An Yiqing nodded and handed the parchnt scroll to Yin Xilin.
Yin Xilin stared at the scroll for a while, then glanced at the other map on the side with a very child-like seriousness, nodding as if it were the most natural thing.
"This should be the location of the ancient tomb, without a doubt. But if you’re planning to go to that tomb, you better prepare yourself ntally. That eerie place is practically a death trap."
Yin Xilin’s tone was calm and composed, without the slightest trace of panic, as if the thought of entering the tomb herself didn’t scare her at all.
"What kind of death trap are we talking about? Lingling, tell everyone more about it." An Yiqing lightly patted Yin Xilin’s head.
Yin Xilin was so unnerved by being called "Lingling" that she felt goosebumps all over her body, yet she didn’t object to the nickna. Instead, there was a faint, mischievous smile curling at the corners of her lips.
"I don’t know the specifics of the tomb, but it’s considered taboo in Dawang Mountain. Years ago, villagers from Dawang Mountain tried to break into it to steal treasures, and none of them ever returned. Eventually, soone refused to believe the stories and ventured in again. Out of ten who entered, only one crawled back out. Actually—correction—it wasn’t even a whole person who ca out but only half a man, because his lower body was completely gone."
Yin Xilin paused and then continued, "Nobody knows how many years this ancient tomb has existed. What’s certain is that it was already here when the ancestors of Dawang Mountain’s villagers first settled in this area. But there’s one thing no one in the village knows—only I do. This tomb... is poisonous!"
"Poisonous?" An Yiqing arched her delicate brows, intrigued. "How do you know that?"
Yin Xilin snorted lightly, her tone full of pride. "I just know! I’ve been inside the first layer of the tomb before. Xiao Hong was discovered there by . The place was swamped in toxic gas; I spent ages mixing herbs to safely get myself out."
When they heard that Yin Xilin could concoct antidotes all by herself, An Zhifeng and the others imdiately beca interested.
"So, little girl Ling, why didn’t you keep going deeper?" An Zhifeng asked.
Yin Xilin gave An Zhifeng a look as if he were an idiot and scoffed, "How can a grown man like you not understand sothing so basic? Without the ability to protect myself, how could I recklessly enter the second layer? Who knows what other kinds of deadly toxins might be waiting there! My skills only allow to create a few herbs to fend off poisonous gases, but I’m not invincible!"
An Zhifeng and the others froze for a mont, then all burst into laughter, looking at Yin Xilin with expressions full of admiration.
So young and already aware of her limitations, neither arrogant nor overestimating her abilities—truly remarkable.
"Miss, it seems you’ve taken on quite the exceptional disciple! This little girl Ling is bound to be extraordinary soday!" An Zhifeng said with a chuckle.
Hearing soone praise her disciple, An Yiqing, as her master, couldn’t help but beam with joy. Her misty eyes fell upon Yin Xilin, brimming with encouragent and pride.
"Lingling, do you enjoy working with herbs?"
"I do! I’ve loved it since I was a kid! Ever since I ca to Dawang Mountain, I’ve been climbing the mountain every day to gather herbs and mix them into all kinds of poisons and antidotes—it’s so fascinating. Uh... Master, will you teach alchemy in the future?" For the first ti calling her "Master," the usually proud Yin Xilin blushed shyly.
An Yiqing was overjoyed by this single word "Master" and affectionately ruffled Yin Xilin’s hair while nodding. "Our dicine Sect specializes in both the healing dical arts and the hidden, deadly arts of poison. Master will teach all of these to you without holding back—does Lingling like that?"
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