Lin Chen and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a glance, not daring to let their guard down. They stood back-to-back, releasing their spiritual senses and scanning the surrounding darkness warily.
The night lay thick and impenetrable among the trees, with only the campfire's glow illuminating a small patch of ground.
Every so often, the cry of an unknown beast drifted in from afar, adding another measure of tension. Lin Chen clenched his fists, his gaze constantly returning to the direction in which Mo Yuan had vanished, silently praying that everything would go smoothly.
He knew that with Mo Yuan's strength, dealing with a soul beast would be child's play. Yet the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest were dangerous and unpredictable. If he happened to encounter some formidable existence, even Mo Yuan might not escape unscathed.
All Lin Chen could do was rein in his impatience, tending the campfire while keeping an ear out for movement around them.
Fortunately, Mo Yuan did not keep them waiting long.
About the time it took to drink a cup of tea later, a faint rustling came from deep within the forest. A figure strode out of the shadows of the trees—it was Mo Yuan.
He carried a sizable soul beast over his shoulder. Coming up to them, he casually tossed it onto the ground, dusted off his hands, and said with a smile, "This beast really could run. I chased it for nearly an hour before I finally cornered it."
Lin Chen and Zhu Zhuqing looked closely. The soul beast had jet-black fur, a sleek, powerful body, and long, strong limbs. Most striking of all was the row of spines along its back, sharp as swords and gleaming with an eerie, cold light.
It was a Netherworld Sword Lion.
Understanding dawned on Lin Chen.