On the basin, the group of herb gatherers from the Ten Thousand Medicine Pavilion were busily collecting herbs.
The other mercenaries, after resting for a while, gradually resumed their guard duties.
At this moment, Mu Li, the young vice-captain of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, was giving orders to his men to set up tents.
Each time the Ten Thousand Medicine Pavilion ventured into the mountains, it took at least a day or two to gather enough herbs — spending nights in the wild was unavoidable.
But in the mountain forests after dark, magic beasts became far more active and violent. Staying overnight here was extremely dangerous.
That was exactly why the Ten Thousand Medicine Pavilion hired so many mercenaries each time they came.
"Little Doctor Fairy, you must be tired. Have some water."
Mu Li's gaze had been fixed upon the stunning Little Doctor Fairy from the very start.
Seeing the sweat glistening on her flawless forehead, he immediately hurried over, trying to curry favor.
"Thank you, but I brought my own water."
Facing Mu Li's well-meant offer, Little Doctor Fairy responded with a polite smile and took out her own flask to drink from.
Rejected, Mu Li's smile stiffened. His expression remained gentle, but a faint trace of gloom flickered deep in his eyes.
"Little Doctor Fairy, you shouldn't be doing such rough work yourself.
Why not let others handle it? This mountain range is dangerous ..... if something were to happen to you, it'd be terrible."
Little Doctor Fairy said nothing more. After finishing her sip, she continued picking herbs, while Mu Li shamelessly lingered at her side like a shadow that refused to leave.
"I can only feel assured if I collect the herbs myself," she said softly.
"Besides, with your Wolf Head Mercenary Group protecting us, we should be quite safe."
Hearing those seemingly flattering words, Mu Li's face brightened with pride.
"Don't worry, Little Doctor Fairy. As long as my Wolf Head Mercenary Group is here, I guarantee your safety."
Roar!
Just as his confident words fell, a vicious beast's roar suddenly echoed from the dense forest nearby.
Mu Li's expression froze for an instant .....then changed drastically.
"There's a magic beast nearby!"
"Everyone, prepare yourselves!"
At his shout, chaos erupted across the basin — every mercenary drew his weapon, forming a defensive line in haste.
Roar! Roar! Roar!
Several more beastly cries followed, growing louder and closer. A suffocating aura rolled out from the forest like a wave.
Feeling that dreadful pressure, the faces of all present turned ashen.
Their experience told them instantly —
whatever was coming was terrifying, and in great numbers.
"Vice-captain, it's a beast tide! We can't handle this — we need to retreat now!"
An older mercenary rushed to Mu Li's side, panic on his face.
"A beast tide?! How could one appear all of a sudden?"
Mu Li's pupils shrank. Beast tides weren't unheard of in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, but they only appeared during certain seasons.
This one had come out of nowhere.
While he was still hesitating, several massive shadows suddenly burst out from the trees.
The moment those seasoned mercenaries caught sight of them, their expressions twisted with horror.
"Xuan Crystal Demon Wolves!"
Awooo!
Piercing howls echoed across the forest. A few enormous wolves covered in blood-red fur appeared, their crimson eyes gleaming like lanterns as they locked onto the humans in the basin.
"Vice-captain! Run! Those are third-rank beasts ..... we can't possibly fight them!"
At that, some mercenaries instantly broke and ran.
Against such savage and powerful creatures, there was no hope of survival.
Even if their leader, Mu She, were here, he'd still have to flee.
For the sake of their own lives, none of them cared about contracts or honor anymore.
They abandoned the herb gatherers of the Ten Thousand Medicine Pavilion without hesitation and scattered in panic.
Wolf Head Mercenary Group! Full retreat!"
Mu Li came to his senses. Glancing at the terrified Little Doctor Fairy, a flash of reluctance passed through his eyes, but he still led his men in a desperate retreat.
Awooo! Awooo!
Seeing their prey attempting to flee, the Xuan Crystal Demon Wolves howled in fury and charged after them.
The mercenaries ran swiftly, leaving the herb gatherers behind.
Those at the rear saw the wolves closing in, and terror drained all color from their faces.
Their legs trembled, and despair overwhelmed their hearts.
Little Doctor Fairy also lagged behind. Her hands trembled as she pulled out a jade flute ..... just as she was about to blow it, a Xuan Crystal Demon Wolf lunged straight at her.
"Is this… how I die?"
Her heart filled with hopelessness. Closing her eyes, she silently awaited death.
"Vile beast! How dare you!"
At that instant, a powerful, righteous voice thundered through the air.
Boom!
A dull impact resounded, followed by the wolf's pained howl.
Little Doctor Fairy opened her eyes in shock ..... a young man in green robes stood tall before her, his back straight and unwavering.
The wolf that had pounced at her now lay sprawled on the ground, grievously injured and howling in agony.
"I… I'm alive…"
She blinked, still dazed, then joy and relief flooded her heart.
He saved me…
"Young lady, are you alright?"
As she stared blankly at his back, the young man slowly turned around, revealing a handsome, refined face and a gentle smile.
It was Ye Chen.
Looking at the frightened Little Doctor Fairy, he extended his hand toward her.
"Thank you… for saving me," she said softly, clutching his hand as he helped her to her feet.
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