74: Traveling together at the bottom of the gorge, feelings secretly blossomed.

The entrance to Shadowy Ravine was like the gaping, dark maw of a giant beast. The pervasive gray-black mist not only swallowed light but also isolated Divine Sense. Delving into it felt like being completely cut off from the outside world. The four of them, upon entering, immediately felt a bone-chilling cold and immense pressure. Gongsun Yu, with the weakest cultivation, couldn't help but shiver.

Lin Xuan immediately noticed and took her slightly cold hand, transferring a gentle stream of spiritual power. "Stay close to me." His voice, in the absolute darkness and silence, sounded exceptionally steady and powerful.

Gongsun Yu felt the warmth and strength emanating from her palm, and the fear in her heart dissipated by more than half. She squeezed his hand firmly and softly replied, "Mm."

Su Wanqing silently conjured a Moonpetal Stone. Its clear, soft light barely illuminated a ten-foot radius, dispelling some of the uncomfortable darkness. She consistently stayed slightly ahead on Lin Xuan's left flank, her ice sword held low, its tip precisely aimed at any subtle energy fluctuation in the mist, like the most vigilant guardian. Her protection was silent yet firm.

Qu Feiyan, however, chuckled softly, a faint pink glow emanating from her body. This glow wasn't dazzling, but it seemed to distort light, making her figure appear and disappear in the mist, while also subtly repelling the encroaching gray mist. She pressed close to Lin Xuan's right side, almost walking shoulder to shoulder with him, her breath like orchids: "Little Brother Lin, this place is so dark it makes one anxious. You must protect this elder sister, okay~" Though her words were teasing, her seductive gaze, sweeping around, was sharp as a knife, clearly not letting down her guard.

The ravine was extremely deep. After descending for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the bottom was still out of sight. The surroundings were eerily silent, with only the faint sounds of the four people's footsteps and breathing echoing. The gray-black mist seemed to have sentience, constantly trying to erode the light of the Moonpetal Stone and their protective spiritual light, emitting faint "sizzling" sounds.

Suddenly, the mist ahead of them violently churned, and several silent shadows shot out like arrows, heading straight for Su Wanqing at the very front! These were formless demonic creatures, like elongated specters, with an icy aura and incredibly fast speed!

Su Wanqing's icy eyes narrowed, just about to strike, when a golden light arrived first!

Lin Xuan's figure remained still, his right hand forming a sword with his fingers. An incredibly condensed Sword Qi, imbued with supreme Yang Qi and blood essence, pierced through the air, instantly shredding those shadows! His movements were fluid, as if he had anticipated it.

"Senior Sister Su, be careful." He turned his head and whispered to Su Wanqing, their eyes meeting with an unspoken understanding.

Su Wanqing's heart trembled. Looking at his back shielding her, her cold emotional defenses seemed to melt a little more. She softly hummed in acknowledgment, and the chill emanating from her ice sword seemed to soften slightly.

[Ding! Investment target 'Su Wanqing's' trust and dependence on the host have increased, deepening the bond. The host receives investment feedback: Sword Dao comprehension slightly increased, attack speed slightly enhanced.]

Qu Feiyan watched this scene, her red lips slightly pursed, seemingly a bit jealous. Just then, the "ground" beneath their feet suddenly squirmed, revealing itself to be a "living entity" composed of countless pale arms! Countless arms frantically clawed at the four people's ankles, carrying the resentment of dragging them into Hell!

"Ah!" Gongsun Yu shrieked, her ankle already gripped by an icy arm. A massive force pulled at her, threatening to drag her down.

Lin Xuan reacted incredibly fast, his left hand still holding Gongsun Yu, his right hand forming a palm-blade, a golden flash about to cut it down. However, someone was faster than him!

A pink stream of light shot out like a nimble snake, precisely coiling around the arm that had grabbed Gongsun Yu. With a gentle twist, the arm dissolved into black smoke. Qu Feiyan's charming voice carried a hint of laziness: "Little sister, you need to watch where you're walking~" Though her move seemed casual, she had effectively rescued Gongsun Yu, yet her gaze provocatively flickered at Su Wanqing, as if to say, "I can protect his people too."

Gongsun Yu, still shaken, gave Qu Feiyan a grateful glance, then instinctively moved closer to Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan gave Qu Feiyan a look of thanks, and Qu Feiyan proudly lifted her chin.

[Ding! Investment target 'Qu Feiyan' has shown protectiveness towards the host, further advancing the relationship. The host receives investment feedback: Movement flexibility slightly increased, perception of trap-like dangers slightly enhanced.]

Continuing their descent, the encountered demonic creatures became increasingly bizarre and troublesome. There were "Phantom Sound Demons" that could create psychic echoes to induce Heart Demons, and "Shadow Clones" that could split into thousands, making their true form indistinguishable. The four had to cooperate closely: Lin Xuan provided central support, his supreme Yang Qi spiritual power and blood essence serving as the main offensive force; Su Wanqing's sword light was like the moon, clear and precise, responsible for targeted kills and defense; Qu Feiyan's Seduction Skill interfered and controlled the field flawlessly; Gongsun Yu's thunder techniques were bright and powerful, specifically countering evil and responsible for patching up weaknesses.

During an encounter with a swarm of "Phantom Sound Demons," countless chaotic demonic sounds flooded their minds. Gongsun Yu, with the weakest cultivation, was momentarily caught off guard, her eyes instantly becoming vacant, and the spiritual energy within her body showed signs of losing control.

"Guard your mind!" Lin Xuan roared, pulling her into his embrace. Simultaneously, his Mid-stage Golden Core Divine Sense, mixed with the System's feedback of mental resistance, erupted like a great bell, instantly shattering the surrounding demonic sounds.

Gongsun Yu lay against his solid chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, smelling the scent of sunshine and herbs on him. Her previously chaotic mind instantly calmed down, her pretty face flushed, yet she clung to this sense of security, forgetting to leave for a moment. Lin Xuan also noticed their overly intimate posture, but with the danger not yet passed, he could only let her lean there, though his arm was slightly stiff.

Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan's eyes both flickered at the sight. Su Wanqing remained silent, but her sword strikes became even more ferocious, freezing all the surging Phantom Sound Demons. Qu Feiyan, however, pouted, activating her Seduction Skill at full power, luring the remaining demonic creatures into an illusion of mutual slaughter.

After a series of bitter battles, the four finally reached the bottom of the ravine. Here, the mist was slightly thinner, revealing a riverbank covered in black pebbles. A "river" composed entirely of silent dark energy flowed silently into the unknown distance. And on the other side of the riverbank, dimly visible were the ruins of a collapsed building. The immortal abode pivot token's sensing of star marrow gold clearly pointed there!

However, on the riverbank leading to the ruins, countless stone sculptures stood densely packed. These stone sculptures varied in form: some were humanoid, some beast-like, and some were indescribably twisted. They stood motionless, yet exuded a chilling deathly stillness and an ominous aura.

"These stone sculptures... are strange." Lin Xuan's gaze was solemn. He could feel that within each stone sculpture, a powerful evil energy was sealed. If triggered, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The key to finding a way out was close at hand, but the final obstacle appeared so grim and terrifying.

Lin Xuan took a deep breath and looked at the Three women beside him, who had endured hardships, their hair slightly disheveled but their eyes firm. He said in a deep voice, "The objective is ahead, but it's probably also the greatest danger. Stay close to me, and we... will break through together."

His gaze swept over Su Wanqing, Qu Feiyan, and Gongsun Yu in his arms, in turn. The Three women met his gaze, without any hesitation, and nodded simultaneously.

At the bottom of the dark ravine, the four stood side by side, ready to face the final challenge. And between them, the emotions tempered in life-and-death crises surged like an undercurrent, just waiting for an opportunity to fully erupt.