Silence enveloped everything.
Wen Qiao sat in meditation inside the tent, as the dense and abundant Yuan Spiritual Energy from the Lintai Hunting Valley gradually flowed into her body. Mixed within the Yuan Spiritual Energy were traces of plant and wood essence, which, at an extremely slow pace, merged into her meridians along with the Yuan Spiritual Energy, nourishing her internal organs.
The Lintai Hunting Valley was rich in Yuan Spiritual Energy and abundant in spiritual herbs. Without Wen Qiao actively urging them to grow, extremely pure plant and wood essences naturally emerged to nurture her.
Of course, to avoid drawing attention, Wen Qiao absorbed it at a very slow rate.
In fact, plant and wood essence was quite similar to Yuan Spiritual Energy. Unless a cultivator had a special perception ability, they would not notice the difference between the two. As long as Wen Qiao refrained from urging spiritual plants to grow abnormally as she did at home, it wouldn’t arouse suspicion, nor would it make anyone notice that she was absorbing the plant and wood essence from the spiritual herbs in the forest.
Since she was out and about, Wen Qiao decided to remain cautious and absorbed it with extreme care.
As dawn broke, Wen Qiao opened her eyes.
Although she hadn’t slept all night, her spirit was excellent.
For cultivators, meditation could replace sleep, and going without rest for several days posed no problem. Absorbing Yuan Spiritual Energy was actually a very enjoyable activity for cultivators.
Perhaps due to the effects of the Six Yang Seven Flavor Profound Yin Soup she drank the night before, combined with spending the entire night soaking in the plant and wood essence of the forest, Wen Qiao felt a warmth coursing through her body. Her usually fatigued and weak frame was now filled with an unprecedented vitality, and she felt confident she could climb mountains for another day without issue.
In high spirits, Wen Qiao glanced at Ning Yuzhou, who was sitting not far away and watching her. She smiled faintly, dimples forming on her cheeks, and greeted him, “Good morning.”
Ning Yuzhou replied, “You meditated all night. It’s still early—would you like to rest a bit?”
“No need, I feel great right now.”
Ning Yuzhou observed her and found that she indeed appeared to be in good condition, so he said nothing more.
Instead, Wen Qiao glanced at him and asked, “Did you not sleep last night?”
“I rested my eyes a little,” Ning Yuzhou replied with a faint smile, indirectly admitting that he had spent the entire night sitting there, watching her meditate.
Wen Qiao frowned slightly and said sternly, “You’re a mortal; you need rest. Don’t be careless, or you’ll harm your body in the future.”
Ning Yuzhou didn’t expect to be chastised by his young wife. He found it amusing but, seeing her serious expression and her determination not to let him be negligent, quickly adjusted his attitude. He promised earnestly, “I understand. I won’t do it again.”
Wen Qiao’s expression softened slightly. She resolved to pay closer attention to him in the future and remind him to rest.
After all, he was just a mortal with a short lifespan; he couldn’t afford to be careless with his habits. Premature aging would only bring unnecessary losses.
Ning Yuzhou naturally noticed the shift in her attitude. Being a perceptive individual, he quickly understood why she had changed and was pleased by it. Smiling to himself, he thought, What a pure-hearted girl. What would she do if someone deceived her in the future?
Indeed, it was the right decision to pull her close early on and keep an eye on her.
After washing up and having breakfast, the couple broke camp and set off again.
Perhaps because they were still on the outskirts of Lintai Hunting Valley, the beasts they encountered were low-level, and the previous night had been uneventful, with no significant dangers.
That day, they continued collecting spiritual herbs and hunting beasts as they traveled, maintaining a relaxed pace.
The Qianlin Guards seldom intervened, typically only acting when a beast with no sense collided with them. Even then, they selectively hunted beasts required for the Six Yang Seven Flavor Profound Yin Soup, refraining from indiscriminate killing.
After traveling for another day, as dusk approached, they found a place to camp. Ning Yuzhou once again used the alchemy furnace to prepare the medicinal soup.
“At this stage, we’ll first treat the fire poison in your body. After eliminating the fire poison, we’ll address the issue of your fragile meridians,” Ning Yuzhou said while brewing medicinal soup. “The toxicity of the fire poison in your body is unknown, and it has already invaded your internal organs. To fully cure it would require high-grade spiritual pills. With the current level of spiritual medicine available in Dongling Kingdom, it’s impossible to provide what’s needed. For now, we can only use medicinal nourishment for slow treatment…”
Wen Qiao stared at him in astonishment, completely taken aback.
She had already sensed last night that her seemingly non-cultivating husband was no ordinary person. But she hadn’t expected him to be able to discuss the fire poison—deemed incurable by many pharmacists in Dongling Kingdom—with such precision, even exuding the confidence that as long as the materials were sufficient, he could definitely cure it.
When the Six Yang Seven Flavors Profound Yin Soup was ready, Ning Yuzhou brought it to her and urged her to drink it quickly before it cooled down and lost its taste.
In truth, the soup was still palatable even when cold, though the flavor would slightly deteriorate. However, Ning Yuzhou pursued perfection and naturally couldn’t tolerate that. Having been married to him for over half a month, Wen Qiao had already grasped her husband’s perfectionist tendencies in certain matters.
Could it be that the gentler and more considerate a person is, the more stubborn they are in some areas?
Obediently, Wen Qiao drank the soup.
As she was finishing the soup, a rumbling sound came from afar, and the small table they had set up trembled. Ning Yuzhou reached out to steady the shaking bowl and glanced outside.
By this time, the sky had darkened, and shadows loomed all around.
The Qianlin Guards had already gone to investigate. After a while, they returned and reported, “Your Highness, a third-grade Iron Armored Beast has appeared ahead.”
A third-grade beast was equivalent to a cultivator at the Yuan Feather Stage in strength. However, beasts had naturally powerful physiques. Compared to cultivators of the same level, beasts often possessed a significant physical advantage. Still, beasts lacked the intelligence and combat techniques of cultivators, giving the latter a slight edge. The Iron Armored Beast, covered in scales as tough as metal, was impervious to blades and arrows. Its formidable defense made it a challenging opponent for ordinary Yuan Bright Stage cultivators.
The rumbling persisted for a while before finally ceasing.
Two Qianlin Guards carried back the carcass of the Iron Armored Beast. They skillfully dismembered it, separating the hide, blood, flesh, and bones. Each part was properly stored in their spatial pouches.
For cultivators, beasts were invaluable treasures. For instance, the scales of this third-grade Iron Armored Beast could be refined into defensive armor. Its blood could be used to create talisman ink, and its meat, when cooked, could increase a cultivator’s Yuan Spiritual Energy. An entire Iron Armored Beast could fetch a high price on the market.
After surveying the surroundings, the leader of the Qianlin Guards, Qian Shou, concluded, “It seems that the beast was driven here while escaping from disciples of various sects ahead during their training.”
Beasts typically stayed within their own territories and rarely ventured out unless forced by natural disasters or external threats. This was likely the latter case.
Ning Yuzhou nodded slightly, indicating his understanding.
However, starting the next day, they encountered beasts with increasing frequency: first-grade, second-grade, third-grade, fourth-grade, and even fifth-grade beasts.
A fifth-grade beast was equivalent in strength to a Yuan Martial Stage cultivator, comparable to the cultivation level of the Third Prince, Ning Zhezhou. For those entering Lintai Hunting Valley, fifth-grade beasts posed a significant threat, with carelessness potentially resulting in death.
From the depths of the forest, a fifth-grade beast suddenly charged out.
“Your Highness, Madam, be careful!”
Qian Shou stood guard beside Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao, commanding the battle. “Qianlin Guards, form up!”
The Qianlin Guards formed an array with twenty members, intercepting the charging beast. They first trapped it in a formation and then unleashed a killing formation, tearing the beast apart within.
The Qianlin Guards were all at least at the Yuan Bright Stage, with two members having already broken through to the Yuan Martial Stage. The exact cultivation level of their leader, Qian Shou, was unknown.
Among the fifty Qianlin Guards, most were Yuan Bright Stage cultivators. During combat, they coordinated flawlessly, their discipline and synergy resembling a single, cohesive force. This unity made them an unstoppable power, easily dispatching the fifth-grade beast.
Watching the Qianlin Guards slay the fifth-grade beast, Wen Qiao couldn’t help but feel awe-struck.
Now she finally understood why Emperor Chenghao had entrusted Ning Yuzhou’s safety to the Qianlin Guards. They were indeed extraordinary.
Ning Yuzhou stood calmly in place, remaining composed from start to finish.
Wen Qiao glanced at the Qianlin Guards, then at Ning Yuzhou, her expression thoughtful.
After inspecting the slain fifth-grade beast, Qian Shou reported, “Master, this beast carries the scent of spiritual medicine.”
Although faint, Qian Shou had meticulously detected traces of it in the beast’s blood.
Ning Yuzhou narrowed his eyes slightly. “Do you think they were deliberately driven here?”
Qian Shou nodded, analyzing seriously. “I believe the beasts we’ve encountered in the past few days were likely driven here intentionally. However, it’s still unclear who is behind this and their purpose—whether they aim to target all cultivators entering Lintai Hunting Valley or specifically us.”
Ning Yuzhou smiled, his tone exceptionally gentle. “We’ll find out if we keep moving forward.”
Qian Shou acknowledged the order and, without advising against continuing despite the increasing danger, executed it earnestly. The Qianlin Guards collected the fifth-grade beast and pressed on.
Wen Qiao walked beside Ning Yuzhou, remaining vigilant of their surroundings while keeping an eye on her mortal husband.
Every evening since entering Lintai Hunting Valley, she drank a bowl of Six Yang Seven Flavor Profound Yin Soup and meditated at night to quietly absorb the surrounding plant and wood essence. Her energy improved daily, and she was faintly showing signs of a breakthrough in her cultivation.
When another beast attacked, Wen Qiao’s first instinct was to grab her husband and lead him to safety.
Ning Yuzhou smiled brightly at her, letting the young woman shield him with a protective stance.
—
After five days, they finally crossed the mountain and arrived on the other side.
Beyond the mountain was a vast plain, the far end shrouded in white mist, obscuring whatever lay ahead and any potential dangers.
As they entered the plain, they stumbled upon a corpse abandoned among the dense, tall grass.
Upon inspection, the Qianlin Guards determined it was a disciple from a minor family. The cause of death was a shattered skull, the method clean and precise, killing with a single blow.
It was also possible the killer’s strength far exceeded the victim’s, allowing for such a swift kill.
Wen Qiao’s expression turned grim. It was the first time she had ever seen a dead body. Although she had always known that the path of cultivation was fraught with dangers, tests, and challenges where a single misstep could lead to death and the end of one’s journey to the heavens, this was the first time she truly understood how perilous the cultivation world could be.
Ning Yuzhou glanced at the corpse and instructed, “Check his storage pouch.”
The Qianlin Guards quickly located the storage pouch on the corpse.
The death of its owner had erased the imprint on the storage pouch, allowing the guards to easily open it and empty its contents.
The items inside were meager and scattered: a few low-grade yellow talismans, a bottle of yellow-grade Qi Gathering Pills, some Yuan Beads, and two iron swords. There was nothing else, a clear indication of the disciple’s limited wealth.
Ning Yuzhou studied the items thoughtfully before instructing the Qianlin Guards to take care of the corpse. Then, they continued forward.
Wen Qiao raised her head to look at him, a suspicion forming in her mind that her husband might have noticed something.