Saint-level!

After forming his Regeneration Core, Su Ze swallowed another two Body Conditioning and Digestion Tablets to speed up the digestion of the remaining Immortal Salamander extract in his body.

Each time Evolvers absorbed an extract, they needed some time to fully digest the Evolution Substance and energy within it. Certain medicines could hasten the process and save time.

By then, dawn was beginning to break.

Most of them had rested enough. Aunt Yun called everyone together and prepared to continue onward.

However, more and more people began asking to leave the group and abandon this escort mission.

Su Ze was not surprised. After last night's fierce battle, the Hunters had recognized how dangerous this mission was. Naturally, many of them would shrink back.

Besides, everyone had taken the mission for money. The spoils distributed last night had already earned them far more than expected, so there was no need to risk their lives for that pitiful commission.

Further ahead was the summit region of the Black Rock Mountain Range, where Tier 3 Exotic Beasts roamed.

Stopping now and heading back meant making money while avoiding even greater risks. It was the wise choice.

Liu Wenyin and Aunt Yun did not force anyone to stay. Whoever wanted to leave was allowed to go.

"The Beast King's Roar skill has a two-day cooldown. By the time it becomes available again, we may already be out of the Black Rock Mountain Range. Since we endured last night's wave, we probably won't be attacked again afterward. There isn't much point in them continuing with us."

Liu Wenyin explained this to Su Ze, seemingly trying to reassure him as well.

"No matter what dangers lie ahead, I will definitely escort you to the Luofan Kingdom even at the cost of my life, Sister!"

Su Ze spoke righteously. Others could back down, but he could not. Going back meant death.

They watched one Hunter after another leave. The group, which had originally numbered nearly thirty people, suddenly became desolate.

Almost all of those in the Pupal stage left. Only four remained, including Su Ze. Of the six Cocoon Breaking Stage members, four left, leaving only two.

Just like that, only eight people continued onward.

It was worth mentioning that Li Gaojie, whom Su Ze had remained wary of, also stayed behind.

Su Ze, Liu Wenyin, and Aunt Yun walked at the rear. Lowering his voice, Su Ze asked, "Sister, Aunt Yun, have you considered how the person hunting you down learned of your route?"

"You mean he planted a spy in our group?" Aunt Yun looked calm, having long considered that possibility.

Liu Wenyin was equally calm. "There is definitely a spy, but we don't know which one—or which ones."

Aunt Yun said, "There's no point in trying to find the spy now. After that man failed in his attack last night, he lost his only opportunity. The Beast King's Roar is on cooldown, so he can't launch another ambush. The spy has most likely already left our group as well."

"Doesn't the person hunting you have any other accomplices?"

Liu Wenyin shook her head. "He pursued us all the way here from the Guan Kingdom, crossing the entire Mu Kingdom. To avoid alerting the Mu Kingdom authorities, it was unlikely that he would bring too many people."

Aunt Yun agreed. "I fought him several times along the way. If he had helpers, they would have acted long ago."

Su Ze nodded, then glanced at Li Gaojie ahead of them. Was I really being too suspicious? Was Li Gaojie not the spy?

Noticing Su Ze's gaze, Aunt Yun said, "That Li Gaojie you've been watching is indeed somewhat suspicious. But during the time he went missing, he really did kill two Tier 1 Exotic Beasts, including an A-rank one. And based on what he said, I really did find a pile of human feces near the campsite."

"If he truly is a spy, then he has been far too meticulous in covering his tracks. On top of that, he still chose to continue with the group today. I am more inclined to believe that he isn't a spy."

Su Ze let out a breath. "I hope I'm just being overly suspicious."

After entering the summit region, the temperature plummeted.

Fortunately, they were all Evolvers and could withstand the cold fairly well.

"Move at full speed! Let's try to leave the summit region before nightfall!"

At Aunt Yun's command, everyone picked up the pace.

Perhaps surviving a great disaster truly brought good fortune. By dusk, they had crossed the summit and were nearly at the mountainside, yet they had not encountered any Tier 3 Exotic Beasts.

Or perhaps they were not especially lucky, merely not unlucky. Though Tier 3 Exotic Beasts were active in the summit region, their numbers were sparse. Some hunting teams deliberately searched for them and still could not find any, so it was normal not to encounter one.

"It's not dark yet. How about we travel through the night and reach the foothill region today?" suggested a Cocoon Breaking Stage Hunter in the group.

His suggestion was unanimously approved. Descending the mountain was different from climbing it. They should be able to reach the foothill region before dark. There were basically only Tier 1 Exotic Beasts there, so even traveling at night would not be dangerous.

"Then let's skip resting tonight and leave the Black Rock Mountain Range in one go," Aunt Yun decided.

"Alright!"

"Let's move faster. We might be out of the Black Rock Mountain Range by dawn tomorrow."

Everyone chimed in. After being attacked by the Beast Swarm last night, none of them wanted to camp and rest in the mountains again.

But at that moment, the sky, which had still been relatively bright, suddenly darkened. It was not ordinary dimness, but utter blackness!

The lingering glow of the setting sun seemed to have been swallowed by something.

Everything before Su Ze's eyes went black. He could not see anything.

"What happened?"

"This is a skill effect! We're under attack!"

Someone reacted quickly and immediately took out a flashlight, but the beam it cast shone for only an instant before being swallowed by the darkness.

Someone lit a lighter. The tiny flame burned stubbornly, yet it did not illuminate even a millimeter of the surroundings.

All light had been swallowed!

"Everyone, gather together!" Aunt Yun's voice came from the darkness, more severe than ever.

Su Ze moved toward Liu Wenyin beside him. Before long, he felt a soft hand with long, slender fingers.

"Sister?" Su Ze called out.

"Mm." Liu Wenyin responded and took his hand.

Feeling the cold sweat in Liu Wenyin's palm, Su Ze softly reassured her, "It's okay. Aunt Yun can definitely handle it."

But at that moment, Aunt Yun spoke again, her voice trembling slightly. "How could this be?! How could a Saint-level powerhouse appear here?!"

Saint-level?

Everyone's hearts sank. A Saint-level powerhouse was an absolutely invincible existence in their eyes!

What had they done to deserve a Saint-level powerhouse personally making a move against them?

Then, a streak of green Evolutionary Light lit up in the sky, confirming Aunt Yun's words.

A Saint-level lifeform that had evolved four times!

They were finished... Su Ze's heart turned cold as well. After all his calculations, he had never expected Liu Wenyin and the others to truly draw the pursuit of a Saint-level powerhouse.

As the Saint-level powerhouse appeared, Su Ze suddenly sniffed the air and caught a foul stench he knew all too well drifting through it.

A Tainted One!

Could it be someone from that mysterious organization?

Don't tell him this Saint-level powerhouse had come because of him.