Xiao Man had been in the Hong Huang Tribe for three months. During this time, she had searched every corner of the entire tribe, but found no trace of Nangong Yu and his companions, nor the whereabouts of Feng Mo Ran. However, she had gradually pieced everything together. The "god" Feng Mo Ran spoke of was likely a very powerful individual on this continent!
"It seems I must be extremely cautious once I ascend," Xiao Man spat out the grass root from her mouth. "Speaking of which, where did the Tong Tian Tower go?"
Xiao Man had always assumed she lost the Tong Tian Tower when she fell into the Hong Huang Tribe. However, despite searching the entire tribe, she couldn't find it, even though she clearly remembered storing it carefully on her person.
The reason she stayed in the Hong Huang Tribe for so long was not only to search for others who might have fallen there but also to find the Tong Tian Tower. Yet, all her efforts yielded nothing.
"I've decided to leave," Xiao Man said slowly, looking at Shan Yun.
"When will you leave?" Shan Yun asked calmly. She had long known Xiao Man wouldn't stay here and would eventually leave, but she hadn't expected the day of their parting to arrive so soon.
"Tomorrow."
"So soon?" Shan Yun was surprised. "Do you have a way to ascend?"
"I don't know how high this cliff is, so I can only take it one step at a time. But I can't stay here any longer," Xiao Man said unhurriedly. "Will you come with me?"
Shan Yun's eyes lit up. "Can I?"
"Of course, you can. However, I don't know how long it will take to climb up, nor what awaits us at the top. It might be dangerous. Even so, will you still come with me?"
Shan Yun nodded decisively. She didn't want to stay in the Hong Huang Tribe anymore. She had repaid her debt to the tribe; from the moment she voluntarily walked onto the altar, she and the Hong Huang Tribe, and her father, were quits.
"Even if it means death, you still want to go with me?"
"Yes."
"Very well. In that case, prepare yourself, and we will leave first thing tomorrow morning," Xiao Man said gently. "Also, say goodbye to your friends."
"Will you take A Lai with us?"
"I cannot. There are too many uncertainties outside. A Lai and the others are still too young to face the dangers alone, and I won't have enough hands to protect them." Xiao Man paused. "Moreover, my enemies are terrifying. If we encounter them immediately upon ascending, I might not even be able to protect you."
Shan Yun pondered for a moment. "No matter what awaits us above, I will face it with you. When you saved me from the Serpent God's maw, my life became yours."
"Your life is your own, and I merely acted upon seeing injustice," Xiao Man said with a smile. "By the way, tomorrow wear men's clothing. It will be much more convenient for climbing the cliff, and generally safer to travel in disguise as a man."
"Yes, Elder."
After Xiao Man left, Shan Yun began packing her belongings. She packed for a long time before realizing she had nothing to pack. Apart from a few spirit stones she had accumulated over the years, there was nothing worth taking. After all, they were climbing a cliff, and the less they carried, the better. More would only become a burden.
Shan Da seemed to know Xiao Man was leaving. After Xiao Man departed, he entered Shan Yun's room and saw her packing, a clear understanding dawning upon him.
"You're going with her."
"Yes, I plan to accompany the Elder to see the outside world," Shan Yun replied in a calm tone, as if she were merely going on a long trip.
Shan Da sat down beside her, silent. He knew his daughter resented him, but as the tribe leader, he could not be partial. If he showed favoritism, he would lose his credibility, and the tribesmen would no longer follow his commands. The entire Hong Huang Tribe would then become a scattered mess, devoured by ferocious beasts. He could not, and dared not, be selfish.
"It's good that you get to see the outside world," Shan Da finally spoke. "However, climbing that cliff is arduous. It's uncertain when you'll reach the top. Your journey will be fraught with danger. If you can't continue, don't push yourselves; just turn back."
Shan Yun did not reply to Shan Da. She had no intention of turning back. If they couldn't climb, she would rather become one of the white bones at the foot of the cliff than return to the Hong Huang Tribe.
"We will reach the top," Shan Yun stated with certainty. Her words seemed meant to comfort Shan Da, but even more so, to comfort herself. Her trust in Xiao Man far surpassed her trust in her own father.
"Be safe when you get out there. Don't trust others easily," Shan Da advised incessantly. "Yield when faced with trouble and avoid arguments. As two young women, it's ultimately not safe out there. Qi Hong will accompany you." Su Dan novel network
Shan Yun had initially thought that her father, after all, cared about her. It wasn't until she heard the last sentence that Shan Yun understood. Her father's visit wasn't out of genuine concern for her, but rather an attempt to persuade Xiao Man, through her, to bring Qi Hong along.
Shan Yun let out a cold laugh, which sounded rather abrupt and made Shan Da's old face flush, as if his intentions had been exposed. Yet, he maintained his composure.
"You and Qi Hong grew up together and are from the same tribe. You'll be able to look out for each other up there, and I'll be more at ease," Shan Da explained. He simply hoped that one more person could leave this place, perhaps bringing a different turning point for Hong Huang.
"Father, you don't need to say more. It's already difficult enough for me to climb the cliff, so I can't bring Qi Hong. Furthermore, Qi Hong's climbing ability and arm strength far surpass mine. If he wants to climb, I don't think anyone will stop him." Shan Yun's smile was sincere. "If Qi Hong decides to climb the cliff, I sincerely hope he succeeds."
Shan Da's old face could barely hold its composure, but he understood that trying to persuade Shan Yun here would be futile. The one in charge was Xiao Man, so he would have to talk to her.
After Shan Yun watched Shan Da leave, she let out a wry smile. Forget it, forget it. Her father had always wanted a son, but she was just a daughter. Even though the girls in the tribe now began training to hunt ferocious beasts, they were still looked down upon as weak. When opportunities to ascend arose, they would always think of the men in the tribe first, never their daughters.
Shan Yun didn't know how Shan Da convinced Xiao Man. When she saw Qi Hong waiting at the foot of the sheer cliff the next morning, she understood that Xiao Man had agreed, and that she would absolutely obey Xiao Man's arrangements.
"Elder Xiao, thank you."
Xiao Man smiled slightly. "It's my duty, A Lai."
"Master." A Lai's eyes were brimming with tears. She also wanted to follow her master up, but she knew better than anyone that she would be a burden.
"Practice your martial arts diligently, and I'll wait for you at the top!"
"Yes, Master."