Ning Xian knew that Feng's cold arrogance or aloofness was just a habit and not directed at any particular person. However, it was indeed hard for those who didn't know him to bear. But she was surprised to see that Du Cisheng seemed completely unconcerned, simply meeting Feng's gaze with a calm and stubborn stare, neither avoiding nor yielding.
He was like a peaceful beam of light, neither intense nor fleeting, leaving one with nowhere to draw strength.
Feng turned to Ning Xian, which startled her – Don't look at me, it's none of my business!
However, it seemed that Feng and she were not communicating well, and Feng had not received her signal. "Since she's your person, you decide. You're responsible for handling any problems yourself." With these words, Du Cisheng also turned his gaze to her, one side cold and cutting, the other gentle and warm... This... She didn't even know Du Cisheng's identity, how did she become "her person"?
"Um..." She could be unyielding in the face of strength, and even more violent in the face of violence, but when faced with Du Cisheng's gaze... "Alright, come along." Anyway, they're not going to fight head-on at Chongtian Tower, so it's okay, right...?
...
Some say that the area within ten feet of Chongtian Tower is like two different worlds.
You are free to come and go as you please outside ten zhang. Once you step inside ten zhang, if they are your friends, you may enter safely. If they are your enemies, you will not be able to leave easily.
Such rumors are certainly exaggerated, but they demonstrate the intricate design of the Sky Tower's mechanisms.
Ning Xian looked at the "capable Lord Feng" and asked, "Lord Feng, do you already have a good way to get in?"
"Go through the main gate and present your visiting card."
"--Huh?" They came to cause trouble for the young master, but they're actually sending out formal invitations?
Feng clearly didn't have the patience to explain to her, so Du Cisheng whispered for her, "Chongtianlou has a rule that anyone who sends a visiting card can enter."
"...It can't be that simple, can it? If it were, with such a great reputation, wouldn't it be incredibly annoying to see every single visitor?"
Du Cisheng nodded slightly, "We can 'enter the building,' but the building owner won't see everyone, because not everyone can go in."
Ning Xian understood the trick after a moment's thought, and muttered, "They even show off their contraptions when a guest comes... Well then, let's go."
Feng glanced at Ci Sheng. "Are you sure you want to bring him in?"
Ning Xian stopped and looked at Du Cisheng—indeed, even the traps she had encountered on the Giant Axe Ranking were already quite difficult for her to handle. Du Cisheng's martial arts were not as good as hers, so to break through the Sky Tower, she was afraid…
Why don't you wait for us here?
"No, I won't cause you any trouble."
"...Alright, but if anything happens to you, I can't help you."
She figured the Tower of Ascension wouldn't be a place where guests would come and cause bloodshed. The so-called traps, while difficult, weren't necessarily dangerous. At worst, one would be sent out, but wouldn't lose their life. She didn't stop them; if it wasn't life-threatening, having another helper might increase their chances.
However, it's clear that Feng doesn't think that way at all... If he didn't hate dealing with outsiders, and probably need Ning Xian's help after entering the building, he would rather go through the traps by himself. He sees one of them as a burden and ignores the other completely.
He made no attempt to hide it; it was plain on his face—Ning Xian rolled her eyes, pretending not to see it.
Chapter 19 Fire Feather Phoenix 3
After handing over their visiting cards at the gatehouse, a servant quickly came to guide them inside and stopped them in front of a courtyard.
"Please enter from here on your own."
Thank you.
The three of them walked into the courtyard and saw pavilions, bridges, and rockeries. The trees were lush and the flowers were abundant. Although they were not very elaborate, they were simple and rustic, and there was nothing unusual about them.
Feng bent down and picked up a pebble, throwing it over, but there was no reaction. It seemed she would have to test it herself. She glanced at Ning Xian and said, "I'll go to the arched bridge first. When I get there, follow my footsteps."
"Tch? You'd be that kind?"
"I brought you here to help. Don't cause me any trouble."
Wow! Does this guy have to be infuriating to get away with it?
Watching Feng's figure leap several meters like a fiery red bird, lightly touching the ground before soaring into the air again—Ning Xian thought to himself: Do you think everyone has your lightness skill?! Jumping that far! Are you deliberately making things difficult for people?
When Feng Ping'an reached the arched bridge on the other side, Ning Xian glared at him sideways before saying to Ci Sheng beside him, "I'll take you across."
The woman opposite her rarely showed an expression other than her usual aloofness; her brows furrowed slightly, revealing her disapproval.
Ning Xian ignored her and reached out her hand. Ci Sheng hesitated for a moment, then took her hand, and the two of them leaped out together. Feng did not deliberately shorten the distance because Ning Xian was trying to catch up. He simply chose his landing spot based on his usual habits and judgment of the location. If Ning Xian leaped out with all his might, it was not impossible for him.
But now, Ning Xian had the weight of another person beside her. And the weight of a man whose lightness skill was inferior to hers. As he judged, they had no chance of reaching his footing.
Ning Xian supported the person in her arms, but it wasn't as heavy as she had expected. She could feel that Du Cisheng was using all his strength to avoid becoming a burden, only offering slight support. At a time like this, he remembered to think of others—perhaps, her trust in him began from this moment.
With the burden lightened, Ning Xian lifted Du Cisheng and leaped forward with all her might—it wasn't impossible for her if she used all her strength.
She and Du Cisheng landed where Feng had landed, but as soon as they landed, several iron pebbles shot out from the flower bushes under the artificial rockery and hit Ning Xian's ankles—Ning Xian felt a sharp pain and her breath dissipated.
Phoenix, on the other side, was taken aback—it was weight!
What an ingenious mechanism! Even if someone scouts ahead, those who follow with slightly inferior lightness skills will still be unable to pass through. Although Ning Xian's lightness skills are not weak, he still has Du Cisheng! This mechanism will not only be activated by those with poor lightness skills, but it is also difficult for someone to pass through with the help of others.
The pebbles came flying like a machine gun, giving them no chance to steady themselves and catch their breath. Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet shifted, and Du Cisheng knew something was wrong. Reflexively, she caught the pain of being hit, gathered her strength in her hands, and threw Ning Xian upwards. Ning Xian reacted immediately, gathered her breath, and flipped in the air. As she fell, Du Cisheng reached out and pulled her away. Feng Fei caught her, grabbed her, and stepped onto a nearby tree, returning to the arched bridge.
At this moment, the ground where Du Cisheng was standing suddenly appeared like a flip board, creating a trap that ensnared him.
"Du Cisheng!"
Feng grabbed her arm. "He'll be alright, let's go."
Ning Xian paused, then could only follow Feng and continue walking forward.
"Are you coming with me, or will you stay behind and I scout ahead?" Feng asked. Ning Xian answered without hesitation, "With you!" She didn't intend to be alone in this godforsaken place. Knowing Feng's character, she doubted whether Feng would turn back if she "met with her" behind them—and now there was no one to save her. Being with Feng, he should at least "lend a hand," right?