Driven onward by the Ninth Imperial Uncle for roughly the duration of one incense stick, Feng Jiu’er discovered that her footsteps had truly grown a great deal lighter and swifter.

In a single morning — not even reaching midday — she had already left behind those who knew no lightness skill, and had nearly caught up to those who did.

“Ahead lies a place where hidden sentries have been stationed. Watch yourself.”

The man behind her suddenly dropped those words, and the sharp, icy tender leaves vanished from sight all at once.

When Jiu’er turned around, there was no trace of the Ninth Imperial Uncle’s magnetic figure anywhere on the treetops behind her.

He was gone — in a hurry, by the looks of it. He must have had a great many things to attend to today.

On a day as busy as this, he had still taken the time to teach her lightness skill. The Ninth Imperial Uncle truly cared for her — deeply, genuinely.

Jiu’er drew a long breath, gazing one more time at the spot where the Ninth Imperial Uncle had stood moments ago. His captivating silhouette seemed to be imprinted still on her mind’s eye.

When she turned back again, she had already gathered her thoughts.

She drew another deep breath and, following the footwork the Ninth Imperial Uncle had just taught her, continued forward.

Along the way, her steps were indeed light and easy, her speed more than three times faster than usual.

But — hidden sentries ahead?

Looking at the stretch of dense forest before her, Feng Jiu’er composed herself, then stepped inside.

She had not gone far before she heard a faint groan. She ought to have ignored it, but she still changed her steps and crossed over toward the sound.

Someone was injured. His foot had been caught in an animal trap, the sharp spikes of the trap piercing into flesh, blood seeping out.

This animal trap was different from ordinary ones. The spikes were not long and would not damage tendons or bone, but because they had pierced into flesh, removing them was not easy either.

Because of this, that student had already been sitting on the ground for quite some time, yet was still completely helpless.

“It will hurt for a while but then it will be fine. The spikes are very short — they haven’t reached the tendons or bones. Once they’re out, you’ll still be able to walk.”

Feng Jiu’er crouched down beside him and drew her short blade.

“Don’t — don’t touch me!” Seeing her about to press a blade against his leg, the person immediately cried out: “Don’t touch me, you — mmph!”

Pain! The cold sweat was about to pour from him, but Feng Jiu’er’s blade did not pause. One cut down, and several sections of skin surface were sliced open.

Her hand rose and fell, several times back and forth — and after several anguished cries from that student, the animal trap was finally pulled free by her and flung to the ground.

“You…” The young man leapt up in pain and was about to unleash a torrent of curses.

What sort of person rescues someone by forcibly slicing their flesh open? When she had struck with her blade just now, had she given any thought to whether he could endure such pain?

“Don’t think that just because you helped me pull out the trap I’ll be grateful to you. With a method like yours, I could have pulled it out myself.”

He was absolutely furious — she had cut up his flesh like this! Strangely though, after all those cuts, not a single drop of blood seemed to flow.

Though it was somewhat peculiar, the young man still glared fiercely at Feng Jiu’er: “Ugly on the outside, ugly on the inside — you’re nothing but a vicious woman!”

He cursed his piece and turned to leave.

Feng Jiu’er had originally intended to pay him no further attention. However, after seeing where he was about to place his foot, she still lightly tossed out a word: “Trap.”

The young man did not believe her at all, assuming she was trying to make a fool of him. With a cold snort, he continued forward.

But he had barely taken two steps when suddenly the ground beneath his feet gave way, and his entire body began to sink downward.

“Help me!” The young man cried out in alarm.

Feng Jiu’er paid him no mind. Unexpectedly, however — right at the moment the young man was sinking — a wolf-fang chain came flying over. Completely unprepared, Feng Jiu’er only felt the ground give way beneath her as a powerful force yanked her backward and downward.