*Ahem... Does this count as an update burst?* Hearing the contempt in Long Hui's words, Wen Feichen smiled. "Killing Yang Kai and capturing that woman naturally doesn't require their involvement. But, Young Master Long, since Yang Kai and that woman are heading into the depths of Black Wind Mountain, they must be well-prepared and unafraid of the dangers within. We're different, though. Our strength may not be weak, but Black Wind Mountain is filled with perils after all. Setting aside those powerful demon beasts, even natural traps and poisonous creatures could cost us lives. But if someone clears the path ahead, we wouldn't need to worry about such things."
Only after hearing this did Long Hui understand what Wen Feichen had in mind — he wanted to use these Wind and Rain Tower people as expendable scouts to screen for potential risks.
"Hmm, Hall Master Wen, your consideration is thorough. I was careless," Long Hui nodded slightly.
"Young Master Long is naturally gifted, but you've simply never been out in the world. Your heart is pure, and you didn't think of this layer." Wen Feichen chuckled.
As for how to deal with the Wind and Rain Tower disciples afterward, both of them understood without needing to say a word. That girl Xia Ningshang had reached the peak of the Separation-Union Realm at such a young age — she must have had expert guidance. To deal with such a person, you either didn't offend them at all, or you cut them down root and branch. None of the Wind and Rain Tower people could be left alive.
With arrangements made, the Blood Battle Gang members finally settled in for the night.
The next day, Yang Kai and Xia Ningshang did exactly as Wen Feichen had predicted — they changed their heading from the small town and headed straight into the Black Wind Mountain Range.
Half a day after they departed, the Blood Battle Gang and Wind and Rain Tower people finally dared to follow. Xia Ningshang's strength was considerable — get too close and they might be discovered; stay too far and they might lose the trail. A half-day gap was just right. Wen Feichen had been roaming the jianghu for years and naturally had experience in tracking. He was confident he wouldn't lose track of two youngsters in the mountain forests.
Once inside Black Wind Mountain, Yang Kai and Xia Ningshang naturally slowed down.
Without the howling wind and distance that came with horseback riding, the two of them talked quite a bit, and after just one day they felt considerably closer.
At night, Yang Kai and Xia Ningshang found a towering tree and scrambled up to rest on the trunk.
The trunk was very wide. The two of them sat almost shoulder to shoulder, with only a small gap between them. Yang Kai could almost smell Xia Ningshang's fragrance.
"Little Senior Sister." After growing more familiar, the barrier between them had dissolved, and Yang Kai had even changed how he addressed her. He felt Xia Ningshang was like a child who hadn't quite grown up — especially those eyes of hers, which had an innocent and pure quality. And when she spoke, she sounded adorable and naive beyond belief.
"Senior Sister is Senior Sister. Why add 'Little'?" Xia Ningshang said, a bit displeased.
"What's in your bundle?" Yang Kai ignored her question and pointed at the pack she'd set aside.
He'd been holding this question in for four or five days and couldn't keep it in any longer.
"Oh, this!" Xia Ningshang was easily distracted and hugged the bundle to her chest like a treasure. "These are materials my master has been preparing over the years. Because if you manage to collect the Nine Yin Essence Condensation Dew, I'll need to refine it on the spot. The Nine Yin Essence Condensation Dew is very special — even after you collect it, if you don't refine it within one hour, it will gradually dissipate."
"I see." Yang Kai nodded.
"Junior Brother." Xia Ningshang suddenly called out warmly.
"What is it?"
"I have a question to ask you."
"That's perfect — I have a question for you too." Yang Kai smiled slightly.
"Then we both have to answer honestly, okay?"
"Deal!"
"Let me go first," Xia Ningshang said eagerly.