146: Delve into the forest to find Xuanmo

Early the next morning, when Bai Yao woke up, the space beside her was empty, and her heart sank suddenly.

Had Xing Che changed his mind?

Just as her thoughts were in turmoil, the door was pushed open. Xing Che walked in, his expression normal, though there were faint dark circles under his eyes.

"Awake? Let's prepare to set off."

After a simple breakfast, Xing Che introduced the companions to her:

"This is Wu Liang, whose combat prowess is exceptional; he is responsible for protection. This is the best guide from the Fox Tribe, familiar with all the paths in the forest."

The arrangements were meticulous, clearly something Xing Che had thought through deeply.

Bai Yao nodded in thanks, feeling slightly more at ease.

As the group stepped into the edge of the forest, crises followed one after another.

Attacks from wild beasts and the spying of Wandering Beasts were incessant.

However, when those cunning Wandering Beasts saw Xing Che's figure and sensed the aura of divine majesty belonging to the High Priest radiating from him,

as well as the ancient artifact he carried that represented the beast god's judgment, they all retreated in terror, not daring to commit the slightest offense.

Meanwhile, Wu Liang and the guards neatly dealt with the beasts that acted purely on instinct.

Thus, the journey was relatively safe, but the deeper they went into the forest, the stronger Bai Yao's unease became.

The dense canopy blocked out the sun, and the surrounding silence was filled with the unknown, as if countless eyes were hidden within.

"Rest here for a moment," Xing Che ordered at the right time.

He walked to Bai Yao's side and comforted her, "Don't forget, Xuan Mo grew up in the forest; even if injured, he still has the strength to protect himself. Don't worry too much."

Bai Yao nodded reluctantly, but her gaze still looked anxiously into the depths of the forest.

"Xuan Mo, where are you?"

After setting off again, Xing Che's pace became more cautious. He pointed in a direction:

"Not far ahead, the divination shows that he is there."

Bai Yao was somewhat surprised at the precision of the location and asked, "Is it usually this accurate?"

Xing Che did not answer, merely looking away calmly.

He did not explain to Bai Yao the price and backlash he paid behind this precision, which far exceeded the usual.

Just as they approached the entrance of the damp Cave, a violent burst of energy erupted from within without warning, carrying rubble as it rushed outward!

"Watch out!" Xing Che's pupils constricted. Almost instinctively, he lunged toward Bai Yao, pulling her tightly into his arms and quickly rolling away to avoid it.

The energy grazed their backs and struck the tree trunk behind them, leaving deep marks.

"Thank you..." Bai Yao was still shaken. After he released her, she looked toward the Cave with confusion and worry,

"Xuan Mo... how could this be?"

"Something is wrong." Xing Che protected her behind him, gazing solemnly at the entrance,

"The aura inside is very chaotic. Besides Xuan Mo's, there is another... an energy filled with violence and destruction. It has Xuan Mo's scent, yet it is even more bizarre."

Bai Yao's heart tightened, but the thought of saving him outweighed everything else:

"I'll go in and see first. You guys can come in once I know the situation. I believe he will never hurt me."

Xing Che wanted to say something but stopped. Seeing the determination in Bai Yao's eyes, he finally released her hand, only instructing in a deep voice:

"Be careful with everything. If there is anything unusual, call for help immediately."

Bai Yao took a deep breath and stepped into the dim Cave alone.

Inside, the air was thick with the heavy scent of blood and a strange, sweet, fishy odor. The sound of dripping water was exceptionally clear in the silence.

"Xuan Mo? Xuan Mo, are you in there?"

Bai Yao called out cautiously.

In the darkness, she seemed to trip over something cold and slimy, causing her to let out a low gasp.

"Ah..."

Immediately after, a pair of scarlet, blood-soaked vertical pupils lit up in the depths, accompanied by a hair-raising "hissing" sound.

A giant snake shadow slowly rose, locking onto her with hostility. It was no longer Xuan Mo's usual appearance, but a massive snake body.

At this moment, the giant snake's scales were dull, and some areas were even covered with ominous, dark patterns, appearing hideous and twisted.

Xing Che outside heard the commotion and was about to rush in.

"Don't come in!" Bai Yao hurriedly stopped him. She felt the giant snake's intense hostility toward outsiders rising.

She forced herself to calm down, silently repeating in her heart that this was her mate, this was her Xuan Mo.

He would not hurt her...

Finally, facing those scarlet eyes, she tried to soften her voice as much as possible:

"Xuan Mo, it's me, Bai Yao. Look at me..."

She slowly stretched out her hand, not attacking, not retreating, just standing in place, full of trust.

The giant snake's cold tongue tentatively touched her cheek and arm, slithering around her as if trying to identify this familiar yet strange scent.

Bai Yao held her breath, her heart pounding wildly, but she still insisted on whispering: "Xuan Mo, it's me, I've come to find you..."

"I was so worried about you."

Bai Yao carefully reached out to stroke the giant snake's body, whispering softly, "It's okay, it's okay, I'm here..."

Perhaps it was the faint touch of the mate bond, or perhaps the unreserved trust in her voice that had an effect.

The terrifying red light in the giant snake's eyes flickered a few times, and its massive body suddenly trembled violently, then, amidst a faint light, it rapidly shrank and shrank again...

Finally, a small snake only as thick as a finger, completely pitch-black and on the verge of death, fell limply into Bai Yao's cold palm, motionless.

"Xuan Mo?"

Tears instantly welled up in Bai Yao's eyes as she carefully cradled the little snake in her palm, her heart aching like it was being sliced by a knife.

Xing Che also walked in quickly at this moment. Seeing the little snake in Bai Yao's hand that barely had any sign of life, his eyes were also filled with shock.

"This is... his power is being devoured by toxins, his body cannot maintain its form, and it was forced to degenerate into its most primitive state to preserve the last bit of vitality..."

He immediately crouched down, his fingertips gathering a gentle, probing energy that lightly enveloped the little snake.

A moment later, his expression became even heavier: "The toxins have invaded his heart meridian; the situation is worse than imagined. We must take him back immediately. I will see if I can help him purge the toxins..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Bai Yao already understood.

She looked at the fragile little snake in her palm, then looked up at the pale yet still composed Xing Che, a complex emotion mixed with gratitude and reliance surging in her heart.

At this moment, Xing Che's presence became the only driftwood she could grasp.

"Xing Che, I beg you, save him..."

Bai Yao's voice choked, filled with all her pleading.

Xing Che looked at her tearful, fragile, and helpless appearance, and the secret feelings and sense of responsibility in his heart intertwined.

He nodded solemnly, "I will do my best. This place is not suitable for staying long; we will return immediately."

He stood up and ordered the team to retreat at full speed.

His gaze swept over Bai Yao, who was tightly clutching that little bundle as if she were holding the whole world, and Xing Che sighed silently in his heart.

He knew clearly that what he was doing his best to save was not only Bai Yao's mate, but possibly his future love rival as well. But he could not refuse Bai Yao's request, nor could he violate the oath of protection he had made.