Chapter 278 New Home
Chapter 278 New Home
Meanwhile, the men in black robes also chased them all the way to the stream. The leader stood tall and straight, his black robes fluttering in the wind. A fierce, almost tangible killing intent flashed in his narrow eyes, his gaze seemingly possessing a magical power that could instantly freeze the once gently flowing, vibrant stream into ice.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, without the slightest hesitation or doubt, as they swiftly searched the stream bank for shallow water to cross. Their faces were cold and ruthless, as if frozen in ice, and their firm, powerful strides left deep imprints on the ground with each step, demonstrating their unwavering determination to capture Dongfang Wan'er, as if she were already theirs for the taking.
As the men in black robes hurried along the stream in search of shallow water, they encountered an old man gathering herbs in the mountains. The leader moved with lightning speed, instantly lunging forward, grabbing the old man by the collar of his tattered clothes, and lifting him up. He demanded menacingly, "Did you see a woman pass by?" The old man, startled by the sudden turn of events, turned deathly pale, his body trembling uncontrollably. He timidly pointed a withered finger in the direction Dongfang Wan'er had gone. Seeing this, a sinister glint appeared on the black-robed man's face. He casually tossed the old man aside like a discarded object, then quickened his pace, rushing towards Dongfang Wan'er like a black whirlwind.
Dongfang Wan'er raced through thorns and obstacles, finally catching sight of the cave she had longed for. The entrance was half-hidden by layers of vines, glistening with dewdrops that shimmered mysteriously in the dim light. Anxious, she reached out and forcefully pushed aside the vines, a fresh, damp scent wafting towards her. Just as she was about to step into the cave, at that critical moment, she heard the approaching, increasingly clear footsteps of a man in black robes behind her. The footsteps were heavy and rapid, each step feeling like a blow to her heart, causing her to sink as if into an endless ice cellar. She whirled around, her hands instinctively gripping her soft whip, which trembled slightly in her hands. Her eyes revealed a resolute determination to fight to the death, preparing for a final, desperate struggle. At that moment, a strange and dazzling light suddenly burst forth from within the cave, so bright it was blinding. Immediately following, accompanied by a whooshing sound of flapping wings, a massive mountain eagle swooped out like a black lightning bolt, swooping down on the men in black robes. Startled by this sudden attack, the men in black robes were thrown into disarray; they never expected such a turn of events. Seizing this fleeting opportunity, Dongfang Wan'er crouched low and hid deep within the cave. Her back pressed tightly against the cave wall, her body trembling slightly, her heart pounding violently in her chest like a rapid drumbeat. She strained her ears, listening intently to the sounds outside, her hands clutching the basket of precious medicinal herbs tightly as if it were her life. She silently prayed to survive, her eyes filled with a desperate longing for life and a hopeful plea for her fate.
Outside the cave, a howling wind raged, the black-robed man's screams mingling with the piercing cries of the mountain eagle, echoing through the empty valley and intensifying the tension. The eagle, like a true king of the mountains, descended with agility and majesty, its eyes gleaming with a fierce light that seemed to pierce through all illusions. Its claws, like hooks forged from refined iron, gleamed coldly in the sunlight, slashing relentlessly at the black-robed man with a sharp, wind-splitting force. For a moment, the black-robed man was overwhelmed. His black robe was instantly torn in several places by the eagle's talons, the tattered strips fluttering wildly in the biting wind, rustling as if in desperate cries for help.
However, the men in black robes were clearly no ordinary opponents. After a brief moment of panic, they quickly regained their footing. One of them swiftly drew a dagger from his sleeve, its blade gleaming with an eerie light. The light was as deep and dark as phosphorescent fire from the depths of hell, and a chilling aura emanated from the blade, seemingly capable of freezing the surrounding air. He gripped the dagger tightly and thrust it fiercely at the mountain eagle, his movements swift, ruthless, and decisive, without the slightest hesitation or doubt, displaying an unwavering resolve to strike. But the mountain eagle's agility far exceeded ordinary expectations. It deftly sidestepped in mid-air, easily dodging the fatal blow. Immediately afterward, it flapped its wings violently, the immense force stirring the surrounding air currents, instantly creating a powerful gust of wind that rustled the surrounding vegetation, as if cheering for its valiant act.
In the brief lull between the black-robed man and the mountain eagle's fierce battle, Dongfang Wan'er was huddled deep within the cave, her heart pounding like a rapid drumbeat, each beat striking her chest. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself; her breath was exceptionally clear in the silent cave. After calming her nerves slightly, she slowly raised her head and began to carefully examine the cave's interior. On the cave walls, ancient medical texts and herbal illustrations were faintly etched. The characters were ancient and simple, as if bearing the weight of time's vicissitudes, each stroke like a mysterious code carefully carved by the years; the herbal illustrations, though somewhat rough, still clearly revealed the morphological characteristics of various herbs, all exuding an ancient and mysterious aura. Dongfang Wan'er caught a glimpse of these, and an overwhelming joy welled up within her. In such a perilous situation, this unexpected discovery instantly made her forget the dangers outside the cave, focusing all her attention on the investigation. She slowly extended her fingers, gently touching the inscriptions. The cold touch on her fingertips contrasted sharply with the burning passion in her heart. At that moment, she felt as if she had traversed the river of time, engaging in a silent dialogue with a healer from thousands of years ago. Her eyes shone with surprise and longing as she deciphered the ancient texts word by word, her heart filled with anticipation, hoping to find long-lost medical secrets in these precious records to resolve her long-standing confusion and obsession.
Suddenly, the clamor outside the cave abruptly ceased, replaced by a deathly silence that spread rapidly, a quiet so profound it sent chills down one's spine and instilled fear. Dongfang Wan'er's slightly relaxed heart tightened instantly again, a terrifying thought flashing through her mind: Had the black-robed men successfully dealt with Mountain Eagle? Just as she was filled with worry, a melodious flute tune began to play without warning. The ethereal and melodious sound seemed to emanate from a distant fairyland, capable of soothing any restless soul, yet in this eerie setting, it carried an indescribable sinister and eerie quality. The black-robed men seemed to hear a powerful, irresistible call from the depths of their souls; they turned hastily, their steps hurried and chaotic, their black robes billowing wildly in the wind, and quickly disappeared from Dongfang Wan'er's sight.
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