi Rong had no objections, and the two continued their journey into the depths of the valley side by side.
Meanwhile, Li Jiang and Zhuge Changdeng encountered several fellow travelers they were not very familiar with.
Zhuge Changdeng strolled leisurely ahead, seemingly unconcerned, occasionally glancing at the white-robed young man behind him with a disdainful expression.
He had been strong-willed and domineering since childhood, which had given him a fierce personality. He had a great dislike for slick, pale-faced scholars. Whenever he saw such a person, he would put on an arrogant and disdainful attitude, just like now.
Hearing Li Jiang talking to that kid behind him, he curled his lip in disdain and quickened his pace as if afraid of offending his ears.
"My friend isn't very bright, so please don't worry about it, sir."
Liu Yuntai said gently, "It's alright. That chivalrous man is straightforward and his emotions are easily swayed. In this day and age, there aren't many people like him anymore."
"Hmph! What do you mean by straightforward? He's clearly an arrogant, rude, and ill-mannered brat. Cousin, you're giving him too much face."
"Cousin, say less."
"Am I wrong...?" Before he could finish speaking, a long sword was pressed against his neck.
The sword was not drawn, but its power was undiminished; a chilling aura emanated from it, piercing straight to the heart.
“Say it again.” Zhuge Changdeng looked at him defiantly, his cold eyes narrowing into slits.
Chi Haoyu, with the sword pressed against his shoulder, shuddered and tilted his head back slightly, retorting, "What, are you angry? You think you can kill me?"
Sweat beaded on his palms, hidden by his sleeves. He caught a glimpse of Liu Yuntai out of the corner of his eye, and felt a sense of relief.
With my cousin around, I'd like to see who dares to mess with me!
Zhuge Changdeng originally intended to scare him, but seeing that he was afraid yet still provoked him, he couldn't help but feel angry and really wanted to cut him down with his sword. However, before he could make a move, his sword was knocked away by someone.
Li Jiang coldly shouted, "How many times have I told you? You're not allowed to fight when you're out and about. Even if you think you're highly skilled, you can't bully the weak for no reason. You break people's tendons and bones, and kill people like flies. What's the difference between you and those evil sects?"
He spoke with such conviction, as if it were the truth, that Zhuge Changdeng stood frozen in place, not moving an inch, even questioning whether he was really that kind of person.
Chi Haoyu, listening from the side, broke out in a cold sweat and kept swallowing to relieve his inner fear.
Liu Yuntai, who was listening in, remained silent, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
"What are you all standing there for? Go ahead and scout ahead!"
Zhuge Changdeng subconsciously replied, "Huh? Oh."
It wasn't until he had walked quite a distance that he came to his senses and realized that this Li Jiang, who seemed upright, was actually a cunning and scheming person.
"You've made him a laughingstock again, young master. I've already told you he has something wrong with his head."
Liu Yuntai laughed and said, "It's alright, Brother Li, let's continue on our way."
On the rest of the journey, Chi Haoyu didn't dare to say another word. When he saw Li Jiang and Liu Yuntai talking, he wanted to chime in, but every time he did, Zhuge Changdeng would glance back at him, so he could only remain silent.
The ancient trees towered as if reaching into the clouds, and the mist that had just disappeared returned, blurring the vision. Chi Haoyu subconsciously grabbed Liu Yuntai's sleeve.
"Cousin, you must protect me well." To be honest, what he was afraid of at the moment was not the fog or the danger, but Zhuge Changdeng.
Where he couldn't see, Liu Yuntai shook his head and sighed, "Cousin, I advised you not to come with me. Although I helped you get through the stone, the valley is full of dangers and unpredictable events. If something happens to you, how can I explain it to my aunt?"
Chi Haoyu looked around warily. Even though he couldn't see anything, he kept his eyes wide open and dared not relax for a moment.
"Oh, my dear cousin, I only came out with you because I didn't want to stay at home. Who knew it would turn out like this? I promise it will only happen this once, and I will never bother you again next time."
Liu Yuntai thought to himself: You've said that thousands of times already.
Well, seeing Chi Haoyu's panicked and frightened expression, Liu Yuntai had no choice but to grab his wrist and walk forward step by step.
Zhuge Changdeng took two steps closer to Li Jiang, grinning slyly, "I thought you were an upright and pedantic person, but I never expected..."
Li Jiang said expressionlessly, "I don't like that person."
Zhuge Changdeng looked at Chi Haoyu, who was hiding behind Liu Yuntai. Chi Haoyu had dark ears and a thin body, and looked like someone who frequented brothels. "Well, I don't like him either. I'll find a chance to kill him."
Li Jiang glared at him.
"I was just kidding." He said it lightly, but his eyes were fierce, and it didn't sound like he was joking at all.
Li Jiang reminded him, "You'd better not do that. Although Chi Haoyu is a minor character, Liu Yuntai is no pushover, and there's also the Liu family behind him. In short, don't make trouble for yourself."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
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