150: Chapter 150 Finally Encountering the Iron-Backed Bear

Wen Yulan didn't speak, just buried her face deeper.

Her hands tightly gripped the fabric at his chest, her knuckles turning white.

Ye Yun bent down, one hand supporting her waist and the other hooking under her knees, picking her up in a princess carry.

Her body was very light and soft, separated only by a thin outer robe.

He could clearly feel the temperature of her skin and her exquisite, undulating curves.

Wen Yulan curled up in his arms, trembling all over, unsure if it was from the cold or from nervousness.

Her face was buried in the crook of his neck, her nose filled with the crisp scent of his body, her heart beating so fast it almost jumped out of her chest.

[He... he's holding me. I'm not wearing anything...]

This thought made her so ashamed she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

But she didn't even have the strength to crawl into a crack, only able to act like a startled fawn.

Shrinking in his arms, she didn't dare to move.

Ye Yun carried her to the grassy area by the pool and gently placed her on a flat bluestone.

His movements were very gentle, as if afraid of breaking a piece of precious porcelain.

But even so, at the moment he put her down...

Wen Yulan's body inevitably slid against his chest, the soft sensation making his breath hitch.

Ye Yun quickly let go, took a step back, and turned his back to her.

"Get dressed." His voice was a bit raspier than before.

Wen Yulan sat on the bluestone, wrapped in the outer robe with her head lowered, her cheeks so red they looked like they might drip blood.

Her fingers trembled as she tied the robe's sash.

But that outer robe had been torn in several places by the Iron-feathered Eagle's claws.

A long tear at the neckline couldn't cover much at all.

She bit her lip, anxious and ashamed, her eyes reddening, yet she couldn't hide those glimpses of her skin.

"O-okay..."

Her voice was so quiet it was almost inaudible.

Ye Yun turned around.

Wen Yulan stood by the bluestone.

The black outer robe hung loosely on her, the tear at the neckline revealing a large area of snowy-white skin and delicate collarbones.

Further down, those full curves were faintly visible.

The fabric at the side of her waist was also torn, revealing a section of slender waist with skin that was fair and delicate.

The hem was torn in several places, her long legs appearing and disappearing through the tears.

She lowered her head, hands clutching her chest, trying to cover the exposed areas, but there were too many tears to cover them all.

Her hair was still wet, water droplets dripping from the ends and soaking the fabric at her shoulders.

This made the fabric there translucent, clinging to her skin and outlining even more tempting curves.

Ye Yun's gaze lingered on her for a moment before shifting away, and he said flatly.

"Let's go. It's not safe here; we need to move."

Wen Yulan nodded and followed behind him, her steps unsteady, but she gritted her teeth and persisted.

The two of them, one after the other, passed through the bushes, heading deeper.

After walking a few steps, Wen Yulan suddenly spoke softly, her voice carrying a hint of shyness and gratitude.

"Thank you for just now. If it weren't for you, I..."

Ye Yun didn't look back, saying indifferently.

"No need for thanks. I said I would protect you."

Wen Yulan looked at his back, a wave of warmth rising in her heart, her eyes reddening slightly.

She bit her lip, quickened her pace, and caught up with him.

The two moved through the forest as sunlight dappled through the leaves.

Casting a soft glow over their figures.

The wind blew through the forest, bringing the fragrance of plants and the faint, delicate scent from her body.

Ye Yun walked in front, that scent lingering around his nose, a strange ripple stirring in his heart.

He took a deep breath, suppressed those stray thoughts, and continued forward.

...

About an hour later, a grey figure appeared by the pool.

A middle-aged man stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze scanning the surroundings.

Scattered scraps of clothing, water stains remaining on the bluestone, the corpse of the Iron-feathered Eagle on the ground, and its severed talons.

He crouched down, picking up a blood-stained feather with his fingertips and sniffing it.

A cold smile slowly curled on his lips.

"Iron-feathered Eagle, Rank Three Middle Stage, killed with a single sword strike."

He stood up, his gaze following the messy footprints on the ground into the depths of the dense forest, muttering to himself.

"Kid, you sure run fast. Unfortunately, you left too many traces."

He took a yellowed beast-skin map from his robes, which marked the terrain of the Fengyun Mountains.

His fingertip traced across the map, landing on a spot marked 'Black Wind Valley,' a glint flashing in his eyes.

"The Iron-backed Azure Bear's territory is in that direction."

He put away the map, his cold smile deepening.

"You go to hunt Yao Beasts, and I shall hunt you."

As his voice fell, his figure flickered, turning into a grey afterimage as he sped off in the direction Ye Yun had left.

The wind whistled and trees receded; his speed was even faster than before.

Clearly, he had locked onto his target and no longer concealed his aura.

...

On the other side.

Ye Yun led Wen Yulan through the mountain forest, sometimes passing through dense woods.

Sometimes crossing streams, heading all the way deeper into the mountain range.

Wen Yulan followed behind him; though her steps were still a bit unsteady, she was much better than in the morning.

She wrapped herself in the torn outer robe, occasionally lifting the hem dragging on the ground to avoid being tripped by branches.

"Ye Yun, where exactly is that Yao Beast?"

She asked softly, her gaze alertly scanning the surroundings.

Ye Yun didn't look back, his voice calm.

"Don't worry, we'll find it soon."

Wen Yulan bit her lip and didn't ask further. She trusted him.

After walking for about another half hour, the terrain ahead suddenly changed.

The dense trees gradually thinned out, replaced by jagged rocks and a dried-up riverbed.

The air became damp and cold, carrying a faint, rank smell.

The two of them passed through a narrow rock crevice, and the view suddenly opened up.

A deep valley appeared before them.

The light in the valley was dim, with steep rock walls on both sides covered in dark green moss.

The ground was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves, making a rustling sound when stepped on.

Most eerie was that it was terrifyingly quiet here.

No birds chirping, no insects buzzing, even the sound of the wind seemed to be swallowed by something.

Wen Yulan subconsciously moved closer to Ye Yun, lowering her voice.

"Something's not right here... why isn't there any sound at all?"

Ye Yun's eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the surroundings.

He had the same feeling.

This kind of dead silence often meant a top predator resided here, and other Yao Beasts didn't dare approach.

"It's inside."

Ye Yun said flatly, his voice carrying a hint of certainty.

Wen Yulan's face changed slightly, and she tightened her grip on her longsword, only to find her palms were covered in sweat.

The two of them slowly moved deeper into the valley.

The fallen leaves on the ground grew thicker, and the rank smell in the air grew stronger.

Turning past a huge rock, the scene ahead finally came into view—

A massive bear was lying on a flat rock, eyes closed in a light sleep.

The bear was pitch black all over, with a silver-grey mane on its back extending from the top of its head to its tail, looking like it was draped in a layer of iron armor.