The ‘islet’ moved quickly toward the shore.

The approach of the foreign beast brought upon them formless tension. Aside from a few—Lan WangJi, Jin ZiXuan, Jiang Cheng, and Wen ZhuLiu —everyone else kept on staggering backward. Just as everyone thought that the underwater creature would flip out any moment, it halted.

"Is no one gonna tell me what kind of creature it is?" asked Jiang Cheng.

"It's dangerous, a-niang." said Jingyi.

"I'm not asking of how dangerous it is. I am asking what kind." said Jiang Cheng.

"You'll find it out in any second." said Jin Ling.

The dormant beast had been awakened because Wei WuXian jumped onto its back. Now, Wei WuXian didn’t dare move rashly. He remained where he was and waited.

Above the dark water that surrounded the ‘islet’ were a few maple leaves of an unusually bright shade of red, slowly floating by.

Below the leaves, within the depths of the pool, was something that looked like a pair of glowing bronze mirrors.

"The f*ck!" cursed Jiang Cheng.

"Is that eyes?" asked Nie Huaisang.

"What do you think? A bronze lantern under the water?" Jiang Cheng asked.

"Jiang Cheng finally lose his patience." laughed Wei Wuxian.

"It's not funny at all." said Nie Huaisang.

The bronze mirrors grew larger and larger, nearer and nearer. Wei WuXian exclaimed under his breath. Dragging Wen Chao, he stepped back just as the surface below his foot shook and suddenly began to rise. The ‘islet’ rose into the air. The large, coal-black head of a beast, atop it the couple of maple leaves, soared out of the water!

Under the screams varying in pitch, the beast slowly turned its head around, staring with its massive eyes the two humans on its back.

The round head of the beast appeared rather strange, similar to both a turtle’s and a snake’s. Simply looking at its head, it’d be more like a gigantic snake, but looking at its body, which had largely risen out of the water already, it seemed more like a…

"Is that a tortoise?" asked Jin Zixun.

"Isn't it obvious already?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"Such a large one. Can they even survive from that?" asked Nie Huaisang.

"Are you questioning our strength?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"No, it's just that, it was the first for me to see such creature." said Nie Huaisang.

"Because that's the only one. And it shouldn't be awaken." said Wen Rouhan as he glared at his idiot of a son.

Wei WuXian, “… What a large… tortoise…”

This wasn’t the average tortoise.

If the tortoise were to crash onto the Lotus Pier’s training ground, its shell alone could fill up the entire martial arts field. Even three burly men wouldn’t be able to put their arms around its dark crown. Much less, the average tortoise couldn’t extend out of its shell a snake’s long, winding head, within it a full mouth of yellow, criss-crossed fangs, let alone grow four sharp claws that seemed quite agile.

"Just what kind of tortoise is that?" asked Jin Zixuan.

"If you guys are smart enough, you can find it out on your own." said Wen Rouhan.

"No, more like if they have read enough books." said Wen Xu.

"That's an ancient one." he added.

"We're not interested in books." Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng grumbled.

Wei WuXian met the pair of large, golden eyes. Its pupil was just a slit, its thickness shifting, as though its eyes were switching in and out of focus, not completely able to tell what exactly was on its back.

It seemed like that the beast had the eyesight of a snake as well—not too good. As long as they didn’t move, maybe it wouldn’t be able to notice.

Suddenly, two streams of water vapor shot out of its hole-like nostrils.

"Just stay in your place for a while." said Qingheng-jun.

"And assess the situation." Lan Qiren added.

"Do you think they can still hold their fear seeing that?" asked Jin Guangshan.

"Only you can't, I guess." said Wen Rouhan.

The maple leaves that had been floating in the water just happened to be near its nose. It spurted out the air likely because they were itching it. Wei WuXian was still motionless, standing as if he was a statue. However, the slight movement scared the life out of Wen Chao.

Wen Chao knew that the beast craved slaughter more than anything. Seeing that it suddenly shot vapor from its nose, he thought that it was about to go into a rage. Disregarding the sword by his neck, he screamed toward Wen ZhuLiu, who was at the shore, “Why aren’t you helping me yet?! Help me now! What are you waiting for?!”

Jiang Cheng cursed through clenched teeth, “That idiot!”

"He's really is an idiot." said Jiang Cheng.

"I was right when I said that he will be the first one to cower." he added.

"Just what kind of a son are you?" asked Wen Rouhan.

"You put everyone lives in danger." he added.

Among the two strange things before its eyes, one suddenly started twitching like a worm and let out ear-piercing sounds. The beast was provoked at once. Its snake-like head pulled back quickly before immediately springing up. Its yellow and black fangs parted wide as it lunged for its back!

Wei WuXian flicked his arm. Wen Chao’s sword flew with the speed of an arrow toward where the heart of the beast should be.

"You should've tossed that coward of a bastard instead." said Jiang Cheng.

"Maybe a thought like that didn't cross my mind that time." laughed Wei Wuxian.

"I wouldn't be mad even if you do that." said Wen Rouhan making Wen Chao stared at him in disbelief.

However, as it was covered in black scales, the head of the beast was as hard as armor. As though it had hit a piece of iron, the blade of the sword sent off a trail of sparks with a clang before it plummeted into the water. The beast seemed to hesitate. Its large eyeballs turned down to look at the slender object that glowed even when it was underwater. Grabbing the opportunity, Wei WuXian pushed down with his legs and lept into the air along with Wen Chao, onto one of the other islets, thinking to himself, Please don’t tell me that this one is a huge tortoise as well!

Suddenly, he heard Jiang Cheng call out, “Watch your back! The Core-melting Hand is coming!”

"Juang Cheng always watching out for me and giving me warning. My brother loves me so much." said Wei Wuxian.

"You better shut up. Focus on more important situation." said Jiang Cheng.

"Your love is also important for me." said Wei Wuxian.

"I swear, Wei Wuxian if you won't stop I will strangle you." said Jiang Cheng but Wei Wuxian just laughed at him.

Wei WuXian spun around only to see a pair of large hands loom over him without a sound. Involuntarily, he struck out to fend against Wen ZhuLiu’s attack. He could feel a power come from Wen ZhuLiu, unusually forceful and dark, as though something was about to be sucked out of his arm. Wei WuXian instinctively took his hand back, while Wen ZhuLiu used the chance to snatch Wen Chao away, landing back on the shore. Wei WuXian cursed under his breath and followed them to the shore. All of the Wen Sect’s disciples took down the bows that had been on their backs and retreated as they aimed at the beast. Arrows shot through the air as though they were rain, clinking as they hit the beast’s scales and its shell. Sparks flew everywhere. Although the battle appeared to be quite intense, in reality, there was no use. Not a single arrow had proven a fatal hit. They did nothing more than scratch the beast’s itches. The large head waved left and right. The skin outside of its shells seemed to be black rocks, filled with lumps. Even if arrows hit, they couldn’t go any deeper.

"I swear this beast is so strong." said Wei Wuxian.

"I started to doubt if we really escaped that time." said Jin Zixuan.

"Maybe that creature needs to be attacked fatally on the inside." said Nie Huaisang.

"You can't even go near it and you're saying that we must attack on inside." said Jiang Cheng.

"Just a suggestion, Jiang-xiong." said Nie Huaisang.

Wei WuXian watched one of the Wen Sect’s disciples pant as he set an arrow onto his bow. Struggling to draw the bow, he just couldn’t pull it all the way back. Finally unable to tolerate it, Wei WuXian grabbed the bow and kicked the disciple to the side. Three arrows were left in the quiver. He set them onto the bow all at once, drew the string to the fullest, and aimed. The string of the bow squeaked by his ear. Just as he was about to let go, a cry suddenly came from behind him.

The cry was full of fear. Turning around, Wei WuXian saw Wang LingJiao give orders to three servants. Two of them brutishly held MianMian in place, clenching her face, while the other raised the branding iron in his hand and thrusted it toward her face!

"What the f*ck is she doing?!" asked Jiang Cheng.

"Why me again?" asked MianMian.

"I swear to God, this woman will have a taste of her own medicine when the time comes." said Wei Wuxian.

The tip of the iron was so heated that it sizzled and shone with red light. Wei WuXian was some distance away from them. Seeing what was happening, he immediately shifted the direction of the arrows and let go of the string.

The three arrows shot out at once and hit each of the three people. Without making a noise, they fell backward onto the ground. Yet, before the bowstring even ceased to vibrate, Wang LingJiao suddenly grabbed the iron that had fallen as well. Gripping MianMian’s hair, she again shoved it toward her face!

Even though Wang LingJiao’s level of cultivation was extremely low, her move was both swift and cruel. If she really did it, even if MianMian could keep her eye, her face would be completely ruined. A woman like her, even under such dangerous circumstances where people were prepared to flee at a moment’s notice, still kept her persistent thoughts of harming others!

"If that iron touched my face, I swear, I'm going to kill you right here, right now." said MianMian while glaring at Wang Lingjiao.

"That Wen Chao can't protect." she added.

"You can try." said Wang Lingjiao.

"Please do it, MianMian. I will help you held Wen Chao down." said Wei Wuxian.

All of the other disciples were setting up their arrows, handling the beast with all of their attention. Nobody was near these two. There were no more arrows on Wei WuXian and there wasn’t enough time to grab someone else’s. Under the urgency of these circumstances, he rushed over, one hand striking away the arm that Wang LingJiao grabbed MianMian’s hair with and the other landing forcefully at her chest.

Having undertaken the strike, Wang LingJiao heaved up a mouthful of blood and flew backward.

However, the tip of the iron had already pressed onto Wei WuXian’s chest.

"Wei Ying!" exclaimed Lan Wangji.

"I thought Lan Zhan will be the one who's going to have the mark." said Wei Wuxian.

"Your memory is really bad." said Jiang Cheng.

"What do you mean?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"Remember the first time you saw the mark on Lan Wangji's chest? Didn't you said that you have one too before you become the Yiling Patriarch?" asked Jiang Cheng.

"What?" asked Wei Wuxian.

"I don't want to explain to a person who has a poor memory." said Jiang Cheng.

"Brother-in-law." said Wei Wuxian.

"Tell your husband to explain it well." he added.

"What Wanyin mean to say is that you have the mark first and it's not Maiden Wang who made Wangji to have the same mark." said Lan Xichen.

"And you make me more confuse." said Wei Wuxian.

"F*ck you, Wei Wuxian. What is so hard to understand in that? Lan Wangji didn't get the brand mark from that b*tch instead it was you. We don't know how the hell he end up having that same mark which is located in the same place as you." said Jiang Cheng.

"And say that you don't understand once again, I'm going to smack your head on the f*cking wall." he added.

"I really don't get it. Don't tell Lan Zhan gave that to himself." said Wei Wuxian.

"And if he really did, that's not a shock now." said Jiang Cheng.

"Now let me teach this f*cking b*tch a f*cking lesson." he added as he stood up to grab Wang Lingjiao's hair but Wen Chao stood up in front of her with his sword unsheathed.

"Make a move, dearest son and I'm going to cut your throat." said Wen Rouhan as he placed the tip of his sword on Wen Chao's neck.

"Little Jiang, go back to your seat." he ordered but Jiang Cheng just glared at him.

"Qiren, take your nephew-in-law away." said Wen Rouhan but Lan Qiren just gave him a look.

"Wanyin, calm down." said Lan Xichen as he grabbed his husband back.

Wei WuXian caught the odor of clothing and skin being scorched, along with the horrifying scent of cooked meat. Below his collarbone, near his heart, came a pain that drowned out everything else.

He gritted his teeth, but still couldn’t hold back the aching roar, finally letting it out of his throat.

His strike wasn’t in the least soft. Wang LingJiao flew out, blood spurting everywhere, and wailed as soon as she hit the ground. Jiang Cheng’s palm went toward the crown of her head. Wen Chao screeched, “JiaoJiao! JiaoJiao! Quick, get JiaoJiao back here!”

"Well deserve, b*tch." said Jiang Cheng.

Lan Wangji say nothing but an anger was visible in his eyes as he held Wei Wuxian tightly on his embrace.

"What I noticed is that, Jiang-xiong is always the first one to run and help his brother." said Nie Huaisang.

"That's because ChengCheng is worried about me. Look at him, ready to kill a woman just because I'm hurt." said Wei Wuxian with a smile.

Wen ZhuLiu frowned slightly. He didn’t say anything as he hurried over, fended off Jiang Cheng, and carried Wang LingJiao back, tossing her at Wen Chao’s feet. Wang LingJiao threw herself into his arms, still retching blood as she bawled her eyes out. Jiang Cheng chased over to fight Wen ZhuLiu. Wen Chao saw that his eyes were bloodshot and had on a terrifying expression. The rest of the disciples had also been excited, and there was still a gigantic beast inside the pool, the front-left claw of which had already stepped onto the shore. Wen Chao finally began to fear, “Retreat, retreat. Retreat right now!”

"Damn, a-niang looks terrifying." said Jingyi.

"I have never saw that kind of expression on Jiang Cheng before." said Wei Wuxian.

"Wang Lingjiao might have trigger his anger. He hurt Wei-xiong after all." said Nie Huaisang.

"And it's not just a simple pain. Wei Wuxian skin will be marred for life." said Jin Zixuan.

"That's the proof that you should never hurt a person infront of their siblings because the overprotectiveness will come out." said Nie Huaisang.

"No wonder, Jiang-xiong is the only one who can hurt Wei-xiong." laughed Nie Huaisang.

Jiang Cheng scoffed.

"Even if he escaped, I won't let him go. I will give the most torturous death of a lifetime." said Jiang Cheng as he glared at the screen.

Those who served him had been holding it up with much effort, waiting for him to give orders of retreat since a long time ago. Hearing those words, they hopped onto their swords and flew away at once. Wen Chao’s sword was thrown by Wei WuXian into the water, so he grabbed someone else’s and leapt onto the sword with Wang LingJiao in his arms. With a whoosh, they disappeared within the blink of an eye. All of the disciples and servants followed closely behind him. Jin ZiXuan shouted, “Stop fighting! Let’s go!”

"Yes, leave from there." said Madam Jin.

"Lucky for them to escape first." Jiang Cheng said with a scoff.

"Why did you leave them?" asked Wen Rouhan.

"Well, as if he will be safe if take us with him." said Wei Wuxian.

The disciples had never intended to continue the fight anyway, especially against the beast that was like a mountain of boulders. But, dashing along, as they arrived at where the hole was, they found the vine that they had used to climb down in a pile on the ground like a dead snake.

Jin ZiXuan fumed, “Those dog-thieves! They cut off the vine!”

"What the f*ck?!" cursed Jiang Cheng.

"Wen Chao!" shouted Wen Rouhan.

"When I was young, I was never like that. How did you turned out to be one?" he asled.

"Isn't that great? I have no competitors anymore. Our Sect will be forever above all." said Wen Chao.

"Well, f*ck you!" cursed Jiang Cheng.

Without the vine, they had now way of climbing up the steep dirt wall. The hole was a little more than thirty feet above their heads, its white light hurting the eye. Not long afterward, half of the light had withered, as though the tiangou had taken a bite out of the moon.

Somebody cried, “They’re blocking up the entrance!”

Just as he had finished speaking, the rest of the white light had been blocked up as well.

"No one is as stupid as you." said Wen Rouhan.

"Do you think their family will let that go?" he asked.

"Before you make a move, think first." he added.

"How can we escape now?" asked Jin Zixuan.

"I swear, if I will die there, I will hunt Wen Chao until he died." said Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian nodded.

"Lets see if he will be in peace." said Wei Wuxian.

Deep underground, all that was left was a couple of burning torches, igniting the young, hesitant faces. Nobody could say anything.

A while later, Jin ZiXuan’s cursing broke the dead silence, “That hell of a couple can really do such things, can’t they?”

One of the boys murmured, “It’s alright even if we can’t get out… My father and mother will come find me. If they hear of this, they’ll definitely search for me here.”

A few of the people agreed. Immediately after, somebody replied in a quivering voice, “They must think that we’re still undergoing indoctrination at Qishan. How could they possibly search for us… Besides, after the Wen Sect’s people ran away, they definitely won’t tell the truth. They’ll definitely make up some excuse… And we can only stay down here…”

"That's quite reasonable. Judging from the Wen Sect action, Wen Rouhan is different in the future." said Lan Qiren.

"Then, what should they do now?" asked Jiang Yanli.

"With the beast along with them, their safety is unsure." she added.

"We will find a way to escape." said Jin Zixuan.

"Don't worry too much, a-li." he added.

“We can only wait down here in the cave… without any food… along with a beast…”

As Jiang Cheng slowly walked over, propping Wei WuXian up, they happened to hear the ‘without any food’ part of the conversation. Wei WuXian, “Jiang Cheng, there’s a piece of cooked meat here. You want to eat it?”

Jiang Cheng, “Get lost! You really haven’t learned your lesson, have you? Just what situation do you think we’re in? You don’t know how much I want to sew your lips together.”

"You really have to say that to me?" asked Jiang Cheng.

"I prefer dying than eating a human flesh." he added.

"It's not like it's not a joke." said Wei Wuxian.

"You still have time to make a joke in that kind of situation?" asked Jin Zixuan.

"Than die out of boredom and seriousness." said Wei Wuxian.

Lan WangJi’s light-colored eyes landed on them. Immediately after, they landed on MianMian, who followed behind them, at a loss as to what to do. Tears stained her face as she continued to sob, hands clenching her robe as she said ‘I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry’ over and over again. Wei WuXian plugged his ears, “Hey, stop crying, alright? I’m the one who was burned, not you. Don’t tell me that you want me to cheer you up? How about you cheer me up? Okay, enough, Jiang Cheng, stop carrying me. It’s not like my leg is broken.”

"I'm sorry, Wei Wuxian." said MianMian.

"Aiyaa, no need to say sorry. I did that on my own." said Wei Wuxian.

"Still, you were marred because of me." saod MianMian.

"I don't know how to comfort you." said Wei Wuxian.

"Then, don't do such thung again." saod Jiang Cheng with a glare.

"Sister-in-law is right." said Lan Wangji.

"You two teamed uo in a wrong situation." said Wei Wuxian.

"For you to stop being reckless." said Jiang Cheng.

The girls circled around MianMian and began to sniffle together.

Lan WangJi’s gaze returned as he turned around to leave.

Jiang Cheng, “Young Master Lan, where are you going? The beast is still waiting in the pool.”

Lan WangJi, “Return to the pool. There is a way to leave.”

"What?" asked Jin Zixuan.

"How can he say that?" asked Jin Zixun.

"He nust be lying." said Su She.

"Man, if you're trying to ruin my Lan Zhan let me tell you, my man never lies." said Wei Wuxian.

"If he said that there's a way to escape then there is." he added.

After the boys had heard that there was a way to leave, even the crying stopped. Wei WuXian, “What is it?”

Lan WangJi, “There are leaves within the pool.”

Although the sentence sounded rather strange, Wei WuXian understood at once.

"You're going back to where the creature is?" asked Nie Huaisang.

"Isn't that dangerous?" he added.

"It's nore dangerous to stay." said Jin Zixuan.

"Whatever it is, as long as we can escape and go back to our respective home." he added.

"That's good, then." said Wen Rouhan.