Ling Xiaoxuan, as a Paranormal Explorer, was well versed in these matters and naturally couldn't refuse Qin Ruan's worried plea.
She risked her life to keep him company, staying at the school unusually tonight.
Ling Xiaoxuan lay on her dormitory bed, her eyes tightly closed, her legs hugging the quilt, in a deep sleep.
Qin Ruan, lying on the opposite bed, was breathing evenly, her beautiful eyes gently closed, seeming to also be sleeping soundly.
In the dormitory, a dim light emanated from the lamp on the table.
Outside the room, gentle moonlight cascades onto the glass window, faint moonlight refracting on the clean floor inside the room.
All was quiet, the silence in the air eerie.
The lightly closed window made a faint noise, as a wind approached.
Qin Ruan suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze clear and bright, showing no signs of being disrupted from deep sleep.
The wind howled, causing the window to clang.
The noise was so loud, that Ling Xiaoxuan on the opposite bed was disturbed and shifted restlessly.
She turned to face the wall, mumbling a few words, and fell back asleep.
Qin Ruan sat up, her sharp gaze fixed on the window, where there was nothing visible.
Yet, in the next moment, the window was blown open by the strong wind.
Something revealed itself, its figure was so large, it almost reached the height of the ceiling.
Qin Ruan narrowed her eyes, with a hint of golden light flickering in them, her beautiful and solemn face exuded an enchanting design.
She swiftly got out of bed with lightning speed, her bare feet touching the ground, her body crouched, staring at the thing standing by the window.
It moved, as if it hadn't noticed Qin Ruan's presence, and began to approach Ling Xiaoxuan with heavy steps.
As it moved, Qin Ruan got a clear view of its hideous face.
Its large red eyes were full of greed, and its gaping mouth was filled with sparse, sharp teeth.
The creature's mouth split halfway across its face, and something was dripping from it onto the ground.
Its large frame was unclothed and covered in grimy brown fur, and it looked absolutely terrifying.
Qin Ruan could hear its heavy panting, but was unsure if it was out of excitement or for other reasons.
With just a glance, Qin Ruan discerned what it was.
A Spirit Monster, Mountain Demon.
As recorded in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, there's a giant in the south, with a human face and elongated arms, a black body covered in hair, and backwards feet. It laughs when a human laughs, but with its mouth covered, it runs away.
The Mountain Demon is like a child, walking on a single foot backwards, attacking people at night. A monstrous creature that feasts on humans.
However, the Mountain Demon before her eyes slightly differed from the records, as it was bipedal and had a large frame. It more resembled a hybrid of the Mountain Demon and another creature.
The moment the Mountain Demon appeared, it went straight for Ling Xiaoxuan.
It clearly seemed to target her specifically.
Seeing that the Mountain Demon was about to approach the sleeping Ling Xiaoxuan, Qin Ruan narrowed her eyes and acted swiftly.
She picked up something off the table and flung it at the Mountain Demon.
A dull thud sounded.
What Qin Ruan had casually grabbed was a book, which hit the Mountain Demon's thick fur.
From the noise alone, it was clear that this minor impact was insignificant to the Mountain Demon.
Still, it stopped and turned around, its bell-like eyes glaring straight at Qin Ruan.
The disturbed Mountain Demon, with its eyes radiating darkness, discontent, anger, and greed.
Combined with its hideous face, it looked unbearable to look at.
This commotion, finally, woke Ling Xiaoxuan from her sleep.
"Qin Ruan, why are you still awake?"
Ling Xiaoxuan sat up on the bed, her eyes still shut. Rubbing her eyes, she spoke drowsily.
Noticing the room had grown colder, she reached for her quilt and draped it over herself.
The next second, Ling Xiaoxuan froze.
She opened her blank eyes, and before her was a massive figure, as imposing as a mountain.