Entering the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Discovering a Cave Dwelling

"Young Master Xiao is entering the Magic Beast Mountain Range? High-rank magical beasts may be rare on the outskirts, but they are not nonexistent. If you need it, I can send two mercenaries familiar with the terrain to accompany you. With them there, Young Master can avoid much trouble."

In the main hall of Wanyao Pavilion, Mr. Yao looked at the young man before him with a respectful expression.

Xiao Ce smiled calmly. "How strong could the magical beasts on the outskirts of the Magic Beast Mountain Range possibly be? Could there really be Fifth-Rank or Sixth-Rank Magical Beasts?"

Mr. Yao shook his head at those words. "Young Master is joking. While there are Fifth-Rank, and even Sixth-Rank Magical Beasts in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, they only dwell in its depths. Not to mention Fifth-Rank Magical Beasts, even Third-Rank and Fourth-Rank Magical Beasts are rarely seen on the outskirts."

"Then there's no problem. Xiao Yi Xian alone will be enough to accompany me."

Xiao Ce's tone was casual, yet it shook Mr. Yao to the core.

He knew Xiao Ce was strong, but he had not expected the latter not to take even Fourth-Rank Magical Beasts seriously.

Xiao Ce had previously displayed a small portion of his abilities before him, allowing him to realize that this seemingly harmless youth was actually a deeply hidden Da Dou Shi expert.

But now, it seemed that apart from Xiao Ce's terrifying personal strength, someone was very likely protecting him in secret. They might even be a Dou Wang.

Come to think of it, how could the faction behind such a heaven-blessed genius as Xiao Ce possibly allow him to venture out alone for training?

But...

Doubt filled Mr. Yao's eyes. He had never heard of any prominent Xiao family in the Jia Ma Empire.

Could it be the Misty Cloud Sect?

Of course, none of that mattered. What mattered was building a good relationship with Xiao Ce while he was still at Wanyao Pavilion.

Thinking of this, his gaze could not help drifting toward Xiao Yi Xian, who stood beside Xiao Ce.

If he wanted to befriend Xiao Ce, Xiao Yi Xian was the key.

Although Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Ce had not displayed much intimacy in front of him, Mr. Yao understood perfectly well that the two had most likely already taken the final step.

After all, he had long received a report from Xiao Yi Xian's maid, Xiao Lian, informing him that Xiao Yi Xian had spent the night in Xiao Ce's courtyard.

A lone man and woman sharing a room—Mr. Yao did not believe Xiao Ce could restrain himself.

What was more, when Xiao Yi Xian entered earlier, he had clearly noticed that her walking posture differed from usual, as though she had sprained her ankle.

If there was nothing between them, he would eat the table beside him!

Mr. Yao cleared his throat. "Xiao Yi Xian, since Young Master Xiao has asked you to accompany him, then go with him. On the way, you must listen to all of Young Master Xiao's arrangements and not act recklessly."

Xiao Yi Xian looked at Mr. Yao, and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.

This guy was truly shameless in his efforts to curry favor with Xiao Ce. Was he just selling her off like that?

Within the silent forest, two figures walked quietly. Though they were in the perilous Magic Beast Mountain Range, the pair strolled as leisurely as if they were out enjoying a spring outing.

One was a man, the other a woman, a handsome pair indeed. They were Xiao Ce and Xiao Yi Xian, who had entered the Magic Beast Mountain Range not long ago.

Xiao Ce looked completely at ease, his entire body exuding a relaxed air. His gaze occasionally swept into the distance, taking in the surrounding scenery.

A trace of ease and delight showed on Xiao Yi Xian's face. Having entered the Magic Beast Mountain Range so many times, this was the most relaxed and carefree she had ever been.

Although she had often followed teams organized by Wanyao Pavilion into the Magic Beast Mountain Range to gather medicinal herbs, every trip required extreme caution and constant vigilance against ambushes by magical beasts.

This time, with Xiao Ce protecting her at her side, she could completely cast aside all the dangers within the Magic Beast Mountain Range.

Though this little pervert could be quite awful at times, whenever she saw that relaxed air about him, Xiao Yi Xian felt utterly safe.

Treading on the soft earth, Xiao Yi Xian would occasionally sneak glances at Xiao Ce, studying his tall, straight figure and his handsome features, which carried a sharp edge beneath their refinement.

Though she never spared him with her words and always called Xiao Ce a little pervert and a scoundrel, Xiao Yi Xian knew that she truly felt not the slightest resistance toward him in her heart.

Over the next few days.

Aside from searching for the cave from the original story, Xiao Ce also deliberately nurtured his relationship with Xiao Yi Xian.

He genuinely liked Xiao Yi Xian.

Beyond his desire for her body and soul, there was also the emotional attachment he carried over from his previous life.

One took the initiative, while the other did not resist. Naturally, their feelings warmed rapidly.

And just as their relationship was rapidly heating up, good news arrived one after another.

Xiao Ce found the cave from the original story, just as he had wished.

This was only natural.

After all, the cave's location in the original story was near Wanyao Pavilion's herb-gathering area, beside a cliff. As long as he remembered those features, it was not difficult to find.

Xiao Yi Xian curiously looked at the quiet, dark cave before her, surprise appearing on her face.

"I didn't expect there really to be a cave here."

As she spoke, the surprise on her face transformed into eager excitement, and she looked at Xiao Ce expectantly.

"Ah Ce, do you think there might really be treasure left behind by someone from the past inside this cave?"

"Who knows?"

"We'll find out once we go in and take a look." Xiao Ce smiled and opened his hand.

A bright yellow flame immediately rose from his palm, illuminating the cave's dark interior with brilliant light.

This was Dou Qi Materialization, turning the intangible into something real, the signature trait of a Dou Ling expert.

In addition to transforming Dou Qi into corresponding elements, it could also solidify Dou Qi into tangible weapons, armor, and other objects for battle.

"Mm." Expectation filled Xiao Yi Xian's face as she followed closely behind Xiao Ce toward the depths of the cave.

After walking for roughly ten minutes, a stone door radiating a pale yellow glow suddenly came into view.

"Ah Ce, there really is treasure!"

The thrill of discovering treasure made Xiao Yi Xian cry out excitedly. She ran past Xiao Ce toward the stone door.

Seeing the Heavenly Poison Girl from the original story looking so innocent and lively before him now, Xiao Ce could not help feeling a sense of accomplishment.

"Yes, that really is good news."

Xiao Ce slowly stepped forward and lifted a hand to rub Xiao Yi Xian's head.

Xiao Yi Xian shot him a harmless glare and said with a faintly coquettish tone, "You're messing with my head again. You've made my hair all messy. Besides, I'm older than you. If anyone should be rubbing someone's head, it should be me rubbing yours."

Xiao Ce raised his brows at her words and said with a mischievous grin, "You can rub my head too, but let's make one thing clear first—the big head is off-limits!"

"Ah—"

"Xiao Ce, you're asking for it!"

Xiao Yi Xian's cheeks instantly flushed red. She reached for Xiao Ce's waist and gave it a fierce pinch.

"Hiss!"

Xiao Ce put on an act, sucking in a breath as he hurriedly begged for mercy. "Easy, easy."

"Let's see if you still dare to spout nonsense in the future."

The blush had yet to fade from Xiao Yi Xian's face, but she still withdrew her hand with satisfaction.

Of course she knew Xiao Ce was pretending, but was he not willing to play along with her?

Xiao Ce shrugged.

Of course he dared!

Not only did he dare say it, he dared do it too!