Chapter 83: Storm

Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Storm

Bai Qianluo’s expression was exceptionally faint, like the timeless moonlight. Deep within his eyes seemed to lie ancient glaciers, cold and completely undisturbed. His skin had the texture of cold jade under the moon, as if steeped year-round in the snow of mountain peaks, making it appear even colder and whiter. An invisible halo seemed to surround him, isolating him from the mundane world.

A faint blue glow lingered around his body, causing his plain white clothes to flutter without any wind, exuding an ethereal and otherworldly aura. At this moment, a trace of cold sandalwood scent even emanated from him. He didn’t seem like a mortal beast, but rather a Beast God.

Looking at Bai Qianluo like this, Qiao Suluo was momentarily stunned. She felt as if he were about to ascend into immortality, separated from everyone else by thousands of mountains and rivers of mystery and detachment.

Qiao Suluo’s heart clenched. She wanted to ask him something else but didn’t know how to start. She wondered if he had become cold and ruthless after recovering his White Whale Power.

Right then, Bai Qianluo heard Qiao Suluo’s voice and turned to look at her. As his gaze fell upon her, his cold and indifferent expression instantly became as gentle as water. A tender, affectionate light filled his eyes. Reaching out, he pulled Qiao Suluo into his arms, buried his face in the crook of her neck, took a deep breath, and said hoarsely, "I don’t feel uncomfortable anywhere.

"Thank you, wife. My White Whale Blood Power has recovered. As long as I cultivate my clan’s Secret Technique, I can regain my former abilities.

"I couldn’t even believe that there would come a day when I could recover."

Although he knew his wife harbored secrets and possessed extraordinary abilities that had cured his eye disease, he had never imagined that his stripped Talent Power could be restored. It was as if the Blood Power in his meridians had been completely repaired. His body no longer felt the pain it used to. Previously, being stripped of his White Whale Talent Blood Power had left him with severe aftereffects; his bones and meridians would ache periodically, making it impossible to rest well at night. Because of this, his body had been growing increasingly weak. Now, Bai Qianluo held Qiao Suluo so tightly that he wished he could press her directly into his body.

"I told you that you would definitely recover," Qiao Suluo said. "You’ll even awaken greater abilities."

In the past, Bai Qianluo would have thought his wife was merely encouraging him, but now, he believed her every word.

Suddenly, a loud BOOM echoed, and their cave trembled. Dirt began falling from the ceiling.

"What’s going on?"

Both Bai Qianluo and Qiao Suluo’s expressions turned grave. The two quickly hurried out toward the cave entrance.

Chu Moyuan’s voice sounded incredibly solemn. "Mud is sliding down the mountain, and the water is spreading. The cave is no longer safe; we need to leave immediately." He added, "I’ll transform into my true form and carry you across the water."

Qiao Suluo looked outside the cave and saw the torrential rain. The outside was completely flooded with river water. The water level was about to reach their cave, entirely submerging the vegetation and trees that had originally lined the banks.

Qiao Suluo’s face paled, her gaze sinking. "How did the water spread so fast?"

Bai Qianluo focused his gaze and said, "It’s said that this forest is mysterious and unpredictable, with bizarre weather changes. Many people who enter can never leave. There are also many unknown Secret Realms. While there are opportunities, they are accompanied by immense danger. That is why it’s called the Ancient Secret Forest.

"The water below is too dangerous, and mud and rocks are constantly falling from above. Now that I’ve recovered my White Whale Power, I am adept in the water. Get on my back."

Saying this, Bai Qianluo directly transformed into a White Whale, urging Chu Moyuan and Qiao Suluo to climb aboard. They didn’t dare delay and quickly climbed up, but the White Whale was massive, and Qiao Suluo couldn’t climb up at all. Seeing rocks falling, Chu Moyuan blocked them for her, transformed into a snake, and used his tail to sweep her directly onto the White Whale’s back.

Looking at Chu Moyuan’s enormous serpentine body, Qiao Suluo couldn’t help but shiver.

Chu Moyuan flicked his forked tongue at her. "If I wanted to kill you, would you have lived until now? What are you shaking for?"

"I... I couldn’t help it," she stuttered. "Can you let me go first? I can sit by myself."

Chu Moyuan set her down.

After they were settled, Bai Qianluo leaped into the river with them. The current was extremely rapid. As they swam downstream, a river wave crashed directly into them. Qiao Suluo nearly lost her grip and almost slipped off Bai Qianluo’s back. With a hook of his tail, Chu Moyuan wrapped around Qiao Suluo’s body and pulled her back up.

Qiao Suluo lay on the White Whale’s back, coughing a few times. "Chu Moyuan, thank you."

The torrential rain was still pouring down, making it hard for her to see anything as the water pelted her. Bai Qianluo’s true White Whale form was too smooth and pale, offering no handholds.

Chu Moyuan looked at her with disgust. "At least you know how to say thanks. You’re just too clumsy."

Bai Qianluo navigated through the rushing river water. Suddenly, his expression changed. "There are Water Beasts in the river. Be careful."

"Don’t worry," Chu Moyuan replied. "I’m watching this clumsy female."

Just then, Qiao Suluo wiped the rainwater from her face, catching sight of two giant crocodiles swimming toward them from behind. Growing up, she had never seen a real crocodile; she had only ever seen them on TV. But seeing them with her own eyes, she realized how shocking they truly were. Moreover, the two crocodiles before her were incredibly massive and terrifying.

Forgetting her fear of snakes, she tightly hugged Chu Moyuan’s serpentine body. "Crocodiles!"

"I see them. Hold on and don’t fall off," Chu Moyuan said.

Qiao Suluo nodded vigorously. "I know." Even if Chu Moyuan told her to let go now, she wouldn’t.

Watching the crocodiles surface and reveal their bloodthirsty jaws, ready to bite the White Whale, Chu Moyuan’s figure grew immense. He swept his tail directly at them. At the same time, Bai Qianluo yelled, "Hold on tight!"

He leaped out of the river, propelling them forward rapidly and leaving the two crocodiles far behind.

However, the sound of croaking soon echoed ahead. Peering through the rain and mist, Qiao Suluo saw giant frogs—several times larger than the ones she had seen in her modern era. They opened their mouths, ready to strike.

Chu Moyuan threw the hidden weapons in his hand, shooting them directly at the frogs. Although they seemed smart enough to dodge, Chu Moyuan’s aim was devastatingly precise, and he ultimately shot the two frogs dead.

Not only that, but the aquatic plants in the water were also growing rapidly, sending out vines to entangle Bai Qianluo and the group. Seeing the vines curling toward them, Chu Moyuan sliced them off with a single sword strike.

Goosebumps rose all over Qiao Suluo’s skin. "Why are the frogs so big? And why do these aquatic plants seem conscious, capable of attacking us?"

Chu Moyuan looked grave. "These are Mutant Beasts and mutated plants, which is why they differ from normal beasts and plants."

Qiao Suluo instantly recalled the dark aura the System had mentioned. She hurriedly asked, "System, have these mutated plants and Mutant Beasts been invaded by pollution?"

The System explained, "Yes, they mutated after being invaded by the dark aura pollution. Their size and appearance are different from ordinary beasts, and they will attack automatically. Be careful, Host. I just scanned the area, and there are quite a few mutated plants and Mutant Beasts in this river."

Qiao Suluo’s face turned pale. "How could this be? Can we get out safely?"

"They are related to this rainstorm, emerging from the river," the System replied. "As long as the rain stops and you swim out of here, you will be fine."

But just as the System finished speaking, Qiao Suluo felt a wave of dizziness. Suddenly, a massive whirlpool appeared on the surface of the river around them. An immense underwater suction grabbed them, dragging them deep down into its center.