The moment Zhou Huan's words were about to settle in the air, Tian Lang snatched his steel dagger and unleashed a flurry of slashes that felled all three tigers with ruthless efficiency.

This single act left Zhou Huan immediately suspecting a pattern - these events before the temporal shift must have been shaped by Tian Lang's deeply ingrained instincts. If he could untangle whatever psychological knots bound this man, the entire mission might be resolved with surprising ease. Yet no force in existence seemed capable of rewiring such fundamental habits. This revelation only deepened Zhou Huan's wariness and sharpened his observance of the other man's behavioral patterns.

Tian Lang held the blood-slick dagger aloft as he exhaled sharply, "There! We're safe now - those beasts would've hunted us down otherwise."

Zhou Huan stared at Tian Lang, who moments ago had seemed possessed by madness. Breaking the tense silence, Zhou Huan declared, "Then let's descend immediately. We'll reach the valley foothills before nightfall."

As they gathered supplies and followed Tian Lang's route around boulders through dense forest, a broad path emerged between the mountains. Near the opposite foothill lay a narrow river with no bridge crossing it. But near the water's edge stood an ancient stone tablet marked "Da Hei Mountain!"

"This is the Da Hei Mountain you mentioned?" Zhou Huan asked, gazing upward at the mountain peak.

Tian Lang nodded. "Exactly this one. The last time I crossed with my master took two days entirely. While it isn't as high as Yunlian Mountain behind us, its trails are treacherous - thick with trees and ending in a sheer rock face that'll cost hours just to climb."

"What about taking the perimeter route?" Zhou Huan pondered aloud.

"Impossible," Tian Lang shook his head. "The last time we tried it added three days of extra travel through dense woods where wild beasts outnumber us tenfold."

Zhou Huan fell silent, watching as Tian Lang and his disciples prepared sleeping mats by the river while roasting tiger meat over a fire they shared with him. The meat proved surprisingly exquisite - distinct from ordinary fare though carrying an earthy tang that couldn't be denied.

As twilight deepened into night, starlight glimmered above and the mountain stream murmured its cold secrets beneath.

"Master," Tiansheng offered, "let me take extra watch tonight before switching shifts." Though granted duty earlier, this was his first volunteer effort.

Zhou Huan merely patted his shoulder in silent approval before retreating to rest. Tian Lang remained awake watching Zhou Huan return then suddenly spoke up, "Brother, let me relieve the night watch from now - safety is paramount after yesterday's exertions."

"That would be ideal," Zhou Huan nodded, though privately doubting whether sleep would come to him at all.

Through the night Tiansheng kept first watch while Tian Lang took the latter half. Just before dawn broke, Zhou Huan awoke to the river's soothing song, revolted by the tiger blood clinging to his skin. He stripped off his clothes and dove into the icy water, scrubbing until every last smear vanished. Spotting his uncleaned pants, he hesitated - glancing around at the open terrain before plunging fully into the river to clean everything thoroughly.

After retrieving fresh clothes from Tian Lang's pack, Zhou Huan returned to shore where dry firewood awaited collection. He gathered armfuls of branches while drying off under the pale morning sky... until a startled female cry pierced the stillness.

Startled, Zhou Huan looked upriver and spotted a girl covering her eyes in shock. Only when she screamed "Pervert! Cover yourself immediately!" did he realize his naked state.

He sprinted back to retrieve Tian Lang's clothes while shouting apologies at the flustered figure now scrubbing her face by the riverbank. Her graceful form radiated an alluring fragrance that left him momentarily breathless - until her next words froze the blood in his veins:

"What kind of man walks around unclothed?"

The question was delivered with such venomous monotone it triggered primal fear, making Zhou Huan retreat instinctively. But when she suddenly spun on him snarling "Come here at once! Who gave you permission to emerge naked?!" he finally caught sight of her flushed face - a vivid contradiction that shattered any ghostly pretense.

"You're not even remotely scary," Zhou Huan shot back with a smirk, watching the girl's composure shatter into petulant muttering as she gathered firewood in silence.