'Ah Yong, you spoke of creatures in these mountains that could be a threat. What should I be watching for then?' Wu Chen asked as they finished packing up the campsite the next morning.

Happy to finally see Wu Chen's curiosity returning, Lu Yong quickly replied, 'I got some vague impressions when the Old One imprinted Shandian's location. I know there are mountain apes, a few varieties of poisonous snakes, spiders, and insects, and the usual mountain animals like deer and elk. However, the biggest threat would be the Zhen Birds.'

'I thought Zhen were only found in the Southern Mountains.' Wu Chen tried to remember what he had learned of the mysterious eagle-like creatures. He knew the Lu Clan often hunted for their poisonous feathers to use on their darts, but those hunts were always in the South, never in the North.

Lu Yong nodded, 'They are primarily found in the Southern Mountains. However, during the Battle of Serpents, several mated pairs were relocated to these mountains for use by the evil forces of the Serpent God. Of the pairs that survived, many were left to their own devices once the war was over, and they settled permanently in the Serpent Mountains.'

'I see. Tell me more about them then. I know they look a little like eagles, only their chests are purple, and the tips of their feathers and their crests are copper. Oh, and their feathers are highly poisonous. I also know the Lu Clan hunts for their feathers to create poison for their darts.' Wu Chen finished his packing and looked up with curious eyes at his Guardian.

'Not bad. It's good to know you have some knowledge of these creatures. First, there is a distinct difference between the Southern Zhen and the Northern variety. Because of the extreme cold in the northern mountains, the Northern Zhen are smaller, more like the size of hawks. This helps them insulate and use less energy in the colder climate. It also means they are faster in flight and far more agile.' Lu Yong explained.

'Is it just the feathers that are poisonous then? If we avoid the wings and are scratched by their claws, will we still be poisoned?' Wu Chen continued with his questions, glad to have something to think about other than his shame.

Lu Yong shook his head, 'The claws on the Northern species are just as deadly. There are fewer poisonous snakes for them to feed on here, so they have adapted their bodies to ensure a quick kill, whether it be by feather poison or claw poison. In older birds, even their saliva becomes poisonous. Hunting is difficult here, but they have adapted to it. The Northern variety also has a wider diet compared to the Southern. Here, they have learned to feast on poisonous Ice Spiders that live in the higher mountain region and certain poisonous insects like the Black Heart Beetle more commonly found around deadfall in the middle regions.'

Wu Chen shivered. These Northern Zhen birds sounded like the living version of poisonous darts. Fighting creatures like that, with their maneuverability and hunting instincts, would not be easy. He did have the living technique available, but its power usage was monstrous at his current level. His cultivation was just too low for the creature's full capabilities, but if they did come upon a group of Zhen...

'Ah Yong, I might possibly have a way to protect us from these Northern Zhen, but it's a little risky.' Wu Chen offered tentatively.

The elder stood straight and crossed his arms over his chest, 'I'm listening.' He said simply.

'Well, I do have that living technique I found in the secret realm.' He reminded his Guardian with a slight shrug, 'The problem is it takes a lot of power at my current level. I mean, drop me to my knees and be unable to move until I can restore my qi kind of power.'

Lu Yong narrowed his eyes, 'So, if you use this technique, you'll be pretty much helpless until you can restore your qi, right?'

Wu Chen nodded, 'Yes, but there are several advantages as well. The creature is immune to all poisons, has a limited control of most avian creatures, and it fights with high-level techniques. I know it's risky, but against birds like the Zhen, it might be our best chance to get away without risk to ourselves.'

'How long can the creature fight? Is it only for a short while, or is it something you can use throughout a lengthy fight if necessary?' Lu Yong asked, his concern for Wu Chen obvious.

Wu Chen shook his head, his brow furrowed, 'I have never tried it, so I don't know how long it can retain its form.'

Not for the first time, Wu Chen questioned having the cap placed on his soul. While it was certainly true that he had been enjoying his life without the nightmares, it was also true that he could not utilize his well-earned cultivation. It had also stopped his progression toward his Golden Core completely. At a time like this, every level in cultivation was crucial, and he was unfortunately capped.

Lu Yong was thoughtful as he considered this information, 'At this time, the biggest threats to us in these mountains are the mountain apes and the Zhen birds. I don't like that using your technique can cause such a debilitating weakness, but it is a good weapon against creatures like the Zhen. Especially if they come in a flock to hunt.'

Lu Yong stepped closer and stroked Wu Chen's head gently as he released a slow sigh, 'There really isn't much choice. That technique is our best chance against them.'

He pulled back and cupped his young ward's face with both hands to ensure he had his undivided attention, 'That means that for the entirety of our journey to the cave I want you to use as little qi as possible. You don't have to load Xiao Lei with qi when you wield it. Just use it as a short sword should you need to fight. Use the minimum qi necessary to keep you warm in the higher elevations and let me use my aura for searches and the like. I see no reason for the two of us to exert our energy in the use of the same technique. Especially when I have a larger search radius anyway. I want you to have as much qi available as possible so there is less of a strain on your dantian if we do need your technique. Okay, Ah Chen?'

'Okay, Ah Yong. I understand.' Wu Chen agreed and bit his lip, his lashes lowering unconsciously.

Lu Yong's gaze darkened as his eyes were drawn to the movement of Wu Chen's teeth on his lips. Unable to resist, he lowered his head and gave him a gentle kiss. Then another. Soon, one hand lowered to Wu Chen's waist to draw him close, while the other reached behind his head to cradle it as he ran his tongue over Wu Chen's lower lip in a plea for entry.

With a strangled groan, Wu Chen's mouth parted, and Lu Yong wasted no time devouring his sweetness. Their tongues battled, and the kiss grew more heated with each passing moment. Eventually, Lu Yong pulled away, his breath heavy and his eyes dark and filled with desire. Wu Chen panted softly and leaned against his Guardian, his hand gripping his black robe tight as his knees had gone weak.

'You are such a temptation, beauty.' He whispered against Wu Chen's ear, causing his lover to shiver with the feel of his warm breath along his skin.

'As are you, Guardian.' Wu Chen whispered back with a soft kiss on Lu Yong's pulse point.

They held tightly to each other until their breathing had returned to normal. Then, Lu Yong reluctantly stepped away from his beautiful ward and tried to focus on the task at hand. This was neither the time nor the place for what he really wanted. There would be time enough for such play after Shandian was safely in the hands of Wu Chen once again.

Wu Chen sighed, feeling suddenly bereft of the warmth in Lu Yong's touch. Just for a moment, he had forgotten the quest, forgotten his sin, forgotten his fears. He gazed longingly at his lover, still amazed that such a powerful man would want him as a lover. It made him proud, but also a little nervous.

Beauty fades. Injuries happen. What if one day Lu Yong grew tired of him? What if one day Lu Yong no longer wanted him? He wrapped his arms around himself, feeling a sudden chill. Better not to think about such things lest you invite their reality, he thought with a slight shake of his head.

Unaware of the dark thoughts in Wu Chen's mind, Lu Yong made one last check of their marker array and reached his hand out toward his sweet lover.

'Last leg of the journey. Ready?' He asked with a raised brow and a grin.

Wu Chen shook off his melancholy, took one last look at the cave in the distance, and nodded with conviction.

'En. Let's retrieve what's mine.' He answered, placing his hand in Lu Yong's and smiling up at him.

With determined steps, they began the long climb. Both were silently hoping for the same thing. An end to the quest, and a proper beginning together.