Success and Run! Target: Great River

In that instant, the sudden assault made the little mouse so terrified that all its fur bristled upright. Just as it was about to struggle and squeak in reaction, its nose suddenly twitched, as if catching a familiar scent. A hint of human-like delight flickered in its small eyes, and it stopped struggling, docilely staying within the claws. Of course, even if it wanted to scream and fight back, it couldn't.

Having secured the target of this trip, Bai Chuan first cautiously glanced toward the three people's direction. Seeing that he hadn't drawn their attention, he then carefully used both claws to hold the small wooden box and the mouse in front of him, silently turning his back to them and leaving. It's worth noting that Bai Chuan's Environmental Mimicry—his invisibility ability—doesn't make his entire body transparent. Instead, it changes his color to blend into the surroundings, creating a visual cognitive barrier. Therefore, in this situation, as long as Bai Chuan used his body to block the small wooden box and the mouse, keeping them from being exposed outside his coverage, he could make them disappear along with him. After all, their bodies were still there; you just couldn't see them and subconsciously ignored them.

And so, like this, Bai Chuan carefully carried the most important treasure of this trip away from the center of the incident. Once he was a bit farther off, sensing they probably wouldn't notice the commotion here, Bai Chuan immediately unleashed his speed. His entire snake body shot out like an arrow, fleeing toward the direction of the great river. After all, even though he had secretly snatched the prize and gained a huge advantage, that didn't mean the others wouldn't catch on. And Bai Chuan guessed they would react very quickly. So, if not now, when? Having been human in his past life, Bai Chuan knew all too well how terrifying humans could be.

He absolutely couldn't return to his old lair. Maybe staying underground could block their investigation, but Bai Chuan didn't dare gamble. After all, in this vast forest, they had managed to find a tiny mouse. Even if they couldn't track him down, they could follow the mouse to him. Perhaps at this point, he could abandon the mouse. But he still wanted the Ice Silkworm's model. He didn't dare eat it—who knew if he could withstand the Ice Silkworm's power? And if he killed it, he feared a desperate counterattack. Sure, Zhang Daring had said this thing wouldn't put up any resistance against the mouse, but could he really trust every word? Even a cornered rabbit bites. Anyone who believes everything is a complete fool. Bai Chuan didn't dare risk his life.

After all, this was his first time dealing with a supernatural power like frost. So for now, he couldn't give up the mouse—at least not until the scan succeeded. If he wanted the Ice Silkworm's power, he couldn't abandon the mouse. Besides that, his old lair was also a big problem, because the traces of intelligent life there were too obvious. If they discovered it, they'd likely want more than just the Ice Silkworm—he himself might become a target. So, at this moment, he had only one choice: run! Run as far as possible, preferably not staying in this mountain range at all.

From his earlier observations, it was clear those people held high positions in human society. If they couldn't find their target, they'd send a large group for a carpet search. No matter how big the mountains were, he might not be able to hide. And running required skill. On land, the traces were too obvious—not to mention speed, his stamina might not hold out, let alone issues like scent and tracks. So he had only one choice: enter the water, get into the great river, and drift away with the current. If he could reach the sea, even better—then he could completely erase his trail. After all, compared to land, the sea was truly vast and boundless. No matter how far humans explored on land, they could do nothing to the sea. And that would give him plenty of time to develop.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the three combatants had long reached the most intense stage of their battle. Zhang Daring's entire body was bulging with muscles, black patterns like living things spreading across him, faintly emitting a weak bloody glow, as if providing his flesh with an endless supply of power. One of his fists, wrapped in a massive golden gauntlet, swung wildly—smashing or sweeping. Each attack stirred the air into roaring gusts. On the other side, Snake Granny had used some unknown secret technique; the Bamboo Green behind her had transformed into one of her arms—a snake arm, incredibly flexible, able to stretch and shrink, and laced with deadly venom. Every one of her strikes was vicious, targeting either the lower or upper body's vital points. Once bitten, the area would turn black and fester.

Compared to these two somewhat inhuman fighters, the handsome young man Zhou Zhen was relatively normal. One of his slender hands glowed faintly, but upon closer inspection, it held no trace of blood, lacking the texture of human flesh entirely—like flawless white jade, soft and beautiful. He gripped a straight-bladed knife with a curved tip, shaped like a wild goose feather, swinging and chopping continuously. With each slash, a transparent ripple formed around the blade—air being rapidly compressed and distorted. But just then, as the three kept fighting, they inadvertently drew closer to where the Ice Silkworm had been. Snake Granny's eyes flicked over, and she let out a startled cry.

"Not good, the Ice Silkworm is gone!"

"What?!"

These words made the few people locked in battle pause for a moment, each warily backing off to guard against a sneak attack, while their gazes turned toward where the Ice Silkworm had been.

That glance was all it took—they discovered the Ice Silkworm and that rat had already vanished without a trace.

"Where did my Ice Silkworm go? Did one of you secretly take it?"

Seeing this, Zhang Daring grew somewhat frantic. Having broken through abnormally, swallowing the Martial Stone and devouring countless lives, his reason had long since begun to fray.

If he couldn't get the Ice Silkworm now—using its extreme cold to clear his mind, and its blood to wash away the impure spirit energy born from devouring life—he would go mad sooner or later.

He had already been pressing these two down, and if he kept wearing them out, it wouldn't be long before he could take them.

Then, with these corpses full of essence and power, plus the Ice Silkworm, he could fully break through to Seven Limits and pledge himself to the demon cult.

His plan had been proceeding smoothly according to his expectations, but now...

Who was it?!

Who was it ruining his plan?!

He first roared in fury, but fortunately, he still had some confidence backing him up. Then, as if remembering something, he pulled a compass-like object from his side and glanced at it, letting out a small sigh of relief.

Now that the Ice Silkworm had lost the rat's suppression, it would immediately start struggling. Whoever took it, whatever their purpose, as long as they didn't want chaos, they'd have to bring that dead rat along.

And he could track the rat and chase after them.

But he couldn't delay too long, lest the night grow long and the Ice Silkworm be lost.

He'd better go retrieve it now—it was a pity to waste all that flesh and blood he'd worked so hard to trap.

Still, the remnants of his reason let him weigh priorities.

He shot a fierce glare at the two, bared his teeth, and said, "I'll let you off this time. Next time I meet you, you're dead."

With that, he dashed off into the distance.