In the silent forest, a large group of people moved quietly forward; pairs of alert eyes continuously flickered across shadowy spots within nearby trees, their hands tightly gripping weapons at their waists, prepared for any abrupt emergencies. As veteran mercenaries with many years of experience within the Magical Beast Mountains, though this was their first collaboration, they still preserved a fundamental level of tacit understanding: interlocking gazes allowed them to discern signals of danger and safety from each other’s eyes.
The odd suppressing ability of the dark mighty blade against斗qi along with its extraordinary weight, made Xiao Yan’s march difficult; he almost sank deep with every step into the soft earth. Hence, not even having journeyed for long distance, he already seemed somewhat out of breath.
Winding sweat from his flushed face, Xiao Yan turned around, gazing back towards the gathering of the Myriad Herbs Pavilion herb harvest team well-guarded within the entourage. His eyes passed leisurely over those present, final settling on a white-gowned beauty in central position surrounded by protective personnel like a treasured star being lauded by other celestial bodies.
At that moment, the fragile enchantress known as Little Healer Immortal, appropriately called, lifted herself up slightly, gently patting sweat droplets upon her hand back, softly panting as she did. All together, these gestures coupled with her tender beauty, incited compassion and a desire to protect deep within male observers’ hearts.
On account of these tender expressions exhibited by Little Healer Immortal, surrounding mercenary warriors harboured for an instant a desire to shoulder-carry her until destination. Nonetheless, they all understood perfectly as well—that even amidst the impulse to assist in motion, this fair beauty, Little Healer Immortal, wouldn’t hesitate politely but regretfully to decline any such physical offer.
Focused collective sights upon this figure of tenderness distracted all briefly; suddenly stepping forth towards the front emerged a very dashing youth, cheerful grin stretching across, separating himself momentarily from the security unit. He bent slightly conversing something with her.
Conversing briefly together, the Healer smiled slightly, gave a polite shake of her head, then redirected herself to advancing steadily along the prior direction.
Receiving courteous refusal yet unfazed nor disconsolate, this young man merely returned the smile tenderly once again. He then lifted his hand suddenly issuing a loud warning: “Lumphead Mercenaries! Be watchful now that we approach Magical Beast Mountains borders! Let not misfortune overtake us at such an early turn!”
A loud response of assent promptly rose from scores standing nearby; all chorused robust endorsement echoed uniformly, drawing curious stares from those nearby—even the previously marching Little Healer casting a curious glance backward herself at such orchestrated responses and enthusiasm.
Fully pleased, this young figure grinned warmly then increased pacing once again to match shoulder position beside The Healer, walking alongside offering solicitous personal protection continuously.
“Tsk… Just depends on having the Head Mercenary Captain as daddy. Believing this qualifies as being a contender for Little Healer’s affection, does he?” Glancing again at this close-companion youth chattering casually nearby, one male comrade sitting near Xiao-Yan grumbled under breath. Envy clearly dripped within tone of utterance.
Partially squinting his sight while inspecting this gentleman’s appearance carefully from head down, Xiao-Yan’s gaze gradually slowed at one badge located upon its chest: displaying carved single-eye wolfhead insignia. Shifting vision past said youth towards other scores displaying identical badges over corresponding chest locations—then realization came to this figure.
Indeed—without doubt—those individuals bore association under “Lumphead’s” mercenary division—one of Qinghun settlement’s triumvirates within organized fighting group affiliations; naturally belonging to forces assigned by Herbs’ Collection for security support provision.
It became rather clear the Myriad Herbs’ dependence on lump formations surpassed prior freelance combat personnel by a significant margin. Thus explaining their appointment to close-body guarding duty status exclusively. Shifting observational view away, Xiao Yan showed minimal curiosity about youth & female healer’s interrelating dynamics, instead shaking head once briefly. Then proceeded forward along journey trail anew into mountains under weight again.
Outside range surrounding Magical Beast Mountain boundaries—overall maintained serenely until their initial entering; soon encountering brief but brutal encounter demonstration by three lower order magical creatures—Red Ice Snake classification. Such entities typically populated the more outerlying fringes throughout these perilous terrain clusters belonging the frigid essence, yet containing chilling latent toxin within.
Frostbitten toxin, left untreated within half one’s daytime period, sufficed to freeze one’s vascular interior blood flow ultimately concluding expiration.
Suspended upside tree trunks quietly awaiting moments of vulnerability from below, sudden assault strikes launched like thunderbolt from shadow overhead—precisively injecting freezing internal poisons deep within trio mercenaries bodies unexpectedly, instantly collapsing hardened soldier frames suddenly cold as sculpted marble figurine; bodily warmth fleeing.
Instant combat erupting upon unexpected attacks—the angry mercenary group launched retaliation; in moments indeed these beastly aggressors—three first-level Ice Serpents—perished from swarmed pummeling without resistance.
However upon their extermination and inspection post mortem—a troubling revelation presented itself: no discernable hint of essence crystals existed hidden internally anywhere inside corpses. Thus slight mutual disappointment emerged briefly in murmured expressions of frustration.
Indeed—an all to routine experience commonly encountered during hunting expeditions. Frequently—at tremendous risks and heavy casualties—sometimes no spoils of beast essence crystals might surface after conflicts concluded, hence making the disappointment rather bearable and fleeting for most.
The poison-touched three individuals got immediately whisked urgently backward into collection team presence. Thereby swiftly granted urgent treatment under the direct guidance of The Healer herself, who quickly extracted chilling toxicity out from bodily systems successfully.
Following the Ice Snake ambush, everyone present collectively adjusted wariness another notch upwards—but traversing MagicalBeast Mountains’ territory densely-populated by all manners of predatory fauna, obviously evitating complete absence of monster ambushes altogether stood utterly inconceivable. Travel distance didn’t even achieve a mere half furlongs until triple ambush onslaught strikes descended again from multiple directions.
Happily, with superior human resource numerical advantage on side, albeit incurring injuries sustained minor nature upon roughly dozen personnel, they finally succeeded in driving back every magical onslaught round successfully.
Within vanguard exploring group ahead of entire main formation, Xunyan unavoidably entered personal conflict combat once. However clashing directly with low-level Magical Beast cost a sharp numbing ache within forearm extremities post impact deflection. Eyeing vanishing enemy escaping slyly post unsuccessful strike—Yan clenched molars tightly in frustrated fury. “Weren’t it the great saber draining my斗qi—I would’ve killed it cleanly! Regretful indeed…” Yet regardless of foe getting lost within jungle darkness, this level of exhibited competence still drew considerable apprecitive gazes all around.
“Youthsman—you did awesome today! To parry strength-featured Snake-Leader Panther in frontal clash is rare to witness!”
“Tsktsk, even at such a tender early year demonstrating this level combat skill…What heights might one one day reach?”
Hahhhhhaha!! So this particular laddie’s that 2-star斗者 ranking youngest in formation eh? Looking exactly the caliber we’d expect all around, absolutely real-deal strength proven!”
Commencing warm cheers arose amidst entire entourage in celebratory clamourous wave. With these words circulating through the camp, people started changing their perspective regarding this particular youngster wielding enormous sword without question from thereon—trusting that raw ability spoke loudest. In an environment valuing pure proficiency as the key to hierarchy, demonstrating rare excellence earned automatic prestige: a direct and unspoken reality here.
For all cheers, Xiao Yan only answered with a faint smile; no falsity—nor arrogance—lingered amidst facial lines. He instead just followed troop progression onwards, wordlessly moving deeper.
“Gentle-friends—we now reach vicinity area containing collection zone shortly. Please take brief recess after enduring lengthy strides already tired.”
Journeying onward after a while, unexpectedly—soft and tender melodic tones belonging to the previously retreating damoiselle re-emerged suddenly into quiet surroundings; interrupting momentarily everyone’s focused tramping. Movement ceased in unison immediately following command—numerous participants respectfully rotating their heads backwards. All gazes landing on that smiling angelic white figure before nodded obediently, accepting the pause without complaint.
Rapid consultation transpired amidst mercenary group, soon leading to division of sentries taking perimeter posts while others sat where upon the mossy earth to recuperate energy spent.
Plonked lazily rearwards to the soft forest floor, Xiao Yan released a slow long sigh. His finger moved deftly conjuring into action—flicking a light teal Restoring Elixir into waiting palm. Observing environment discreetly, then tilted sideways giving feigned stretch alongside exaggeratedly wide gaping motion; using the split distraction hand motion casually swallowed medicinal dosage swiftly.
Immediately circulating inside bloodstream—rapid therapeutic effect radiated swiftly outward restoring drained斗qi power reservoir inside physical structure.
Thanks again to pill-enhanced advantage—recovery achieved complete fullness much faster than surrounding mercenaries currently struggling back up energy-wise at gradual pace amidst hushed chats.
Internally murmuring smug approval on benefits of elixirs superiority—Xiao-Yan abruptly stood, mutter brief toilet excuse towards adjacent teammate, then silently ambled away beyond towards a more secluded thicket.
Calm within woodland glances gradually darkening—nonetheless this area remained checked thoroughly beforehand by prior security personnel—hence Xiao could reasonably feel protected regarding sudden ambushed danger risk.
Survey carefully as he advanced inward deeper progressively. Soon traversing some additional stretches—darkened perspective ahead astonishingly suddenly became wide and bright. Lifting eyes upward—an emergence from the small forest had occurred without him previously noting. Presently before this precipice cliff rising quite dramatically in elevation, its lower slopes teeming vibrantly with dense greenery exuding tranquil beauty.
Cursing his distracted nature momentarily while scanning precipice surroundings. Then Xiao’s attention abruptly seized—a flowering bush bearing delicate translucent-white blooms, with within partially unfurling blossom faintly visible hints red-hued berry concealed inside its corolla. Gently issuing subtle herbaceous fragrance into surrounding air current.
Focusing intently upon such flora—curiosity piqued within Xiao Yan brows slightly arching in recognition surprise, soon prompting him kneeling downwards slightly—extending hand towards plant carefully intending harvesting it into pocket possession.
Just Xiao’s fingers reached contact—
From nowhere suddenly emerged—a jade-like dainty feminine limb from vertical chasm below, also lunging at that exact flowering stalk. Except—the reaching hand, by sheer chance, accidentally gripped directly onto his forearm instead.
Upon this accidental skin surface encounter, that white slender hand slightly hesitated in shock for second before recoiling rapidly instantly—as if touched by sudden electrical bolt. Barely an instant had passed prior a visage simultaneously ethereal yet softly graceful suddenly rose fully over cliff edge into daylight, wide eyes betraying a subtle mixture of surprise and embarrassment focused upon kneeling male youth’s equally stunned visage above her.
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