Outside the cave, the three people who had just escaped danger all shivered in unison.
Qin Lin leaned against the damp, slippery stone wall, his face still somewhat pale.
Han Chen leaned under a tree, his chest heaving, his forehead hair soaked with cold sweat and sticking to his temples.
The feeling of collapse after surviving a disaster only now surged up like a tide.
They almost bit it.
Almost bit it in this godforsaken place.
That white and blue sword, like an aurora tearing through the night, burst into the cave at the critical moment.
Without any earth-shattering commotion, the blade just trembled slightly, and a chill so piercing it reached the marrow swept through the entire space.
The next moment, those Demonic Vines that had been dancing ferociously and seemed endless were instantly covered in crystalline Frost Radiances, then turned into ice powder with a "shasha" sound in the silence.
Absolute suppression.
Even a Great Demon two or three grades higher would likely suffer the same fate.
Han Chen swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing.
Such great power, it could probably only be that Elder Yan!
He took a deep breath, forced himself to stand straight, and turned to Sang Linger, who had been standing silently nearby, his face no longer showing his previous casualness or attempt to curry favor.
In its place was a solemnity bordering on awe.
He cupped his fists and bowed, his voice slightly raspy from lingering fear:
"Junior Sister Sang... I was presumptuous and rude before, I was blind, I hope Junior Sister can be magnanimous. This life-saving grace, Han will remember it in his heart."
Qin Lin also walked over silently, likewise cupping his fists in a salute, his movements meticulous, and his cold face showed a bit more sincerity:
"Thank you. If not for Junior Sister, we might have already become fertilizer for that Demonic Flower."
"I will remember this life-saving grace. If you encounter difficulties in the future, I will take action once."
Qin Lin's expression was serious, as if he were making some Great Dao Oath.
Han Chen stared blankly at Qin Lin.
Previously, he thought he was just cold and taciturn, but he didn't expect him to be so amazing once he spoke.
Her Master is Elder Yan, does she need you to take action?
Sang Linger just waved her hand:
"Between fellow Disciples, there is no need for thanks.However, after this incident, you should know to be cautious when things happen. Do not be arrogant or have too high an eye; even if the Sect has cleared the area, you must not let your guard down."
Sang Linger was slightly shorter than the two of them.
Yet her tone was quite mature.
Although that Demonic Flower was only Grade 3, barely having the strength of the Late Stage Foundation Establishment.
But its Innate abilities were strange; one could really suffer a big loss if not careful.
The two nodded, their faces flushing as they remembered their "no one is better than me" attitude along the way.
After Sang Linger finished speaking, her gaze fell, looking at the Jade Talisman fragments on the ground that had turned into ordinary pieces.
They were crushed very finely, showing how much force was used at the time, or perhaps, how much he wanted to escape this place immediately.
That Mortal.
After crushing the Jade Talisman, he probably ran off without a trace?
It really fit the cowardice he showed along the way.
She scoffed in her heart, yet a trace of an extremely complex emotion she hadn't even noticed herself surfaced.
"This time, it's also thanks to that Mortal guide," Qin Lin suddenly spoke, breaking the brief silence, looking at Sang Linger and Han Chen.
"Without his risk in throwing the knife and fetching the Jade Talisman, even if we waited for rescue, we might have..."
Han Chen rarely didn't argue, just silently nodded, his face looking a bit ugly.
Having one's life saved by a Mortal one viewed as an ant didn't feel good.
Just then, a slightly hurried streak of light broke through the night and landed on the open ground in front of the cave.
The light faded, revealing Xue Sheng's somewhat nervous yet slightly relieved face.
The spiritual light of the Flying Sword beneath his feet was dim, clearly having rushed all the way here desperately.
"You three! Are you alright?" Xue Sheng stepped forward quickly, his gaze scanning the three. Seeing that although they were in a mess, there was no life-threatening danger, he finally let out a long sigh of relief.
God knows how panicked he was when he sensed the trial Jade Talisman shatter.
Which of these Disciples coming for the trial didn't have a big shot from the Sect standing behind them?
If something happened in his jurisdiction, even if only one was injured, he wouldn't be able to handle the consequences.
"Thank you for your concern, Deacon Xue, we are fine," Han Chen adjusted his emotions and replied on their behalf.
"This accident was entirely resolved thanks to the timely assistance of Junior Sister Sang's Sect elder."
He deliberately emphasized "Sect elder," pointing out the key.
Hearing this, Xue Sheng's gaze involuntarily drifted toward Sang Linger.
Although he hadn't seen the aftermath of that heaven-shaking sword strike personally, the residual icy Sword Intent still lingered at the cave entrance, making his heart tremble.
It's likely their Master was also nearby.
This is for fear of something happening to her precious Disciple!
Qin Lin remembered something and asked Xue Sheng:
"Deacon Xue, what is the name of the Mortal who led us into the mountain? Where does he live in the town? He also has merit this time, I want to express my thanks slightly."
Xue Sheng was stunned, a flash of embarrassment on his face.
Why would he bother to remember the name of an ordinary Herb Gatherer?
"This... after I return to town, I will certainly investigate clearly and then report to the three of you," Xue Sheng replied with a forced smile, being vague.
"His name is Jiang Xun."
A cold voice sounded.
Sang Linger had walked to the side at some point, looking at the dark path they came from. Hearing this, she turned her head and calmly stated the name.
Qin Lin gave her a somewhat surprised look, nodded, and said to Xue Sheng: "Then I'll trouble Deacon Xue. Once you find this person, be sure to inform us."
"Yes, yes, definitely," Xue Sheng quickly agreed.
"Deacon Xue," Sang Linger withdrew her gaze and looked at Xue Sheng, "There are still six days left in the trial period.
The mountains are inconvenient tonight. Can we follow you back to town to rest first and make plans tomorrow?"
Xue Sheng was overjoyed to hear this; it was exactly what he wanted.
With him personally watching over them, it was much safer than letting these three ancestors run wild in the mountains again.
"Fairy is absolutely right! The mountains are indeed inconvenient at night. Please follow Xue to the Deacons Office to settle in. All needs will certainly be provided."
Han Chen and Qin Lin naturally had no objections.
But before Sang Linger turned to leave with Xue Sheng, she couldn't help but glance back into the depths of the mountain forest.
That guy... he should have gone back by now, right?
...In another quiet corner of the mountain forest.
Jiang Xun sat on the ground leaning against a cold boulder, his face looking like he wanted to cry but had no tears.
Something was hanging from his neck.
It was a girl who looked only three or four years old, exquisitely carved, so delicate she didn't look like a real person.
Her skin was as white and delicate as snow, her soft, silken silver hair was draped down, the ends shimmering with a faint icy blue glow.
Most striking were those eyes, large and round, with pupils of extremely pure and transparent ice blue, like two of the finest sapphires.
At this moment, she was staring at Jiang Xun without blinking, full of attachment.
She wore a small satin dress that also shimmered with white and blue light, and her small feet were equally snow-white and bare.
She was affectionately wrapping her short arms around Jiang Xun's neck.
The whole little person was almost hanging on him, her soft little face occasionally rubbing against the crook of his neck.
Then, in a soft, cloyingly sweet child's voice, she called out one after another:
"Daddy!"
"Daddy!"
"Daddy, hold me!"
Jiang Xun: "..."
He felt that a part of his brain might still be left on that tree from earlier.
So much so that he couldn't quite wrap his head around things now.
Frost Radiance... Sword Spirit?
In the game, "frost radiance" was just a high-stat piece of equipment, without a Soul or consciousness.
How did a Sword Spirit suddenly pop out?
It was mentioned in the game description that Sword Spirits are exceptionally rare, born from the resonance of Innate Sword Intent and special Opportunities, and are by no means comparable to Acquired man-made Artifact Spirits.
Most importantly, the appearance of this Sword Spirit!
Jiang Xun became more panicked the more he looked.
These eyebrows, this bridge of the nose, this cold yet slightly childish outline... it was a dead ringer for a tenfold miniaturization of the one in his memory from the game's character art... Yan Qingning!?
Was it because "frost radiance" had been nurtured by Yan Qingning's side for too long, influenced day and night by her Sword Intent and aura, that the Sword Spirit it gave birth to subconsciously took on her appearance?
This deduction made the hairs on Jiang Xun's back stand up.
He didn't want to have any relationship beyond "stranger" with that Immortal Venerable Han Yao, Grand Elder, and Void Tempering big shot at all!
He forced himself to calm down, squeezed out a bit of a smile, and tried to communicate with the little thing on his neck.
"Uh... Frost Radiance?" His voice was dry.
"Mm! Daddy!" The little Sword Spirit immediately looked up, her icy blue eyes sparkling with joy.
"You... why do you call me Daddy?" Jiang Xun tried to make his tone sound confused and harmless.
Although he forged the spirit sword, she shouldn't have seen him before!
Frost Radiance tilted her little head, seemingly thinking the question was very strange, and answered matter-of-factly:
"Daddy is Daddy! When Frost Radiance was still inside the sword, I remembered Daddy's face! It has always been Daddy's face!"
She pointed her small finger at Jiang Xun's face, then hugged him tightly again, "Now that I've seen the real Daddy! It's so good!"
Jiang Xun's heart skipped a beat.
The aura of the "creator" or "long-term holder" perceived during the Sword Spirit's gestation?
He forged "Frost Radiance" with his own hands and used it for a long time in the game.
Could it be she remembered him?
Then, because Yan Qingning held it for a long time, it fused with her characteristics?
This relationship was so messy it gave him a headache.
The priority now was to send this hot potato... no, icy potato away!
His eyes darted around, and he adopted an even more "gentle" tone, with a bit of coaxing:
"Frost Radiance is so good... but, look, you've been out for so long, won't your Master... be worried?
If she can't find you, how sad will she be?"
He continued to guide her:
"Do you want to go back and find her first? So she doesn't worry?"
As Frost Radiance listened, the smile on her little face slowly disappeared.
She blinked her large ice-blue eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering like small fans, showing a serious, thinking expression.
Her small brows furrowed slightly, seemingly really worried that her Master would be anxious.
She released one arm from around Jiang Xun's neck, unconsciously scratched her silver hair, and her small mouth pouted slightly, looking a bit troubled.
"Master... will look for Frost Radiance..."
She murmured, a hint of confusion and hesitation appearing in her ice-blue eyes. She looked at Jiang Xun, then at the direction where the spirit sword itself was quietly floating, seemingly finding it hard to choose between the two "close" existences.
Jiang Xun held his breath, secretly delighted: It's working!
However, the next moment, Frost Radiance suddenly hugged him tightly again, buried her little face in the crook of his neck, and said muffledly:
"But... Frost Radiance also wants to be with Daddy. Daddy has a scent that Frost Radiance likes..."
Jiang Xun: "..."
He felt that he was getting further and further away from his dream of "developing in secret."
And closer and closer to a potentially furious, sword-wielding Yan Qingning.
In the game, Yan Qingning was a character who was so righteous it was eerie.
She couldn't tolerate even a grain of sand in her eyes.
She had an almost obsessive pursuit of feelings.