"Yun Ting ge, how much further to the valley you mentioned?" Qi Miaomiao asked as she drank water.
Wan Yunting also took out biscuits and offered them to Chen Qiuyun, who sat beside him silently. However, she gently waved her hand, indicating she didn't want any. Wan Yunting didn't mind and passed the biscuits to Zheng Rong. She then smiled and thanked him.
Wan Yunting turned his head and said to Qi Miaomiao, "At our current pace, it will take us at least until tomorrow afternoon to reach that valley."
"Ah, so long?" Qi Miaomiao complained upon hearing the distance.
Wan Yunting rolled his eyes at her speechlessly and said, "If you find it too far, you can turn back now. Your phone still has signal, and I can have Dachun drive back to pick you up and take you to the sect."
"No, I'm not going back."
Qi Miaomiao glared at Wan Yunting defiantly with her almond-shaped eyes, then pointed at Chen Qiuyun and pouted, "She can endure it, so I can too."
Wan Yunting's expression faltered. He turned to look at Chen Qiuyun sitting beside him. At this moment, Lu Xiaodie chuckled and said, "Brother Wan, aren't you going to introduce us to this elder sister?"
Immediately, Gu Luotang, Duan Yingying, Qi Miaomiao, and Zheng Rong all looked towards Chen Qiuyun, who sat quietly by the side with a poker face. Wan Yunting's expression became a little unnatural. He turned to Chen Qiuyun and asked, "Sister Qiuyun, can you tell us?"
Chen Qiuyun glanced at him indifferently with her phoenix eyes and said calmly, "There's nothing I can't talk about."
After receiving her permission, Wan Yunting nodded and said to Lu Xiaodie and the others, "Sister Qiuyun's story is a bit complicated, so I won't go into too much detail. I brought her here this time because I want her to learn a skill!"
"What skill?" Duan Yingying asked.
"Charm skill!"
Wan Yunting said with a smile.
"Charm skill?"
Qi Miaomiao's eyes widened. Gu Luotang and Zheng Rong were also puzzled. Only Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong knew and exclaimed in surprise, "You mean the legendary charm skill that can make men dote on women with just a glance?"
"That's right."
Wan Yunting nodded and pointed at Chen Qiuyun, smiling, "Because Sister Qiuyun was born with a charming physique, she is very suitable for learning charm skills. Fortunately, the Carefree Sect has a martial art related to charm skills, so I brought her along."
Zheng Rong asked, "So, is she going to join our Carefree Sect now?"
Wan Yunting turned to look at Chen Qiuyun, who said expressionlessly, "I'll listen to you."
With her agreement, Wan Yunting then smiled and nodded at Lu Xiaodie and the others, "Aren't you going to welcome Sister Qiuyun to the Carefree Sect?"
"Welcome..."
Lu Xiaodie, Zheng Rong, and Gu Luotang all applauded. Only Duan Yingying didn't clap. Qi Miaomiao looked jealous and clapped half-heartedly before muttering to herself, "Brother Yunting is so biased. He's willing to teach her charm skills but not me..."
Hearing her mutter, Wan Yunting rolled his eyes at her speechlessly and said, "Miaomiao, I'm not trying to discourage you, but with your bone structure, you're not cut out for martial arts."
"Besides, Sister Qiuyun was born with a charming physique, which is why she's suitable for charm skills. Ordinary people who learn it won't be able to reach the peak of charm skills, understand?"
Seeing that he was discouraging her again, Qi Miaomiao pouted and said unhappily, "I don't understand."
"Miaomiao..."
Gu Luotang quickly stopped Qi Miaomiao from causing trouble. Wan Yunting felt he had been a bit too harsh and decided to stop discouraging her. He stood up and said with a smile, "We've rested enough. Let's continue our journey."
"Okay..."
Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong got up. Wan Yunting picked up his backpack and put it on Chen Qiuyun. Then he picked up Qi Miaomiao's backpack, but the stubborn girl huffed, "I'll do it myself..."
Wan Yunting rolled his eyes speechlessly but still helped her put on the heavy backpack. He couldn't help but pinch Qi Miaomiao's soft, chubby, and cute cheek and said with a smile, "I'm sorry, Miaomiao. You're the best, okay?"
Seeing his apology, Qi Miaomiao seemed unimpressed and huffed, "A perfunctory apology, I don't accept it."
"Hehe..."
Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong couldn't help but laugh.
"Fine, if you don't accept it."
Wan Yunting couldn't be bothered to bicker with the girl anymore. He put on his own backpack, carried two large suitcases, and led the six women deeper into the forest...
Wan Yunting had the location of the valley in the Kunlun Mountains firmly etched in his mind, so he followed the Kunlun Mountains map precisely in the direction of the valley...
Meanwhile, on the other side, deep within Mount E'yue outside Seoul, South Korea, was the headquarters of the Heavenly Eye Main God Cult.
In the grand hall, the Main God, wearing a black robe, a mask, and with long white hair cascading down, was seated on the throne. Below him stood his adopted son Zhang Jian, adopted daughter Leng Bing, adopted son Han Dongri, and adopted son Feng Xian.
The outer sect leader Che Taimin was also present, along with many stewards of the church. The Main God asked in a low voice, "Where is that kid Wan Yunting now?"
Han Dongri stepped forward and replied, "Reporting to adopted father, we just received news from China that Wan Yunting has entered the Kunlun Mountains!"
"Kunlun Mountains?"
The Main God's sharp eyes narrowed beneath his mask. Han Dongri nodded and said, "As for why he entered the Kunlun Mountains and what he's doing, we don't know!"
Adopted son Feng Xian stepped forward and said, "Adopted father, why don't we take advantage of their entry into the Kunlun Mountains to sneak into China and go to the Kunlun Mountains to capture that kid?"
The eldest disciple, Zhang Jian, holding a long sword, said expressionlessly, "The Kunlun Mountains are so vast. If you don't know where he's going, how can you go in and capture him?"
His words left Feng Xian speechless. The Main God on the throne waved his hand and said, "Let's not worry about Wan Yunting for now. Zhang Jian, Leng Bing, next month is the China Martial Arts Convention. How are your preparations?"
Zhang Jian and Leng Bing stepped forward, bowed, and replied, "Reporting to adopted father, we are ready and will infiltrate China next month."
The Main God nodded and said, "The Martial Arts Convention is the largest gathering of the major martial arts sects in China. When you enter China, regardless of the means, you must disrupt the Martial Arts Convention and prevent the major sects from uniting. Do you understand?"
"Understood."
Zhang Jian and Leng Bing nodded.
Han Dongri said, "Adopted father, I believe Wan Yunting might also participate in the Martial Arts Convention at that time, and he might even unite the major sects of China to fight against our Heavenly Eye Main God Cult!"
The Main God glanced at Han Dongri and nodded in agreement with his assessment. He then said to Zhang Jian and Leng Bing, "If Wan Yunting appears at the Martial Arts Convention, you must find a way to prevent him from uniting the sects, understand?"
"Yes..."
Zhang Jian and Leng Bing nodded, knowing what they needed to do.
Then, the Main God's sharp eyes beneath his mask gleamed, and he raised his voice, saying, "You must bring back the Thirteen Needles of Ghost Gate. As long as I can open my Heavenly Eye and cultivate divine powers, it will be the day I set foot in China!"
"Long live the Main God..."
Everyone in the grand hall shouted in unison...
In the blink of an eye, it was six o'clock in the afternoon. In the dense forests of the vast Kunlun Mountains, the temperature at night plummeted to minus ten degrees Celsius, and the sky grew dim...
"Sister Zheng, give me that skeleton..."
At this moment, Wan Yunting was setting up a tent on a flat piece of ground. Zheng Rong, Lu Xiaodie, Gu Luotang, Qi Miaomiao, Duan Yingying, and Chen Qiuyun were all helping out. After all, none of them had ever set up a tent before, so they had to rely on the men.
With everyone's efforts, it took an hour to set up three tents. Each tent could only accommodate two people. Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong naturally shared one tent, Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao shared another, and the remaining two were Duan Yingying and Chen Qiuyun.
"Then, Brother Yunting, aren't you sleeping?"
Gu Luotang was still worried about the man. At this moment, Wan Yunting was making a fire to prepare dinner for them. He shook his head and smiled, "I don't need to sleep. I'll keep watch outside for you tonight. If I'm tired, I'll meditate and rest. It's fine."
Lu Xiaodie smiled and said, "It's okay. In the latter half of the night, Sister Zheng and I will take turns helping you with the watch, so you can sleep in the tent."
"Mhm." Zheng Rong also smiled and nodded, thinking it was the best arrangement.
Wan Yunting smiled and nodded, then handed the outdoor cooking utensils to Chen Qiuyun and said with a smile, "Sister Qiuyun, can you handle these?"
Chen Qiuyun's expression remained impassive, giving off an aloof and unapproachable vibe. She took the cooking utensils and said, "No problem."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Wan Yunting smiled and gestured for her to sit on the stone he was sitting on and began to take out the ingredients he had brought, such as dried vegetables that only needed hot water to become vegetable soup, as well as plenty of dried beef, cured meat, instant noodles, and so on...
After all, they were not going on a camping trip for just one or two days. They could bring other foods, but this was a month-long closed-door cultivation in the valley, so they could only bring these preservable foods.
"Wow, this soup is so delicious..."
"Is this cured meat rice?"
As Chen Qiuyun lifted the lid of the pot, a rich aroma of cured meat wafted out, making Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong's eyes widen. Although they hadn't tasted it yet, they could tell it would be delicious and couldn't help but praise Chen Qiuyun, "Sister Qiuyun, I didn't expect your cooking skills to be so good. We're in for a treat."
Wan Yunting, who had been adding firewood to the fire, smiled proudly and said, "Do you know why I insisted on bringing her along?"
Lu Xiaodie, Zheng Rong, and Gu Luotang laughed. It turned out that the man was worried they wouldn't know how to cook, so he brought Chen Qiuyun to cook for everyone.
"Brother Wan, actually I can cook," Lu Xiaodie said with a smile, giving Wan Yunting a playful glare. She was eating a bowl of cured meat rice. "But Sister Qiuyun's skills are even better than mine..."
Chen Qiuyun, who was quietly sitting by the side preparing food for everyone, remained expressionless. She didn't seem bothered by the man's words or flattered by Lu Xiaodie's compliments. She was unique and gave off an unapproachable aura.
Seeing this, Lu Xiaodie decided to stop talking and didn't try to praise Chen Qiuyun any further. Since the other woman wasn't responding, there was no point in trying to curry favor.
Wan Yunting also noticed this issue, but he understood Chen Qiuyun's thoughts. He could only signal Lu Xiaodie with his eyes and then change the subject. Everyone ate dinner and chatted...
"Why is there no signal on my phone?" Qi Miaomiao wanted to play with her phone after dinner but found there was no signal.
Wan Yunting smiled and said, "It's normal. It means we've entered the deep mountains."
"Alright."
Qi Miaomiao pouted. Seeing that it was still early, she asked, "Then what should we do now? Just sit here and stare blankly?"
"Sleep, what else can we do?"
Wan Yunting rolled his eyes at the girl. She was the only one who caused trouble. He pointed at Chen Qiuyun, who had already returned to her tent to rest, and said, "Learn from her. She's so quiet."
When Qi Miaomiao saw that he was picking on her again, she couldn't help but get angry. She playfully hit Wan Yunting's shoulder with her small hand and said, "Brother Yunting, you're so annoying. You compare me to her. Do you think I don't understand anything or can't do anything in your eyes?"
Wan Yunting glanced at her and teased, "It seems our Miaomiao has some self-awareness."
"Ah, I'm going to bite you..."
Angry, Qi Miaomiao pounced on him, perching on his back and opening her mouth to bite his shoulder. In pain, Wan Yunting quickly twisted his shoulder and pulled her away, "You little brat, are you a dog? You're actually biting me..."
"Hmph, I'm biting you. You say so much about me every day, I'm angry."
With that said, Qi Miaomiao glared at him with her almond eyes, pouted, and turned to go back to the tent.
"Brother Yunting, you're just bullying her." Gu Luotang watched the bickering pair, unsure of whose side to take.
"It's fine, she won't be genuinely angry. At worst, I'll buy her a few more beautiful Hanfu later, and she won't be angry anymore." Wan Yunting said with a smile, knowing that Qi Miaomiao was a straightforward girl and not truly angry.
Lu Xiaodie sat closer and pointed at Chen Qiuyun, who was already in the tent. "But Brother Wan, your Sister Qiuyun is not easy to get along with!"
Zheng Rong, Gu Luotang, and Duan Yingying also sat closer to Wan Yunting. The girl slanted her almond-shaped eyes at the man, as if wanting to question, "Tell me, have you already...?"