6kv Chapter 10: Night Raid Warning
Chapter 10: Night Raid Warning
The imagery of the snow-covered lotus, set against the backdrop of the blood moon and bonfire, exudes a breathtaking, contradictory, and extreme beauty.
It hovered aloof three feet above the female officer's head, seemingly perfectly integrated with her cool and stunning appearance and her aloof temperament, yet subtly transcending her, symbolizing something deeper and more essential.
Xuan Tianyi's soul trembled, not only because of the extraordinary nature of the phenomenon itself, but also because—he saw more.
"Damaged foundation?"
Upon closer inspection, Xuan Tianyi keenly detected a faint, extremely subtle gray-black death aura beneath the roots of this vibrant, snow-covered, and proudly standing three-leafed lotus.
The deathly aura, faint as smoke, clung stubbornly to the crystal-clear lotus roots like a maggot clinging to a bone, slowly and continuously eroding and permeating them. It was completely incompatible with the pure and austere vitality of the lotus itself, creating a shocking scene of pollution and decay.
"Such extraordinary physical attributes, yet the foundation is damaged, and the very source is injured?"
Xuan Tianyi had a sudden realization, but at the same time, a complex emotion arose within him.
This woman's talent and background are probably extremely unusual, but she seems to have a hidden illness, or she may have suffered a very serious trauma that damaged her very essence.
Remembering what Uncle Lin and Ali had said, it was this female military doctor who saved him by using precious medicine.
Xuan Tianyi composed himself, suppressing his shock and curiosity about the azure lotus phenomenon, and decided to go forward to say hello, or at least thank them.
Regardless of the other party's identity, the debt of gratitude for saving a life is real.
He quietly got up, trying not to disturb Uncle Lin and Ali who were fast asleep beside him, and walked towards the lonely campfire.
The footsteps startled the woman from her reverie.
She raised her head, casting a detached yet scrutinizing gaze.
By the flickering campfire and the cold glow of the blood moon, Xuan Tianyi finally saw her face clearly.
Upon seeing this, one's mind couldn't help but pause slightly.
She looked to be in her early twenties, but her face had an almost divine perfection.
Her skin was a cool, pale white, untouched by the sun, smooth as fine mutton fat jade. The lines of her forehead and jaw were slender and sharp, outlining a clear yet soft contour.
Her long, black hair wasn't styled in any particular way; it was simply loosely tied back, with a few unruly strands falling down her neck, adding a touch of nonchalant charm.
What is most striking about her are her eyebrows and eyes—the shape of her eyebrows is like a clear, distant mountain, slanting upwards towards her temples, carrying a hint of innate aloofness and heroic spirit.
Her eyes, however, naturally and slightly upturned at the corners, with a hint of weariness. Her pupils were a rare deep amber color, like amber that had been stored for a hundred years. When she looked at you, there was no shimmering light in them like that of an ordinary woman, only a deep-sea-like silence that could shut out all heat.
Her nose was perfectly high and straight, below which were two beautifully shaped but always pale lips that were thin and bloodless. When she wasn't speaking, they would be pressed into a cold, straight line.
However, as the firelight flickered, causing her figure to sink into shadow, her slightly oversized standard leather armor could no longer completely contain her breathtaking curves.
The leather armor is less like clothing and more like an elegant yet taut shackle, faithfully, even somewhat laboriously, outlining a body that would make any gaze feel guilty.
Her shoulders were straight, and her round, high breasts formed a breathtaking arc beneath the leather armor. Her waist was captivatingly slender yet not weak, before tracing a full and smooth curve down to her hips, resembling the perfect outline of a violin.
Her straight back and elegant, swan-like neck gave her an innate air of pride, even when she was sitting still.
Her legs were long and straight, and the firm muscle lines were faintly visible under the rough leather armor, exuding a restrained yet primal sense of power, like a female leopard pacing under the moon, elegant yet dangerous.
She seemed to be enveloped in a faint, cool fragrance, like a blend of bitter orange blossom and cedarwood, or a frosty forest under the moonlight.
You can hardly take your eyes off her; it's a fatal attraction that blends the most primal desires with the purest quest for knowledge.
Its very existence is like a silent struggle between reason and desire, a living contradiction walking on the edge of taboo.
"What is it?"
Her voice rang out, clear and cold like jade striking each other, without much variation, yet it didn't sound deliberately indifferent.
But the slight furrowing of his brows, carrying a hint of impatience at being disturbed and a deep-seated weariness, made one feel an irresistible pity.
Xuan Tianyi was startled awake by the cold, scrutinizing voice, only then realizing that he had been staring at the other person in a daze.
He coughed lightly and subconsciously touched his nose to cover up his earlier lapse in composure, a barely perceptible hint of embarrassment flashing across his face.
Composing himself and suppressing the fleeting ripples in his heart, he solemnly clasped his hands in a respectful bow.
"This... sir, my name is Xuan Tianyi. I am deeply grateful for your help yesterday, which healed my wounds and applied medicine. I will never forget your life-saving grace."
This bow came from the bottom of my heart, not only to express my gratitude for the treatment, but also to thank her for stopping me from collapsing and going mad in that hellish scene.
Liu Ruyan raised her eyelids slightly, her expression remaining calm, as if she had only done something insignificant:
"It's my duty."
His gaze swept over Xuan Tianyi's neatly bandaged wounds, his tone flat.
"However, the Muscle Regeneration and Blood Clotting Powder I gave you is not a standard-issue product; it's a personal blend I made, and the ingredients are decent. This medicine isn't free; the cost price is five thousand star coins. You'll have to pay that amount."
"what?"
Xuan Tianyi was taken aback, not expecting the other party to be so direct, without even a hint of politeness.
He subconsciously reached into his clothes and felt around, but all he could touch was the rough texture of the coarse cloth and his parents' two cold Hunter badges. There were no star coins there.
The original owner came from an ordinary family, and after the destruction of Linhai Town, she fled in panic, penniless.
An embarrassed, wry smile crept across his face as he shrugged.
"Well... to be honest, I'm currently... penniless."
Seeing the undisguised embarrassment on the boy's face, Liu Ruyan's lips curled up almost imperceptibly into a tiny arc, so quick that it seemed like an illusion.
"No, but you can keep track of it."
Her tone was flat, as if she were talking about something perfectly ordinary.
"You owe me five thousand star coins. Once we get to Tianxia City, I'll be able to earn money eventually."
Xuan Tianyi breathed a sigh of relief. Five thousand star coins, according to his predecessor's memories, were the common currency issued by the major protective cities after the revival of star energy, circulating among ordinary people.
Once you get to the outer city, you can find a job and save up for two or three months to pay it back.
If you're lucky, you might be able to hunt a small exotic beast in the wilderness and resell it for at least one low-grade star stone.
Star Stones are the hard currency among martial artists. One low-grade Star Stone is roughly equivalent to 10,000 Star Coins, enough for an average family of three to live frugally in the outer city for a month.
"Alright, I, Xuan Tianyi, will remember this debt. I still don't know how to address the army doctor? That way, I can find him to repay the debt in the future."
He took the opportunity to ask, wanting to confirm the other person's name.
"Liu Ruyan".
Without raising her head, the woman held a small wooden stick in her hand and gently stirred the dying fire, causing a few sparks to rise. She uttered three words softly.
"Liu Ruyan..."
Xuan Tianyi repeated it in a low voice.
In the barren cultural memories of this world that resided in his mind, there seemed to be few poems or allusions related to this name, but the profound heritage from Earth made him subconsciously recite a line:
"The willow branches sway gently, the smoke weaves sorrow... What a beautiful name, but the imagery is quite different from the dashing and heroic figure of Doctor Liu."
His words were half genuine praise and half a test, to see how this unique and exceptionally talented female military doctor would react to such literary phrases.
Liu Ruyan paused slightly as she poked at the fire with her delicate hand, and looked at the ragged, pale-faced boy in front of her with a hint of surprise. His eyes were clear and held a calmness that seemed out of place for his age.
In this post-apocalyptic wilderness, among refugees struggling to survive, those with the cultural depth to spontaneously compose poetry are rare indeed.
A barely perceptible hint of inquiry flashed in her eyes, but it quickly returned to its cool indifference.
"Desolate ruins, a blood moon in the sky, and you still have the mind to think about these things? You're quite an interesting person."
Her tone was neither praise nor criticism, but she didn't delve into it, clearly indicating that now was not the time to discuss poetry and lyrics.
Xuan Tianyi smiled, about to say something more to build rapport and perhaps learn more about Tianxia City and its current situation.
However, just as his thoughts were turning, the flame of the "Eight Scenery Mystic Fate Lamp" that was quietly floating in his sea of consciousness suddenly swayed without warning!
A faint yet sharp sense of alertness, like an ice needle piercing the spinal cord, instantly spread throughout the entire body!
This is not a warning from the five senses, but a direct warning from the spiritual level!
It was as if an invisible malice and danger were quietly approaching from the depths of darkness!
Xuan Tianyi's hair stood on end instantly!
Almost without thinking, he quietly activated his newly acquired "Qi Observation Technique".
A faint, almost imperceptible glint of light flashed deep within his eyes, and the world before him was once again veiled by that strange filter of destiny.
His gaze swept casually over the sleeping refugees and the gray or pale red aura above the heads of the patrolling soldiers in the distance, and his heart suddenly raced!
Finally, the camera abruptly focused on a group of dilapidated buildings, mostly collapsed and shrouded in shadow, located dozens of meters away.
There, a few extremely faint but clearly bloody and cold killing intent dark red auras flowed silently like ghosts!
The shape of the halo was elusive, but it vaguely outlined a nimble and dangerous silhouette that slithered close to the ground!
And there's more than one!
There are more than a dozen!
Like ghosts completely blending into the night, they silently crept towards the camp from the side and rear, using the shadows of the broken walls and ruins as cover!
Their movements were cunning, and they seemed to have some basic coordination, clearly indicating that they were experienced group hunters!
Night Shadow Cat Beast!
Memory fragments immediately revealed relevant information:
One of the more troublesome beasts in the first tier, it is not as big as a dog, but its speed is as fast as lightning. Its claws are as sharp as alloy, and its paw pads mute when it walks. It is a natural dark assassin, especially good at hunting in groups. It often pounces out of the shadows and goes straight for vital organs such as the throat and heart!
If it weren't for the warning from the Mysterious Life Lamp, and the ability to detect the murderous aura beforehand, the exhausted soldiers and unsuspecting, sleeping refugees on the outskirts of the camp would have suffered heavy casualties in an instant!
A warning must be issued!
But how can one explain their supposed precognition?
Shouting it out directly would be too abrupt and would likely be difficult to convince people, and might even arouse unnecessary suspicion.
Moreover, disturbing the enemy would cause these cats and beasts to scatter and attack, posing an even greater threat.
In a flash, Xuan Tianyi's mind raced, his gaze returning to Liu Ruyan before him, and he forced a smile that appeared somewhat mysterious, yet carried a hint of youthful pretension:
"Dr. Liu, to be honest, my family has a few skills in divination and fortune telling passed down from my ancestors. Although they are not considered high art, they are occasionally effective in bringing good fortune and avoiding misfortune."
Just now I noticed your complexion... hmm, it seemed slightly fluctuating, drawn together with the surrounding atmosphere, perhaps indicating a subtle disturbance approaching. How about I perform a divination for you, as a small token of my gratitude?
"Fortune telling? Face reading or palmistry?"
Liu Ruyan raised an eyebrow and looked Xuan Tianyi up and down, scrutinizing his tattered clothes and pale, youthful face that belied his profound demeanor. For the first time, a clear expression appeared on her usually cold face—undisguised suspicion and a hint of mockery.
She clearly mistook Xuan Tianyi for a lecherous man trying to get close to her under some pretext and show off his supposed mystique. In this desolate wilderness where life is uncertain, how could he still have the mind to play such tricks?
Xuan Tianyi smiled bitterly to himself, knowing he would be misunderstood, but he was now in a difficult situation.
He steeled himself, put on an even more solemn "charlatan" expression, shook his head and stretched out his right hand, pretending to calculate with his fingers as if he were truly divining the secrets of heaven, while muttering incantations:
"The heavens reveal omens, indicating good or bad fortune... Hmm, wind arises in the southeast direction, carrying a hidden, foul stench... This malevolent energy comes from the shadows of the southeastern forest; its nature is cunning, its actions secretive..."
As he spoke, his gaze "inadvertently" glanced at the shadowy area again, while he quietly moved his feet and picked up a hard, fist-sized pebble from the ground.
Just as Liu Ruyan's impatience was about to reach its peak, and she was about to reprimand this clumsy performance, a glint flashed in Xuan Tianyi's eyes;
As if he had finally "calculated," he suddenly raised his hand and pointed in that direction, simultaneously using all the strength he had recovered to hurle the stone in his hand, shouting fiercely:
"Watch out! There's something over there!"
The stone ripped through the silent night sky with a sharp whistling sound, tracing an arc that was not very graceful but powerful enough, before crashing into the shadow of a half-collapsed wall dozens of feet away!
"Clatter!"
The sound of the stone hitting the ground was exceptionally clear in the quiet night, even stirring up a small cloud of dust.
That one move was like throwing a pebble into a calm lake!