C16 Condensing Spirit Fruit

Ye Han had been healing alone for quite some time, yet Jiang Xiaoxiao had not returned for what seemed like an eternity. Worry began to gnaw at him, even though his wounds were under control and the Blood Revival Pill had temporarily bolstered his strength. Such a remedy was powerful but not meant for frequent use, so with great effort, Ye Han steadied himself and rose unsteadily to his feet.

The wait had stretched on, and his mind wandered with concern, particularly in the perilous gaps of the Deathabyss. Danger was imperceptible, and the number of threats lurking around them was unknown, which only intensified his anxiety and concern for Jiang Xiaoxiao.

Ye Han shuffled in the direction Jiang Xiaoxiao had taken, noting the telltale signs of harvested herbs. He was certain she had gone this way. Without hesitation, he gathered the surrounding herbs, roughly plucking them and popping them into his mouth. The bitter taste was a small price to pay for the gradual return of his strength. Though raw, these herbs contained toxins, but for Ye Han, it was the quickest path to recovery. He would deal with the toxins later.

Continuing his unsteady trek, Ye Han stumbled upon the cave Jiang Xiaoxiao had found. It was small, but its contents had been tidied, and the area was strewn with various medicinal powders meant to repel spiritual beasts. Clearly, Jiang Xiaoxiao had intended to return after her preparations, so why had she vanished?

After searching the vicinity without a trace of Jiang Xiaoxiao, Ye Han's concern deepened. Then, a faint noise caught his attention—the sound of a stone dropping. His grip on his sword tightened, muscles standing out in stark relief.

He spun around swiftly, looking up, and was met with a startling sight. Jiang Xiaoxiao was reaching for a red fruit, her hand inching ever closer. Just a bit more, and she could easily harvest it. Yet dangerously close to her arm was a green snake, flicking its tongue with blatant disregard for her presence.

The tail of the green snake had silently coiled itself around Jiang Xiaoxiao's wrist.

It seemed as though she had become the serpent's intended prey.

The snake flicked its tongue incessantly, its white venomous fangs bared for all to see.

Its head swayed as it closed in on Jiang Xiaoxiao's arm.

If its sharp teeth were to graze her skin, she would be sent plummeting from the high cliff in an instant.

With the last ounce of his strength, Ye Han didn't hesitate to fling his longsword.

With a clang, a streak of white light flashed by, rousing Jiang Xiaoxiao from her daze.

She quickly noticed the longsword embedded deep within the crevice of the rock.

A tail writhed within the crack, its head having been crushed to a pulp.

A wave of strange emotions emanated from Jiang Xiaoxiao, a profound sense of fear dawning on her belatedly.

Glancing downward, she caught sight of Ye Han collapsing to the ground, his movements unsteady.

His face was devoid of color, his lips tinged with a shade of blue-black.

Yet, despite his weakened state, his eyes shone with a bright intensity.

His expression of relief was so palpable it brought a sense of comfort to those around him.

Jiang Xiaoxiao surveyed her surroundings once more, fully grasping the peril she had just escaped. Had Ye Han been even a moment later, she might have met her end without a final resting place.

With her lips tightly drawn, Jiang Xiaoxiao couldn't help but feel displeased.

Ye Han, already gravely wounded, had still rushed to her aid, worrying about her despite his own critical condition, and once again, he had saved her life amidst such peril.

Her emotions were heavy, a complex mix of feelings spreading through her heart.

In silence, she observed the now safe surroundings and swiftly plucked the luminous red fruit.

She carefully nestled it in her arms, then briskly retrieved Ye Han's sword.

Gently, she made her way down to where he lay.

"I'm so sorry. You were already so badly hurt, and yet, you came to my rescue," she lamented, filled with remorse. If she had come to harm, how could Ye Han possibly go on?

"We've been friends since childhood. Isn't it odd to speak like this between us?" Ye Han's voice was weak; the wound he had been holding back began to bleed anew, his strength utterly spent.

He was unable to even sit up, forced instead to recline on the ground.

"That's true!"

Jiang Xiaoxiao smiled, choosing not to add anything further.

She pulled out a radiant red fruit from within her robes.

"Look what I've found?"

Her face beamed with joy, confident that this would help Ye Han's body recover swiftly.

"It's unbelievable how fortunate we are. This is the Spirit Fruit, a sacred healing medicine! And to think it was growing on a cliff, of all places, where it's notoriously difficult to find."

Ye Han gazed at the red fruit within arm's reach, his face breaking into a relieved smile.

He had been preoccupied with Jiang Xiaoxiao's safety and hadn't even noticed the fruit. Now he realized she had risked her life for his sake.

He was deeply moved by her actions.

"Quick, eat the fruit. It's most effective right after being picked."

Jiang Xiaoxiao's smile grew even brighter, feeling she had truly made a difference for Ye Han.

Ye Han was completely drained. His hands were weak and trembling, unable to grasp the fruit he desperately needed.

"I have no strength left."

He had been gravely injured, and after exerting his last reserves of energy to kill the venomous green snake, he was utterly spent.

Jiang Xiaoxiao watched Ye Han with eyes wide in shock, having never seen him so helpless.

The cause of his current state was the blow he had taken from Lei Ba's palm while protecting her.

He had barely started to recover when, in an effort to save her, he had exhausted all his strength.

Tears streamed down Jiang Xiaoxiao's face, beyond her control.

Her heart was heavy with guilt, and she wished fervently that she could endure all the pain Ye Han had suffered on his behalf.