As the system's voice gradually faded, Ren Yuanhao snapped out of his brief daze.
Just then, Shen Lan Ni finally stepped slowly into the bamboo house.
"You're finally awake. That's good, then I can go back and train those boys with peace of mind."
Hearing her say that, Ren Yuanhao remembered that in a little more than ten days, he would have to lead his disciples to participate in the competition.
"But what if that Jiang Cheng..." Ye Lan was somewhat worried.
"I don't believe he can do anything to me in broad daylight!"
The mention of this name caused Shen Lan Ni's expression to suddenly turn somewhat gloomy.
Ren Yuanhao wasn't worried about Jiang Cheng. After all, he was currently in America. While presenting his number 137, he pondered for a moment before saying, "Jiang Cheng has probably already been taken to America for experiments by now and won't have time to bother with us."
He poured out everything he knew to them. After all, as the saying goes, three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang. Discussing it together was better than him racking his brains alone.
After the two listened, their expressions grew more solemn. This news was indeed quite heavy. However, fortunately, Jiang Cheng's disappearance had given them enough time to recuperate.
At this moment, Ren Yuanhao immediately thought of Shen Lan Ni's past residence and cultivation there, making her quite familiar with the area. He asked, "By the way, boss, you're quite familiar with this place, do you know if there are any pools around?"
"A pool? Why are you asking about this?"
Ren Yuanhao fabricated an excuse, "I seem to be able to sense something, like a cave, deep within a clear pool of water, containing something that can heal my injuries."
"That magical?"
As the two were speaking, Yang Ling Xue suddenly pushed the door open. She had overheard their conversation entirely. Now, hearing Ren Yuanhao mention a magical cave, her naturally mischievous and spirited personality could not resist the lure of curiosity.
"I only have a fleeting image in my mind, I don't know the exact location."
Ren Yuanhao scratched the back of his head, appearing somewhat embarrassed.
Shen Lan Ni gazed at the tall phoenix trees and maple trees in front of the courtyard, her mind conjuring an image of an autumn landscape.
It was when she was fourteen or fifteen. She and her senior brother were chasing a mottled monkey, heading down along the southeastern mountain range. After passing through a maple forest, the monkey suddenly disappeared, as if it had evaporated into thin air. In front of them was a deep pool of emerald water. The upper part of the pool was obscured by lush green vegetation, and only the sound of flowing water could be heard.
And that deep pool was the only one she had ever seen in this place!
Shen Lan Ni's words immediately energized Yang Ling Xue.
"The sky is still young, there's plenty of time to explore," Ren Yuanhao said as he attempted to get off the bed.
"Forget it, your injuries are very serious right now. Rest for now. I'm familiar with that place, so I'll go."
Shen Lan Ni pushed him back onto the bed, not giving him a chance to speak, and then asked, "What does the thing you need look like?"
"I don't know. It's just a gut feeling. I'm afraid I'll have to go personally to find what I need through sensing."
Shen Lan Ni frowned, but then heard Ye Lan beside her say, "Why don't Ye Lan and I go together? We can take turns carrying him, how about it?"
"No way! What do you mean by deliberately leaving me behind? Do you want to get closer to him by carrying him? Hmph, I won't agree!"
Yang Ling Xue's pampered temper flared up, unstoppable.
"Ling Xue, stop being unreasonable. We're going on important business..."
Shen Lan Ni shot her a glare, but before she could finish, Yang Ling Xue interrupted again, "In short, it's no. I'm going too. And I've recovered very well. I can carry you, a skinny monkey, with plenty of strength. Hmph!"
The three exchanged glances and couldn't help but chuckle. Ren Yuanhao could only nod, agreeing.
Once essentials like flashlights and ropes were ready, the three hurried on their way. Ye Lan once again took on the role of staying behind, sitting idly in front of the courtyard, gazing at the misty mountains and flowing greenery.
"Damn it, Ren Yuanhao, you don't seem that heavy, but carrying you feels like carrying a pig!"
Yang Ling Xue, carrying Ren Yuanhao on her back, had her legs trembling, but she tried to put on a brave face.
"I think it's because you, Miss Yang, are usually too accustomed to a pampered life and lack exercise, which makes it so strenuous?" Shen Lan Ni led the way. Since it was downhill, she knew very well how difficult it was for Yang Ling Xue right now. However, if she didn't seize this opportunity to teach her a lesson, it would be hard to deal with her pampered temper in the future.
Yang Ling Xue naturally refused to concede, but Ren Yuanhao on her back felt like a massive boulder. With every step forward, her legs felt like decaying wood in the wind.
"Yes, yes, yes, I lack exercise. Are you satisfied now?"
The three walked in silence for twenty to thirty steps. Yang Ling Xue could no longer walk. After all, her injuries had not healed, and coupled with her lack of exercise, it was already impressive that she had stubbornly walked for this long.
She stopped, panting, sweat already beading on her forehead. The scenery was picturesque.
"Hey, Sister Lan Ni, how much further?"
"Still a long way. What, can't you make it now?"
"Who says I can't? I, I can still walk a very, very long way."
Shen Lan Ni walked closer and gently patted Yang Ling Xue's leg. She stumbled, and if Shen Lan Ni hadn't supported them both, they might have fallen face first.
"You! You're bullying me!"
"Give it a rest. Remember to exercise more in the future. I'll carry him the rest of the way."
Shen Lan Ni took Ren Yuanhao. Being a martial artist, even with Ren Yuanhao on her back, she walked faster than Yang Ling Xue behind them.
"Hey, wait for me! Can you not run so fast?"
Under Yang Ling Xue's occasional nagging, about ten minutes later, the three of them finally passed through the maple forest, and a clear, emerald pool appeared before them.
"Wow, it's so beautiful here. When the maple leaves turn red in autumn and drift down with the wind, how magnificent it will be when the sky, clouds, and water reflect each other!"
"We'll talk about that when it happens. The immediate priority is to find a way to cross the pool and get to that place."
Shen Lan Ni pointed towards a spot obscured by luxuriant green leaves and couldn't help but show a look of difficulty.