He caught up quickly, finding them not far into the woods. The scene that greeted him was unexpectedly serene. Xiao Wu, her initial frantic energy momentarily spent, was sitting cross-legged amidst a vibrant patch of sun-dappled wildflowers.
Mei knelt beside her, gently adjusting a stray flower that had gotten caught in Xiao Wu's braid. The flustered panic Mei had shown at the gate was gone, replaced by a calm focus as she spoke softly to the younger girl. Ai hovered nearby, projecting an aura of serene observation.
"See?" Mei was saying, her voice gentle but firm. "Rushing in without knowing the path or the prey only leads to trouble. Even the fastest rabbit needs to pause and listen sometimes." She plucked a bright blue blossom and tucked it behind Xiao Wu's ear. "We stick together, we follow Tang San's lead, and we find exactly what he needs. Okay?"
Xiao Wu pouted slightly but nodded, her pink eyes wide and unusually attentive. "Okay, Mei. Stick together. Listen to Brother San." She seemed genuinely chastened, or perhaps just captivated by Mei's sudden shift into 'calming big sister' mode. The flower behind her ear looked incongruously sweet against her usually fierce demeanor.
Tang San approached quietly, relief washing over him at the sight. "Thank you, Mei," he said sincerely, his voice low. "For catching her, and for... that." He gestured vaguely at the tranquil scene. He hadn't expected Mei to possess such an effective calming influence on the whirlwind that was Xiao Wu.
Mei looked up and smiled, standing gracefully and brushing pollen from her simple robes. "It's no trouble. She just needed a moment to refocus." She turned her full attention to Tang San, her expression shifting to one of practical inquiry. "Alright, Tang San. Now that we're all together and calm," she added with a pointed glance at Xiao Wu, who stuck out her tongue playfully, "what exactly are we hunting? You mentioned several possibilities that fit your criteria?"
Tang San nodded, pulling out his carefully folded notes. "Yes. Based on Liu Xian's age parameters and the bestiary entries you recommended, I narrowed it down to three primary candidates known for enhancing resilience and control in plant spirits: Thorned Bindweed, Ghost Willow Saplings, and Ironbark Saplings. Each has pros and cons regarding habitat and likely abilities."
Mei leaned closer, her pink eyes scanning his notes with focused interest. Tang San continues his explanation. "Thorned Bindweed offers strong binding potential and strong resilience thanks to its survival instinct, but can be aggressive and favors dense, shaded undergrowth, making precise age assessment trickier. Ghost Willows lean heavily towards spiritual control and illusory properties as well as boosting my vitality, but their damp, low-light habitats near waterways can harbor other dangers, and their energy can be... insidious if not perfectly countered." He tapped the third entry. "Ironbark Saplings. Your earlier suggestion. Excellent for pure physical resilience and vitality enhancement. Their preference for well-drained, sun-exposed rocky areas makes finding them within the 300-400 year range more feasible, as Mei explained earlier, and their energy signature is typically straightforward and stable."
She looked up at Tang San. "You said you were leaning towards Ironbark for its stability and alignment with 'sturdiness'?"
"I was," Tang San confirmed. "After hearing your detailed recall earlier about their habitat preferences on the eastern rim, it solidified my choice. The predictability and focus on foundational resilience seem safest and most beneficial for a first ring."
"Solid reasoning," Mei approved. "Then the eastern ridge it is. The sooner we get there, the better light we'll have for searching." She gestured towards the denser woods sloping upwards to the east. "Lead the way, Tang San. You have the map and the target."
Tang San felt a surge of purpose. Mei's confirmation of his choice and her practical support, even unexpectedly joining them, was invaluable. He tucked his notes away and oriented himself, recalling the maps he'd studied. "This way. We need to ascend towards the rocky outcrops. Keep an eye out for thinning soil and granite exposures."
Xiao Wu jumped up, her momentary calm replaced by eager focus. "Rocky bits! Got it! Less mud! Lead on, Brother San!" She fell into step beside Tang San, surprisingly staying close this time.
Mei followed a step behind, her senses alert, scanning the forest around them not with the apprehension of a fighter, but with the keen observation of someone cataloging details – the types of trees, the undergrowth, the quality of light.
Ai floated beside her, occasionally projecting tiny, glowing arrows pointing out interesting fungi or bird nests, though Mei mostly ignored the digital commentary in favor of her own assessment.
The journey towards the eastern ridge was quiet but purposeful. Tang San moved with practiced silence, his senses extended. Xiao Wu, though clearly wanting to bound ahead, contained her energy, mimicking Tang San's cautious steps.
Mei moved surprisingly gracefully through the uneven terrain, her idol training perhaps lending her good balance, her focus on the changing environment.
As they climbed, the forest floor became rockier, the trees sparser and more gnarled. Patches of thin soil gave way to expanses of grey granite, warmed by the climbing sun, just as Mei had described.
"We're entering the right zone," Tang San murmured, pausing beside a large, sun-baked boulder. He scanned the surrounding slopes dotted with hardy shrubs and stunted trees. "Now we look for saplings. Look for trees with unusually dark, almost metallic-looking bark, growing directly from rock crevices or very thin soil. They won't be large."
Mei nodded, her eyes already sweeping the rocky slopes with renewed intensity. "Understood. Resilient life clinging to stone. Let's find your Ironbark, Tang San." Her presence, calm and observant, added a layer of supportive focus to the hunt.
Xiao Wu crouched low, her rabbit ears twitching as she peered intently at the base of rocks, whispering, "Come out, come out, tough little twig..."
"I don't think they will come out if you call them.(ᵕ—ᴗ—) " Tang San said to Xiao Wu. Suddenly, there was a rustling in the bush in front of them.
No way does that really work, (◯ Δ O) Tang San thought as he started to contemplate the wonder of the new world.