The sprawling Lintai Mountain was shrouded in white mist, resembling a natural barrier that isolated the Dongling Kingdom from the outside world.
The opening of the Lintai Hunting Valley, occurring once every three years, was a grand event for the Dongling Kingdom. All young cultivators of the kingdom, regardless of their cultivation level, would gather here to enter the valley for training.
Half a month before the Lintai Hunting Valley was set to open, cultivators from all over the Dongling Kingdom began arriving at the foot of Lintai Mountain. The entire base of the mountain had turned into a campsite for cultivators, their collective aura forming a powerful pressure that deterred the beasts on the mountain from daring to descend.
On this day, the cultivators stationed at the mountain’s base suddenly felt the ground tremble from afar.
“Look, the imperial Ning clan and the Four Great Families of the royal city have arrived,” someone called out.
Thousands of Gale Beasts surged forward in a grand procession, swiftly reaching the foot of Lintai Mountain.
As the carriage curtain opened, Wen Qiao immediately caught sight of the immense white mist that surged skyward like a vast fog.
The white mist enveloped the entire Lintai Mountain, making the peaks above the base vague and indistinct. The mountaintop seemed endless, concealing unknown dangers. No cultivator dared to ascend the mountain recklessly at such a time. Meanwhile, countless cultivators gathered at the mountain’s base, all sent by family forces from various cities across Dongling Kingdom to undergo training.
Upon reaching their destination, the imperial Ning clan and the Four Great Families began setting up camp in an orderly manner, awaiting the opening of the Lintai Hunting Valley.
“Do you want to rest in the tent?” Ning Yuzhou asked, looking at her with concern.
This sudden illness had left Ning Yuzhou quite worried, and he now treated her like a fragile porcelain doll.
Wen Qiao smiled at him and said, “Don’t worry, I’m fine now.” Rather than resting in the cold isolation of a tent, she preferred staying outside to observe her surroundings.
This was her first time traveling far from home, and the fact that it was to the famous Lintai Hunting Valley made her quite excited.
Ning Yuzhou could easily see her current mood and didn’t press her further. He simply took out a spiritual pill and fed it to her.
Wen Qiao instinctively opened her mouth and swallowed it.
Over the past few days, she had been in a dazed state, entirely cared for by Ning Yuzhou, who fed her medicine and water, making her accustomed to his care. Not to mention Ning Yuzhou’s fondness for feeding her spiritual pills at the slightest excuse, leading her to suspect that he had brought along all the spiritual pills refined by the Ning clan’s alchemists. Otherwise, how could he treat them like candy?
It was doubtful that any cultivator could be as extravagant as her, consuming spiritual pills like candy.
Wen Qiao stood outside the tent for a long time, only returning to rest as night fell.
By noon the next day, the Lintai Hunting Valley would officially open.
Sitting on a soft carpet inside the tent, Wen Qiao’s gaze fell on Ning Yuzhou, who was reclining against a large cushion and leisurely reading a book, exuding the air of a carefree aristocrat. Compared to the other cultivators outside, who were sternly preparing for the trial, his relaxed demeanor made him seem like he was here for a vacation, drawing no small amount of resentment.
Fortunately, he was aware of the animosity his behavior could provoke and refrained from flaunting himself in front of others.
After hesitating for a moment, Wen Qiao finally asked, “Tomorrow, can I really go into the Lintai Hunting Valley with you all?”
Ning Yuzhou looked up, his gentle and warm eyes settling on her. He replied softly, “Of course. Since you’ve come all this way, it would be a shame not to go in.”
“But…” Wen Qiao murmured, “my cultivation level is very low, and I’ve never fought before.” She nearly added that she was practically useless and would only hold them back.
Ning Yuzhou chuckled, “With the Qianlin Guards here, you don’t need to do anything. They’ll protect you.”
Wen Qiao found this odd. Why were they protecting her instead of him?
When they had set off from the royal city, Wen Qiao finally saw the legendary Qianlin Guards. Dressed in uniform black armor, they stood with imposing auras. Each of them was at least at the Yuan Ming stage of cultivation, while the captain of the Qianlin Guards—Qian Shou—had unfathomable strength.
It is said that the Qianlin Guards are elite royal guards meticulously trained by the Ning imperial clan, answering only to the ruler of Dongling Kingdom. The fact that they accompanied this time was naturally Emperor Chenghao’s arrangement to protect his youngest son, who lacked combat ability.
Perhaps because of Ning Yuzhou’s relaxed demeanor, Wen Qiao unconsciously started to trust him.
In her heart, she was somewhat conflicted. She knew she was a burden, but Ning Yuzhou’s calm and confident attitude somehow reassured her and convinced her to follow along.
She wasn’t worried about her own life but didn’t want to become a liability to others, dragging them down.
Ning Yuzhou closed the book in his hand and suddenly grasped her hand. Feeling her cold, delicate fingers, he rubbed them gently between his palms, as if trying to warm them.
When he looked up, he saw that the young woman whose hand he was warming now had a faint blush spreading across her pale cheeks.
Even so, she obediently sat there without resistance, her adorable demeanor softening his heart.
Ning Yuzhou’s voice grew even gentler as he comforted her, “Don’t overthink it. Rest well, so you can be in good spirits tomorrow.”
Wen Qiao nodded. “I understand. We don’t know what dangers might be in the Lintai Hunting Valley, so it’s important to rest well and be prepared for tomorrow.”
Ning Yuzhou was momentarily stunned. He wanted to explain that this wasn’t what he meant, but seeing her obediently lie down, he swallowed his words. With a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, he contentedly lay down beside her to rest.
—
While this couple retired on time, the other camps at the foot of Lintai Mountain were lively and bustling.
At the Wen family’s camp, Wen Mei sat before her father, listening to his instructions.
“I hear that this time, the third prince from the Ning clan will be leading the group into the Lintai Hunting Valley,” Wen Zhongqing said, looking at his beautiful and talented daughter. He warned her, “If you encounter any unforeseen danger, seek out the disciples of the Ning clan and act with them. Don’t act recklessly. One can only pursue their goals if they are alive.”
Wen Mei nodded slightly. “I understand, Father. Please don’t worry.”
Wen Zhongqing relaxed a little but then sighed again. “I also heard that the seventh prince of the Ning clan and Ah Chuo are entering the Lintai Hunting Valley as well. The emperor sent a team of Qianlin Guards to accompany them. Who knows how things will turn out? If you encounter them and it doesn’t put you in harm’s way, lend them a hand if you can.”
Every time the Lintai Hunting Valley opened, its environment would change. Sometimes it was calm with little danger, but other times it was fraught with peril, leaving less than one-tenth of the cultivators alive to return. This time, they couldn’t predict its dangers either. All they could do was warn their disciples to exercise caution.
Of course, if the danger was too great, they shouldn’t risk their lives for two reckless individuals.
Wen Mei frowned slightly but still nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Wen Shuqing was giving his daughter similar advice.
“When the time comes, stay close to Fourth Miss and don’t get separated. If Fourth Miss does anything unusual, act decisively. Don’t let the Second Branch steal the limelight.”
Wen Xian’s eyes gleamed brightly, and she replied earnestly, “Don’t worry, Father. I understand.”
At the Ning clan’s camp.
Ning Yaozhu lifted the tent flap and entered, seeing her elder brother meditating cross-legged. She said, “Fifth Brother, there’s still no sign of Third Brother. Do you think he won’t make it in time?”
Ning Pingzhou opened his eyes and replied calmly, “He’s probably been delayed by something.”
“It would be great if he couldn’t make it,” Ning Yaozhu said gleefully. Then, as if struck by a thought, she asked, “Fifth Brother, what do you think the environment in the Lintai Hunting Valley will be like this time? Will it be dangerous?”
“We’ll know once we’re inside.”
Ning Yaozhu clicked her tongue, finding her brother incredibly dull. He wouldn’t even speculate with her in advance.
As dawn’s light pierced through the night, the cultivators at the foot of Lintai Mountain awakened from their meditation.
When Wen Qiao woke up, she realized it was already late.
Ning Yuzhou was still seated beside her, as if waiting for her to wake.
Feeling a little embarrassed, she quickly got up. After washing up, she ate some spiritual food that had been prepared in advance and stored in food containers by the spiritual chefs of the Seventh Prince’s residence.
The food containers were engraved with simple temperature-preservation arrays, making them very convenient for storing food. The arrays could keep the food fresh for ten days to half a month. When they departed, the maids at the residence had packed a large amount of food for them, worried that it might be inconvenient to cook on the journey and that the two of them might go hungry.
After eating, the Seventh Prince took out a pouch and tied it to her waist.
Wen Qiao’s face showed surprise as she sensed the spiritual energy fluctuations from the pouch. It was a storage bag, a spatial storage item used by cultivators to carry personal belongings. The space inside wasn’t very large, but it was the most commonly used item among cultivators in the Sacred Martial Continent.
Ning Yuzhou said, “Inside, there are some yuan crystals, spiritual pills, and spiritual tools.”
Wen Qiao silently glanced at him, her emotions complicated, and quietly said, “Thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me. If you feel unwell, just take a spiritual pill. Don’t hesitate to use them; let me know if they run out.”
Wen Qiao didn’t know how to respond. No one had ever treated her this well, leaving her at a loss for how to react.
Fortunately, Ning Yuzhou was considerate and kind. Knowing she wasn’t used to such gestures, he said nothing further. He gently patted her head, took her hand, and led her out of the tent.
Outside the tent, apart from a few cultivators left to guard the area, most others had gathered at the entrance of the Lintai Hunting Valley, waiting for it to open.
When Ning Yuzhou led Wen Qiao over, they didn’t draw much attention.
However, Emperor Chenghao, who was waiting nearby, noticed them and waved them over.
Ning Yuzhou brought Wen Qiao to stand beside Emperor Chenghao. At this point, the cultivators present finally turned their attention to the two. Various gazes fell upon them, but Emperor Chenghao and Ning Yuzhou remained composed, unaffected by the scrutiny.
Wen Qiao’s expression also remained indifferent and unmoved.
Out of respect for Emperor Chenghao’s authority, the cultivators present refrained from making snide remarks about the Ning Yuzhou couple. What they truly thought, however, was anyone’s guess.
As noon approached, the Third Prince, Ning Zhezhou, finally arrived at Lintai Mountain.
Ning Zhezhou was a remarkably handsome young man with a slightly stern expression and a restrained yet imposing aura. His features bore a strong resemblance to Emperor Chenghao, about seventy percent similar.
“Father Emperor, your son has arrived late,” Ning Zhezhou stepped forward to apologize.
Emperor Chenghao smiled warmly and said, “You’re not late. It’s good that you’re here.” After assessing Ning Zhezhou’s cultivation level, Emperor Chenghao was even more pleased. “Very good, you’ve already reached the Yuan Martial stage.”
A twenty-five-year-old at the Yuan Martial stage was indeed a genius in Dongling Kingdom. The cultivators present were astonished and broke into a buzz of admiration.
Ning Zhezhou, however, showed no arrogance, maintaining his calm and steady demeanor.
The other forces present were filled with both envy and jealousy, silently marveling at the exceptional talent of the Ning imperial clan. Generation after generation, they produced geniuses, which was why they had rightfully become the royal family of Dongling Kingdom.
Wen Mei and Wen Xian were also watching Ning Zhezhou.
Wen Mei’s gaze was filled with joy, tinged with the bashfulness of a young maiden.
Meanwhile, Wen Xian felt a deep discomfort in her heart. If Ning Zhezhou were her fiancé, she would undoubtedly be overjoyed—but he wasn’t, and that fact stung all the more.