This grassland faces a mountain on one side and water on the other.

They walked along the water, far from the mountain.

So when the wolves attacked, they could only fight with their backs to the water!

A total of twenty-five people.

Tang Xiaobai and four others, who had no martial arts skills at all, were protected in the center.

The remaining twenty were arranged by Li Xingyuan in a staggered formation to counter the wolf attack.

Tang Xiaobai completely trusted the skills of Li Xingyuan, Yingying, and the other experts.

Over on Li Xingyuan’s side, after chopping down two wolves, no more lunged at him, leaving only three wolves watching him, poised to strike.

If Li Xingyuan took the initiative to attack, he would inevitably expose a gap; if he defended without attacking, he’d be stared down by those three wolves.

A stalemate for a moment.

The same happened at Yingying’s side.

As for Tao Fen, Ah Jin, and Gu Yuan’s guards, their martial prowess was slightly inferior.

As for the ordinary guards, it was even more difficult.

There were few experts after all, and due to the cunning nature of the wolves, flaws gradually appeared in the protection circle.

Tang Xiaobai’s gaze fell upon the weak spot in the defense, noticing some guards already injured. She bit her lip, her brain rapidly turning, yet she couldn’t come up with an escape plan.

Dusk spread, and the chill increased.

They had passed the source of the Yellow River mentioned in "Yu Gong" at Jishi Mountain and reached the heart of Qinghai.

Even in midsummer, this place was covered in frost and snow.

If they were trapped by the water, even if not devoured by wolves, they might freeze to death after nightfall.

The more delayed, the more disadvantageous for them.

While thinking, her hand was suddenly grasped by someone.

She turned and saw Gu Hui’s pale face, eyes fixed ahead.

"Don’t be afraid," he whispered.

Tang Xiaobai held his hand in return, uttering an "Mm."

She truly felt fortunate. Whenever encountering trouble, there were always people supporting her, accompanying her.

"You guys break out first, Yingying and I will cover the rear!" Li Xingyuan couldn’t bear just staring idly, "Leave me a couple of extra blades!"

Without wiping out the wolf pack, they couldn’t break free.

Might as well break through the confrontation!

Tang Xiaobai responded with an acknowledgement, about to mount the horses with the four beside her.

As the formation changed, a gap finally burst open in Gu Hui’s protection circle.

The wolf pack seemed to have been waiting for this moment, and instantly, over a dozen shadows leapt forward.

Tang Xiaobai’s eyes constricted sharply, subconsciously pulling Gu Hui behind her, raising her right arm to trigger the sleeve arrow mechanism—

The sleeve arrow, short and thin, in her eyes only a flicker of shadow, struck the black wolf lunging at her, causing it to stumble and fall.

Soon after, the gap was filled by someone.

Tang Xiaobai breathed a sigh of relief.

Before she could fully relax, Tao Fen suddenly shouted uncertainly, "Someone is coming! From the mountain!"

Tang Xiaobai’s heart tightened again as she turned to look toward the mountain.

The mountain lay to the east, already cloaked in twilight.

Under the cover of dusk and the black mountain, the Black Cavalry in Xuan Yi garb galloped out.

Surrounding fighting masked the sound of hooves.

When noticed, they were already just a hundred paces away!

At first glance, it seemed like they appeared out of thin air, eerily cold and capturing the heart.

They were all wearing veils to shield against sandstorms, the black silk fluttering, also hiding their faces.

Who were these people?

The notion briefly flashed through Tang Xiaobai’s mind as she saw the leader suddenly raise his hand while galloping, retrieving a large bow from his back.

Though that person was clad in heavy clothing, his frame was clearly slimmer than his companions, yet the large bow in his hands could rival the one Li Xingyuan used last time to break Shibao City’s banner.

Only strong bows have such strength!

Riding at full speed, he drew the bow like a crescent moon, releasing arrows like shooting stars.

Tang Xiaobai’s heart froze instantly.

The arrow was aimed at her!

The arrowhead, scraping against the wind, seemed to spark.

It was savage, fierce.

Merciless.

So fast, she couldn’t even react.

Her eyes hadn’t blinked, the arrow was already at her face.

Then, it brushed past her—

"Thud!"

The arrowhead pierced flesh, accompanied by a wolf’s howl, echoing to her left rear side, she could even feel the impact of the wolf falling to the ground.

It wasn’t aimed at her...

After the crisis, Tang Xiaobai suddenly went blank.

"Xiao Bai!" Gu Hui pulled her closer in fright.

Tang Xiaobai came to, instinctively looking at the wolf that had ambushed her.

Just as she turned her head, she felt a tightness around her waist.

And then, she was lifted into the air.

As if a rope was tied around her waist, pulling her upwards.

"Xiao Bai!"

"Second Miss!"

Amidst the shouts, Tang Xiaobai was enveloped by an arm and pressed onto a horse’s back.

Then the horse neighed loudly, turned, and galloped away.

As they turned away, she saw Li Xingyuan and others urgently chasing but being blocked and overwhelmed by other approaching black-clothed individuals...

...

She had been kidnapped?

Realizing this, Tang Xiaobai’s first instinct was to adjust her sitting position.

After being dragged over by the black-clothed man with something, she was seated sideways on the horse’s back.

This horse was exceptionally magnificent, racing like the wind, much more powerful than her own little red horse.

Fearful of being thrown off, Tang Xiaobai timidly held the hand of the black-clothed man, carefully adjusting her sitting position.

This was actually somewhat difficult and dangerous.

Yet as soon as she attempted to raise one leg, the black-clothed man realized her intention, securing her waist and lifting her body.

Tang Xiaobai seized the opportunity to swing her leg over, sitting properly.

After exhaling, she noticed only the sound of rushing wind in her ears, no longer hearing her companions’ calls.

Didn’t Li Xingyuan and Yingying give chase? Were they entangled by the black-clothed men or the wolf pack?

Nervously, Tang Xiaobai gripped the arm encircling her waist: "Who are you?"

The wind was too strong, her words dissipated quickly, even she didn’t hear them.

Reluctantly, she turned and shouted the same question toward the black-clothed man behind her.

Just after asking, her waist was suddenly constricted tightly, causing her to cry out in pain, "Ease up, hand, hand, ease up... relax, relax..."

He indeed slackened slightly, but exuded a chilly aura.

Even without seeing his expression, Tang Xiaobai felt he was angry.

Why was he so easily angered? Like her little ancestor—

Wait!

Tang Xiaobai’s heart trembled, turning to look at him abruptly.

Face to the gusting wind, the black silk of the veil tightly clung to the lower part of his face, outlining the lips and jawline.

The face seemed somewhat lean, further accentuating its sharp angles, yet his jawline was exceptionally well-formed, both angular and smoothly contoured.

Surely not?

She recalled the little ancestor’s chin wasn’t this angular?

Their body shapes differed as well.

Besides, the little ancestor was still fighting in Hedong, how could he appear here?

Moreover, although the little ancestor was easily angered, he wouldn’t be fierce toward her.

Well... to be clear, this man hadn’t been fierce to her, just kidnapped her...

Saving her only to kidnap her, what did this mean?

Kidnapping? Threatening?

She could only serve such purposes?

"What do you intend to do?" Tang Xiaobai inquired, realizing the man’s demands.

However, her response was still met only with the rushing wind.

The sky had completely darkened, and the horse continued running along the gloomy mountain foot.

It was apparent they had traveled far, yet still had not stopped.

Tang Xiaobai gradually grew frightened: "Where exactly are you taking me?"

After shouting this, she sensed the black-clothed man glanced down at her.

Soon after, the reins were pulled in, halting the horse—