As soon as the morning light warmed the bluestone, Qin Zhao lifted his foot and stepped out of the courtyard.
When the sole of the boot ran over the threshold, it was half a point heavier than yesterday, like stepping on something invisible.
He didn't turn back, his left hand still had the inertia of rubbing his left wrist in his sleeve, but just as his toes landed, his five fingers relaxed, his fingertips drooped, and he didn't move again.
The wind poured in from the alley entrance, rolled up the corner of his robe, and also lifted the corner of Ji Xue's skirt standing by the door frame.
She didn't wear a tunic any more. The silver silk and soft armour were tightly wrapped. Under the pleated skirt, thunder beads were all over the boot edges. The lightning birthmark at the end of her right eye was golden under the sun, just like yesterday - not an illusion, but the light from the same sun.
She raised her hand and hooked her fingertips.
The broken star chain buzzed, and the lightning beads crackled lightly, like freshly boiled beans in a pot.
This time, I'll move first
The sound brushed against his earlobe, and the heat didn't dissipate. The person had already taken three steps.
Qin Zhao didn't respond and only glanced sideways.
She didn't look at him, nor did she look in the direction of the cliff where the thief group was hiding. She just tilted her chin up, her ponytail was neatly thrown, and when her skirt fluttered, a section of her calf was exposed, still covered in the dust that hadn't been wiped clean last night.
His Adam's apple rolled and he stepped up to catch up.
The two walked side by side, just half a step away, neither too close nor too far, like two knives freshly unsheathed yet to touch.
The cliff is three miles west of the city, with scattered stones and withered vines entwining around the broken monument. The wind blows and the rustling sound is annoying.
The thief group crouched on the highest black rock, consisting of seven or eight men with horizontal and vertical scars and bulging veins on their arms. As they approached, they stood up together and clinked their scabbard against the stone with a loud clang.
The leader, dressed in a wolf skin coat with three scratches on his face, glanced at Qin Zhao with a sideways glance, then glanced at Ji Xue and sneered, "Just the two of you
The voice declined.
Ji Xue moved.
Not against people, it's soaring.
She pointed her toes a little, lifted herself into the air, twisted her waist, and extended her right hand backwards——
Thunder halberds burst out of the air!
It's not pulling, it's pulling. Like being forcefully pulled out from a bone crevice.
The spear tip has not arrived yet, but the electric light has exploded.
The blue purple lightning arc tore open the air, making a crackling sound, not just one, but nine! Splashed out in a fan shape, as if someone had swung a lightning whip and fiercely whipped it.
The thieves didn't even shout out loud.
Damn it -
Uh huh
My hand! Is my hand gone
The words are all stuck in my throat.
The three people in the front row knelt down directly, the knives in their hands were so hot that they couldn't hold them, and they were sizzling and smoking; Two people in the back row flipped over and rolled down the rocks, their backs blackened and convulsing as they spat out foam; The remaining two wanted to run, but as soon as they lifted their legs, their knees went numb and they fell into a pile of rubble, biting their teeth to pieces.
No one died, but they were completely paralyzed.
The thunder spear hung in mid air, buzzing and trembling. A string of electric sparks dripped from the tip of the spear, landing on the ground and creating several small pits.
Ji Xue landed on the ground, and the thunder beads on her boots wandered around with a crackling sound. She confiscated her halberd and leaned on it, tilting her head to look at Qin Zhao with a smile on her lips: "Qin brother, is it okay
Qin Zhao did not answer.
His gaze crossed her shoulder and landed on a narrow gap at the edge of the cliff.
The stone crevices are deep, with black edges still emitting blue smoke, and a faint blue light inside, floating slightly.
Thunder spear fragments.
He raised his hand and lifted it.
The golden card took off its finger and flew out, and the symbol array suddenly lit up, like paper money that had been ignited. The flames were not hot, but they were glaring.
Card face forward, straight towards the stone crevice.
The fragments buzzed and bounced out, crashing into the center of the card surface——
Boom!
Silent ripples exploded, and a circle of light golden ripples swept over the cliff surface. The withered vines instantly withered, and fine cracks appeared on the surface of the gravel.
Qin Zhao's pupils contracted.
The dark lines on the left wrist were scorching, not the burning sensation of yesterday, but the swelling caused by boiling water. The spiritual power exploded along the meridians, and the limbs and bones crackled like bones being reassembled.
He squinted his eyes, rolled his Adam's apple up and down, and chuckled softly, "The reincarnation of the Valkyrie... is truly worthy of her reputation
The sound was not high, but it suppressed all the gasps on the cliff.
Ji Xue heard it and didn't laugh. Instead, she threw the Thunder Spear to the ground.
The tip of the spear plunged into the stone, and Lei Guangshun drilled into the crevice, causing the entire cliff to tremble.
She turned around without stopping, heading straight towards Qin Zhao's chest.
Fingertips pressed against it, not heavy, but steady, with the residual force of just chopping a person, like pressing on a red hot iron plate.
Should Brother Qin consider marrying me
Qin Zhao was unstoppable.
She even leaned forward half an inch, letting her fingertips press into her heart.
He looked down at her. The morning light fell on the end of her right eye, and the golden flash of the lightning birthmark was exactly the same as when he leaned against the door yesterday - not coincidentally, but the sun had not moved.
He suddenly raised his hand.
The belly of the thumb quickly and almost imperceptibly rubbed against the back of the fingertip she poked.
Not touching, not soothing, just rubbing - like wiping away a speck of dust.
Immediately drawing his hand, he took the gold card back to his waist and said lazily, "Marrying you? The betrothal gift must be covered with fragments of a thunder spear on the ten mile red carpet
Ji Xue giggled and tiptoed closer, her hair brushing over his chin: "So tonight... do you need to pay a deposit first
The voice hasn't finished yet——
The shadows of the distant mountain valleys and forests sway.
The outline of a half collapsed stone tablet appeared, and the remaining words on the forehead were faintly recognizable, which was the word "forbidden".
Qin Zhao's gaze froze.
Ji Xue stopped laughing, her fingertips flashing with lightning, and the last arc on her silver soft armor extinguished.
Both of them turned their heads at the same time.
Qin Zhao rolled up his sleeves and walked towards the direction of the stone tablet.
Ji Xue keeps up, not falling a step.
On the cliff, the thief group was still convulsing, and the scabbard rolled into the crevice of the stone, emitting hollow echoes.
Qin Zhao stepped on a piece of burnt stone at the bottom of his boots, and the surface of the stone cracked into spider like patterns.
He didn't stop.
Ji Xue turned to her side, lifted her hand and lifted her ponytail. The broken star chain jingled, and Lei Zhu remained motionless.
Her gaze swept over Qin Zhao's left wrist - the dark lines had already cooled down, warm, not too hot, like a jade that had just been warmed up.
She didn't mention or ask.
Just half a step faster, standing shoulder to shoulder with him, the dark red arrow wound still exposed outside the silver soft armor, with a blackened edge and irregular shape, hidden in the folds of the fabric.
The wind blew over the edge of the forest, rolling up a few withered leaves.
Qin Zhao's footsteps did not slow down, the corners of his robe fluttered, and the wine pot swayed lightly around his waist. The lid of the pot was not tightly fastened and slightly loosened with his steps.
Ji Xue suddenly reached out and hooked her index finger around the edge of his belt, gently pulling it.
Qin Zhao paused and took a step.
She looked up, and the lightning birthmark on the tail of her right eye flickered with golden light under the sun: "You didn't cover the wine jug properly
Qin Zhao lowered his head and glanced.
The lid of the pot is indeed loose and shaking badly.
He raised his hand to press it, and as soon as his fingertips touched the copper cover, Ji Xue suddenly stood on tiptoe, with her nose almost touching his chin.
I'll help you, "she said.
As soon as she finished speaking, her other hand had wrapped around his back, pressing her palm against his lower back and giving him a gentle push.
Qin Zhao swayed slightly and took half a step forward, avoiding her fingertips but not her breath.
She smiled, hooked her finger, and with a click, the lid of the wine pot tightened.
The action is straightforward, without dragging or dragging.
Qin Zhao didn't say a word, just raised his hand and retracted his belt inward, tightening it even tighter.
He continued walking forward.
Ji Xue didn't let go, her index finger still hooked around the edge of her belt, swaying gently with his steps.
The two walked through the edge of the forest, and the dead branches broke under their feet, making a crisp sound.
The stone tablet is getting closer and closer.
Half of the body of the stele is diagonally inserted into the soil, and the surface of the stele is severely weathered, with blurred handwriting, except for the word "forbidden", which was chiseled with a knife and axe, deeply embedded in the stone, and the edge still has a dark blue color.
Qin Zhao stood three steps in front of the monument.
Ji Xuesong opened his finger, took a step back, stood beside him, and looked up at the monument.
Her right eye birthmark shimmered with a golden light, as if responding to something.
Qin Zhao raised his hand and brushed his fingertips over the last stroke of the word "prohibition" on the monument.
The stone powder rustled down.
He didn't say anything, just glanced at Ji Xue.
She was staring at a dent at the bottom of the monument, where there was a shallow scratch that looked like it had not been carved yet, and the edge of the scratch was still slightly moist.
Ji Xue lifted her foot and kicked away a pile of withered leaves next to the monument with the tip of her boots.
Half of the broken rope is exposed at the bottom, with the rope head burnt black and the fracture neat.
She bent down, pinched the broken rope with two fingers, and leaned under her nose to smell it.
It's tasteless.
She stood up straight and stuffed the broken rope into Qin Zhao's hand, saying, "Someone came earlier than us
Qin Zhao did not answer.
He stared at the broken rope for two seconds, then suddenly raised his hand and rolled the entire rope into his palm. His spiritual power urged him——
Hmph.
The broken rope ignited a cluster of faint blue flames, which made his pupils turn purple.
The fire extinguished, and the rope ashes scattered.
He spread out his palm, which was empty.
Ji Xue blinked and said, "Did it burn
Qin Zhao nodded and said in a low voice, "It's burned clean
Ji Xue let out a sigh and suddenly raised her hand, lightly tapping her fingertips in his palm.
No force, just a dotted line.
Qin Zhao didn't move.
She withdrew her hand and a flash of lightning flashed through her fingertips: "Don't burn your hands next time, they're dirty
Qin Zhao's Adam's apple rolled, and he pulled his palm into his sleeve, then pressed his back against the wine jug at his waist.
The pot body is icy cold.
He lifted his steps and walked around the stone tablet.
Ji Xue immediately followed.
Behind the monument is a small path overgrown with weeds, with crooked stone steps, and its end hidden in thick fog.
Qin Zhao's footsteps did not stop.
Ji Xue suddenly reached out and grabbed his wrist.
He paused for a moment.
She looked up, the lightning birthmark on the tail of her right eye shimmering in the mist: 'Your heart is beating fast again.'
Qin Zhao did not withdraw his hand.
Looking down at her, "Did you count it
Ji Xuexiao said, "There's no need to count. When I poke your chest, I can feel it
Qin Zhao remained silent for two seconds, then suddenly raised his hand and used his thumb to rub against the back of her hand, which was gripping his wrist.
It's either touching or rubbing - like wiping off a speck of dust.
After rubbing, he waved his hand and continued walking forward.
Ji Xue didn't chase after her.
She stood still, watching his back, and suddenly lifted her foot, kicking a small stone up from the tip of her boot.
The stone flew towards the back of Qin Zhao's head.
Qin Zhao didn't turn his head back, he took a backhand and caught it steadily.
He didn't turn back, just stuffed the stone into the jade plaque at his waist.
Ji Xue giggled and caught up with him, standing shoulder to shoulder. The dark red arrow wound on her shoulder was faintly visible in the mist.
The path becomes narrower as one walks.
The fog is gradually thickening.
Qin Zhao suddenly raised his hand and his fingertips flicked in the air.
A light golden talisman appeared out of thin air, then disintegrated and turned into tiny dots of light, drifting towards the grass on both sides.
The grass leaves swayed and rustled.
Ji Xue turned her eyes and said, "Exploring
Qin Zhao nodded and said, "Hmm
She suddenly raised her hand, her fingertips flashing with lightning, and lightly touched the dark mark on his left wrist.
Qin Zhao did not hide.
The dark lines were slightly hot, as if they had been ignited by a fire.
She withdrew her hand, her fingertips flashing with lightning: 'It doesn't hurt.'
Qin Zhao nodded.
The fog has become thicker.
At the bend of the path ahead, a piece of bluestone is half buried in the soil, with a smooth surface that looks like it is often sat on.
Ji Xue suddenly lifted her foot and kicked a handful of floating soil away from the bluestone with the tip of her boots.
Half a burnt black token is exposed at the bottom, with twisted runes engraved on the edges.
She bent down, pinched the token with two fingers, and leaned in front of her.
Runes shimmered in the mist.
She stood up straight and stuffed the token into Qin Zhao's hand, saying, "Here, the ticket to the forbidden area
Qin Zhao did not answer.
He stared at the token for two seconds, then suddenly raised his hand and pressed the entire token into his palm.
Spiritual power urges——
Hmph.
The token ignited a faint blue flame, reflecting the faint golden crack on his brow bone.
The fire extinguished and the ashes scattered.
He spread out his palm, which was empty.
Ji Xue blinked and said, "Is it burning again
Qin Zhao nodded and said, "It's burned clean
Ji Xue let out a sigh and suddenly raised her hand, lightly tapping her fingertips in his palm.
No force, just a dotted line.
Qin Zhao didn't move.
She withdrew her hand and a flash of lightning flashed through her fingertips: "Don't burn your hands next time, they're dirty
Qin Zhao's Adam's apple rolled, and he pulled his palm into his sleeve, then pressed his back against the wine jug at his waist.
The pot body is icy cold.
He lifted his step and continued walking forward.
Ji Xue immediately followed.
The fog is too thick to melt.
At the end of the path, deep in the dense fog, the outline of a stone arch can be faintly seen.
The lintel is broken, and the words' Lingyuan 'can be vaguely seen.
Qin Zhao stood in front of the arch.
Ji Xue stood beside him, looking up to guard the door.
Her lightning birthmark on the tail of her right eye glimmered in the thick fog.
Qin Zhao raised his hand and brushed his fingertips over the last stroke of the character "Ling" on the door lintel.
The stone powder rustled down.
He didn't say anything, just glanced at Ji Xue.
She was staring at a wisp of black air seeping out from the crack in the door. The black air was as fine as a hair, but suddenly straightened three inches away from the door, as if it had been grabbed by something.
Ji Xue lifted her foot and kicked open a pile of withered vines next to the arch with the tip of her boots.
A half broken spear is exposed below, with a black tip and a curled blade.
She bent down, pinched the broken spear with two fingers, and leaned under her nose to smell it.
It's tasteless.
She stood up straight and stuffed the broken spear into Qin Zhao's hand, saying, "Here, the key to the forbidden area
Qin Zhao did not answer.
He stared at the broken spear for two seconds, then suddenly raised his hand and pressed the entire broken spear into his palm.
Spiritual power urges——
Hmph.
The broken spear ignited a faint blue flame, which caused his pupils to turn purple.
The fire extinguished and the ashes scattered.
He spread out his palm, which was empty.
Ji Xue blinked and said, "Is it burning again
Qin Zhao nodded and said, "It's burned clean
Ji Xue let out a sigh and suddenly raised her hand, lightly tapping her fingertips in his palm.
No force, just a dotted line.
Qin Zhao didn't move.
She withdrew her hand and a flash of lightning flashed through her fingertips: "Don't burn your hands next time, they're dirty
Qin Zhao's Adam's apple rolled, and he pulled his palm into his sleeve, then pressed his back against the wine jug at his waist.
The pot body is icy cold.
He lifted his steps and walked over the threshold of the archway.
Ji Xue immediately followed.
Inside the arch, the mist is slightly light.
A stone step extends downwards, with wet and slippery stone walls on both sides, covered in moss.
Qin Zhao's footsteps did not stop.
Ji Xue suddenly reached out and grabbed his wrist.
He paused for a moment.
She looked up, the lightning birthmark on the tail of her right eye shimmering in the dim light of the stone steps: "Your heart is beating fast again
Qin Zhao did not withdraw his hand.
Looking down at her, "Did you count it
Ji Xuexiao said, "There's no need to count. When I poke your chest, I can feel it
Qin Zhao remained silent for two seconds, then suddenly raised his hand and used his thumb to rub against the back of her hand, which was gripping his wrist.
It's either touching or rubbing - like wiping off a speck of dust.
After rubbing, he waved his hand and continued walking forward.
Ji Xue didn't chase after her.
She stood still, watching his back, and suddenly lifted her foot, kicking a small stone up from the tip of her boot.
The stone flew towards the back of Qin Zhao's head.
Qin Zhao didn't turn his head back, he took a backhand and caught it steadily.
He didn't turn back, just stuffed the stone into the jade plaque at his waist.
Ji Xue giggled and caught up with him, standing shoulder to shoulder. The dark red arrow wound on her shoulder was faintly visible in the dim light of the stone steps.
The stone steps are getting deeper and deeper.
At the end, a stone door was half open.
A faint blue light shone through the crack in the door.