The Turbid Water River's waters were muddy because the terrain upstream resembled the Loess Plateau, where severe soil erosion washed away the soil and sand.
At this moment, near the banks of the Turbid Water River and not far from Sancha River Mouth, a dense forest stretched eastward.
A party of knights escorted Mel, Russell, and Laura as they hunted in the forest until dusk.
"We should head back, Young Master Mel," the Knight Captain urged.
"All right." Mel lowered his bow and said regretfully, "Russell, Laura, it seems the Shadowflame Dragon didn't open its eyes today and didn't gaze upon anyone."
After an entire afternoon of hunting, the three of them had not found a Phantom Beast.
Of course, that was only to be expected. Over more than a century, the Monochoria Family had found barely a dozen Phantom Beasts in this Phantom Beast hunting forest. On average, one was discovered only every ten years. How could Russell possibly stumble upon one so casually?
Besides.
Russell had not brought the Hail Bead, nor had he used Dream Gaze to search for Phantom Beasts that might exist within the forest.
"I knew it," Laura muttered.
"Knew what?" Russell asked.
"The Shadowflame Dragon would never gaze upon me." Laura lowered her head. She was still young and had only recently nurtured a Battle Qi Seed. She had no ability to hunt prey yet.
"Why would you think that?" Russell comforted her. "Maybe the Shadowflame Dragon is waiting for you to grow up. I only started having good luck after my coming-of-age ceremony."
"Mm." Laura nodded, a flicker of hope rising within her.
She was not as boisterous as her older sister Rowena, nor was she as pretty as Russell. At Fluorite Castle, she was like a little transparent figure.
No one