Chapter 107: Escape from the Canyon

Watching Ashmida shed tears while smiling, Link couldn’t help but smile as well. At last, she finally looked a bit like a girl. Honestly, he personally preferred Ashmida as a female—not out of lust, but because such a beautiful face paired with a delicate figure would be awkward if she were male. She would come off as a perfect effeminate man. In the original story, the Virgo Saint was merely handsome, not a sissy.

After a while, once Ashmida’s emotions had settled, she said something that left Link puzzled. “The distance to the top is 327 meters, with seventy-two footholds along the way. Below, the drop is over fifteen hundred meters, but there are fewer than two hundred footholds. Moreover, the miasma down there is thick, with many dangerous plants and creatures. Archbishop, if you want to leave this place, it’s best to climb upward.”

Link frowned in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

Ashmida spoke softly, “To be honest, I’ve always been very sensitive to the elements since childhood. Over time, I learned to communicate with the elemental forces around me. Perhaps this is heaven’s compensation for my congenital blindness. Just now, I communicated with nearby elements, and they revealed the nature of this cliff to me.”

“Communicate with the elements? Hmph, no wonder this girl’s magical talent is so exceptional. She must be an Elemental Prodigy!” Link stared at Ashmida in surprise, thinking to himself. An Elemental Prodigy is an extremely rare and special constitution, naturally attuned to the elements, granting magical aptitude far beyond the average person. Those born with such a gift, provided they do not perish prematurely, invariably become great magicians.

Thinking of Ashmida’s elemental gift, a pang of regret crossed Link’s face. Despite her extraordinary talent, she was blind. Even with heightened senses and a developed sixth sense, it would be difficult to fully harness her abilities. To become a true magician, one must not only recite incantations but also master the drawing of intricate magic circles and study various knowledge that requires sight. Magicians depend much more on their eyes than warriors do—warriors can rely on keen instincts in battle, but magicians have no such luxury.

This explained why, despite being an Elemental Prodigy, Ashmida’s strength was lacking. Without sight, no matter how gifted she was, becoming a great magician was impossible.

However, Link kept these thoughts to himself, fearing they would discourage the young girl before him. After a moment’s reflection, he said, “Thank you. I know what to do now. Rest for a bit. Tomorrow morning, I’ll take you out of here.”

Ashmida responded with a soft “Mm,” and sleepiness soon overcame her. After surviving a near-death ordeal during the day, though she had food, she lacked water; her spirit and body had reached their limits and could no longer hold on.

Link sat beside her, letting her lean against him. Ashmida blushed slightly but, being a thirteen-year-old blind girl, saw Link as a mature and gentle elder. Though shy, she did not refuse his kindness and soon drifted into a deep sleep.

Time passed moment by moment until midnight struck, and the system’s voice sounded promptly.

“Ding, the Autumn Harvest Festival has arrived, granting two intermediate-level lottery chances. Detected presence near the host. Proceed with the draw?”

Glancing at the sleeping Ashmida, Link quietly responded “Yes” to the system. Instantly, a virtual lottery wheel appeared before him. Not wanting to waste time, Link immediately selected to begin.

The wheel spun rapidly and stopped on a skill, awarding Link a new move that thrilled him: the Wudang Sect’s lightness skill, “Cloud-Stepping Technique.”

This technique is a legendary lightness skill from Jin Yong’s novels. Though somewhat common in the original story due to the abundance of Wudang disciples, its effect is anything but ordinary. Among Jin Yong’s lightness skills, this easily ranks in the top three.

Most importantly, the Cloud-Stepping Technique belongs to the “flying” style of lightness skills, characterized by agility and free movement in all directions. In terms of vertical leaps, it outclasses others by miles. In the novels, masters of this skill could easily traverse mountains and cliffs that baffled many experts. Additionally, the technique’s power increases with the practitioner’s internal strength.

Link currently practiced the pinnacle internal cultivation method “Nine Suns Divine Art,” rivaling many protagonists in Jin Yong’s tales. With Cloud-Stepping mastered, this cliff was no longer an obstacle. Even carrying Ashmida, he could leap across easily.

“Choosing to draw at the right moment was the correct decision,” Link chuckled to himself, “Now that I’ve learned Cloud-Stepping, this blasted cliff won’t hold me. Is the Nine Suns Divine Art just for show?” With a smile, he used his second lottery chance.

This time, he won a building: “Summoner’s Hall,” a facility for training summoners. As usual, Link couldn’t use it himself, but it would benefit his congregation.

After reviewing the Summoner’s Hall’s effects, Link packed away the building stone and thought, “Not bad. Although the training requirements are stricter than those for paladins, the results are impressive. If used well, this will greatly aid the church. And Ashmida, with her elemental gift, could probably become a summoner. Well, if she can’t be a Saint, becoming a beautiful summoner is good too.”

Having obtained two valuable items, Link finally relaxed and fell asleep.

The next morning, he gently woke Ashmida with a solemn expression. “Ashmida, last night I received guidance and blessings from the Father God. I have gained new strength to leave this place. Hold tightly to me—I will take you away.”

“Guidance and blessings from the Father God?” Ashmida’s eyes widened. “Archbishop, was the unfamiliar aura I sensed last night the Father God’s manifestation?”

“You sensed it?” Link looked at her in surprise.

Ashmida nodded excitedly. “Yes. The elements around us sensed it too. Such a majestic aura, unparalleled and sacred, indescribably mysterious. Is this the Father God? Amazing! So the gods are real!”

As she spoke, her delicate body trembled—part excitement, part nervousness, part reverence. Her faith level rose to advanced: a believer who truly accepts the Father God without doubt and holds deep reverence.

Link patted her head gently. “Child, the Father God always exists. He is everywhere and knows all. With faith in Him, we need fear nothing. Now, climb onto my back. I will take you from here.”

Ashmida nodded softly. “Thank you.” She climbed onto Link’s back as he instructed.

Though she was still undeveloped, Ashmida’s body was soft and fragrant. After saying, “Hold on tight,” Link gathered his internal energy, planted his foot firmly, and activated his new skill, Cloud-Stepping. Instantly, he felt as if spring-loaded, gracefully “flying” upward, leaping seven or eight meters to land on a foothold.

That was just a test jump. The astonishing effect boosted Link’s confidence. No longer holding back, he activated his energy again, leaping from foothold to foothold on the steep cliff like riding a rocket, ascending vertically without mishap, finally reaching the canyon’s rim.

A vast forest stretched before his eyes. He set Ashmida down and surveyed the surroundings, confirming their location. “This must be the Deadly Canyon at the border of the Red Moon and Zell Provinces. I heard the canyon below is home to fierce beasts and plants that never see daylight. Anyone who ventures down there dies. Fortunately, we landed on a foothold. Even if we hadn’t fallen, going to the canyon floor would have been a death sentence.”

Ashmida showed a fearful expression, clearly aware of the canyon’s dangers.

“After being tangled with the Thunder Dragon, who would have guessed we’d end up in this cursed place? Thankfully, the canyon is dangerous, but outside it’s no different from other places. Ashmida, let’s find a water source first,” Link suggested, and she readily agreed.

With Cloud-Stepping, Link could leap into the air anytime to check their direction, so getting lost was impossible. Before long, they found a clear mountain stream and savored the fresh spring water. After filling their stomachs with some tasty mountain fruit, Link prepared to leave.

To save time, Link carried Ashmida on his back, moving swiftly through the forest. Supported by his Nine Suns Divine Art, he was unconcerned about energy depletion. They easily crossed most of the forest, nearing the exit.

Though a bit tired, Link felt exhilarated—not because he carried a beautiful girl (Ashmida was just a little girl, no matter how pretty), but because of the sheer joy of boundless, effortless movement. It was as if he had activated a flight or jump cheat in a game—obstacles that once required long detours could now be cleared with a single leap. The freedom and ease, the sensation of soaring across vast lands, was something only someone who had experienced it could understand. Perhaps this explains why heroes in wuxia novels often yearn to roam the world freely.

Finally, as Link leapt over a cliff edge with Ashmida on his back, the mountain pass came into view from afar. But just then, they encountered unexpected people. Behind that cliff was a medium-sized excavation site, seemingly uncovering some ancient ruins. Relaxed and jumping higher than usual, Link caught the attention of a guard stationed there. The man froze momentarily before sounding an alarm, sending a sharp ringing echoing through the valley.