After advancing five hundred meters, past the area of the Gale Wolves, the three wolves stopped following.
They remained near the Wind Lingzhi, serving as its guards.
"Everyone, we're approaching the herb collection zone. Take a break. You've walked long and must be tired."
Xiao Yixian's soft voice rang in the quiet group. Steps paused, and the entire team stopped in unison, turning to face the white-dressed girl. They nodded respectfully, heads lowered.
After quickly organizing, a dozen mercenaries spread out to watch the surroundings.
The rest sat to recover energy spent during the march.
Xiao Jian didn't exert himself much but, dressed in white, he couldn't sit on the ground.
He leaned against a tree with arms crossed, observing.
Around him, the mercenaries whispered among themselves, mostly about beasts and women. Xiao Jian paid them no mind.
Even if he couldn't be sure this was the cave Xiao Yixian had located, being in the group gave him the opportunity to find it eventually.
He was particularly interested in the flying Dou Technique.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Xiao Yixian stepping aside from the group.
He discreetly told the nearby guard he was going for a quick break, then hurried into a small patch of forest.
After glancing back, Xiao Jian released his soul perception, locking onto Xiao Yixian's position, and quietly circled forward.
The forest thickened as he advanced. Suddenly, the dim light cleared, revealing a steep cliff. Below lay a valley, lush with greenery, the air crisp and refreshing.
Xiao Jian retracted his soul perception, pretending nothing had happened, and scanned the cliff below.
In his perception earlier, Xiao Yixian had been lifting her white skirt, apparently to relieve herself.
Out of principle, he withdrew his perception.
His eyes caught a plant with pale white flowers. Beneath it was a crimson fruit, faintly glowing, releasing a subtle herbal scent.
The White Orchid Fruit, a mid-tier herb growing on cliffs, often became food for bird-type monsters.
Although its yield was not high, it was valuable, likely fetching at least four thousand gold coins at the Mitel Auction.
More importantly, for Xiao Jian, it was a landmark.
Concentrating, he extended his soul perception downward, scanning the mountainside.
Luck seemed to favor him. Detecting unusual activity below, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
Stepping forward, he focused on the cliff. The mountainside was rugged, filled with loose stones, twisted roots, and scattered bones.
A section hidden by fallen logs revealed a black cave in the sunlight.
"This must be it," Xiao Jian thought.
Now wasn't the time to explore the cave. Memorizing its location, he returned through the forest, leaving Xiao Yixian behind. After all, his "break" required discretion.
Soon, a white-clad figure cautiously emerged from the trees.
Xiao Yixian peeked toward Xiao Jian's direction, then ran to the cliff edge.
Seeing the White Orchid Fruit untouched, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Recalling Xiao Jian's earlier odd posture, she stood where he had been, peering downward.
Nothing unusual?
Puzzled, she tilted her head and looked closer. This time, she clearly saw a cave at the base of the cliff.
Her emerald eyes flickered with interest. She had visited here several times to collect White Orchid Fruit but had never noticed the cave.
"Seen enough?"
A sudden voice sounded behind her.
Startled, Xiao Yixian jumped and instinctively turned—but her foot slipped. She nearly fell from the cliff.
Xiao Jian, prepared in advance, caught her in his arms.
His right hand held her slender waist, while his left rested behind her neck, Dou Qi radiating from his palm, exuding a chilling aura.
"I advise you not to act recklessly. Otherwise, before what's in your hands hits my face, I will break your neck… and handle you while it's still hot. Understand?"
He whispered coldly in her ear, his smile icy and threatening.
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