The Bat Swarm and the Dawn

Rush!

Lin Xiao swung his left hand out in a claw shape, tearing apart the first few dark figures that pounced down with a ghostly light. Just as the vine net above Lu Yuan's head extended, the "dark cloud" exploded.

Dozens of Vampire Bat swooped down with screams, their small, scarlet eyes merging together.

The first wave struck the vine net with a few hissing sounds, tearing a gap in the outer layer of Blue Silver Grass. Lu Yuan grunted, urgently channeling his Soul Power to try and repair the broken parts, but it was far too slow.

Lin Xiao tore apart the three closest ones, splattering blood everywhere. With his right arm in a sling, his movements were slowed. A Vampire Bat darted around the claw shadow, its sharp beak pecking straight at his neck.

Lu Yuan flicked his right hand, sending the vines flying like venomous snakes.

"Thanks!" Lin Xiao licked the blood from his lips, his eyes growing even fiercer.

I'm too busy to respond.

The raft was tossed wildly in the rapids, rushing towards the bright exit. The current suddenly became stronger, pushing them forward violently. More Vampire Bat bypassed the gaps in the vine netting, attacking from the sides and rear.

Lu Yuan gave up on weaving a dense vine net; his Soul Power was insufficient.

He changed his strategy. The Blue Silver Grass transformed into dozens of thin vines, which danced wildly within half a foot of the two of them, whipping and Entanglement. At the same time, he fully activated the Martial Soul Origin, emitting that unique bitter plant scent.

The approaching Vampire Bat bats indeed hesitated slightly.

But there are too many.

One of the bats broke through the vine whip's blockade, its sharp claws slicing across Lu Yuan's left shoulder, leaving a bloody mark. Another nearly snatched the straw rope binding Lin Xiao's hair. The raft rocked violently, almost crashing into the jagged rocks on either side several times. Lin Xiao braced himself on the side of the raft with one leg, his left hand flashing with cold light as he tore apart the approaching swarm of bats. Blood and tattered feathers covered the two of them.

Sweat beaded on Lu Yuan's forehead. His Soul Power was rapidly draining away. He gritted his teeth and stared intently ahead—the exit light was now clearly visible, and he could even see the swaying shadows of the trees outside.

Soon!

The moment the thought arose, a strange change occurred.

Three or four exceptionally large Vampire Bat with blood-red eyes silently swooped down from directly behind the raft, skimming close to the water's surface, their speed far exceeding that of their kind. Their target was clear—the vines tied to the bottom of the raft!

Lu Yuan sensed the fluctuation of Soul Power, turned around sharply, and his pupils shrank.

It's too late.

Its sharp beak and claws slashed fiercely at the waterlogged vines. Two of the already loose bindings snapped off with a snap!

The raft tilted sharply, its front end rising. The two men were thrown backward simultaneously. The rapids swept up the loose, withered log, swirling and crashing into the protruding black boulder on the left side of the exit.

They're going to crash!

The swarm of bats overhead screeched and squeaked, growing even more intense and excited, gathering in a dark mass, preparing for a final, overwhelming attack.

Lu Yuan clenched the remaining vines in his palm, preparing to withstand the attack.

Lin Xiao let out a low growl, and the five fingers of his left hand surged with a ghostly light, faintly condensing into an illusory cat claw phantom, which he fiercely swung at the descending swarm of bats!

Just moments before the raft was about to crash into the rocks and the swarm of bats was about to engulf the two men—

The light from the outside world suddenly intensified without warning.

A gentle, mellow, and vibrant energy, like the budding of grass and trees in early spring, wafted in from the exit. This energy was formless and intangible, yet it carried an irresistible sense of tranquility.

A miracle happened.

The swarm of Vampire Bat, screeching and squeaking, seemed to be scalded by boiling water, emitting piercing screams of extreme terror. They frantically flapped their wings, creating chaos as they scrambled back into the darkness deep within the cave. In just a few breaths, the suffocating black clouds overhead vanished completely.

The raft, its momentum undiminished, narrowly squeezed past the edge of the black boulder, and then—

They burst out of the cave!

The blinding sunlight poured down, making Lu Yuan's vision blur. A feeling of weightlessness washed over him as the raft rapidly slid down the steep, short sloping waterway, suddenly disappearing into the void!

Whoosh!

The cool pool water instantly submerged his entire body.

Lu Yuan held his breath and instinctively grabbed onto a piece of driftwood amidst the chaos of entering the water. His other hand reached out haphazardly and touched Lin Xiao's clothes, which he gripped tightly. The two were swept and tumbled several times by the current before finally regaining their balance.

It surfaced.

Lu Yuan coughed violently, wiping the water from his eyes. Lin Xiao stood beside him, equally disheveled, his short, soaked hair plastered to his forehead, but his amber eyes were already scanning their surroundings warily.

Real, warm sunlight fell on my face.

They were in a deep, crystal-clear pool. The water was a pale turquoise, and the smooth pebbles at the bottom were clearly visible. The pool was surrounded by dense broad-leaved trees, and birds chirped among the branches. The air was filled with the fresh scent of earth, grass, and sunshine.

The cold, dark world of the underground river felt like a distant nightmare.

It's out.

Lu Yuan felt a sense of relief, which was quickly replaced by vigilance. What was that power just now...?

He turned his head and looked towards the edge of the pool.

Less than ten steps from where the person fell into the water, a person stood beside a flat blue stone on the bank.

An elderly man dressed in a simple blue robe.

The old man was thin and stood upright, leaning on a vibrant green bamboo cane. His face was gaunt with deep wrinkles, but his eyes were gentle and peaceful, and he was now watching the two boys who had suddenly emerged from the pool with a hint of surprise.

What is most striking is the aura surrounding him. It is not a powerful Soul Power pressure, but a refreshing aura like grass and trees that calms the mind and soothes the soul.

Lu Yuan's gaze fell on the old man's waist.

There hangs a small wooden emblem, simple in style, carved with simple patterns that resemble Entanglement branches and leaves.

The patterns...

Lu Yuan's breath hitched slightly.

He had seen it. On the thin letter Shen Moxin had given him, in the corner, there was a mark made with special ink, almost imperceptible.

The grain pattern is exactly the same as the one on this wooden emblem.

Lin Xiao also saw the old man. He subconsciously tensed up, raising his left hand slightly in a defensive stance, but his eyes held more doubt and scrutiny. The old man showed no hostility; in fact, the power he had just used to disperse the swarm of bats had saved them.

The old man in blue took in both of their reactions, especially the fleeting change in Lu Yuan's eyes. The surprise on his face faded slightly, replaced by a knowing and gentle expression.

He took two steps forward, came to the edge of the pool, and gently tapped the ground with his bamboo cane.

"Young friends," the old man began, his tone calm and composed, "It's quite remarkable that you're still so alert after emerging from this ' Nether Waterway '."

He paused, his gaze lingering for a moment on the still-growing Blue Silver Grass vines on Lu Yuan's body, before sweeping over the lingering dark luster on Lin Xiao's fingertips.

"I just don't know," the old man nodded slightly, his tone carrying just the right amount of curiosity, "How did you two manage to enter this perilous place, and how did you find this exit?"

Lu Yuan released his grip on the driftwood and steadied himself in the water. He didn't answer immediately, but quickly assessed the old man in front of him, the surrounding environment, and the possible meaning behind the other person's question.

Lin Xiao licked his chapped lips, glanced at Lu Yuan, and seeing that the latter showed no intention of speaking, he replied in a hoarse voice with a curt tone:

"He fell down, but didn't die; he found his way out."

Upon hearing this, the old man in blue was not annoyed at all; instead, a faint smile flickered in his eyes. He nodded.

"To emerge alive from the ' Nether Waterway ' is a feat in itself." The old man's gaze fell upon Lu Yuan again, this time lingering longer. "This young friend's Martial Soul... is quite special. It must have been of great help in this waterway."

Lu Yuan's heart stirred slightly. The old man had seen through the Blue Silver Grass's effects in the dark environment at a glance, demonstrating remarkable insight. Moreover, he referred to the dark river as the "Nether Waterway," clearly indicating that he knew its details.

"It was a stroke of luck." Lu Yuan finally spoke, his voice hoarse from exhaustion, but his tone was steady. "Senior, you just helped me disperse the swarm of bats. I am deeply grateful."

He deliberately emphasized "lent a helping hand," both as a way of expressing gratitude and as a test.

The old man waved his hand, tapping his bamboo cane lightly on the bluestone. "I was merely sitting here quietly when I noticed the unusual activity in the waterway, and I simply acted on it. Those ' Blood-Eyed Bat ' are bloodthirsty and restless, and they despise pure life force; this is nothing special."

Although the words were spoken casually, both of them understood that being able to instantly scare away dozens of ferocious Soul Beast from such a distance with just one's aura was no ordinary feat.

"But you two," the old man's tone shifted, his gentle gaze turning slightly sharp, "Judging from your injuries and weakened Soul Power, you must have endured a fierce battle. The exit of this waterway is hidden; even if ordinary people knew it, they might not dare to venture deep into it. Why would you two, so young, venture into such a dangerous place?"

The question has become more direct, taking on a scrutinizing tone.

Lin Xiao frowned. Lu Yuan gestured to him with his eyes to calm down.

"Being chased and fleeing in panic, I fell into a deep valley and unexpectedly discovered a waterway." Lu Yuan summarized succinctly, half true and half false. He omitted key details, only giving a superficial explanation. At the same time, he slightly adjusted his posture, his muscles ready to exert force at any moment.

The old man listened quietly, his face revealing neither belief nor disbelief. He remained silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the two men's faces, before finally letting out a soft sigh.

"I see." He didn't press further, stepping aside and pointing with his bamboo cane to a faintly visible path hidden by the trees beside the pool. "Although we've exited the waterway, we're still deep within the Soul Beast Mountain Range, not exactly safe. If you two young friends trust me, you can follow me. There's a simple thatched hut not far ahead where you can rest and treat your injuries."

This suggestion was unexpected.

Lu Yuan and Lin Xiao exchanged a glance, both showing hesitation. This old man's origins were unknown, and his strength was profound. Although he didn't seem to have any ill intentions at the moment, it was too risky to follow him to an unknown place rashly.

Seemingly sensing their hesitation, the old man smiled slightly and added, "I live alone here, devoted to the ways of plants and trees, and dislike outside disturbances. Our encounter today is fate. If you two have any doubts, you may part ways here. However..." He glanced at their soaked clothes and numerous wounds, "Given your current condition, traveling alone in these mountains will likely be difficult."

He was telling the truth. Lu Yuan's Soul Power was almost exhausted, and he had multiple external injuries. Lin Xiao's right arm was still broken, and his left shoulder wound was soaked in water, making his condition even worse. At this moment, they were extremely weak. Let alone powerful Soul Beast, even ordinary Ten-Year Soul Beast would be a challenge for them.

Staying would pose unknown risks.

Leaving could immediately lead to a life-or-death crisis.

Lu Yuan's mind raced. The old man's invitation seemed benevolent, but the insignia at his waist, linked to Shen Moxin, added to the mystery. The letter Shen Moxin had given him pointed to a potential connection who might understand his beliefs. If this old man was related to him...

Risks may conceal opportunities.

He looked at the old man again. The old man was still standing there, his expression peaceful, his gaze calm, and a tranquil, refreshing aura emanating from him.

A few breaths later, Lu Yuan took a deep breath.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, senior." He clasped his hands in a fist salute to the old man, the movements a little awkward in the water, but still very polite.

Lin Xiao glanced at Lu Yuan, didn't object, but just pursed his lips and muttered under his breath, "Troublesome."

The old man in blue nodded, his smile becoming more genuine. "Follow me."

He turned around, leaning on his bamboo cane, and walked slowly into the woods along the path half-hidden by grass and trees. His steps seemed slow, yet strangely, they gave people a sense of harmony and nature, as if he had blended into his surroundings.

Lu Yuan and Lin Xiao struggled to climb ashore, wrung out their clothes, and, supporting each other, followed.

Sunlight filtered through layers of leaves, casting shimmering dappled patterns on the leaf-strewn ground. Birdsong drifted through the overhead branches. Compared to the cold, lifeless environment of the underground river, this place felt like another world.

But Lu Yuan was not completely at ease.

As he walked, he silently observed the old man's back, the surrounding environment, and memorized the path. The wooden emblem on the old man's waist swayed gently with each step, its familiar patterns appearing and disappearing in the dappled light.

Shen Moxin... Spark...

Who exactly is this old man?

He lived alone deep within the Soul Beast Mountain Range, near the treacherous "Nether Waterway," and carried a mark related to Shen Moxin's letter. His strength was unfathomable, yet he showed kindness to two disheveled teenagers who suddenly appeared.

Too many questions swirled in my mind.

But at this moment, exhaustion and pain washed over him like waves. He pinched his palm hard, using the pain to stay awake.

At least, they're temporarily out of danger.

At least, there seems to be a crack in the road where we can breathe.

As for whether this crack leads to a wider sky or another layer of unknown Mist...

We can only take it one step at a time.

The path meandered deep into the verdant forest. The old man in blue robes led the way, like a silent guide leading the two boys, who had just escaped from the abyss of darkness, into the heart of this vibrant yet Mist mountain forest.