Hours later, Gù Tiānháo slowly regained consciousness. His head throbbed, and his body ached, but the sharp pain in his arm had dulled to a manageable ache. He blinked, his eyes adjusting to the dim light filtering through a small window. He realized he was no longer in the crater. The soft rocking motion beneath him indicated he was in a moving vehicle.
Alarmed, he instinctively shot upright, his body tensing, ready to spring into action. He looked around, his senses on high alert, trying to ascertain his surroundings. He was in a comfortable, well-appointed space, clearly the interior of the luxurious carriage he had saved. Before he could fully assess the situation, a gentle female voice broke the silence.
"You are safe, young master," the voice said, soft and reassuring. "We are on our way to Cloudfall City, where the Green Verdant Sect examination will be held."
Gù Tiānháo turned his head towards the voice. He saw a woman dressed in the simple, elegant attire of a maidservant, and beside her, seated gracefully, was a young lady whose beauty rivaled that of Lin Xiao Yue. Her features were delicate, her eyes bright and intelligent, and her aura exuded an air of refined elegance.
The young lady offered a warm, grateful smile. "Thank you for saving us, young master. To repay your kindness, we would be honored to take you to the examination city. My name is Lǐ Mèilíng."
Gù Tiānháo studied her for a moment, his analytical mind quickly processing the information. Cloudfall City, Green Verdant Sect. It was indeed his destination. The offer was convenient, and the young lady seemed sincere. He relaxed his posture, a faint nod acknowledging her gratitude.