Chapter 113: Leaving the Underground

After having understood everything necessary, they bid farewell to Yi Sha Leshi and Xin Yixue. Taking Xiaoying and Tianming with them, they quickly returned to the surface. The sensation of solid ground beneath their feet made them both breathe in deeply, savoring the fresh air.

This time, the exit was not in the town but emerged from a clear lake, atop which a roaring waterfall cascaded down. Surrounding the waterfall were majestic, verdant mountains, shrouded in mist that veiled the landscape beyond. Only in the center of the lake, aligned directly with a towering peak, was there a narrow cave just large enough for one person to pass through.

Outside, a beam of dazzling sunlight pierced through, illuminating the center of the lake—undoubtedly the exit.

“Brother Kuang, do you know where this place is?” Tianming asked after swimming to a moss-covered boulder, carefully settling Xiaoying on his back before turning to him.

“This is the Cloud Mist Valley. It borders Blackwater Town. You can enter through the cave in the highest peak. In a little while, little brother, you’ll find yourself back in Blackwater Town,” Kuang Zhen replied, pausing on the lake’s surface and pointing towards one of the towering peaks.

“Thank you for your explanation, Brother Kuang!” Tianming said gratefully, bowing slightly.

“Nonsense. It was we who wronged you earlier. Now that everything is clear, please forgive us, little brother... From here on, I won’t accompany you further. The path ahead is simple; I believe you can make it out on your own.”

Kuang Zhen shook his head calmly, as if sensing the doubts in Tianming’s heart, and answered before he could speak.

“That’s good to hear. But Brother Kuang, are you really not coming with us? I’m not asking for anything else, just that since we don’t know when we’ll meet again, I hope you might grace us with a meal and a drink. Let’s become friends...” Tianming’s heart was comforted as he looked up, continuing to ask.

“Sorry! It’s not that I don’t want to, but my status makes me cautious about being discovered by those with ill intent. As you saw earlier, I only dared to appear under disguise, and I cannot act recklessly, or I would invite unnecessary trouble,” Kuang Zhen said seriously, waving his hand to refuse.

“Oh, what nonsense! It’s no big deal; Brother Kuang needn’t worry. I’ll just say you’re my personal bodyguard—no one would dare cause trouble. Besides, it’s only a small gathering. I’m sure no one is that unreasonable,” Tianming said confidently, smiling.

“Yes, Brother Kuang, you must agree! My master rarely invites anyone,” Xiaoying chimed in eagerly, her eyes bright with anticipation.

At that moment, having long since awakened underground, Xiaoying’s hopeful gaze fell upon the white-robed man swimming in the water. Seeing Tianming’s earnest invitation, she readily supported it.

“Very well, since you are so warmly inviting, refusing again would seem ungracious!” Kuang Zhen stopped his thought of swimming back. Noticing the sincere emotion in Xiaoying’s shining eyes, he felt increasingly uneasy under their gaze. Resolute, he finally agreed.

“So, Brother Kuang has agreed. Shall we set off for Blackwater Town immediately?” Tianming asked joyfully, nodding.

With a bow, Kuang Zhen did not reply further. Instead, he harnessed the energy of heaven and earth to evaporate the moisture, then summoned a cold ice sword with his aura. Mounting the sword, he flew toward the cave in the highest peak.

“Xiaoying, hold tight,” Tianming instructed, also floating on his sword with energy. After a reminder, he stepped onto it.

Although Tianming admired Kuang Zhen’s cultivation, this was no time for astonishment. In the blink of an eye, Kuang Zhen had begun to fade into the ethereal mist. Naturally, Tianming would not lag behind.

Humming softly, Xiaoying nodded with a mixture of anticipation and fear. She carefully gripped Tianming’s waist, whispering, “Brother, fly slower!”

“Hahaha, don’t worry! There’s nothing to fear. When you reach this realm, Xiaoying, you’ll be flying like this too,” Tianming laughed heartily. Then, he transformed into a streak of light, soaring into the sky above the mossy boulder.

With the swift flight, wild winds howled around them. Feeling the fierce breeze and Xiaoying’s presence behind him, Tianming closed his eyes, relishing the natural massage of the wind.

But unlike Tianming’s carefree ease, Xiaoying was too frightened even to open her eyes, trembling as she clung tightly to his waist, as if afraid of falling at any moment—quite awkward indeed.

“Though the heights are bitterly cold, the view up here is truly rare and magnificent. Xiaoying, don’t you want to take a look now? You won’t have this chance later!” Tianming opened his eyes with a smile, sensing something before speaking earnestly.

“Really?” After a moment’s hesitation, a glimmer of light appeared in Xiaoying’s eyes.

“Of course! Would I lie to my own little sister?” Tianming smiled again, patting his chest with sincerity. “Flying isn’t so mysterious. Just relax and steady your mind. Believe in yourself...”

“Wow, I see it!” Hearing these words, Xiaoying gradually steadied herself. At last, she could stand upright on the sword, her shining eyes scanning the misty mountain ranges. Though she still held Tianming’s waist, it was a vast improvement.

“Not bad, not bad! Our Xiaoying is clever—she learned it so quickly,” Tianming praised, giving her a thumbs-up.

“It’s all thanks to you, Brother!” Xiaoying lowered her head, her heart pounding with warmth. This was the first time she had felt so close to Chu Yun, who had previously treated her merely as a servant.

“Brother Chu, such fine spirits you have!” Suddenly, a deep resonant voice echoed from ahead. Tianming scratched his head awkwardly, smiling sheepishly upon seeing the dark-robed figure at the cave entrance.