Chapter 262

Chapter 262: Phantom in the River

The holiday had ended, and Lolan Hill was packing her things, preparing to return to school.

First were some winter clothes, including a white winter dress she once wore, as well as new ones she had sewn herself. Twilight fabric was also placed inside her storage ring.

Then came food; during autumn, a large batch of extraordinary fruits grown in the maple forest had ripened. All of them were stored in her storage ring, along with some seeds.

Finally, there were newly made extraordinary potions: nine bottles of Golden Moon Potion and one hundred bottles of Ice Blossom Potion. She had already taken one dose of the Golden Moon Potion.

“Alright, I don’t think I’ve forgotten anything.”

The young lady walked around the room to check if she had missed anything, then left the house contentedly, ready to set off.

This time, she didn’t plan to take the airship because she knew the direction and location, and flying herself would be faster.

Her emerald butterfly wings spread out as she carried a wooden box, her light brown shoes lightly jumping, and then her figure soared straight into the sky.

Her long hair adorned with a butterfly hairpin fluttered by her ears, while her black velvet skirt flapped rapidly. The small bear plushie in the wooden box swayed back and forth, and the speed of the silver-haired girl increased until she resembled a blue meteor streaking across the azure sky.

Layer upon layer of clouds from the Sighing Mountains fell beneath her, with mountains appearing and disappearing intermittently. Some could only be seen as tiny peaks poking through the clouds. High above, the world was quiet and vast, only the sound of wind whistling past her ears could be heard.

Flying northward, she crossed over layer after layer of mountain ranges, then the massive canyon spanning the Sighing Mountains. By this point, Lolan Hill gradually descended because, as she neared the North, the temperature dropped, and staying at such a height might freeze her up.

The grand canyon, over ten kilometers wide, had steep rock walls on both sides. From high above, the wide Blue River looked like a stream, winding eastward through the canyon.

Occasionally, one or two large ships could be seen sailing on the river, fully loaded with goods, conducting trade across the continent.

As the young lady flew, the sun gradually set, eventually nearing the horizon, casting fiery red light across the world.

It seems I won’t make it to school today, she thought to herself, then slowly descended. Even an Extraordinary Being would feel fatigued after flying all day at full speed. Tonight, she would rest by the riverside.

—

On the riverside meadow, a gray tent had been set up. A few pebbles formed a small circle, with wood and twigs piled in the middle. Next to a stone stump, a plushie was placed, and the little bear plushie spat flames, igniting the firewood and cooking a pot over the fire.

The silver-haired girl wasn’t by the fire but sat on a stone by the river, holding a fishing rod, quietly waiting for a fish to bite. A glowing green butterfly with a fish line floated on the dark river surface at night, luring nearby fish while serving as a float indicator.

“Aberth, reduce the fire a bit, the fish haven’t bitten yet,” the girl whispered, and the plushie bear obediently adjusted the fire to avoid drying out the pot.

Watching the clever fish circling the bait in the dark river without biting, Lolan Hill finally couldn’t resist her hunger and took action.

“I gave you a chance, don’t blame me,” she muttered to herself, then several wind blades swept into the water, directly picking up three fish into the air.

Then, surrounded by green wind, debris fell and was cleared away. After washing them with clear water, the fish were thrown into a boiling pot.

Putting down the fishing rod, Lolan Hill returned to the campfire, sitting on a nearby stone stump.

She added salt and green onions, a small amount of rice wine, and some spices, then covered the pot.

Once done, Lolan Hill propped up her chin, waiting quietly. The orange firelight illuminated her gray stockings and black skirt, and a gentle breeze blew away the steam rising from the lid, carrying the aroma with it.

After about five minutes, when the food was ready, the girl opened the lid, using chopsticks to flip the fish pieces. Silver and black scales rolled, revealing tender white flesh beneath, while green onions danced in the hot broth.

Taking a bite, the girl gently blew on the fish to cool it down before savoring the taste. The sweet aroma of rice wine mingled with the fish’s delicate sweetness, melting in her mouth.

Mm, not bad, no decline.

While eating, she reminisced about her childhood. Back then, she also fished by the river at home, though her luck was never great, mostly catching small carp that she usually let her grandmother cook into soup.

Through repeated attempts, she learned the basics of cooking fish, though she rarely had the chance in her previous life and had forgotten many steps.

Just as she was enjoying her meal by the campfire, a splash and the sound of wood sliding suddenly echoed nearby.

Is someone there?

Lolan Hill stood up in surprise because her perception usually detected anyone approaching silently, which was rare.

By the time she reached the river again, the green butterfly floating on the surface had vanished, and only the tail end of the fishing rod remained, drifting away.

A strange and alarming feeling surged within her, almost instinctively repulsive. The girl frowned, watching the fishing rod drift farther away.

Cautiously, she floated up into the air, looking down at the dark river, only hearing the sound of flowing water.

Whoosh—

Sharp teeth, intense decay, and a gaping mouth, a huge monstrous fish leaped from the water, moving with surprising speed towards the silver-haired girl, intent on swallowing her whole.

It felt like a thousand voices speaking in your ear, chaotic thoughts flooding her mind, causing intense dizziness and nausea. The system also continuously sent black warning messages.

Her once keen senses now became a significant weakness, consciousness blurred, making her unstable. Pain surged through her leg, which was immediately bitten by the monstrous fish, dragging her into the icy river.

The cold winter water slightly cleared her mind. She gritted her teeth against the pain in her leg, closing her mouth and ears to prevent water from entering. Then, her eyes snapped open, a crimson glow appearing in the water.

In the turbulent river, Lolan Hill was dragged forward by the monstrous fish. A red light flashed, and a blood-red spear pierced the fish’s head, causing it immense pain. Purple venomous blood gushed into the water.

Despite still biting fiercely, the fish’s jaw began to numb as the poison spread. Finally, seizing the moment, Lolan Hill broke free from its mouth and flew back into the air.

Her damp clothes turned cold and uncomfortable in the winter wind, but she dared not stop, flying steadily toward the sky, her true domain.

Eventually, her figure pierced through the clouds, her crimson wings bathed in moonlight, and she slowed down. The nausea and dizziness invading her brain finally subsided.

Only then did she notice the system’s warning message.

[Warning: Chaos Phantom appeared. Please leave immediately!]

(End of Chapter)