Ambush

The fragrance of grass and trees filled the air, moonlight hazed the landscape, and the entire basin seemed like an immortal realm.

At the basin's outskirts, everyone carried out their tasks in orderly fashion. Setting up the station, pitching tents, scattering specially prepared Rank 3 Magical Beast dung around the perimeter... They expertly arranged the camp's defenses. No wonder the Myriad Medicine Pavilion, despite having an established route, still paid a high price to hire mercenaries to escort its physicians. Perhaps this was one of the most important reasons.

Walking into the basin, Lin Feng saw numerous physician apprentices carefully gathering medicinal herbs under the physicians' guidance. The more careless ones were occasionally reprimanded.

Seeing this, Lin Feng could not help but sigh. Fortunately, he had been lucky enough to obtain a relic left behind by an alchemist, and he was talented besides. Otherwise, he might be living worse than even them now. After his brief reflection, he headed toward Qing Lin.

Qing Lin was currently chattering and laughing around Xiao Yi Xian, while Xiao Yi Xian responded with smiles from time to time and carefully explained the habits of various herbs, as well as how to preserve them. The little slacker Lin Feng usually knew Qing Lin to be was unexpectedly serious now, leaving him rather astonished. Could it really be true that everyone had their nemesis?

As Lin Feng gradually approached, Qing Lin noticed him as well. Under the moonlight, his figure seemed even taller and more indistinct. Combined with the Third Grade Lihua Cleansing Balm that this outwardly aloof but inwardly lecherous fellow had specially prepared for her, his skin had become increasingly fair. Wrapped in his somewhat sturdy frame, he gave off the air of a jade-like young master, a gentleman walking down a country lane.

"Brother..."

"Lord Lin Feng..."

Upon seeing Lin Feng arrive, Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian both greeted him. One was affectionate, while the other was somewhat reverent.

Lin Feng stroked Qing Lin's head, then looked toward Xiao Yi Xian. "There's no need to be so polite. I should be thanking you for keeping Qing Lin company. Ever since she was young, no one had been willing to—"

"Brother Lin Feng..." Before Lin Feng could finish, Qing Lin interrupted him. Her little face flushed red as she shook his arm. "I already told Sister Xiao Yi Xian all that..." Before she could finish speaking, she shyly buried her head in Lin Feng's chest.

"This..." Lin Feng was stunned, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly. Were they really that close already? Still, it only strengthened his resolve to take Xiao Yi Xian under his wing.

It was absolutely not because of the Calamity Poison Body's outstanding potential. In his view, the Original Work's little rich ladies ranked as follows: Zi Yan > Xun Er > Queen > Qing Lin > Xiao Yi Xian > Yun Yun... As for Ya Fei and the others, they could be left aside for now. (P.S. Lin Feng: I can't sort it out myself either. Anyway, if I meet one I can take in, I'll take her in. I won't take the initiative, I won't refuse, and I'll take responsibility. Hehehehehe...)

As for the Fire Spirit Fairy, Xuan Yi, and the like—how presumptuous! Such audacity! Where was Dian Wei? Dian Wei, where was my Dian Wei? Impossible, absolutely impossible... Ah...

Just as this secretly lecherous fool was lost in his self-indulgent fantasy, unable to pull himself free, a beastly roar startled everyone awake.

"Ah..." A shrill scream immediately followed, causing the expressions of the mercenaries to tighten. They gripped their weapons tightly, their sharp gazes sweeping through the darkness around them as they prepared for any danger that might appear.

Naturally, the mercenary squad leaders immediately sent two men to drag the injured mercenary back into the group. The Myriad Medicine Pavilion's physicians hurried forward to clean the wound and stop the bleeding.

Only then did everyone see the injury clearly. The mercenary lay on the ground, rolling in agony. Blood streamed from his thigh, which had clearly been torn by some kind of sharp claw. At the sight, the mercenaries' expressions turned grave, and none of them dared relax in the slightest.

"Roar... Roar..." Howls rose one after another from the dark forest. Clearly, these were pack-dwelling Magical Beasts. The mercenaries' faces grew even uglier upon hearing the roars.

At that moment, an obviously elderly mercenary suddenly shouted, "Not good! It's Dragon Saliva Incense! Light the torches, quickly! Retreat into Medicine Valley!"

Dragon Saliva Incense: a special incense made from the saliva of a Fourth-order Demonic Beast, the Tiger Scale Flood Dragon, combined with special herbs. Once lit, it could double the circulation speed of Dou Qi. It even had some effect on Dou Ling experts, making it a widely known and commonly used item besides medicinal pills. It could easily drive Magical Beasts mad, though it only affected beasts below the Fourth-order.

"Hahaha, it's already too late. Everyone from the Myriad Medicine Pavilion will die here today. As for you lot, hehehe, you can only blame your bad luck. This old man will be taking his leave first!" A chilly laugh suddenly rang out. Everyone watched as the cloak man, who had remained silent within the group all along, suddenly threw back his cloak and revealed a face covered in scars.

"Pavilion Master Yao, you schemed against my family back then. Today, I will have your life as repayment. Hehehe..."

"What? It's you!!!" Even Pavilion Master Yao, who had remained calm despite the Magical Beast attack, suddenly changed color, his expression turning dazed.

"Ah... You, you... How is this possible... Pfft..." Everyone followed the sound and saw the chilly man, who had just been preparing to leave the camp, collapse on the spot. Blood sprayed straight out, accompanied by what seemed to be the sound of an Adamantine Finger.

"Heh. If you wanted revenge, then take your revenge. But you included me and even threatened Qing Lin. That was your path to death." Lin Feng calmly turned around and silently returned to Qing Lin's side, yet everyone regarded him with extreme awe.

"Roar, roar, roar..." Perhaps the blood had further provoked the already crazed Magical Beasts, because their roars became even more urgent and intense.

Then, enormous figures burst from the forest one after another. They were a pack of vicious Magical Beasts, their bodies covered in thick scales and their eyes gleaming with ferocity. They opened their bloody maws, revealing sharp fangs, and charged at the mercenaries outside Medicine Valley.

"What!? They're First Grade High-level Magical Beasts—the Scarlet Scale Fanged Beasts! Their foul breath can knock people unconscious. Their bodies are covered in scale armor, leaving almost no weaknesses, and the fangs before their mouths are incredibly sharp. Even a Dou Master expert could suffer severe injuries with one careless mistake. Worse still, these Magical Beasts live in packs. Their leader has reached Rank 3, with several Rank 2 commanders guarding it. We're finished, we're finished... Even Lord Lin Feng, an Advanced Dou Shi, may not be able to escape alive. We're dead for sure..." The elderly mercenary muttered from within the crowd, his expression dazed, as though he had already given up all hope of survival.

"What? A Rank... Rank 3 Magical Beast? How... how is that possible?" The mercenaries opened their mouths in shock, cold sweat pouring down their backs. Some even gave off the stench of urine.

"Brother, later... if things truly become impossible, then run away by yourself. Qing Lin... Qing Lin wants to stay with you in her next life too." Qing Lin tightened her fingers around Lin Feng's arm. Though terrified, she spoke with unwavering determination.

Lin Feng gently patted Qing Lin's little head. "Silly girl, I will never let you leave me in this life."