The team now faced a critical shortage of medical supplies. After the fierce battle at Mã Pí Lèng and the loss of Lài, finding a new source of supplies became more urgent than ever. Nam suggested a place where hemostatic herbs grew around a majestic and grand waterfall near Cao Bằng. The group decided to head toward Bản Giốc Waterfall, a place Nam and Lài had passed through and seen during their previous journey. There, they hoped to find a rare herb with powerful blood-stopping capabilities, their only hope for survival.
Bản Giốc Waterfall: A Wild Beauty in the Flow of Time
Bản Giốc Waterfall, once a majestic and splendid landmark on the Vietnamese-Chinese border, now bore a wild, secluded beauty, like a time-worn ink wash painting. While it no longer had a massive cascade, Bản Giốc still held its own unique allure, a haunting and tranquil beauty.
Instead of colossal torrents of water, Bản Giốc now appeared as a gentle cascade, a white flow trickling down the weathered layers of limestone. The randomly stacked rock formations, hidden within the deep green old-growth forest, created a mysterious natural maze. The water meandered through every crack, forming soft, white ribbons that twisted like a goddess's hair in the silent space. The sound of the water was no longer a roar but a gentle whisper, as if the waterfall itself were recounting its own story of life's ups and downs.
Around the waterfall, the vegetation retained the pristine look of an ancient forest. Towering old trees, covered in moss, reached up to catch the faint light peeking through the canopy. At the foot of the falls, river stones, worn smooth by the flow, lay still and flat, covered in a lush green layer of moss. The air here was fresh and cool, carrying the moisture of the water and the scent of earth and forest plants, creating a sense of peace and tranquility.
Although the majestic beauty of the past had given way to decay and gloom, Bản Giốc Waterfall still held its special charm. It was the beauty of constancy against the flow of time, a beauty of resilience and quiet strength. Every view at Bản Giốc now held its own story, its own sorrow, leaving visitors with a sense of contemplation and reflection on the impermanence of all things.
As they drew closer to the waterfall, the System appeared:
Ting!
[Warning: Traces of high-level Unknowns. Abnormal water pressure fluctuations.]
The group paused their journey to search. Their healing potions were dwindling. They needed to resupply if they wanted to venture deeper into the central region, where even greater dangers awaited.
Ái Hoa—who always observed her surroundings with her characteristic keenness—suddenly spotted a bush with soft, dark green leaves and flowers that resembled wild daisies. She knelt down, plucked a leaf, and crushed it, her fingers turning inky black.
"This… is very similar to the medicinal plant Lài used before. I'm sure this is the herb," she said, her voice filled with certainty and a hint of joy.
However, as soon as she mentioned Lài, the smile on her face disappeared. She realized she had just touched on Nam's grief, as he was still immersed in his loss. Hoa looked down, her eyes momentarily sad.
Nam was silent for a moment, his gaze distant, and then he slowly nodded, his face still stoic:
"You're right. It's Eclipta prostrata, also known as 'Ink Grass.' If we can process it correctly, we can use it for temporary hemostasis," he said, his voice sounding a little more at peace upon hearing the familiar name.
They quickly began to harvest. Each stem of Ink Grass was carefully placed in their bags, carrying with it a sense of hope. But as they harvested the third plant, a large area of water at the base of the waterfall suddenly turned a murky green, and gigantic air bubbles began to rise to the surface. The System immediately displayed a notification:
Ting!
[Danger Detected]
[Water-type Unknown – Mutated Emerald Serpent Level 7]
[Skills: Toxin, Hydraulic Pressure Spray, Constriction]
A creature more than 30 meters long, resembling a snake, with scales that glistened like emeralds in the dim light of the waterfall, moved in undulating waves across the water. It let out a terrifying shriek, its colossal head rising high before its mouth opened, unleashing a barrage of high-pressure water jets that shot out like bullets from a Gatling gun toward the group.
"Look out!!!" Nam immediately yelled, using his large stone shield to block. He withstood the first burst of pressurized water but was pushed back nearly half a step, his feet digging deep into the damp ground.
A large rock next to Nam exploded into fragments, leaving countless deep holes, as if it had been drilled by hundreds of water blades.
Nghĩa didn't hesitate. He took advantage of the moment, circled to the right, and looked for a way to strike the flexible joints where the Unknown's scales weren't tightly sealed. He moved as fast as the wind, dodging the other water jets closing in on them.
Suddenly—the gigantic creature coiled its body incredibly fast, and in just three short seconds, it had Nghĩa in a tight grip. His breath caught in his throat, and his chest felt like it would burst under the terrifying pressure.
"CRACK!"
Nam charged from the side, ramming his shield deep into the constricting coil. The monster shrieked, released Nghĩa, and slithered back, its body rippling like a ribbon. The water surface shot up in powerful waves.
Nghĩa gritted his teeth, pulling a final healing potion from his belt, and drank it quickly in that life-or-death moment.
"When it opens its jaws to use its Skill! The Core is exposed on its underbelly near its neck!" Nghĩa yelled, gasping for breath.
Nam launched a diversionary attack, luring the creature to turn its head.
Nghĩa moved to cut the angle, getting into position. As the serpent tensed and opened its mouth wide, preparing to unleash a water jet at Nam.
"Go back to hell!!!" Nghĩa screamed, activating his [Accelerated Reflexes] skill. He used all his strength to lunge forward, jumping up and stabbing straight from below—hitting the Core right in the center of the unknown's chest.
"CRACK!"
The creature's Core shattered, and then its flesh broke into pieces, melting into the water until only a white skeleton remained, stretching across the base of the waterfall.
Ting!
[Unknown: Mutated Emerald Serpent has been eliminated]
[Nghĩa > Level 9]
[Unlocked Passive Skill: Survival Focus – increases dodge ability and reduces damage when HP is below 20%]
[Nam > Level 7]
Loot:
* 6 medium healing potions
* 3 mana potions
* Water-type Skill Upgrade Stone x1
The group retreated into a cave about a kilometer from the waterfall to rest for three days. Nam worked on his physical training and upgraded his shield. Nghĩa remained silent, focusing on his breathing and checking on his left arm, which had been constricted and broken. Ái Hoa sorted the herbs, prepared medicine, and organized each item pack according to everyone's needs.