Chapter 200: A Night of Running

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

More sounds surrounded Ning Qingxue. Although still alone in the forest, she felt less scared than before. The birds' chiming seemed sweeter than the dead silence near the sky ditch.

Due to the animal attack, Ning Qingxue rested briefly, then used her telescope to scan the distance. Though closer to the cliff, the mist obscured her view.

Ning Qingxue didn't linger; she'd already wasted a day. If something happened to Ye Mo, she didn't know what she'd do.

The forest was mostly dark and eerie, except for a few open spaces. Fearing the terrifying creature would chase her, she hurried on. Luckily, the Evil Repellent Charm periodically emitted warmth, easing her fear of the darkness.

Ning Qingxue felt no fatigue trekking through the primal forest. She kept walking toward the cliff, her mind racing. She wondered if Ye Mo's rescue or her mental tension had improved her stamina.

Luckily, she didn't encounter excessively high peaks. Despite her good fortune, she collapsed after the second peak, exhausted.

Her clothes were tattered; her jeans ripped, her coat full of holes.

Ning Qingxue realized she'd packed survival gear, but neglected clothing. Darkness amplified her unease.

She subconsciously felt the Evil Repellent Charms; one was gone. Only one remained. She'd unconsciously used one, indicating something had been watching her. Without the charms, she might have been in greater danger.

She ate, took out a mine light, and continued.

Less than two hours later, a black shadow darted toward her back. Focused on walking, she didn't notice the Body Protection Charm repelling the shadow; her bag was torn.

Unbeknownst to her, her bag was getting lighter. She kept walking, fearing the deadly silence and darkness if she stopped.

At dawn, Ning Qingxue ruffled her messy hair, amazed she'd walked all night. Fear, or perhaps Ye Mo, sustained her.

She removed her bag, proud of carrying it all night. She'd avoided sky ditches, though she still couldn't see the cliff and hadn't traveled far, mostly traversing small hills.

Preparing to eat, she opened her bag and gasped. Besides ropes and climbing equipment, a large hole revealed her supplies were mostly gone; only two water bottles and a bag of biscuits remained. Her phone was also missing. Stunned, she decided against searching; she wouldn't dare look back.

She felt her charms; even the Body Protection Charm was gone. The remaining Evil Repellent Charm was withered.

The rope saved the climbing gear. She quickly secured the bag with some rope. Despite exhaustion, she couldn't rest.

When sunlight reached the forest, she felt relieved. The frightening things vanished; the strange howls ceased.

Ning Qingxue quickly reached a high point. She'd reached the mountain's base. She'd walked all night through the horrifying forest, only to end up here.

She recognized Ye Mo's fall site. She'd visualized it countless times. She wouldn't endure the forest again.

Breathing the fresh air, she searched for two hours, finding no entrance to the cliff base; she'd have to climb up and down.

Returning to the base, she found the climb less difficult, the slope gentler. She wondered if Ye Mo had climbed this way. She couldn't believe he'd fought someone here.

A few unripe peaches lined the mountain road. Hungry, she ate them despite the bitterness, along with half a pack of biscuits, regaining some strength.

She continued, knowing her spirit alone wouldn't last. She felt stronger than before, likely due to Ye Mo's treatment.

Though not steep, the peak challenged Ning Qingxue. She secured her tools and climbed carefully.

Ye Mo and the martial artists could ascend easily, but Ning Qingxue climbed slowly.

She climbed from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The sight made her nauseous: two bodies, cut into four pieces. But then, she saw the place from her telescope. Ye Mo had fallen here.

At the edge, she saw layers of mist; the bottom was invisible. She shivered; was he alive? Her rope was at most 100 meters; the cliff seemed a kilometer tall. How could she descend?

Without descending, what was the point? Did she dare return? She hadn't considered the return journey.

Should she go back? If Ye Mo was dead, what was the point? She shook her head, dismissing those thoughts. The sight of the bodies lessened her fear.

She picked up a small sword from a body; a large bag held an abundance of rope.

It was an unfamiliar fiber; thin but sturdy, surpassing her own rope. A large loop suggested a kilometer-long length.

A metal hook was attached.

Relieved, she secured the rope to a rock, tested it, then tied it to her waist.

She took her tools and slowly slid down.