"If I am your wife, shouldn't I be trying to ease your worries?" Dai Li said with a gentle smile. "So, you don't need to fret over me. Just be extra careful when you go out. The Ancient Azure Ruins are recognized across the continent as the most perilous place. Even with your current strength, you must prioritize safety, do you understand? I will wait for your return right here, and I will pray for you here as well."

Hearing this, Mo Han was deeply moved, experiencing a profound feeling of, what more could a man ask for in a wife?

He only held Dai Li tighter, and for a moment, the entire small courtyard was suffused with tenderness.

Several days later, at the foot of the Hengduan Mountains, situated on the easternmost edge of the Dragon Ascent Continent, Mo Han and Latin gazed up at the towering peaks that pierced the clouds, both managing a wry smile. Neither Mo Han nor Latin had ever set foot in the Hengduan Mountains before. Mo Han had initially imagined them to be like ordinary mountains, perhaps just a bit taller than usual.

However, the sight that unfolded before them completely stunned Mo Han. If he were to compare the Hengduan Mountains to the Himalayas—the tallest peak in his former world—it would be the difference between a child and a giant.

The highest summits of the Hengduan Mountains were completely lost in the swirling clouds; their true altitude was impossible to discern.

Just observing the sheer height the mountains currently displayed evoked an involuntary sense of powerlessness. Moreover, the range stretched out endlessly to the left and right, an unbroken expanse that seemed infinite. Faced with such a display of nature's grandeur, one could not help but feel utterly insignificant.

Catching the equally astonished expressions of Latin and the others beside him, Mo Han couldn't help but speak with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Damn it. Is this really the Hengduan Mountains? No wonder this place is listed as one of the two hardest missions by the Mercenary Guild. Just looking at the exterior of these mountains makes me not want to go anywhere near them. Hell, if I hadn't promised that Holy Dragon Patriarch, I wouldn't be here for all the money in the world. Isn't this just asking for trouble? This place clearly isn't easy to deal with. I genuinely wonder how so many fools rushed here before us just to throw their lives away."

Hearing Mo Han's complaints, Latin sighed helplessly at his side. "Boss, don't look at us like that. This is our first time here too. We only heard the place was high, but we never imagined it would be this high. It’s practically a death trap."

Jack, meanwhile, swallowed hard, his throat clicking audibly.

He managed to ask, "Boss, are we really supposed to climb this mountain?"

"Not climb it. We have to traverse it," Mo Han corrected Jack.

After the initial shock subsided, Mo Han regained his composure from the surprise and slowly began to explain. "Legend says the Ancient Azure Ruins lie beyond these Hengduan Mountains, in a place known as the Land of Death. I really don't know how that old pervert, the Holy Pope, managed to cross this range. I wonder if there’s any shortcut or anything."

Mo Han held onto that sliver of hope in his heart.

But this thought was swiftly and ruthlessly extinguished by someone else.

Bai Ling, who had been standing silently until now, spoke coldly upon hearing Mo Han’s words. "Only at this specific location is the entire Hengduan Mountain range barely passable. The rest are sheer rock faces, utterly impossible to traverse—even birds can’t manage it. Otherwise, do you think the Holy Pope and the others were just mad to come all this way to cut across the Hengduan Mountains?" As for why Bai Ling had accompanied them, there was no need to think twice. With her superior skills, she was more than enough as a bodyguard. It wouldn't have been Mo Han's style to leave such a powerful ally behind in Sky Dragon City.

Hearing Bai Ling's blunt assessment, Mo Han sighed. "Come on, Big Sister Bai Ling, you don't have to be so direct. Can't you let me indulge in a little fantasy? Shattering my beautiful dream instantly is just too cruel."

"Then just pretend I said nothing and continue fantasizing," Bai Ling replied flatly, leaving Mo Han thoroughly frustrated. If he could just pretend he hadn't heard her, why would he have wasted so many words on her? However, judging by Bai Ling's tone, she seemed quite knowledgeable about the Hengduan Mountains, which sparked a fresh flicker of hope in Mo Han’s mind.

"Bai Ling, have you crossed the Hengduan Mountains before?" Mo Han asked hopefully.

Upon hearing him, Bai Ling merely turned her head to glance at Mo Han and spoke slowly, uttering words that nearly made Mo Han faint.

"Didn't you just say you were afraid I would interrupt your beautiful dream? So, I thought it best not to say anything," Bai Ling responded. This left Mo Han feeling like a mute man who had eaten bitter melon—able to taste the bitterness but unable to voice it. When had this girl become so sharp-tongued?

Still, he supposed this was a positive development. Mo Han comforted himself internally; at least Bai Ling was speaking much more now compared to when they first set out, when she wouldn't utter a peep even if prodded with three sticks. Of course, Mo Han dared not actually use a stick on her now; given her terrifying skill set, that would be asking for trouble.

Thinking this, Mo Han put on a show and said, "Heh heh, I'm awake now, so feel free to speak. Have you actually been through the Hengduan Mountains before?" Bai Ling rarely saw Mo Han look so flustered, and a hint of amusement flashed in her eyes. Jack and Latin, long oppressed by Mo Han, naturally watched the spectacle with smiles plastered on their faces.

"I actually came here once a long time ago, but I can’t quite remember exactly how long ago that was," Bai Ling explained slowly. "My master and I visited the Hengduan Mountains then, and we even reached the Land of Death. However, we never dared venture into the Ancient Azure Ruins. At that time, my master was only a First-Tier Saint Magus, and I was merely a High-Rank Magus, so naturally, we dared not risk going inside."

Hearing Bai Ling’s words, Mo Han felt a touch of disappointment but persisted without giving up. "But how do you cross the Hengduan Mountains? You must remember, right?" Fortunately, Bai Ling didn't shake her head this time; instead, she nodded, which made Mo Han feel slightly better. At least it wasn't a total loss; having a ready-made guide was infinitely better than wandering aimlessly through these mountains. If they had to figure it out on their own, Mo Han couldn't imagine how much wasted time it would take.

However, what Bai Ling said next gave Mo Han a sudden urge to punch someone. "Although I generally remember the environment from back then, so much time has passed that I can't guarantee nothing has changed. And I only remember the general layout, so I can't guarantee there won't be any errors."

Hearing Bai Ling's caveat, Mo Han truly wanted to lash out.

But Mo Han knew he definitely wasn't a match for Bai Ling, so the thought remained firmly in his mind, dismissed as foolishness.

After two days of effort, and with Bai Ling's guidance, Mo Han and his group successfully reached a point midway up the mountain range. Standing there, everything around them was a blinding white mist; the distant scenery was completely obscured.

Even with Mo Han's strength, he could only see about a hundred meters around them; anything further was lost to the haze. Coupled with the steep terrain, even a slight lapse in concentration could lead to danger. Fortunately, they had Bai Ling to point the way.

Thanks to her guidance, Mo Han and the others avoided significant detours and reached the mountainside relatively smoothly.

Along the way, however, Mo Han's group encountered no other adventurers. Clearly, for those mercenaries, the Hengduan Mountains had become synonymous with death; no one was willing to risk an expedition here.

According to Bai Ling’s explanation, they needed to proceed a certain distance forward where a cave pierced through the Hengduan Mountains. Only by passing through there could they successfully traverse the range; otherwise, crossing was impossible. The altitude they had already reached was causing them difficulty breathing, and their movements were significantly slowed. Climbing any higher, they feared, would become unsurvivable.

If they hadn't had Bai Ling, the seasoned guide, Mo Han and the others might have continued climbing upward. While their current strength meant they would certainly realize the danger and turn back before it became life-threatening, the amount of wasted time and unnecessary detours would have been immense. Mo Han suspected many adventurers had lost their lives at this first obstacle due to ignorance.

Due to the environmental constraints, their progress was agonizingly slow. By the time Mo Han and the others finally arrived at the location Bai Ling had indicated, another full day had passed. Gazing at the massive, gaping entrance of the cave, the limited light only revealed the scene for twenty or thirty meters inside. Beyond that, everything was a pitch-black void, its depth unknowable. Yet, Mo Han was certain that based on the visible exterior of the Hengduan Mountains, this cave would be incredibly deep. Staring into the dark maw of the cavern, which resembled a monstrous, open mouth, Mo Han was suddenly struck by a strange sense of peril. This wasn't the danger sense of an apex expert, as Mo Han’s current power level couldn't detect any actual threat within the cave. It was an internal alarm, a signal of danger that even Mo Han himself couldn't rationalize.

Pondering this, Mo Han couldn't help but ask Bai Ling, "Bai Ling, when you entered here with your master, did you encounter any danger or strange occurrences?"

Hearing Mo Han’s sudden inquiry, Bai Ling gave him a somewhat odd look before quickly answering his question.

"When my master and I entered here, we didn't encounter any danger at all. Aside from the paths inside being difficult to navigate, there was nothing particularly unusual. But those difficult paths were only challenging for low-level mercenaries; for us, they were hardly an obstacle."

Bai Ling's reply left Mo Han feeling confused. Was it truly just his imagination? Bai Ling had recounted a smooth journey, yet he was gripped by this unsettling feeling. Thinking this, Mo Han persistently asked Bai Ling if she had felt anything unusual, but Bai Ling merely shook her head blankly, indicating she hadn't perceived anything amiss.

Seeing this, Mo Han decided to drop the matter. After all, Bai Ling's power surpassed his own; if there were real danger, she should have sensed it before him. How could he possibly be more perceptive than her? He must simply be overly tense, Mo Han rationalized to himself.

Bai Ling, noticing Mo Han’s slightly pale expression, mistakenly assumed he was nervous because this was his first time in the Hengduan Mountains. She kindly tried to comfort him, mentioning that she had also been very nervous on her first visit, feeling that danger lurked everywhere. This made Mo Han feel a mixture of exasperation and amusement, but he couldn't explain his unique sensation to her, so he reluctantly accepted her consolation.

As the sky began to dim, everyone decided to rest outside the cave entrance for the night, planning to brave the tunnel the next day. However, Mo Han still felt a nagging sense of unease. Ignoring the surprised looks from Latin and the others, he insisted on deploying several magical barriers at the mouth of the cave, temporarily sealing it off. Although Latin and the others thought Mo Han was being overly cautious, they didn't object, chalking it up to his habitual meticulousness.

After a quiet night passed without incident, Mo Han withdrew the magical barriers once everyone was awake. By then, the feeling of danger in his heart seemed to have vanished. Mo Han himself began to wonder if he had simply been too stressed earlier, causing him to be paranoid, and he couldn't help but offer a wry smile. He concluded that he had been excessively cautious.

Leaping...