destination

The vast valley before them spanned several miles, forming a nearly perfect circular shape.

Standing at the edge of the valley, Yang Kai peered down, noting a drop of approximately thirty zhang to the verdant valley floor below, which mirrored the lush forest outside. The valley itself was serene and picturesque, with clear waters and tranquil surroundings.

Xia Ning Chang gazed at her bracelet for a long moment before exclaiming joyfully, "We're fortunate—there aren't any formidable demonic beasts here."

As she spoke, she let out a sigh of relief. Although she had managed to avoid the beasts along the way, if there were powerful creatures within this valley, a confrontation would have been inevitable, as the place she sought was right here.

"This place seems rather ordinary," Yang Kai remarked, frowning.

"It's simply not the right time yet," Xia Ning Chang replied with a faint smile. "If my master and I hadn't passed by here on the seventh of July last year, we would never have discovered its secrets. It was then that my master decided I should refine the Nine Yin Congealed Dew here."

"But why did he change his mind at the critical moment? And you still haven't told me how I'm supposed to help you collect it."

Having been on the road for days, Yang Kai hadn't asked many questions, but now that they had reached their destination, he felt it was time to be informed. If the Nine Yin Congealed Dew appeared and he was unprepared, it could spell disaster.

"I'll tell you when the time comes," Xia Ning Chang responded, not giving him a direct answer.

Though puzzled, Yang Kai didn't press further. The whole situation was shrouded in mystery, and Dream Pavilion's previous attitude only added to his confusion. But since he had agreed to help, he would do his best when the time came.

"Come over here," Xia Ning Chang beckoned to Yang Kai.

"What for?" he asked, looking at her quizzically.

"I'll take you down," she said, blinking her large eyes. "It's quite high here."

"I can manage on my own," Yang Kai quickly refused. As a man, how could he let a woman carry him down? That would be utterly embarrassing.

Without another word, he leaped forward, plunging downwards like a falling meteor, much to Xia Ning Chang's alarm.

She was terrified. Given Yang Kai's modest strength, such a fall would surely be fatal. She immediately followed, descending gracefully, ready to assist him if necessary.

As the speed of his descent increased, Yang Kai kicked off a nearby rock just ten zhang from the ground. The forceful impact sent him somersaulting, dissipating much of the momentum. He landed heavily, creating a small crater as dust billowed around him.

Xia Ning Chang gently touched down beside him, as light as a feather.

One descended like a fairy, the other like a stubborn stone, the contrast stark and undeniable.

But regardless, they both landed safely.

Yang Kai's face twitched imperceptibly, his legs trembling slightly.

Xia Ning Chang bit her lip, suppressing a smile. With her keen eyes, she could tell that her proud junior brother had suffered a hidden loss from his reckless leap.

Thirty zhang! For someone at the fourth stage of the Kai Yuan realm to leap from such a height, relying on only one boost in midair, surviving the fall was nothing short of a miracle.

Feigning nonchalance, Xia Ning Chang glanced around and said, "Today is the fifth; in two days, it will be the seventh. I need to make some preparations in the valley. You should wait here—it's safe enough."

Yang Kai nodded silently, his expression cold and stern.

Only then did Xia Ning Chang dart away. Before disappearing, she turned back to remind him, "I'll be busy for a while, so don't wander off, or I might not be able to find you."

Yang Kai gave another slight nod, his cold demeanor making him look both aloof and striking.

Once Xia Ning Chang vanished from sight, Yang Kai collapsed to the ground, vigorously rubbing his sore legs, his face contorted in pain.

Although he had managed to dissipate some of the force before landing, the impact still hurt.

After some time, the numbness in his legs subsided, and Yang Kai, not one to remain idle, began to survey the area. Though Xia Ning Chang had assured him there was no danger, it was always better to be cautious.

After a thorough search, he confirmed that the valley was indeed safe.

The next afternoon, Xia Ning Chang returned, her face pale, indicating the immense effort and energy she had expended in her preparations.

"I need to recover. Tonight, at midnight, the Yin Qi in this place will converge. From then until dawn, we must find and capture the Nine Yin Congealed Dew. If we miss the timing, it will hide again," Xia Ning Chang instructed hastily before swallowing a few pills and sitting down to meditate.

Yang Kai stood guard beside her, as still as a statue.

A few miles away, by the edge of the valley, the surviving members of the Blood Battle Gang and Wind and Rain Tower rested, their figures battered and weary.

This journey into the Black Wind Mountain Range, chasing after Yang Kai and Xia Ning Chang, had cost them dearly.

Of the original seventeen or eighteen members, only thirteen remained, the rest having perished at the claws and fangs of the beasts.

The Blood Battle Gang had seven members left, having lost one Separation and Reunion realm expert, while the remaining three, all injured, were barely holding on. Even Wen Feichen bore a long, bloody gash across his chest. The two remaining Qi Transformation disciples were utterly exhausted.

The Wind and Rain Tower had only six members left. Apart from Nu Lang, who was in the first stage of the Qi Transformation realm, there were four Kai Yuan realm disciples and one lucky Body Tempering realm disciple, who had survived but was now mentally unstable from the trauma.

Among them, the only person unscathed was Long Hui.

His special status ensured that he was always protected during battles, so he had suffered no injuries.

After days of pursuit, they had finally reached their destination, but Long Hui was growing impatient. With a dark expression, he asked, "Hall Master Wen, should we continue? The losses will only increase if we push on, and if my grandfather holds us accountable, who will bear the blame?"

Wen Feichen was inwardly furious, knowing that Long Hui wanted him to take responsibility for any failure. He thought to himself, I only did this to win your favor; if I'd known how dangerous this journey would be, I wouldn't have bothered. I should have killed Yang Kai back in that small town.

Despite his frustration, Wen Feichen explained in a gentle tone, "No need to pursue them further. It seems they've reached their destination. The valley ahead must be their goal."