32 Chapter 31
As the biting wind sliced through the air, Ji Wuye felt the frosty touch against his skin, his eyes tinged with a crimson hue as he observed a procession of torches making its way towards the village's main entrance.
Perched on a sturdy tree branch near the jungle's edge, he keenly observed a horde of green-skinned beings emerging from the shadows. These creatures, bare-chested with distended bellies and menacing snarls, fixed their narrow eyes on the village, its heavy gate gradually creaking to a close.
'A goblin,' Ji Wuye murmured under his breath, his voice barely audible against the rustle of leaves, recognizing the distinct creature found exclusively within the Tower. 'Similar to Yecha, but lacking the armor and martial prowess.'
It struck him as peculiar how these beings, resembling mere playthings upon closer scrutiny, could instill fear in the hearts of the natives in this world. The green-skinned horde seemed more like intimidating toys that could only spook a child in his realm.
SWOOSH-!
What started as amusement quickly transformed into curiosity as Ji Wuye's attention was snagged by an arrow expertly piercing through the goblin's head, extinguishing its snarl with a final shriek.
The precision of the shot was evident, considering the substantial distance of approximately 219 zhang between the village and the advancing goblin horde.
The grinning and growling goblins abruptly froze in their tracks, as though time itself had come to a standstill. Ji Wuye maintained a calm distance, his focus shifting towards the village. "That must be the elf with the long bow," he muttered to himself, a wry smile playing on his lips.
With narrowed eyes, he discerned two figures standing proudly atop the village wall. 'Everything remains unchanged, just as it was in the past,' Ji Wuye remarked with a nod of acknowledgment.
Though the elf and the noble appeared to be adeptly managing the situation, Ji Wuye couldn't entirely dispel his suspicion. Surveying the increased number of goblins, nearly twice the count from his previous encounter, he mused inwardly, 'Well, I suppose they can handle it.'
No sooner had he uttered those words than the frozen swarm of goblins erupted into a cacophony of shouts, a turbulent wave hurtling towards the village wall.
SWOOSH-!
SWOOSH-!
In the blink of an eye, a relentless barrage of arrows cascaded from the elevated positions, meticulously picking off the goblins one by one. The air resonated with the twang of bowstrings and the thud of arrows finding their marks.
Ji Wuye, seizing the opportunity presented by the diversion, deftly slipped away from his vantage point, disappearing into the depth of the forest before the combatants on either side could register his absence.
...
Submerged in the velvety embrace of pitch darkness, Ji Wuye pressed further into the heart of the forest. Once, the ambient glow from the torches borne by the goblin horde and those adorning the village's wooden walls had lent clarity to his surroundings.
Now, distanced from that luminous ensemble, he embraced the obscurity with an unwavering calmness.
Without a trace of panic or haste, he spoke with deliberate composure, "Inventory."
A resonant click echoed, conjuring forth a flickering torch that instantly wrestled the shadows into submission, its warm glow revealing the polished glint of the Jian sword securely held in his grasp.
"Now, let's unravel the clue 'he' mentioned," Ji Wuye murmured, his crimson eyes now aglow with the torch's radiance as he meticulously surveyed the enigmatic expanse of the surrounding forest.
[!] Your passive skill, Quick Adaptation(E), has been triggered!
Beneath the crimson gaze of Ji Wuye, a subtle indentation marked the moist ground—a distinctive claw mark, beckoning him deeper into the heart of the forest. Inhaling deeply, he sifted through the scents carried by the breeze, his eyes narrowing in concentration.
"Leaves, dirt, and something else," he mused aloud.
A triumphant grin played across Ji Wuye's face as he realized the precision of each clue, exactly as 'he' had foretold.
"How much free time do Senior Brothers have to navigate the entire jungle amidst this goblin horde?" he pondered, a smirk forming. "They must be sufficiently annoyed and bored to venture out, given that goblins are nothing more than soulless beings armed with weapons."
Amused, Ji Wuye chuckled to himself and shook his head, contemplating the individual who had generously shared these insightful tips. Resuming his pursuit of the trail, he couldn't help but marvel at the accuracy of the guidance.
Before progressing further, an item materialized at his feet, dropping to the ground as he lowered his body to retrieve it, setting the torch aside.
Unscrewing the object—a diminutive jar—he poured its contents onto the Jian double-edge sword. The viscous substance emitted an overpowering, acrid odor, causing a mild discomfort in his throat and nose. Coating the blade from all angles, he discarded the jar and summoned another item from his inventory.
A petite glass bottle appeared in his hand. Without hesitation, Ji Wuye uncorked it and swallowed the entire contents—a concoction resembling pebbles and leaves that effortlessly slid down his throat.
GULP-!
[!] You have consumed 1 Antitoxin Vial!
[!] Your body will be immune to toxins from any kind of snake for 10 minutes!
The moment Ji Wuye ingested the antitoxin, the very topography of the forest underwent a remarkable transformation before his eyes.
His jaw hung agape for a fleeting moment, his perspective morphing as everything around him became distinctly clearer, even as the light from the flames seemed to dwindle into a deeper shade.
A tempest of thoughts swirled through his mind, a torrent of questions cascading in the wake of the pill's effects. His mouth poised to articulate inquiries, yet it remained closed, his fingers absentmindedly caressing his eyelashes rather than his cheeks.
Inhaling deeply, his once-enlarged eyes gradually narrowed, a broad grin unfurling upon his lips. It dawned on him, the revelation of the cause behind this peculiar phenomenon, his crimson eyes still aglow with an intensified vibrancy.
"What a delightful surprise," Ji Wuye exclaimed, a genuine smile adorning his face.
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