It roared, trying to find an opening. However, the guards' defenses were as solid as an iron wall, unshakeable.
Arno stood at the very front of the formation, his eyes gleaming with unwavering determination. He knew that if they held out, they might be able to drive the tiger away.
Time slipped by unnoticed, and the sun gradually sank in the west. In this fierce battle, the guards displayed unwavering perseverance and courage.
They cooperated closely, weaving an impenetrable defensive line with shields and weapons. Despite the tigers' increasingly ferocious attacks, they never retreated.
As night fell, the tiger seemed to grow weary. Its attacks became increasingly weak, and its ferocious aura gradually subsided.
Seeing this, Arno was secretly delighted. He knew this was their moment to strike back.
"Brothers, defend with all your might!" Arno shouted.
At his command, the guards pressed their shields together, forming an impenetrable barrier.
The tiger's attacks rained down on the shield with deafening roars. Yet, the human wall remained steadfast.
Gradually, the tiger's attacks became less and less frequent.
Its eyes gleamed with doubt and fear; it couldn't understand why these tiny humans could withstand its attacks.
Finally, thanks to the guards' tireless efforts, the tiger was defeated. It let out a low growl and turned to flee into the depths of the jungle.
"We have finally won!"
"We finally chased that beast away!"
"Thank goodness it's all over!"
......
After the battle, the guards embraced each other tightly, cheering their victory. Their faces beamed with joy and pride.
Xia Sen sat on the ground, panting heavily. His body was covered in wounds, and his clothes were stained with blood.
Yan Qing and the other guards surrounded him, asking about his condition with concern.
"How are you?" Yan Qing asked. "Are your injuries serious?"
Xia Sen smiled and waved his hand, saying, "It's nothing, just some minor injuries."
He struggled to his feet, feeling somewhat dizzy.
Xu Yuehuai looked at him, her heart filled with gratitude and respect.
"Ah Sen, thank you for saving me."
"Sister, you saved me back then too! No need to thank me!" Xia Sen said with a smile.
Yan Qing and the others also expressed their admiration and gratitude for Xia Sen.
They said with emotion, "If it weren't for Brother Xia's help today, we probably wouldn't have survived."
Xia Sen humbly replied, "You flatter me, I was just doing what I was supposed to do."
Xu Yuehuai said, "You should go and treat your wounds quickly!"
Immediately afterwards, Xu Yuehuai and Yan Qing helped the seriously injured Xia Sen. The uninjured guards walked at the front, while the injured guards were protected in the middle. They moved forward even more carefully.
As night fell, the mountain wind howled, and everyone was exhausted.
Suddenly, Xu Yuehuai's eyes lit up as she spotted a cave ahead.
"Quick, everyone, go inside!" Xu Yuehuai shouted.
The group quickly entered the cave. The entrance was narrow, but the interior was a spacious area. They did not light a campfire, fearing it would reveal their location.
Xia Sen was pale, but he still endured the pain and took out a packet of powder from his pocket, handing it to a guard: "Sprinkle some outside the cave entrance to prevent wild animals from getting close."
The guards carefully stepped out of the cave and, following Xia Sen's instructions, sprinkled the powder around the entrance.
Xia Sen leaned against the stone wall, slightly out of breath.
His eyes were filled with determination and resolve: "We cannot stay here any longer. We must continue our search for the elixir first thing tomorrow morning."
Everyone nodded in agreement, knowing that time was of the essence and the task was arduous.
Xu Yuehuai took out a luminous bead, which immediately illuminated the cave. She then took out some dry rations and distributed them to everyone.
"Eat something to replenish your energy," Xu Yuehuai said.
The group accepted the rations and chewed silently. The cave was quiet except for the sounds of chewing and soft breathing. They all knew that the journey ahead would be even more difficult.
"Brother Xia, how are your injuries?" Yan Qing asked with concern.
Xia Sen gritted his teeth: "It's nothing, it just hurts a little."
Xu Yuehuai felt guilty looking at his wound, so she quickly took out some wound medicine from her bag and bandaged Xia Sen's wound.
"Thank you, sister!" Xia Sen said.
"This is all I should do. You got hurt because of me."
Xu Yuehuai lowered her eyes, concealing a hint of tears.
"We must find a way to obtain the elixir now," a guard said. "We must hurry back to save the little princess, or she will be in danger."
“I know a place where there might be miraculous herbs,” Xu Yuehuai said. “There’s a mountain not far from here, and legend has it that rare miraculous herbs grow there. But the journey is treacherous, and I don’t know if we can get there.”
“As long as there is a glimmer of hope, we must try,” Xia Sen said. “We can’t let our previous efforts go to waste.”
After some discussion, the group decided to head to the mountain early the next morning to search for the medicinal herb. They positioned the injured guards in the middle, while the uninjured guards protected them on the outer perimeter.
With everything prepared, everyone found a corner to rest. The cave fell silent again, with only the faint glow of the luminous pearl.
The next morning, sunlight streamed into the cave through the entrance. Everyone woke up early and prepared to set off for the mountain peak.
In a dense forest, Xia Sen, Xu Yuehuai, and Yan Qing, along with a group of guards, were making their arduous journey. Their goal was clear—to cross the mountains and bring back the life-saving medicine for the little princess.
They knew that the journey would be full of hardships and unknown dangers, but they did not back down.
Xia Sen's injuries had not yet fully healed, but there was no sign of retreat in his resolute eyes. His face was pale, and his forehead was covered in sweat, but his steps remained firm.
Xu Yuehuai and Yan Qing supported him on either side, exchanging worried glances from time to time.
"Ah Sen, are you alright?" Xu Yuehuai asked with concern.
"I'm fine." Xia Sen gritted his teeth, trying his best not to show the pain on his face. "It's just that the wound still hurts a little."
"Don't push yourself too hard," Yan Qing said, frowning. "If it really doesn't work, let's rest here for a bit."
"No need," Xia Sen gently pushed them away. "Time waits for no one, let's hurry on our way."
The others sensed the tense atmosphere and quickened their pace. The guards vigilantly surveyed their surroundings, their weapons gripped tightly. This mountain range was fraught with unknown dangers, but they were prepared to face anything.
As they ventured deeper into the mountains, the trees grew denser, and the path beneath their feet became increasingly difficult to discern.
Every now and then, a few wild animals would dart out from the bushes, but they were all dealt with quickly.
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