Chapter Seventeen: Heading Toward the Mountain Peak
In the beginning, Ling Qingyu was excited. Although there were no roads in the jungle and it was difficult to move around, she could find treasures and beautiful scenery everywhere. There were many tall trees, colorful flowers, vibrant parrots, and sunbirds. Every time she recognized something, she would be full of the sense of accomplishment. Also, with Xiao Bai running around, Ling Qingyu didn't feel lonely at all. It was like hiking in college. Even though her body was tired, her mood was like the clear sky.
However, as sunlight gradually faded, the forest became more ominous. Ling Qingyu started feeling afraid. Then, she discovered that she had lost her way. The jungle at dusk was dim and she didn't know where she came from or where to go.
A compass was useless on this island. The trees were too dense, so there was no way to see the stars.
Calm down. Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid. Ling Qingyu leaned against a tree and breathed in a few times to calm herself. At least the snakes won't find trouble with her. Since it is impossible to look for a path at night, I will wait until morning. It's best to find a shelter to spend the night.
She thought about the scarier things that could be ahead and touched her basket. At least she didn't have urgent needs. She had some herbs and a bottle that she had filled with water earlier on the road.
Okay! She put Xiao Bai into the basket, spit in her hands and started climbing a tree.
The tree she climbed was so big and leafy, that not even two people can link their arms around it. As she climbed, Ling Qingyu once again thanked the snake gall that had made her body strong and powerful. Adding on her years of tree climbing skills, this thick tree was easy for her to climb up.
The tree was a species she had never seen before. The higher she climbed, the more branches there were. After getting higher than the other trees, its leaves expanded and formed a circular roof on the top. The branches were thick and strong and the leaves were as dense as a carpet. Ling Qingyu climbed to the top, carefully pushed down and was glad that it could bear her weight.
Putting down the basket, she took out a cloth from inside, and spread it on the leaves. Ling Qingyu yawned and lied down.
The last ray of sunshine on the horizon scattered away. Like a switch, the sky filled with flickering starlight.
So beautiful!
In the gentle moonlight, the treetops around Ling Qingyu started to glow. Not only her tree, but the other trees around her also began to glow brightly. Small balls of fluorescence gathered together until they formed a stream that extended into the mountains. From Ling Qingyu's view, it looked like a silver river flowing down from the mountain peak.
The forest stood silent.
Ling Qingyu also held her breath, afraid she would disturb this miracle.
When the last point of fluorescence disappeared at the mountain peak, the forest suddenly became noisy, filling the air with calls of birds and roars of beasts.
Xiao Bai climbed out from the basket. Seeing Ling Qingyu sleeping with her eyes closed, he crawled to her chest and burrowed in.
A point of light wandered out from the bottom of Ling Qingyu's body. Swaying back and forth, it flew inquisitively in front of Ling Qingyu's face. When it reached her nose, Xiao Bai flipped around. The wind from the turning motion blew the light into Ling Qingyu's nose.
At the same time, the bay was full of chaos.
"Doctor Shi, come fast. General Yang has also been bitten." Ding Dong carried Yang Zhao to Shi Fang's small cottage. There were four beds and two had already been occupied with Zheng Xi and Lu Yao.
"Bit again? I already said, it doesn't matter how strong your martial arts are. You can't defend against the snakes in the forest!" Shi Fang's forehead was full of sweat as he moved aside to let Ding Dong put Yang Zhao on the bed. Then, he made a small cut to let the poisoned blood out and applied some prepared medicine to the wound. "Oh, this bite is savage. You actually managed to run back!"
"Another one fell?" Yan San peeked his head in and said toward Gu Sui, who had a heavy face. "Why are you all in a rush? That little girl is not without measure. It's only been one day. There is no need to look for her so nervously. She can't be poisoned, but you guys still can. If by the time she comes back, you are all dead and there's no one to build her Aeolus, I bet she would have the heart to dig up your graves."
This was the first time Gu Sui heard Yan San say such thoughtful words. He looked at Yan San strangely. Remembering their journey so far, the girl's performance, and her ability to kill the ferocious python, there really is no need to be anxious after only one day. Besides, what can they do even if they are? This is different than when they first entered the forest. The snakes at that time were scattered. It was only when they ran into them that they started following. But, this crowd of snakes seemed to be defending against them. It is as if they created a warning line. The moment anyone went deeper into the forest, they would suddenly appear. Since the forest is dense, the snakes with camouflage can easily climb onto a tree or into a bush and be completely hidden. Even with Lu Yao's skill, he could only go a kilometer deep before he fell amongst the snakes.
"Right. Stop messing around. I am already running out of medicine!" said Shi Fang with heartache. He was originally very happy with so many precious herbs. But now, half of it had already been used.
"You little bastard, can't you understand the words of an adult?" Yan San turned and caught Ye Shiyi heading into the forest. "As you are, you really want to run to your death? If you really want to go, then go train at the ocean floor until the third level. After that, you can try."
"You haven't even reached the third level yourself. You call it the Blue Tidal Sea Skill, but it's completely useless," returned Ye Shiyi.
"Tsch. That is a peerless martial art. This elder is kindly teaching you, yet you are so dismissive! You need to go back." Yan San stunned Ye Shiyi and carried the fainted boy to his own cottage.
Gu Sui pressed against the large snake gall within his pouch. After thinking about it again, he let go and thought: Ling Qingyu, I believe in your abilities and will wait for you to come down from the mountain.
Ling Qingyu would never be able to experience the mood of the people at the bay. On the fourth day, she was still climbing up the mountain and finding more surprises.