Just as Mo Wenjie, Huang Ling'er, Jiang Yurou, Xiao Aywen, Ding Yan, Tuo Yingying, Qin Xiaodie, and Cao Chunling were about to turn around and return to the cave to continue their deep cultivation, suddenly a loud clanging sound came from far away and approached them. Startled, everyone stopped in their tracks and looked in the direction of the sound. They saw a group of people being escorted by several people who were bound and slowly approaching them.
The silhouettes of these people were somewhat indistinct under the evening light, but as the distance gradually shortened, it was clear that they were pale and their expressions were anxious. Some had obvious injuries, covered in bloodstains, which was terrifying to behold. Following this group of people was a pack of executioners who looked like demons, wielding all kinds of weapons and displaying a hideous look.
Mo Wenjie and his companions each widened their eyes, staring at each other in shock. None of them had anticipated such a sudden encounter, and for a moment they were at a loss, not knowing how to respond to this unexpected turn of events.
Just a short while ago, they were immersed in peaceful and orderly cultivation, where everyone was focused on enhancing their strength and attainment. However, this tranquility was suddenly torn apart without warning, as if a sudden storm had suddenly descended upon them, dragging them into its midst.
Mo Wenjie furrowed his brow tightly, silently pondering: "What's going on? Why did such an abrupt thing happen?" He thought while looking around, trying to find some clues or ways to solve the problem in the surrounding environment. But there was no useful information discovered except for the equally confused expressions of his companions.
Mo Wenjie walked carelessly, his gaze sweeping idly over the bustling crowd around him. Just then, a figure suddenly caught his eye. It was a woman's silhouette, slender and elegant, with a waterfall of dark hair gently swaying down. For some reason, this silhouette gave Mo Wenjie a sudden jolt in his heart, and an inexplicable sense of familiarity surged up.
Without realizing it, Mo Wenjie shook his head and muttered to himself, "Impossible, how could it be her?" However, even though he thought this in his heart, the silhouette seemed to have a kind of magic that attracted his gaze deeply. The more he looked at it, the more Mo Wenjie felt that this figure was incredibly similar to Ding Qingyao. It was as if they were the same person in memory, with the same figure, attitude, and even the way they walked.
Could it really be that he was hallucinating? Mo Wenjie rubbed his eyes vigorously, focusing again. But the figure was already fading into the crowd and disappearing quickly.
Mo Wenjie stood there dumbfounded, his heart filled with confusion and disappointment. Was it really Ding Qingyao? If it was her, why didn't she notice him? A series of questions surged up in his mind, plunging Mo Wenjie into deep thought...
Mo Wenjie took a deep breath, deciding to pursue the figure to clear things up. Ignoring the surprised looks from his companions, he ran quickly in the direction of the figure's disappearance. After navigating through the crowd for some time, he saw the figure again. He stepped forward quickly and grabbed her arm, only to realize that she was a stranger when she turned around. Mo Wenjie immediately froze, apologizing and letting go of her hand.
Dejectedly returning, Mo Wenjie kept replaying the scene in his mind. Suddenly, a bright idea struck him: Could it be that Ding Qingyao had used an illusion technique on purpose to avoid him? This thought once formed was difficult to contain. So he turned back and used his spiritual energy to sense the surrounding energy waves. As expected, he detected a trace of familiar qi in a narrow alleyway.
Walking deeper into the alley, he saw the real Ding Qingyao. It turned out she had indeed been avoiding Mo Wenjie because she had a special mission and feared it would drag him into trouble. After hearing this, Mo Wenjie tightly held her hand, expressing that he was willing to face any danger together with her. Tears sparkled in Ding Qingyao's eyes, and she nodded slightly before both of them walked out of the alley and back towards their companions.
Mo Wenjie fixed his gaze on the Ding Qingyao in front of him. Gradually, he extended his hand, gently caressing her delicate face, as white as jade. His eyes were filled with endless heartache and care, as if he wanted to convey all his warmth and comfort through this gentle touch.
"Qingyao..." Mo Wenjie murmured softly, his voice trembling slightly, "When did you ascend? Why are you here? I can hardly imagine what terrifying danger you've encountered!" He spoke while unconsciously increasing the pressure on her hand, as if he feared that letting go would cause her to vanish like a phantom.
Ding Qingyao sighed lightly, "Mo Wenjie, this matter is long-winded. After my ascension, I accidentally stumbled into a dangerous place where there were many forbidden traps set by evil beings. It was only after great difficulty that I managed to escape and came here to seek shelter from the winds of danger."
Mo Wenjie furrowed his brow, "What are your plans now? We can explore together for a safe place."
At this moment, the same group of menacing executioners approached them again. The leader shouted, "You guys, stop!"
Mo Wenjie shielded Ding Qingyao behind him, and the other companions gathered around as well.
"We were just passing by, what business do you have with us?" Mo Wenjie asked.
"Hmph, this woman is suspicious, we suspect she's involved in some trouble in the city, and she must be taken for investigation." The leader of the executioners said.
"No, she is definitely not like that." Mo Wenjie firmly objected.
The executioners grew impatient and raised their weapons to strike. Mo Wenjie and his companions were not willing to back down either, with both sides tensed up like drawn bows. At this critical moment, a golden light suddenly descended from above, revealing an elderly man who shouted to halt everyone. He declared that Ding Qingyao was wrongly accused and should not be taken for investigation. The elder then took Ding Qingyao and Mo Wenjie along with their companions away from the scene, leaving only the executioners looking at each other in confusion.
The elder flew with everyone for a long time before arriving at a fairy mountain enveloped in mist and clouds. The mountain was abundant with bubbling spiritual springs and lushly grown immortal herbs. Turning to face the group, the elder slowly spoke, "I am the guardian of this mountain. Seeing the girl unjustly accused, I had to intervene." Mo Wenjie bowed respectfully, "Thank you, esteemed senior, for your kind assistance." The elder waved his hand and pointed to a cave residence, "You may rest here first."
After entering the cave, Ding Qingyao's expression remained gloomy. Mo Wenjie asked about the reason, and Ding Qingyao revealed that although she had temporarily escaped punishment, someone seemed to be deliberately plotting against her and she feared there might still be trouble ahead. Mo Wenjie clenched his fists, vowing to protect her.
In the middle of the night, when everyone was asleep, a chilling laugh suddenly rang out outside the cave. Mo Wenjie was startled awake and rushed out to see a massive demonic figure looming. The demon sneered, "Do you think you can just run away?"
Mo Wenjie stood in front of the cave entrance, ready to fight. Just as the demonic figure lunged towards him, the elder appeared and threw a spiritual talisman to trap the demon. "It seems the mastermind behind this can't stay still, but with me here, you need not worry." Mo Wenjie sighed in relief, knowing that this storm was far from over.
The elder raised his hands and chanted incantations, shooting beams of light towards the demon. The demon struggled even more fiercely, growling with anger. Mo Wenjie watched intently from the side, trying to learn the elder's magic. Suddenly, the demon broke through the corner of the talisman and released a powerful force towards Mo Wenjie. With no time to dodge, Ding Qingyao quickly stepped in front of him, casting out a magic treasure to block the attack. However, the treasure shattered instantly, and Ding Qingyao was also affected by its backlash and spat out blood. Mo Wenjie was worried and ready to counterattack when the elder strengthened his magic to suppress the demon again.
"It can't be left behind anymore." The elder's face was grave, and he withdrew a sacred sword that glowed with divine light from his robe, throwing it fiercely at the demon. The sword pierced through the demon's body, emitting a shriek of pain before vanishing into thin air.
Just as Mo Wenjie had begun to breathe a little easier, suddenly, the distant horizon turned like ink, and a vast expanse of dark, ominous clouds quickly surged up. The thick cloud layer seemed like a massive black castle, heavy and oppressive as it descended upon the earth. More chillingly, within this dark cloud were pairs of crimson red eyes that flickered intermittently with eerie light, as if hidden demons were watching them from the darkness.
Seeing this, the elder who had remained calm and composed showed a hint of helplessness as he shook his head and sighed, "Ah, it seems the troubles are far from over..." However, despite the terrifying sight, Mo Wenjie showed no sign of fear. Instead, his eyes grew even more determined, like a raging fire. He gripped Ding Qingyao's soft hand tightly by his side, passing on warmth and strength to her.
At the same time, Mo Wenjie stood shoulder to shoulder with his companions, forming a row in perfect unison, like an impenetrable defense line. Each person had a serious expression, holding their weapons tightly and concentrating their gaze on the approaching dark clouds with vigilance, ready to meet this new challenge that was about to unfold.
The dark clouds drew nearer, and Mo Wenjie felt a strong sense of pressure enveloping him. Just as the clouds were about to engulf them, Mo Wenjie struck first, channeling his spirit power into a radiant blade that shot towards the clouds. Inspired by his lead, his companions also launched their attacks, unleashing a dazzling array of magical light intertwining with one another and shooting towards the clouds.
However, a loud laugh echoed from within the clouds, followed by an outbreak of countless black shadows that resembled ghostly demons, moving with incredible speed. Mo Wenjie shouted, "Be careful!" and everyone immediately changed their formation, forming a defensive line with their backs against each other.
Ding Qingyao withdrew a spiritual pearl that radiated a gentle glow, temporarily dispelling the approaching shadows. Mo Wenjie, seizing the opportunity, concentrated his entire spiritual power and delivered his most powerful strike, directly charging into the heart of the dark clouds.
Within the dark clouds, Mo Wenjie saw a figure in a black robe casting spells to control the shadows. Without hesitation, Mo Wenjie charged towards the black-robed figure, who was caught off guard by his daring. After a fierce battle, Mo Wenjie exploited a weakness in the black-robed figure and defeated him with a single blow.
As the black-robed figure fell, the dark clouds began to dissipate, and the blood red eyes disappeared as well. Mo Wenjie and his companions successfully dispelled the crisis, and everyone cheered. Mo Wenjie and Ding Qingyao looked at each other and smiled, knowing that there would be more challenges in the future, but as long as they were together, they knew they could face anything without fear.
