In the depths of Zhong Mountain, there was little time for the two to savor the tranquility of the moment. Hands tightly gripping onto the large stone, Zhong Shan pressed close to Tian Ling'er.
The back of the massive stone had been shaped by Zhong Shan into a convex form, smooth beyond compare, designed to withstand the tremendous force without shattering. And it succeeded; at first, there was no fracturing, and henceforth, there would be none.
Acceleration, acceleration—the large stone carried the two swiftly upwards. Yet, amidst the acceleration, the two gradually adapted.
Tian Ling'er found herself pressed beneath Zhong Shan, her face flushing crimson as if afraid to open her eyes.
Slowly, the pressure from the stone against their backs lessened.
"Zhong Shan, you can let go now," Tian Ling'er whispered softly.
But Zhong Shan paid no heed, for he knew that the most dangerous and crucial moment was imminent. Because next, as the acceleration slowed to a certain extent, it would be time for him to detach from the large stone and fly out.
He must remain firmly attached to the stone.
Zhong Shan clung to the large stone, holding Tian Ling'er even tighter.
Seeing Zhong Shan ignoring her words and tightening his embrace instead, Tian Ling'er's face grew even redder, a mixture of embarrassment and frustration. Although she knew it was inappropriate at the moment, inexplicably, she didn't feel repulsed by Zhong Shan's embrace. Instead, she allowed herself to be held tightly by him.
Finally, the last hint of pressure from the large stone vanished, replaced by the sensation of their bodies separating from it and soaring into the sky.
Tian Ling'er marveled at the scene. Previously, it was the large stone below that had squeezed her into Zhong Shan's body, but now it seemed as if Zhong Shan was fixed in place, while she was being squeezed into him.
At this moment, Tian Ling'er finally understood why Zhong Shan didn't let go. She looked at Zhong Shan with admiration, realizing that it seemed like nothing in the world could stop him. Zhong Shan was truly remarkable, almost miraculous.
"Phew."
Three thousand meters above the volcano's crater, a large stone flew out amidst the billowing clouds of gas.
We're out, we're saved!
At that moment, both Zhong Shan and Tian Ling'er felt the urge to shout out loud. The air outside was simply wonderful, no, it was beyond wonderful.
They took a deep breath.
Flying thirty meters high, the large stone suddenly stopped in mid-air and began to plummet downwards.
"Ah~~~~~~~~~~~"
Tian Ling'er screamed in horror.
"Bang~~~~~~~~~~"
The large stone landed on the edge of the volcano's crater and quickly slid down towards the foot of the mountain.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~~~~~~~~~~"
The bottom of the large stone was smooth, causing it to slide rapidly, but the mountain path was rugged, causing it to shake violently. Even though Tian Ling'er was held tightly in Zhong Shan's arms, she couldn't bear the sensation.
Finally, the long descent down the mountain ended.
"Bang."
The large stone finally came to a stop in a quiet valley.
After the rough journey, with Tian Ling'er pressed beneath him, Zhong Shan felt like his entire body was falling apart.
Zhong Shan gently got up and looked at Tian Ling'er, asking, "How are you? Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine," Tian Ling'er replied, her voice slightly stuttering.
"Very well, rest for a while, and then I'll take you to see our eldest senior brother," Zhong Shan said. His character was one of commitment; once he made a promise, he would see it through. He had agreed to bring Tian Ling'er to see their eldest senior brother, and he would do so, but he also had his responsibilities. The visit would be brief, merely a chance for Tian Ling'er to meet him. If she didn't want to leave, Zhong Shan would stay by her side.
He had previously promised Tian Xingzi that he would bring Tian Ling'er back intact. 'Intact' meant more than just physically unharmed; it included preserving her purity. Not a single mistake could be allowed.
A month later, deep within the mountains, they arrived at a peculiar place. It was a hill, not particularly high, but shrouded in a dense white mist. The mist was unnatural and abrupt, clearly the result of an array set up around the perimeter.
Surrounding this mist-covered hill were many taller mountains, forming a circle around it, resembling a gigantic arena with the mist-covered hill at its center, like a stage draped with curtains.
On the peaks of these surrounding mountains stood groups of people, scattered in threes and fours, each belonging to different factions. They all watched the mist-covered hill intently, none daring to rush in, patiently waiting.
On a peak to the north stood members of the Kaiyang Sect. At the forefront were their second-generation senior brother Tiankiller and third senior sister Bei Qingsi. Eight others stood behind them, merely acting as advisors without making decisions.
"Sister, what do you think?" Tiankiller asked, a trace of admiration flashing in his eyes as he looked at Bei Qingsi.
"Qingsi has no opinion and will follow senior brother's lead," Bei Qingsi replied calmly, her eyes fixed on the mist-covered hill, paying no heed to Tiankiller. She clearly felt nothing for his admiration.
Seeing Bei Qingsi's indifferent expression, Tiankiller frowned and said no more, turning his gaze back to the mist-covered hill.
To the east, atop another high peak, one of the best vantage points, stood another group of people, about twenty in total, led by an exceptionally noble-looking woman.
The woman was tall with slender, graceful legs clad in black silk. Even without seeing her face, one would feel their heart skip a beat. Her face exuded confidence and elegance, her eyes brimming with pride—not the vulgar kind that looks down on everything, but a self-assured and noble aura that radiated naturally.
"Mr. Shuijing, Hao San is right before us. What do you suggest we do?" the woman turned and asked a man behind her with a smile.
The man appeared to be around forty years old, dressed in a spotless white robe, his demeanor scholarly and handsome. He smiled slightly, a look that could captivate countless young women—a quintessential mature gentleman.
He held a white feather fan, gently fanning himself with an air of calm and strategic mastery.
Hearing the woman's question, Mr. Shuijing smiled faintly, "Princess, you already have a plan. Why ask me?"
"Qianyou, I will go down now and capture Hao San for you," a handsome young man beside her said eagerly.
Seeing the young man's impatience, Princess Qianyou frowned, displeased, "With so many people watching, wouldn't you make a fool of yourself rushing down like that? Besides, do you think Hao San is an idiot?"
Chastised by the princess, the young man looked disgruntled, glaring at the distant mist-covered hill.
"Your Highness, patience is needed to catch a big fish," Mr. Shuijing said with a smile.
"Mind your own business! I'm talking to Qianyou; when is it your place to interrupt?" the young man snapped at Mr. Shuijing, seeming to blame him for the princess's rebuke.
"Gulin, stop it! How dare you speak to Mr. Shuijing like that?" Princess Qianyou immediately scolded.
At this moment, Mr. Shuijing felt a wave of awkwardness wash over him.
"He's my father's subordinate, isn't that right?" Gulin said immediately.
Princess Qianyou looked at Gulin with disdain. "Mr. Shuijing is someone I managed to invite with great difficulty. If you continue to speak to him like this, I will send you back at once. Do not follow me anymore."
"Fine, fine, I won't say anything else," Gulin quickly reassured Princess Qianyou, though his eyes flashed with resentment as he glanced at Mr. Shuijing.
Seeing Gulin's reaction, Mr. Shuijing merely smiled, his bright eyes betraying no emotion.
Princess Qianyou, noticing Gulin's quick compliance, frowned but said nothing more. She turned her attention back to the distant mist-covered hill.
The hill, shrouded in thick mist on all sides, had a clear center. The summit was flat, as if sliced off by a powerful being long ago. Grass and trees had grown over it, indicating the passage of time.
Atop this hill stood a temple. In front of the temple was a vast square. Two people occupied this square.
One was a man dressed in black, appearing to be around fifty years old, holding a horsetail whisk. He knelt on the ground, his face filled with worry and fear.
"Third Prince, please, no more. You've already eaten the fiftieth pill. If you eat another, it will be the end. We cannot let the Hao family lineage be cut off," the man in black pleaded with a look of panic.
In front of him was a man in white luxurious robes, his handsome face framed by long hair, mostly white with a few remaining black strands. This was Hao San, the man everyone was searching for.
"Old Wei, what would a eunuch like you understand?" Hao San said with a bitter smile.
"Third Prince, Old Wei and Old Zhao have served you for many years. Now, the Hao family has only you left. If you die, how will we avenge our past grievances? How will we revive the Hao family? Third Prince, you must stop," the eunuch Old Wei implored.
Hao San looked at Old Wei and smiled bitterly. "The last descendant? Ha! Look outside. Do you think they will spare us? They want to eradicate us. We're doomed anyway. But you have been dragged into this as well."
"Third Prince, Old Wei was born a servant of the Hao family and will die as one. Serving you is my greatest fortune; I do not fear death," Old Wei said earnestly.
Hao San gazed at the elderly eunuch, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. "Old Wei, we cannot escape this disaster, but don't worry. The Hao family will not end with my death. I have already left a bloodline behind, sent into the Dragon Palace. In the Dragon Palace, he will survive. Let my death draw all the attention, giving him a chance to live," Hao San said with determination.
"Really, is that true?" Old Wei's joy was palpable, as if the bloodline were his own.
"Yes, in the Dragon Palace, his safety is assured. Bring me the 'Heaven Mending Pill'," Hao San instructed immediately.