It was not until an unconscious three hours had passed that he realized he needed to pick up the pace and reach Yingzuiao before dawn.
Ma Xiaoyao began to walk, and Xue Ji, following behind him, had a hint of doubt in her eyes. She could clearly feel that Ma Xiaoyao's steps had become lighter than before, though Ma Xiaoyao himself didn't seem to notice.
Ma Xiaoyao's only feeling was that after practicing the Five Animal Frolics for half a day, he no longer felt cold, which made his journey much easier.
Winter nights were cold and long. At half past six in the morning, the sky was still pitch black, and it was at this time that Ma Xiaoyao finally arrived at Yingzuiao.
Ma Xiaoyao checked the time and was very satisfied. He had arrived more than an hour earlier than he had budgeted, as he had expected to reach here around eight o'clock.
The bottom of the cliff was dark, and he couldn't see anything. Ma Xiaoyao found a flat spot at the edge of the cliff, leaned against a large tree, and sat down.
After a night of exertion, Ma Xiaoyao was both sleepy and tired. He needed to rest for a while and wait for the sun to rise and cast its light and warmth upon the earth.
Unconsciously, Ma Xiaoyao fell asleep. If someone had passed by him at that moment, they would have woken him up, because sleeping in such cold and harsh weather was very dangerous, and one could easily fall asleep forever.
However, if the person had been observant and professional enough, they would have noticed that Ma Xiaoyao, in his sleep, not only had steady breathing but also vigorous blood circulation. Even the snowflakes that fell near him would automatically melt and evaporate.
The morning sun shone obliquely on Ma Xiaoyao's face. His long eyelashes twitched first, and then he opened his eyes.
"Haa..."
Ma Xiaoyao stretched his body and let out a long yawn.
The wind and snow had stopped by then. The ground was covered in a vast expanse of white, and the snow reflected the sunlight, making Ma Xiaoyao feel momentarily disoriented and dazzled. He quickly raised his hand to shield his eyes.
Xue Ji had been accompanying Ma Xiaoyao. Seeing that he was awake, she immediately said obediently, "Good morning, Master."
Ma Xiaoyao smiled warmly and replied, "Morning, Xue Ji."
Then he picked up his phone and shone it around. After finding the old drunkard, he politely said, "Good morning, sir!"
Ever since Ma Xiaoyao learned the Five Animal Frolics, his attitude towards the old drunkard had improved a lot, or perhaps it was respect. After all, as the old drunkard had said, the 'Five Animal Frolics' was indeed a treasure.
The old drunkard was listlessly holding his wine gourd. As soon as he saw Ma Xiaoyao wake up, he immediately perked up.
"Ah, boy, you're finally awake. Hurry up and fulfill your promise! I can feel that the Yingzuiguo is down there!" the old drunkard said, pointing to the bottom of the cliff.
"Okay, I'll go down now," Ma Xiaoyao replied. He was a man of his word.
But when he walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down, he immediately transformed into an artist of retreat.
His heart was screaming: This is too damn high, too damn scary! Can I just quit?
Something is always simpler to think about than to do. So, when Ma Xiaoyao conceived how to climb the cliff, reach the eagle's nest, and finally pick the Yingzuiguo, he thought it was very simple.
But when he personally saw how high and steep the cliff was, all his plans were instantly thrown to the winds.
A cliff hundreds of meters high. If someone were standing below, they would look as small as an ant from above.
Moreover, there was a large river at the bottom of the cliff. The river water had frozen over into a thick, hard ice surface. If he fell, his brains would definitely be smashed out.
It was too dangerous. Ma Xiaoyao gasped and took several steps back, his heart pounding uncontrollably.
Before Ma Xiaoyao could speak, the old drunkard preempted him, "What, scared already?"
"I..." Ma Xiaoyao's first reaction was to retort, but the old drunkard was right, and he couldn't refute it.
"Heh heh." The old drunkard showed disdain. "If you're scared, then give up. If you only have this much courage, you're not worthy of commanding the Hundred Ghosts. Give up early and just be a normal person."
Ma Xiaoyao's face flushed red, and his breathing became rough. It was the shame of his own incompetence being mercilessly exposed by someone else.
At this moment, Ma Xiaoyao had nothing but embarrassment and anger.
For some reason, Ma Xiaoyao suddenly heard the mocking voices of his classmates in his ears, so real and piercing.
"Master..." Xue Ji hesitated, but Ma Xiaoyao could clearly feel her disappointment in him.
"I..." Ma Xiaoyao lowered his head and clenched his fists tightly.
To be a normal person honestly? To live a mediocre life forever, acting subserviently and living at the mercy of others.
"No!" Ma Xiaoyao roared. This was not the life he wanted.
Since this was not the life he wanted, and now heaven had given him another chance to change himself, why should he give up?
After thinking it through, Ma Xiaoyao suddenly looked up, a sharp glint in his eyes. He gritted his teeth and said, "I'm not afraid. You wait, I'll go pick the Yingzuiguo for you right now!"
With that, Ma Xiaoyao returned to the edge of the cliff, took a deep breath, and looked down.
The fear was still there, and it hadn't diminished at all, but the burning desire in Ma Xiaoyao's heart now far outweighed his fear.
What was this desire specifically? The sixteen-year-old Ma Xiaoyao couldn't give a perfect explanation. He only knew that he didn't want to live a life of perpetual mediocrity and humility.
Many unfamiliar long vines grew on the cliff. Although it was deep winter, the vines had not completely withered. In some places, green could still be seen, indicating their vigorous vitality.
Ma Xiaoyao's idea was to climb down little by little along the vines. These vines were strong enough and grew out of the cracks in the cliff rocks. They could easily bear Ma Xiaoyao's weight of over 120 jin.
Ma Xiaoyao selected a vine, squatted down, and pulled it hard. Then he nodded. This was the one.
"Master!" Xue Ji's delicate voice came from behind Ma Xiaoyao.
Ma Xiaoyao looked up and saw Xue Ji raising her small, clenched fist. He knew exactly what she was about to say.
"Well, go for it!"
They said it in unison.