Chapter Forty-Four: Seeking Another Path

Liu Xin and Xiaoxiao gazed into the distance, where a thick miasma shrouded the land, leaving visibility perilously low. The three companions who had gone ahead were nowhere to be seen, nor had they returned. Liu Xin, worried that something might have happened to Zhao Mu, made up her mind and turned toward Xiaoxiao.

“Xiaoxiao, we can’t just sit here and wait for doom. I want to go and find out for myself what has become of Senior Brother and the others!”

Xiaoxiao, hearing Liu Xin’s resolve, hurriedly reached out to stop her. “Senior Sister Liu Xin, neither of us is strong enough. If we go, we’ll only be a burden—and we might put them in even more danger. Right now, the best thing we can do is wait here. Don’t be reckless!”

“Xiaoxiao, I was brought here by Master when I was five, and he’s treated me as his own ever since. Senior Brother Peng Lei has always regarded me as his own little sister. Now that something may have happened to them, how can I just stand by and do nothing? I can’t rest easy like this! My mind is made up, Sister. You needn’t try to stop me any longer!” Liu Xin shook off Xiaoxiao’s hand and dashed into the depths of the miasma.

“Senior Sister! Wait for me! I’ll go with you!” Seeing Liu Xin running toward the poisonous mist, Xiaoxiao hurried after her, anxious not to let her go alone.

Just as Liu Xin entered the densest part of the miasma, she heard a voice from ahead.

“Is that you, Liu Xin?” Peng Lei’s uncertain voice called out.

Hearing Senior Brother’s voice, Liu Xin’s heart settled and her expression softened. “Senior Brother, it’s me. Are you all alright?”

“Sister Xin, you and Xiaoxiao wait outside. We’ll be out soon!” came his reply.

Liu Xin nodded, turning to head back. Xiaoxiao, seeing Liu Xin return, breathed a sigh of relief.

“Senior Sister, it looked like you were talking to someone just now. Have Senior Brother and the others returned?”

“Yes, they have,” Liu Xin replied.

The two of them gazed hopefully toward the depths of the miasma, where a figure slowly emerged. Liu Xin hurried forward, grabbing Senior Brother’s arm and peering behind Peng Lei.

Anxiously, Liu Xin asked, “Senior Brother, where are Yaoye and the others? Why are you the only one back? And did you meet Zhao Mu? She went looking for you.”

Peng Lei patted Liu Xin’s arm and smiled gently. “Don’t worry, they’re right behind me. I came ahead because I was worried about your safety.”

Xiaoxiao skipped over, brimming with relief. “Senior Brother, it’s so good that you’re alright! You have no idea—Senior Sister was so worried, she insisted on coming to find you herself. I couldn’t hold her back!” As she spoke, she teased Liu Xin.

Liu Xin blushed and tapped Xiaoxiao lightly on the head with her finger. “You little rascal, daring to tease me!”

Just then, Yaoye and Zhao Mu appeared as well.

Peng Lei looked at Yaoye and spoke reproachfully, “Yaoye, you were too reckless! If not for Master’s precautionary measures, we might not have made it out alive.”

Yaoye bowed his head in shame, guilt weighing on his shoulders. “I’m sorry, Senior Brother. I acted too rashly and put you all in danger.”

Seeing his remorse, Liu Xin couldn’t help stepping forward to defend him. “Senior Brother, please don’t blame Yaoye any further. He knows he was wrong, and after all, he only did it for our sake.”

Li Qin, seeing Peng Lei and the others safe, stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting. “Brother Peng, now that you’ve returned safely, I can rest easy. We need to discuss what to do next.”

Peng Lei returned the gesture and frowned deeply. “The demons have already entered ahead of us and reached the Myriad Demons’ Lair first. On top of that, we were outmaneuvered by the Fire Dance Academy. We can’t afford to lose any more time—we must move quickly. There’s a leech-filled marsh blocking our way, so we need to find another route and get there as fast as possible. Otherwise, the Heart Lotus will fall into the hands of the demons.”

Yaoye furrowed his brow, lost in thought. At last, he stepped closer to Peng Lei and whispered, “Senior Brother, as a Sky Demon Wolf, my sense of smell is extremely keen. I can track the demons by their scent. If we follow behind them, we can avoid danger and catch up quickly.”

Peng Lei was overjoyed at this, gripping Yaoye’s hands tightly. “Is that really true, Junior Brother?”

“Of course! Leave it to me, Senior Brother. Tracking is my specialty!” With that, Yaoye stepped into an open space and began to channel his secret arts.