Hearing this sweet, almost ethereal shout, Ling Chens body stiffened and he slowly turned around. His senses and alertness were heightened to the extreme. The moment he turned around, he saw the silhouette of a red shadow running towards him. The instant he was able to see her clearly, Ling Chen was momentarily stunned.

It really was a girlThe girl was even smaller than he had expected. At first glance, this young and tender girl only looked twelve or thirteen years old. The young girls beautiful face was white as snow. Her large pupils were clear and transparent like glass. Her petite body and slim waist added to her extraordinary cuteness. She wore a princess-style dress and her lustrous, silky hair that cascaded over her shoulders naturally was mesmerisingly beautiful. The girls appearance was simply too breathtaking. She looked as cute as a doll, yet looked as delicate and tender as a rose. She stood in sharp contrast to the shadowy forest around her; the contrast was like an anime bishoujo being placed in a deathly cemetery.

Whew Big brother, I finally caught up to you. The young girl ran in front of Ling Chen and gave a long sigh of relief. She lifted her extremely adorable face. Her eyes flashed over Ling Chens face, examining him carefully. Wearing a flame-red coloured dress, this young girl gave off a bewitching and flirtatious air that did not match her age. She laughed sweetly, Big brother, where do you want to go? Why did you come to this place?

This ridiculously cute girls appearance stunned Ling Chen to the point that he almost couldnt resist picking her up and hugging her. Moreover, while moving closer to him, the girl did not give off even the slightest hint of danger; Xiao Hui did not react differently either. Despite this, Ling Chens heart could not relax, so he asked with a frown, Who are you?

Me? The young girl pointed at herself, her thin eyebrows arching into a curve, My name is Xi Ling. Big brother can call me Ling Ling!

Xi Ling? Was that this girls name? [TLN: Literally means Spirit of the Evening Tide] Ling Chen gazed at the girl. Her sudden appearance in this sort of setting made him unable to fully let down his guard around this girl. He looked into the girls eyes, but only saw sincerity, clarity, eagerness and a hint of happiness that he couldnt quite understand. Moreover, he wasnt sure if it was because of the reflection from her flame-red dress, but the girls eyes seemed to radiate with a faint red glow. Furthermore, he couldnt see any hint of danger from this girls eyes.

This girl was

How did you come to this place? Ling Chen continued to ask.

The young girl was shorter than Ling Chen by quite a bit, and so she needed to look up when talking to Ling Chen. Despite this, her smile was just as sweet and lovable. This question I need to first ask big brother, because big brother should reply first.

Ling Chen:

Big brother doesnt want to answer? Alright, alright, Ill say it first. I got lost at this place, and couldnt find the way home, then I found big brother! Big brother, its so scary here, could you please take me away from here? After she finished speaking, the girls crystal clear eyes unblinkingly stared into his.

Ling Chen narrowed his eyes and slightly lowered his head, Little kids shouldnt tell lies. Outside Lonely Spirit Ridge was a dark forest that swallowed all life, how could a little child safely pass through there? Moreover, he couldnt forget that when he first heard the girl, he couldnt even sense her presence draw near She definitely wasnt a normal girl.

However, no matter if it was the air she gave off, or the expression in her eyes, the girl simply didnt give off an air of danger..

The young girl immediately started to vigorously shake her head, I didnt lie! I really got lost Big brother, please take me away from here. Im really afraid of this place.

Then you tell me, wheres your home? Ling Chen faintly smiled as he asked.

The girl blinked a few times, thought for a few moments, then laughed with a pure and innocent laughter, Wherever big brother goes, thats where my home is.

The girls words greatly amused Ling Chen. He laughed and was just about to say something, when the girl suddenly spoke again, Big brother, Ive already answered, now its big brothers turn to answer my question from before Why is big brother in this place?

Ling Chen thought for a moment, then replied, I came here to find something called Flaming Black Grass. Its a type of grass that looks like a black flame. Have you seen this type of grass around here?

Flaming Black Grass? The young girls face revealed a shocked expression, But, Flaming Black Grass has disappeared from this place for a long time, doesnt big brother know?

Theres no more Flaming Black Grass? What do you mean? Ling Chens heart shook could it be that what he had suspected was true? The real question was, how could this girl know about this!?

No more Flaming Black Grass means no more Flaming Black Grass. Flaming Black Grass became extinct a long time ago, and does not grow anymore

The young girl stopped speaking halfway through the sentence as she noticed the look of hopelessness and disappointment on Ling Chens face. She asked, Is big brother looking for Flaming Black Grass for a very important reason? Did brothers friend get poisoned heavily and needs Flaming Black Grass to get rid of the poison? Flaming Black Grass can be used to get rid of a lot of poison, you know.

Ling Chen dumbly nodded his head If what the girl said was true, then he had endured so many things to reach this place for nothing! Could it be that the Azure Dragons Mayors quest was a troll quest that couldnt be completed?!

Hehehe Big brother, I tricked you! Seeing Ling Chen blankly nodding his head, the young girls lips curved upwards and smiled, Flaming Black Grass hasnt become extinct; I saw some just then.

Really? Ling Chen hurriedly asked, Where did you see it?

This Its a secret for now. If big brother promises me something, Ill bring some Flaming Black Grass for big brother. If you dont promise me, big brother will never find the Flaming Black Grass. The girls eyes sparkled as bright as stars. Her beautiful eyes glittered with eagerness and hope, something that Ling Chen was completely unable to understand.

What promise is it?

The girl immediately replied with a sincere tone, I want to follow big brother. Wherever big brother goes, just take me as well! Ok?

Why.. Facing this mysterious girls incredibly strange request, Ling Chen became utterly confused. In the terrifying environment of the Dark Forest, a beautiful girl had appeared, and had requested to follow him without any reason These things combined together made him feel like he was in some sort of dream.

Because Because The young girl tapped her lips with a thin, delicate finger. After thinking for a while, her eyes shone, and sweet smiled at Ling Chen, Because I like big brother!

Ling Chen:

Ling Chen didnt think he was ugly, but his looks shouldnt be able to mesmerise a girl so much that she would practically cling to him and beg him to let her follow him.

Then its settled! Big brother cant break his promise! Without even giving Ling Chen a chance to reply, the young girl brilliantly smiled while making his promise for him. In that case, Im going to go find some Flaming Black Grass for big brother eh?

The young girl was just about to run off when she saw Xiao Hui standing next to Ling Chens feet. This place was covered in a thick grey fog and because Xiao Hui was completely grey and so small, the girl almost didnt see him. She immediately ran to Xiao Hui, squatted down and reached out with her tender hands that were white as snow. She held Xiao Huis head with her hands while happily exclaiming, Wow! What a scary little doggy! Little doggy, whats your name?

Hes called Xiao Hui. Ling Chen had to answer for Xiao Hui in his stead, then explained, Hes not a dog though.

But hes so cute like a little doggy The young girl gave a slight smile. She patted Xiao Huis head, So youre called Xiao Hui, your name is as cute as you are. Xiao Hui, lets play again later. Im going to get some Flaming Black Grass for big brother. Ill be right back!

Big brother, you need to keep your promises! If I can bring back some Flaming Black Grass, you need to let me follow big brother. Wherever big brother goes, Im going as well No take backs!

She stood up, lifting the hem of her dress and lightly ran off. A short while later, she had disappeared from Ling Chens line of vision and her footsteps gradually became fainter.

Ling Chen was speechless.

After being petted by the young girl, Xiao Hui revealed an expression of happiness and enjoyment. Ling Chen knew that Xiao Hui was very sensitive to dangerous situations and beings. The reaction he displayed to the girl proved that the girl truly didnt have any ill intentions and would not bring to them any danger.

The scary bastard that had been guarding something at Lonely Spirit Ridge for 10,000 years had killed countless lives that had wandered close to Lonely Spirit Ridge. He was definitely not a kind person. This meant that the young girl probably wasnt the scary bastard that Qian Gun Gun had mentioned. Moreover, the monster that had been guarding something in this Lonely Spirit Ridge for more than 10,000 years. It definitely wouldnt be such a young and cute little girl.

However, the circumstances surrounding this girls appearance was too strange. Her actions, as well as her determination to get Ling Chen to agree to her request were all things that he simply could not comprehend. What was going on with this girl, Xi Ling? And could she really find the Flaming Black Grass?

Ling Chen didnt leave, and waited with Xiao Hui for the girl to bring back the Flaming Black Grass. The whole time, he struggled to ponder the origin of this girl, searching for and guessing at various possibilities.

While he was still deep in thought, Ling Chen suddenly heard a howl that was close to becoming a roar This some unbelievably came from Xiao Hui.

Xiao Hui?

Awooooooo!!!

The state Xiao Hui was in gave Ling Chen a fright. His four legs were firmly planted on the ground, and his body was so tense that it began to distort. His grey fur stood on its ends, looking like strands of steel needles on his body. His opened mouth revealed rows of teeth that were savagely gnashed together. Xiao Huis eyes released a boundless killing intent directed at the dusky sky.

At the same time, a wave of terrifying aura that felt bone-numbingly cold descended from the sky, making Ling Chen feel as if he had fallen into a bottomless abyss. Within a few seconds, cold sweat had drenched his clothing.

The sky gradually darkened, the chilling wind stopped blowing. Everything had fallen into a deathly silence that was more terrifying that hell itself.