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墨書 Inktalez
This steep slope, known to anyone who has been inside Lingchi Peak, is famous for its difficulty, earning it the name "The Slope of Hardship."
As the name suggests, reaching the top of the slope is an extremely challenging task.
"Stay close to me," Yun Tianmo instructed before soaring ahead to clear the path.
At first, Ouyang Zixin and the others could keep up with Yun Tianmo's pace, but after about half an hour, Yun Tianmo noticed that the breathing behind him was becoming increasingly labored.
To reach the summit of Lingchi Peak, this Slope of Hardship is not the only route, but it is the one that tests a person's limits the most and serves as a shortcut. Yun Tianmo had his reasons for choosing this path.
"Adjust your breathing. I will try to slow down, but I will not stop," Yun Tianmo's voice came from ahead.
Ouyang Zixin had the weakest stamina; the reason was simple—she had never experienced a sense of urgency during her training. In the secret realm, she would rest whenever she felt tired; there was never a moment to challenge her limits like this.
—Master, do you need Nameless's help?
Nameless couldn't bear to watch any longer. When he had previously gone to find Liu Ying and Liu Lu, he had already determined that while this Slope of Hardship could lead to the top of Lingchi Peak, it was by no means the only way. He wondered what Cloud Young Master was thinking in choosing this route; it seemed like nothing more than tormenting Ouyang Zixin.
"No need, I can still hold on," Ouyang Zixin replied breathlessly, beads of sweat rolling down her face. She no longer wanted to expend energy wiping them away.
Liu Ying and Liu Lu followed closely behind Ouyang Zixin, exchanging glances before looking at Yun Tianmo ahead. Ultimately, they chose not to offer support to Ouyang Zixin.
The group, having slowed their pace, managed to cover only one-third of the distance by evening.
As the sky gradually darkened, the treacherous slope became even more difficult to traverse. If it weren't for Yun Tianmo clearing the path ahead, cutting through the thorns, it would be impossible to cover even a third of the distance. Even by dawn the next day, they might not have completed half of the journey.
"Breath in, breath out..." Ouyang Zixin silently recited in her mind. Her breathing was heavy, and her limbs felt increasingly weighed down; she felt as if her legs could barely lift anymore.
However, she did not ask Nameless or Liu Ying and Liu Lu for help; instead, she gritted her teeth and persevered.
Yun Tianmo glanced back and saw that Ouyang Zixin was still holding on. He admired her steadfast spirit. If it were any other noble lady, they would have collapsed after just a few hours; even stepping onto this treacherous slope could have cost them their lives.
—Master, you are nearing your limit.
Nameless understood Ouyang Zixin's condition better than anyone else, aside from Ouyang Zixin herself. If this continued for much longer, within a short incense stick's time, Ouyang Zixin would surely faint.
"Azure Wood, the leaves of Azure Wood." Ouyang Zixin knew her situation was dire, but giving up was never her principle.
—Master!
The leaves of Azure Wood could temporarily enhance a person's Mysterious Energy and adjust their physical condition, but the effect wouldn't last long. Moreover, after using them, there would be a period where one would feel incapacitated and unable to use any Mysterious Energy; even moving would become difficult.
"Stop talking nonsense and hurry." Gasping for breath, Ouyang Zixin interrupted Nameless and firmly ordered him to take out the leaves and place them in her mouth.
Thus, whenever Ouyang Zixin felt she could no longer hold on, she would take a small bite of the leaf, swallow a bit of its juice, and continue onward.
Liu Ying and Liu Lu were unaware of the exchange between Ouyang Zixin and Nameless; they were simply impressed that Ouyang Zixin could endure for so long.
If it weren't for the training with the Shadow Guards back then, they believed they would never have been able to achieve this.
Seeing Ouyang Zixin's determination, the two maids couldn't help but tear up. They felt heartache for their young mistress but were powerless to help, only able to silently protect her and be ready to catch her if she stumbled.
Consuming Azure Leaf was, in Nameless's view, akin to drinking poison to quench thirst. Although it could help Ouyang Zixin break through her physical limits, the cost was simply too great.
"Cloud Young Master." Nameless could indeed be sensed by Yun Tianmo, but the two had never communicated before. At this moment, Nameless couldn't care less and had to try.
Ouyang Zixin was currently at her weakest, holding on solely by a thread of belief. Nameless unilaterally severed the connection between them and attempted to communicate with Yun Tianmo through his consciousness.
"Cloud Young Master, can you hear me?"
Nameless tried again and again, but his words seemed to vanish without a trace. Yun Tianmo ahead showed no reaction whatsoever.
"Could it be that Cloud Young Master can only sense me unilaterally? Oh, Cloud Young Master, the path you've chosen has truly caused suffering for the mistress. If she continues like this, I'm afraid..." Nameless thought Yun Tianmo couldn't hear him and complained to himself, "You didn't kill Bo Ya, yet Bo Ya died because of you..."
Ouyang Zixin's complexion grew increasingly pale; in the night, there was no trace of color left in her face. Her damp hair clung to her face in several strands, making her look quite pitiful.
"Nameless, I... I fear... I can't hold on..." Ouyang Zixin was completely unaware that Nameless had already severed their connection while trying to communicate with Yun Tianmo. She instructed weakly, "If I fall, you... you let Liu Ying and Liu Lu support me. Don't trouble Yun Tianmo."
Although Liu Ying and Liu Lu were right behind her, Ouyang Zixin no longer had the strength to turn around and say a word; she only spoke once in her mind with Nameless.
"Cloud Young Master, can you really not hear? The mistress really can't hold on any longer..." Nameless was focused on persuading Yun Tianmo and overlooked Ouyang Zixin's unusual state until a loud thud echoed through the air. It was then he realized that Ouyang Zixin had actually fainted.
"Miss!" Liu Ying and Liu Lu exclaimed in surprise. Although Ouyang Zixin had been swaying precariously, she had managed to hold on for quite a while. They never expected her to fall like this.
Nameless turned around to protect her, and Liu Ying and Liu Lu reached out to help. However, before they could get close to Ouyang Zixin, a shadow darted through the night and swiftly lifted Ouyang Zixin horizontally.
"Keep moving." It was Yun Tianmo. He had been at the front, but unexpectedly, his speed in coming back to lift Ouyang Zixin surpassed everyone else's.
"Cloud Young Master, you!" At this moment, Nameless finally understood. Yun Tianmo was not unable to hear him; he was simply cruel! Heartless! "You are so ruthless that you would let the master be in such a predicament before offering your help!"
Since Nameless had followed Ouyang Zixin, this was the first time he had questioned someone so sternly.
"I have nothing to explain. Keep up; I need to speed up." Who is Yun Tianmo? The Ninth Prince of Cloud Nation, Prince Mo of Cloud Nation, revered by the citizens of Cloud Nation. Does he need to explain himself?
No, he does not!
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