"How did you get out so easily? Yesterday, Xiaoxiao and I walked for hours and still couldn't find the exit."

Standing at the edge of the Silver Spirit Forest, Qin Shu turned back to glance at the dense woods before curiously asking.

"This is a natural formation. The one who cultivated that flower used it to remain undetected."

Xie Shiyuan explained to the little thing perched on his shoulder.

If not for this formation concealing its presence, the **Heavenly Lotus** wouldn't have survived in the **Xuantian Sect's** territory for this long.

Of course, **for him**, that flower was a **priceless treasure**.

At that moment, Qin Shu noticed her **communication jade slip** vibrating furiously.

She immediately realized—**this area must have reestablished connection to the outside world.**

Taking out the jade slip, she saw **a flood of unread messages**, so many that she didn't even know where to start.

Her two senior brothers had sent **trial survival tips**.

Chi Yu had left a message **warning her** about a particularly troublesome **demonic beast**, advising her to take a detour.

But the majority of messages—**were from Hexin.**

**"Sis, I found a Shenglong Mystery Herb! This trial is like free money! I can trade it for tons of sect points!"**

**"Sis, I finally got out of the Purple Bamboo Forest! The bamboo there is alive—it whacked me so hard it hurts!"**

**"You're not gonna believe this, but I just got chased by two rabbits. Barely escaped. I'm definitely learning a movement technique after this!"**

**"Sis, why aren't you responding?"**

**"Qin Shu, where are you?"**

**"Did you run into trouble?"**

The further down she scrolled, the more **anxious** Hexin's messages became.

And finally, the most recent message:

**"Are you in the swamp? I'm coming to find you!"**

Qin Shu's **heart skipped a beat.**

That message was sent **two hours ago.**

She panicked and **hurriedly responded:**

**"Sis, I was trapped inside a formation. My jade slip was blocked. I'm fine now! Don't come over!"**

Even knowing how **dangerous** this place was, Hexin had still **rushed over without hesitation.**

Qin Shu didn't know whether to call her **loyal** or **reckless**.

Her heart warmed at the thought, but now that she had **escaped**, there was no need for Hexin to **put herself at risk.**

But just as she sent the message—**her jade slip flashed again.**

**"AHHH! HELP!!!"**

Qin Shu's **stomach dropped.**

She immediately typed back: **"Where are you? I'm coming right now!"**

**"I'm on the grasslands! Three rabbits are chasing me! Oh my god—AHHH!"**

Three... rabbits?

Qin Shu was just about to **summon her flying turtle**, but then she **paused.**

She was still **sitting on Xie Shiyuan's shoulder.**

Looking up, she found the **snake demon watching her.**

Well, not her—**but her jade slip.**

His elegant brows furrowed. **"Why... is no one talking to me on mine?"**

Qin Shu: **"..."**

She **slowly** put her flying turtle **back into her storage space**.

Clearing her throat, she **negotiated:**

**"I can teach you. Give me another ride?"**

Xie Shiyuan **picked her up by the collar**—and **dropped** her onto the ground.

**"Not interested."**

Qin Shu: **"..."**

Crossing his arms, he **looked away.**

**"You already used my cultivation power. I haven't even settled the score, and you're bargaining with me?"**

His long black hair **brushed against her arm**, tickling slightly.

She instinctively **pushed it aside**, offering a **sheepish smile** as she tried to **weasel her way out of trouble.**

**"Your inner core is in my dantian, right? When I cultivate, I'll just help restore your energy at the same time!"**

Xie Shiyuan **said nothing.**

For some reason, he **didn't argue.**

Feeling a bit guilty, Qin Shu **dug into her storage bag** and pulled out the **two yellow spirit stones** she had taken from the **Frostflame Rat**.

Holding them out with both hands, she **offered them up**.

Xie Shiyuan **glanced down** at the small gifts.

His **long fingers** picked them up, turning them over once in his palm.

Then, with a **low chuckle**, he casually **tossed them back to her.**

**"Keep them for yourself. Protect my inner core."**

Before she could **say anything**, he was **already gone.**

The only thing left behind—was a **trail of falling leaves** and a **silence so deep it was unsettling.**

Qin Shu **stared** at the empty space where he had been.

His ability to **disappear at will**—**was amazing.**

_One day..._

_She'd have that level of power too!_

Shaking off her thoughts, Qin Shu **summoned her flying turtle** and followed the map coordinates to the **grasslands** where Hexin was.

The journey was **far**, and she had to **consume an entire bottle of fifty low-grade spirit pills** just to maintain her speed.

Her heart **ached** for the wasted resources.

_She was definitely going to kill two of those rabbits to make up for this loss!_

At last, she **spotted** Hexin—**sprinting** across the grasslands.

And behind her—**three massive rabbits.**

Qin Shu nearly **choked on air.**

**Those were rabbits?!**

They were **taller** than Hexin, **thicker** than a wild boar, with **blood-red eyes** and **two massive front teeth**.

If one of those things **bit** someone, it wouldn't be a wound—**it would be a chunk of missing flesh.**

Acting quickly, Qin Shu **hurled two fireballs**, drawing the rabbits' attention away.

Hexin looked up, **eyes lighting up.**

**"Qin Shu!"**

Seeing how **close** the rabbits were to catching her, Qin Shu hurriedly threw **another fireball** to slow them down.

**"We can chat later—kill the rabbits first!"**

Hexin **hadn't come unprepared**.

She had learned **a few offensive spells** before entering the trial.

**"Fire Shockwave!"** she shouted.

Qin Shu, who had been **casting silent fireballs**, nearly **flinched** from her volume.

Turning her head, she saw Hexin **unleashing a wide-range pulse of fire energy**—**like a shockwave.**

Qin Shu was **amazed.**

**That spell was so cool!**

_She had to learn it after this trial._

But...

**Why did she yell it out loud?**

Did it add **extra power** or something?

Curious, Qin Shu decided to **test it.**

Taking a deep breath, she shouted:

**"Fireball!"**

Hexin turned to **stare at her.**

For a moment, their eyes **met**, filled with mutual confusion.

Then, at the same time—

They **looked away** and **pretended nothing happened.**

With Hexin barely holding her own against **one** rabbit, and **two more** still charging forward, Qin Shu decided **it was time to get serious.**

Fireballs weren't **cutting it.**

She **drew her sword.**

**"Watch my blade!"**

After a year of **intense sword training**, she might only know **basic techniques**, but those techniques—**she had mastered.**

Jumping down from her flying turtle, she **rushed forward**.

And with **cold determination**, she declared—

**"Sis! Tonight, we're eating roast rabbit!"**

Her sword, infused with **wood element power**, slashed through the air—

Striking the first rabbit before it could react.

It let out a **piercing shriek.**