6: Wolf Head Mercenary Group

The seven-colored poison emperor fruit felt warm and smooth in her hand, and its swirling, hazy glow made Yun Yun's slender white fingers appear translucent.

She did not put it away immediately, however, her gaze still fixed on the figure ahead.

The stench of the swamp carried by the wind stirred the hem of his slightly loose cloth garment, revealing the smooth, explosively powerful muscles of his legs underneath.

The domineering scene of him shattering the mountain with that punch and slaying the venomous dragon played repeatedly in her mind, refusing to dissipate.

"Young Master Li," she quickened her pace until she was truly walking beside him, her voice carrying a trace of inquiry she hadn't even noticed, "This poison emperor fruit... is far too valuable."

She was trying to find a topic to break the unnerving silence, and also attempting to repay a fraction of the heavy debt she owed him.

Li Ao did not stop walking, his gaze sweeping over the increasingly rugged and rocky mountain path ahead.

He casually said, "It is useless to me."

Useless?

Yun Yun was stunned.

The seven-colored poison emperor fruit, a main ingredient for a Tier 6 medicinal pill, was valuable enough to incite Dou Kings and even Dou Emperors to fight over it in the outside world.

Yet he said... it was useless?

This was no longer modesty, but a form of indifference bordering on condescension.

It was as if all the world's treasures had a fixed value in his eyes: if they fit his needs, he used them; if not, he discarded them.

She silently placed the poison emperor fruit into her storage ring, her fingertip brushing the cool surface of the ring.

Her mind was in turmoil.

She had only been by his side for half a day, yet everything she had seen and heard was more shocking to her established understanding than her experiences over the past several years.

This man was like a mysterious classic written in iron and blood; every page turned carried the cold, hard sound of metal striking Jin Shi, making one unable to resist the urge to peek at the next chapter.

"Where are we going?" She changed the subject.

Li Ao was brief and to the point: "To find a place for you to heal.

The poison in your body will damage your foundation if left untreated for too long."

Yun Yun felt a slight warmth in her heart; so he wasn't just wandering aimlessly.

She softly hummed in acknowledgment and said nothing more, simply following him quietly.

The scent lingering around her nose was no longer the rotten smell of the swamp, but a faint, dry, and clean aura emanating from him, like a rock scorched by the blazing sun.

The mountain path became increasingly difficult, and the poisonous insects and miasma grew denser.

Li Ao still walked ahead, seemingly born with the ability to find the safest and quickest route through this perilous environment.

Occasionally, some foolish venomous creature would try to ambush them, but before it could even get close, it would be sliced into two by an invisible surge of energy or a faint thread of saber wind.

Following behind him, Yun Yun felt a strange sense of "security" for the first time.

This security did not stem from the weakness of being sheltered, but from absolute trust in her companion's strength.

She didn't even need to spare much attention to guard her surroundings; she only needed to follow his steps, dedicating more effort to regulating her breathing and suppressing the toxins within her body.

This feeling of complete reliance was unfamiliar to her, yet... not unpleasant.

About an hour later, a narrow mountain crevice appeared ahead, wide enough for only one person to pass.

Li Ao entered first by turning sideways.

Yun Yun hesitated briefly, then followed him in.

The crevice was initially extremely narrow, but after walking a few dozen steps, it suddenly opened up.

Before them was a small valley, where the grass was lush and green, and a clear stream babbled past.

The air was filled with a faint, clean fragrance of plants, completely different from the fierce hostility of the outside Magical Beast Mountain Range.

On the rock wall on one side of the valley was a naturally formed stone cave, its entrance mostly concealed by vines, making it quite hidden.

Li Ao stopped and surveyed the surroundings.

"This place will suffice."

A hint of surprise flashed in Yun Yun's beautiful eyes.

This valley was rich in Yuan Qi and had a serene environment—it was the perfect place for healing.

How did he find this place?

And was it... specifically searched for her?

As soon as the thought arose, she felt her cheeks flush slightly.

Li Ao left a single sentence: "You heal here; I'll check the vicinity."

Then he turned and walked toward the other side of the valley, seemingly having just found a random spot to stop.

Yun Yun watched his retreating back, opened her mouth, but in the end only whispered, "Alright."

She entered the stone cave.

The interior was dry and clean, without the smell of wild beasts.

She sat down cross-legged, took out the crimson sun fruit, carefully consumed it, glanced at the seven-colored poison emperor fruit, and put it away for now.

Only then did she close her eyes and focus her mind, fully circulating the Cloud Mist Sect cultivation method to guide the medicinal power and expel the toxins.

Time passed in silence.

After an unknown amount of time, Yun Yun was startled awake by the faint sound of metal striking Jin Shi coming from outside the cave.

She suppressed her aura, quietly walked to the entrance, and pushed aside the vines to look out.

In the open space of the valley, Li Ao was bare-chested, his bronze skin glowing healthily under the setting sun's rays, sweat dripping down his taut muscle lines.

Clutched in his hand was still that seemingly ordinary fine steel saber.

He was practicing his saber technique.

He wasn't executing the saber technique as swift as a wild wind; he was merely repeating the most basic moves—chopping, hacking, sweeping, and hooking—over and over.

His movements were slow and steady, each swing carrying a strange rhythm, as if integrating with the surrounding rocks, flowing water, and wind.

The saber edge sliced through the air, emitting a steady hum.

The sound was not jarring but possessed a power that pierced straight into one's heart.

Yun Yun watched, somewhat mesmerized.

She had witnessed countless exquisite Dou Techniques, seen scenes of sword energy crisscrossing and brilliant light shining everywhere, yet she had never seen anyone execute the most basic saber technique with such a soul-stirring artistic conception.

That was not just saber practice; it was more like a form of cultivation, an ultimate mastery and refinement of his own strength.

Suddenly, Li Ao's movements changed.

The fine steel saber abruptly accelerated, turning into a blur of shadows!

It was no longer the basic moves, but the Furious Wind Quick Blade!

Saber light poured out like a waterfall, completely enveloping an area.

The sharp saber energy cut the air, emitting a piercing shriek, and the grass leaves on the ground were pulverized by the invisible force, scattering everywhere!

Fast!

Ruthless!

Precise!

It perfectly embodied the meaning of "Furious Wind"!

However, just as the saber momentum reached its peak and seemed about to spiral out of control and sweep across the surroundings, all the saber light suddenly retracted!

It was as if a fierce storm had instantly calmed, and the world returned to silence.

Li Ao stood with his saber sheathed, his breathing steady, as if the violent saber momentum from moments ago had never occurred.

Only the sharp aura that had not yet fully dissipated around him proved that everything just now was not an illusion.

Perfect control!

Yun Yun's shock was immense.

She finally understood where his terrifying combat strength originated.

It wasn't just his powerful body refinement cultivation method and strange movement technique, but also this battle instinct, tempered countless times and fused into his very bones, coupled with his masterful control over his power!

Li Ao seemed to sense her gaze and turned to look.

Their eyes met.

Yun Yun's heart skipped a beat.

Subconsciously, she wanted to look away, but found she couldn't tear her eyes away.

The golden light of the setting sun outlined the cold, hard contours of his profile, sweat rolled down his Adam's apple, and his deep eyes reflected the light of the sky and her slightly stunned face.

"How are your injuries?" he asked, his voice slightly hoarse from the practice.

Yun Yun recovered her composure, suppressed the strange feeling in her heart, and nodded slightly: "The crimson sun fruit's medicinal effect is excellent.

The toxins have been largely suppressed.

After another day or two of recuperation, I should recover seventy percent of my combat strength."

She paused, then added sincerely, "Thank you."

Li Ao nodded, walked to the stream, scooped up a handful of cool water, and splashed it on his face.

Droplets slid down his well-defined features and onto his solid chest.

Yun Yun watched his natural movements, hesitated for a moment, but still walked over, stopping a few steps away from him.

"Young Master Li," she asked softly, with a hint of curiosity, "How long have you been practicing your saber technique?"

Li Ao shook the water droplets off his hands, stood straight, and looked at the last trace of sunset glow on the horizon.

"I don't remember," his answer was still vague, but his gaze was distant.

"I only know that holding it tight is the only way to survive."

To survive?

Yun Yun was slightly startled.

From his tone, she couldn't discern much emotion, only a calmness that had settled after countless life-and-death struggles.

But what kind of turbulent waves were hidden beneath this calmness?

She suddenly realized she felt an unprecedented desire to investigate the past of this mysterious young man.

Where did he come from?

What had he experienced?

Why had he embarked on this pure body refinement path, rarely seen in the world?

Night gradually enveloped the valley.

A bonfire was lit, and the flickering flames illuminated their faces.

For most of the time, silence reigned.

Li Ao sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, seemingly cultivating the strange Black Iron Hegemon Body, his aura as solid as a mountain.

Yun Yun quietly watched the dancing flames, her thoughts drifting.

She thought of sectarian affairs, of the marriage annulment letter that had yet to be sent, and of that "genius" Xiao Yan from Wutan City who now seemed dull by comparison...

Finally, her thoughts inevitably drifted back to the young man beside her.

His strength, his mystery, his silence, and even the occasional indifference and solitude that seemed inconsistent with his age, all acted as a fatal attraction, making her want to get closer and understand him.

"Young Master Li," she spoke again, her voice exceptionally clear in the quiet night, "Once my injuries are healed, what... are your plans?"

Li Ao opened his eyes, the bonfire flickering in his deep pupils.

"To the Tagor Desert," he replied simply and decisively.

The Tagor Desert?

Yun Yun's heart stirred.

That region was the territory of the Snake-People Clan, an environment where unique treasures and danger coexisted.

What was he going there for?

She did not ask further, merely committing the name "Tagor Desert" to memory.

The night deepened.

When Yun Yun awoke again from her recuperation, she found Li Ao still sitting by the bonfire, but his gaze was sharply fixed on the direction of the valley entrance.

"Someone is coming," his voice was low.

Yun Yun's expression tightened, and she immediately focused her senses.

Sure enough, several auras of varying strengths were rapidly approaching the valley.

One of them carried a distinct coldness and... greed.

"Is it someone from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group?" Yun Yun instantly thought of the ambush from earlier in the day.

Li Ao slowly stood up.

The fine steel saber was already in his hand, its cold blade reflecting the faint light of the bonfire.

"More than that," a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"There is also... another stench."

He looked at Yun Yun, his tone brooking no argument: "Stay in the cave unless I call for you."

Having spoken, he took a step and his figure merged into the darkness at the entrance of the valley.

Yun Yun gripped the long sword in her hand.

Looking at his back, which unhesitatingly blocked the front, a complex and indescribable emotion surged within her chest.

There was worry, trust, and a hint of... the warmth of being protected.

She took a deep breath, suppressed the impulse to intervene, and retreated into the cave as instructed, minimizing her aura to the extreme.

She knew this was the way he chose to fight.

And all she could do was trust him.

Outside the valley, the night wind carried faint shouts and the sound of weapons slicing the air, which were immediately cut short by a sharper saber hum.

The battle had begun.