The peaceful, beautiful fairyland was torn apart in an instant. What appeared before the two of them again was boundless darkness.
Beneath their feet lay a bottomless abyss, with chilling gusts of wind sweeping through.
"Let's hurry and meet up with Second Brother and the others," Ning Xiang said.
She had only just moved when a sharp pain shot through her ankle.
Hearing her gasp, Mingyuan asked, "What's wrong?"
Ning Xiang lifted her skirt. The Clam Demon had clamped down on her left foot earlier, leaving her ankle swollen and bruised purple. Her skin was fair, her flesh like ice and her bones like jade, making the injury look all the more alarming.
The Clam Demon's fluids were poisonous, but fortunately, the skin around her ankle hadn't broken.
Mingyuan hurriedly wrapped an arm around her waist, letting her rest all her weight against him.
He brushed aside the Ficus Vines behind him and discovered a long, narrow passage, though it was only wide enough for one person.
"Can you walk?"
Ning Xiang tried putting her foot down, and a piercing pain stabbed through her ankle.
"I'll have Little Nine carry me."
Before she had even finished speaking, Mingyuan had turned his back to her and crouched down.
"Get on."
Ning Xiang wrapped her arms around Mingyuan's neck and leaned against his broad back.
Mingyuan hooked his hands beneath her knees, lifted her securely onto his back, and headed into the cave.
Ning Xiang held up the Jade Glow Pearl to light his way.
[Ming Old Dog really is the best. Resting against his shoulder feels so safe.]
Ning Xiang rested her chin on Mingyuan's shoulder, tilting her head to study his flawless profile.
The young woman's breath teased Mingyuan until even his breathing grew uneven.
He felt rather pleased with