Chapter 113: A Little Bit of Affection

Lifelong fatherhood? Alas, Young Master Xuanyuan was still so young...

Forget it. He didn’t want his precious daughter to like any man—at least not now. She was still too young!

“You’re still young. Thinking about lifelong matters is far too soon,” he said.

“I agree,” Ji Yin nodded immediately.

It wasn’t that it was too early to consider such things; she simply never entertained thoughts of lifelong commitments.

Marriage? Impossible! She would never marry in this lifetime.

Footsteps echoed nearby as Ji Yun pulled Ji Yin to the side.

Chu Yu and Du Wei had returned with their men.

“Master Guoshi, not far ahead is a narrow stone stairway carved into the mountain—on one side, a cliff; on the other, a sheer abyss thousands of feet deep. The steps wind upward endlessly and only allow one person to pass at a time. It’s extremely perilous!”

“Is there any other path?”

“No, none at all!”

Hearing how treacherous the path was, everyone hesitated, unwilling to proceed.

At least staying here was safe. If they pressed on, who knew what dangers awaited? It felt as if this place was far more terrifying than the outside world.

Ji Yun saw their hesitation.

“Master Guoshi, could we try opening the stone door? Since it can be opened from the outside, surely it can be unlocked from within as well,” someone timidly suggested.

“Yes, Master Guoshi, we found nothing in Zhiyun Mountain. Perhaps the mist barrier outside is meant to trap whatever is inside, preventing it from wreaking havoc beyond.”

Before Ji Yun could speak, Ji Yin stepped forward and addressed the group.

“We are trapped within the Tiangang Formation, which is divided into three parts. Passing through Zhiyun Mountain just now was the first. Now, we are in the second part. The formation continuously shifts according to the Bagua diagram: the first part changes every hour, the second every six hours. Do you think staying here is safe? Or that trying to leave is safe?”

No one answered.

“The huge beast we just encountered was a winged serpent. Even combined, we aren’t enough to satisfy its hunger. This spirit beast has awakened its intelligence—its intellect may surpass that of some humans! We injured it, and it might now be waiting just beyond the stone door.”

This warning chilled those who were considering retreat to their very bones.

“We can only break the Tiangang Formation and leave Zhiyun Mountain by entering the third part,” Ji Yin looked to Ji Yun. “Father, fate is different for everyone. Let them choose for themselves. Whether to proceed or stay is each person’s own decision. Naturally, with choice comes consequence, and whatever the outcome, they must bear it themselves.”

Mo Chuan watched Ji Yin, feeling as if his impression of her was shifting.

He found himself somewhat fond of this youth.

Yet he could not quite discern the nature of this affection.

“Prepare to move out!” Ji Yun cut off further discussion. “Du Wei, Chu Yu, take the stronger fighters and position yourselves at the front, middle, and rear. Watch each other’s backs. Everyone, proceed carefully.”

“Yes!”

Ji Yun led the way, with Ji Yin and Mo Chuan close behind.

Chu Yu and Du Wei began organizing the group.

Some still hesitated.

No one pressed or urged them.

Gradually, those who stayed behind grew fewer and fewer until the rest surged forward.

In the end, only one man remained.

He stared at the suspension bridge behind him and the disappearing figures ahead, still wavering.

Suddenly, a chilling rustling sound of crawling made every hair on his body stand on end!