He was quite daring—wasn’t he afraid she might poison him?

But his comment reminded her that on the morning when the group departed, Tie Xin Ning had rejoined them quite late. So he had been replaced then. “Is he already…?”

“Yes.” Yun Ya didn’t even look up.

Feng Miao Jun dared not make a sound.

The meal concluded in silence between the two. Yun Ya’s expression returned to indifference. Feng Miao Jun knew this man’s temperament was strange and didn’t wish to provoke him. In truth, Yun Ya was somewhat exhausted after using his schemes to subjugate her while still severely injured. He pointed to the Inch-Sized Flask and said to her: “Go in.”

Only after Feng Miao Jun entered the flask did he lean against a large rock and fall into a deep sleep.

Feng Miao Jun knew he didn’t trust her, which was why he drove her into the flask—once he capped it, she couldn’t get out. She wasn’t in a hurry to go out and serve him anyway, so she found a side room with a bed and bedding. Thinking of Yun Ya outside, using a cold, hard stone as a pillow, she felt thoroughly comfortable and drifted into a deep sleep.

After one sleep, it was the next day, though the sky was not yet bright.

Feng Miao Jun was still yawning when she came out of the flask, her beautiful hair casually braided into a large plait hanging down her back. Seeing that a good night’s sleep had improved her complexion, Yun Ya found it somewhat irritating. He said stiffly: “Go fetch water.”

Feng Miao Jun picked up the wooden bucket and was about to head toward the river when she saw him suddenly make a gesture: “Wait!”

Seeing his slightly tense expression, she immediately stopped and listened attentively. At first, she heard nothing and looked questioningly at Yun Ya, but he said in a low voice: “Don’t you think it’s too quiet?”

Feng Miao Jun sensed something was wrong too. This was a beautiful morning that should have been filled with birdsong, fragrant flowers, insect sounds, and animal calls. How could the surroundings be so silent that you could hear a pin drop, with only the rustle of wind?

No, that wasn’t the wind.

Feng Miao Jun slowly turned her head toward the cave entrance and saw a layer of brownish “carpet” covering the ground outside, advancing steadily forward.

Looking closer, it wasn’t a carpet at all, but densely packed spiders of different varieties, models, and sizes, moving forward together!

Even as a strong woman, the sudden sight of so many ferocious spiders coming in overwhelming numbers made her flesh crawl.

The scuttling sound grew louder and louder. Just thinking about that effect being created by countless spider legs treading over soil and fallen leaves made her shudder.

Fortunately, when the spiders hit the barrier in front of the cave, they unhesitatingly went around it, some even crawling over it. She could only guess that during the night, Yun Ya had employed some illusion technique that made the spiders mistake the cave for a large rock.

She turned to look at Yun Ya, who shook his head at her. That meant not to act rashly.

Even without his prompt, she wouldn’t have dared to move. Spiders generally had poor eyesight and relied on astonishingly sensitive touch. They had multiple sensory organs on their feet that could detect even the slightest vibrations.

Moreover, among the spider army were many large ones, the size of footballs, millstones, or even small calves.

If she took even one more step, these creatures might discover something unusual here.

The two stood silently, perfectly still.

About twenty breaths later, the spider army finally passed through completely, moving on to search the next area.

To be safe, Feng Miao Jun remained standing in place for a while longer before saying softly: “These were sent by the Spider King?”

A hint of mockery flashed in his eyes: “It seems he’s quite angry.”

He had drilled through the Cliff Mountain Underground Palace, wounded the Spider King, steamed to death more than half of its disciples, used the Fire Spirit to destroy the spider demon’s nest, and ruined their centuries-old passage business—

So how could the Spider King be merely “quite angry”? The fact that it hadn’t exploded on the spot showed its cultivation of tolerance was refined to perfection.

But vengeance was certain, so it mobilized all spiders in the forest to search for suspicious individuals on its behalf. Once discovered and captured, why would there be any need for a trial?

That was a trick played by mortals. In the world of spiders, there were no innocents—all were simply eaten.

Feng Miao Jun didn’t know that quite several people had died in the forest these past two days.

“Go ahead.”

She was concerned: “Will they come back?”

“They’ll return in a few hours.” Yun Ya glanced at her. “They already came once last night while you were sleeping soundly. The Spider King has a natural talent for sharing visual senses with these creatures.” As long as the small spiders “sensed” that the culprit was nearby, the Spider King might personally pursue them.

That gaze was somewhat resentful, making her shudder before quickly acknowledging his words.

It seemed Yun Ya hadn’t slept well last night.

When Birdsong finally returned to the surroundings, she swept the stone cave clean, then picked up the wooden bucket and went to the creek to fetch water.

The aftermath of the spider army’s sweep was that all nearby animals had been frightened away. She had to cross the creek and walk several more li before encountering a group of large-antlered deer lapping dewdrops from leaves.

Feng Miao Jun stunned one with a stone, while the other deer scattered in confusion. She had hoped to bring back venison for a feast, but inadvertently felt the deer’s swollen belly and discovered it was pregnant.

It seemed she wouldn’t have that pleasure today.

Thinking of the sweet freshness of venison, she sighed, revived the doe, and let it bound back into the forest.

Fortunately, she later encountered two clumsy mountain pheasants. Together with the leftover tiger meat in the cave, their meat supply for the next seven days was secured.

She had not yet reached the level of abstaining from food, and although Yun Ya might not normally eat daily, after his injury he needed more nutrition and vital energy. Consuming blood-rich food was the best method for replenishment.

Yun Ya wanted her to bring the Inch-Sized Flask to store more fresh water, but she refused because it was too valuable. She was joking to herself—she still wanted to find excuses to go outside, rather than stare at him all day in the confined space of the stone cave.

Returning to their temporary dwelling, the first rays of dawn were just appearing in the east. Yun Ya sat in the cave, facing the direction of the rising sun, regulating his breath.

Each breath was measured, not rapid, but his body was surrounded by a faint red mist. When inhaling, it entered through his five senses, not a trace remaining outside; when exhaling, it dispersed from his senses again.

With each repetition, the mist grew thicker.

Feng Miao Jun watched with great envy and quickly sat down to practice the same technique. This was one of the most important daily practices for cultivators, also known as “Feasting on Rosy Clouds.” The essences of the sun and moon were the most condensed spiritual energies of heaven and earth, but the sun’s essence was fierce and domineering. Those with insufficient cultivation would harm themselves by forcibly absorbing it. Only during the brief dozen or so breaths when the sun first rose could one safely drink it in abundantly.

Feng Miao Jun only persisted for seven or eight seconds before feeling her meridians burning with heat and pain. Knowing she couldn’t force it further, she quickly ceased her practice. Turning her head, she saw Yun Ya still regulating his breath, the mist around him now as brilliant as the morning sun.

The dawn sun rises especially quickly. As the sunlight grew increasingly intense, Yun Ya finally gradually ended his practice and opened his eyes.