The mountains stretched on, with green forests like a sea.
The Mingjing University expedition team, all dressed in professional climbing gear, moved in single file under the guide's direction.
Wang Hong'en, the professor leading the team, was the oldest and most experienced. He walked at the front with the guide.
A group of young students followed behind Wang Hong'en, each with an excited expression, full of curiosity about everything.
At the very end of the group was Professor Xu Yin. She was not yet thirty and was stunningly beautiful. Her graceful figure couldn't be concealed even by somewhat bulky climbing clothes.
The male students in the group often stole glances at Xu Yin. Xu Yin was not just beautiful; her mature, gentle, and intellectual aura was something the female students couldn't compare to.
"These guys' eyes are all shifty; none of them are any good."
Wei Zhenzhen, walking beside Xu Yin, pouted and said, "Sister Yin, aren't you going to say something to them?"
Wei Zhenzhen was only eighteen this year. Although she had been accepted to Mingjing University, she had to wait until September to start.
She was a relative of Xu Yin and came along for fun this time. Seeing the seniors' lustful looks, Wei Zhenzhen was very disappointed and pained.
Xu Yin laughed and said, "To appreciate beauty is human nature. How can I control them, by telling them not to look at me?"
"If they want to look at beauties, then let them, just not so sneakily."
Wei Zhenzhen was actually displeased that this group of people didn't look at her and only stole glances at Xu Yin. It hurt her pride as a beautiful girl.
Xu Yin lovingly patted Wei Zhenzhen on the head; she knew the girl's little thoughts.
Wei Zhenzhen had become accustomed to being the center of attention, and not receiving it here naturally left her a little disappointed.
The lively and youthful Wei Zhenzhen was actually very pretty. However, this youthful aura was everywhere on campus, so it didn't make her particularly standout.
Moreover, being next to Xu Yin put her at a further disadvantage.
Just as Xu Yin was about to comfort Wei Zhenzhen, she suddenly heard a commotion in front. The crowd seemed a bit excited, as if they had discovered something.
Wei Zhenzhen loved excitement and quickly hopped to the front. She immediately saw the girl on the hillside.
The tanned wolf skin looked rough, and the large wolf skin clothes made the girl appear bulky.
The girl held a gigantic hunting bow and had a cracked machete at her waist, with a few grass leaves stuck in her hair.
This mountain girl had a raw, primitive aura, yet her facial features were strikingly beautiful.
Especially her eyes, clear as water, cold as ice, utterly pure.
A group of young men and women from the metropolis stood spellbound. Even the well-traveled Professor Xu Yin was quite surprised.
A line from an old poem suddenly popped into Xu Yin's mind: "A high and lofty air, unrivaled among the floral multitude."
The White Dragon Mountains were located in an alpine region, where the locals were naturally fair-skinned, beautiful, tall, and slender.
The girl's cool, pure aura contrasted starkly with the rugged, primitive feel of the vast wilderness.
In terms of looks, the girl might not have been as exquisite as Wei Zhenzhen, yet in terms of aura, she overshadowed every girl in the expedition.
Professor Wang Hong'en found the girl somewhat peculiar. He glanced at the middle-aged guide, who shook his head and said, "I've never seen her before, but this mountainous area has dozens of tribes of varying sizes that don't interact with each other and are nearly isolated from the world."
Wang Hong'en nodded to Xu Yin, signaling her to go over and inquire about the situation.
Xu Yin was the team leader and a woman, making her more suited for interaction with the opposite party.
Xu Yin took a few steps forward and greeted, "Hello, we are from Mingjing University expedition. My name is Xu Yin. May I ask your name? Is this the Red Dragon Volcano area?"
"My name is Yun Qingshang."
The girl was Yun Qingshang. She had spotted the expedition team early on and was waiting here as instructed by Gao Xuan.
Yun Qingshang pointed in the direction of the east and said, "If you're looking for the erupting volcano, it's in that direction, still dozens of miles along mountain paths from here."
Yun Qingshang spoke the Alliance's common language with a cool and clean tone, which was very pleasant to listen to.
A group of male students from Mingjing University stared straight at Yun Qingshang. The rough wolf skin clothes only accentuated her fresh and elegant appearance.
In the city, where there were exquisite and beautiful girls everywhere, such a cold and pureness was very rare.
Wei Zhenzhen noticed the enamored looks of the surrounding boys and felt quite disdainful. She thought she was prettier than Yun Qingshang by two points, yet no one was looking at her. These boys were all fools!
Xu Yin, however, took a liking to Yun Qingshang. Such a pure girl was truly endearing. She smiled warmly and said, "Thank you."
Wang Hong'en glanced at his smartwatch. The erupting volcano was clearly marked on the three-dimensional map.
Even the coverage area of the forest fire was clearly annotated.
However, the mountainous terrain was complex, with various fierce beasts and venomous insects. The guide was also unfamiliar with this area, so the group was moving slowly.
Wang Hong'en waved to Yun Qingshang and said, "Goodbye, young lady."
He then called out to the others, "Let's pick up the pace and try to arrive before it gets dark."
Several miles of mountain paths were not very far for them.
Yun Qingshang said calmly, "Although the forest fire has been extinguished, embers remain, making it easy for the fire to rekindle. Entering the burnt area rashly is dangerous."
Wang Hong'en pondered for a moment. He knew that burnt areas could easily catch fire again but hadn't paid much attention. However, it was indeed risky to enter recklessly.
The guide also said, "The ground vegetation and tree roots are already carbonized. Though it looks like the fire's out, it can easily rekindle, which makes it very dangerous. Professor Wang, we should first explore and ensure the route's safety."
The guide has been in the mountains for years and knows the horrors of mountain fires well. Once the fire zone rekindles, the sky-covering smoke can suffocate everyone.
Wang Hong'en glanced at Xu Yin: "Professor Xu, what do you think?"
"We have ample time, we're not in a hurry. Let's find a safe place to camp first. We'll investigate the situation later."
Xu Yin, as the leading professor, was responsible for over a dozen students. Of course, she hoped to proceed cautiously.
"Sounds good."
Although Wang Hong'en was eager to enter the volcano area, he couldn't drag a bunch of students into danger.
Xu Yin smiled at Yun Qingshang: "Qingshang, is there a suitable place nearby for camping?"
"My family has a place."
Yun Qingshang pointed behind her: "It's only a few miles from here, come on."
Without waiting for Xu Yin to agree, Yun Qingshang turned and walked off on her own.
"Professor Wang?"
Wang Hong'en was the expedition team leader, so although Xu Yin was willing to follow Yun Qingshang, she still wanted to consult him.
"She's warmly inviting us. Let's follow her."
Wang Hong'en didn't give it much thought; having a safe place to rest was a good idea. He wasn't afraid Yun Qingshang would play any tricks.
The group of male students grew excited, gathering to whisper amongst themselves.
The handsome An Hui said mysteriously, "I've heard that this tribe retains many primitive customs, the most famous being 'wife guests'!"
The simple-looking Peng Yuanshan asked curiously, "What is 'wife guests'?"
"Idiot, it means using wives to entertain the visiting guests," a slick-looking fellow laughed.
Peng Yuanshan was dumbfounded, his pure heart deeply shocked; could such a thing really exist?
"It makes sense too. Primitive tribes have few people, so internal marriages are frequent, causing issues for the next generation. They need fresh blood, thus creating this custom."
An Hui understood some obscure knowledge and explained, "From a mating perspective, it's quite scientific."
The slick-faced Zhou Jun said smugly, "That Yun Qingshang is really pretty. I'm willing to freely contribute my excellent genes to her."
"Dream on."
Peng Yuanshan was a bit upset; he had taken a liking to Yun Qingshang at first sight, and Zhou Jun's words felt like an insult to his goddess.
"Look at you, being a pathetic simp who turns a girl into a goddess just after meeting her once!"
Zhou Jun scoffed and shook his head, "Women are meant for fun. It's because of simps like you that women think they're worth something!"
Zhou Jun boasted, "With my sophisticated urban vibe, winning over an unsophisticated mountain girl is a cinch!"
"Forget it, someone like you isn't even appealing."
An Hui patted Zhou Jun's head, "Are you as good looking as me? Are you as wealthy as me? Are you as talented as me? Are you as capable as me?"
He stated confidently, "Yun Qingshang, she's mine. Don't even think about it."
Zhou Jun was indeed inferior to An Hui in many aspects and was left speechless.
"Pathetic..."
Wei Zhenzhen overheard the boys' conversation and couldn't help but spit out, "Scum!"
Xu Yin squeezed Wei Zhenzhen's hand, signaling her not to speak out of turn.
College students are adults; as long as they don't break the law or university rules, how they handle their personal lives is their business.
Even as the leading professor, Xu Yin wouldn't interfere in students' personal lives.
Nevertheless, the frivolous demeanor of An Hui and Zhou Jun was indeed distasteful.
Xu Yin shook her head internally; the two boys seemed too full of themselves, brimming with the arrogance of a metropolitan youth.
The distinctive aura of Yun Qingshang was far from that of an ordinary village girl. She didn't believe these two students could get anywhere with her.
Wei Zhenzhen was still indignant and said gruffly, "I'm going to tell Yun Qingshang, so she doesn't get deceived."
The figure of Yun Qingshang had already disappeared ahead; anxious to warn Yun Qingshang, Wei Zhenzhen pulled Xu Yin along quickly.
Upon reaching a slope, Wei Zhenzhen spotted the large entrance of a cave above.
Yun Qingshang was standing at the cave entrance, and beside her a man lay on a rough wooden chair, lazily sunbathing with his eyes closed.
Wei Zhenzhen couldn't determine the man's age, nor did she notice what he was wearing; her gaze was entirely fixated on his closed-eyed face.
She was stunned, unable to believe there could be such a handsome man in the world!
Even the mature and intelligent Xu Yin was momentarily stunned upon seeing the man's face.
Her eyes gleamed with excitement, her whole being enlivened.
The man wasn't just handsome; there was a carefree and transcendent freedom between his brows, like an immortal who communes with nature, or rather, one who devours clouds and breaths celestial energy!