Chapter 21
A merry band of over a hundred souls left the fortress of Cobalt Strike. Theirughter and chatter
faded into the depths of the Cloudveil Woods.
Ancient trees reached skyward, their thick trunks and wildly tangled branches creating a domain of
shadow and peril. Venomous serpentsy in wait, and wild beasts roamed; the woods were fraught
with danger.
The forest was as old as the world itself, its ancient aura palpable.
The tribe moved slowly through the dense woond, the ground nketed with decaying leaves
and the low-hanging branches brushing against their shoulders. In the cluttered corners, the
asional skeletal remains of beasts could be spied.
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vin, burdened with an iron bucket heavy enough to be the weight of the world, brought up the
rear, ever vignt of the damp and dense woonds. While others may have had many forays into
the forest, this was his first venture beyond Cobalt Strike in eight years, and he was utterly unaware
of whaty beyond.
A ck bear, huffing and puffing, ambled by the edge of the trees, casting a cold nce at their
company. With a snarl, it revealed its nature as a Magi-Monster, the air around it seemed to tremble
as pebbles rose from the ground to orbit its formidable form. Its aura was strong and potent.
The herb-gathering party paid the bear no heed. After all, what was there to fear with their
numbers?
But vin was not so carefree; his right hand subtly gripped the throwing knives at his belt, his
senses on high alert.
The bear did not attack but watched them depart before lumbering back into the woods.
The mountain path was uneven, roots intertwined like a puzzle. The other Protégés moved with
ease, often leaping into the treetops to show off to the girls or chasing after a Magi-Monster to
disy their prowess. vin moved cautiously under his heavy burden, yet he felt neither
frustration nor irritation. He walked steadily, breathing evenly. His back remained straight, treating
the weighty journey as a test of endurance.
After three days, the herb-gatheringpany ventured deeper into the forest, arriving at the peak of
a towering mountain a thousand meters tall.
"This peak is unique, resembling the outstretched wings of a ck eagle. We use it as andmark
for these parts. We shall reconvene here in a fortnight.
"vin, distribute the tools from the bucket to the groups, and then wait here. Don''t wander off, or
your life will be on your own head if lost.
"The woods are treacherous. Tread carefully and try not to provoke the Magi-Monsters.
"Remember, reconvene in a fortnight. Do not tarry too long."
The party split into fifteen groups, each consisting of one or two Protégés from the Botanic Haven
and four or five people as their guardian, bnced ording to their strengths.
The herb-gathering teams would disperse into different parts of the mountain range in search of
Elixir Herbs.
vin set down the bucket, taking out all the tools and provisions.
"vin, just stay put on this peak, and don''t you dare wander off." Nysah winked at him, her lips a
fiery red, and her presence bewitching.
"Stay here! I don''t want to be held ountable for your demise," a Botanic Haven Protégé
reminded him coldly.
"We set out now. Best of luck to each group."
With a collective shout, the group shouldered their packs and left the mountain peak, leaving vin
alone.
Standing atop the peak, vin gazed out at the vast forest sea. Its waves of green was crested by
rugged peaks and shrouded in ethereal mist that danced with the breeze. The view was majestic
and wild, filling him with a sense of boundless wonder. He took a deep breath of the crisp,
refreshing air, and his spirits lifted.
But beneath the beauty of this primeval forest lurked many dangers, with wild beast Magi-Monsters
enacting the brutalw of the survival of the fittest.
For vin, however, the greater danger was not the forest itself but Nysah. That bitch had brought
him to the herb-gathering team with foul intentions. He stood expressionless for a moment, then
approached the “Eagle''s Beak” cliff at the mountain''s summit. He stretched his limbs and eased his
shoulders, navigating the treacherous curve of the cliff and hanging from the “Eagle''s Beak” below.
Before long, a herb-gathering team returned to the mountain top.
"vin, I’vee to check on you," Nysah approached, herughter ringing clear like a bell. Her
partially exposed skin was as tender as fresh bloom, exuding an enchanting youthful allure. She
shone so brightly wherever she went that even the wildflowers in the forest paled inparison.
A burly male Protégé followed closely behind her. "I''ll deal with him first. I''ve heard he''s a tough nut
to crack. I delight in the sound of tough nuts screaming."
Another chuckled. "Let me taste blood first. I always offer a blood sacrifice to the mountain when I
gather herbs. Previously, I used the blood of Magi-Monsters, but this time, let''s see the effect of
human blood."
"Don''t be so loud. You''ll scare our little menial."
"Hmm? Where''s vin?"
The mountain top was empty save for the lonely cauldron; vin was nowhere to be seen.
"He couldn''t have run off, could he?" Nysah''s expression shifted as she signaled the four to spread
out and search.
They scoured the peak but found no trace of vin. Reluctantly, they searched again to no avail.
"The cunningd, he must have fled with another team," Nysah acknowledged vin''s will to
survive, though she was surprised by his swift action.
"What now?" A Protégé with a silver spear approached the “Eagle''s Beak” cliff, peered down, and
swiftly retreated, knowing a fall would mean death on the rocks a kilometer below.
Nysah spoke with malice, "vin must die. He cannot be allowed to return to Cobalt Strike alive."
A Botanic Haven Protégé assured her, "Lady Nysah, fret not. We promised to aid you, and we shall
not break our word. A mere servant, no matter how unique, is still a servant. I care little for the
consequences of his death. Besides, he''ll likely perish in the forest, and his bones will be left
unimed. Who would know his fate? We’ll go after him now; vin won''t have gotten far."
"Thank you for your efforts. The rewards I promised will only increase, and never decrease.”
“Haha, Lady Nysah, you’re too kind. Serving you is our honor.”