251 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

In such a short time, has Fan Yin become so emaciated? Ramoni felt like she could still jump and hop around even with this person on her back. Was it because too much blood had been lost? Ramoni pondered again. She couldn't afford to delay any longer. Ramoni kept moving without stopping but suddenly stepped on something and slipped backward. Face-down, she had an intimate encounter with the ground. Ignoring the pain, she first sat up to check Fan Yin's injuries. Fortunately, Fan Yin, who was lying on her, merely had wounds that had started to ooze blood again. Ramoni felt a small pang of heartbreak. At her feet lay Yin Di quietly, clearly what she had stepped on to cause her fall. That Yin Di was Fan Yin's personal possession, never leaving her side. Annoyed, Ramoni grabbed it, ready to fling it far away. But remembering how their master cherished this Yin Di, Ramoni hesitated. Using her sleeve, she wiped the flute clean, then fastened it to Fan Yin's waist. "Let’s be clear, I'm only doing this so you don't blame me for losing your flute, nothing more." She wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince Fan Yin or herself, but Fan Yin couldn’t hear her now anyway. Strapping Fan Yin onto her back again, Ramoni walked briskly towards the cave’s exit. Though there was no light in the cave, Ramoni's night vision had significantly improved. Beyond her line of sight, Fan Yin's Yin Di began to emit a luminous glow, enveloping Fan Yin's injured back. Slowly, the gory wounds began to heal, the process accelerating with time. Not long after, Fan Yin’s eyelashes fluttered, showing signs of regaining consciousness. Fan Yin awoke in a daze, feeling a coolness on her back as the previously recurring pain disappeared. She also felt her legs dangling and her body swaying. Opening her eyes, she realized she was being carried by her disciple. Fan Yin’s first reaction was embarrassment. She had never been carried by anyone before. Abruptly, she leaned back to escape this uncomfortable situation. Struggling off Ramoni’s back, she quickly tidied her somewhat disheveled clothes. Feeling a tightness in her chest that made it hard to breathe, she resisted the urge to check, given her disciple’s presence. Ramoni nearly stumbled from Fan Yin's sudden movements, feeling slightly annoyed. But seeing Fan Yin’s flustered state, she felt comforted. Ramoni immediately wrapped her arms around Fan Yin's waist and burst into tears, “Shifu, you’re finally awake. I was so scared, waah waah.” “I don't know how I ended up here, dragging you into such serious danger. It’s all my fault!” Truthfully, Ramoni wasn't genuinely remorseful. She was seizing the moment, knowing Fan Yin wasn't fully aware, to plead her case. Once Fan Yin became calm and collected, her pitiful act might not be as effective. Ramoni looked quite disheveled now — her dress torn into a mini skirt, her body and face covered with dirt and blood, portraying an image of a little beggar. Fan Yin, seeing her in such a state, became awkwardly flustered. She stiffly raised a hand to stroke Ramoni's hair, awkwardly offering consolation, “Don’t cry. It’s alright. Be good.” It seemed that obstacle had been overcome smoothly. Ramoni’s lips curled faintly, though she pitifully added, “Waah waah, Shifu, I'm so scared. It's so dark here.” Fan Yin forced herself to ignore Ramoni’s hand around her waist as she gently pushed her away, wiping away Ramoni's tears with her sleeve. Her light blue sleeve instantly turned black with grime. Slightly frowning, Fan Yin continued to clean her up. Ramoni found herself in a daze, watching Fan Yin's serious effort. Aside from the usual cold fragrance, there was a hint of blood. Remembering Fan Yin’s serious injuries, Ramoni worriedly asked, “Shifu, are you alright?” Fan Yin softly replied she was fine, then took Ramoni’s hand, leading her outside. Fan Yin’s cool palm quieted Ramoni’s chaotic thoughts. Staring at the slender figure ahead, she momentarily blanked out. Before long, the two exited the secluded cave, where three people stood: Lin Yuxue, Luo Sheng, and an unfamiliar man to Ramoni. The man, plain-looking and sorrowful, howled loudly upon seeing the two emerging, “Junior Niece!” Ramoni looked around, then pointed to herself, “Are you calling me?” Ran Zhao, on the verge of tears, felt overwhelmed. The unresolved incident at Wan Family Village compounded with the disappearance of his senior sister's disciple, nearly making him lose all his hair from anxiety. “Who else would I be calling? Honestly, Senior Sister, taking your disciple without informing me — what's with your messy appearance.” Fan Yin cast a dismissive glance at Ran Zhao, immediately silencing his prattle. Ramoni hid behind Fan Yin’s back, feeling her current avant-garde appearance was unpresentable. “It's fine now; you can all go back.” Fan Yin instructed calmly. Realizing his senior sister’s irritation, Ran Zhao dared not argue, obediently leading his two disciples away with a cautious “Yes.” Ramoni peeked out from behind Fan Yin, noticing Lin Yuxue had paused, subtly giving her a thumbs-up. What kind of craziness had possessed her senior sister? “Let’s head back.” “Yes, Shifu.” Ramoni cheerfully followed Fan Yin, yet couldn’t understand why she didn't feel exhausted after all this turmoil. Suddenly, Fan Yin halted ahead, turned around, and firmly grasped Ramoni’s wrist, her expression grave. Ramoni was confused, afraid to resist Fan Yin, asking nervously, “Shifu, what’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?” Utilizing her spiritual power, Fan Yin circled Ramoni’s core, detecting her current realm at the initial stage of the Golden Core. Before entering seclusion, Ramoni had no spiritual power at all.