As Zhao Yi began the ritual, Yao Qing arrived at the entrance of West Mountain.

To avoid being watched, she bypassed the way station at the foot of the mountain, taking a long detour around the mountain before entering the pass.

The terrain of West Mountain is treacherous, with only one path in and out.

Standing at the entrance, Yao Qing gazed into the distance toward the forest, seeing only a series of ridges enveloped by mist.

Finding someone here is as difficult as fishing for a needle in the sea!

Yao Qing, feeling helpless, found a cave for shelter from the wind and rain, waiting quietly.

Gazing at the towering peaks before her, she couldn't help but waver again.

The mountain is so high—could anyone really survive a fall from such a height?

Yao Qing had already lost hope, but Zhao Yi spoke with such conviction.

This kindled a spark of hope in her heart!

What if?

Fortune favors the bold!

Perhaps Jing'Er could also turn misfortune into fortune!

But until she saw West Mountain with her own eyes, the sliver of hope in her heart gradually diminished.

This mountain is far too formidable!

Never mind her nephew, who was only at the second tier of the Origin Realm—even she would face certain death if she fell!

Yao Qing sat on a rock, hugging her knees as her gaze lost focus.

If her nephew were dead, her sister would surely go mad.

By then...

Yao Qing sighed, her expression darkening as she sank into endless despair.

If someone else had killed her nephew, Yao Qing could have fought alongside her sister.

But it was the royal family of Great Xia!

A sense of powerlessness surged within Yao Qing's heart.

Even with the entire Four Seas Commerce Association, the Great Xia Dynasty could crush them with a mere finger!

Seeking revenge is as hard as climbing to the heavens!

......

Yao Qing was startled awake by heavy footsteps.

She looked up sharply, her gaze intently scanning the ravine.

In the distance, two figures—one tall, one short—emerged slowly from the ravine!

Whoosh!

With a swift movement, Yao Qing appeared in front of the two like a streak of light!

The protagonist was on the brink of unconsciousness, supported by a small girl, struggling to walk.

Startled by the commotion, the small girl instinctively reached for something in the Poison Pouch at her waist!

Upon reaching, she suddenly paused.

Only then did she recall that she'd used up all her poison insects and toxins while tussling with a great demon in the mountains!

"What happened to him?"

Yao Qing paid no attention to the girl's small movements, focusing entirely on the protagonist.

The girl hesitated at Yao Qing's question: "You know Brother Xiao Jing?"

Xiao Jing?

Yao Qing was surprised but then her eyes gleamed: "Did he accept his name?"

She frowned slightly after saying this.

If he reclaimed his original name, he should be called Yao Jing, so why did he say Xiao Jing?

"Is he still holding back in his heart?"

Yao Qing shook her head, noting the girl's wary gaze, appraising her from head to toe.

The girl was not much older than fifteen or sixteen, petite, with a sallow complexion, dry hair, a thin frame—like a malnourished bean sprout.

Yet her eyes were beautiful—large, bright, and clear, with a gaze that scrutinized like a wild beast's, full of vigilance.

This was an instinctive response from long-term separation from people and living with beasts, being assimilated by them!

Yao Qing's gaze swept over the girl, then looked at the unconscious protagonist with a face full of pity.

She asked the girl, "What's your name? Did you save him? How is he now?"

The girl, eyes fixed on Yao Qing, detected no hostility, withdrawing her small hand from the Poison Pouch.

She replied, "My name is Little Poison. I sneaked to Black Stripe's place while it was out walking to gather Seven-Star Begonia, but unexpectedly, Black Stripe came back and tried to eat me!"

At this point, the girl named "Little Poison" pointed to the protagonist: "As Black Stripe was about to eat me, he suddenly fell from the sky and knocked Black Stripe unconscious, saving me, so I brought him out!"

Little Poison didn't interact with people much and spoke in a muddled way, but Yao Qing understood her meaning.

"Black Stripe," whatever that was, Yao Qing guessed it might be a serpent-like demon beast.

Yao Qing had heard of "Seven-Star Begonia," one of the legendary "Three Great Poisons" said to be capable of killing even the mythical Celestial Dragon!

Yao Qing hadn't expected such a treasure to exist in West Mountain!

Yao Qing suddenly realized.

Heavenly treasures are usually guarded by demon beasts.

The more precious the treasure, the more dangerous and terrifying the guardian beast!

The "Black Stripe" the girl referred to should be the beast guarding the Seven-Star Begonia!

Yao Qing felt a wave of fright!

If it weren't for that fortuitous chance, with the protagonist falling from the mountain and knocking out "Black Stripe," he'd likely already be demon food!

Yao Qing looked at the protagonist with lingering fear and said to the girl: "I'm his aunt. What happened to him, is he injured?"

Aunt?

The girl tilted her head, unfamiliar with the term.

But she sensed no malice from Yao Qing toward the protagonist, nodding: "He fell from the sky, knocked out Black Stripe, and then fainted himself!"

The girl added, "I saw some ribs broken in his chest, so I cut open Black Stripe's belly to give him a few swallows of blood."

Giving blood?

The blood of demon beasts is poisonous!

Yao Qing's expression changed as she grasped the protagonist's wrist, sensing his pulse.

After a moment, Yao Qing breathed a long sigh of relief.

The protagonist's pulse was steady and strong, with no signs of toxin!

Besides, Yao Qing also detected a trace of domineering energy in the protagonist's body.

That True Qi was not strong but incredibly domineering.

After the protagonist fainted, that True Qi automatically protected him.

When Yao Qing tried to probe the protagonist's body with her True Qi, that energy quickly rebuffed her, violently expelling her!

Bam!

Yao Qing's fingers were bounced away; she couldn't hold the protagonist's pulse!

"This True Qi..." Yao Qing frowned.

The fierce and domineering True Qi felt familiar to her, but she couldn't recall where she'd encountered it!

"Never mind!" Yao Qing shook her head.

Now wasn't the time to figure this out.

The pressing matter was to get her nephew to safety!

Yao Qing couldn't be sure whether the Sixth Prince's spies were around.

So, they had to leave quickly!

Yao Qing's mind raced with thoughts. She said to the girl: "Little sister, I need to take Jing'Er home to recover. What are your plans?"

The girl looked back toward the ravine, shaking her head: "I've torn Black Stripe's belly; it must be very angry now. I can't go home temporarily. My sister said there's lots of good food in Shengjing City, so I plan to check it out!"

Yao Qing had a fondness for the girl who saved her nephew.

Hearing this, she smiled at the girl: "My family runs a restaurant. We may lack other things, but there's no shortage of good food and drink! If you're willing, you could stay at my home for now. You saved Jing'Er's life, and when he wakes, he should thank you in person!"

The girl thought for a moment, then nodded: "Alright!"

She added, "My sister said not to eat others' food for free. Do you have enemies? I can help you kill them."

Her tone was calm, as if she wasn't talking about killing a person but rather slaughtering a chicken!

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