Through the dense forest, Wang Chen sped along as swiftly as flight.
His feet never touched the ground. He either stepped on or skimmed past wild grass and tangled roots, his figure ghostlike, silent and swift as an arrow loosed from the string.
Like all Talismans, Tracking Talismans had a limited duration, and their effects gradually weakened with time.
Wang Chen suddenly halted and activated another Tracking Talisman.
After passing through a stretch of woods, he found the mountains ahead growing steeper, with the sound of a stream flowing through the ravine audible nearby.
The traces on the ground became a chaotic mess.
Wang Chen's gaze flickered as he abruptly spread out his Divine Sense.
He stopped tracking and said in a low voice, "Come out, all of you!"
The surroundings remained deathly quiet, without the slightest response.
Wang Chen shook his head and was just about to release his Flying Sword.
Suddenly, the bushes several dozen paces ahead rustled, and a gray-clad masked man revealed himself.
Then, one gray-clad man after another emerged, forming a half-encirclement around Wang Chen.
None of them spoke. They merely watched Wang Chen with cold, indifferent eyes.
A faint killing intent showed through.
In their hands were crossbows gleaming with metallic light.
Silver-white Crossbow Bolts were aimed directly at Wang Chen.
On closer inspection, fine runes could be seen engraved upon both the bolts and their arrowheads.
As though unaware, Wang Chen asked, "Where are the villagers you abducted?"
"Heh heh."
The first gray-clad man to appear laughed. "Village Chief Wang, you chased us all this way. Are you here to ransom them, or to take them back by force?"
His laughter was old and hoarse, carrying a powerful confidence. "If you mean to take them back by force, then I advise you to