Chapter 191: Defying-Heaven Healing Ability
He knew Seraphina Caldwell was reluctant to reveal too much, and understood why she was eager to hide.
So he chose silence, merely observing quietly.
When he checked on Kaelan Hawthorne again, his amber eyes were full of astonishment.
He crouched down, placing one hand on Kaelan Hawthorne’s wrist, his spiritual power quietly probing into his meridians.
The result shocked him.
Vitality abounded, the meridians were clear, completely unlike someone who had just been on the brink of death.
Even the deepest injuries had been restored as if new, with no lingering hidden dangers.
The breathing, which had been so weak it was nearly breathless, was now steady as a drumbeat.
A surge of emotions welled in his heart, and he looked at Seraphina Caldwell with a deeper meaning in his eyes.
This near-heaven-defying healing ability was enough to change the tide of battle.
Yet she had always kept it deeply hidden, never showing it willingly.
No wonder she had always concealed this ability.
This trick was more formidable than his own as a legitimate Priest.
As the tribe’s recognized High Level Priest, he mastered various healing magics and had healed those at death’s door.
But such a degree of recovery required long-term spellcasting and precious herbs.
Seraphina Caldwell’s method was unbelievably simple, yet the effect was even more thorough.
How exactly did she do it?
He didn’t understand.
If it was a natural substance, where did it come from?
This question lingered in his mind.
Evan Orwell finished his check, and patted Kaelan Hawthorne’s shoulder.
"Kaelan Hawthorne, wake up."
Kaelan Hawthorne’s eyelids twitched and slowly opened.
The pale green eyes were a bit dazed, the vision blurred for a moment.
He blinked a few times, allowing the scene before him to gradually clear up.
The air was damp and cold, surrounded by the outlines of rocky cliffs, with a few weak beams of light filtering down through gaps above.
He moved his fingers, trying to prop up his body.
The place that should have hurt too much to straighten was surprisingly without sensation.
The wound on his side that had been torn.
Now there was only the sensation of cloth rubbing.
Looking down, the wound was completely healed, as if it had never been injured.
"Am I... still alive?"
He wasn’t quite sure as he spoke, as if his consciousness was still stuck at the moment of collapse.
The blade entering, the hot blood gushing, everything going black.
He blankly scanned his surroundings, the cliffs, rubble, scattered weapons.
And the figure leaning against a stone pillar not far away.
His gaze finally rested on Seraphina Caldwell.
He thought this time was surely the end, yet he not only survived, his wounds were healed.
His heartbeat gradually resumed its rhythm, but he could still sense a slight vacuous sensation deep within.
That was the echo of Life Force being heavily drained.
It didn’t seem like Evan Orwell’s doing, most likely it was Seraphina Caldwell.
Seraphina was huddled behind Evan Orwell, head down, staring at her toes.
Her hands were placed on her knees, fingers slightly pale.
The wet hem of her clothes clung to her legs, water droplets falling from her hair.
Her breathing was light, nearly inaudible, as though any sound would draw attention.
Kaelan Hawthorne’s hand was still frozen in midair.
There should have been a gruesome gash there, causing excruciating pain with each breath.
Yet now the skin was so smooth it was as if nothing had happened.
This restoration speed far exceeded common sense, impossible for ordinary medicine or treatment to achieve.
It must have been that miraculous water she used.
He remembered that substance, colorless and transparent, contained in a small Jade Bottle.
It was rumored to be used only once, costing the practitioner a portion of their lifespan.
He suddenly raised a hand to his face, his fingers brushing over where his cheekbone used to be.
The scar that always made him frown whenever touched was gone, leaving only a smooth sensation.
Now it had disappeared, even the smallest ridges at the edges were no longer there.
His heart clenched suddenly, as if something had struck it, intensely aching, yet too soft to articulate.
A mix of indescribable emotions surged, choking at his chest.
He had thought Seraphina Caldwell’s heart had long since been filled with hatred for him.
After all, he had stood there in her most desperate moment, watching her kneel for an answer.
But he hadn’t expected, she still chose to save him.
Kaelan Hawthorne’s throat moved slightly, his pale green eyes fixed on Seraphina Caldwell.
She was hiding behind Evan Orwell, head down, staring at the wet ground at her feet.
He suddenly felt that Seraphina was foolishly kind.
Even for someone like him, not worth saving, she couldn’t bear to watch him perish.
Anyone else would have hoped he died with that blow.
Or could it be... she was just afraid that if he truly died, there’d be no one to help her find her father’s whereabouts from the Fox Clan?
He preferred to believe the former.
No matter what, she ultimately reached out.
The river was bone-chilling, the suffocation nearly swallowed him completely.
Yet just as consciousness was about to fade, a hand grasped him.
Did that mean, in her way, her care wasn’t all hate?
Maybe... hidden somewhere was an ounce of thought for him that he dared not imagine, nor touch?
Kaelan Hawthorne’s expression suddenly brightened.
Wyatt Yardley crouched down, helping Kaelan Hawthorne up, his silver-gray hair still dripping water.
"Stop staring off into space, the scent of blood attracts things, we need to get moving quickly."
His soaked clothes clung to him, but he seemed oblivious.
Isaac Vaughn walked over, holding a Beast Crystal, handing it to Seraphina Caldwell.
"The Green Rank Crystal Core of a Kyzag Beast, take it."
The Crystal Core’s surface was smooth, with fine patterns flowing within.
He now fully understood that as long as she was there, luck seemed to gravitate towards them.
He once thought it was coincidence, but later realized that every danger always harbored a sliver of hope.
And that hope always revolved around her.
Seraphina Caldwell took the Crystal Core, her fingertips touching its cold surface, finally exhaling in relief.
This Crystal Core was enough to exchange for much-needed healing herbs, giving the team extra security.
More importantly, at this moment everyone was still present, not one missing.
Kaelan Hawthorne was awake, and the current danger had passed.
He knew there was still a long road ahead.
But for now, at least, they were all alive and could continue forward.
This fleeting peace was invaluable.
The rain gradually lessened, leaving only fine strands striking their faces.
The group trudged along the muddy mountain path, their breathing growing heavier.
No one complained, but their pace had noticeably slowed.
Wyatt Yardley glanced down at Seraphina Caldwell in his arms, rearranging her position, then scanned the weary faces of the others.
"The forest ahead seems quiet for now, let’s rest under the trees, eat a bit before moving on. Follow the path and find a cave to settle in before dark."
No objections were raised.
Isaac Vaughn jumped down from Gideon Larkin’s back, quickly adjusting his stance as his feet touched the ground.
His fingers moved slightly, and spiritual power immediately flowed out.
In the air, it rapidly formed a semi-transparent shield.
The shield rose slowly.
Finally, it stabilized above the leaves atop the big tree, perfectly sealing off any rain leaking through the gaps.
Raindrops hit the shield’s surface, sliding off along its curve, not a drop reaching below.
His fingertips trembled slightly, releasing strands of invisible force.
The mud piled by the tree roots had been sticky and putrid.
Now it began to dry at a visibly rapid pace.
Moisture was completely extracted, leaving the soil firm and loose.