Chapter 16

Chapter 16

At high noon, a thick mist swirled around the summit of Scale Platform Mountain.

A radiant glow emerged from the mountain, gradually intensifying and piercing through the veil of white fog.

Halfway up Scale Platform Mountain, the mist dissipated to reveal a mysterious path that seemed to lead nowhere. The cultivators waiting at the entrance of the Scale Platform Hunting Valley could vaguely glimpse a lush forest at the end of the passage, with glimpses of beasts darting through the trees.

The onlookers felt a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

Each opening of the Scale Platform Hunting Valley brought different conditions and unpredictable dangers, leaving everything to the luck of the cultivators. Yet, despite the risks, no one was willing to miss this rare opportunity for training, hoping to gain more resources within the valley.

"Scale Platform Hunting Valley is now open. All of you, enter carefully," Emperor Chenghao declared loudly, overseeing the event.

Led by Prince Ning Zhezhou, the Ning clan's disciples were the first to enter, followed closely by the disciples of the four great noble families of Dongling - Wen, Zhao, Sun, and Zheng. Then came the disciples from the second-tier families of Dongling...

"Let's go."

Ning Yuzhou held Wen Qiao's hand, escorted by the fifty Scale Guards, as they entered the Scale Platform Hunting Valley.

Emperor Chenghao and the elders from other families stood there, watching them go in.

The moment they stepped into the valley, a more concentrated essence energy rushed at them, so soothing that every pore on their bodies seemed to relax, making them yearn to find a spot to meditate and cultivate immediately. However, remembering the numerous cultivation resources within the valley, the practitioners forcefully suppressed their urge.

After entering the Scale Platform Hunting Valley, the practitioners split up by family, each heading in their own direction.

Ning Zhezhou turned to look at Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao, along with the Scale Guards behind them. He nodded slightly before leading the Ning Sect disciples away, not accompanying them. This move by Ning Zhezhou surprised the disciples of the other families. But seeing the fierce-looking Scale Guards surrounding Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao, they understood his reasoning.

They had come to the Scale Platform Hunting Valley for training and resource search, not for leisure. It was understandable that Ning Zhezhou didn't want to travel with a couple who appeared to be here for a casual visit.

As the Wen Sect disciples passed by, Wen Mei glanced at Wen Qiao, who was protected by the Scale Guards, then followed the group.

Wen Qiao paid no attention to the gazes around her, instead gazing at the verdant mountains in the distance.

She was curious about everything in the Scale Platform Hunting Valley and couldn't take her eyes off the sights, naturally oblivious to the stares of others.

What delighted Wen Qiao the most was that the spiritual energy in Scale Platform Hunting Valley was more abundant than outside, and there were also many spirit herbs. Within her range of perception alone, she could spot several types of spirit herbs. Although they were not very mature or high in grade, the vital energy contained within them surpassed that of ordinary spirit plants, surrounding her and alleviating the burden on her body.

Wen Qiao loved this place very much.

Ning Yuzhou didn't compete with other cultivators for the path. When most of the cultivators had left, they chose an unoccupied direction to proceed.

The surroundings were dense with vegetation, and occasionally, some low-level beasts would dash past. Amidst the moist grass and trees, there were a few young spirit herbs.

"Can I dig them up?" Wen Qiao couldn't help but ask.

Ning Yuzhou smiled and said, "Of course, if you like."

Wen Qiao responded joyfully and took out a jade shovel from her storage bag. She dug up the spirit herbs with their roots and soil, placing them into a jade box, planning to plant them in a flower pot when they returned.

After digging up several spirit herbs, Wen Qiao looked up and saw Ning Yuzhou standing aside, along with the vigilant Scale Guards. She felt a little embarrassed and quickly put away her things, saying, "Sorry for keeping you waiting."

Ning Yuzhou took out a handkerchief and wiped the dirt off her fingers, speaking warmly, "No rush, we can take our time. There's no need to hurry."

When Ning Yuzhou said they could take their time, he really meant it—very, very slowly.

They resembled nobles from the mundane world, accompanied by their guards on a hunting expedition. They strolled about, observing everything. Whenever they encountered a monster, the nearby Scale Concealed Guards would subdue it, then store the creature in a storage ring as provisions.

Before they knew it, they lagged far behind the other cultivators. Soon, no other cultivator's aura could be sensed around them.

As this was still the outskirts, and a group of cultivators had paved the way ahead, many monsters had been frightened away. The journey was tranquil, with only harmless monsters encountered. Wen Qiao didn't sense any danger.

By evening, they hadn't crossed a mountain yet and decided to camp within it.

The Scale Concealed Guards were efficient, swiftly selecting a safe spot for their camp. They set up traps around the perimeter, erected tents, and started a fire to roast the monster meat.

Wen Qiao sat on a wooden stool carved by the guards, watching Ning Yuzhou take the alchemy furnace that had been passed to him by one of the guards.

Just as she wondered why he needed an alchemy furnace, she saw the waiting guard produce several low-grade flame talismans. He activated them and tossed them beneath the furnace, igniting orange flames. Ning Yuzhou rotated the furnace, preheating it.

Wen Qiao was filled with questions.

Ning Yuzhou smiled at her but offered no explanation.

Next, the Scale Concealed Guards brought over a batch of prepared ingredients, the choice parts extracted from the monsters. Ning Yuzhou threw them into the furnace one by one, added water, and then sealed the lid.

Wen Qiao's expression turned incredibly peculiar.

She finally understood that Ning Yuzhou was using the alchemy furnace to cook soup.

The Flame Talisman was a yellow-grade talisman, the lowest rank, with negligible destructive power. It was perfect for burning purposes, like now, when it was being used as fuel for cooking. Its heat was higher than ordinary firewood and produced no smoke, allowing food to heat up faster.

Within half an hour, Wen Qiao caught a whiff of an intensely aromatic and overpowering scent.

Surprise lit up her face as she gazed at the alchemy furnace, not expecting that one could actually use it to cook soup. It was her first time learning that someone would use an alchemy furnace for cooking, and it seemed to work quite well.

At this moment, Ning Yuzhou lifted the lid and threw in some tender green spirit grass sprouts.

Wen Qiao recognized these spirit plants as the ones they had picked earlier. He had plucked the most tender parts of the plants and used them directly as ingredients for the soup.

After two hours, the soup in the alchemy furnace was finally ready.

Ning Yuzhou lifted the lid, ladled a bowl of soup, and placed it in front of Wen Qiao. "Try it and see if it's good."

It had to taste delicious; the soup's rich and overpowering aroma wafted around, making Wen Qiao worry that the scent might attract other beasts.

Wen Qiao glanced at him, not voicing any objections. She picked up the spoon and began sipping the soup slowly.

The soup was fragrant, and with the first sip, a rich, savory flavor exploded on her taste buds.

This was the most delicious soup Wen Qiao had ever tasted. For a moment, she was speechless.

Ning Yuzhou asked, "Is it good?"

Wen Qiao nodded and replied earnestly, "It's very good. You should try some too." She noticed that all the ingredients had been boiled down into just one bowl of soup, and immediately wanted to share it with him; it wouldn't be right for her to enjoy it alone.

All the essence seemed to be contained within this bowl.

Ning Yuzhou smiled. "This is the Six Yang Seven Flavors Profound Yin Soup. It's made from the essences of six demonic beasts and the sprouts of seven spirit herbs. It's perfect for nourishing someone who has been poisoned by fire."

Upon hearing this, Wen Qiao realized that Ning Yuzhou must have specially prepared this soup for her. Her feelings were a jumbled mix.

Back in the mountains, the Skulking Scale Guards must have deliberately hunted down the specific demonic beasts required for the Six Yang Seven Flavors Profound Yin Soup. Meanwhile, while she was digging up spirit herbs, Ning Yuzhou had carefully plucked some tender leaves from medicinal plants, also for the soup. All of this had been done for her.

Suddenly, Wen Qiao felt a strange sensation – perhaps Ning Yuzhou had decided to come to the Scale Platform Hunting Valley for her sake. The valley was richer in demonic beasts and spirit herbs than the outside world, making it easier to find the specific types they needed here.

After the evening meal, Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou retreated to their tent for rest, with the Qianlin Guards standing watch outside.

Wen Qiao gazed at Ning Yuzhou, who was engrossed in a book, but held back from speaking.

Ning Yuzhou set down his book, noticing her intent stare. He took her hand in his and gently played with it, smiling warmly. "Is there something on your mind, Ah Chuo?"

Wen Qiao nodded slightly and whispered, "How did you know how to cook medicinal soup using a pill furnace?"

When she had drunk the soup earlier, she had only tasted its deliciousness. But after finishing the bowl, she felt a comforting warmth spread through her body, and the persistent pain in her meridians had lessened significantly. The effects were even more profound than taking spirit pills, yet there was something extra that she couldn't quite put into words. Nonetheless, the soup had clearly been beneficial to her health.

Wen Qiao soon realized that the Six Yang Seven Flavors Profound Yin Soup had been tailored to her specific needs by Ning Yuzhou.

But how could an ordinary person like him possess such knowledge?

Ning Yuzhou chuckled. "Although I cannot cultivate, it doesn't mean I'm ignorant. I've delved into the world of cultivation and have learned quite a bit. Familiarity brings understanding. As I've said before, I won't let you die. Trust me."

Wen Qiao remained silent.

Initially, she had dismissed his words, but hearing them again stirred up a peculiar sensation within her heart.

In fact, since deciding to accompany Ning Yuzhou to the LinTai Hunting Valley, she had already accepted the possibility of her own life and death.

From a young age, she knew that her days were numbered. Though she tried not to dwell on it, as she grew older and felt her body weakening day by day, time merely became an endurance test for her. This was why she didn't object to the arranged marriage; since she was going to die soon anyway, what difference did it make whether or not she married? If Ning Yuzhou wanted to wed her, then so be it.

She had approached their journey to the LinTai Hunting Valley with the same mindset. If there were no dangers, fine. If they encountered peril and she ultimately perished in the valley, that was acceptable too. She wouldn't hold any resentment; instead, she would be thrilled that in her short life, she finally got to step out of the imperial city and glimpse the world beyond.

This was all Wen Qiao had ever hoped for.

But now she realized that while she was living with the notion that death was imminent, someone beside her refused to let her go.

"Thank you," she said, looking at him. In her heart, she made a silent vow to strive for survival, not to disappoint his efforts.

The corners of Ning Yuzhou's lips lifted slightly, revealing that he could read her thoughts. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Truly a – compassionate and naive child.

He smiled and said, "No need to thank me. You're my wife, and everything I do is for you."

Wen Qiao also broke into a smile, revealing a tiny dimple on her cheek and a hint of a playful canine tooth. Suddenly, she appeared both adorable and gentle, a stark contrast to her usual composed and reserved demeanor.

Ning Yuzhou lowered his eyelids silently, suppressing the palpitations in his heart, refraining from any impulsive actions.

His little wife was truly... so endearingly charming that he almost lost control!