"Watch out!" Ning Yu pulled Mu Xue behind him, and at the same time, a huge black shadow darted out from the darkness...
Ning Yu handed Mu Xue a few Starlight Grasses, "Eat them quickly."
Mu Xue took it and chewed it without hesitation. A faint fragrance accompanied by a warm current flowed into her limbs, and her tired body seemed to be injected with new vitality. Ning Yu also quickly swallowed a few, feeling his strength recover somewhat. A spark of hope flickered faintly in the abyss of despair.
However, just as Ning Yu was about to get up and explore the cave, a low growl came from not far away. A slightly smaller gray wolf, which had somehow separated from the main group, was staring at them menacingly, its green eyes shining like two ghostly jewels in the darkness. It had noticed their movements!
The gray wolf arched its back, let out a threatening growl, and then pounced on them.
"Watch out!" Ning Yu shouted, shielding Mu Xue behind him.
Mu Xue reacted quickly; she found a thick branch on the ground and gripped it tightly in her hand. Just as the gray wolf pounced, she swung the branch with all her might, striking the wolf heavily on the head.
"Awooo—" the gray wolf let out a miserable howl and was knocked back a few steps. But it did not give up; instead, it was enraged and pounced even more fiercely.
Ning Yu had also managed to stand up. He snatched the branch from Mu Xue's hand and charged towards the gray wolf. The brief recovery brought by the Starlight Grass allowed him to engage in simple combat.
A fierce battle ensued between the man and the wolf in the shadow of the boulder. Ning Yu used a tree branch to parry the wolf's attacks, each collision sending sharp pains through the wound on his arm. Mu Xue, meanwhile, looked for an opportunity to distract the wolf by throwing stones she had picked up.
The gray wolf was fast and strong, and Ning Yu gradually felt his strength waning. His movements slowed down, and his breathing became more and more rapid. Just when he was about to give up, Mu Xue picked up a sharp stone and smashed it hard into the gray wolf's eye.
"Awooo—" The gray wolf let out a shrill howl, rolled on the ground a few times, then struggled to its feet, tucked its tail between its legs, and ran away.
Ning Yu and Mu Xue collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. They had won the battle, but at a great cost. Ning Yu's wounds reopened, staining his clothes with blood. Mu Xue was also nearly exhausted, her face pale.
However, before they could even catch their breath, the howls of wolves echoed from afar. The wolves seemed to have sensed their presence and were closing in on them.
Worse still, Ning Yu sensed that dangerous aura behind him was getting closer and closer, more dangerous and terrifying than a pack of wolves.
"We...we have to go!" Ning Yu said through gritted teeth, struggling to stand up.
Just then, a deep voice came from the darkness behind them: "Looks like you've run into some trouble..." Ning Yu struggled to his feet, leaning against the rock wall, every cell in his body screaming in pain. Mu Xue wasn't in much better shape; her face was pale, and her breathing was rapid. The howls of the wolf pack grew closer, like death knells, pounding on their taut nerves. And the chilling pressure from behind them made them feel like they had thorns in their backs.
"It seems you've run into some trouble..." The deep voice sounded again, with a hint of mockery.
Ning Yu whirled around, and in the dim light, he saw a tall figure slowly emerge from the darkness. The man was burly, dressed in tattered animal skins, his face painted with strange paint, and carrying a peculiarly shaped bone knife. He exuded a ferocious, beast-like aura that sent chills down one's spine.
The howling of the wolves suddenly stopped, seemingly wary of the newcomer. Several gray wolves that were closer even let out low whimpers and slowly retreated.
"Who are you?" Ning Yu asked warily, enduring the pain.
The man grinned, revealing a set of uneven teeth. "You can call me... Shadow."
"Shadow?" Ning Yu's heart skipped a beat; he seemed to have heard that name somewhere before. Rumor had it that in the post-nuclear wasteland, a group of mysterious superhumans roamed, calling themselves "Shadows," their whereabouts elusive and their strength immense. Could it be…?
“It seems you’ve heard of us.” Ying seemed to have seen through Ning Yu’s thoughts, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes. “I advise you not to make any rash moves, otherwise…” He brandished the bone knife in his hand, the blade gleaming with a cold light.
Ning Yu quickly calculated in his mind. This "shadow" before him was clearly not a benevolent being, but the wolf pack also seemed wary of him. This was an opportunity, a chance to escape!
Just then, a deafening roar came from afar, more ferocious and terrifying than a wolf's howl. Even "Shadow's" expression changed slightly, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes.
"What is that?" Mu Xue's voice trembled slightly.
Ning Yu looked in the direction of the sound and saw a huge black shadow appearing on the distant horizon, rapidly approaching. Although he couldn't see exactly what it was, the suffocating sense of oppression it exuded was even stronger than the wolf pack and the "shadow" combined.
"Shadow" took a deep breath, a resolute glint in her eyes. "It seems we have to cooperate for now. That thing is not something either of us can handle alone."
Ning Yu remained silent; he knew "Shadow" was right. Faced with this unknown and immense threat, they had to join forces temporarily to have any chance of survival.
"Follow me!" Ying shouted in a low voice, then turned and ran in one direction. Ning Yu grabbed Mu Xue without hesitation and followed.
The wolf pack stirred restlessly behind them, seemingly also terrified of the approaching giant shadow. Ning Yu, however, was filled with doubt as to whether the cooperation "Shadow" spoke of was genuine or not. He sensed "Shadow's" gaze frequently falling upon him, carrying a barely perceptible hint of greed.
He gripped Mu Xue's hand tightly, his eyes resolute. No matter what, he would protect her and ensure her survival!
Suddenly, Ning Yu's gaze fell upon a shadow not far away, which seemed to be... a cave!
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