**Chapter 23: Is It Really Necessary to Be This Impatient in Broad Daylight?**

Liu Mei smiled slightly and said, "Junior brothers, these flying artifacts you'll be using to descend the mountain are also rewards from the sect. Cherish them well."

Lin Fengmian and the others didn't expect to receive a flying treasure so quickly, their eyes filled with excitement. 

Especially Lin Fengmian and Xie Gui. With these in hand, wouldn't escaping be even easier?

"Now, I'll teach you how to use them. The first step is to bind them with your blood."

As Liu Mei produced another Breeze Leaf in her hand, she bit her finger and dripped blood onto it. Even this simple action seemed incredibly seductive when she did it.

Lin Fengmian followed suit, biting his finger hard and dripping his blood onto the paper-thin Breeze Leaf.

He instantly felt a faint connection with the leaf. As he channeled his spiritual power, the leaf began to emit a soft glow, rapidly expanding in his hand. It was simply magical.

At that moment, Lin Fengmian realized why he had accidentally activated the Double Fish Pendant before.

Was it because he had unintentionally bound it with blood?

After everyone had bound their Breeze Leaves, Liu Mei smiled and said, "Using them is simple. Channel your spiritual power into the leaf, and control it with your mind."

As she spoke, her own Breeze Leaf turned into a streak of light, circling her before landing under her feet, lifting her into the air.

Watching this, Lin Fengmian and the others eagerly tried it themselves. The leaves flew beneath their feet, and they excitedly jumped on—leading to a variety of mishaps.

Some got so excited that they stepped too hard, causing the leaf to revert back to its original form.

Some managed to launch into the sky, only to get flung off by the speed and land embarrassingly on the ground.

Lin Fengmian fared better, rising into the sky on his leaf, but he couldn't control it, screaming as he flew wildly out of control.

Liu Mei and the others stared in shock at the sight of Lin Fengmian screeching as he zoomed away, clearly not expecting him to manage flight on his first try.

Just then, Chen Qingyan shot out like a streak of light, pursuing Lin Fengmian, leaving everyone even more confused.

It appeared that Lin Fengmian was in trouble, about to crash into the distant mountain.

"Senior brother!" Xia Yunxi exclaimed in alarm.

Fortunately, Chen Qingyan caught up just in time, grabbing Lin Fengmian right before he crashed into the mountain, preventing a disaster.

Lin Fengmian clung tightly to Chen Qingyan, not even caring if she'd cut him down for it.

Though her soft body was in his arms, this was no time to enjoy it. He was too shaken.

"Junior brother Lin, relax. I can't breathe," Chen Qingyan frowned.

Lin Fengmian hesitantly opened his eyes before quickly shutting them again, holding on even tighter.

"I... I'm scared of heights!" he admitted.

Chen Qingyan blinked in surprise and then said oddly, "You're afraid of heights too?"

So, with Lin Fengmian clinging to her like this, Chen Qingyan flew him back, much to the bewilderment of the others.

Liu Mei raised an eyebrow and teased, "It's broad daylight, is it really necessary to be this eager? Should I get you two a room?"

Chen Qingyan's face turned slightly awkward as she whispered, "Junior brother Lin, we've returned. You can let go now."

Only then did Lin Fengmian cautiously open his eyes and realize they were back on the ground. Embarrassed, he quickly let go of her.

"I must have made you laugh, senior sister," he mumbled, utterly mortified.

He wished he could dig a hole and bury himself in it right now.

Chen Qingyan chuckled softly but said nothing as she turned and walked away.

Liu Mei, upon learning of Lin Fengmian's fear of heights, burst into laughter, making his face burn red with embarrassment.

But more than his pride, Lin Fengmian worried about being left behind.

Liu Mei continued to patiently instruct them on how to control their spiritual power and fly.

Learning from Lin Fengmian's earlier mishaps, the others kept their flight low to the ground, ensuring that even if they fell, it wouldn't be too painful.

Before long, everyone except Lin Fengmian had gotten the hang of flying and could manage to stay in the air.

Lin Fengmian, however, was still too afraid, only daring to hover about a meter off the ground, never going higher.

Xia Yunxi tried to help, patiently teaching him various techniques, but each time Lin Fengmian got a few meters up, his mind would go blank, and he would fall again.

Liu Mei grinned and suggested, "Maybe we should have someone else go instead?"

Lin Fengmian's face paled, but he stubbornly replied, "Please, senior sister, give me another chance. I can overcome my fear!"

"I've already given you a chance. But we can't stay here forever just to watch you, can we?" Liu Mei retorted.

Lin Fengmian's heart sank. He never expected to lose his chance to leave over something so ridiculous.

"Senior sister, can't we wait a little longer?" Xia Yunxi pleaded on his behalf.

Liu Mei glanced up at the sky and smiled. "It's getting late, junior sister Xia. We really should be heading out."

"I can carry him for a while," Xia Yunxi said softly yet firmly.

Liu Mei laughed, "You've just reached Foundation Establishment. How far do you think you can carry him? And we're going to recruit disciples. What kind of impression will it make if you're carrying him?"

Her words drew laughter from the others, and Xia Yunxi's face turned pale. She had no reply.

Lin Fengmian felt utterly crushed, consumed with self-loathing for being so incompetent.

"I'll take him. He'll learn on the way, and I'll make sure he does before we reach our destination."

Chen Qingyan's beautiful voice rang out like music to Lin Fengmian's ears, lifting him from his despair.

Liu Mei raised an eyebrow and teased, "Junior sister Chen, what if he never learns?"

Chen Qingyan replied coolly, "Then do with him as you please."

Liu Mei seemed to find this amusing, suddenly breaking into laughter.

"Since junior sister Chen is so protective of her little man, how could I be the villain?"

Xia Yunxi and Lin Fengmian both breathed sighs of relief, drenched in cold sweat.

Lin Fengmian gratefully said, "Thank you, senior sister Chen!"

Chen Qingyan merely nodded in acknowledgment.

Liu Mei surveyed the group and commanded, "Let's go!"

"Yes, senior sister!" they all replied in unison.

Wang Yanan and Mo Ruyu also summoned their artifacts. Xia Yunxi wanted to help carry Lin Fengmian, but Chen Qingyan declined.

"Junior sister Xia, if he loses control, he might drag you down with him. I'll carry him."

Xia Yunxi, already unsure, could only nod in agreement.

Chen Qingyan summoned a blue longsword, which floated at her feet. She called to Lin Fengmian, "Come here, junior brother."

Lin Fengmian approached her with mixed emotions, standing awkwardly behind her on the sword.

"Hold onto my waist, or you'll fall," Chen Qingyan said softly.

Lin Fengmian had no choice but to comply, wrapping his arms around her waist, his heart filled with complex emotions.

He never imagined his first time holding Chen Qingyan would be under such circumstances, nor that this was how he'd leave the Hehuan Sect.