Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 602 I am a Rabbit-Eared Clan 20

The heavy gates of Dragon City slowly closed behind Yun Chu and You, emitting a dull "boom," like a giant beast closing its mouth.

The last vestiges of the city's hustle and bustle, the stench of sweat, and the mingled metallic smell were left behind.

The wind that swept over us carried the dusty scent of the wilderness; it was somewhat biting, yet exceptionally refreshing.

He let out a long, almost silent breath, and the heavy look that had been hanging over his brow finally dissipated a little.

He turned his head, his icy blue vertical pupils looking at Yun Chu, who was nestled close to him. The little guy's face was still buried in the tattered hood, but his tense shoulders had visibly relaxed.

It's safe now... for the time being.

He pressed the leather bag containing the precious salt blocks deeper into his chest, making sure it wouldn't be lost during the bumpy ride. It was his guarantee for living in the forest for the next month, or even longer.

The setting sun melted into gold, dyeing the distant horizon a magnificent crimson.

The massive rocky ridges, like slumbering ancient beasts, cast ever-growing, darker shadows.

The landscape transitions from the rugged lava plateau near Dragon City to more undulating gravel hills and sparse shrub wasteland.

Further away, the outline of a black line undulates across the horizon—that is their destination, the ancient forest that will take twenty days to reach.

"Let's go." You's voice was low, carrying a sense of peace that came after everything had settled.

He began to walk, his massive body casting a long shadow across the desolate wasteland at dusk.

His steps remained steady, but he had shed the intimidating aura he had deliberately projected in Dragon City, returning to the unique, fluid, and powerful rhythm of the mountains and forests.

Yun Chu nodded and jogged to catch up with his long shadow on the ground, as if this gave her a sense of security.

Her little ears still twitched slightly as usual, carefully discerning the sounds of the wilderness:

The rustling of the wind through the withered grass, the distant rustling of an unknown small animal, the first low cry of an owl from a distant cliff...

All of this was far more reassuring than the noisy shouts and whipping sounds in Dragon City.

The memory of the two guards' drunken discussion about the "goddess" flashed through her mind, and a trace of worry crept into her heart.

What happened to that "goddess"?

But soon, the shadow of her broad back dispelled this trouble that didn't belong to her.

Thinking about these things is useless; the most important thing is to safely leave the area of ​​influence of Dragon City.

The journey proceeded silently.

Until the sky was completely dark, the stars were like shattered diamonds scattered on a deep blue velvet cloth.

Instead of stopping near the main path, they chose to camp under a huge, sheltered rock face.

The ground here is relatively dry and flat, and the rock walls can protect against the cold winds at night.

You skillfully built a simple fire pit with several large stones, but did not light a fire immediately.

He gestured for Yun Chu to wait quietly, then, like a boulder blending into the night, remained motionless, sensing his surroundings for a while to make sure no suspicious presences were approaching. Only then did he carefully light a fire with the flint and tinder he carried with him.

The leaping orange flames dispelled the chill and illuminated their small, safe area.

In the firelight, You's facial features appeared even more profound and resolute. He took out two firm, oily pieces of jerky and ate them.

Yun Chu took out some fruit from her spatial storage and slowly ate it.

They ate their dried meat in silence, illuminated by the flickering firelight.

Yun Chu hugged her knees and silently put the small handful of sour wild berries, which she had traded for a few strange hard-shelled seeds (which the old ape-beastman said were edible) at the market that day, into her mouth one by one.

The sour taste made her little face scrunch up, but it also brought a touch of fresh, sweet juice.

Above us was a clear, vast starry sky, unseen in the Dragon City area.

The small campfire flickered, warding off the darkness and the chill of the wilderness. The fire crackled, and the distant hooting of owls echoed through the air.

After a long day, the body slowly relaxes under the comfort of warmth and food.

Tomorrow, when the sun rises, they will continue their journey back to the forest.

Although there are dangers associated with the jungle there, it will be their future home. There are no towering stone cities, no scorching gazes, and no cold dragon-beastmen guarding them.

There, they have their own freedom and sky.

The ancient forest was as dark as ink, and its layered canopy filtered most of the sunlight into tiny golden spots.

The air is a mixture of moist earth, decaying leaves, and the fresh scent of grass and trees, filled with the rich aroma unique to a vast life force.

The ground here is no longer the gravel of the wasteland, but is covered with a thick layer of soft humus, and every step you take has a slight elasticity.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, You's footsteps finally stopped in front of a mountain wall covered by huge plank-like tree roots and dense vines.

His icy blue vertical pupils sharply scanned the natural barrier. He stretched out his thick forearm and gently parted the tough vines, which were as thick as an arm, revealing a dark opening that was barely wide enough for one person to pass through.

“We’ve arrived.” His voice was particularly deep and powerful in the silent forest, carrying a sense of relief as if he were returning home.

The cave entrance exuded a cold, damp, earthy smell, clearly indicating that it had been abandoned for a long time.

You did not rush in, but gestured for Yun Chu to step back a little. Then, she carefully bent down and probed into the cave entrance, her whole body tense, like a boulder thrown into a deep pool.

A deep silence enveloped the cave for a moment, then a few extremely brief and muffled impact sounds came from the depths of the cave, accompanied by faint, suppressed howls of wild beasts, before quickly disappearing.

Soon, You's figure emerged from the cave entrance, his body covered in a little dust and a few withered leaves.

"It's safe inside. Two little ones just took over the nest." He gave a simple explanation, his tone as light as brushing away a fallen leaf.

Yun Chu then carefully followed and crawled inside.

The cave was more spacious than she had imagined. It was like a hollow formed by the natural weathering of the mountain rocks. The entrance was narrow, but the space became larger as she went in. In the end, it was a dry interior room of about ten square meters with a dome that was nearly three meters high at its highest point.

The cave walls were solid rock, with some animal hair and bone fragments in the corners, but overall it was relatively clean and there was no obvious odor, only the air had a musty, stale feel from not being ventilated for a long time.

"This place is great." Yun Chu's voice carried a hint of excitement, and her eyes gleamed in the darkness beneath her hood.

Unlike the towering walls and grand palaces of Dragon City, or the exposed campfires of the wilderness, this place was enveloped by solid earth, secluded and safe, isolated from the gaze and dangers of the outside world. This was the core of the home she longed for.

“The place is big enough.” You nodded, his icy blue vertical pupils sweeping across the entire space, satisfied with its sturdiness and concealment. “You settle in. I’m going out for a walk.” What worried him was the attitude of the new owner of this territory towards potential threats.

Before he finished speaking, You's figure had already disappeared back into the lush greenery outside the cave, leaving no trace except for the slight swaying of the shrub leaves that indicated his whereabouts.

He went to announce the arrival of his master, to warn all the inhabitants of the forest with his power and presence: this area now has an unquestionable guardian.