71: bay coast highway

The deep winter month's cold wind, carrying ice and snow, adorned Wan'an Highway like a winding silver ribbon.

The trees on both sides of the highway were covered with thick snow, their branches drooping, as if draped in white gauze.

The cold current blowing from Treasure Sword Sea carried the salty dampness of the seawater and the biting chill of winter, making people involuntarily pull their necks in from the bone-piercing cold.

The exquisite Black Panther Fortress holy emblem was faintly visible beneath the snow on Randall's shoulder armor. His damaged chainmail whimpered with frost as he walked, and beneath his thick beast-hide cloak, the Holy Knight revealed a massive shield and heavy sword on his back, the edges of his weapons adorned with ice crystals.

"This damn weather," John cursed as he re-shouldered his spear, the newly appointed Holy Knight attendant tightening his beast-hide cloak.

Another Holy Knight attendant, George, similarly dressed, walked behind me.

I tightened the buckle of my Dire Wolf hide cloak and walked in the center of the group.

In the sky, the Dragon King, like a white snowflake, flew above the group, its scales faintly shimmering with colorful luster in the morning light.

It patrolled around, its keen eyes constantly scanning the sky and the ground; not even the slightest rustle of leaves or blades of grass escaped its notice, providing us with aerial vigilance against all hidden dangers.

On the ground, two adult Wild Dogs, like loyal guards, led the way in front of the Holy Knight, one in front and one behind.

Their fur was thick and glossy, leaving a series of deep footprints in the snow.

The Wild Dogs occasionally lowered their heads to sniff and then raised them to scan their surroundings alertly.

Meanwhile, the four Wild Dog pups were still hidden in the backpacks carried by us four, occasionally letting out a few tender whimpers or curiously poking their heads out.

On both sides of the group, Black Little Leopard's dark figure appeared and disappeared like a ghost.

Its steps were light and agile, each leap appearing so graceful and full of power.

Black Little Leopard's eyes were sharp and alert, constantly vigilant of its surroundings; whether it was the gentle breeze in the woods or the distant chirping of birds, nothing escaped its ears.

The dormant Tree Person seeds now lay quietly within the system space.

I recalled when I parted ways with Tree Person Angdem, it once again gave me two tree seeds.

Ondom's massive body stood in the forest, its eyes shimmering with wisdom and anticipation. It slowly extended its thick arm, palm open, with two small tree seeds lying within.

It had studied for an entire night, recalling all the ancient knowledge it knew, yet still failed to find a way to break the sealing magic.

It told me that these two tree seeds were its last hope and the future guardians of the forest.

At our parting, it entrusted me to go out into the world to seek a solution, for there was endless wisdom and knowledge, and perhaps a way to revive the tree seeds.

If we succeeded, not only would we be able to freely enter and exit its territory in the future, but it itself and these two small Tree Persons that would grow in the future would also be willing to form an alliance with me to collectively help me guard my territory.

At the edge of that ancient forest, the moment Ondom turned, it was as if the entire forest fell silent.

Its massive body, with dense foliage, was like a moving mountain, slowly merging into the depths of the forest.

I carefully put away the two precious tree seeds and walked with my companions towards Wan'an Highway, not far to the north.

As the morning light gradually brightened, the distant horizon began to glow with a faint golden hue.

Through the wind and snow, we finally emerged from the forest and arrived at the long-unseen edge of human civilization—Wan'an Highway.

As the morning light gradually brightened, when my boot soles finally touched the long-awaited paving stones, I retracted the mist.

The light mist dissipated like morning dew, revealing our true figures.

This section of Wan'an Highway stretched into the distance at both ends; looking east, it was the road leading to Goresberte Town.