A Shocking Dream

On an autumn night in the mountains, darkness enveloped everything like a huge curtain. Without lanterns to illuminate, vision was extremely difficult, and every shadow seemed to harbour unknown dangers.

Yuanyuan walked between Qin Ruoyu and Qin Rongchen, her voice trembling slightly: "Big brother, I'm so scared. We are not far from the top of the mountain. Let's go back to the top of the mountain first and go down the mountain after dawn." Her eyes were full of fear, and her small body couldn't stop trembling slightly.

Qin Ruoyu looked at Yuanyuan's frightened expression, and a wave of pity welled up in his heart. He turned to look at Qin Rongchen, as if waiting for his decision.

Qin Rongchen frowned slightly, and after thinking for a moment, he said: "It is indeed too risky to go down the mountain at this time. Let's return to the top of the mountain first and make plans after dawn." His voice was steady and firm, giving people a sense of security.

So, the three of them turned around and headed towards the top of the mountain. In the darkness, they walked with extreme caution, each step filled with caution. Yuanyuan clutched the corner of Qin Ruoyu's clothes tightly, as if it was her only support.

The mountain wind whistled in their ears, and the leaves rustled, as if telling the mysterious story of the autumn mountain. They struggled forward in the darkness, hoping that the moment of dawn would dispel the fear and anxiety in their hearts.

As they approached the top of the mountain, the familiar outline gradually emerged in the darkness. Although they still couldn't see the whole picture, it gave them an inexplicable sense of security.

The three of them finally reached the summit. Seeing a faint light within the cave, Yuanyuan felt relieved. This night journey had been trepidation for her, but seeing that glimmer of light felt like finding hope. The breeze on the summit blew gently, bringing a touch of coolness. The surrounding trees, shadowed in the night, seemed like silent guardians, lending the summit a mysterious atmosphere.

Yuanyuan hurried into the cave. However, the moment she entered, she was met with a horrifying scene. Inside, the fire that had once provided warmth now seemed dim, its light flickering and casting eerie shadows on the surrounding stone walls. The air was filled with the faint scent of fireworks and an indescribable sense of oppression.

Suddenly, her attention was drawn to something on the ground. The cave was crawling with snakes. Some coiled, some slowly wriggled, their bodies shimmering with an eerie light in the firelight. Some had patterns resembling ancient totems, evoking a chilling feeling. Others hissed softly, their tongues spitting out their tongues, as if warning intruders.

Yuanyuan's eyes widened instantly, terror washing over her like a tide. She quickly covered her mouth, desperately trying not to scream. Her heart pounded so hard it threatened to burst out of her throat. Her body froze, as if under a spell.

Yuanyuan trembled as she slowly backed away from the cave. Her legs buckled with fear, and she sat down on the ground. Her face was as pale as paper, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead. The terrifying scene replayed in her mind, leaving her unable to calm down for a long time. The surrounding grass rustled gently in the night breeze, as if telling of her fear.

Qin Ruoyu and Qin Rongchen noticed Yuanyuan's abnormality and hurried forward to ask. Yuanyuan pointed at the cave with a trembling hand, but could not utter a word. Qin Ruoyu and Qin Rongchen looked at each other, and a bad premonition surged in their hearts. They approached the cave cautiously, and when they saw the scene inside, they couldn't help but gasp.

In the cave on the top of Qiuluo Mountain, they fell into an unprecedented dilemma. How to deal with these snakes?

Yuanyuan had been frightened repeatedly tonight, and now she sat on the cold ground, her eyes filled with bewilderment. The cold autumn wind howled on the mountaintop, sending her hair flying in disarray. Qin Rongchen looked at the pitiful little girl, a wave of pity welling up in his heart. He slowly walked over and gently picked Yuanyuan up. Yuanyuan leaned on Qin Rongchen's warm shoulder, her body still trembling slightly, unable to calm down for a long time.

Qin Ruoyu felt a pang of self-blame when he saw Yuanyuan's frightened expression. He didn't dare approach the terrifying snakes in the cave, but if he didn't go in, would he have to stay outside in the cold wind all night? He frowned, gazing at the dark sky and the snake-infested cave, filled with worry.

The trees on the mountaintop rustled in the wind, as if expressing their helplessness. Qin Ruoyu paced back and forth, pondering a response. Qin Rongchen gently patted Yuanyuan's back, trying to soothe her.

"Uncle, what should we do now?" Qin Ruoyu finally stopped and looked at Qin Rongchen. Qin Rongchen pondered for a moment, "Let's find a sheltered place outside the cave first, and then make plans after Yuanyuan calms down."

They found a sheltered boulder not far from the cave. Qin Ruoyu took off his coat and spread it on the ground for Yuanyuan to sit on. Yuanyuan's face was still pale, but with the company of Qin Rongchen and Qin Ruoyu, her mood gradually eased.

The winter night was long, and they were on the top of the mountain, facing unknown dangers and difficulties, and their hearts were filled with anxiety. But they also knew that they had to face it bravely and find a way out.

On the top of Qiuluo Mountain, the wind was cold and biting. Yuanyuan thought of something, and her little hands frantically groped in her arms. She seemed to touch something, and her eyes lit up.

Qin Ruoyu looked at her curiously as she took out a firework from her arms. "What is this?" Qin Ruoyu asked doubtfully. Qin Rongchen also looked over with a questioning look in his eyes.

"This is our Su Nu sect's signal firework. If I set it off, the other Su Nu sect disciples remaining in the mountains will know I'm in danger." Yuan Yuan said, her tone tinged with urgency and hope. She stood up, pulled the rope, and the firework instantly shot up into the sky.

With a "bang", fireworks exploded in the night sky, lighting up the entire mountaintop. The snakes in the cave seemed to be frightened and scurried around.

At the foot of the mountain, Kanan saw the fireworks and was extremely anxious. "That was... the signal that Ayuan set off on the top of the mountain. Grandmaster, Ayuan and the others are in danger." Kanan said anxiously to the Grandmaster beside her. Wu Nian's face was solemn. She looked at the direction of the fireworks on the top of the mountain. A trace of worry flashed in her eyes. She had no choice but to go to the top of the mountain herself.

On the mountaintop, Yuanyuan stared intently at the spot where the fireworks had vanished, praying that the remaining Su Nu disciples would arrive quickly. Qin Ruoyu and Qin Rongchen also waited quietly, hoping the fireworks would bring help. The autumn night wind still howled, but now their hearts were filled with anticipation.