After descending the mountain, my aloof fiancée became completely devoted to me.

As dawn breaks, the golden morning sun pierces through layers of clouds and mist, bathing the rolling peaks of Wangqing Mountain in a warm golden light.

The off-road vehicle roared to the foot of the mountain and came to a complete stop. There was no more road ahead, only a winding and rugged path covered with blue stones and weeds, which spiraled into the deep mountains shrouded in clouds and mist, leading directly to the secret Valley of Oblivion.

Lin Ping pushed open the door and got out of the car. He was dressed in a simple black tracksuit, his posture was as upright as a pine tree, and his aura was restrained. He seemed ordinary, but his eyes hid a sharp insight that saw through everything. Even though he deliberately suppressed his inner strength, it still revealed a power that others could not reach.

Beside her, Shen Aoxue changed into a white tracksuit, shedding her usual cold and sharp demeanor as a powerful businesswoman, and becoming more gentle and charming. Her long hair was simply tied into a high ponytail, and her skin was fair and radiant in the morning light.

"The mountain road is too steep for cars to drive up; we have to hike up."

Lin Ping looked up at the endless mountains, his tone calm. If he were alone, he could reach the valley in no time using his lightness skill, but with Shen Aoxue by his side, he could only slow down and proceed cautiously.

The two walked side by side into the forest. A gentle breeze caressed their faces, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees. A babbling brook meandered along the rocks, and a silvery waterfall cascaded down in the distance, splashing water everywhere. Birds sang melodiously, and exotic flowers and plants that no one had ever seen before grew everywhere along the roadside. Occasionally, rare small animals with brightly colored fur would dart quickly through the grass. The scenery was absolutely beautiful, like a fairyland on earth.

Shen Aoxue, who usually lives in the city, had never seen such pristine and beautiful mountain scenery. Her eyes sparkled as she curiously looked around, a faint smile always on her lips, her steps light and joyful.

But the mountain road was already treacherous and rugged. The deeper you went, the steeper and slipperier the road became, full of loose rocks and steep slopes.

In less than half an hour, Shen Aoxue's pace gradually slowed down. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, her cheeks were flushed, her legs were sore and weak, every step she took was difficult, her breathing became rapid, and her slender calves trembled slightly, clearly indicating that she had exhausted her strength to the limit.

Looking around, they had only covered less than a fifth of the entire mountain path. To reach the Valley of Forgetfulness, they would have to cross the treacherous main peak in front of them.

Lin Ping glanced sideways at the girl beside him, who was breathing heavily and swaying slightly, yet still gritting her teeth and persevering. A hint of tenderness appeared in his eyes. He immediately stopped, bent down slightly, and said in a low, gentle voice, "If you're tired, just say so, and I'll carry you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Aoxue gently shook her head, wiped the sweat from her forehead, stubbornly raised her flushed face, forced a smile, and spoke with a slight pant: "No need, it was my own insistence that I come with you. I can't hold you back, I can manage."

She knew that if it weren't for her, Lin Ping would have easily reached the valley long ago. She didn't want to delay the time to treat her grandfather because of her, so even though her whole body ached, she refused to show weakness easily.

Seeing her trying to keep up her smile, Lin Ping's heart softened. He didn't say anything more, but simply slowed his pace and walked on the outside, silently protecting her and avoiding the sharp pebbles and slippery moss on the road.

After struggling to walk a few dozen meters, Shen Aoxue's legs went completely weak, and she almost stumbled and fell. Her face turned slightly pale, and she was completely exhausted.

Just then, two hurried footsteps came from around the bend in the mountain road ahead.

Two young girls, around twenty years old, were seen walking towards this side, supporting each other.

One person, dressed in bright red sportswear, had delicate features and looked anxious; the other, dressed in bright yellow sportswear, had a furrowed brow, a pale face, and a severely swollen right ankle, clearly indicating a serious sprain that made it impossible for him to walk. Every step he took caused him excruciating pain.

The moment the two saw Lin Ping and Shen Aoxue, the girl in red's eyes lit up instantly. She quickly stepped forward, and before she even got close, she spoke urgently with a sobbing voice, grabbing Lin Ping's sleeve with a pleading expression.

"Brother, please help us! We came here to climb the mountain with a team, and our teammates are all meeting up at the top. My friend twisted his ankle and can't walk at all. This is a desolate wilderness, and we really can't go on. Please, please lead us up the mountain so we can rejoin the group!"

The girl in yellow leaned against the stone wall, her lips white with pain. Her hands, hanging by her sides, clenched tightly, and a barely perceptible glint flashed in her eyes. She appeared weak and frail, but a faint air of menace emanated from her.

Lin Ping raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the two of them indifferently, his aura slightly cold.

With just one glance, he understood everything.

These two women are definitely not outdoor enthusiasts!

With steady steps and restrained aura, even though she deliberately disguised herself as an ordinary girl, there were thin calluses on her fingertips and a tense killing intent hidden all around her. She was clearly a professionally trained expert who was obviously here for him and was an opponent who had been lying in ambush!

Presumably, it was someone sent by Zhao Tianyu, who approached them under the guise of being a fellow hiker, intending to strike at an opportune moment and harboring murderous intent.

Shen Aoxue was simple-minded and felt pity upon seeing this. She subconsciously wanted to offer to help, but Lin Ping gently stopped her with a look.

Lin Ping remained calm and composed, showing no emotion whatsoever. He made no attempt to expose them, maintaining his composure as an ordinary passerby, playing dumb to deceive others without making a sound.

Since the other party dared to disguise themselves and show up, they must have a backup plan. If we expose them rashly, we will only alert them. It would be better to go with the flow, play along, see what tricks they are up to, and then deal with them all at once.

Lin Ping nodded slightly, his tone flat and devoid of any emotion: "Okay, she's too injured to walk, I'll carry her."

The girl in red instantly beamed with joy and thanked him repeatedly, but her tone concealed a hint of smugness, as she assumed Lin Ping had completely fallen into her trap.

Shen Aoxue was taken aback. She subconsciously tugged at Lin Ping's sleeve, her eyes filled with a hint of confusion and grievance. However, she did not refute him in public and simply stood silently to the side.

Lin Ping walked slowly to the girl in yellow, bent down, and carried her steadily on his back without saying a word.

The girl in yellow lay on Lin Ping's broad, warm back, her cheeks flushing slightly. She subtly raised her fingertips, gathering a trace of sinister energy, aiming it at Lin Ping's acupoint on the back of his head. Her eyes instantly turned ruthless, and she was about to unleash her power!

But the next second, an invisible yet incredibly powerful internal force surged out from Lin Ping's back, locking down all the meridians in her body!

The girl in yellow suddenly stiffened, her blood and qi stagnated, and she was unable to move her limbs. The energy she had gathered instantly dissipated, leaving her stiff and unable to exert any strength. Her face changed drastically, filled with horror.

She never imagined that this seemingly ordinary man would be so powerful!

Without making a sound, he completely suppressed her!