"Let’s rest here for tonight," Xuan Yue said, pointing to a forest not far ahead. The four had traveled less than sixty miles after half a day’s journey.
Olivia complained, "We’re moving too slowly, still so distance from the next city. It’s all his fault for slowing us down." While saying this, she looked at Kino with dissatisfaction.
Kino was taken aback and said, "How can you bla ? I’m not known for my speed. What’s the hurry? There’s nothing urgent."
Olivia responded, "Haven’t you noticed the Yajin Tribe’s people are after us? If we don’t leave their territory soon, we might get intercepted, and with you being so pathetic, no one will be there to protect you."
Kino, discontented, said, "Aren’t we magicians? Why would the Yajin Tribe trouble us? Besides, I don’t need protection."
Olivia said irritably, "You wouldn’t understand even if I explained. In short, they’re hostile. You don’t need protection? You seem to forget who was hiding behind Brother Xuan Re back in Andis City."
Ah Dai said, "Alright, stop giving Kino a hard ti. Let’s just camp out in the forest and set off early tomorrow." The four of them walked into the forest and found a relatively flat area to stop.
Kino said, "If we camp here, what are we going to eat? I’m hungry."
Ah Dai was taken aback, scratched his head, and said, "Right! There’s nothing to eat here. Brother Xuan Re, do you have any stock left in your Phoenix’s Blood?"
Xuan Yue shook his head and said, "It’s been gone for a while. Looks like we’ll have to go hungry tonight."
Olivia chuckled and said, "How so? I’ve brought so dry food." As she spoke, she summoned her Spatial Bag out of thin air and took out a cloth pack.
Ah Dai smiled and said, "You always think ahead."
Olivia opened the cloth pack to reveal a stack of flatbreads and so waxed at, then said to Kino, "You’ll be in charge of making the fire. Be careful not to set the forest ablaze."
Kino wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "It’s so hot now, why do we need a fire?"
Olivia replied, "It may be hot, but it’s better than being bitten by mosquitoes. Fire is very useful."
Xuan Yue laughed and said, "Exactly! Who knows what’s out here? Big brother, go gather so wood."
"Okay," Ah Dai agreed, leaping up. His blue-green Life-Turning Blade flashed brilliantly as it sliced through the air, effortlessly severing large branches from the trees, giving Ah Dai a satisfying sensation of control over his energy.
In no ti, the three others had collected a pile of branches. "Big brother, that’s enough."
"Okay." Ah Dai landed next to Xuan Yue, gave a slight smile, and said, "It’s up to you now, Big Brother Kino."
Kino puffed out his chest and said, "No problem, watch ." Muttering a spell, a purple fla flickered to life.
"No—" Before Ah Dai could finish speaking, the pile of twigs on the ground had turned to ash. Ordinary wood couldn’t withstand the intense heat of the purple flas.
Kino said with a bitter face, "I didn’t an to do that."
Ah Dai patted his shoulder and said, "It’s okay. Let do it." He chopped down more branches and had Xuan Yue and the others pile them up. He then cast a simple Fla Spell, and to his surprise, the flas turned the sa purple color as Kino’s. Overjoyed, Ah Dai realized this was a result of his significantly increased spiritual power. He flicked a few sparks and lit the campfire.
As night fell, the four of them sat around the fire, eating the dry food Olivia had brought. Kino, who was experiencing the outside world for the first ti after leaving Larthas, curiously gazed around the forest. Olivia seed to have a natural discord with him, often mocking him.
Just as the four were settling down for the night, Ah Dai suddenly tensed up and said, "Listen, there seem to be hoofbeats."
Xuan Yue’s expression changed, "Could it be that the people of the Yajin Tribe really haven’t given up? They’re really underestimating us. Big brother, don’t go easy on them this ti."
Ah Dai sighed and said, "They must be coming for us. Sigh—, it’s all a misunderstanding, and there are no deep grudges. We better leave to avoid conflict."
Olivia said, "If it were just the three of us, we might be able to get away, but with Kino slowing us down, we probably can’t outrun the hoofbeats. Rather than being chased from behind, we might as well settle this once and for all. Having learned from what happened at the East City Gate, they will surely send their best this ti. If we beat them back, there shouldn’t be any more trouble." He was fully confident in their abilities, unafraid even if facing thousands of troops.
Xuan Yue nodded, "Vila’s right. Let’s wait for them here."
The sound of thundering hooves grew clearer. Ah Dai and the others stood up. Ah Dai channeled his True Qi into his ears to gauge the enemies’ approach. The hoofbeats split into two, not charging directly at them but instead surrounding them from both sides. Ah Dai knew they had been discovered and that they were being encircled. He said in a low voice, "Stay close together, don’t spread out. That way, if anything happens, I can take care of you."
Xuan Yue and the others each took out their Magic Wands. Olivia said to Kino, "Don’t just hide in the back like before when it cos down to it!"
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