Together in the Deep Valley, Love First Awakens

A gentle night breeze stirred, and a faint mist hung over the valley, reflecting the silvery light flowing across the stone walls. The radiance emanating from the Clear Sky Soul-Revitalizing Ganoderma had not yet completely faded, and a lingering, refreshing fragrance remained in the air.

Mu Qingwan slowly opened her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly. The deathly aura in her eyes had long since dissipated, replaced by a clear and bright gaze. She saw Qin Yu waiting not far away, and her gaze faltered slightly, as if it were the first time she had truly seen his appearance clearly.

"Young Master Qin, where are we?" Her voice was soft, delicate with weakness, yet it carried a hint of reassurance.

Qin Yu smiled slightly and slowly said, "Miss Qingwan, we encountered the Demonic Spirit King in the Northern Dark Abyss Valley before. Its Ultimate attack shattered all our meridians, and both of us were seriously injured and unconscious. Later, I woke up first and brought you to this valley. You were too badly injured, and death energy kept eroding you. I desperately searched for the Clear Sky Soul-Revitalizing Ganoderma to completely heal you."

Upon hearing Mu Qingwan felt a sudden warmth in her heart, and her eyes sparkled with an unprecedented light. She had never imagined that someone would risk their life to find medicine for her in such a desperate situation, pulling her back from the brink of death. In that instant, an indescribable tenderness rose in her heart, spreading quietly like ripples.

She stared blankly at Qin Yu, a faint blush gradually spreading across her fair face. Qin Yu paused, then blinked, "Miss Qingwan, why... why is your face suddenly red?"

Mu Qingwan's heart trembled slightly. She quickly lowered her head to hide her panic and shyness, her voice light but tinged with unease. "Oh... it's nothing, really nothing."

She pursed her lips, a hint of tenderness flickering in her eyes, and added softly, "But... thank you, Young Master Qin. You saved me once again."

Qin Yu waved his hand, his smile carrying a hint of naivety and gentleness, "It's alright, it's fate that we met in this life-or-death situation. Hehe..."

Amidst the swirling light, the moment their eyes met, even the night breeze in the valley seemed to soften.

After a soft laugh, Qin Yu looked up at the valley top. The night sky was deep and dotted with stars, as if enveloping the valley in a gentle and tranquil embrace. The swirling mist cast a soft glow on his and Mu Qingwan's figures, as if gilding them with a holy radiance.

A slight stirring occurred to him.

"I've grown accustomed to facing life-or-death crises alone throughout my journey, but this time, I risked my life searching for the immortal herb for her, even engaging in a death battle with the Demonic Spirit once more," Qin Yu thought to himself. "Perhaps, some corner of my heart doesn't want her to simply vanish into the desolation..."

Meanwhile, Mu Qingwan sat quietly, her slender hands lightly gripping her sleeves, her heart pounding far faster than she showed. She recalled the last scene before she lost consciousness: the overwhelming shadow of the Demonic Spirit King, and the feeling of her body growing cold and powerless. If it weren't for the young man before her, she would have already perished.

"He was also seriously injured, yet he still risked his life for me. Why... why do I feel so warm inside?" Mu Qingwan lowered her eyes slightly, but a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

Seeing her dazed expression, Qin Yu spoke softly, "Miss Qingwan, you are still very weak. Don't think too much about it. Once you've fully recovered, we'll find a way to leave Northern Dark Abyss Valley together."

Mu Qingwan looked up at Qin Yu, her eyes seemingly reflecting the stars. She softly replied, "Yes, with Young Master Qin here, I feel relieved."

That short sentence, like an invisible thread, subtly touched a certain place in their hearts.

The wind gradually subsided, and the valley was shrouded in a dreamlike mist. Qin Yu and Mu Qingwan sat side by side. Although they did not speak again, a tacit understanding and tranquility had slowly taken root between them.

In the valley, a spiritual spring gurgled, and a thin mist lingered. Qin Yu gently placed Mu Qingwan on a flat spirit stone, then formed hand seals, his fingertips shimmering with spiritual light. As the array was activated, complex spiritual patterns appeared on the ground like flowing rivers of runes, gradually weaving into a radiant barrier. The Qi Shield Spear Wall merged with the earth's veins, transforming into an invisible barrier that isolated death energy and Demonic Spirit from spying.

The moment the array lit up, the valley fell silent, as if the gloom and howls of the outside world were isolated in another realm. Under the spiritual light, Mu Qingwan's face appeared even paler, but she relaxed slightly due to the stable environment.

"Miss Qingwan, please regulate your breathing first. I'll protect you from now on," Qin Yu said in a low voice, his expression serious.

Mu Qingwan nodded, closed her eyes, sat cross-legged, and held the Star Frost Soul Blade in her hand, which emitted a faint cold light to protect her mind.

Qin Yu sat not far from her, his Black Bone War Spear resting across his knees, his divine sense spreading out, alert to every movement in the outside world. As night deepened, the flickering light of the campfire illuminated his resolute face, reflecting the quiet protectiveness in his heart.

The two cultivated back to back, one regulating her breathing and healing her injuries, the other keeping watch and protecting her. Time passed in the tranquility of the valley and the warmth of the firelight.

Gradually, Mu Qingwan sensed the stability and strength of Qin Yu's Spiritual Qi fluctuations, and her heart trembled slightly. She slowly opened her eyes and saw that Qin Yu was still sitting upright, his gaze piercing, without relaxing at all. In that instant, a strange sense of peace rose in her heart—as if as long as he was there, even if the Demonic Spirit energy surged outside, she would not be in danger.

Qin Yu breathed a sigh of relief as he sensed Mu Qingwan's breathing gradually calming down. He knew that in this desperate situation, they were no longer just temporary companions, but each other's support.

And so, under the cover of night in the valley, they silently protected each other and built a bond deeper than any vow.

The night was still, and starlight filtered through the gaps in the valley, illuminating the valley like a fairyland. Qin Yu sat cross-legged, his Black Bone War Spear lying horizontally before him. With a slight movement of his fingers, he condensed a Spiritual Qi energy pattern. As he softly chanted an incantation, the pattern spread out like ripples, transforming into an invisible Qi Shield Spear Wall enveloped the entire valley. The spiritual light mingled with the valley's spiritual mist, as if weaving a celestial curtain to completely isolate the area from outside observation.

Mu Qingwan gazed at him quietly, her eyes filled with an indescribable tranquility. She slowly closed her eyes, relying on the spiritual power of the Star Frost Soul Blade to regulate the remaining death energy and injuries within her body. The cool moonlight enveloped her slender figure, making her resemble a fairy under the moon. Not far away, Qin Yu guarded the formation, constantly paying attention to the movements outside, as if he wasn't cultivating but silently protecting her peaceful slumber.

Days passed. Outside the valley, the Demonic Spirit tide continued to surge, its howls echoing through the heavens and earth, shaking the mountains and rocks. But inside the valley, it was like a small, isolated world. To avoid danger, Qin Yu and Mu Qingwan decided to stay there.

One morning, as a thin mist swirled around the valley, Qin Yu would softly instruct, "You cultivate in the valley. I'm going out for a bit, I'll be back soon."

Carrying his Black Bone War Spear, he stepped out of the valley alone, traversing the desolate mountains shrouded in the aura of death, and confronting the lurking demonic beasts head-on. Each time he returned, he would bring back the spirit beasts he had hunted, such as the blazing giant fox, the black-feathered ferocious bird, and even the rare spirit deer.

As dusk fell, a campfire was lit, its flames illuminating the rocky walls at the bottom of the valley. The flesh of the demonic beast sizzled over the fire, releasing its oil and aroma. Qin Yu expertly turned the meat over, occasionally glancing back at Mu Qingwan with a gentle look in his eyes.

Mu Qingwan sat upright to one side, her eyes clear as water under the moonlight, watching Qin Yu busy by the fire, her lips often curving into a smile.

"Young Master Qin, you are clearly a disciple of the White Cloud Sect, yet you act like a wandering knight-errant," she teased softly.

Qin Yu laughed heartily, "Who cares about status? Being able to eat your fill and survive is the only thing that matters."

The two chatted and laughed, the firelight and the night intertwined, filling the air with a warm atmosphere.

Spring came and autumn went, the seasons changed, and half a year passed in this secret realm. Qin Yu and Mu Qingwan's relationship also quietly changed during this year of companionship. At first, it was trust and reliance, then gradually a tacit understanding developed, and later, even just a glance was enough for them to sense each other's safety and feelings.

Outside the valley, the Demonic Spirit tide continued to rage, and dark clouds rolled in, seemingly threatening to swallow the heavens and the earth. Yet, within the valley, the presence of the two created a serene and beautiful scene. The campfire, laughter, the spiritual light of cultivation, and the unspoken emotions under the night sky all converged to form a romantic and beautiful picture.

For a year, they were trapped in this world as if by fate, but they also had a time that belonged only to each other.

Meanwhile, on the other side, black mist surged and howled. Countless Demonic Spirit seemed to crawl out of the abyss, their ferocious figures blotting out the sky and surging forward in an overwhelming manner. The world was filled with a dense aura of death, as if it wanted to devour all life.

Zhao Xinyu Moon-Congealing Frost Sword shimmered with light, its blade radiating a chilling moonlight. The sword's shadow transformed into starlight, blooming in the darkness. With each strike, several Demonic Spirit were frozen, shattered, and vanished into ice shards. With a delicate shout, her swordplay was as striking as a startled swan under the moon, its Sword Qi crisscrossing, forcefully cleaving a gap in the black tide before her.

Yang Zheng also exerted all his strength, his Spiritual Qi surging like a tide, and his longsword crackling with lightning and fire, releasing a fierce sword aura.

"Heng Mountain Sword Art - Mountain Crushing the Summit!"

The sword light crashed down like a collapsing mountain, accompanied by thunder and fire. The immense sword force shattered several charging Demonic Spirit. The thunderous roar tore through the deathly aura, leaving a brief flash of light. Flames burned, and the air was filled with the scorching and explosive atmosphere.

Another disciple of the White Cloud Sect Middle Stage of the Yuan Transformation Realm, was pale-faced, but still managed to unleash a spiritual technique, his palms flashing repeatedly. A golden barrier opened up in front of the three, barely withstanding the onslaught of dozens of Demonic Spirit. However, the deathly aura surged like a tide, wave after wave of Demonic Spirit frantically tearing at the barrier, causing the golden light to tremble and shatter.

"Damn it! How can there be so many Demonic Spirit!" the disciple roared through gritted teeth, sweat rolling down his forehead, his voice filled with despair.

"Hold on! We can't be trapped here!" Zhao Xinyu's clear voice was resolute. Her sword aura suddenly shifted, and her figure moved as nimbly as a butterfly under the moon, darting into the horde of Demonic Spirit. Moonlight and sword shadows erupted instantly, "Frost Moon Flowing Light!" Sword light poured out, frost solidified the void, and large numbers of Demonic Spirit froze and were frozen solid, shattering completely in the next moment!

Yang Zheng gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot, and his Spiritual Qi surged within him.

"Junior Sister Zhao, I'll cover your retreat! You take him and go!"

With a sudden burst of sword energy and a roar of thunder and fire, he single-handedly blocked several demonic Demonic Spirit at the Yuan Transformation Realm level, his figure like an unyielding mountain.

Zhao Xinyu's heart skipped a beat, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes, but her gaze was filled with unwavering determination. She swung her sword, the blade transforming into an icy rainbow that swept away the path ahead. Her silver hair flew wildly, her voice clear and urgent:

"Senior Brother Yang! Don't be reckless! The three of us must get out together!"

In that instant of despair and rage, the three men's sword light, spiritual power, and shields intertwined, tearing a bloody path through the boundless death aura and Demonic Spirit tide.

Their breathing was extremely rapid, and their spiritual energy was almost exhausted, but their eyes showed no sign of retreating. The three of them stood back to back, desperately resisting the surging impact of the Demonic Spirit tide, like three sparks ignited in a desperate situation.

Just as the three were stubbornly holding on, suddenly, the world went dark. Deathly energy surged like a sea, so dense that it made it hard to breathe, and the surrounding Demonic Spirit all prostrated themselves and growled, as if welcoming some supreme being.

"Boom--!"

In the distance, the black mist exploded, and a colossal creature slowly emerged. It was the leader of the Demonic Spirit, its body tens of feet tall, covered in jet-black, iron-like bone armor, with blood-red patterns faintly visible on the armor plates, like a curse from hell. Its eyes were like two blood moons, flashing with a soul-devouring light in their deathly stillness.

It opened its enormous maw and let out a deafening roar, the sound waves carrying a destructive wave of death energy that crashed down upon it in an instant!

Rumble!

The valley trembled, rocks crumbled inch by inch, and a deep rumble, like the shouts of ten thousand troops, erupted in the air. The White Cloud Sect disciple was instantly shaken, coughing up blood and nearly falling to the ground.

"Soul Foundation Realm... Great Success!" Yang Zheng's face turned deathly pale. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his heart sinking to the bottom.

Zhao Xinyu's beautiful eyes trembled slightly. She stood still, the Moon-Congealing Frost Sword surging wildly. Her figure was slender, yet she was like the bright moon descending upon the world, showing no sign of retreat.

"The Demonic Spirit King... he's actually here!"

The Demonic Spirit leader slowly raised a giant claw covered in bone armor. Death energy condensed like a black storm, transforming into a massive necromancer halberd. Carrying the power to crush the heavens and earth, it slashed down fiercely!

Buzz--!

The air froze instantly, as if the entire world had been cleaved apart by this terrifying attack!

Yang Zheng roared, pouring all his spiritual power into the sword with all his might:

"Heng Mountain Sword Art - Mountain Crushing the Summit!"

The sword's momentum was like a collapsing mountain, accompanied by thunder and fire, as it clashed head-on with the necromancer's halberd!

Zhao Xinyu simultaneously activated Moon-Congealing Frost, her delicate voice clear and firm:

"Moon Soul Clear Seal!"

The Moonlight Sword burst forth, and an ice barrier instantly rose, blocking the deathly aura that filled the sky.

However, the deafening roar was like the sky collapsing; the power of the Necromancer's Halberd was simply too terrifying. Yang Zheng coughed up blood and was sent flying dozens of feet backward; Zhao Xinyu was also shaken, her blood surging, and her Moonlight Shield shattered inch by inch!

The disciples of the White Cloud Sect were forced to their knees, their faces ashen.

Between heaven and earth, only the Demonic Spirit leader roared to the sky, his blood-moon-like eyes fixed on Zhao Xinyu, as if he wanted to tear her apart and devour her!

The deathly aura was like a sea, and the Demonic Spirit leader's blood-red pupils stared intently at them. It seemed that only its oppressive aura, like a destructive torrent, remained in the world.

Yang Zheng gritted his teeth, a resolute look in his eyes. He forced himself to stand up, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, yet he still held his sword high, his Spiritual Qi surging like a mountain.

"Senior Sister Zhao... even if we are destined to die today, I, Yang Zheng, will send you out! Even if I die in battle, I will stand shoulder to shoulder with you."

Zhao Xinyu gripped Moon-Congealing Frost tightly, her white clothes stained with deathly aura, and bloodstains on her lips, yet she remained resolute. She glanced at Yang Zheng, her beautiful eyes sparkling with a crystalline light.

"Yang Zheng... we must survive! Even if we die here, I will not regret standing shoulder to shoulder with you..."

Boom!

The Demonic Spirit leader raised the necromancer halberd once more, and the death energy of heaven and earth swirled into a terrifying, world -World Extinguisher attack.

Yang Zheng roared and suddenly burned his own spiritual power, even forcing his Fate Soul to tremble. Light burst forth around him, and his sword intent was like a raging storm, with unparalleled sword momentum!

"Heng Mountain Sword Art - Mountain Collapse and Destruction!"

The sword light crashed down like a thousand mountains collapsing, carrying his last remaining strength, and met the shadow of the Demonic Spirit leader's halberd with a deafening roar.

At the same time, Zhao Xinyu raised her head, her eyes as firm as ice, and poured all the Spiritual Qi and Fate Soul force in her body into Moon-Congealing Frost.

"Frost Soul Forbidden Domain!"

In an instant, moonlight blanketed the earth, as if the bright moon had risen into the sky. Her slender figure seemed to transform into a moon goddess, her sword light icy cold, condensing into a world of ice and frost, within which deathly energy trembled and froze!

The two forces converged, and the heavens and earth trembled.

Boom--!

The Necromancer's Halberd clashed with the Sword Domain, unleashing a dazzling light that blotted out the sky. Yang Zheng coughed up blood on the spot, but his figure did not retreat an inch; Zhao Xinyu was the same, her hands had already been cracked by the sword hilt, blood dripping down Moon-Congealing Frost, but she still gritted her teeth and held on tightly.

At that moment, the two stood back to back, their breaths mingling, as if they were bound together by life and death, even though their white clothes were stained with blood.

Yang Zheng whispered hoarsely, "Xinyu... if I could have another chance, I would protect you from harm for the rest of my life."

Tears welled in Zhao Xinyu's eyes, but she smiled and said, "Fool... you've already protected me."

Their sword light and soul power intertwined, burning with dazzling brilliance even in the face of dire straits, like two stars standing side by side, leaving the most intense trace in the darkness even as they were about to extinguish.

The Demonic Spirit leader's immense power crushed down, mountains collapsed, and death filled the sky. Yet, on this brink of life and death, the two made the most profound vow.

The Demonic Spirit leader was enveloped in a terrifying aura of death, like Sea of Form sweeping across the heavens and earth. Its blood-red eyes fixed on the three of them, and it suddenly raised its necromancer halberd. The tip of the halberd condensed the wails of countless undead, transforming into a World Extinguisher torrent.

Boom--!

The Death Aura Halberd swept out, causing the entire world to tremble. The White Cloud Sect Middle Stage of the Yuan Transformation Realm who was traveling with them didn't even have time to react before being engulfed by the Death Aura Halberd's light. A scream was heard, and his physical body instantly turned into blood mist, his Fate Soul was torn to shreds, and he perished completely.

Zhao Xinyu cried out in alarm, her beautiful eyes filled with grief and indignation, but she had no time to spare. The next instant, a torrent of deathly energy rushed towards them, engulfing her and Yang Zheng almost simultaneously.

"Heng Mountain Sword Art - Mountain Crushing the Summit!"

Yang Zheng roared, his sword force creating a barrier as powerful as a collapsing mountain.

"Frost Soul Forbidden Domain!"

Zhao Xinyu gritted her teeth and released her last bit of power, and moonlight poured down like a tide, enveloping the two of them.

However, all of this is still like a mayfly trying to shake a tree.

Bang--!

The Necromancer's Halberd shattered their defenses with overwhelming force, the Moonlight Barrier crumbled inch by inch, and the Mountain Sword Force was crushed into dust. Yang Zheng suddenly spat out blood, his entire body was blasted several feet away, and he crashed heavily to the ground, his chest caved in, and he was breathing rapidly. Zhao Xinyu was also blasted away, her jade hands were already a bloody mess, and she almost dropped the Moon-Congealing Frost she was holding. Her delicate body fell to the ground, and bright red blood gushed from the corner of her mouth.

The two of them instantly plummeted to rock bottom, their spiritual Spiritual Qi nearly depleted, and their souls trembled under the corrosive influence of death energy.

Even in such dire straits, they used their last bit of strength to slowly crawl closer to each other, back to back, barely managing to sit up. Blood and sweat mingled, but their eyes revealed a resolute determination.

Blood welled in Yang Zheng's throat, yet he still roared in a low voice, "Senior Sister Zhao, there are some things I must tell you, otherwise I fear I'll never have another chance. I love you, I've loved you from the first moment I saw you. If there is an afterlife, I, Yang Zheng, will definitely marry you... Xinyu... even if it means death, I will protect you..."

With tears welling in her eyes, Zhao Xinyu forced back her tears and whispered, "I will live and die with you... We will never be apart in this life."

Between heaven and earth, deathly energy surged. The Demonic Spirit leader once again raised his necromancer halberd, preparing to annihilate the two human disciples who were still struggling with a single blow.

The Demonic Spirit leader raised his necromancer halberd high, its tip gathering a suffocating destructive power. The death energy of the entire world seemed to be sucked into it, transforming into a pitch-black torrent of World Extinguisher, ready to utterly annihilate Zhao Xinyu and Yang Zheng.

Zhao Xinyu was covered in blood, but she still held onto Moon-Congealing Frost tightly, trying to muster her last bit of strength; Yang Zheng's chest was caved in, and his Spiritual Qi had long been exhausted, but he still struggled to support himself, protecting Zhao Xinyu with all his might.

At that very moment, a peace charm with a faint ancient aura in Yang Zheng suddenly vibrated on its own!

Boom--!

The spiritual runes on the talisman suddenly ignited, transforming into a mysterious ray of light that pierced the sky. The light, like the first rays of dawn, carried an indescribable sense of holiness and killing intent, instantly impacting the entire battlefield.

That beam of light seemed to emanate from the secret power of the primordial era, sweeping away the deathly aura and incinerating the demonic might. In an instant, the deathly aura of heaven and earth seemed to be steamed by raging fire, collapsing wildly.

"--roar!"

The Demonic Spirit leader let out a shrill roar, but before its Ultimate halberd light could fully fall, it was struck by that mysterious force.

Boom!

A colossal dragon phantom, formed from condensed light, burst forth from the rune, its roar engulfing the Demonic Spirit leader. The dragon's body seemed composed of countless stars, its tail sweeping through the darkness, its sharp edge striking the Demonic Spirit leader's soul core.

"Bang--!"

The Demonic Spirit leader's body exploded instantly, its massive form transforming into countless black mists amidst a shriek, utterly Annihilation!

At that moment, the deathly energy of heaven and earth was purified, and silence returned.

Zhao Xinyu's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the scene before her, and she exclaimed urgently, "Senior Brother Yang, what... what kind of power is this?"

Yang Zheng, panting heavily, looked down at the shattered amulet in his arms. The once ancient talisman had now turned to dust, leaving only a trace of warmth. His voice was hoarse, his eyes filled with a sense of bewilderment and complexity. "This is... something my mother left me... I don't know what it is... She said it would protect me once in a time of crisis... Xinyu, I... I..."

In the end, he could no longer hold on and collapsed, but a relieved smile remained on his face.

Tears streamed down Zhao Xinyu's face instantly. She hugged Yang Zheng tightly, sobbing softly, "Fool... if it weren't for your mother's divine talisman, we would really be dead here today..."

The world returned to calm, but the lingering influence of that mysterious power still haunted their hearts, like a mark of destiny that bound their lives together.

Zhao Xinyu held the unconscious Yang Zheng tightly, tears streaming down her face, wetting his blood-stained features. An unprecedented sense of fear and sorrow welled up inside her.

In the past, she always thought Yang Zheng was just a simple, stubborn companion who always silently protected her without caring about gains or losses. But now, when Yang Zheng was covered in blood and almost risked his life to protect her, Zhao Xinyu truly understood that the silent protection had already taken root in her heart.

"Senior Brother Yang... why are you always so foolish, always putting yourself last? If it weren't for this peace charm..."

She choked back tears, her voice trembling, her fingertips tracing his rough yet firm palm, the emotions welling up in her heart like an unstoppable torrent.

"I... I... I actually like you too... Silly boy..."

At this moment, Zhao Xinyu's emotions were completely torn apart. She realized that she could no longer live without the man in front of her who would rather sacrifice himself to protect her.

The deathly aura around them gradually dissipated, and the world returned to deathly silence. Only the afterglow of the campfire shone on the two of them, as if to imprint this memory of life and death into their destiny.

Zhao Xinyu lowered her head, gently touching her forehead to Yang Zheng's. Tears streamed down her face as she murmured, "No matter what the future holds, I, Zhao Xinyu, will never leave you, not even for all eternity."

The night wind swept by, dispersing the stench of blood and death, but it could not take away the vows made in our hearts at this moment.

The morning mist was like a veil, and the stream in the valley shimmered with a faint light. The gentle murmur of the water seemed unable to conceal the murderous aura emanating from the outside world. Qin Yu and Mu Qingwan walked out of the secret realm together, exchanged a glance, and understood each other perfectly.

Qin Yu said in a low voice, "Qingwan, we've been hiding here for almost a year now. The Spiritual Qi has stabilized. If the Demonic Spirit tide outside recedes, it will be our chance to go out."

Mu Qingwan nodded gently, her starry eyes flashing with coldness and determination. "Yes, we can't stay trapped here forever. I just wonder if those Demonic Spirit... are still lingering."

As they spoke, the two slowly channeled their spiritual energy, suppressing their auras to the Ultimate, and walked out step by step along the secluded path in the valley.

The sky outside remained gloomy, the blood-red clouds seemingly still carrying the lingering power of the Demonic Spirit tide. In the distant mountains, the once lush forests were now withered, as if all life had been drained away, leaving only gray-black branches swaying in the wind, emitting a mournful sound.

Qin Yu looked up, a cold glint in his eyes. "As expected... the Demonic Spirit Tide once ravaged this place, disrupting the Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth."

Mu Qingwan lightly gripped the Star Frost Soul Blade in her slender hand, her tone cold yet tinged with worry. "I can't sense the Spiritual Qi, but that doesn't mean they've truly retreated... more likely they're lurking in some corner, waiting for their prey to step in."

Qin Yu pondered for a moment, his gaze sharp as lightning, and gripped the Black Bone War Spear tightly. "Regardless, let's first explore the outer edge. If we can find a way back, we'll leave the Northern Dark Abyss Valley immediately."

Mu Qingwan glanced at Qin Yu and smiled slightly, "Yes, with you here, I feel at ease."

The two walked side by side, their footsteps treading on the ashes-covered earth, the chill in the air biting at them. The world was deathly silent, yet undercurrents surged, as if countless eyes were watching them from the shadows.