Chapter 199: Chapter 199: Self challenge -28

Qing Li continued to lead the way through the forest while her eyes scanned the surroundings with practiced vigilance as she thought how pathetic his lie was.

At the same time,

Bai Lung walked beside her and his movements were fluid and confident while being soundless.

The forest was dense, the air filled with the scent of pine and damp earth.

“Tell me, Lady Qing,” Bai Lung said, his voice low and measured trying to keep the conversation going.

“How did you come to be afflicted by this disease? It’s not something one encounters every day, did you have a fight with someone else? ”

Qing Li glanced at him, her eyes narrowing slightly.

She weighed her response carefully not to talk about the curse.

“It was a mission… A sect mission that went wrong,” she said,

“An encounter with a forbidden artifact… The details are not important,” she added.

Bai Lung nodded thoughtfully. “Forbidden artifacts often carry a heavy price. I understand your caution,”

If she wants to hide it, he better not ask more. He thought. After all, what he cares about isn’t that ‘weapon’ but some other ‘weapon’.

Qing Li’s expression softened momentarily with a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes before her stoic mask returned, unable to fathom on what way did he took her remake. But well, it mattered not.

” Um! It’s a price I’ve paid for too long. That’s why I’m willing to take this risk with you, a stranger, ” She added.

—

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the terrain became more challenging with the roar of monsters echoing throughout the forest

Needless to say, the power of roar was way powerful than the tiger that Bai Lung faced beforehand.

It wasn’t called a forbidden forest for no reason.

With the roar, there was silence.

The silence between them was comfortable, each lost in their own thoughts.

After a while, Qing Li spoke again, “We are nearing a place where the soul-strengthening stones can be found. It’s an ancient burial ground, and we must tread carefully… I heard they were all slaughtered by ‘Nameless sword of void manipulation,’

Bai Lung nodded his head, it seemed the void emperor was really something not to mention the Nameless sword that could even hunt immortals.

( This is immortal land – level 3 world, check AX chapter )

…

” Umm! I have heard of such places. They’re often guarded by powerful spirits, ”

“Indeed,” She agreed. “But with our skills, we should be able to handle any challenges that arise.”

They reached a clearing where ancient stones jutted out of the ground, covered in moss and lichen.

The air was thick with an eerie energy… Something felt creepy and weird.

Bai Lung knelt and placed his hand on one of the stones, closing his eyes as he channeled his qi.

Fwoosh~

Qing Li watched him closely, noting the faint glow that emanated from his hand. ‘He’s not just a scholar. His control over qi is remarkable… The Aura is powerful, probably an emperor aura, even greater than mine, but a scholar should have a separate aura called Sage Aura, ‘ she analyzed.

“The stones are resonating with our presence,” Bai Lung said softly. “We need to align our energies to extract them without disturbing the spirits… Otherwise, things might get chaotic, ”

” Uhmm! ” Qing Li nodded and mirrored his actions, placing her hand on another stone.

They both closed their eyes, focusing their qi.

The ground beneath them trembled slightly, and a soft, golden light began to emanate from the stones.

“Now, gently lift the stone,” Bai Lung instructed like a professional tutor.

Qing Li followed his lead, and together they lifted the stones, their energies harmonizing.

The stones came free without resistance, their surfaces glowing faintly.

These were soul-strengthing stones however to fully use them, it need to be refined properly.

“These stones will be crucial for the remedy,” Bai Lung said, placing the stones into his space ring. “We have made good progress let’s collect a few more,”

Qing Li looked at him, a small smile playing on her lips. “You continue to surprise me, Bai Lung…”

Bai Lung returned her smile with a nod.

” The journey is far from over, Lady Qing. We still have ‘much’ to do… However, I believe instead of talking, it’s better to collect the stones,”

Le, Qing Li: “…”

She quietly nodded her head and began to collect a few more.

‘He’s a mystery,’ she thought, glancing at him again. ‘But perhaps he’s the answer to my disease, ‘ she added as she didn’t care much about the ‘Taboo’ method.

She was really interested in Bai Lung’s secret, she was wondering what exactly was he hiding.

Nonetheless, it was for her to find out instead of asking it upfront.

…

Bai Lung’s lips curved into a slight smile as he watched Qing Li carefully collect the remaining stones. Her brow furrowed in concentration, a stray lock of hair falling across her face.

He fought the urge to reach out and tuck it behind her ear and took that juicy lips, her scent was too much… He had a strong urge.

If she wasn’t strong, he would have grabbed her and slammed his thing right away.

Keeping all this in his heart,

“Excellent work, Lady Qing,” he praised with his voice low and smooth. “With these, we shall be one step closer to your recovery,”

Turning his gaze to the surrounding forest, his expression grew more serious.

“However, the true challenge might be the Huyan Plant and soul-reforming flower reside deep within the heart of the Forbidden Mountains, guarded by treacherous terrain and formidable beasts.”

At the moment, they were on the left side of the forbidden forest, where the grave lay.

Huuuu!

Huuuuu!

“Who dares court death by ruining the time of this immortal one? ”

A loud voice echoed through the forest like a rumble of thunder, causing the birds and incest to fly away.

The aura of the voice was very powerful instantly making Bai Lung go numb and senseless.

” oh! No! This is immortal… ” Qing Li clenched her jade while goosebumps occurred on her body knowing that, they had angered the immortal.

But to her horror, she wasn’t teleported back to her sect.