25: Chapter 25 Entering the Depths

Xiahou Yun subconsciously took the beer, her fingertips brushing against the cold bottle, and only then did she snap back to reality.

She turned her head mechanically toward Xiang Tian, her cheeks flushed bright red, "You... why haven't you left yet..."

"Little Yun, if you want to eat, just eat. No need to be shy," Xiang Tian said with a smile. "If it's not enough, I'll grill some more for you. With my skills, I guarantee you'll want more after eating."

As he spoke, he turned and returned to the grill, picking up a few more skewers of Spirit Beast meat to roast.

Xiahou Yun lowered her head, taking small bites of the roasted meat in her hand.

Xiang Tian saw this and felt relieved: It seems that delicious food is indeed a good way to ease a relationship. He had finally found a Breakthrough.

An hour later, Xiahou Yun leaned against the bedside, gently rubbing her round belly with both hands, a look of satisfaction on her face: "I really can't eat any more. If I eat any more, my stomach will burst."

"It's fine. As long as you want to eat, I can make it for you at any time," Xiang Tian said while tidying up the grill, joking, "As long as you don't beat me to death for what happened before."

Xiahou Yun rolled her eyes at him, her tone softening: "When did I say I was going to beat you to death? You're just overthinking it."

"It seems I was overthinking it. Then I can rest easy," Xiang Tian breathed a sigh of relief.

"Come here," Xiahou Yun beckoned to Xiang Tian.

Xiang Tian hurried over and sat down beside her.

Xiahou Yun looked at him, silent for a moment, before slowly speaking: "Xiang Tian, I've thought it through. I used to always think about standing at the Peak of the Lingyun Continent, but after experiencing this incident, I realized that whatever 'Peak' there is, perhaps it's not as good as finding a reliable man and living a stable life."

"Ah? These two aren't mutually exclusive!" Xiang Tian was stunned for a moment, and before he could react, Xiahou Yun grabbed his hand and held it tightly in her palm.

"If the Immaculate Sword Body is gone, then it's gone. It can't be recovered anyway," Xiahou Yun said with resignation.

But Xiang Tian could clearly see the loneliness hidden deep in her eyes.

"Who told you that the Immaculate Sword Body disappears after Dual Cultivation?" Xiang Tian gripped her hand back and said earnestly, "Don't give up on your dreams. Pursuing the Peak and finding a reliable person are not contradictory at all. I can accompany you to become stronger together. A woman with dreams is the most beautiful."

Xiahou Yun raised her head, looked into Xiang Tian's eyes, and remained silent for a long time before saying softly: "You don't need to comfort me. If it weren't for the fact that you are Little Yu's Dao Companion, I would have already killed you with one palm strike. Why would I even be saying these things to you?"

A cold sweat immediately broke out on Xiang Tian's back. This woman was truly dangerous; one second she was gentle, the next she was talking about killing him.

"Little Yun, I know what I did before may have hurt you deeply, but I will take responsibility," Xiang Tian quickly changed the subject.

"Take responsibility?" Xiahou Yun sneered, "Are you suggesting that you want me and the sister, Little Yu, to serve you alone?"

"Uh... well, I can't just watch you marry someone else, can I?" Xiang Tian rubbed his nose awkwardly.

"Forget it, I don't want to talk about this anymore." Xiahou Yun let go of his hand and leaned against the headboard, looking somewhat dejected. "After resting for an hour, we will return to the Sect. Once we go back, I will start dealing with the Grand Elder's faction. I must avenge this grudge."

Xiang Tian could feel that the attack had hit Xiahou Yun very hard. Although she said she had thought it through, hurdles in the heart are not so easily overcome.

An hour later.

Xiahou Yun stood up, the dejection on her face swept away, and she regained her previous coldness: "Let's go, back to the Sect."

The two walked out of the cave. Xiahou Yun looked around and said, "This is the Liangshan Forest, not too far from the Haotian Sect. Deep in the forest is the Liangshan Mountain Range; there are many Spirit Medicines inside, but also many high-level Spirit Beasts. It is very dangerous."

She clearly didn't intend to take Xiang Tian deep into the forest. Her injuries hadn't fully recovered yet, and it was a question of whether she could protect herself, let alone Xiang Tian.

"Don't you plan to go inside and take a look? You might find some treasures," Xiang Tian asked, though he had already memorized the location in his heart. This place would definitely be a good spot for treasure hunting in the future.

Xiahou Yun shook her head: "Let's wait until I break through to the Martial King Realm. Going now would be suicide."

"Is that so? Then let's head back now," Xiang Tian nodded.

But just as they were about to set off, two voices suddenly came from not far away: "Isn't that Xiahou Yun? She's actually here!"

Xiang Tian and Xiahou Yun turned their heads at the same time and saw two Haotian Sect Disciples walking towards them.

"They actually found us!" Xiahou Yun's expression changed. Her figure moved instantly, rushing towards the two Disciples. "Die!"

But it was a step too late. One of the Disciples reacted extremely quickly, raising his hand to fire a signal flare into the sky.

"Not good, our whereabouts are exposed!" Xiang Tian raised an eyebrow.

"Follow me quickly!" Xiahou Yun stopped caring about the two Disciples, grabbed Xiang Tian's wrist, and turned to fly towards the depths of the Liangshan Forest.

Not long after they disappeared, the Fifth Elder and the Seventh Elder appeared at the spot where they had just been.

"They got away again!" The Fifth Elder looked at the empty surroundings and snorted coldly.

"Judging by the speed at which they fled, they don't look like they are injured. It seems their strength hasn't been weakened," the Seventh Elder stroked his beard and said thoughtfully.

"Those two idiots, couldn't they have been quieter when sending the signal? Are they afraid others wouldn't know?" The Fifth Elder was somewhat exasperated.

"Fifth Elder, in my opinion, it is very likely they have fled into the depths of the forest," the Seventh Elder said.

"Hmm, let's chase them together. Do not separate. We must catch them this time!" After the Fifth Elder finished speaking, he flew towards the depths of the forest, with the Seventh Elder following closely behind.

Not long after they left, Deacon Yang arrived with a group of Disciples, and Cheng Li was among them.

"The Elders have already chased them in. Let's follow!" Deacon Yang said to the Disciples behind him, and the group marched imposingly into the depths of the forest.

"Roar—!"

Xiahou Yun carried Xiang Tian deep into the forest, and the roars of Spirit Beasts around them became more and more frequent.

"Be careful. We have now entered the depths of the forest. Don't stray from me for a single moment," Xiahou Yun frowned, flying quickly with Xiang Tian.

Xiang Tian nodded, and while Xiahou Yun wasn't paying attention, he reached out and wrapped his arms around her slender waist.

"I told you to stay close to me, not to hold me!" Xiahou Yun glared at him.

"Little Yun, you're carrying me while flying. I'm afraid I'll fall and become food for these Spirit Beasts," Xiang Tian said with a straight face.

"Hmph, to be so afraid of death, I really misjudged you." Xiahou Yun snorted coldly, but she didn't push Xiang Tian's hand away, letting him hold her waist.

"Bang!"

Just then, a loud noise suddenly came from not far ahead. Xiang Tian and Xiahou Yun exchanged glances and looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a group of people fighting a huge Spirit Beast.

"Those are Wanyun Sect Disciples ahead. They are hunting a Spirit Beast. Let's take a detour; don't get involved with them."

Seeing this, Xiahou Yun intended to take Xiang Tian and leave.

"Boom!"

After the explosion, the massive Spirit Beast collapsed to the ground.

Immediately after, a figure quickly caught up and blocked their path.

"Junior Sister Xiahou, what a coincidence, to run into you here!"

"Wan Shan, we have things to do, so please excuse us." Xiahou Yun's tone was cold.

"Junior Sister Xiahou, aren't you being too cold?" Wan Shan smiled. "We are acquaintances, after all."

"I have no friendship with you." Xiahou Yun's expression was indifferent.

Wan Shan took a deep breath internally; this woman was impervious to reason.

He turned his gaze to Xiang Tian.

"Hmm? This is your... why not introduce us?"

Just as Xiahou Yun was about to speak, Xiang Tian preempted her: "Hello, Senior Brother Wan. My name is Xiang Tian, and I am Little Yun's Dao Companion."

As he spoke, he tightened his grip on Xiahou Yun's waist, asserting his territory.

"Brother, is this the Fairy Xiahou you often mention? She really lives up to her reputation!" A crisp female voice came, and a woman in a green dress walked over from behind.

This woman was very beautiful, with a slender figure and large, lively, and cute eyes.

"Hello everyone, my name is Wan Jingyun, Wan Shan's younger sister. Nice to meet you!" Wan Jingyun greeted them enthusiastically, not shy at all.

"Hello, my name is Xiang Tian, and this is my Dao Companion, Xiahou Yun." Xiang Tian responded with a smile and even wanted to reach out to shake Wan Jingyun's hand.

Xiahou Yun glared at him, and Xiang Tian immediately retracted his hand tactfully.

Seeing this, Wan Jingyun couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle. She didn't expect Fairy Xiahou to be so formidable, and that Xiang Tian was henpecked.

"Senior Sister Xiahou, Senior Brother Xiang Tian, why don't you come with us, the Wanyun Sect? The depths of this forest are so dangerous; having a few more people means we can look out for each other."

Wan Jingyun said with a smile, her big eyes wide, facing Xiahou Yun and Xiang Tian.

"Hmm... I think that's feasible." Xiang Tian nodded immediately. He knew very well that they were currently being hunted by the Haotian Sect; having an extra ally meant an extra layer of safety.

"Then it's settled!" Wan Jingyun giggled. She had long heard of Xiahou Yun's fame, and now that she had met her in person, she naturally wanted to get to know her better.

"You..." Xiahou Yun wanted to retort, but was interrupted by Xiang Tian.

"Little Yun, look, the depths of the forest are so dangerous, and we are being hunted. With a few more people to look out for us, our chances of survival will be much higher. Let's go with them," Xiang Tian persuaded.

Xiahou Yun was silent for a moment and finally nodded. Xiang Tian was right; this was indeed not the time to be stubborn.

The group landed on the ground, and Xiahou Yun immediately let go of Xiang Tian and put some distance between them.

Seeing this, Wan Jingyun immediately walked over, familiarly hooked her arm into Xiahou Yun's, and started chatting away with her.

Wan Shan walked to Xiang Tian's side, observing him carefully, feeling that the name was somewhat familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.