Chapter 22

Speaking of this, Xiaolongnü was extremely angry and could no longer endure it. In an instant, she struck the two unprepared people and said, "You two Taoists are so shameless, to defame your fellow disciples just for the position of the sect leader! And what secret passage in my ancient tomb? How could I not know after living here for so many years?"

The two looked up and saw it was Xiaolongnü! Yin Zhiping felt an overwhelming sense of shame, his face turning red, while Zhao Zijing showed no fear and coldly replied, "The cave is at the southwest corner of the mountain, hidden by thick vines. It's hard to find unless you look carefully. If you don't believe me, I can take you to see it."

Xiaolongnü, seeing the Taoist's expression did not seem to be lying, wondered if what he said was true. In a panic, she left the two Taoists and headed down the mountain.

At this moment, although Luo Fan had already thought about the path he needed to take, which was to learn from nature and create his own sword technique, his lack of experience made it difficult for him to clearly understand how to transform nature into his sword technique. Moreover, since Xiaolongnü left, his mind had become increasingly troubled. Therefore, he decided to end his seclusion. Since she wouldn't come to see him, he would go to see her! Luo Fan immediately thought of the secret passage of the Ancient Tomb Sect...

Luo Fan descended the mountain, the sky was clear with a few stars, and the silver moonlight spread over the mountains, as if covering the entire Zhongnan Mountain with a layer of white gauze. Listening to the chirping of insects in the mountains and enjoying the night scenery, Luo Fan's worries diminished significantly.

Xiaolongnü, however, had no interest in the moonlight. She used her lightness skill and didn't take long to reach the foot of the mountain. With her night vision and the bright moon, she found a cave after a careful search!

She covered her mouth in disbelief, tears rolling down her cheeks, muttering, "No, no!"

Although Luo Fan did not use his lightness skill deliberately, his Nine Yang Divine Skill made his lightness skill very flexible. He soon arrived at the entrance of the secret passage. Luo Fan landed gracefully and suddenly saw a white figure standing at the entrance, "Who could it be?"

The white figure seemed to notice someone approaching and turned around. Luo Fan recognized it was Xiaolongnü! He was delighted but then asked in surprise, "Miss Long, why are you here?"

Xiaolongnü's pale face showed traces of tears. Seeing Luo Fan come at night, she began to believe what Zhao Zijing said. Her voice was cold, "You know very well!"

"What do I know?" Luo Fan's mind was filled with a thousand horses galloping, thinking, "Could she have found out about the Nine Yin Manual? No, how could she know?"

Seeing Luo Fan hesitate to answer, Xiaolongnü became even more convinced. Tears welled up in her eyes again, but she knew she couldn't do anything to Luo Fan, so she used her lightness skill and turned to leave.

"Why are you running again?" Luo Fan was puzzled and quickly chased after her, thinking, "This time, with no ancient tomb to block you, you won't be able to get away from me."

"Miss Long, what's wrong?" Luo Fan's lightness skill was much higher than Xiaolongnü's. He caught up with her after she hadn't flown far. Xiaolongnü, unable to shake him off, drew her sword and stabbed at Luo Fan. Luo Fan didn't expect Xiaolongnü to attack him and was stabbed in the abdomen!

"Why... why..." Luo Fan's eyes were filled with confusion and bewilderment. His body, unsupported by his lightness skill, fell from the air. Xiaolongnü, who only wanted to delay him, thought he would easily dodge. Seeing him so severely injured, she stopped, extremely pained, and landed beside him.

"Why didn't you dodge?" Seeing Luo Fan lying weakly on the ground, her heart ached, and tears streamed down her face.

Luo Fan, seeing Xiaolongnü like this, no longer cared about the reason and said what he had always wanted to say, "Don't... leave me again... okay?"

Xiaolongnü thought, even if he had secretly learned the ancient tomb's secrets, at least his heart was sincere. She felt she owed him a lot and couldn't bear to refuse him, so she nodded, "Okay."

Luo Fan's pale face finally showed a smile. He tried to sound brave, "I'm like a cockroach; this injury won't kill me." He then sealed the meridians in his abdomen and pulled out the sword with a groan, his face turning even paler.

Xiaolongnü, supporting Luo Fan, said, "I'm sorry, it's all my fault."

Luo Fan shook his head, "No, it's my fault." He had a vague idea of what had happened. If he were to blame, the Nine Yin Manual did belong to the Ancient Tomb Sect, as Wang Chongyang had already given the entire tomb to Lin Chaoying, including the secret passage. He had learned it rashly and then destroyed it, which was indeed his mistake.

"No, I shouldn't have doubted you and stabbed you."

"No, I shouldn't have secretly learned the Nine Yin Manual in the secret passage and destroyed it."

"Nine Yin Manual?" Xiaolongnü was shocked, "You mean you didn't learn the ancient tomb's martial arts, but the Nine Yin Manual in the secret passage?"

"Huh?" Luo Fan was confused, "The ancient tomb's martial arts are for women. Why would I learn them?"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Xiaolongnü felt extremely guilty for doubting Luo Fan.

"Stupid girl!" Luo Fan felt a surge of pity and wanted to hug Xiaolongnü but was afraid of aggravating his wound, so he focused on healing himself.

While healing, Luo Fan thought, "It seems it's about the secret passage. Only Zhao Zijing and I knew about it. Could Zhao Zijing have leaked it?" His expression turned cold, "I should have killed him long ago!"

The night passed quietly.

The Nine Yang Divine Skill was powerful, and Luo Fan recovered quickly. By the next morning, he could walk with difficulty. With Xiaolongnü's support, they slowly made their way up the mountain.

After walking for a while, they heard a gentle song in the distance. Although far away, the clear and bright voice was clearly heard: "In this world, what is love, that it can make life and death so intertwined?" With each word, the singer came closer. By the third line, the singer was already near them.

"Li Mochou?" Hearing the song, Luo Fan guessed who it was. Indeed, a figure in a yellow Taoist robe landed, and it was Li Mochou.

Seeing Luo Fan's severe injuries, Li Mochou laughed, "Luo Fan, even my junior sister is smitten with you. You truly have great fortune, but today you will fall into my hands!"

A month ago, Luo Fan had blocked three hundred evil forces in the ancient tomb, and she, the instigator, had heard about it. Knowing Luo Fan was severely injured, she had returned from Shanxi to take revenge.

Of course, if she could seize the secret manual, it would be even better!

Xiaolongnü immediately drew her sword and prepared to defend. Luo Fan looked at Xiaolongnü and smiled, "Li Mochou, you seem to be too optimistic."

Li Mochou laughed, "Are you talking about your junior sister? With you as a burden, how much of her strength can she use?"

"You!" Luo Fan, agitated, felt a sharp pain in his wound, his face turning pale.

Without waiting for Luo Fan to say more, Li Mochou attacked him. Although her strength was similar to Xiaolongnü's, she only attacked Luo Fan, putting Xiaolongnü at a disadvantage.

After dozens of exchanges, Li Mochou became impatient. She flicked her wrist, and three silver needles shot toward Luo Fan. Xiaolongnü, thinking Luo Fan was already severely injured and would be killed by the three poisonous needles, quickly used her lightness skill to block him. With a groan, she used her body to shield the three Ice Soul Silver Needles!

"Long'er!" Luo Fan, ignoring his injuries, rushed to support Xiaolongnü.

"Ha ha ha ha!" Li Mochou laughed, finding the two, one severely injured and the other hit by the Ice Soul Silver Needles, no longer a threat to her.

Luo Fan took out a small porcelain bottle from his chest, the antidote for the Ice Soul Silver Needles he had taken from Li Mochou. Just as he opened the bottle, Li Mochou used her lightness skill to reach him instantly. Luo Fan, severely injured, couldn't resist, and Li Mochou snatched the antidote.

"Ha ha! Luo Fan, what tricks do you have now?"

Luo Fan, seeing Li Mochou's smug face, gritted his teeth, "Don't push me too far!"

Li Mochou laughed, "What if I do?"

"You still have time to regret it!" Luo Fan's face turned cold, thinking, "Don't force me to take the red pill!"

"Oh? I want to see what you have!"

"You're forcing me!"

"System, give me a small bottle of Life Potion." Luo Fan had not planned to use his exchange points, but now that Xiaolongnü had been hit by the Ice Soul Silver Needles for his sake, it was time to be generous!

"As you wish."

A small glass bottle appeared in Luo Fan's hand, containing a clear red liquid. Luo Fan forced himself to gather some internal energy and struck Li Mochou with a palm. The strong internal energy disrupted Li Mochou, and Luo Fan took the opportunity to drink the Life Potion.

"Did you go through all this just to drink this potion?" Li Mochou was puzzled but soon her expression changed to surprise as Luo Fan's face quickly regained color, clearly indicating his injuries were healing.

"You... what did you just drink?" Li Mochou was stunned; she had never imagined that someone so severely injured could recover so quickly!

"Do you regret it now?" Luo Fan smiled, "But it's too late!"

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