chapter 10

Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng arrived at Qishan early in the evening. The atmosphere was tense as various sects gathered, their cultivators exchanging wary glances.

Wei Ying's eyes scanned the crowd until he spotted Nie Huaisang.

"Bro Wei, Bro Jiang!" Nie Huaisang greeted them with a cheerful wave.

Wei Ying smiled back, but his eyes continued to dart around the assembly, searching for a familiar face. After a few moments, he turned to Jiang Cheng.

"Jiang Cheng, where are the people from the Lan Clan of Gusu?"

Jiang Cheng glanced around, frowning. There's really no Lan Clan people around.

What do you think? Do you think something is wrong?" Wei Ying asked again.

Wei Ying's worry was palpable.

"It might be good that Lan Wangji doesn't come, Jiang Cheng replied.

But I feel something is wrong," Wei Ying said, his voice tinged with concern.

Jiang Cheng looked at him, annoyed. "Take care of yourself first, Wei Wuxian."

Just then, an announcement was made about Wen Chao's arrival. The Wen Sect's notorious figure strode in with an air of arrogance, immediately starting to insult the gathered sects.

Wei Ying, never one to back down, matched Wen Chao's disdain with his own defiant stance.

As Wen Chao continued to spew his venomous words, the sound of approaching footsteps caught everyone's attention.

Wei Ying turned, his heart skipping a beat as he saw two Wen soldiers escorting an elegantly but sternly walking Lan Zhan... But something was wrong; Lan Zhan was limping.

Wei Ying felt his heart leap from his ribcage. His love, the person he missed terribly, was coming right towards him. Yet, there was something off in Lan Zhan's demeanor. As Lan Zhan stood beside him, Wei Ying immediately called out, "Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan!"

Lan Zhan didn't answer or even glance at him. The cold, distant look in his eyes sent a shiver down Wei Ying's spine.

Jiang Cheng grabbed Wei Ying's hand, his grip firm. "Wei Wuxian, don't make trouble. As long as he's fine, you'll get a chance to ask him about everything."

Wei Ying bit his lip, his concern growing by the second. He couldn't help but glance at Lan Zhan frequently, calling his name two more times in hopes of a response.

But Lan Zhan didn't look at him, not even once.

Wen Chao continued his tirade, oblivious to the tension building among the cultivators.

Wei Ying's mind was racing. What had happened to Lan Zhan? Why was he limping? And why was he so unresponsive?

The gathering continued, but Wei Ying's focus remained on Lan Zhan. His heart ached to reach out, to hold him and ensure he was alright. But for now, he had to bide his time and wait for the right moment to get the answers he desperately needed.

Wei Ying lowered his voice as he walked alongside Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang, keeping pace with the other clan disciples.

"Wen Ning told me yesterday, when that bastard locked me up with that beast, that Wen Xu attacked Cloud Recesses and broke Lan Zhan's leg. That's why he's limping," Wei Ying explained.

"Speaking of Lan Zhan, where is he?"

Wei Ying turned around, searching for his friend.

Lan Zhan was far behind, limping slowly and trying to catch up with the crowd.

Wei Ying beamed and was about to run to him when Jiang Cheng grabbed his arm.

"What's wrong with you, Wei Wuxian? That stoic man didn't talk or glance at you, but you're all over him," Jiang Cheng said, annoyed.

"Don't forget you're an omega, and he's an alpha. The moment you have your first heat, you'll recognize your mate. Stop clinging to him."

Wei Ying pouted.

"I don't want to find my mate. I love only him," he murmured to himself.

Jiang Cheng heard him and retorted, "If you don't want to find your mate, what makes you think he hasn't found his? He's two years older than us. Stop wasting your time."

"Let go of my arm. I just want to help him. I don't want him to overexert himself and not be able to walk later," Wei Ying said, yanking his arm free and running towards Lan Zhan.

Nie Huaisang laughed, and Jiang Cheng, annoyed with his brother, shoved him.

"What are you laughing for?" he asked.

Nie Huaisang stopped fanning himself and replied, "I just wonder how Brother Wei plans to carry Hanguang Jun. I mean, look at their sizes." He resumed fanning himself, hiding his grin behind the fan.

"By the way, where is that ugly man taking us?" Jiang Cheng asked. "To some Muxi Mount," Nie Huaisang replied, still fanning himself.

Wei Ying reached Lan Zhan and fell into step beside him.

"Lan Zhan, how's your leg?" he asked with concern.

"It's fine," Lan Zhan replied stoically, not meeting Wei Ying's eyes.

Wei Ying frowned, then offered, "Let me carry you. You shouldn't strain yourself." Lan Zhan shook his head. "No need. I can manage."

Wei Ying pouted again but respected Lan Zhan's wish, walking alongside him.

"I missed you," he said quietly.

Lan Zhan's stoic expression softened slightly, but he still didn't look at Wei Ying. "We have to focus on the task at hand," he said, his voice gentle.

As they continued their journey, Wei Ying stayed close to Lan Zhan, ready to support him if needed.

Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang followed behind, still discussing the strange path Wen Chao had taken them on.

When they reached a resting point, Wei Ying insisted on checking Lan Zhan's leg. "Please, let me see if I can help," he pleaded. Reluctantly, Lan Zhan agreed, sitting down while Wei Ying examined his leg.

"You should have this properly treated," Wei Ying said, worry etched on his face. "I will. Thank you," Lan Zhan replied, his voice softer than usual. Wei Ying smiled, relieved. "Good. I'll make sure of it."

Wen Chao led the group deeper into Mount Muxi, his arrogance palpable as he sneered at the assembled sect disciples.

They followed warily, sensing something amiss. The path narrowed as they entered a cavernous opening, the air growing damp and heavy with an unsettling silence.

Wei Ying stayed close to Lan Zhan, his eyes darting around, ever watchful.

Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang walked behind them, equally tense. The group moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls.

Suddenly, a low growl reverberated through the cave, sending shivers down their spines.

As if on cue, the massive form of Xunyu emerged from inside the wayer, a giant tortoise-like creature with a serpentine neck, its red eyes glowing with malevolent intent.

The disciples tensed, realizing they were unarmed, having been stripped of their swords upon arrival at Qishan.

The beast lunged at them, its claws slashing through the air.

Wei Ying instinctively moved to protect Lan Zhan, using his bare hands to fend off the creature. The other disciples followed suit, engaging in a desperate struggle.

"Hold your ground!" Jiang Cheng shouted, rallying the disciples. Wei Ying's eyes flashed with determination as he threw a punch at Xunyu, his thoughts on protecting Lan Zhan and his friends.

Lan Zhan, despite his injury, stood tall and fought valiantly. Wei Ying glanced at him, admiration and concern mixing in his gaze. "Stay close, Lan Zhan. We can handle this together."

The battle was fierce, with the disciples coordinating their attacks to fend off Xunyu.

But Wen Chao and his men had other plans. As the fight raged on, Wen Chao ordered his soldiers to retreat. "Seal the entrance!" he barked, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

Realization dawned on Wei Ying. "They're trapping us inside!" he yelled.

The Wen soldiers quickly moved to block the cave's entrance, sealing it with large boulders and debris.

The disciples fought desperately, but without their weapons, they were at a severe disadvantage. The sound of the entrance sealing shut echoed ominously through the cave.

"We're trapped!" Nie Huaisang exclaimed, his fan forgotten in his hand.

Jiang Cheng's eyes narrowed with determination. "We need to find a way out. Everyone, stay together."

Wei Ying nodded, his attention divided between the beast and his friends. He moved closer to Lan Zhan, worry etched on his face. "How's your leg?" he asked, glancing at Lan Zhan's injury.

Lan Zhan grunted, his expression stoic. "It's fine. Focus on the task at hand."

Wei Ying offered to carry Lan Zhan, but Lan Zhan refused, his pride evident. "I can manage. We need to find a way to defeat this beast."

Xunyu roared, its massive body lunging towards the group again. Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng exchanged a glance, silently agreeing on their next move.

"We need to distract it and get our hands on those weapons," Jiang Cheng said. "Everyone, spread out and look for anything we can use."

The disciples scattered, using their surroundings to their advantage. Wei Ying moved with agility, dodging Xunyu's attacks and searching for a weapon. He spotted a fallen Wen soldier's sword and quickly grabbed it, tossing it to Jiang Cheng.

"Use this!" he shouted.

Jiang Cheng caught the sword and immediately engaged Xunyu, slashing at its thick hide. The beast roared in pain, its attention divided between the disciples.

Meanwhile, Wei Ying noticed a glint of metal nearby and found a set of arrows. He grabbed them and handed some to Lan Zhan, who had found a bow.

"Let's give it a taste of its own medicine," Wei Ying said with a grin.

Lan Zhan nodded, quickly stringing an arrow and taking aim. The disciples worked in tandem, using their newfound weapons to push back the beast.

Despite their efforts, Xunyu remained a formidable opponent, its strength and size overwhelming.

In the chaos, Jiang Cheng discovered a passage leading deeper into the cave. "Over here!" he called out. "There might be another way out through the water!"

Author Pov.

(Frowning, I know.. I know, but I will not go with the same scene, so I change a lot of it for the past, the future is totally my own imagination)

Wei Ying's eyes widened with hope. "Good thinking, Cheng Cheng. Everyone, follow Jiang Cheng!"

The group moved quickly, heading towards the passage. Wei Ying and Lan Zhan stayed behind, covering their retreat and fighting off Xunyu.

The beast thrashed wildly, its anger palpable.

"We'll buy you some time!" Wei Ying shouted, his eyes meeting Lan Zhan's.

"Go, I'll handle this."

Lan Zhan hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Be careful."

As the disciples disappeared into the passage, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan that come back continued to fight the beast. Wei Ying's movements were quick and precise, his determination unwavering. Lan Zhan, despite his injury, fought with a fierce grace.

Finally, Xunyu began to retreat back into the water, its strength waning.

Wei Ying and Lan Zhan took the opportunity to catch their breath, but their relief was short-lived. The beast lunged one last time, catching Wei Ying off guard and smashing him against the hard rock.

Lan Zhan's eyes widened in horror.

"Wei Ying!"

Ignoring his own pain, Lan Zhan rushed to Wei Ying's side, his anger and worry fueling his strength.

Together, they managed to deliver the final blow to Xunyu, the beast collapsing into the water with a deafening roar.

Breathing heavily, Wei Ying looked at Lan Zhan, a weak smile on his face. "We did it."

Lan Zhan nodded, his expression softening. "We did."

But their victory was bittersweet. With the beast defeated, they realized they were still trapped inside the cave. The entrance was sealed, and their only hope was the passage Jiang Cheng had discovered.

"We need to go," Lan Zhan said, his voice urgent.

Wei Ying nodded, wincing as he got to his feet. "Let's find the others and get out of here."

With Lan Zhan's support, they made their way through the passage, determined to reunite with their friends and find a way out of the cave.