"What's going on? Is there something wrong with the water?" The frail young man also rushed over, his eyes full of anxiety.
Xiao Chong carefully examined the liquid in the water bottle, then said in a deep voice.
"Someone has poisoned the water. We must find an antidote immediately."
"Who would be so heartless to poison us?" A student who was barely managing to stand up angrily questioned, his tone full of confusion and fear.
"Let's not worry about who did it now, saving people is the priority" Xiao Chong calmly issued orders.
His voice was firm and powerful, like an invisible force that gradually calmed the panicking crowd around him.
He took out a crystal-clear jade bottle from his chest, a rare antidote he had obtained during his early years of traveling.
"Distribute this medicine powder to everyone, dissolve it in water and drink it" he instructed while already starting to handle it himself.
Everyone followed his instructions, and soon after, the symptoms of the poisoned students began to subside.
A crisis was averted.
But this incident undoubtedly sounded an alarm for everyone - the dangers of the journey were far more complex than they had anticipated.
As night fell, everyone sat in a circle around the campfire, the atmosphere tense.
Xiao Chong gaze was deep as he scanned the faces of each person, finally landing on the frail young man.
"This incident has exposed our lack of vigilance against external threats. From now on, we must be more careful."
"Senior Brother Xiao Chong, who do you think did this?" the frail young man asked in a low voice, his eyes flashing with determination, clearly not intending to succumb to unknown threats.
Xiao Chong shook his hea, "We can't be certain at the moment, but I believe, regardless of who did it, their purpose is to hinder our progress. We can't let them succeed."
"What should we do then? Just passively take the hits?" another student couldn't help but speak out angrily.
A meaningful smile tugged at Xiao Chong lips
"Of course not. We need to become stronger and respond to all challenges with our strength. Starting tomorrow, I will teach you some basic self-defense techniques and knowledge on identifying poisons, so that no one will dare to underestimate us of Jia nan Academy."
The firelight reflected on his face, making him appear particularly resolute and unyielding. The surrounding students, upon hearing this, had their eyes light up with fighting spirit and hope.
"Good! We must learn these skills well to protect ourselves and our companions!" The frail young man was the first to respond, the firmness radiating from within him no longer that of a novice.
"Yes! We must become strong!" Others also voiced their support, their beliefs taking root and sprouting in their hearts, coalescing into a force not to be underestimated.
As the night deepened, Xiao Chong concealed himself in the darkness, his aura suppressed to the extreme, as if he had merged with the pitch-black night.
He narrowed his eyes, watching the two dark figures standing by the small stream, well aware that these night prowlers were certainly not benevolent and likely the masterminds attempting to disrupt the peace of Jianan Academy.
"Did you hear? Today, that Xiao Chong actually boasted in front of everyone that he would teach us all how to protect ourselves" a deep voice sounded, carrying a hint of disdain.
"Hmph, quite the big talk. However, in Jia Nan Academy, strength has always been supreme. Do these 'special' students think they can change anything with just a few words?"
Another person sneered, his words full of contempt for Xiao Chong and the others.
Xiao Chong brows furrowed slightly, his fingertips gently rubbing the short blade hidden in his sleeve, calculating how to subdue the two without arousing suspicion and gather more intelligence.
As he was pondering, his body suddenly moved, approaching the two as silently as the night wind.
"Hey, brothers, slow down a bit. It's not safe in these woods" Xiao Chong voice suddenly sounded from behind, startling the two black-clad men to turn around abruptly.
"Who's there?!" The two quickly assumed combat stances, but apart from the sound of the wind, there was no other movement around them.