Night Watch, Tent Anomaly!

The silent night forest.

Accompanied by the noisy sounds from the two people inside the tent.

As if the place had regained some vitality.

"Watch me skewer you, Xiantian Ninth Layer Heaven, right?"

Daoist Priest Four-Eyes made a scissor gesture with one hand and poked towards Master Yixiu's eyes.

"Aiya, old Daoist, you're using dirty tricks."

Master Yixiu retaliated, his hand striking out in a monkey stealing peaches move.

"Ouch, I..."

Daoist Priest Four-Eyes was hit, clamping his legs together tightly, clutching his lower half in pain.

Rustle, rustle.

Suddenly, the sounds of hurried footsteps interrupted the bickering pair.

"Uncle-Master, Master, stop fooling around. Something seems to have happened."

Lin Fan startled, hearing the sound and stopping the two.

Jia Le and Qingqing quickly got up and walked over.

They saw four people, Ah Dong, and the others, rushing over from outside the window.

"Bad news, Master, terrible news."

Ah Dong shouted loudly.

"What's going on? Don't panic, speak slowly."

Lin Fan reached out to steady Ah Dong and asked.

Ah Dong took a deep breath and continued, "Just now, we were on patrol together. We suddenly discovered that one of the bodies Master had ordered us to deal with was missing. We counted them after we finished; there were ten in total, and now only nine are left."

"Are you sure you've confirmed it? Counted carefully, did you see clearly?"

Daoist Priest Qian He asked repeatedly with a grave expression.

Ah Dong recalled and replied, "Master, I'm very sure. That's why it's even more bizarre. When we were cleaning up, I distinctly remember one of the soldiers. He was tall and thin, with very slender fingers. He was much more refined than the other soldiers; he didn't look like a soldier at all, more like someone from a scholarly family. It's only him who's missing, so I'm very certain."

Where would you find such a refined-looking soldier?

Without wearing a soldier's uniform, no one would ever think he was a soldier.

After Ah Dong finished speaking, he couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"Did you search the surroundings thoroughly?"

Daoist Priest Qian He continued to ask.

"Master, we searched everywhere. The four of us dug through every nook and cranny, big and small, but found no trace."

Ah Dong said helplessly.

Daoist Priest Four-Eyes stepped forward and said, "Junior Brother, don't overthink it. In this vast forest, it's not unusual for a wolf to have carried it away."

Daoist Priest Qian He nodded and replied, "That's true. Thinking too much is useless. Everyone should get some rest and conserve energy. Let's take turns keeping watch tonight, just in case."

"Then I'll take the first watch, Master. Elders, please rest first."

Ah Dong, hearing this, immediately took the initiative to shoulder the responsibility.

"That won't do. Let me and your Uncle-Master and Master Yixiu stand guard. You juniors should all go rest."

Daoist Priest Qian He pondered for a moment and then spoke.

"Master, I'm really fine. I can still hold my post for a night watch."

Ah Dong insisted.

Daoist Priest Qian He was about to speak again.

Lin Fan stepped forward and blocked him.

He said, "Uncle-Master Qian He, you're getting on in years, don't overexert yourself. Besides, you're still a little injured tonight. You go rest first, and I'll accompany Ah Dong, alright?"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Everyone seemed to have been reassured.

They looked at each other and all nodded.

"Ah, right. One more thing. Remember to change the sticky rice for that little brat tonight."

Daoist Priest Four-Eyes picked up a packet of sticky rice from his waist and threw it to Ah Dong.

After saying that.

Everyone returned to their tents to rest.

A breeze blew, and the night forest at deep night felt exceptionally cool.

Jia Le entered the tent and fell asleep immediately.

Two Daoists and a monk were resting with their eyes closed.

With bouts of snoring, everyone else slept soundly.

Faint flickers of fire appeared outside the tent.

The flames licked the silent night, illuminating the dark forest.

Lin Fan and A Dong gathered some firewood and built a campfire.

"I only just realized how cold it really is, Senior Disciple Brother," A Dong said, sniffing.

"It's alright. Come closer to the fire and you'll warm up," Lin Fan replied, gesturing to the bonfire.

After he spoke, the two fell silent again.

The warm firelight seeped through their bodies, bringing comfort.

Lin Fan savored the moment of peace.

A Dong, as if preoccupied, gazed at Lin Fan through the flames.

Earlier, when I said I'd stand guard, everyone seemed worried. Even Master didn't trust me. But as soon as Senior Disciple Brother spoke up, everyone seemed so happy and relieved. I'm actually a few years older than Senior Disciple Brother Lin Fan. What kind of world is this? Comparing people really makes you angry.

Unable to suppress his thoughts, A Dong shook his head unconsciously.

Lin Fan noticed something was amiss. He chuckled, "Why do you keep staring at me? Is there something on my face?"

"N-no... no, Senior Disciple Brother," A Dong stammered, caught off guard and visibly embarrassed. He quickly added, "Senior Disciple Brother, I just feel you're too amazing. You're already at Xiantian Fifth Heaven, and I can't even come close. I don't know when I'll ever get a chance to touch that threshold!"

Lin Fan shrugged nonchalantly.

Seeing the young man looking dejected, Lin Fan thought, If I told him I'd be advancing to Seventh Heaven tonight, he'd probably feel even worse.

A Dong saw that Lin Fan seemed a little embarrassed again. He continued, "Before, in my Master's lineage at Maoshan, I was considered quite talented among the younger generation. I also had some understanding of formations. I wouldn't call myself a prodigy, but I was definitely an outstanding talent in the sect. But ever since I met you, Senior Disciple Brother, I realized what it means to be a frog in a well. Compared to a genius like you who reached Xiantian Fifth Heaven at such a young age, sigh, I'm so far behind!"

Lin Fan felt extremely awkward from A Dong's continuous praise. He's praised me right into a corner. This buddy is already at Xiantian Seventh Heaven. If A Dong knew, wouldn't he just bang his head against a wall?

Lin Fan chuckled and quickly comforted him, "A Dong, don't think about it too much. Everyone has their own opportunities. Perhaps yours just hasn't arrived yet."

A Dong shrugged. Then he stood up and said, "Enough talk. It's about time. I'll go switch out the glutinous rice for Seventy-One Prince." With that, he turned and walked towards the tent.

"Phew!"

Watching A Dong's retreating figure, Lin Fan let out a long sigh of relief. Good riddance. If he kept talking, I might have ended up praising him so much I wouldn't know how to comfort him. I'm good at comforting women, usually just telling them to drink more hot water. As for comforting men... why so down, young man? Have faith, tomorrow holds hope.

"You... how are you here?!" A Dong exclaimed, blood rushing to his face.

Before Lin Fan could think further.

Suddenly, a startled cry came from inside the tent.

Lin Fan spread his aura outwards.

Sensing a strange presence within the tent at that moment.

He suddenly stood up and leaped forward.

He shot out, rushing towards the tent.

It happened in the blink of an eye.

Bang!

A sound rang out.

Sticky rice scattered all over the ground, and A Dong grunted.

He was sent flying out of the tent.

As if he had suffered a heavy blow.