Qing Yu finally understood why Ye Ling Yuan had sent him away earlier.
It turned out their Prince had gotten aroused... no, had fallen in love.
He couldn't blame himself for being slow-witted before, having been an unobservant wooden post.
Fortunately, it wasn't too late to make amends. He hoped the Prince wouldn't hold a grudge, or he would suffer for some time to come.
So, to salvage his image in the Prince's eyes, Qing Yu ignored Zi Lin Ling's objections. He bowed respectfully to both of them and said, "Your Highness, Madam, Young Master Mu has sent word that they did not find the divine beast Bai Hu, only its cave. They discovered some strange items inside, so they wish for Your Highness... ah, and Madam to come and take a look!"
Qing Yu's consistent address of "Your Highness, Madam" undoubtedly pleased Ye Ling Yuan. The last phrase, "so they wish for," caused Ye Ling Yuan's lips to curl into an exaggerated smile.
Ye Ling Yuan gave Qing Yu a look of approval and thought to himself: Long'er has been contracted by Lin'er, and the divine beast Bai Hu is nowhere to be found. It seems this trip will be in vain.
Fortunately, Qing Yan and the others found Bai Hu's cave.
Mu Qing Yan's discerning eye was exceptional. If even he said the items in Bai Hu's cave were strange, then they must possess something special.
Therefore, Ye Ling Yuan decided to go and see what strange things the divine beast Bai Hu had left behind.
However, he and Zi Lin Ling had just made some progress. If he were to leave Zi Lin Ling behind, this progress might all disappear, and their relationship would revert to its starting point.
The only solution was to bring Zi Lin Ling along. This was precisely why Ye Ling Yuan admired Qing Yu.
Ye Ling Yuan looked at Zi Lin Ling questioningly and said, "Lin'er, the cave of the divine beast Bai Hu, shall we go take a look together?"
Zi Lin Ling pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright! Then let's go and see!"
Seeing Zi Lin Ling's interest, Ye Ling Yuan, who had just embarked on the path of pursuing his wife, was overjoyed. He immediately instructed Qing Yu, "Prepare!"
Perhaps due to his good mood, a hint of gentleness entered Ye Ling Yuan's voice.
Qing Yu was overwhelmed with gratitude.
He could actually feel warmth in the Prince's words!
The Prince, who had never spoken with warmth, could also have such a gentle side!
This was unprecedented!
Qing Yu stood stunned, as if he had discovered something new and wondrous.
Ye Ling Yuan frowned, looking at the stunned Qing Yu, and thought to himself: Qing Yu is becoming more and more unobservant. It seems I need to bring Qing Feng back soon.
If Qing Yu knew that his moment of stunned silence had not only failed to improve his image in Ye Ling Yuan's eyes but had also sent him back to his original standing, would he want to beat himself to death?
"Aren't you going yet!"
Ye Ling Yuan called out coldly.
"Ah, yes! Your Highness!"
Qing Yu jolted back to his senses, quickly responded, and retreated.
He muttered to himself: "I'm dead! How did I become an obstruction again!"
Zi Lin Ling watched Qing Yu flee and looked at Ye Ling Yuan curiously, murmuring to herself, "This ice block isn't that terrifying after all!"
Ice block? Terrifying?
Ye Ling Yuan was taken aback. So, in Zi Lin Ling's eyes, this was his image.
The corners of his lips curved into a wicked arc. "Lin'er, are you blaming this King for not being passionate enough with you?"
Seeing the dangerous glint in his eyes, Zi Lin Ling quickly shook her head and lied, "How could I? Who said that?"
Ye Ling Yuan smiled without speaking, his dark eyes reflecting Zi Lin Ling's beautiful face.
Zi Lin Ling felt a little guilty under his gaze.
To cover her embarrassment, Zi Lin Ling looked up at the night sky and said awkwardly, "I mean this... that... um, the weather is quite hot. This temperature is just right."
"Just right?"
Ye Ling Yuan leaned in beside Zi Lin Ling, asking with a half-smile, "Really?"
Zi Lin Ling's face immediately felt as if it were roasting on a fire, red and hot.
Ye Ling Yuan couldn't help but become a little entranced. He slowly leaned closer to Zi Lin Ling, whispered in her ear, and said gently, "Is it really just right? However, this King heard someone say that this King is an ice block?"
His warm breath sprayed onto Zi Lin Ling's earlobe, making her tingle and her heart race.
Zi Lin Ling gave an awkward laugh and said, "Of course not! You must have misheard." What a lie!
He's an ice block himself, and he's still bothered by people saying it.
Ye Ling Yuan looked at Zi Lin Ling's mischievous expression and knew that she was mentally teasing him again.
He smiled wickedly and said, "Since Lin'er thinks this King is like an ice block, then I will let you feel my fervent heartbeat."
With that, he reached out and embraced Zi Lin Ling's waist, pressing her ear against his chest.
"Thump! Thump!"
The powerful heartbeat made Zi Lin Ling stiffen and then snap back to reality.
"Ye Ling Yuan, you dare use a charm on me! Watch me melt you, you ice block!"
Outside the vast valley, Zi Lin Ling's angry roar echoed.
Long'er, who was hunting with the Wind Wing Phantom Tiger, showed a flicker of surprise on his face, then anxiously said, "Little Tiger, let's go back quickly!"
Qing Yu, who was enjoying the cool breeze in the distance, looked towards the direction of the sound, clasped his hands together, and muttered, "Your Highness, you must try your best. To avoid being in your way, your subordinate is also giving it his all! Speaking of which, the nights in the Misty Forest are really quite cold."
By the time Long'er and the Wind Wing Phantom Tiger arrived at the valley entrance in a hurry, they found a layer of burnt ash scattered on the ground.
Zi Lin Ling glared fiercely at Ye Ling Yuan, found a clean spot to sit down, closed her eyes, and began to recover her spiritual power.
Ye Ling Yuan, however, was completely unruffled. He stood casually in the wind, his eyes almost falling onto Zi Lin Ling.
Long'er's face showed surprise. He tilted his little head and looked at the Wind Wing Phantom Tiger, asking, "What happened?"
Originally, this question should have been directed at Zi Lin Ling or Ye Ling Yuan.
But Zi Lin Ling was cultivating and recovering, and Long'er was a little afraid of Ye Ling Yuan, so he didn't dare to speak to him.
Therefore, Long'er could only ask the Wind Wing Phantom Tiger who had returned with him.
The Wind Wing Phantom Tiger gave Long'er a speechless look and let out a low growl.
The meaning was clear: "How should I know? I came back with you, didn't I? If you have the guts, go and ask that terrifying person."
Long'er secretly glanced at Ye Ling Yuan and shook his head, saying, "If I dared to ask that man, why would I be asking you?"