We Are Sisters

Soon Qin Guan arrived at the foot of the mountain.

A series of steps stretched like a swimming dragon, winding and twisting as they extended toward the summit.

Below the steps, a wooden sign was planted, bearing four words: Know Your Limits.

Know your limits.

Qin Guan glanced at the sign and stepped onto the mountain stairs.

The moment Qin Guan set foot on the first step, an invisible pressure surged forth, as if a massive stone had been hoisted onto his shoulders.

"So it's a Gravity Field."

Qin Guan smiled faintly. This pressure was nothing more than an itch to him, given that he used to carry a small hill on his back for squat training.

Qin Guan moved quickly underfoot, and before long, he disappeared around the first bend.

Meanwhile, the space everyone else occupied was identical to Qin Guan's, only the pressure they faced while climbing was far lighter than his.

Half an hour later.

Halfway up the mountain, Nan Qiao and Nan Rou moved one ahead of the other, each step a struggle. Their faces were pale, and every bone in their bodies ached under the crushing weight.

Not far behind them, two youths in blue robes lurked furtively, occasionally glancing over their shoulders.

"Brother Long, I think we should call it off," one of them, a thin youth, said with some apprehension.

"There's no one around now. Miss this chance, and there won't be another," the youth called Brother Long said in a low voice.

"Those two girls are top-notch, sure, but one's Qin Guan's woman and the other's his sister-in-law. If he finds out, he'll kill us for sure."

The thin youth spoke with fear.

Brother Long slapped the thin youth across the face:

"You coward. With an attitude like that, you'll never taste the good stuff. Qin Guan's offended the Spirit Sword Academy now. When the Secret Realm ends, he won't even be able to save himself, and the whole Nan Family will vanish. We do this job, slip out of the Secret Realm in time, and leave no trace—got it?"

Hearing this, the thin youth hesitated: "Then we're not exploring the Secret Realm anymore?"

"Idiot. We're already halfway up and barely holding on. Can you make it to the top?"

"You've got a point!" The thin youth's eyes lit up, then twisted into a lecherous grin. "Brother Long, one girl each, right?"

"What's 'one each'? Swap after we're done—isn't that even better?"

"Haha, Brother Long really knows how to have fun. Just thinking about it gets me excited!"

"Keep your damn voice down."

After a brief discussion, the two youths quickened their pace up the mountain.

Before long, they caught up to Nan Rou and Nan Qiao.

The youth called Brother Long smiled and said:

"Ladies, you've still got nearly half the climb ahead. The higher you go, the heavier the pressure. If you push your bodies too hard, your meridians could easily get damaged."

Nan Rou and Nan Qiao turned to look down at them.

"Thanks for the warning." Recognizing them as Cloud Mist Sect disciples, Nan Qiao cupped her hands in greeting.

"Cultivation isn't easy. Why don't the four of us go together? That way, we can look out for each other on the road," Brother Long said with a grin.

"Yeah, yeah! Climbing together's less tiring!" The thin youth nodded eagerly, his face plastered with ill intent.

"Ma De..."

Seeing the thin youth practically wearing a sign that said 'I'm here to rob you,' Brother Long gritted his molars.

"No need. My sister and I will head down soon." Sensing their obvious malice, Nan Rou grew wary.

"What a coincidence—we brothers don't feel like climbing anymore either. How about we find a spot to rest, give each other a massage, and relax?"

Brother Long dropped all pretense, closing in on Nan Qiao and Nan Rou as he spoke.

"Shameless scum, get lost!"

Nan Qiao immediately drew her long sword, forcing the two back.

"This one's feisty. I like feisty. That one's yours!"

Brother Long eyed Nan Qiao's impressive figure and swallowed hard.

"Fine!" The thin youth lunged at Nan Rou, but under the gravity suppression, his speed was limited.

"Stay away from me!"

Nan Rou had no combat experience. Panicked, she flailed forward blindly, but the thin youth dodged her easily.

Just as the thin youth reached for Nan Rou's arm, Nan Qiao's sword slashed in from the side. If not for his quick reflexes, his arm would have been severed.

"Brother Long, keep your hot girl in check!"

Frustrated at having his fun ruined, the thin youth snapped.

"This young lady's a bit fierce. Attack together—take her out first!"

Brother Long pointed at Nan Qiao, his voice grim. He hadn't expected her to match him even under this pressure. As an outstanding disciple of the Cloud Mist Sect, being outdone by a young lady from a third-rate minor family was a real blow to his pride.

Soon, the two people charged at Nan Qiao.

"How dare you bully my younger sister!"

Bam!

Nan Rou seized the chance In The Chaos and grabbed a rock, slamming it hard against the back of the gaunt man's head.

"E Ah!"

The gaunt man cried out in pain, spun around, and kicked Nan Rou, sending her crashing into a tree.

"Get lost! Don't come near me!"

Nan Qiao swung her Long Sword as she backed away.

Before long, Brother Long and the gaunt youth had cornered her.

Seeing this, the gaunt youth struck a palm toward Nan Qiao's chest. Nan Qiao swung her sword to slash him, but the gaunt youth feigned the move and quickly retreated. Nan Qiao's sword struck nothing. At that moment, Brother Long seized the opening and grabbed for Nan Qiao's chest.

Scared, Nan Qiao hurriedly twisted her body to dodge.