Chapter 209: Terror's Reappearance

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

"You also came from the sky ditch?" Wang Kailin asked.

"Yes," Ning Qingxue replied. "The Zhang Qiang you're looking for was in my tour group. He was the one who triggered the ditch's appearance." She paused, a flicker of guilt crossing her face. "If Zhang Qiang hadn't been showing off, it might not have happened."

Ye Mo turned to her. "I'll go back and destroy it. Scared?"

Ning Qingxue shook her head. "As long as I'm with you, I'm not afraid."

The thought of retracing her steps alone filled her with dread. But with Ye Mo, she felt safe, even…sweet. His willingness to destroy the source of her terror meant the world to her.

Ye Mo addressed Wang Kailin. "If you're not scared, come with us. Otherwise, stay."

Wang Kailin observed Ye Mo's casual demeanor, his ease carrying Ning Qingxue, and the magical artifact he'd been given. Clearly, Ye Mo was no ordinary man. Staying behind would be foolish, especially since even Ning Qingxue wasn't afraid.

"I'm not afraid," Wang Kailin declared. "If you dare go back, I dare to go with you."

Ye Mo nodded approvingly. "Good. Let's go."

They retraced their steps. Though Ye Mo didn't use his full speed, he was far faster than Ning Qingxue, and Wang Kailin struggled to keep up. What had taken Ning Qingxue a night and several hours, they covered in just a few hours.

By 3 p.m., they reached the sky ditch.

"People are already here," Ye Mo noted, pointing to the barricades tens of meters away. "Something happened; they've closed off the area."

Wang Kailin stared at the dark maw of the sky ditch, still feeling a tremor of terror. Ning Qingxue only dared to peek from Ye Mo's shoulder.

"Hmm, that feeling… it's gone," Wang Kailin said, surprised. The terror had vanished.

Ye Mo understood. His powerful yang chi repelled any malevolent entity. What was dangerous to ordinary people posed no threat to him. His spirit sense could detect anything hidden, unless it far surpassed him in cultivation. His invisibility might fool many, but it was utterly useless against cultivators of any significant power.

"We should leave," Ye Mo said. "Qingxue, I'll send you out first, then I'll investigate." Before Ning Qingxue could respond, Wang Kailin's worry was evident. Why would Ye Mo risk going in alone?

Ning Qingxue bit her lip. "No, I'm staying with you."

Ye Mo had intended to destroy the source of Ning Qingxue's fear, but he'd also been concerned about the horrific scene potentially frightening her further. Now that she was insistent, he changed his mind. "In that case, let's go."

Wang Kailin breathed a sigh of relief. He'd been terrified of Ye Mo venturing into the ditch, yet simultaneously awed by his courage.

Ye Mo, however, had his own concerns. The danger posed by the sky ditch was insignificant compared to the threat of Earth Level masters potentially tracking him down. The probability was low, but it existed.

As they emerged from the bushes, they encountered more barricades and a growing crowd. Ye Mo turned to Wang Kailin. "I'm leaving. With all these people, it's best you don't mention seeing me. Goodbye."

Wang Kailin watched in shock as Ye Mo vanished. He still didn't know Ye Mo's name, only that he was incredibly strong, incredibly brave, and had given him a powerful artifact. Ye Mo had saved his life, but his request for secrecy would be honored. As he approached the fence, he saw more than ten people approaching. Relief washed over him; he was safe. The horrifying forest had shaken him deeply.

Then, he heard the piercing shriek, the bone-chilling coldness returning. The sound was even stronger than before, the fear even more intense. It was clear the malevolence hadn't vanished; it had merely been intimidated by Ye Mo. Now that Ye Mo was gone, it was back for him.

Just as Wang Kailin attempted to flee, the chilling presence enveloped him, paralyzing him with fear. The approaching people were still hundreds of meters away. Despair threatened to overwhelm him.

Suddenly, the jade necklace around his neck emitted a pale yellow light. A sharper shriek pierced the air, followed by the immediate disappearance of the malevolent presence and the crippling fear. He saw more than ten soldiers running toward him with guns.

Wang Kailin let out a sigh of relief, wiping his brow. He examined the jade necklace Ye Mo had given him. It was not just a magical artifact; it was a high-level one, worth millions, given away so casually. He regretted not learning Ye Mo's name. This was the second time Ye Mo had saved his life.

…

Ye Mo and Ning Qingxue had reached the nearest town. He bought Ning Qingxue a t-shirt, pants, and shoes. Then, they left.

"Where are we going?" Ning Qingxue asked, her heart overflowing with joy at being with Ye Mo. His changed attitude towards her was everything. She would follow him anywhere.

Ye Mo pondered. "I have some things to do. Afterward, I'll go to Ning Hai. I've planted some silver leaf grass there. Should I send you back first, and then come find you?"

Ning Qingxue smiled sweetly. "I live in Ning Hai. Is that precious silver leaf grass? I asked Xu Wei to look after it. Don't worry. I'll take care of your silver leaf grass and wait for you…"

She took his hand, a flicker of worry in her eyes. She was afraid he might be gone for a long time.

Thinking of the bloodied silver heart grass incident, Ye Mo clasped her hand tightly. "Qingxue, you're foolish. You used your own body to protect a plant! What if you'd been hurt? If I hadn't returned, I dread to think… Even if I had to kill the entire Song family, so what?"

"Mmm…" Ning Qingxue murmured, warmed by his concern. After a moment, she added, "I don't regret it. I knew you valued that grass, and I'd hurt you repeatedly. I just wanted to help you keep something useful. Besides that grass, I felt useless…"

"I won't let you do something so reckless again. I don't care about that grass, okay?" Ye Mo said softly, holding her hands. He loved this girl deeply.

"I know… I know you don't care. I can even eat that face-preserving fruit whenever I want… Don't spoil me too much. I'm afraid that feeling will disappear…" Ning Qingxue's voice trailed off. The more affection Ye Mo showed, the more she worried about losing it. She wanted to be useful to him, not a burden.

"Stupid, don't think like that. You know I won't disappear. The past is the past; the present is different, okay?" Ye Mo looked at her, his heart filled with love.

Seeing her silent, he continued, "I will make the Song family disappear. Don't worry."

"No, I don't care about them. Everything's fine as long as you come back."