Chapter 54: While It's Hot
The Wind Spirit Herb.
It was a good medicinal herb, but with the crowd around, it wasn't easy to make a move.
However, looking at the three Windwolves, it seemed their strength hadn't reached the peak of the first stage. This herb would only speed up their progress toward breaking into the second stage. Compared to their lives, it wasn't that important.
Strange.
Xiao Yan frowned for a long time but couldn't figure out the reason behind it.
However, such a large group wouldn't be stopped by just three magical beasts attacking.
The mercenaries, learning from past experiences, took turns guarding the outer perimeter. This time, the Windwolves couldn't find a proper opportunity to launch a surprise attack. Instead, they stayed hidden in the shadows, following the group.
During the rest of the journey, although the Windwolves didn't attack again, other magical beasts did try to ambush the group, but they were quickly surrounded and beaten to a pulp by the vigilant mercenaries.
Xiao Yan, due to his strong soul perception, was able to shield his teammates before any incidents occurred. As a result, he didn't need to make a move himself, and the journey continued leisurely and effortlessly.
After advancing for 500 meters and bypassing the Windwolves, the three of them didn't follow anymore. Instead, they lingered near the Wind Spirit Herb, acting as guardians.
"Everyone, we are approaching the herb gathering area. Please take a break. After walking for so long, you all must be tired."
After covering some more distance, Xiao Yixian's soft voice suddenly echoed in the quiet group.
The group's forward movement slightly halted as everyone turned to look at the white-dressed woman, who smiled without a trace of impurity. They all nodded honestly in response.
After a brief discussion, a dozen mercenaries spread out to keep watch, while the others sat down on the spot, recovering the energy they had spent from the journey.
Xiao Yan didn't feel exhausted, but as he wore a white robe, it wasn't appropriate to sit on the ground. He instead went to a tree, crossed his arms, and stood there.
Around him, the mercenaries whispered among themselves, waiting for their stamina to slowly recover. Their topics of conversation revolved around magical beasts and women.
Although Xiao Yan couldn't be sure this was the place where Xiao Yixian had found the cave, as long as he stayed in the group, he would eventually have a chance to find it.
He was still very interested in that flight technique.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Xiao Yixian had apparently separated from the group. Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes subtly and then walked over to one of the mercenaries on watch, telling him he was going to relieve himself. He hurried off toward a small forest nearby.
After glancing back, Xiao Yan expanded his soul perception, locking onto Xiao Yixian's location, and then moved slowly in that direction.
As he delved deeper into the forest, his vision suddenly cleared after walking a distance. He looked up and found that he had already passed through the dense woods.
In front of him was a steep cliff, and below it, a valley full of lush trees. The fresh air was invigorating.
But Xiao Yan retracted his soul perception, acting nonchalant as he gazed toward the bottom of the cliff.
Just moments before, through his perception, he noticed Xiao Yixian slowly lifting her white dress, seemingly preparing to relieve herself.
Out of respect for her privacy, Xiao Yan decided to withdraw his perception.
His gaze swept the edge of the cliff, and then his eyes suddenly stopped. He quickly walked to a plant at the cliff's edge, where delicate white flowers were blooming.
Under the white flowers, a red fruit was faintly visible, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.
It was a White Lan Fruit, a mid-grade medicinal herb, usually only found on the edges of cliffs. Although it wasn't rare, it was often eaten by avian magical beasts as soon as it appeared.
In fact, the herb was relatively rare in mid-grade medicinal materials. In the Miter Auction House, the starting bid for such a herb would probably be around four thousand gold coins.
But more importantly, for Xiao Yan, this plant was a landmark.
With a thought, Xiao Yan released his soul perception and began scanning the area below the cliff.
It seemed his luck was still good!
After detecting something unusual below, a smile tugged at the corner of Xiao Yan's mouth.
The next moment, he stepped forward, and the rugged mountain wall appeared before him.
The wall was difficult to climb, filled with loose rocks, twisted trees, and some scattered bones.
Xiao Yan's gaze quickly swept over the cliff, then stopped at a spot covered by a crossbeam of wood.
Using the angled sunlight, Xiao Yan could vaguely see a dark cave hidden behind the trees.
Looks like this is the place!
Xiao Yan thought to himself.
But now wasn't the time to explore the cave. He needed to head back first.
After marking the location in his mind, Xiao Yan turned away from Xiao Yixian and swiftly headed back.
After all, he had left under the pretense of relieving himself and shouldn't be gone for too long.
However, just as Xiao Yan left, a white figure slowly emerged from the woods. Xiao Yixian peeked cautiously toward the direction Xiao Yan had gone and then jogged over to the cliff.
When she saw that the White Lan Fruit was still there, she sighed in relief.
But soon after, she seemed to remember Xiao Yan's strange behavior. She stood where he had been and looked down.
Nothing out of the ordinary?
Slightly confused, she tilted her head and frowned before leaning over to look again.
This time, she clearly saw that there was indeed a cave below the cliff!
A flash of surprise passed through Xiao Yixian's beautiful eyes.
She had been here several times before, only to pick the White Lan Fruit growing on the cliffside. But she had never noticed the cave.
"Have you seen enough?"
Suddenly, a voice interrupted from behind her.
"Ah!"
Startled, Xiao Yixian instinctively turned around, but her foot slipped, and she was about to fall off the cliff.
At that moment, Xiao Yan, who had been prepared, grabbed her waist and pulled her into his arms. His right hand wrapped around her delicate waist, and his left hand firmly gripped the back of her neck. The cold Dou Qi from his palm sent a chilling wave of pressure.
"I advise you not to make any sudden moves. If you do, before the things in your hands splatter my face, I'll break your neck and then take advantage of you... Understand?"
Xiao Yan whispered with a cold smile in Xiao Yixian's ear.
(END CHAPTER)
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