Flame-red leaves, milky-white trunks; when the wind blew, they looked like wildfires sweeping across the mountains.
The red hill was not tall. Red flowers and grasses carpeted the ground beneath the trees. Strangely, many birds gathered in the branches, their colorful feathers gleaming as they chirped sweetly, carrying the air of Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix. Though there were so many birds, there was scarcely any droppings on the trunks or ground.
A beautiful peacock spread its wings and glided.
It skimmed over the treetops and landed precisely on a trunk, folding its wings as it met the gaze of the girl struggling through the forest.
The girl had seen much of the world and knew that the peacock before her was very likely a demon bird. She would be lying if she said she was not nervous; tales of demons eating people had long sunk deep into people's hearts.
Strangely, after looking at her a few times, the peacock turned and flew away.
Letting out a breath of relief, she wiped away her sweat and continued up the mountain. The wound on her palm, sliced open by thorns, stung fiercely when sweat seeped into it. Her clothes were soaked through and clung uncomfortably to her body. She was truly exhausted, and when she could walk no farther, she could only lean against a tree and take a few sips of water from her bamboo tube.
Where was even a trace of a wealthy young lady's dignity now? At this moment, she looked exactly like a beggar.
After resting briefly, she gritted her teeth, tore a strip of cloth from her trouser leg, and used both hands and teeth to wrap it around her palm.
Once the oppressive heat had faded, she continued climbing.
After a while.
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