Originally, she thought Ethan Gray’s special treatment of Yuna was simply because she was a Divine Beast. But now it seemed there was more to it. Watching Ethan tempt Yuna with pastries, Cynthia Qi’s eyes grew thoughtful.
Earlier, Cynthia Qi had tried to join the conversation, but Ethan Gray was too busy teasing Yuna, leaving her no chance to speak. Now, she’d learned her lesson and stopped forcing it. Still, with so many gentlemen vying for her attention, she wasn’t left out.
Yet, with Ethan present, the atmosphere wasn’t as lively as before.
“Miss Cynthia, I’ve heard there’s a mystical spirit cave outside Mingxing Town. Is that true?”
Yuna nibbled on an osmanthus cake, glancing at the group whose excitement was barely hidden. She whispered, “Big Bad, what’s a spirit cave for?”
A glimmer flashed in Ethan Gray’s eyes, as if something had just occurred to him. Instead of answering, he turned to Cynthia Qi. “Miss Cynthia, would you mind leading the way?”
As Ethan Gray spoke, he picked up Yuna and stepped out of the painted boat, making sure to bring the plate of pastries for her. His toes lightly touched the water, and in an instant, he was standing firmly on land.
Even if Cynthia Qi wanted to refuse, this wasn’t the best time. So she led the curious and excited group toward Nanshan, outside Mingxing Town, in search of the spirit cave.
At the foot of the mountain, Cynthia Qi stepped down from the carriage and said softly, “The spirit cave is somewhere in these mountains, but I don’t know exactly where. They say only those with fate can find it.”
Hearing this, some people looked disappointed, but soon their spirits lifted again.
It’s said the spirit cave is truly magical. Training inside can yield twice the results with half the effort—who wouldn’t want to see it for themselves? No one’s ever found it, but just because others failed doesn’t mean they would. With so many people, they were sure they could search every inch of the mountain and find it.
Ethan had heard of the spirit cave before, but he’d never paid much attention to it.
He cultivated spiritual power, and his own was so deep that an ordinary spirit cave probably wouldn’t affect him at all, so he’d never given it much thought.
But now, he was interested in taking a look. A spirit cave that had existed since ancient times must have its own special qualities. It might even nurture some spiritual creatures inside—perhaps something that could help Yuna become human sooner.
Yuna had no idea what he was thinking. She just tilted her little head and said, “It’s easy to get lost.” That was her opinion of Nanshan.
Ling Yi found it amusing. Yuna could get lost in a garden—much less here!
Ethan Gray flicked Yuna’s small ear and said, “Don’t wander off. If you go hungry, it’s your own fault.”
Yuna grumbled twice and obediently stayed in his arms. Her snowy white little head contrasted sharply with Ethan Gray’s silver-black robe. Her dark eyes darted around, glancing at the barely-there mountain path, then at Cynthia Qi. Suddenly, Yuna smiled mischievously—serves you right for coveting Big Bad! Hope you’re exhausted, or maybe even fall down the mountain!
Her mood instantly improved. Yuna pointed her paw up the mountain and shouted excitedly, “Big Bad, let’s go!”
Seeing her so happy, Ethan couldn’t help but curl his lips in a smile and strode up the mountain first. His light, effortless steps betrayed none of the difficulty of the path.
Ling Yi resigned himself to following behind. The mountain path was no challenge for him either, but he couldn’t help but marvel—who else would dare boss Ethan Gray around like this? Yuna was truly bold, but it was all because Ethan indulged her.
Many in the group knew nothing of martial arts; by halfway up the mountain, they couldn’t go on. Yet Cynthia Qi, though a delicate woman, continued with her maid’s help. She was a bit out of breath but still had strength left, while her maid was stumbling and could hardly help her.
Yuna was still full of energy, waving her paw everywhere. “Big Bad, that fruit looks delicious!”
Ethan Gray flicked his finger, and the biggest, prettiest fruit dropped into his hand. Yuna snatched it up, hugging it with both paws and munching away happily.
She didn’t forget to tilt her chin and mumble indistinctly, “Big Bad, that flower is so pretty.”
Ethan Gray walked over and picked the pretty flower for her. Yuna freed a paw to grab it, sniffed it at her nose, then popped it straight into her mouth, biting off half. Her eyes sparkled. “Big Bad, this tastes even better than fruit.” Then she stuffed the rest into his mouth.
A sweet fragrance filled his mouth. Ethan raised his brows—there really was a spirit cave here, but its spiritual energy seemed blocked, leaking only a little. That’s why the plants hadn’t shown obvious effects yet.
If they searched for the spirit cave by following the strength of the spiritual energy in the plants, they should be able to find it soon.
Yuna kept munching on her fruit, unconcerned about the spirit cave or its energy—she was never that interested in it anyway.
Just then, a panting young man called out, “Miss Cynthia, let’s rest for a while!” Clearly, he couldn’t go on any longer.
Few in this group could keep their composure; since the Penglai Pavilion dealt in business, most of these young gentlemen were merchants’ sons, not martial artists. They were likely here for marriage alliances, hoping to get close to Penglai Pavilion, so naturally, their stamina couldn’t match those from the martial world.
Cynthia Qi glanced at Ethan Gray and nodded, “That’s fine.”
Immediately, someone thoughtfully brushed the dust off a nearby boulder with his sleeve, then had the exhausted maid lay down a handkerchief so Cynthia Qi could sit.
As soon as she sat, someone eagerly handed her a wild fruit.
The tree was tall, and some in the group practiced martial arts, but their inner strength was weak. Picking fruit wasn’t a problem, but unlike Ethan, they couldn’t do it effortlessly. Their lightness skills were lacking; otherwise, climbing the mountain wouldn’t be so exhausting.
Cynthia Qi was indeed thirsty. She took out a handkerchief to wipe her lips, then took a small bite of fruit. Looking up, she saw Ethan Gray and Ling Yi strolling away, not waiting for the others, and couldn’t help but frown.