freenovelworld Chapter 19 Goblins
Chapter 19 Goblins
After collecting the goblin, Xu Xiaoxiao began to search the cave for a path back to the top of the cliff.
"I need to find a way up quickly, otherwise my master will definitely worry."
She slowly made her way along the cave wall, cautiously probing each step. Her injured foot made her limp, but she dared not slacken her pace in the slightest.
She noticed a faint upward flow of air deep within the cave and thought that perhaps there was a passage leading to the top of the cliff.
So she trudged along the direction of the airflow, and when she encountered a steep rock wall, she used her sword to cut into the cracks in the rock to climb up, her hands bleeding from the friction.
After defeating the wolves at the cliff edge, Li Changchun anxiously searched along the cliff face for Xu Xiaoxiao. He called her name repeatedly, "Xiaoxiao, Xiaoxiao, please answer me, Master is coming to find you!"
He used his lightness skill to leap and dart between the cliffs, leaving no possible corner unexplored.
Suddenly, he noticed some new sword marks and footprints on the cliff face. He was overjoyed and concluded that they were left by Xu Xiaoxiao.
He followed the trail to the cave entrance and rushed inside without hesitation.
At this moment, Xu Xiaoxiao was trapped in a narrow passage, with a huge rock blocking her way. She tried to push the rock away, but she was too exhausted to do so.
Just when she was feeling desperate, she heard her master's voice calling out.
She called out loudly, "Master, Master, I'm here!"
Li Changchun followed the sound and found Xu Xiaoxiao trapped. He quickly used his internal energy to help Xu Xiaoxiao push away the boulder, and the master and disciple were finally reunited.
When Li Changchun saw Xu Xiaoxiao trapped, his eyes were filled with tenderness and relief.
He quickly came to Xu Xiaoxiao's side, carefully examined her injuries, and then slowly channeled his inner energy into her body to help her regain some strength.
Then, he untied the rope from his waist, tied one end tightly around Xu Xiaoxiao's waist, and the other end to himself, making sure it was secure.
Li Changchun took a deep breath, used his profound internal strength to perform the "Gecko Climbing Wall Skill," lightly touched the cave wall with his feet, and steadily attached himself with his hands like gecko claws, slowly climbing upwards with Xu Xiaoxiao.
Every time he ascended a certain distance, he would find a foothold to rest and recover his depleted internal energy.
Looking at her master's tired yet resolute face, Xu Xiaoxiao felt a mix of gratitude and guilt.
As the master and apprentice approached the top of the cliff, Xu Xiaoxiao weakly said to Li Changchun, "Master, I have found the goblin."
A look of surprise and excitement flashed in Li Changchun's eyes, and he quickened his climbing speed.
Finally, they successfully reached the top of the cliff.
Li Changchun gently untied the ropes binding Xu Xiaoxiao. Xu Xiaoxiao took out a goblin wrapped tightly in her bosom and handed it to Li Changchun, her face beaming with pride: "Master, this is it. We can save our senior brother now."
Looking at the goblin that Xu Xiaoxiao handed over, Li Changchun's eyes flashed with an undisguised surprise and relief, after all, it meant that the hope of saving his eldest disciple was right in front of him.
However, upon seeing the injuries on Xu Xiaoxiao's body, this joy vanished in an instant, replaced by a face full of anger.
Xu Xiaoxiao saw her master's face suddenly fall and thought something was wrong. "Master, is there something wrong with these medicinal herbs?"
His brows furrowed, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes filled with reproach and heartache, his voice trembling slightly with anger: "Xiaoxiao, do you know how reckless your actions were today? I told you to stay close to me to protect you, but you lured away the wolves alone and jumped off the cliff. What would I do if anything happened to you? These goblins are indeed precious, but what do they matter compared to your safety? You are my disciple too."
As he spoke, his chest heaved violently, and his emotions grew increasingly agitated: "You think you are being brave and taking responsibility, but in reality it is a reckless act that disregards life. Have you forgotten what I have taught you all along? In a predicament, you should deal with it calmly, not blindly take risks. If you accidentally fall off a cliff and die, or are killed by the poisonous snakes and wild beasts in this cave, all your efforts will be in vain. Have you thought about the consequences?"
Xu Xiaoxiao lowered her head, tears welling in her eyes. She knew she had worried her master and dared not utter a word in rebuttal.
Seeing her like this, Li Changchun's anger, though not completely dissipated, gradually subsided.
He sighed helplessly, stepped forward and gently patted Xu Xiaoxiao's shoulder, his tone softening: "Well, it's come to this now. Fortunately, you're safe and sound and you've found the goblin. Let's find a safe place to rest and treat your wounds."
Xu Xiaoxiao nodded silently and followed her master to a sheltered mountain hollow.
Li Changchun took out herbs and clean strips of cloth from his bundle and carefully cleaned and bandaged Xu Xiaoxiao's wounds, while admonishing her not to act so impulsively again in the future.
After resting for a while, the master and apprentice began their journey home.
Along the way, Li Changchun kept a close eye on Xu Xiaoxiao's condition. Xu Xiaoxiao also followed her master closely, feeling deeply remorseful for her rash behavior. She secretly vowed to be more composed in the future and not to worry her master anymore.
Meanwhile, Li Changchun was pondering how to use the goblin to refine pills for his eldest disciple Jingzhi to help him suppress the violent energy within his body. At the same time, he was also planning how to further teach Xu Xiaoxiao, so that she could grow through experience while ensuring his own safety.
The journey home for the master and apprentice went smoothly at first. The snow gradually melted under the sun, and the road became clear. Although Xu Xiaoxiao's foot injury was still painful after simple treatment, she gritted her teeth and persevered, not wanting to burden her master any further.
However, when they reached the mountainside, the weather suddenly changed. Dark clouds quickly gathered, and a strong wind carrying a blizzard howled in.
Visibility dropped sharply, and they could barely see the road ahead.
Li Changchun held Xu Xiaoxiao's hand tightly to prevent them from getting separated in the wind and snow.
"Xiaoxiao, stay close to me, don't panic!" he shouted.
The blizzard was piling up, making every step extremely difficult, and their pace slowed considerably.
Suddenly, a rumbling sound came, and Li Changchun's expression changed. He realized that this was a sign of an avalanche.
"Oh no, Xiaoxiao, run towards the woods over there!" Li Changchun grabbed Xu Xiaoxiao and ran desperately towards the woods on the right.
They trudged through waist-deep snow with great difficulty. Xu Xiaoxiao's strength gradually gave out, but she still did her best with her master's help.
Just as an avalanche was about to sweep in, they finally rushed into the forest.
The large tree blocked most of the snow flow. The master and apprentice took shelter behind a thick tree. Li Changchun protected Xu Xiaoxiao and listened to the roar of the avalanche outside, still feeling lingering fear.
As the roar of the avalanche gradually subsided, the master and apprentice slowly emerged from behind the large tree.
Looking at the exhausted and still-injured Xu Xiaoxiao, Li Changchun felt a pang of heartache.
He took out some dry food from his pocket and handed it to Xu Xiaoxiao: "Xiaoxiao, eat something to replenish your strength. We need to hurry on our way."
Xu Xiaoxiao took the dry food and wolfed it down.
After a short rest, they continued trekking through the woods, trying to bypass the avalanche zone and find a safe route down the mountain.
Although the snow in the woods was not as deep as outside, the roads were rugged, and they had to carefully avoid the tree roots and rocks hidden under the snow.
As she walked, Xu Xiaoxiao keenly sensed a slight movement around her. She stopped alertly and signaled to her master.
Li Changchun also noticed something was wrong. He gripped his sword tightly and shielded Xu Xiaoxiao behind him.
Suddenly, several snow leopards sprang out from the shadows of the woods. Their eyes were fierce as they stared intently at the master and his apprentice, letting out low growls.
Li Changchun whispered to Xu Xiaoxiao, "Xiaoxiao, don't be afraid. We'll handle this carefully and must not act impulsively again."
Xu Xiaoxiao nodded, drew her sword from her waist, and stood shoulder to shoulder with her master, ready to meet the snow leopard's attack.