"If there's a way in, there must be a way out. If we find the way out, can we leave this place?" Elder Jin asked excitedly.
Elder Bai paused, seemingly surprised that Elder Jin intended to leave.
"We people of White Wolf Village have lived here for generations and have no desire to leave," Elder Bai said slowly. "It's just that this child stumbled in here unintentionally and helped us greatly. She wants to leave, so I want to help her. If Elder Jin wishes to lead your people away, you can do so when the path is found. You can also ask her if she is willing to take you with her."
Elder Jin quickly took a gulp of wine to mask his thoughts. "I just feel that the resources here are becoming increasingly scarce. Knowing an exit would also provide us with a fallback."
"That's true," Elder Yuan nodded in agreement. "Unless it's absolutely necessary, I don't want to leave this place. I'm accustomed to living here. Going to a completely unfamiliar place would make me very uncomfortable. Moreover, for an entire village, young and old, to undertake a long migration is no easy feat. However, if you need any assistance, please don't hesitate to ask."
"That child doesn't seem to know the way out either. She fell from the sky into the Ruoshui River. If Huo Lei hadn't been by the riverbank and rescued her, she would have perished there. If there is an exit, might it also be in the Ruoshui River?"
The three elders looked at each other. If the exit was in the Ruoshui River, then there was truly no way out, as they were powerless against the Ruoshui River.
When Xiao Man and Huo Lei entered, they saw the three shamans shaking their heads and sighing, which made them curious.
"Three revered shamans, what has happened? Why do you look so worried?" Huo Lei inquired.
"It's not a major issue," Elder Bai looked at Xiao Man. "Child, come here."
Xiao Man walked forward. "Revered shaman."
"I just asked Elder Jin and Elder Yuan. Elder Jin said the way out might be on the other side of the Ruoshui River, but no one can cross it," Elder Bai said with some reluctance. "Birds do not fly over the Ruoshui River, and nothing floats in its waters. If the exit is truly on the other side, it's as good as having no way out."
"The Ruoshui River?" Xiao Man recalled the moment she fell into it and was rescued. She felt as though she had missed something. "I believe there is always a way out. Since I was able to enter here, there must be a way out. It will just take more time to find it."
"That's right," Elder Bai agreed. "We will all help you search. Don't worry too much. You have been busy these past two days and haven't had proper rest. You've worked hard, so sit down and eat something."
"I'll go check on the injured..."
"Their wounds have all been bandaged, you don't need to worry. Moreover, with your hemostatic pills, none of them suffered severe injuries. They are fine," Elder Bai said gently. "You, on the other hand, should rest, eat something, and get a good night's sleep. Whatever it is, you'll have the energy to think about it after you're full and rested."
"Alright," Xiao Man sat down at the side and ate quietly.
Huo Lei sat beside her. "Don't worry, we'll find a way."
Xiao Man paused her eating. "Huo Lei, when I fell into the Ruoshui River, how did you save me?"
"I wrapped a chain around your body and pulled you out," Huo Lei said while eating. "Fortunately, I was nearby at the time. If I had been a bit further away, I might not have been able to save you."
"You pulled me out from the bank?"
"Yes," Huo Lei looked at Xiao Man. "Why?"
"Nothing," Xiao Man said with a smile, wondering if she had remembered incorrectly. Why did she think Huo Lei had gone into the water? Nothing floated in the Ruoshui River, and Huo Lei was human; how could he have gone into the river to save her?
Seeing that Xiao Man no longer pressed the issue, a hint of an unreadable glint flashed in Huo Lei's eyes. He silently downed a large bowl of wine, concealing the secret in his heart. Although his time with Xiao Man was short, he hoped she would stay, remain in this village.
News of the alliance between White Wolf Village, Golden Eagle Village, and Long Ape Village spread, attracting many villagers to investigate. In particular, the entire populations of Golden Eagle Village and Long Ape Village moved into White Wolf Village. This made people from other villages even more curious, wondering what White Wolf Village had done to make these two villages willingly relocate.
"It seems these three villages have united into one," a scout said with a troubled expression. The Great Shaman's greatest fear had come to pass; these three villages were not merely cooperating temporarily but had chosen to unite as one village.
"They are quite bold, holding a celebration banquet at this time. Aren't they afraid of being wiped out in one go?"
"Wiped out? Can you do it?" another person scoffed, then drew his bow and shot an arrow towards White Wolf Village. The arrow hit an invisible barrier and bounced back. The archer quickly dodged to avoid being injured by his own arrow.
"What is that?"
"It's a barrier," the other person replied. "A barrier that reflects attacks."
"When did White Wolf Village acquire such a formidable individual?"
"I don't know. It must be someone who recently joined White Wolf Village. Otherwise, why would White Wolf Village have been bullied so terribly by Yanhu Village in the past?" The person put away his bow and arrow. "Let's go back and report. White Wolf Village is no simple place now. With a powerful figure stationed there, it's possible this person instigated White Wolf Village's decision to ally with the other two villages to attack Yanhu Village."
"We're just going back like this?"
"Go back? Do you expect to go to White Wolf Village for a bowl of wine?" the other scout retorted sarcastically. "I fear you'll lose your life before you get any wine."
"With the Great Shaman's fiery temper, we'll be punished if we don't bring back useful information," the person's face showed a flicker of fear. "We should gather more information before returning. If we can identify the expert in White Wolf Village, perhaps we won't be punished."
"How do we investigate? This barrier has blocked us all. They've obtained a lot of food and medicine from Yanhu Village and won't need to hunt for a while. Are we supposed to guard outside indefinitely?"
"Isn't Milu Village always on good terms with them? Why not go to Milu Village to gather some news?"
"Milu Village..." The scout frowned. "Milu Village is on good terms with them, so why didn't they participate in this attack?"
"Could it be that Milu Village is too weak and was abandoned by them?"
The two exchanged glances. This answer seemed quite plausible. "In that case, we might get some information by going to Milu Village, and perhaps even an unexpected gain."
"An unexpected gain?"
"Doesn't the Great Shaman want to unite with other villages? A weak village like Milu Village, if they can establish a relationship with our Black Panther Village, they will likely tell us all the information they know."