A tense atmosphere hung over the valley’s rim, while down below, the battle between serpent and woman still raged on!

Ziqing found herself puzzled—this python was strange indeed, nothing like the mindlessness of an ordinary beast, seeming to possess a degree of genuine intelligence.

By all rights, only tamed beasts should display such cunning—like Western Jing’s Wolf Army—and the Second Beast Young Master had specifically said none of the creatures in this hunting ground had ever been domesticated.

Yet this giant python before her had managed to evade every clever trick she’d tried, relentlessly trapping her, refusing to let her leave!

By now, dawn had fully broken, and Ziqing had clearly identified the boulders blocking the exit—escape was still possible, but she’d need to time it perfectly, or the moment she turned to flee, the python would strike from behind and wound her.

Her wind blade attacks were like throwing eggs against a mountain compared to a creature of this size—this python was harder and taller than a mountain itself.

Ziqing grew increasingly anxious, silently cursing herself for not bringing her bow—with its added force, she might have gained some real advantage.

A full night had passed now—even someone made of iron would be worn down eventually, and Ziqing understood clearly that this python was simply trying to exhaust her. Once her stamina failed, it would surely strike back mercilessly.

She had to find a way—she absolutely had to think of something! Yelu Qianqian couldn’t afford to wait any longer!

Suddenly, Ziqing leapt upward, using the sheer cliff face for leverage in a bold, unexpected move to escape by climbing straight up.

These sheer cliffs rose towering into the sky on all four sides—even someone with excellent lightness footwork would find it impossible to scale without sufficiently deep internal energy reserves, and there were precious few footholds to leverage along the cliff face.

The python seemed genuinely startled, but immediately surged upward after her, its enormous strength astonishing—its massive body shot straight up into the air, its blood-red mouth lunging straight for Ziqing.

Ziqing threw caution to the wind—let it bite, as long as it didn’t kill her.

This time, she made no move to dodge, nor did she try any more clever tricks to fool the python. Instead, she met the attack head-on, directly.

The python, taken aback, didn’t hesitate, lunging viciously at Ziqing—but in that split-second, critical moment, Ziqing suddenly drove Liuguang with brutal force straight into the massive, revolting crimson tongue the python had thrust out!

The razor-sharp blade pierced straight through in an instant, and immediately the giant python convulsed wildly, its massive jaws thrashing in a frenzy of pain.

Ziqing should have released the dagger and used the chance to escape—but she couldn’t bring herself to let go. This blade, Liuguang, had been Jun Beiyue’s token of betrothal to her.

Having once refused it already counted as a regret. She couldn’t bear to lose it now!

Ziqing gripped Liuguang tightly, being thrown wildly about as the python thrashed and writhed, dragged up and down along with its frantic movements. She glanced toward the boulder-blocked exit nearby, waiting silently for the right moment.

Sure enough, before long, the python suddenly whipped its head violently toward that direction, trying to fling her off—and in that instant, Ziqing summoned every last ounce of strength, wrenching Liuguang free and using the momentum to hurl herself onto the boulders at the exit. The python, now consumed entirely by its own agony, had no more attention to spare for her, its massive body thrashing wildly, smashing everything in the valley to pieces—flowers, rocks, all of it.

In moments, the valley lay in complete ruin. Ziqing had no time to look back, hurrying immediately up toward the valley’s rim!

After a full night of intense, focused combat, the moment she was free of danger, exhaustion hit her all at once, her entire body going weak. She’d made it halfway up the cliff face when, seeing the python could no longer pursue her, she finally stopped, gasping for breath.

Half the journey still remained. Whatever the situation was, however anxious her heart might be, she had to rest here—otherwise she’d never make it to the top at all.

Sitting on a steep stone ledge partway up the sheer cliff, high above a bottomless chasm, exhausted as she was, Ziqing felt a flicker of genuine fear—the slightest lapse in attention could send her plunging right back down.

Under ordinary circumstances, no matter how exhausted or difficult things got, she wouldn’t have dwelled on it, simply telling herself: it’s fine, just hold on a little longer, and it will pass. Tomorrow will come soon enough.

But now, she found herself unconsciously thinking of one particular person—Jun Beiyue!

By this time, he should have reached the Poison Den already—given his usual pace, he might already be on his way back!

If Jun Beiyue were here right now, that man would surely pull her into his arms, let her rest there obediently, and tell her not to worry about anything at all—she’d fall asleep and wake to find herself already at the top of the cliff.

At this thought, Ziqing’s pale lips couldn’t help but curve into a faint smile. Having someone to think of was its own kind of happiness. She took a deep breath, then carefully rose and continued climbing upward.

She had no idea, of course, what awaited her at the top—nor did she know what Jun Beiyue was doing at the Medicine Clan’s Poison Den at that very moment.

At that time, Jun Beiyue had indeed already reached the Poison Den, only to be told the old man of the Poison Den was in seclusion, receiving no visitors.

Shiliang followed silently behind him, perfectly obedient. Jun Beiyue, dressed entirely in black, hadn’t revealed his true identity, saying flatly instead, “Please inform the old man of the Poison Den that I’ve brought someone with a constitution suited for cultivating poison, requesting an audience.”

At these words, the guard’s eyes lit up, and his manner immediately turned respectful. “May I ask this gentleman’s honored surname?”

“Han,” Jun Beiyue said flatly.

“Please wait a moment, Master Han. I’ll report this at once!” the guard said, hurrying off. Jun Beiyue surveyed the eerie, sinister Poison Den, a complicated look flickering deep in his eyes.

Only then did Shiliang finally lift her head, murmuring quietly, “Your Highness, Shiliang… is afraid.”

“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Jun Beiyue said quietly.

Shiliang pursed her lips and said nothing more.

Soon, the guard returned. “Master Han, my lord is in seclusion and cannot receive visitors. His senior disciple, Luocha, is handling matters in his stead. If Master Han’s business is urgent, you may speak with Senior Brother Luocha first.”

“In seclusion…”

Jun Beiyue mulled this over silently, then nodded and followed the guard inside.

The moment they entered the Poison Den, it felt like stepping into hell itself—this was a hollow mountain, riddled throughout like a wasp’s nest with countless caverns, each housing poison masters cultivating their venomous creatures. Jun Beiyue didn’t spare it a second glance, striding forward alongside the guard, while Shiliang hurried to keep pace, head bowed, not daring to look around at all.

Suddenly, something slick slid across her foot, startling her into a sudden cry. “Ahh—”

That single cry proved disastrous—instantly, from the darkness throughout the entire hollow mountain, countless bats erupted at once, a dense, black cloud swarming thick and heavy, terrifying Shiliang into another involuntary scream.

In an instant, the swarm of bats engulfed all three of them entirely. No one knew how long passed before the swarm finally dispersed, the darkness clearing away with it.

The guard emerged completely unharmed, while Jun Beiyue held Shiliang tightly protected in his arms, his own black robes marked all over with scratches from the bats’ claws.

Only then did the guard hurry to bring the antidote. “Master Han, please take the antidote at once—bat venom spreads through the bloodstream extremely quickly!”

Jun Beiyue nodded, but turned to ask Shiliang, “Are you all right? Were you bitten or scratched anywhere?”

Shiliang’s heart warmed at once. “Your Highness, please take the medicine right away—this servant will tend to your wounds.”

“It’s nothing serious.” Jun Beiyue took the antidote, not even glancing at his own wounds, immediately urging the guard onward—he had no time to spare.

Shiliang watched his tall, retreating figure, pressing her lips together, her small hand unconsciously touching her own arm—the lingering warmth of him still there. She realized, for the first time, just how wonderful it felt to be truly protected in the embrace of someone so genuinely strong.