73: Before the Shadow Gorge, each displays its beauty.

Walking along the edge of the Burial Star Sea was like traversing a cliff face above an abyss. The Daorhyme of annihilation emanating from the Void Realmcrack constantly eroded their minds, requiring a significant portion of their magical power to resist. The surrounding landscape grew increasingly desolate and dead, even the black rocks gradually becoming brittle, as if they could weather and disintegrate at any moment.

The immortal abode pivot token's sensing of the Shadowy Ravine direction was intermittent, suggesting interference in that area. The four did not dare to be careless, proceeding with increasing caution.

After taking a Medicinal Pill, Su Wanqing's injuries had stabilized, but her complexion remained somewhat pale. She silently followed slightly behind Lin Xuan, a distance that allowed her to provide support at any time without appearing overly intimate. Yet, her gaze would unconsciously fall upon Lin Xuan's tall back, especially when he focused his Divine Sense to scout ahead, his brows slightly furrowed. A faint hint of heartache would flash in her clear, cold eyes. When Lin Xuan paused briefly due to detecting danger, she would naturally step forward half a pace, her icy Sword Qi subtly released to clear away an imperceptible spatial ripple in front of him, her movements fluid and synchronized, as if it were instinctual. After doing all this, she would quickly retreat to her original position, resuming her cold demeanor, with only her slightly accelerated heartbeat betraying her unease.

Lin Xuan felt the timely appearance of the icy Sword Qi behind him, and a warmth spread through his heart. He turned back and offered her a grateful smile. Su Wanqing met his gaze but quickly averted her eyes, her fingers gripping her ice sword tightening slightly, and a suspicious blush again rising to her earlobes. This silent care and protection was her unique way of expressing emotion.

Qu Feiyan watched all of this, a playful curve gracing her red lips. She gracefully walked to Lin Xuan's other side, almost pressing against his arm, a captivating fragrance, a mix of orchid and poppy, wafting around his nose.

"Little Brother Lin~" Her voice was soft and enchanting, laced with a hook. "This gloomy place is so eerie; this elder sister is terribly frightened." As she spoke, she seemingly unintentionally brushed her soft shoulder against Lin Xuan's arm, the touch warm and resilient.

Lin Xuan's body stiffened, the soft touch on his arm and the alluring fragrance causing his Qi and blood to subtly stir. He helplessly turned his head, meeting Qu Feiyan's seductive eyes, which seemed to speak volumes, full of cunning and temptation: "Senior Sister Qu, you are a Golden Core Cultivator, the Saintess of the Blood Lotus Sect. Are you truly afraid of this?"

"Oh dear, no matter how high my cultivation, I am still a woman, you know." Qu Feiyan feigned grievance, but her slender fingers subtly climbed up Lin Xuan's arm, her fingertips tracing imperceptible circles on his firm forearm. "Besides, with Little Brother Lin by my side, I can't help but want to rely on you~" Her words were bold and direct, and her physical contact was increasingly assertive, as if declaring ownership or testing Lin Xuan's boundaries.

[Ding! Investment target 'Qu Feiyan' has made an 'emotional investment' in the host, actively drawing closer. The host receives investment feedback: Charm value slightly increased, attractiveness to the opposite sex slightly enhanced.]

This feedback made Lin Xuan a little exasperated. He gently tried to pull away but couldn't, which only made Qu Feiyan cling tighter, so he had to let her be. He could feel that while Qu Feiyan seemed frivolous, there was also a subtle, almost imperceptible desire for security in her closeness.

Gongsun Yu followed at the rear, watching the invisible yet clear interactions between the two Senior Sisters and Lin Xuan, her small mouth unconsciously pouting slightly. She also wanted to get closer to Big Brother Lin, but she wasn't as capable of tacit assistance as Senior Sister Su, nor did she possess the boldness and charm of Senior Sister Qu. Annoyed, she kicked a small pebble by her foot, which rolled into the darkness of the Burial Star Sea and instantly vanished.

Suddenly, an idea struck her. She quickly stepped forward a few paces, walking alongside Lin Xuan, then took out a piece of Spiritual Qi-rich pastry, carefully wrapped in a clean handkerchief, from her Storage Pouch. She offered it to Lin Xuan, her small face flushed, her eyes sparkling: "Big Brother Lin, you've been using a lot of Divine Sense to scout ahead, so it's very draining. This is... this is made from the spiritual fruit you gave me earlier. Would you like to try it?"

The pastry wasn't exquisitely made; it was even a bit crooked, but it clearly showed effort. In this desolate and dead land, such a thoughtful piece of food was especially precious.

Lin Xuan was stunned, and a warm current surged through his heart as he looked at Gongsun Yu's small face, full of anticipation yet a little nervous. He took the pastry and smiled gently: "Thank you, Little Yu, I was feeling a bit hungry." He took a bite in front of her; the taste was sweet and refreshing, and though the Spiritual Qi was weak, it perfectly alleviated the fatigue of his Divine Sense. "It's delicious."

Gongsun Yu immediately beamed, as if she had received an immense reward, and her previous slight melancholy vanished. She contentedly returned to her position, her steps much lighter. This clumsy yet sincere care was her way of expressing closeness.

[Ding! Investment target 'Gongsun Yu' has made a 'heartfelt investment' in the host. The host receives investment feedback: Stamina recovery speed slightly increased, resistance to negative environments slightly enhanced.]

Lin Xuan felt the sweetness of the pastry in his mouth and the subtle or direct emotional expressions of the Three women, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He knew that behind these "investments" lay their growing affection. And he, while enjoying this warmth and feedback, also bore a heavier responsibility.

Just in this subtle atmosphere, the scene ahead suddenly changed.

The previously relatively flat edge of the Burial Star Sea abruptly caved inward, forming an enormous, bottomless canyon! The cliffs on both sides of the canyon were like blades and axes, black as ink. Within the canyon, gray-black mist, ten times denser than the outside, permeated the air. The mist seemed alive, slowly writhing, and even Divine Sense probing into it was like a mud ox entering the sea, instantly swallowed and dissolved. A chilling, deathly aura that could freeze the Soul emanated from the depths of the canyon.

The immortal abode pivot token's sensing of the star marrow gold became clearer here, but it pointed directly to the depths of this terrifying canyon!

"Shadowy Ravine... we're here." Lin Xuan stopped, his expression grave as he looked at the dark canyon that seemed capable of devouring everything. Undoubtedly, this place was more dangerous than anywhere they had experienced before.

"It seems what we're looking for is beneath this cursed place," Qu Feiyan said, her teasing gone, her alluring eyes filled with vigilance.

Su Wanqing's ice sword hummed, and she stepped forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Lin Xuan, her clear, cold eyes fixed on the canyon: "I will go with you."

Although Gongsun Yu's small hands were cold with fear, she still firmly stood behind Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan looked at the Three women beside him, each with her own distinct charm, yet equally resolute in their intentions. He took a deep breath and nodded.

"Alright, let's go down. Stay close to me and be careful."

A new adventure and trial were about to unfold in this Shadowy Ravine. And the complex emotions between the four would also usher in new developments, catalyzed by this desperate situation.