The group arrived at the foot of a mountain.
The mountain was overgrown with weeds and trees, obscuring any sign of a path. It looked like someone would have to clear the way for them to pass.
"Get down. Time for some exercise," Xie Heng said, patting Jiang You’s back as he carried her. "I need to go up front and clear the way."
Xie Heng had been carrying Jiang You the whole way, and he found her surprisingly docile on his back. As a result, his tone had softened considerably without him even realizing it.
Jiang You seemed to sense it wasn’t the time to act up, so she slid right off Xie Heng’s firm, broad back. But the moment she was down, she couldn’t resist a provoking remark. "Useless. Making a Healer like me walk on my own two feet."
Just when Xie Heng was thinking she was being well-behaved, she had to go and say something infuriating.
His jet-black eyes stared at Jiang You for a moment.
A knot of frustration tightened in his chest, rising and falling, with no way to release it.
In the end, he just turned his head away and instructed, "Hang back. I’ll be clearing the path. Don’t get too close."
With that, Xie Heng started walking ahead.
Jiang You didn’t answer him.
But Xie Heng knew she had heard him. ’After all, this woman is very particular about her own safety.’
And so, Xie Heng went ahead, using a blade to hack away all the weeds and thorns blocking their path. The muscles in his arms flexed, distinct and powerful with each movement.
He cleared a path all by himself.
Just like that, the group summited the mountain.
Jiang You followed obediently, climbing the mountain with them.
Xie Heng seemed a little surprised. He hadn’t heard Jiang You complain about being tired for quite a while. He lifted his gaze to look at her.
The moment Jiang You noticed his gaze, she immediately put on an impatient expression. A fine sheen of sweat covered her forehead, and her cheeks were flushed red. The color stood out against her snow-white skin like two wisps of crimson cloud.
She looked at him and commanded, "Xie Heng, come carry me."
’I thought he would just give me a cold look, turn away, and leave.’
But to her surprise, he watched her for a moment before walking over, turning, and crouching down in front of her. His tone was gentle. "Hop on."
Jiang You was stunned for only a second before climbing onto his back.
For the next mountain, someone else took the lead in clearing the path.
And just like that, Xie Heng carried her as they crossed one mountain, and then another.
Jiang You wanted to stir up trouble, but she couldn’t find a single opportunity.
But soon, another opportunity presented itself.
They arrived at the edge of a hundred-meter-high cliff.
"It’s so deep, I can’t even see the bottom," Xu Wen said, tossing a rock over the edge. After waiting a long time without hearing it land, he turned back to Xie Heng. "Captain, looks like we’ll have to rely on your Black Eagle again."
"Mm," Xie Heng nodded. He summoned the Black Eagle. "You all go first."
A Black Eagle shot out, its body rapidly expanding in size.
"Me first! Me first!" Li Xiang yelled, waving excitedly at the Black Eagle.
The giant Black Eagle swooped straight toward him. Its two sharp talons seized Li Xiang by the shoulders, and it carried him directly across the chasm.
Li Xiang landed easily on the other side.
The Black Eagle quickly flew back.
Xu Wen and Lin Zhi followed right after.
"Jiang You, you go first. I’ll bring up the rear," Xie Heng said, his tone flat. When he finished speaking, he heard no reply.
He glanced to his side but didn’t see her.
Turning around, he saw Jiang You steadily backing away from the edge.
"What is it now?" Xie Heng’s brows furrowed again.
"I don’t want to go over! That cliff is too deep! What if I fall?" Jiang You said through gritted teeth, refusing to budge.
"All three people who just crossed weigh more than you, and they made it over just fine. Nothing happened. What are you so afraid of?" Xie Heng said, his brow creased as he strode toward her.
"They’re them and I’m me. It’s not the same," Jiang You retorted, her own brows knitting together.
"What’s not the same? You’re lighter than they are, which makes it even easier for you to cross," Xie Heng said, grabbing her wrist and pulling her forward. "Stop wasting time. Every team has a limited amount of time to clear a Secret Realm."
"I said I’m not going, so I’m not going!" Jiang You’s feet seemed to be rooted to the spot. She wouldn’t budge an inch, her face set in a fierce expression. "Xie Heng, you’re hurting me! If you keep pulling me like this, the second we get out of here, I’m going to your family to call off the engagement!"
When Xie Heng heard her mention calling off the engagement, his expression inevitably darkened.
His grip on her wrist loosened slightly.
He stared at her for a moment without saying a word.
On the other side of the chasm, their teammates were watching and waiting.
"Black Eagle," Xie Heng called out sharply.
Before Jiang You could even react, the giant Black Eagle swooped in, seized her by the shoulders, and carried her, completely dumbfounded, across the chasm.
She felt her feet leave the ground and a gust of wind rush past her, and then she was on solid ground again.
The Black Eagle had moved so fast that it was over before she had time to process what had happened.
When she finally came to her senses, she glared furiously at Xie Heng on the other side, pointing a slender, pale finger at him. "Xie Heng! You... you’re dead meat!"
The Black Eagle flew back, and Xie Heng simply grabbed one of its talons, letting the creature carry him across.
He landed deftly on the ground, and the Black Eagle vanished.
"Let’s keep moving," Xie Heng commanded coolly.
The others immediately started walking.
Not far ahead lay the habitat of the Swift Wind Leopards.
Jiang You, still throwing a fit, refused to walk.
Xie Heng walked right over, wrapped an arm around her waist, and in one smooth motion, hoisted her onto his shoulder.
Jiang You was stunned, but only for a second.
"Xie Heng, what do you think you’re doing!" Jiang You cursed. "How dare you treat me like this! Just wait until we’re out of here, I won’t let you get away with this!"
The others up ahead glanced back. The young man simply carried the young woman forward, his sternly handsome face devoid of emotion, ignoring her struggles completely.
They only dared to steal a single glance before quickly looking away.
"Put me down!" Jiang You struggled, and in her flailing, she accidentally smacked Xie Heng across the face.
She faltered for a second, a pang of guilt hitting her, but then she resumed her struggles.
The blow knocked Xie Heng’s head to the side. His expression darkened like gathering storm clouds, and a vein throbbed in his temple.
His long, powerful hand slapped her perky backside once again.
"Jiang You, that’s enough," Xie Heng said, his face grim and his voice tight.
Jiang You’s struggles paused for an instant.
’What is wrong with this guy? Why does he always hit my butt when he’s angry?’
Her expression became unreadable.
"If you don’t want to get spanked again, stop messing around," Xie Heng said, his eyes lowered and his voice grave.
Jiang You balled her hands into fists and hammered them against Xie Heng’s back.
Xie Heng merely frowned slightly but said nothing.
’This girl is surprisingly strong.’
"This is uncomfortable. Carry me on your back," Jiang You finally grumbled, bracing her hands on his shoulders.
After walking a little further, Xie Heng put her down, then crouched so she could climb onto his back before continuing on.
This time, Jiang You didn’t cause any more trouble.
They soon reached a barren wasteland. Xie Heng set her down in a safe spot before joining his teammates to hunt the Swift Wind Leopards.