Shang Xin Ci stood on a rock and looked into the distance, her face worried: "Brother Heitu, why aren't you back yet?"
"Could something have happened?" Xiao Die chimed in.
"How could anything happen to him? Don't worry." Bai Ning Bing leaned against a dead tree, thinking to herself, what is Fang Yuan up to now?
Time passed little by little, Shang Xin Ci grew more anxious, her brows furrowed.
Bai Ning Bing also began to feel something was wrong. At least half an incense stick of time had passed. Could something really have happened to Fang Yuan?
She did not care at all whether Fang Yuan lived or died. What she cared about was the Yang Gu in his hand.
She couldn't help but feel a trace of irritability.
This irritability half came from Fang Yuan's disappearance, and half from Bai Ning Bing's own helplessness. Fang Yuan’s cultivation was getting stronger, and he had the Yang Gu in hand. Bai Ning Bing wanted to deal with Fang Yuan, but she was very constrained.
That is, if Fang Yuan played dirty, she could not find a way to counter him.
Having traveled with Fang Yuan, she knew his character well. His cultivation was nearing Rank 3, and the agreed deadline was approaching, so Bai Ning Bing became more and more anxious.
Just as the three were discussing whether to go back and support Fang Yuan, the latter finally appeared on the mountain path.
Shang Xin Ci breathed a sigh of relief, but when Fang Yuan came up to her, her heart tightened again: "Brother Heitu, you're injured again!"
Fang Yuan had deliberately added a few more wounds to himself. He sucked in a cold breath: "Right after you left, a green-haired zombie came. Luckily I got away quickly. Let's go quickly, it might be chasing us."
Hearing this, the other three naturally did not dare to linger. They traveled through the night.
Thus, Fang Yuan achieved his goal and behaved himself for the rest of the journey.
After passing Tombstone Mountain, they came to Double Generals Mountain.
This mountain had two peaks, with a hanging valley between them, facing each other from a distance, imposing and majestic.
The four of them no longer had the caravan's guards. Walking through the forest was very strenuous.
Fortunately, after Double Generals Mountain was Blood Tears Mountain.
Atop Blood Tears Mountain was Zhao Family Village. No longer barren wilderness, but inhabited.
The most difficult section of this trade route had been crossed, and the danger was greatly reduced.
Both Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing were wanted by Hundred Family Village. Naturally, they did not go to Zhao Family Village. The four pressed on without stopping. After Blood Tears Mountain, they successively crossed six large mountains including Thousand Caves Mountain, Giant Mountain, and Green Algae Mountain.
During this time, Fang Yuan's cultivation advanced from Rank 2 high-level to the peak stage.
Throughout the journey, they only made brief resupplies in remote villages.
The closer they got to Discussion Mountain, the wider the road became, and the more travelers there were.
Finally, on this day, Discussion Mountain appeared in their sight.
"Huh. Is that Discussion Mountain?" Shang Xin Ci shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand and looked into the distance. She let out a deep breath.
"Miss, we're almost there!" Xiao Die laughed, excitedly shaking Shang Xin Ci's arm.
Bai Ning Bing was silent, just watching.
"When we reach Discussion Mountain, we'll part ways. Miss Zhang, I have repaid your kindness." Fang Yuan suddenly said.
"Ah?" Xiao Die exclaimed, not expecting Fang Yuan to say that. She stood there stunned and confused.
Shang Xin Ci's face changed. Her beautiful eyes looked at Fang Yuan, her lashes trembling involuntarily.
These past days, although Fang Yuan had been taciturn, he had become a pillar of support. Now that he suddenly wanted to leave, Shang Xin Ci felt a void in her heart, and very dejected.
"There is no feast in the world that doesn't end." Fang Yuan sighed.
"Indeed..." Shang Xin Ci pressed her lips tightly, feeling breathless. Having spent these days together day and night, she knew Fang Yuan's character. He was a man of his word, firm in his will.
"Let's go. It's still not safe here. We'll part at the city gate." Fang Yuan took the lead and started walking.
The group's atmosphere dropped to freezing point. The chattering Xiao Die also fell silent.
The closer they got to Shang Family City, the closer the separation. Shang Xin Ci's steps unconsciously slowed. Shang Family City was her destination for this journey. Logically, success was within reach, but at this moment, she would rather not reach it.
But the journey was finite. They arrived at the foot of Discussion Mountain.
The tall city gate of Shang Family City was right before them.
It was time to part.
Fang Yuan's gaze lingered deeply on Shang Xin Ci. He nodded and said only two words.
"Take care."
These two simple words made Shang Xin Ci's body tremble.
Fang Yuan turned and left.
"Wait." Shang Xin Ci gathered her courage and suddenly spoke.