The soft patter of rain fell through the leaves, transforming into a misty veil that clung to the dense layers of green. The scent of damp earth mingled with the fragrance of plants, permeating the humid air.
A woman moved swiftly through the jungle, her every step exuding a natural, icy elegance, as if she were the most unique presence in this rainforest. Despite being in the wilderness, she seemed distinctly out of place amidst the surrounding scenery.
Lin Ningshuang was tall and slender, her skin as fair as polished jade, her features so finely crafted they seemed sculpted to perfection. Her deep, lake-like eyes shimmered with resilience and calmness, while her brows carried an air of detachment and nobility. Her lips were thin but curved into a faint smile, exuding an indescribable coolness. Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, tied simply into a low ponytail, with a few strands dancing in the wind.
Her attire was practical and understated—a dark gray bodysuit that allowed for ease of movement while perfectly accentuating her slender yet sturdy frame. The outfit bore no unnecessary embellishments, simple yet elegant. Over it, she wore a knee-length cloak, lightweight enough to shield her from the rain and conceal her figure, making her even harder to detect in the lush rainforest. Around her wrist was a faded crimson cloth band, its worn appearance hinting at some past story or experience.
Lin Ningshuang glanced down at the pouch in front of her, ensuring the freshly gathered herbs and other items inside hadn't gotten damp, then continued deeper into the forest. Her steps were light and soundless, each one carefully avoiding the lurking snakes and thorns.
Suddenly, the leaves ahead rustled, and a low, labored breath—foreign to the rainforest—reached her ears. It sounded like someone was injured.
Her hand instinctively gripped the dagger at her waist as she slowly stepped back, her gaze scanning the area ahead with calm precision. Just then, a weary yet alert figure emerged from the misty rain.
The man wore a simple dark long-sleeved shirt and durable pants, topped with a lightweight waterproof jacket. Despite this, his clothes were soaked through, and a tear in his left sleeve revealed a faint trace of blood. Yet, his attire remained neat, exuding a low-key, understated handsomeness.
His features were striking, with sharp, well-defined contours. His expression was mostly neutral, but his calm demeanor commanded attention. He was tall, with a well-proportioned, muscular build that moved with a natural, graceful strength. His eyes were like a sheathed sword—calm and steady, yet radiating an undeniable power even in his injured state.
When he saw her, his gaze paused briefly before he spoke in a low, hoarse voice, "Are you here exploring?"
Lin Ningshuang didn't answer, merely narrowing her eyes as she assessed him.
After a long silence, he shook his head slightly and spoke again, "You're here for the Moyu Tree too."
Her expression remained unchanged, her eyes as calm as still water. She silently tightened her grip on the dagger, saying nothing. *Anyone who comes to a place like this alone is no ordinary person. Best to avoid entanglement. Besides, what he said just now…*
The man's soft chuckle interrupted her thoughts. "I think you'd better look down at your feet."
Lin Ningshuang glanced down. A triangular-headed viper was coiled at her feet, its tongue flicking, its eyes glinting coldly.
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
In the next second, the man's wrist flicked, and a silver flash cut through the rain, striking the snake's vitals with a sharp whistle. The viper writhed and twitched before going still.
Lin Ningshuang looked up at the man, who still held his throwing stance.
"Thanks," she finally said, her voice cool as she bent to examine the dead snake. "A red-tailed bamboo viper. Its venom isn't lethal, but it paralyzes the nerves, rendering its prey immobile." Her dagger flicked across the snake's body, ensuring it was truly dead. She muttered something under her breath, but the rain drowned out her words, leaving only fragments like, "...not yet..."
The man raised an eyebrow, seemingly amused by her composure.
"Our destination is likely the same," he said. "If you don't mind, shall we go together?"
Lin Ningshuang glanced at him, rainwater dripping from her lashes onto her collar. She didn't respond, simply stood and continued walking deeper into the forest.
The man chuckled softly, retrieved his hunting knife from the snake, and followed her.
中文版
淅淅沥沥的雨声落在枝叶间,透过层层叠叠的绿意,化作湿润的雾气.泥土的气息混着植物的清香,弥漫在潮湿的空气里.
一名女子正在快速地穿梭于丛林中,她的每一步都散发出一种自然的冷冽气质,如同这片雨林中最为独特的存在,虽然身处于这片荒野之中,却依然显得与周围的景色格外不符.
蔺凝霜身形高挑,皮肤如凝脂般白皙,五官精致得仿佛雕刻般完美.她的眼睛深邃如湖水,黑眸中闪烁着坚韧与冷静,眉宇间带着几分疏离和高贵.她的嘴唇微薄,却弯成一个淡淡的弧度,透出一股难以言喻的清冷气质.她的黑发如瀑布般倾泻而下,简单地束成一个低马尾,几缕发丝随风轻扬.
她的衣着简洁而实用,一身深灰色的紧身衣,便于行动的同时,也能完美勾勒出她纤细而结实的身形.衣服上没有任何多余的装饰,简单却不失利落与优雅.外面罩着一件及膝的轻便斗篷,能在必要时遮挡风雨,也能隐藏身形,使她在这片郁郁葱葱的雨林中更难被发现.她的手腕上缠着一条暗红色的布带,带着些许褪色的痕迹,似乎记录着她经历过的某种时光与故事.
蔺凝霜低头检查了一下身前的包裹,确认刚采的草药和里面的物品没有受潮,随后继续向密林深处走去.她的步伐轻盈无声,每一步都精准地避开了潜伏的毒蛇和荆棘.
突然,前方的树叶一阵晃动,某种不属于雨林的低沉喘息声传来——像是有人受伤了.
她的手下意识地握住腰间的匕首,脚慢慢的往后移动,目光冷静地扫过前方.就在这时,一道疲惫却仍然带着警觉的身影,从雨雾中缓缓浮现.
男子穿着简单的深色长袖衣衫和耐磨的裤子,外面搭配着一件轻便的防水外套,尽管如此男人的衣衫依旧被雨水浸透,左肩的衣袖破裂,隐约透出一道血痕.但他的衣着整洁,透露出一种低调而不张扬的帅气.
他的外貌俊朗,五官立体深邃,脸上没有过多的表情,但那种沉静的气质让人感到不可忽视.他身材高挑,肌肉线条匀称,走路时自然流露出一种优雅的力量感.他的神情冷静而沉稳,眼神像是一把藏锋的剑,即便受伤也透着一股不容忽视的力量.
他看见她的瞬间,目光微微一顿,随即低哑开口:"你是来探险的?"
蔺凝霜没有回答,只是微微眯眼打量着他.
沉默了许久他轻轻摇摇头再次开口:"你也是来找墨虞树的."
蔺凝霜眼神没有变化,依旧平静如水,只是默默的握紧了手中的匕首没有说话.'能一个人来这种地方的都不简单,要尽量避免有交集.况且他那句话的意思…..'
男人微微一笑开口打断了她的思绪:"我觉得比起盯着我...你最好先看看你脚边."
蔺凝霜低头,一条三角头的毒蛇正盘踞在她脚边,蛇信吞吐,泛着幽冷的光.
空气瞬间凝滞了一瞬.
下一秒,男人的手腕一翻,一道银光破开雨雾,带着凌厉的破风声直刺蛇的七寸.毒蛇翻滚着抽搐,片刻后失去生机.
蔺凝霜抬眼,望向那个仍保持出手姿势的男人.
"多谢."她终于出声,冷淡地道谢,弯腰查看蛇尸,随即淡声道:"赤尾竹叶青,毒性不强,但会麻痹神经,让猎物失去行动力." 手中匕首划过蛇身,确认蛇不会再动弹.垂眸嘟囔了一句什么,却被雨声盖过只听见"…还没到…"
男人挑了挑眉,似乎对她的冷静感到有趣.
"我们的目的地应该一样."他说,"不介意的话,一起走?"
蔺凝霜看了他一眼,雨水从她的睫毛滑落,落入衣襟.她没说话,只是默默起身,继续朝密林深处走去.
男人轻笑了一声,拔起蛇身上的猎刀提步跟上.