Beyond Virtue

Turning away from the body, Xu Yan glanced toward Mei Qing, who was watching him with a mix of defiance and desperation, her injured body too weak to move. Xu Yan walked over, his cold gaze falling on her for a moment before reaching for her storage ring.

As his fingers neared it, she flinched slightly but didn't resist, glaring at him. "Don't bother," she said sharply. "My father placed a restriction on it. Only I can open it."

Xu Yan paused, his fingers brushing the ring before he withdrew his hand. Without a word, he stood and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Mei Qing's voice rang out, desperation and anger mingling in her tone.

Xu Yan paused mid-step, glancing back at her with an expression of mild irritation.

"Save me," she said, her voice hoarse but firm.

Xu Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why should I?" he asked coldly.

She gritted her teeth, her hands clutching weakly at the ground. "The wolves… they'll pick up the scent of blood soon. They'll be here any moment. If we don't find a place to hide, we're both dead."

He didn't respond immediately, his gaze shifting to the storage ring on her hand.

Mei Qing continued, desperation creeping into her voice. "If you help me, I can give you items from my storage ring. It can only be opened by me—my father's restriction ensures that."

Xu Yan's cold eyes lingered on the ring for a moment longer before he let out a quiet sigh. "Fine."

Without waiting for her approval, he bent down and lifted her with ease, carrying her as though her weight was insignificant. His actions were mechanical, devoid of care for her condition or gender.

Mei Qing glared at him fiercely, her voice laced with frustration. "Do you even know how to handle a woman?"

Xu Yan didn't respond, his focus already on the path ahead. He turned and began running deeper into the forest, the oppressive mist swallowing them both as the faint howls of wolves echoed in the distance.

The oppressive mist seemed to grow heavier as Xu Yan pushed forward, carrying Mei Qing through the dense forest. Her sharp intake of breath drew his attention as she gestured weakly toward a shadowed outcropping ahead. "There," she said, her voice faint but clear.

Xu Yan followed her gaze and saw a cave hidden behind a curtain of twisted vines. Without hesitation, he adjusted his pace and stepped inside, the cool air within a stark contrast to the humid tension outside.

Setting her down carefully against the rough stone wall, Xu Yan scanned the dimly lit cavern. The air was thick with an ancient energy, and faintly glowing runes adorned the jagged walls. Mei Qing's eyes widened slightly as she took in the intricate markings.

"This… this isn't just any cave," she murmured, her gaze tracing the glowing symbols. "These are runes. This must have been the abode of a powerful cultivator. To have something like this so deep in the forest…" Her voice trailed off, a mix of awe and unease in her tone.

Xu Yan didn't respond immediately, his focus on the cave's entrance. His sharp gaze flicked back to her for a moment. "Don't get too comfortable. We're not safe yet."

As if to confirm his words, a chilling howl echoed through the air, far stronger and more menacing than any before it. The sound reverberated through the stone walls, sending a faint tremor under their feet.

Mei Qing's face paled as her head snapped toward the entrance. "That… that's the Nightfang Wolf King," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

Xu Yan's expression hardened as he turned toward the entrance. Without a word, he drew on his qi, striking the ceiling above the entrance with a powerful blow. The force sent chunks of rock crumbling down, sealing the cave's mouth with a cascade of boulders. Dust filled the air as the last of the stones settled into place.

Mei Qing coughed lightly, glaring at him as the dust cleared. "You better pray there's another exit in this cave," she said sharply, her eyes flashing with anger. "Otherwise, we'll die in here."

Xu Yan turned back toward her, his expression calm but firm. "Worry about that later. For now, we should take the time to recuperate."

She narrowed her eyes but said nothing, leaning back against the wall as Xu Yan settled into a seated position nearby, his gaze scanning the runes on the walls with faint curiosity. The faint sound of the wolves outside grew distant, but the oppressive tension lingered, the cave offering only a temporary reprieve.