Mist Forest

Great Desolate Province—As the opening of the Great Desolate Ancient Tablet drew nearer, more and more powerful experts were heading toward Great Desolate Province.

Within Great Desolate Province lay a forest shrouded in mist all year round, known as the Mist Forest. Because the mist within it could block all forms of detection, this forest had become one of the greatest danger zones in Great Desolate Province. No one knew how many terrifyingly powerful demonic beasts were hidden within.

Moreover, as Great Desolate Province lay along the border of the Great Yan Dynasty, its people were exceptionally fierce and hardy. Their overall strength far surpassed that of places like Great Yan Prefecture. Naturally, the Mist Forest had become a place of adventure for many powerful experts.

At this moment, an adventurer party of several dozen people was carefully making its way through the forest. A tense atmosphere quietly spread through the sizable group.

A burly middle-aged man standing at the center of the group, his gaze constantly sweeping over the surroundings, suddenly narrowed his eyes and stared fixedly to one side as he shouted sternly.

"Who's there?!"

With the lead middle-aged man's sharp cry, a murderous aura instantly rose from this bloodstained party. Clearly, this was not a group to be trifled with.

Under the watchful eyes of these rather formidable adventurers, a somewhat thin young man slowly emerged from the mist. He cupped his fists toward the adventurers, who looked as skittish as startled birds, and said, "Everyone, there's no need to worry. I mean no harm. I merely wandered into the Mist Forest by mistake and couldn't find my way out, so I came to ask for directions."

"Young brother, you're from out of town, aren't you?"

The middle-aged man studied the thin youth, a trace of gravity flashing through his eyes. However, after sensing no hostility from him, he chuckled and raised a hand.

"How can you be so certain, old brother?"

"Haha, because even those from Great Desolate Province who have never entered the Mist Forest have heard of this greatest danger zone. Anyone who loses their way here cannot find an exit—even a Nirvana Realm expert like the Sword Saint."

Seeing that the young man did not seem to harbor any ulterior motives, the middle-aged man's smile became more open and hearty. Yet when he mentioned that title, a hint of reverence appeared on his face.

"There are countless demonic beasts of the Creation Three Realms within the Mist Forest. Unless one possesses extraordinary strength like the Sword Saint, once an ordinary person gets lost here, it is difficult for them to make it out alive."

As he spoke, a strange look flickered through the middle-aged man's eyes. Even the people behind him looked at the youth with considerable surprise.

"I was simply lucky. I didn't encounter any demonic beasts of the Creation Three Realms, and I happened to run into you, old brother. Would you be willing to let me travel with you? If I can leave safely, I can offer you a reward!"

"Young brother, our party has provoked something in the Mist Forest. If you aren't afraid of danger, you may travel with us. We'll do our best to bring you out of the Mist Forest."

After looking him over twice, the middle-aged man did not refuse. The youth's smile deepened, and he cupped his fists once more.

"My name is Lin Dong. Thank you, old brother, for your righteous aid!"

"Lin Dong?"

Upon hearing the name, the middle-aged man involuntarily froze for a moment before shaking his head. This was Great Desolate Province, and Lin Dong was alone. How could he possibly have anything to do with the Sword Saint?

"My name is Jiang Lei, master of Eagle Martial Hall. These are my two daughters, Jiang Xue and Jiang Yinyin. The rest are all brothers from Eagle Martial Hall."

Lin Dong smiled and briefly introduced himself to the others. After Jiang Lei intentionally hinted at it, the people of Eagle Martial Hall also realized that Lin Dong was no weakling and treated him with greater courtesy.

Someone who could lose their way in the Mist Forest and still survive either had absurdly good luck, with every demonic beast conveniently avoiding them, or was a powerful expert. At the very least, they had to be at the Great Perfection of Core Formation Realm to barely possess some ability to protect themselves.

"Big brother, it's so pretty!"

At that moment, the little girl Jiang Yinyin, who was around twelve or thirteen years old, fixed her eyes on the elegant black kitten in Lin Dong's arms, her eyes gleaming.

Looking at the adorable little girl, Lin Dong's smile grew even warmer. Perhaps she reminded him of his younger sister Qing Tan, for he immediately ignored Little Flame's struggles and handed it over to Jiang Yinyin.

"Here, you can hold it!"

As he gradually became more familiar with the people from the martial hall, Lin Dong learned that the Eagle Martial Hall party had killed one of the Mist Leopard Crocodile King's young while gathering herbs deep in the Mist Forest. As a result, they were now being hunted by the Mist Leopard Crocodile King.

The party would be able to leave the Mist Forest tomorrow. Therefore, tonight, the Mist Leopard Crocodile King would certainly seek revenge with all its strength.

Night soon arrived. A bloody stench quietly began to spread through the forest.

"They're here!"

Under Lin Dong's watchful gaze, demonic beasts had begun gathering around the campfire. Before long, the Eagle Martial Hall party was completely surrounded by a beast tide.

Faced with so many demonic beasts, Lin Dong remained calm. Little Flame, cradled in Jiang Yinyin's arms, merely lifted its tiger eyes before losing interest. With its ability to command demonic beasts, Little Flame simply could not be bothered with such minor creatures.

Boom! Boom!

Just then, the earth suddenly began to tremble. Immediately afterward, two exceptionally ferocious auras emerged from the mist, causing the atmosphere of the entire party to turn heavy and solemn.

The enormous shadows in the mist grew clearer and clearer, finally taking the form of two massive, savage demonic beasts that appeared before everyone. Jiang Lei and the others' faces instantly darkened.

"Mist Leopard Crocodile Kings!"

"Brother Lin Dong, please help me look after Yinyin later. I'll have to trouble you."

Jiang Lei spoke to Lin Dong in a low voice. Gripping a black heavy sword, he stepped to the very front of the party, his aura sweeping without restraint toward the Mist Leopard Crocodile Kings before him.

Yet in the next moment, the two Mist Leopard Crocodile Kings seemed to have been frightened. Without a word, they turned and fled deeper into the mist. The surrounding demonic beasts also scattered in all directions, as though Jiang Lei's aura alone had frightened every one of them away.

"Yay! Daddy's amazing!"

Seeing all the demonic beasts flee, Jiang Yinyin could not help cheering happily. Yet Jiang Lei's expression only grew more grave, while Jiang Xue hurriedly reached out and pulled Jiang Yinyin close.

"Everyone, stay alert!"

Jiang Lei shouted deeply, and the entire party swiftly drew into a tighter formation.