In the hollow space of the tree, where the thick bark offered some semblance of warmth and security, Yan Jin and Wei Xi sat in relative silence. The air was damp and carried the scent of earth and leaves, mingled with the faint musk of the forest.
The dim light filtering through the cracks in the bark barely illuminated the interior, casting long shadows that danced with the flickering movement of their breath.
Wei Xi, still catching his breath from the intense reconnaissance, spoke in hushed tones, the gravity of his findings weighing heavily on his young shoulders. "There are two purification realm blood beasts nearby. I found prints of a feline, and some bones about three hundred meters from here, so it's carnivorous," he reported, his voice steady despite the anxiety gnawing at him.
"On the north side, I smelled urine, and the thick fur markings suggest the territory of another beast. This area seems to be neutral ground, but I haven't figured out why yet."
Yan Jin listened intently, his blind eyes closed, but his other senses sharp and attuned. Wei Xi's observations were thorough, and his conclusions were sound. "A Sabertoothed Ice Tiger and a Snow Mountain Bear," Yan Jin murmured, his mind already calculating their next move.
Wei Xi nodded, though he knew Yan Jin couldn't see it. "Winter is coming. They should be hunting for hibernation," he continued a hint of worry creeping into his voice. "We're running out of rations, and if we get caught in a winter storm, we could die of starvation."
"Pass me your spear," Yan Jin ordered, his tone calm and authoritative. Wei Xi handed it over without hesitation, watching as Yan Jin skillfully dissected the corpse of the poison tree snake. The snake's body had hardened like tree bark, a defense mechanism of the venomous creature. With practiced hands, Yan Jin crafted the rigid body into a beggar's stick, a crude yet effective weapon.
He also fashioned small, poisonous darts from the snake's fangs and leftover material, tools that could tip the balance in their favor.
"What are we going to do?" Wei Xi asked, the uncertainty in his voice betraying his youth.
Yan Jin's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. "Well, since they're gathering food for hibernation, we'll wait patiently for them to finish. Then, we'll serve ourselves. The Sabertooth's teeth and claws will make excellent arrowheads, and the bear's fur will make a great coat. Our survival ticket has been handed to us; we just have to seize it."
Wei Xi's eyes widened as he processed the plan. It was bold and dangerous, but he knew better than to question Yan Jin's judgment. "I'll go and prepare the battlefield," he said with newfound determination, rising to his feet and gripping his spear tightly.
"Good," Yan Jin replied, his voice steady. "Remember, patience is key. We'll strike when the time is right, not a moment sooner."
Each snowflake was unique, shimmering faintly as it caught the light, creating a mesmerizing dance in the air. The sounds of the forest were muffled by the snow, leaving an almost sacred silence, broken only by the gentle rustle of the wind through the branches. The beauty of the scene was breathtaking, a moment of pure tranquility in a world that had been filled with chaos and danger.
Wei Xi took a deep breath, feeling the cold air fill his lungs, and exhaled slowly. "It's snowing," he said softly, almost as if he didn't want to disturb the peace of the moment. He glanced back towards the tree where Yan Jin was still hidden. "I wish you could see it."
"So do I," came Yan Jin's voice from within the hollow, tinged with both longing and resolve. Though he couldn't see the snow, he could feel the calm in Wei Xi's voice, and the awe that the boy felt. It was a rare moment of beauty in a world that had offered them little of it recently.
Yan Jin stood up for the first time in a week, his movements slow but steady. Though weakened, he had regained enough of his soul energy to stand firm, but not enough to confidently face the two Purified Lord-level beasts that lurked in the forest. His plan required patience, precision, and a bit of deception.
"It's time, Wei Xi," he said, his voice firm. "We've run out of food, and today is do or die. Get into position."
Wei Xi nodded, his focus sharpening as he prepared for the task ahead. Yan Jin reached into his quiver and pulled out an object that glimmered in the dim light—a large egg, covered in shimmering scales.
"What is that?" Wei Xi asked, his curiosity piqued.
"A Celestial Garuda egg," Yan Jin replied calmly as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.
"A Celestial..." Wei Xi's eyes widened in shock. "Celestial? Where did you...? Oh my god!"
"Don't ask," Yan Jin interrupted, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Just get ready."
Wei Xi took one last look at the serene, snow-covered forest, letting the peacefulness of the scene steady his nerves. Then, with a deep breath, he stepped forward, preparing to put the plan into motion.
Yan Jin, meanwhile, tightened his grip on the Celestial Garuda egg. He had no choice but to play the role of the mantis stalking the cicada, waiting for the right moment to strike while the beasts were distracted by the bait.