Under a millennia-old tree.
One thin root after another hung down, intertwining to form a fan that gently fanned the air.
On the shadowy grass, An Chen was listening to Xiao Qing's doubts when he suddenly felt a bit cooler, without realizing that the old tree was fanning him.
After seeing this scene, Xiao Qing and Xiao Bai maintained their usual expressions, clearly accustomed to it.
"Teacher, my doubt is, when can we leave this mountain?"
The stunning woman Ye Xiao Qing looked at An Chen with gentle eyes and expressed her inner question.
This was also a doubt that had troubled her for a long time.
The young girl Ye Xiao Bai, upon hearing this, immediately rolled her eyes and muttered, "Why do we need to leave? Isn't it good to live here and always be with the teacher? Besides, the humans outside…"
Hearing the word "humans," Ye Xiao Qing's expression changed slightly, glaring at her younger sister and softly reprimanding, "Xiao Bai, mind your words!"
"Oh!"
Ye Xiao Bai clearly realized she had said something wrong, pouted, and stopped talking.
Although An Chen couldn't see Xiao Bai's expression, he understood what she was trying to convey.
So, he smiled slightly and said, "Xiao Bai's concerns are not unfounded. Once you leave this mountain, you will encounter all kinds of situations. I hope that before that day comes, you can learn a skill to earn a living."
Ye Xiao Qing's eyes lit up with curiosity, "So, one day we can all leave this mountain? When will that be?"
"Yes, you will eventually leave."
An Chen spoke with certainty.
As for when that would be, he was well aware, but he didn't say it directly.
He didn't want to put too much pressure on his lovely students.
He just wanted them to learn more skills and knowledge in the final year they had.
That way, when they left this mountain to live in the big city, they could survive well.
An Chen shook his head and smiled calmly, "You don't need to know so much right now. When the time comes, you will naturally know. That day is coming soon."
Coming soon?
Ye Xiao Qing pondered thoughtfully and nodded, knowing that if the teacher said so, then the day they left this mountain must not be far off.
So, she smiled contentedly, her lips forming a beautiful smile like the blooming peach blossoms across the mountain, "Thank you, Teacher…"
But just as she opened her mouth to express her gratitude to An Chen, her expression suddenly changed, and she raised her head to look outside the small village.
Her originally gentle gaze abruptly turned sharp as a knife, piercing through the void to see the geographical survey team hidden in the grass.
At this moment, it was just before that survey team discovered the small village.
"Sister, what's wrong?"
Ye Xiao Bai noticed her sister's face had suddenly turned extremely cold and curiously asked.
But soon, her senses also picked up that a human team was approaching the small village.
Her expression changed instantly, revealing a hint of anger, "How dare they! They actually dare to…"
"Xiao Bai!"
Ye Xiao Qing called out again, urging her sister to quickly shut up and not reveal anything in front of the teacher.
Ye Xiao Bai also understood the seriousness of the situation, immediately closing her mouth, but her face still showed a trace of worry.
Since they became An Chen's students, they had always upheld the principle of respecting their teacher.
Whether in front of An Chen or behind his back, they had never spoken a single bad word about humans.
Because they were all very afraid.
Afraid that one day, if they spoke ill of humans and the teacher heard, he wouldn't let them be students anymore.
That would be their biggest loss and regret.
At that moment, An Chen's ears perked up, sensing something unusual, and he asked, "What happened?"
Ye Xiao Qing glanced at her younger sister.
Ye Xiao Bai immediately understood and quickly shook her head, "Nothing, just a few butterflies flew by and tried to land on your shoulder, Teacher, so I scolded them…"
"I see."
An Chen relaxed with a smile, "It's just a few butterflies; it's not a big deal. My shoulder isn't that fragile; I can handle the weight of a few butterflies. Next time, if they come back, you mustn't shoo them away."
"Got it! Teacher, you said that everything has spirituality and should be treated equally~"
Ye Xiao Bai acknowledged her mistake, smiled sweetly, and took An Chen's arm, glancing at her sister.
Ye Xiao Qing lightly nodded, then tapped her forehead, instantly summoning a flow of spiritual energy, flying out over the grass, past the rice fields and rivers, and directly landing in the courtyard.
Soon, a Northeast tiger, standing upright like a fitness fanatic with bulging muscles, walked out from the courtyard.
It raised a tiger paw and caught that stream of spiritual energy.
After silently sensing for a moment, the Northeast tiger clasped its paws in a gesture of respect and bowed towards Ye Xiao Qing, indicating that it understood what to do.
Watching the Northeast tiger walk out of the courtyard and head towards the village entrance, Ye Xiao Qing finally withdrew her gaze, nodding in reassurance, no longer concerned about the survey team, and continued chatting with her teacher.
"Teacher, Xiao Qing really wants to know, what is the most beautiful scenery in your heart…"
"Hey, Teacher, I also want to know! Can you tell us, please?"
...
At the entrance of the small village.
"Ah!!!"
Professor Qin and the team members were startled by the sudden sound, all jumping in fright, unable to control their screams!
It was as if a thunderclap had suddenly erupted in an absolutely silent environment.
Moreover, that thunderous sound seemed to explode right next to their ears; it was no surprise they were terrified!
It almost scared them to the point of having their hearts race, and they were about to roll and crawl away from there.
None of them dared to look back, fearing they might see something even more terrifying and frightening.
Some of the timid female team members tightly grasped the arms of the male members, nearly digging their nails into their skin.
Meanwhile, some male team members quickly shut their eyes, while others were drenched in cold sweat, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
They truly couldn't determine what other bizarre and terrifying things might happen in such an odd village.
In the end, the vice-captain mustered his courage and shouted loudly, "Who? Who's talking? If you have the guts, come out and face us!!"
"Hehe, sure!"
A light laugh echoed.
Then, a shadow flickered and appeared right in front of this geographical survey team.
Upon hearing the commotion, Professor Qin and the team members slowly opened their eyes and looked ahead.
Upon seeing this, their eyes went wide in shock, as if they had encountered a ghost, revealing expressions of terror and fear!!
Some of the female team members, unable to suppress their fear, screamed out loud.
"Ah~~~ Mom! There's a monster!!"