Undying Life

Chapter 24: Confusion

Zhongshan held Tianling'er tightly halfway up the mountain. Surrounding them, a multitude of ravens danced in the air, blocking every possible escape route. A large blade was wedged in a strap on Zhongshan's back, and he clung tightly to Tianling'er, sheltering her in his embrace. "Hold on to me," Zhongshan said to Tianling'er. Zhongshan's arrival couldn't have been more timely, almost as if he had appeared out of nowhere just as Tianling'er was about to despair. At that moment, when Zhongshan appeared, Tianling'er felt as if his whole body was emitting a dazzling white light, as if he were a hero sent by the heavens to protect her. The tears in Tianling'er's eyes had yet to dry, and Zhongshan's embrace seemed to provide her with a strong sense of support.

Upon Zhongshan's words, Tianling'er instinctively wrapped her arms around Zhongshan's neck. Glancing at the chilling air swirling around them, Zhongshan leaped forward with all his might, breaking through the flock of ravens and descending rapidly down the mountainside. Despite the distance covered by Zhongshan's leap, the mountain, still sloping, didn't allow them to completely escape the ravens. However, as they descended, Zhongshan accidentally stepped on several ravens.

Curling up his body, Zhongshan held Tianling'er tightly as they crashed through the ravens and landed on the slope below with a thud. As they emerged from the flock of ravens, Zhongshan wasted no time in sprinting away with Tianling'er in his arms, heading towards the valley at the fastest speed possible. However, the ravens showed no signs of relenting, swiftly pursuing them, filling the sky.

Though their descent down the mountain was faster, once they reached the valley, their speed was no match for the multitude of ravens. Glancing around, Zhongshan suddenly spotted the distant miasma zone. With Tianling'er still in his arms, Zhongshan made a resolute decision and dashed towards that direction at full speed.

There was no time to put Tianling'er down because doing so would only lead to their capture by the ravens. Zhongshan sprinted with all his might towards the miasma zone, but the ravens behind them multiplied rapidly. Finally, after being assaulted by the chilling air several times, they reached the miasma zone, and Zhongshan plunged into it. True to Zhongshan's expectations, the ravens dared not follow, as only those with cultivation levels close to the Golden Core stage could withstand the miasma. "Waaahhhhh..." "Waaahhhhh..."

Outside, the ravens screeched angrily, but they dared not enter.

Saved? Zhongshan was saved, but Tianling'er now faced the threat of the miasma. This miasma wasn't something you could ignore; it could seep into your skin and poison you even if you held your breath.

"Close your eyes, close your mouth, don't breathe," Zhongshan suddenly instructed.

Before Tianling'er could react, Zhongshan infused his qi with his mental power, creating a crimson mist that enveloped both of them, covering Tianling'er's body but not entering her pores.

Hearing Zhongshan's words, Tianling'er quickly closed her eyes and held her breath.

Zhongshan sprinted through the miasma environment, the crimson mist previously enveloping only himself now covering both of them. They needed to cross the miasma area quickly before Zhongshan's mental power depleted.

As they ran, Tianling'er felt Zhongshan's warmth and the chill within her dissipating. She nestled closer to Zhongshan's chest, feeling a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

No ravens, no sounds. Were they safe? "Are we safe?" Tianling'er asked softly with closed eyes.

Damn it! Zhongshan realized his mistake in not reminding her to stay silent. In that instant, a thread of the crimson mist entered Tianling'er's mouth.

"Don't speak," Zhongshan immediately said.

As they ran frantically, there was no time to expel the crimson mist from Tianling'er's body, or Zhongshan's mental power might not last until they reached the other side of the miasma area.

Tianling'er stopped speaking, but suddenly felt a warm sensation spreading throughout her body. It felt as if her clothes were uncomfortably hot, and she had an inexplicable urge to remove them.

Why am I feeling like this? Tianling'er thought, but her body seemed to have a mind of its own, writhing uncomfortably in Zhongshan's arms.

Zhongshan continued to run, noticing Tianling'er's strange behavior. He sighed inwardly, realizing that the arousal had kicked in faster than he expected.

With a headache, Zhongshan increased his pace, rushing towards the edge of the miasma area as his mental power neared exhaustion.

But Tianling'er's behavior became increasingly erratic. Despite her desire to stop, her body seemed to act on its own, indulging in the sensations she felt.

Gradually, Tianling'er became disoriented, clinging to Zhongshan and initiating intimate contact. Zhongshan felt a headache coming on; he couldn't believe he was being toyed with by this young girl. Thankfully, they were about to leave the miasma area.

With a few quick steps, Zhongshan finally burst out of the area, but Tianling'er, now overwhelmed by the sensations, had become uncontrollable. Zhongshan used the last of his mental power to expel the crimson mist from her body.

After a moment, the crimson mist was finally removed from Tianling'er's body, but she was left flushed and exhausted, collapsing into a deep sleep.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Zhongshan arranged Tianling'er's clothes and gently placed her in a clean spot before closing his eyes to recover. Despite the danger they had faced, he couldn't help but feel a surge of power within him, a sign of potential breakthrough.

As he waited for Tianling'er to wake up, Zhongshan sat by her side. When she finally stirred and opened her eyes, she immediately closed them again, memories flooding back.

How could this happen? How could I do such a thing? Tianling'er's face flushed with embarrassment as she struggled with her thoughts. How am I going to face Zhongshan later?

"Awake?" Zhongshan asked.

"Yeah," Tianling'er replied softly, opening her eyes but pretending as if nothing had happened. However, her flushed cheeks betrayed her.

"Awake. Eat something, and then I'll hit the road," Zhongshan said, avoiding any mention of their previous encounter.

Relieved that Zhongshan didn't bring up the incident, Tianling'er nodded.

She ate some osmanthus cakes and watched Zhongshan practice his swordsmanship. Seeing Zhongshan seemingly oblivious to what had happened, Tianling'er felt confused. Was it all just her imagination? Did nothing happen at all?

Yes, it must have been her imagination. How could she possibly have done such a thing? Tianling'er's spirits lifted once again.

But as she watched Zhongshan's figure practicing his swordsmanship, Tianling'er couldn't shake the feeling: that sensation felt so real!