Chapter 434

Chapter 434:

While speaking, Barrie drew a pair of uniquely crafted gloves from inside his bag.

At his words, Wyatt inclined his head, and Barrie swiftly removed his shoes and socks before sliding the gloves onto his hands.

Observing Barrie starting his warm-up bends, Wyatt softened his tone and cautioned him, “Be careful p>

After Barrie fastened the rope around his waist, he began ascending.

The gloves he wore looked plain and unremarkable, yet the instant they pressed against the cliff’s surface, they adhered like powerful suction, holding him firmly against the rock.

𝗝𝗈іո 𝗍h𝗼𝘂s𝘢𝗻𝖽𝘀 о𝗳 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝗌 𝗼𝘯 𝘨𝗮𝗹ոo𝘃е𝗅𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝘮

Barrie climbed the cliff face, rising steadily upward, while the group below followed his movements with rapt attention.

When he finally reached the summit without harm, everyone released a collective breath of relief.

Barrie anchored the rope around the cliff’s crest and initiated his slow descent.

“Did you catch that sound?” someone suddenly said.

“It resembles the wind,” another murmured back.

“No, that’s not the wind p>

As the noise intensified, Wyatt’s features grew grim.

Barrie was now within grasp of the wildroot panax when an icy gust swept across his back. As he turned to glance, Wyatt’s voice rang out. “Move p>

Responding instantly, Barrie let go of the rope, sliding several feet down.

The sudden movement saved him from being attacked.

The eagle from earlier had returned unexpectedly, now perched upon the cliff, its single eye fixed on Barrie with lethal intensity.

The entire group froze, stunned by the sight.

Then, Wyatt recalled the story he had learned — the black eagle was believed to guard the treasures of Elixirspine. Now, it turned out that the tale was true. The creature had been shielding the thousand-year-old wildroot panax all this time.

“Hand me the gun p>

Snatching the tranquilizer rifle from one of his bodyguards, Wyatt kept his focus locked on the eagle.

He didn’t want to kill it, yet he had to secure the wildroot panax.

Noticing Wyatt prepare his weapon, the other bodyguards quickly raised their firearms at the eagle.

“Don’t take its life!” Wyatt ordered.

At his command, they exchanged their regular rounds for tranquilizer darts.

As the shots were fired, the eagle leapt from the cliff, swooping straight at Wyatt and his people.

“Take cover!” Wyatt shouted as everyone dashed behind the closest trees.

The black eagle’s vast wingspan kept it from maneuvering through the thick trees, so it circled overhead.

Meanwhile, Barrie — still clutching the cliff — saw the turmoil below and resumed climbing.

When he reached the slim crevice where the wildroot panax sprouted, he immediately drew his dagger.

Recalling Marc’s directions, he carefully loosened the rocks encasing the ancient herb.

Below, the others noticed Barrie’s actions and rushed farther off, distracting the eagle to buy him time.

By the time Barrie freed the thousand-year-old wildroot panax, everyone had become exhausted.

Barrie placed the treasured plant into his backpack and climbed back.

Suddenly, the eagle — still pursuing Wyatt’s men — emitted a piercing screech and veered back toward the cliff.

“Barrie, look out p>

From his angle, Barrie saw the eagle’s talons — razor-sharp — swiping toward him. He flung himself aside, but he was not fast enough. The eagle struck his back with a heavy blow.

Fortunately, his backpack absorbed the strike, though his shoulder still smashed against the cliff. A sharp wave of pain surged through him.

The eagle wheeled for another charge, this time driving straight for Barrie’s face.

“Barrie, toss the backpack!” Wyatt yelled.

Without delay, Barrie tore the backpack from his shoulders and flung it toward Wyatt.

At once, the eagle abandoned Barrie and plunged after the falling backpack.

As the beast flew off, Barrie breathed a shaky sigh of relief.

Yet what happened next made his pulse pound again.

The instant the backpack hit the ground, Wyatt seized it. The eagle’s attention shifted to Wyatt — or rather, to the backpack in his grasp.

Clutching the backpack, Wyatt sprinted into the forest, shouting to his men, “Shoot — now p>

If the eagle got hold of the bag, recovering it would be nearly impossible. Wyatt refused to let that happen.

The trees slowed the eagle’s pursuit, but to everyone’s horror, it folded its wings and charged on foot.

Weldon exclaimed, “Damn it! This creature is cleverer than it seems p>

“Wyatt!” Marc’s voice cracked with fear.

The eagle darted like a streak — quicker than a speeding car. It closed the gap to Wyatt within seconds.

Wyatt’s ears thundered with the rush of air as he zigzagged between trees, using the dense cover to hinder the eagle.

The creature was enraged by Wyatt’s actions. With a furious cry, it spread its wings and lunged, shattering branches as though they were brittle twigs.

A dreadful crash resounded through the woods as the eagle slammed Wyatt to the ground.

Everyone’s face drained of color when they saw that, and Marc roared hoarsely, “Wyatt, throw the backpack away p>

All of them could see the eagle sought only the wildroot panax.

But Wyatt gripped the backpack even tighter.

Marc’s eyes blazed with rage. “Are you trying to get yourself killed p>