The Wary Clouded Deer

The people of Spirit Hall clenched their fists until their knuckles whitened, unwilling fury churning in their eyes.

But Sword Douluo's biting sword aura and Bone Douluo's dense Soul Power held them fast. They barely dared to breathe.

Tian Hanyao's face darkened, a vein throbbing at her temple. Her sinister gaze swept over Xiao Shenghe and his two companions, as though she meant to carve their faces into her bones.

She gritted her teeth, her jaw tightening into a hard line, and said through each clenched word:

"Spirit Hall will remember what happened today—"

Before she finished, she flung up a hand.

"Retreat!"

The Soul Masters in black fighting clothes seemed to receive a pardon. Their taut bodies relaxed, and they crowded around the three Titled Douluo, hurrying toward the forest's edge.

Only after they left did the heavy, suffocating darkness of their Soul Power recede like the tide.

Wisps of scorching heat still rose from the Magma Stone Wall, carrying the sharp smell of sulfur.

Xiao Shenghe did not stop to wipe the sweat from his cheeks. He turned and hurried toward the Clouded Deer lying limp on the ground.

But after two steps, he stopped short.

The Clouded Deer was drenched in blood, her snowy fur soaked with pale-gold blood and clinging to her body.

She struggled to raise herself halfway. Her left eye socket was empty, while her remaining eye fixed on Xiao Shenghe. Its pupil contracted, brimming with deep suspicion and hostility.

Her weakened body trembled, yet she instinctively kept her muscles taut. The Soul Power left in her ran wild, and like a lone wolf driven into a corner, she was ready to make one last attack.

"Don't come any closer!"

The Clouded Deer's voice was hoarse and ragged, as though scraped raw by sandpaper, but her resolve was unmistakable.

Her throat worked, and she snarled with hatred etched deep into her bones:

"Humans... not one of you is any good!"

Her gaze passed over Sword Douluo and Gu Rong behind Xiao Shenghe. The wariness in her eye did not ease.

Those three had blocked Spirit Hall's deadly attack and saved her and her daughter, but a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast's instinct for survival had long since driven wariness of humans into her marrow.

Over the years, too many of her kind had died at the hands of human Soul Masters. Spirit Hall's brutality was merely the starkest stroke in a long record of tragedy.

Xiao Yao huddled behind her mother, shielded by her body. Her little frame was still trembling beyond her control.

She gripped the small antler comb in her hand until her knuckles whitened. Her tear-filled eyes peeked timidly from beneath her mother's side, watching Xiao Shenghe.

Fear of a stranger filled them, but there was also a trace of gratitude she could not hide.

After all, this boy had raised that blazing stone wall to shield her from a fatal blast of Soul Power.

Xiao Shenghe stopped approaching, his brows drawing together.

He could clearly sense the chaos of the Soul Power remaining in the Clouded Deer. Pale-gold blood continued to seep from several wounds, and her life force flickered like a candle in the wind. She was plainly at the end of her strength.

Her suspicion and hostility were only a front she was struggling to maintain.

He slowly raised his hand. The burning flame sigil in his palm faded, and the heat around him subsided. He gave her a gentle smile and made his voice as soft and harmless as he could.

"Ma'am, please don't be afraid. We're not from Spirit Hall, and we won't hurt you or Xiao Yao."

With a movement of his fingers, he took a luminous bottle of healing medicine from the Soul Tool at his waist.

Fine patterns were carved around its neck. The liquid inside glimmered faintly gold and gave off a crisp medicinal scent.

He carefully set the bottle on the ground before him, then took three slow steps back and spread his hands to show he meant no harm.

"This is Blood-Congealing Essence-Fixing Liquid. It can stabilize your injuries for now. Please take it."

Sword Douluo Chen Xin stepped forward. Hanguang was already sheathed, and blade and scabbard gave a soft click as it settled.

He drew in all his frost-sharp sword aura, leaving only a calm, steady presence, like a lake too deep to see the bottom.

"A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast has intelligence close to a human's.

We intervened because we could not stand watching Spirit Hall bully the weak. We have no designs on your Soul Ring or Soul Bone."

Gu Rong stepped forward too. With a flick of his thin fingers, he sent a gentle thread of green Soul Power drifting toward the Clouded Deer like willow down.

There was no force of attack in it. When it touched her bleeding wounds, it circled them softly, easing much of her pain at once.

"These old bones have lived too long to take advantage of someone in distress."

His voice was aged but kind.

"Those people have withdrawn, but they may well come back."

"Your injuries are severe. If they aren't treated soon, you may not last much longer."

The wariness in the Clouded Deer's eye did not disappear. Yet she looked into Xiao Shenghe's clear eyes and felt no malice in the calm presence of the two Titled Douluo. They had even opposed the mighty Spirit Hall to protect her and Xiao Yao. Her rigid body gradually relaxed, and the trembling in her legs eased.

"Mom, this big brother is a good person. He saved me just now." Xiao Yao peeked out from behind her mother. Her voice was soft and sweet, thick with tears, but remarkably firm.

The Clouded Deer fell silent. She looked at the bottle on the ground, with its rich medicinal fragrance, then turned to her daughter, whose face was pale and eyes were red as she continued to sniffle.

A fierce struggle flashed through her eye. At last, she slowly nodded.

She knew that in her present state, she could not protect Xiao Yao.

If she refused their help and Spirit Hall returned, she and her daughter would surely die.

"Thank you, all three of you, for helping us."

Her voice was still hoarse, but it held more sincerity and less hostility.

"I was rude before. Human Soul Masters have hurt us too many times. Trust does not come easily."

Delight lit Xiao Shenghe's face, and he quickly said:

"You don't need to apologize, ma'am. We understand. Please take the medicine. I have more if you need it."

Gu Rong stepped forward and gathered a purer stream of green Soul Power at his fingertips. He carefully guided it into the Clouded Deer's meridians, helping settle the turmoil inside her.

"You've exhausted far too much Soul Power. Medicine alone won't be enough. I'll stabilize your foundation first."

Sword Douluo stood to one side, scanning the forest with a hawk's vigilance. Neither the rustle of leaves nor the chirping of insects escaped his ears as he watched for Spirit Hall's return.

"Ah... ah..."

With Gu Rong's help, the Clouded Deer tipped back her head and drank the Blood-Congealing Essence-Fixing Liquid.

It took effect quickly. Her wounds gradually stopped bleeding, and the pain churning through her body eased considerably.

She looked at Gu Rong with gratitude and dipped her head.

"Thank you for your help, senior."

"It was nothing."

Gu Rong waved a hand and smiled warmly.

"Your daughter is a sweet little thing. She's so young, yet she tried so hard to protect you."