CHAPTER 418: CHAPTER 418: BEAUTY LIKE JADE, SWORD LIKE A RAINBOW

Lan Xin immediately refused:

"These items were acquired through the sacrifice of over a dozen junior sisters’ lives; how could I possibly enjoy them alone? We all shed blood and fought; let’s share equally among ourselves."

Yang Xiao said:

"You urgently need one or two individuals to prioritize and break through their enhanced genes. This way, the next time you encounter a similar situation, it will be much better."

"I know, but I absolutely refuse to enjoy alone the evolution resources that my junior sisters exchanged with their lives and blood."

Lan Xin’s attitude was resolute.

Yang Xiao, having known her for so long, saw for the first time how serious Lan Xin could be in front of him, so he stopped persuading her, and his respect and appreciation for Lan Xin’s character grew even more.

Xiao Lan and the others found the deceased junior sisters’ clothing and bones on the ground. Most of the skeletons were indistinguishable, and many were incomplete, obviously consumed by the Tibetan mastiffs.

Thinking back to the tragic scene of that night, everyone couldn’t help but shed tears, with some wailing aloud.

Yang Xiao could only stand by in silence and sigh.

"The senior sisters sacrificed their precious lives in defense of the sect and resisting the mastiff attack. We, the survivors, must live better lives to extend and honor the Shenming Mountain Sect. Only by doing so can we truly comfort our lost senior sisters!"

In the end, everyone gathered all the bones and pieces of clothing they could find, dug a large pit in the ancestral graveyard behind the mountain, and buried the junior sisters together.

Lan Xin and the others experienced another bout of agony, heartwrenching to the extent of fainting several times.

Yang Xiao silently stayed with Lan Xin and the others, with tears shed several times due to the sorrowful atmosphere.

It wasn’t easy, but eventually, everyone managed to stop crying and looked despondently at their ruined home.

Yang Xiao said:

"The Tibetan mastiffs left abruptly, and their threat looms over us. Moreover, the houses here are in ruins and will be hard to repair quickly. Lan Xin, would you and the others like to come to Nanmu City with me?"

With a sad expression, Lan Xin opened her tearful eyes, glanced at Xiao Lan and the others, and asked:

"My junior sisters, what do you think?"

Xiao Lan responded:

"Senior sister, I think Yang Xiao is right. Although some houses here are intact and habitable, the departed mastiffs are still a looming threat. We were fortunate to have Yang Xiao with us this time; without him, we might have ended up as food for the mastiffs."

Ju Yun, Xue Mei, and others nodded. They were actually eager to leave this dangerous area, feeling no more security, fearing a sudden mastiff attack, especially since there were still nearly a hundred of them.

Lan Xin glanced at Yang Xiao and said:

"Alright, since everyone is willing to leave, let’s follow Yang Xiao to Nanmu City for the time being. Everyone goes to their rooms to pack briefly. We must pack all the Ancient Martial Secret Books from the cave, and we’ll spend one more night in the cave before setting off early tomorrow. What do you think?"

Xiao Lan and the others nodded in agreement, and so, everyone immediately began packing their luggage, bundling up their beloved personal items.

Lan Xin looked at Yang Xiao and said:

"I want to take a walk in the courtyard, accompany me."

"Okay."

The two walked to the inner courtyard, which despite the ice and snow, showed a different kind of scenery: several pavilions and terraces, a small pond.

"Yang Xiao, do you know? Since the age of three, I have been brought here by Master, and spent 19 years here."

Yang Xiao was startled, and asked:

"What about your parents?"

"My master said I was an orphan. My parents died in a car accident when I was three. Master happened to pass by the accident scene and heard my crying in the heavy snow, and brought me back."

Yang Xiao was surprised, not expecting such a tragic background for Lan Xin and was at a loss on how to comfort her.

"Do you know the names and addresses of your parents?"

"Master said that the road here is quite remote, and it’s difficult to see a car on it, especially during heavy snow; there are even fewer vehicles.

My parents’ car plunged off a cliff on the road. I guess at the critical moment, my parents must have thrown me out of the car, which is why I survived."

During the heavy snowfall, Master couldn’t venture down the cliff to search for my parents’ remains. He could only take me back up the mountain.

I was lucky enough to survive. You know, at the base of Divine Mountain, there are many places where wild wolves roam."

"Indeed, you are fortunate. Those who survive a great disaster often find greater blessings later. You’re doing quite well now!"

Lan Xin turned to look at Yang Xiao and gave a wry smile.

Yang Xiao used to think Lan Xin was aloof, only now realizing that perhaps her lonely background was what forged her character. In truth, she needed the warmth of family more than anyone else.

"Yang Xiao, I’m taking the junior sisters to Nanmu City. There’s one thing you must promise me."

"Sure, tell me. As long as it’s something I can do, I’ll do it."

"We’re all girls, in need of a sense of safety. You mustn’t let them be wronged. In Nanmu City, we can help you with things within our abilities, but we need our freedom, and can’t be restricted by you guys. Do you understand what I mean?"

Yang Xiao smiled and said:

"Rest assured, you’ll have complete freedom in your actions. Plus, there are many girls in Nanmu City; I believe you’ll quickly make friends when we arrive."

After saying this, Yang Xiao suddenly had a bad premonition. Damn it, Huang Wen, Qin Yu, Deng Xiao, and the others will tease me no end when they find out I’ve brought back a group of beauties.

Lan Xin suddenly gave a faint smile and asked:

"You must have a girlfriend in Nanmu City, right?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao awkwardly laughed and was about to speak when Lan Xin gently waved her hand and said:

"Don’t tell me. Whether you have one or not, it’s your business, and it doesn’t concern anyone else."

Lan Xin was astute, her heart both hoping to hear Yang Xiao say "no" and fearing to hear him say "yes." Before Yang Xiao could respond, she felt torn.

Yang Xiao said:

"I have... several good friends,"

After saying this, he felt the phrase was too vague, so he boldly added:

"In these post-apocalyptic times, humanity is always on the brink of annihilation by mutant monsters. As a man, one should take it as his duty to revive humanity and restore the glory of Xuanming Country, so there’s no time to consider personal emotions."

Feeling that still wasn’t quite convincing, he added:

"I’m still young!"

"Pfft!"

Lan Xin burst into laughter and said:

"Such an act. Are you going to die if you don’t pretend?"

Yang Xiao scratched his head, feeling wronged, and said:

"Can you really tell I’m being serious?"

Lan Xin looked at Yang Xiao, turned her head to look toward the pavilion ahead, over the pond, and said:

"Aren’t you curious why I haven’t taught you swordsmanship? Divine Mountain Sword Skill emphasizes agility and deftness and requires the foundation of Qinggong. I’ll dance it for you."

As Lan Xin spoke, her body flashed, and she flew onto the ice covering the pond ahead.

This pond was man-made, lacking the geothermal conditions of Turquoise Pool, so its water had long since turned to ice, topped with a thick layer of snow.

Lan Xin drew her sword, and immediately, she danced the Divine Mountain Sword Skill on the ice, stirring sword Qi around the pond, gliding as gracefully as a startled swan taking flight.

This was the first time Yang Xiao saw Lan Xin demonstrate the complete Divine Mountain Seventy-two Sword Skills. He was mesmerized and couldn’t help but exclaim:

As skill peaks, one might become an immortal beyond the world, and the full extent of talent resonates through the heart.

When the Zen gate shatters suddenly, a beauty like jade emerges, a sword like a rainbow!

(Thanks to the book friend Xingyun Piaoxue for the reward of 500 Qidian Coins, and to the book friend 2017**8682 for the reward of 100 Qidian Coins. Thank you for your support.)