Despite knowing that Jin Huan was no ordinary girl, Ji Yan instinctively stepped in front of her, his brow slightly furrowed: "She's my girlfriend."
Liao Zhenying recoiled in disbelief, her eyes reddening: "You're lying. Where did this fox spirit come from? You definitely didn't know her before. She seduced you just now, didn't she?"
Her accusation was not entirely off the mark, although Jin Huan was no fox spirit; she did, however, have a spiritual pet.
Jin Huan was accustomed to such scenes; she had little patience for resolving men's romantic troubles. If they couldn't even manage their emotional affairs, they were unworthy of standing beside her.
"Liao Zhenying, please maintain some decorum. Moreover, you and I have never had anything between us. My relationships are my own private matter. Continue this unreasonable behavior, and we'll part ways here. You need not accompany us any further," Ji Yan stated bluntly, sparing no feelings.
The princess, unable to handle the rebuke, burst into tears and ran off.
In the past, her suitors would have chased after her, but now, captivated by Jin Huan, they lacked the mental clarity to comfort a sobbing princess.
Two other girls in the group, lacking the company of any boys, dared not wander off either.
Jin Huan, ever the beautiful but silent figure behind Ji Yan, was growing more patient by the day. Previously, anyone who dared disrespect her would have faced her wrath in an instant.
"How do you know such a beautiful girl?" a tall man asked, approaching with a heated gaze fixed on Jin Huan.
She disliked being looked at like an insect, but now, with only a fraction of her usual power, she felt somewhat dejected. Why couldn't Qiao Yuan have lived a few years longer, especially after she had given him a life-extending pill?
Murmuring under her breath, Jin Huan leaned closer to Ji Yan, drawing strength from his proximity.
"Where are you looking?" Ji Yan furrowed his brow deeply.
"Oh come on, why the hostility?" a slender, handsome young man intervened, trying to defuse the tension.
Jin Huan's eyes remained fixed solely on Ji Yan, showing no interest in anyone else, which only intensified the others' envy.
Liao Zhenying hadn't gone far. Seeing no one coming to coax her, the proud princess, no fool, sulkily returned to the group, where she was met with cold indifference rather than concern.
About to throw a tantrum over the lack of attention, she instead resigned herself to sitting alone under a tree, nursing her grievances.
Ji Yan knew Jin Huan had a way out but seeing her sitting still, he didn't press her.
The rest were despondent, having failed repeatedly to find an exit. They feared they might starve to death here as their food supplies dwindled.
A gloomy mood enveloped the group, the air itself seeming thicker.
After enough rest, Jin Huan casually plucked a leaf and began to whistle through it. The tune, unfamiliar to the others, was nevertheless soothing, easing their spirits momentarily.
Suddenly, the ground began to vibrate. Pebbles trembled.
A herd of wild Tibetan antelopes burst onto the scene, the leader majestic and stunning. It approached Jin Huan, bowed down in submission.
She mounted the antelope and turned to Ji Yan, "Let's go, we can leave now."
Ji Yan quickly grabbed his things and followed the leader of the antelopes.
The others, though stunned, quickly followed after realizing what was happening.
After a long trek, with their feet nearly blistered, a few tried to mimic Jin Huan and mount the antelopes, only to nearly get themselves incapacitated.
Resigned, they abandoned the idea.
Kunlun Ruins was not just a mountain; it was a range, and they had unluckily stumbled into its most perilous part.
"I can't go any further; I'm exhausted!" the princess lamented, having never suffered so before.
Seeing her distress, Jin Huan patted the antelope to stop.
Ji Yan wanted to help her down but hesitated, not wanting to offend.
Jin Huan, seeing this, playfully hooked her foot around Ji Yan: "Help me down."
Her delicate demeanor made it seem only natural to fulfill her requests.
Ji Yan's throat tightened, his hands trembling as he lifted her.
Jin Huan chuckled softly, whispering in his ear, "Why are you trembling? Did I scare you?"
His response was a surge of warmth, his emotions in turmoil.
The other men looked on with envy.
Jin Huan, mysterious and captivatingly beautiful, seemed to effortlessly command love.
Ji Yan, completely smitten, would gladly do anything for her. "I have snacks in my bag; are you hungry?"
Despite not needing food, Jin Huan would partake to blend in, always accepting the offered food with a gentle "Yes."
Though she found the modern snacks and wrappers intriguing, they puzzled her; the words and scripts were so different from what she remembered.
She particularly enjoyed a spicy snack, unsure of its pronunciation but daring to guess, "Is this good, Ji Yan?"
Ji Yan, realizing she might not recognize simplified characters, carefully affirmed her, adapting to her needs.
As they approached the edge of the mountain range, Jin Huan lamented the looming desert heat, prompting Ji Yan to craft a makeshift sunshade from branches and leaves.
With the expanse of the desert ahead, the entire group felt a profound relief at having survived the ordeal, their emotions overwhelming.
As they finally emerged from the mountains, luxury cars awaited them, a stark contrast to the rustic ordeal they had endured.
Ji Yan, ever attentive, ensured Jin Huan's comfort as they prepared to reenter the world, her presence leaving a lasting impression on everyone, her grace and mystique undiminished by time.
In the end, Jin Huan's mere presence, her subtle charms, seemed to effortlessly captivate those around her, leaving a trail of enchanted onlookers in her serene wake.