"Perfect! I've run out of Fig Snake Fruits again, so I can take the opportunity to gather some more. But I wonder if this plant still grows on the prairie..."
Leilin thought to himself, gradually moving away from the caravan.
"Chip! Pull up my current physical data!"
"Ding! Leilin Farell - Strength: 1.6, Agility: 1.7, Constitution: 1.5. Condition: Healthy."
The Chip's feedback came through.
"The increases are small, only about 0.1 each!" Leilin frowned. "Ever since everyone started resting inside the carriages, I haven't been able to find a suitable place to practice the Breathing Technique. Moreover, the effects of various potions are also weakening. According to my calculations, the optimized Cross Sword accompanying Breathing Technique can only raise my physical stats to around 1.9 at most. Any further increase requires awakening the Life Energy within my body, which can only happen after becoming a Knight..."
Keeping a distant eye on the girls from the Golden Flower Alliance, Leilin continued scanning the ground for usable plant materials.
After a long while, he finally raised his head in resignation.
"As expected! The living environment is different; Fig Snake Fruits can't survive on the prairie. I can't even find a substitute!"
"Hey! Leilin! Time to get back in the carriage!" George's loud voice called out.
"Got it!" Loitering alone in the distance was not only conspicuous but also dangerous. Seeing this, Leilin had no choice but to abandon his plan for the day and headed back toward the carriage.
"Warning!!! Warning!!! Dangerous creatures approaching!!!" Just then, the Chip's voice sounded, and red warning text flashed into Leilin's vision, very eye-catching.
"Quick! Pull up the visuals!"
Leilin's expression remained unchanged, but his pace quickened, nearly reaching his body's physical limit. His right hand gripped the hilt of his Cross Sword tightly.
In the virtual display before his eyes, a cluster of red dots was shown, already near the caravan, encircling it like a closing pocket.
"Ding! Based on database comparison, the dangerous creatures have a 97.8% similarity to Scavenging Wolves!"
"Scavenging Wolves!" Leilin's eyes narrowed as he recalled previously gathered data: "Scavenging Wolf: A species of prairie wolf, vicious in temperament, usually hunting in packs. Estimated Strength: 2-3, Agility: 3-4, Constitution: 3-4."
"This level of strength is absolutely not something I, as a Preliminary Knight, can resist!"
Leilin sped up even more, rushing to George's side and whispering, "We're in trouble!"
George glanced around at the others. Seeing the apprentices still doing their own thing, he lifted his water flask to cover his mouth. "What's the situation?"
"A Scavenging Wolf pack! I spotted traces of a Scavenging Wolf pack!" Leilin spoke urgently and quickly.
"Understood!" George took several large gulps of water, then made a few simple hand signals.
The nearby youths chosen for the guard detail froze for a moment, but they remembered the pre-arranged signals and sprang into action, gently pulling the bewildered girls back. They whispered in their ears as they moved, the entire process conducted in silence. Other apprentices noticed something was wrong and began to retreat, while others remained oblivious.
When facing danger, sometimes all you need is to run faster than your companions!
"Let's move!" Seeing that most of their alliance members had already withdrawn, George hurriedly followed with Leilin.
"I didn't know you had a knack for scouting, Leilin!" George said in a low voice. After spending so much time with Leilin, he knew him well enough to trust that he wouldn't lie.
Although the Golden Flower Alliance apprentices retreated quietly and without drawing attention, a few perceptive apprentices from other groups noticed and began to sneak away as well.
Clang! Clang!
The harsh sound of a gong rang out. "The adults have detected danger! Apprentices, return to the carriages immediately!"
The voice of the black-robed Wizard boomed like thunder in every apprentice's ear.
The apprentices resting on the grassy ground fell silent for a moment, then scattered like a startled flock, sprinting back toward the caravan.
"No need to hide it anymore! Run!!!" George bellowed, drawing the long sword from his waist.
The Golden Flower Alliance apprentices, now alerted, had already run a good distance. The first few were even climbing into the carriages.
"Awoooo!!!"
Just then, a long, desolate, bloodthirsty wolf howl echoed through the air.
Wolf howls rose and fell. Since their prey had discovered the ambush, they immediately launched their attack!!!
Dark wolf shadows, bodies two or three meters long, charged rapidly toward the apprentices, leaving trails of black afterimages.
"Scavenging Wolf pack!" an apprentice at the rear screamed in despair.
Then, a black shadow pounced on him. The immense impact knocked the girl to the ground instantly. Next, a wolf's muzzle full of sharp teeth bit down mercilessly, severing the throat of the despairing girl completely.
The fleeing apprentices were startled by the screams, glanced back, and then screams erupted continuously as they ran even faster.
A girl with tears streaking down her face ran, shouting, "Mommy! Mommy! I want Mommy..."