Chapter Thirty One

On the third day of traveling on foot, Qing Mianyang finally started showing signs of lagging. This concerned Shao Lin who had to call a stop to their trek toward the meeting point quite a few times already for her sake. Gao Chang didn't say anything but his expression didn't look especially happy each time he did this. Since Wang Lan Biyu showed no displeasure and didn't say anything even after their slow progress. The serious boy could only hold his tongue even if he wanted to sneer each time Qing Mianyang became out of breath. However, whether it was due to the dislike of her travel companions to see her humiliate herself. Mianyang herself also didn't complain, making her seem a bit pitiful in their eyes too.

 Even if she was a burden, her cheeks were flushed and her feet dragged across the floor dangerously. She still grits her teeth and doesn't let Gao Chang look down on her so easily. Along their way, they came across an area that contained more rocks than dirt which caused Shao Lin to hesitate to continue as he looked back at the red-faced little girl who was stubbornly trying to keep pace. It had only been a couple hours of walking and Mianyang already looked ready to drop. As he was about to open his mouth to suggest they go around Lan Biyu once more interrupted him before he could speak or take action.

"Elder Shao, to avoid delaying everyone's progress this disciple can stay here and watch over Qing Mianyang alone. Although it's dangerous to split up since this disciple has the means to protect not only herself but Qing Mianyang too. It will be more convenient and Qing Miangyang can also not feel the pressure of holding the others back." Gao Chang and Mianyang only frowned in sync. Mianyang, being talked about as a burden out loud flushed a darker red and buried her chin in shame. A wronged pout escaping her but too exhausted to care she partially limps to a stump leaning on it not subtly at all.

Her hand to her chest, breathing deeply and sharply as the stifling dress she wore also didn't help. But not daring to loosen it in the presence of the opposite gender she could only endure spiritually. Seeming to understand what Lan Biyu meant when he glanced at the pitiful girl. Shao Lin hesitated about rejecting her words as even if she was a little right it wouldn't be responsible of him to just up and leave them behind as a grown man and elder. "This...It's no problem stopping once in awhile." As he said this Gao Chang also put his piece in even if he appeared to dislike the words he was forced to say in this situation.

"Sister Wang, although you're a bit more talented than other students your age it doesn't mean you are capable of handling the An Xing realm alone. Even if we have to stop a few times, it is a better result than separating after painstakingly finding one another." He sent the panting Miangyang a cold look "Having patience is also a virtue." Too breathless to fight back Mianyang sneers at Gao Chang in response. Lan Biyu allowed them to speak before placing a surprisingly cool hand on Mianyang's burning forehead. The cool chill eased her wheezing lungs and soothed the soreness in her waist and chest.

Miangyang could breathe again without struggling, stunned by this she looked up at Lan Biyu in a trance. The beautiful girl's eyes were like pools of sweet addictive venom. Mianyang's eyes glaze over when staring at Lan Biyu unable to look away from her even if she wanted to. As if willing to spend the rest of her life swimming in her icy eyes and indulging in her gaze. The goddess was cold-faced but her words were gentle in her ears. "Sister Qing, don't you feel uncomfortable with so many men around?" She nodded to the goddess's suggestion before realizing what she had done and abruptly snapping out of her daze.

Her heart thumped loudly, Mianyang felt a chill run down her spine and didn't dare look up again. What just happened to me? Did-Did she just hypnotize me?! Lan Biyu faced the confused males with a calm expression while lying through her teeth with confidence. Her expression is unchanging even if Gao Chang was sending her a doubtful look. When did they get so close? "As elder Shao can see, my junior sister is rather uncomfortable being around the opposite gender for so long. With her delicate constitution, it is best if we travel separately just for today. There's no need to go far, just slightly out of sight."

Never having met such an eloquent and vocal Lan Biyu the boys were baffled. But Shao Lin who knew her less than them thought about it while visibly hesitating. Seeing the fragile Mianyang who seemed to be hiding behind Lan Biyu out of shame his heart softened. It's not like he won't be able to protect them just a few feet out of range. The beasts who have attacked so far haven't been dangerously intelligent and could be handled with a few swings of his blade. Not only that but having been fighting by Minglan's daughter's side these past few days he noticed she was holding back quite a lot. Being able to support and keep up with someone like him who was at the enlightened martial king late stage.

He even suspected she had probably been out of her core formation stage long ago and was originally meant to be on the lookout for other students like the young master to guide them to the meeting point together. If not for her looking a bit ill outside of the realm. So, Shao Lin trusting Lan Biyu's judgment and skill stunned her fellow companions by agreeing to her suggestion again. When he agreed, Lan Biyu finally released the hand on Mianyang's shoulder, making the girl relax and scoot away awkwardly. The two boys observing this felt it was still not the right decision and expressed their discontent about leaving the two girls alone in the back. But since Shao Lin had made the call, they swallowed the unhappiness and reluctantly followed behind him when he left Lan Biyu and Mianyang to rest.

Mianyang who had just managed to recover her breath stiffened up when Lan Biyu looked down at her from above. She spoke bluntly and coldly now that Shao Lin was out of sight. Her act of obedience was only for show to gain the naive Shao Lin's trust. "All those elixirs were a waste on you." Miayang glowered at her but knowing she couldn't beat the other girl she could only kick the ground with a scowl. "An average person being able to open their spiritual sense and form a core is already an amazing thing. People like you and senior brother wouldn't understand!" 

Lan Biyu didn't hide her disdain for the weak human and instead coldly eyed the one watching them from afar. For awhile now, she had been receiving warnings and like inkings that someone had been watching them. They have been hovering around the boundary of Shao Lin's spiritual sense for quite a bit now. The only reason she knew was that she was more in tune with this land than a human from the outer realm and received news from passing snakes who mistook her for a member of the family. As to who it is...Lan Biyu's shoulders tense. It could only be a real member of the family she had abandoned. 

Meticulous, teasing, haunting, observing. The silence along the ridge and lack of flapping wings or crickets. The cold air of a beast breathing down the nap of her neck constantly puts her on edge even if she turns to find nothing there. A twisted signature they were taught since the nestling age. Play with their prey until your prey finally notices you. Then, strike at that moment for the exhilaration of glimpsing their horrified expressions upon seeing the fangs of their hunter. Creating a snake that would learn to relish the feeling of tearing apart their victim as if fetching a luxurious prize. 

Tasting sweetness once is sure to lure a predator to hunt again. "..." Lan Biyu pursed her lips and avoided looking at Mianyang who was mumbling and complaining to herself under her breath. To be honest. Lan Biyu wasn't that confident in herself. In terms of beasts, she could match up to at least those from the same batch as herself. But if the one who arrived after was a "mother" or "father". Lan Biyu felt her breath stutter, refusing to admit that there was real fear within herself at the thought of them finding her first. Mixing her scent with that of Qing Mianyang's weak one seemed to deter their efforts a bit.

Considering what she had done, if they had even the slightest suspicion no doubt there would be no stalking but contact would be made immediately. Shao Lin had stated that the more people gathering together the more aggressive the demonic beasts would act. But in reality, it was also like a master sending in his lower realm pets to sniff out and tire out the awaiting prey to prepare exactly for something like this. To make it not only easier to track the cultivators in An Xing while leisurely searching but also to wear their senses down. Being on the opposite end Lan Biyu knew very well they were being closed in on and very soon...

"Get up." Mianyang who was also a two-faced person putting on a show in front of her nemesis's loyal dog and Shao Lin opened her mouth to complain without consideration. "I haven't rested enough yet-" *SNAP!! The sound of breaking tree branching was abrupt and powerful. "AAHH-!!" Like an earthquake the ground rattled and a girl's frightened scream called out. Mianyang was shoved by Lan Biyu on the ground before all she saw were bone-chilling scales larger than her arm and a head twice the size of her waist. The smell of torn grass and blood overwhelmed her, the pain in the arm that supported her fall. The shadow overcasting the place she had just been sitting at seconds ago rendered her petrified. 

But, amongst the body of scales, on the stump that had been uprooted with the whip of the snake's enormous body. Mianyang spotted a bloodied sleeve of innocent attractive and, familiar blue. Her pupils shrank, her lips trembled, and she could hardly find her voice due to dread and panic. "L-LAN BIYUU-!!!"