Xiao Yi Xian

The busy clerk heard the voice and looked up, just in time to see a handsome young man dressed in tight black warrior's attire, a long saber in hand. He was completely unlike those downtrodden low-ranking mercenaries.

"Uh, my apologies, sir. Physician Xiao Yi Xian followed the herb-gathering party into the mountains two days ago and has yet to return. If you need treatment, Myriad Medicine Pavilion has other physicians..."

"No need!"

Before the clerk could finish, Mo Tang cut him off.

The young clerk was clearly a little speechless, but then he understood that this handsome young man was not looking for a physician to treat his injuries at all—he had come for the person herself!

Still, thinking of that white-clad figure who seemed like an immortal, it was hardly surprising.

Seeing that the other man's clothes and bearing were extraordinary, the clerk put on a slightly ingratiating smile. "Sir, if you truly wish to see Physician Xiao Yi Xian, there's no need to worry. Herb-gathering trips usually only take three or four days, so you might as well wait..."

Mo Tang raised a brow and looked at the clerk with a faint smile. A golden object flew from his hand—it was actually a Gold Coin.

"Thank you, brother."

The Gold Coin landed steadily in front of the clerk. As the man stared in delighted disbelief, Mo Tang had already turned to leave.

Just as he reached the entrance, a figure suddenly rushed in from outside. It nearly crashed into Mo Tang, but he sidestepped out of the way.

The man paid no attention to it. Gasping for breath, he roared, "This is bad! Something happened to the herb-gathering party in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range!"

With that one sentence, the entire shop instantly erupted.

"What did you say? Something happened to the herb-gathering party? Then where's Xiao Yi Xian?"

"Yeah, yeah! How is Xiao Yi Xian? You bastard, why didn't you protect her and bring her out?"

"..."

Though Xiao Yi Xian was young, she was beautiful, kind-hearted, and highly skilled in medicine. Many mercenaries in Qingshan Town had received her help, so she was deeply respected by the lower-ranking mercenaries.

Given her reputation in Qingshan Town, even the three great mercenary groups had to show her respect openly. Otherwise, they would likely incur the resentment of the independent mercenaries.

Now that they heard the herb-gathering party Xiao Yi Xian had joined was in danger, the mercenaries buying medicine could no longer sit still.

Amid the uproar, a middle-aged man appeared at some point. He frowned, then barked, "Shut up, all of you! Let him finish speaking first!"

At the sight of the middle-aged man, the agitated mercenaries immediately fell silent, fear visible in all their eyes.

The owner of Myriad Medicine Pavilion, Mr. Yao...

This man's origins were rather mysterious. Though he was not particularly strong, the fact that he could establish himself in Qingshan Town and manage Myriad Medicine Pavilion showed that he was no harmless figure.

Most of those present had made their living in Qingshan Town for years, so naturally they recognized him.

With Mr. Yao stepping in, the young mercenary who had brought the news finally had a chance to break free. After catching his breath, he explained everything from beginning to end.

It turned out that after the herb-gathering party arrived at the gathering site, they had finished collecting medicinal herbs early that morning and were preparing to leave the Demonic Beast Forest and return...

Unfortunately, they had only made it halfway when they were attacked by a pack of Magic Wolves...

Although they were merely first-tier Magic Wolves, there were simply too many of them. The herb-gathering party was caught completely off guard.

But no one had expected that...

Amid the chaos, Xiao Yi Xian had actually gone missing. The mercenaries hired by Myriad Medicine Pavilion were frantic. After driving back the Magic Wolves, they hurriedly searched for her, but found no trace whatsoever. Left with no choice, they could only send someone back for help while the others continued searching.

After hearing the report, Mr. Yao's face had darkened so much it seemed ready to drip water.

Xiao Yi Xian was now a living signboard for Myriad Medicine Pavilion. If something happened to her, it would deal no small blow to the pavilion's reputation.

Thinking of this, Mr. Yao did not dare delay. He immediately said, "Everyone! The Demonic Beast Mountain Range is incomparably dangerous, and Xiao Yi Xian is too weak. If she has lost her way inside, she will surely perish.

"I ask everyone, for the sake of our past friendship, to enter the mountains and search for her. If you can find her, Myriad Medicine Pavilion will reward you generously!"

Hearing Mr. Yao's promise, all the mercenaries present readily agreed.

"Don't worry, Mr. Yao. If not for Miss Xiao Yi Xian, I, Old Tie, would have died long ago. Now that Xiao Yi Xian is in danger, I, Old Tie, would brave ten thousand deaths without hesitation!"

"That's right! Count me in! I'm going too!"

"Yes, yes! Who among us hasn't received Xiao Yi Xian's kindness? Now that she's in danger, we absolutely cannot stand by and do nothing!"

"..."

For a time, supporters gathered in droves!

Mo Tang did not speak, but he followed the group toward the Demonic Beast Mountain Range.

As he hurried along, he recalled the original novel he had read.

It seemed the original story had never mentioned Xiao Yi Xian going missing in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, had it?

Could it be because of the butterfly effect caused by him?

Don't tell me I've directly fluttered this girl out of existence!

At that thought, even Mo Tang grew somewhat anxious.

After entering the mountains, led by the mercenary who had brought the news, they arrived at the place where Xiao Yi Xian had vanished. Then, using that spot as the center, they scattered in all directions and began a net-like search.

However, one thing puzzled Mo Tang—one direction alone had been left out...

"May I ask why no one is searching to the northwest?" Mo Tang stopped a burly middle-aged man and asked.

The man looked at Mo Tang and found him unfamiliar. Then he looked at his clothing and bearing, which clearly set him apart from the rest of them.

He was probably another admirer of Xiao Yi Xian.

Thinking this, the burly man explained, "That direction leads to Soul Severing Ravine. Beyond Soul Severing Ravine lies the depths of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, an incredibly dangerous place. If she truly entered there, then..."

Alright, Mo Tang immediately understood.

If Xiao Yi Xian had truly wandered into Soul Severing Ravine, there was no need to search for her at all. It was a dead end!

Mo Tang nodded. After parting ways with the middle-aged man, he still decided to take a look at Soul Severing Ravine...

Once he fully unleashed his speed, Mo Tang's figure became like a phantom within the dense forests of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range. Only a black streak remained, flashing through the trees like lightning.

In less than a quarter of an hour, he arrived at a deep ravine...

The ravine was roughly several hundred meters wide.

Looking across, he saw the same dense forest, giving off a gloomy, oppressive feeling.

Clouds and mist swirled below the ravine, making it impossible to see clearly.

Xiao Yi Xian, a young girl with little fighting ability, seemed unlikely to have ventured this deeply into such a place...

But after hesitating for a moment, Mo Tang still unleashed his Gale Wings and swiftly flew into the ravine.

After passing through the clouds and mist, Mo Tang's view suddenly opened up. Before him lay a field of scattered rocks, with a white stream flowing through its center like a silver ribbon.