"Gu Changqing, have you been hiding your true strength? You're not just a Dou Fighter, are you?" asked Xiao Yi Xian, looking up at him with surprise, her small face tilted as she rested in his arms.
"Who told you I was just a Dou Fighter?" Gu Changqing responded without turning his head, holding both women close as he leapt onto a tree over thirty meters tall.
"But you're so young!" Xiao Yi Xian exclaimed, still stunned.
"Once." Gu Changqing shot her a glance, his voice calm.
"What?" Xiao Yi Xian blinked, feeling a bad premonition.
But Gu Changqing didn't bother to explain. He quickly discerned the direction and continued to dash deeper into the forest.
His speed was astonishing, far surpassing what any Dou Fighter could achieve. Even a Dou Grandmaster couldn't move through the dense forest as effortlessly as he did. Before long, he brought both Xiao Yi Xian and Nalan Yanran to the edge of a towering cliff.
In the clear moonlight, the abyss below looked like a monstrous, gaping maw waiting to devour anything that dared approach.
"Why did you bring us to this cliff? You're not thinking of making us jump, are you? No way! I don't want to die!" Xiao Yi Xian's face turned pale with fear. As a mere Dou Fighter, her body was fragile, and she couldn't survive such a fall.
Smack!
Without hesitation, Gu Changqing delivered a firm slap to Xiao Yi Xian's soft rear, drawing a startled yelp from her. Glaring at him in embarrassment and anger, she demanded, "Why did you hit me?!"
"Stop thinking nonsense. I'm not in the habit of jumping off cliffs. The Dou King inheritance is down there." Gu Changqing pointed to a shadowy area below the cliff.
"You really found a Dou Wang's inheritance?" Xiao Yi Xian was still indignant, though her curiosity piqued as she glanced toward the dark expanse.
Meanwhile, Nalan Yanran was more focused. She readied her sword, a mix of excitement and caution in her eyes. "Is the Dou King cave really down there? Could it be dangerous?"
"Only one way to find out," Gu Changqing said nonchalantly, gripping a moonstone in his hand as he prepared to descend.
But before venturing into the abyss, he turned to them, his expression slightly more serious. "Wait here. I'll take care of some pests first."
With that, a blue sword appeared in his hand, and without another word, he vanished into the surrounding woods. A few moments later, the sharp clang of a sword echoed through the trees, followed by the pained cries of magical beasts. Then, silence.
Returning unscathed, Gu Changqing wasted no time. Without waiting for a response, he scooped up both women and leapt into the abyss.
Xiao Yi Xian and Nalan Yanran clung to him for dear life, their eyes squeezed shut, their soft bodies pressed tightly against his. Terrified, neither dared open their eyes as they plummeted through the air.
They didn't notice when they landed safely. Gu Changqing, rather enjoying the moment, let them remain in his arms until they finally sensed something was off and slowly peeked through their lashes.
"We've landed...?" Xiao Yi Xian blinked in surprise, finding themselves standing at the entrance to a cave halfway down the cliff.
The entrance was narrow, only wide enough for two or three people to walk through at once. In the faint moonlight, they could see several dead rock snakes lying near the entrance—creatures Gu Changqing must have dealt with earlier.
"You really did find a cave here?" Xiao Yi Xian exclaimed, admiration flickering in her eyes. Gu Changqing's strength was indeed astonishing, and his knowledge of these things seemed limitless. Now, he'd even easily located a cave belonging to a former Dou King Expert.
"Is the Dou King inheritance really in here? Could there be traps?" Nalan Yanran remained on guard, gripping her sword as her eyes scanned the dark entrance warily.
"Let's find out." Gu Changqing led the way, holding the moonstone to light their path, and both women hurried after him.
Meanwhile, back at the campsite, news of Xiao Yi Xian's disappearance had reached Mu Li, the mercenary leader. His face twisted in anger as he listened to his subordinates' report.
"What do you mean Xiao Yi Xian was taken away by Gu Changqing and Nalan Yanran?!" he roared, his expression darkening.
"They were heading toward the bottomless cliff. Our scouts reported seeing them moving quickly. We suspect there may be a hidden protector with them," one of the mercenaries answered nervously.
"A protector?" Mu Li sneered, a cruel light flickering in his eyes. "It seems these two came prepared. No matter. Proceed with the plan. Spread the Blood Soul Incense around Gu Changqing's tent."
The mercenary hesitated, glancing uneasily at the crimson bottle Mu Li handed him. "Isn't it too early to use the Blood Soul Incense? What if they don't return?"
"They will," Mu Li said with certainty, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Just do as I say and make sure no one sees you."
"Yes, sir!" The mercenary took the bottle and quickly left.
"Blood Soul Incense," Mu Li murmured to himself, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "Made from the blood of dozens of magical beast cubs, it leaves a scent that drives magical beasts mad with hatred. Once someone is marked, magical beasts will hunt them to the ends of the earth. Not even a Da Dou Shi can survive the onslaught."
He clenched his fists, his voice dripping with venom. "Gu Changqing, you won't escape this time."
Unaware of the plot against him, Gu Changqing had already led Xiao Yi Xian and Nalan Yanran deep into the cave. Before them stood a pale yellow stone door, its surface inscribed with ancient runes.
"There's really a cave here!" Nalan Yanran exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement.
"Could this really be the Dou King inheritance?" Xiao Yi Xian added, equally thrilled.
Gu Changqing smiled faintly. "Let's find out."
With a push, the stone door creaked open, revealing the mysteries within.