"Yunling Mountain consists of five peaks, with terrain that stretches far and wide, covered in snow all year round. Although the scenery is beautiful, dangers lurk everywhere."

"Honored Immortal Masters, ahead lies the Snow Moon Forest, the most picturesque spot of Yunling Mountain. Take your time to admire it. I have something to attend to at home, so I’ll take my leave first!"

The mid-mountainside of Yunling Mountain, Snow Moon Forest.

After giving an enthusiastic introduction about the place to the disciples of the Zhenyang Sect, Wang Ping cupped his hand in farewell, intending to slip away, but was caught by Qin Gengyun:

"Taoist Friend Wang, we’ve reached the mountainside where demonic beasts are everywhere. If you encounter a beast on the way, no one can save you."

The guide for Qin Gengyun’s group was Wang Ping, who spent his days indulging in brothels and whose cultivation was only at the Third-Layer of Qi Cultivation. However, having grown up in Yunling Town, he was indeed very familiar with Yunling Mountain.

Earlier on their journey, although Qin Gengyun and the others encountered several demonic beasts, Wang Ping had skillfully led them onto small paths, successfully evading multiple waves of beasts.

One must admit, though this person was lecherous and cunning, he had a knack for escaping danger.

He led the group to the Snow Moon Forest, but seeing even more demonic beasts atop the peaks, he immediately lost his courage.

Qin Gengyun grabbed him by the collar and dragged him back, and upon hearing Qin Gengyun’s words, Wang Ping lamented bitterly:

"What kind of situation is this!"

With no choice, he dejectedly continued leading the way. The group entered the Snow Moon Forest, where the vast and dense forest was blanketed in a layer of white snow, with even the branches and leaves covered, creating a breathtaking and magnificent scene.

The female disciples clicked their tongues in wonder, for it rarely snowed at Zhenyang Mountain, and they were amazed at the snowy landscape before them.

Qin Gengyun glanced around, feeling somewhat nostalgic.

It was here in the Snow Moon Forest that his wife, disguised as Niantang, taught him magical combat.

To the left, there was a circular mark on a large tree, where his wife had kicked him into during their sparring, causing the impact on his back.

To the right, a giant stone was broken in half; it was when his Golden Python Divine Fist reached Great Success, and he punched the stone into pieces. Though that night, he was still beaten badly by his wife.

Back then, he spent the early night in Narrow Rain Lane entwined with his wife, then rushed to the Snow Moon Forest in the latter half to engage in sparring disguised as his master.

Though busy and exhausted, his heart felt incredibly fulfilled and happy.

As he recalled the past, Qin Gengyun momentarily became lost in thought.

"Senior Brother He, what’s wrong?"

Xu Caihe’s voice snapped him back to reality, and Qin Gengyun shook his head:

"It’s nothing, Junior Sister Xu, let’s go."

Xu Caihe walked beside him, speaking softly, "Senior Brother He, I was indeed unconvinced when I lost to you in the Outer Sect competition, but now I understand. The cultivation and techniques I was once proud of are truly insignificant. Senior Brother, I will now follow you closely. Please, you must lead us safely down Yunling Mountain."

Qin Gengyun looked at Xu Caihe in surprise, amazed at how this proud daughter of the City Lord had become so humble?

It seemed the beast tide had really affected her greatly.

Not only her but likely all cultivators in the Eastern Cultivation Land faced a huge trial.

Qin Gengyun nodded, "Junior Sister Xu, rest assured. If there’s danger, hide behind me. I will block the demonic beasts, and you all can execute your skills freely."

"Thank you, Senior Brother He!" Xu Caihe bowed deeply to him, and Zhou Ling’Er along with the surrounding female disciples did the same, their charming voices chorusing:

"Thank you, Senior Brother He!"

At this moment, in the hearts of these female disciples who hadn’t experienced much real combat, the strong and firm Senior Brother He was undoubtedly their pillar of support.

"Damn, this guy is so lucky, conquering so many fairies at once! If I survive today, I will dedicate myself to rigorous cultivation too!"

Wang Ping watched with envy, silently vowing to himself when suddenly countless beastly roars echoed ahead.

By a rough estimate, there were at least hundreds of low-level demonic beasts!

"Have we been discovered?!"

The female disciples turned pale; they had encountered several waves of demonic beasts on their way, but mostly in groups of dozens. Now, facing hundreds for the first time was overwhelming.

They were simply impossible to resist!

The rising and falling roars grew closer, causing Xu Caihe and the others to panic:

"What should we do? What should we do?"

"Don’t panic, everyone follow me!" Qin Gengyun suddenly commanded, leading them towards the southern side of the Snow Moon Forest.

With no better plan, everyone hurriedly followed Qin Gengyun, soon reaching the depths of the Snow Moon Forest. Qin Gengyun raised his hand and struck a mountain wall, causing the rocks to collapse and revealing a cave.

Wang Ping was dumbfounded: "I’ve been around Yunling Mountain for so many years, yet I’ve never heard of such a hidden cave in the Snow Moon Forest!"

This cave was where Qin Gengyun had hidden the bodies after killing Zhou Kun and Chang Chunzi; it was extremely secret. He didn’t expect that today, aside from hiding bodies, he’d have to shelter his junior sisters here too.

The group quickly entered the cave, with Qin Gengyun being the last to enter. He waved his hand outside, causing the scattered stones, mixed with snow and leaves, to seal off the cave entrance, concealing it.

The female disciples, seeing his calm demeanor and meticulous actions, felt reassured.

"Ah!"

In the darkness, Zhou Ling’Er exclaimed in surprise, startling everyone, leading them to draw their long swords. Moments later, Zhou Ling’Er said in a pitiful tone:

"I kicked a skeleton."

The female disciples sighed in relief and scolded her softly. Meanwhile, Qin Gengyun understood it was likely the bones of Zhou Kun or Chang Chunzi.

At that moment, harsh breathing and increasingly dense footsteps were heard outside.

Inside the cave, everyone dared not speak, only the thumping of their hearts breaking the silence.

Moments later, the heavy breathing and footsteps gradually moved away.

The hundreds of demonic beasts seemed to have missed this hidden cave.

"Whew, I was scared to death!"

A female disciple breathed a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, she realized all her companions were staring behind her, their eyes filled with intense shock and fear.

"Jiao?!"

...

"Honored Immortal Masters, we’re almost at the peak of Snow Swallow Peak. There are many hidden caves up there, quite suitable for demonic beasts to hide."

On another mountain peak, Zhao Yi was introducing to Wei Wan, Ruo Mei, and the others behind him when a deafening howl echoed from afar.

Everyone’s faces changed: "Is it that Jiao?! Where?"

Zhao Yi pointed to the base of the eastern mountain peak: "Judging by the direction, it should be in the Snow Moon Forest!"

Someone said, "It seems Junior Brother He’s group went that way!"

Wei Wan turned around, only to find Ruo Mei missing.

Just as she was about to speak, hundreds of demonic beasts suddenly appeared ahead, the leader being a massive creature with a horse body and serpent head, flicking a huge red tongue, and the serpent’s face showing a human-like smug smile.

"A Fifth Grade demonic beast? A Horse Python?!"