Inside the cave, upon hearing Leng Bingshuang's stern words, Murong Qianqian suddenly became somewhat at a loss, and her delicate face showed a blank expression.
"Tell me, what exactly happened!"
With Leng Bingshuang gaze, she stared sternly at Murong Qianqian, her tone filled with anger.
Being stared at by Leng Bingshuang like that, even Murong Qianqian couldn't help but feel a little scared. Of course, more than anything, she knew she had gotten herself into trouble.
A timid look appeared on her pretty face. She bit her red lips with her pearly teeth, and unconsciously hugged Xiao Yan's arm even tighter. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her delicate eyes moved slightly, making the girl look quite charming and pitiful.
After a long while, Murong Qianqian finally raised her beautiful eyes slightly, looked at Leng Bingshuang, and muttered to herself:
"They force me to cultivate every day, and I find it annoying, so I thought of coming to Sister Bing Shuang..."
"Then you shouldn't have left without telling your father! Do you know that in the months you've been away, your father and brother have turned the entire family upside down!"
Leng Bingshuang's angry rebuke made Murong Qianqian's pretty face turn pale. Besides her brother and father, Leng Bingshuang was the third person who dared to reprimand her like this. But despite this, Murong Qianqian still restrained all her temper in front of her. Now, being rebuked by Leng Bingshuang again, the girl couldn't help but feel a sense of grievance.
In the blink of an eye, tears welled up in the girl's eyes, and her bright eyes turned red.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Although he was confident he could say something, it was, after all, someone else's family matter, and it was inappropriate for an outsider like him to interfere.
Shaking his head helplessly, Xiao Yan could understand the meaning behind Leng Bingshuang's words. Back when he left his family alone to venture across the continent, his father, Xiao Zhan, was also full of worry for him.
Back then, Xiao Yan was young and impetuous, and naturally couldn't understand his father's special feelings. Now, however, Xiao Yan is also a father, and naturally understands them deeply.
"Your father has already sent a message. The person who is coming to pick you up is waiting for you in Shahepu. Get ready to go back immediately!"
Seeing the girl's frail appearance, Leng Bingshuang, unfazed, let out a soft snort, curled her lip, and said in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, the girl's expression changed again. She hadn't expected that the people who were supposed to pick her up had already arrived in Shahepu. It seemed that her father and brother were really anxious!
The thought of her father's furious expression filled the girl with fear.
She feared nothing in her family, except for her father and brother. Now that they had sent people here to look for her, it's not hard to imagine what emotions they were feeling at that moment.
The thought of her father and brother's furious expressions sent a chill down Murong Qianqian's spine. Her mind raced, and a sudden inspiration struck her. She looked up at Murong Qianqian Leng Bingshuang again, feigning helplessness, and said:
"Sister Bing Shuang, I can go back, but as you know, Shahepu is located at the border of the Western Lin Region and the Western Wilderness Region. There are many powerful people there, and the journey from here to Shahepu is quite long. I simply can't go alone..."
"Stop trying to stall for time, I know you want to stay with this kid..."
Before Murong Qianqian could finish speaking, Leng Bingshuang interrupted her with a single sentence. Then, she turned her gaze, her long, narrow eyes landing on Xiao Yan. Her icy blue eyes were fixed on Xiao Yan, and a cold light flashed deep within her pupils.
"I'm entrusting this girl to you now. If you can deliver her to Shahepu unharmed, you can take as much of my Ice Spirit Cold Liquid as you want. Otherwise, if she's injured..."
"Senior, there's no need for further explanation. I understand. However, I still hope to obtain the Ice Spirit Cold Liquid through my own abilities, rather than by sacrificing my friendship with Miss Murong. I am grateful for your trust, but as Miss Murong is my friend, it is my duty to protect her. Even if you hadn't said anything, I would have done my utmost to fulfill that obligation!"
Before Leng Bingshuang could finish speaking, Xiao Yan frowned and said...
Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, a gentle smile appeared on Murong Qianqian's pretty face.
Seeing Xiao Yan's confident expression, Leng Bingshuang's beautiful eyes flickered slightly. She gazed at Xiao Yan intently with her gleaming eyes, then nodded without saying anything more, and continued:
"Alright, in that case, you can rest for another day. Tomorrow morning, I will take you to the outskirts of the Xilin hinterland. Once you cross the outer mountain range, you will reach the other side of the Xilin Mountain Range."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded calmly, while Murong Qianqian's pretty face showed her frustration. She hadn't expected that Xiao Yan would actually agree to send Leng Bingshuang back.
After giving a few instructions, Leng Bingshuang got up and left the cave, leaving Xiao Yan and Murong Qianqian behind.
Afterwards, Murong Qianqian muttered a few words about Xiao Yan to herself, and then strode out of the cave with a displeased expression. In the blink of an eye, only Xiao Yan was left in the cave again.
However, Xiao Yan felt relieved at this. Murong Qianqian's departure made him feel a sense of relief.
At the same time, a burning desire for the journey ahead gradually welled up in Xiao Yan's heart.
The Western Wilderness Region is where the true powerhouses of the Western Region gather. Only there can Xiao Yan's strength be truly enhanced.
The next day.
Amidst the biting cold wind, Xiao Yan and Murong Qianqian, protected by Leng Bingshuang, easily made their way to the edge of the heart of Xilin.
Upon arriving here, the three figures slowly came to a stop in mid-air.
"Alright, I'll stop here. From now on, as long as you head west, you'll be able to safely cross the Xilin Mountain Range. After that, I'll have to trouble you with the rest."
Whether it was because of the transaction between the two of them or because of what Xiao Yan said yesterday, Leng Bingshuang's tone softened slightly when she spoke to Xiao Yan, and even her stern face showed a much gentler expression than before.
After saying that, Leng Bingshuang waved her jade hand lightly, and two streams of light shot towards Xiao Yan and Murong Qianqian.
He casually caught the stream of light, and what appeared in Xiao Yan's palm was a jade tablet.
It was Cold-Delaying Jade.
"Here, take this. Next time you come here, you won't need to go through all that trouble."
Holding the Cold-Delaying Jade in his hand, Xiao Yan's face gradually showed a solemn expression. He then said no more, clasped his hands together, and bowed deeply to Leng Bingshuang.
Leng Bingshuang's actions undoubtedly indicated that she had accepted him; at the very least, her doubts about Xiao Yan had completely vanished.
After Leng Bingshuang turned and left, Xiao Yan slowly withdrew his gaze. Murong Qianqian, who was standing to the side, also frowned slightly, seemingly lost in thought.
"Call..."
Letting out a long breath, Xiao Yan looked up at the white clouds above his head. A glint of light flashed in the depths of his dark eyes. Then, with a smile on his lips, Xiao Yan actually bent his legs and sat cross-legged in the void, much to Murong Qianqian's surprise.