Chapter 133: The Arrival of Bai Qirui

Just as Xie Yingying thought she was truly doomed, someone suddenly descended from the sky into the snake lair. The figure landed gracefully, clad in flowing white robes, exuding an ethereal, almost immortal aura.

Startled, Xie Yingying looked up sharply, eyes wide with surprise. “Another young man?” she murmured to herself.

It was none other than the young man from the Medicine Sect whom she had seen before.

His features were cold and composed; he cast her a brief, indifferent glance, a flicker of unusual emotion passing swiftly through his eyes before vanishing just as quickly.

The snakes around them paused momentarily upon seeing him, then resumed their hissing advance.

The vast snake lair was filled with thousands upon thousands of serpents, enough to leave no bones behind.

Yet, the man barely furrowed his brow. With a gentle lift of his hand, Xie Yingying suddenly felt as if she were floating, lifted by some unseen force, and slowly carried toward the cave’s entrance.

She watched as the snakes grew more distant beneath her feet, and only when she touched solid ground did she finally exhale in relief.

The young man instantly left the lair, not even glancing back as he disappeared into the distance.

Xie Yingying stared after him, a vague sense of familiarity stirring within her, though she couldn't quite place where she had seen him before.

As she prepared to leave, a shiver ran through her body.

She had just parted ways with him when she encountered that demon Xu Xiaosheng. She was completely unfamiliar with this place.

Yet here was a golden opportunity—an ally like this at hand—and it would be foolish not to seize it.

“Young man, wait!” she called out loudly, stepping in front of him to block his path. She looked him squarely in the eye. “Since you saved me, why not see it through and take me with you?”

“No,” the young man replied firmly.

“Then I’ll just have to cling to you!” Xie Yingying pouted, acting stubbornly.

For some reason, despite having met this young man only twice, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. Deep down, she instinctively believed he wouldn’t just abandon her.

A flicker of helplessness crossed the young man’s eyes. This woman was truly something else.

He sighed and spoke in his original voice, reluctant but clear: “It’s me.”

That voice—

Xie Yingying’s eyes widened in disbelief. The owner of that voice was—

“Bai Shengyun!” she exclaimed incredulously.

Bai Shengyun nodded. “It’s me.”

“How did you get in here?” Xie Yingying was still stunned, staring at him in disbelief. “And why does your face look like this now?”

He had transformed completely—it was as if he had become a different person altogether. It was simply astonishing.

“This is only my avatar,” Bai Shengyun explained slowly. “I was being watched too closely and couldn’t enter directly, so I had to disguise myself. I can’t stay here long—I must leave soon.”

Xie Yingying thought to herself: This is only a projection! Truly remarkable.

Her life suddenly seemed to brighten all at once. She quickly grabbed his arm, unwilling to let go. “That’s wonderful! Take me with you. I was almost thrown into the snake lair by Xu Xiaosheng—left to rot!”

Only by sticking close to a powerful ally could she hope to survive.

Seeing her desperate clinging to life, a trace of disdain flickered in Bai Shengyun’s eyes. “We swore a blood oath and forged a soul pact. If you were in danger, I would know.”

Xie Yingying paused briefly before replying, “You make sense, but don’t you realize the pact isn’t instantaneous? If you arrive after I’m dead, then what?”

Where’s the security in following a powerful figure if death can still come at any moment?

She was talking about things he probably couldn’t understand.

Bai Shengyun frowned, sensing her worry for his safety, but confidently said, “Trust me. Now, I can’t stay here longer or I’ll be discovered.”

Hearing this, Xie Yingying’s heart sank further. Having narrowly escaped death, the only familiar person nearby was about to leave. Anxiety gnawed at her.

“Is there really no other way?”

Bai Shengyun sneered at her, “Who was the one who swore to come to the Wonderland Peach Blossom Land to help me find the item? Now that you’re here, you’re scared?”

With that, he vanished before her eyes.

Xie Yingying’s face drained of color, her heart heavy with embarrassment. Tears almost welled up in her eyes.

Clenching her fists tightly, she thought bitterly about this man.

Helpless, she pressed onward, only to be discovered along the way by several guardian beasts of Wonderland Peach Blossom Land. They chased after her relentlessly.

There were too many guardian beasts. Xie Yingying could only run, and in the course of her escape, she was injured. She was grateful she hadn’t called those beasts over earlier—otherwise, she would have been done for.

Exhausted and injured, Xie Yingying fought and fled alongside the beasts. Just as she was about to collapse, someone descended from the sky and drove the beasts away.

Surprised, she looked up. “Bai Qirui, what are you doing here?”

“Don’t speak!” Bai Qirui pulled a smoke bomb from his bag and tossed it to the ground, causing the guardian beasts to lose their bearings. He then grabbed Xie Yingying’s arm and took off running.

They finally reached a safe place where the beasts no longer pursued them.

Panting, Xie Yingying asked, “How did you end up here?”

Bai Qirui replied slowly, “It’s a long story. I was supposed to come here earlier but was delayed by some matters. I’ll explain after we get out. Just now, when Shengyun left Wonderland Peach Blossom Land, the protective array here was strengthened. I conferred with him outside for a long time, then I helped break the array in another spot for you. I felt uneasy, so I followed after you. Why are you alone? What about Shengyun? I thought he came in too.”

There was no hint of doubt on Xie Yingying’s face as she answered softly, “I saw his avatar. He said he was being watched too closely and feared being discovered by the Immortal Sect, so he could only enter in that form. His time here is very limited.”

A shadow of worry crossed Bai Qirui’s face. “What should we do? This Wonderland Peach Blossom Land is huge and dangerous everywhere. How can we find that thing?”

Xie Yingying furrowed her brows, thinking deeply. “I’ve heard that only by passing the trial can we find the guardian.”

The two of them immediately tensed.

Bai Qirui glanced at her and said, “Xie Yingying, you’re badly injured. Find a cave and rest to recover.”

Xie Yingying nodded.

Since arriving in Wonderland Peach Blossom Land, she had fought alone, never daring to relax. Now, with companions by her side, she could finally breathe a little easier.

Exhaustion swept over her all at once.

Bai Qirui handed her the medicines he carried, and she began meditating to heal.

He stayed close, guarding her.

After several hours, her spiritual energy had partially recovered, and her spirits lifted—thanks largely to Bai Qirui’s medicines.

After a brief rest, they swiftly left the area and continued their journey.

Because now, the time they had left was truly running out.