The night dew grew heavier, soaking Xiao Yan's robes and bringing a bone-deep chill. He trod through moonlight scattered like broken silver across the ground, weaving through the silent woods. His Emperor Realm Soul spread like an invisible net over dozens of miles, vigilantly catching every unusual movement.
The discoveries in the cave had left his thoughts unsettled. That mysterious "organization," the ancient book recording the plot, the clues pointing toward the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame... all of it tangled around his heart like a cloud of fog. But he knew this was no time to investigate further. His immediate priority was to eliminate the remaining eyes and ears of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group and the Mo Family, then head to the Tagor Desert according to the "plan" to seek the Green Lotus Earth Core Flame.
"But before I leave, I need to give the Wolf Head Mercenary Group something to 'do.'" A cold smile curved Xiao Yan's lips. Although that Otherworlder was dead, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's collusion with the Mo Family had long since earned them a place on his elimination list. Striking directly would attract too much attention. Killing with a borrowed blade was the safest approach.
His spiritual perception swept over a valley ahead, where several rare stalks of Blood Spirit Grass grew. Blood Spirit Grass was a primary ingredient in healing pills and a treasure to Dou Shi cultivators. It could fetch a considerable price on the black market, enough to drive greedy scoundrels like the Wolf Head Mercenary Group mad.
More importantly, a pack of Tier 2 Magical Beasts—Ironback Wild Boars—occupied the area around the valley. Thick-skinned and immensely strong, Ironback Wild Boars were especially protective of their food. Even an eighth-stage Dou Qi cultivator would have to take a detour upon encountering a pack.
"This is the place." A calculating gleam flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes.
He slipped silently into the valley, avoiding the Ironback Wild Boars' lair as he approached the Blood Spirit Grass. The stalks were nearly mature, crystalline dew clinging to their purplish-red leaves. They gave off a faint, blood-sweet scent—a smell that attracted magical beasts, and "bait" that drove mercenaries wild.
Xiao Yan did not pick the Blood Spirit Grass outright. Instead, he took a small silver knife from his herb basket and carefully made a tiny cut at the root of one stalk. A thread of crimson sap seeped out, carrying a richer scent that slowly spread through gaps in the soil toward the valley's entrance.
The cut was exceedingly shallow. It would not affect the Blood Spirit Grass's growth, yet it would allow its scent to keep drifting outward, like a guiding lamp lit in the darkness, hooking precisely into the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's greed.
Once that was done, he circled to the rock face on the other side of the valley and used his silver knife to carve a faint mark into a loose rock. It was a symbol the Wolf Head Mercenary Group used internally to mark the locations of treasures, one he had memorized while lurking in their camp.
Then he withdrew into the dense woods outside the valley and found a concealed vantage point. Like a patient hunter, he waited for his prey to take the bait.
As the night deepened, a jumble of footsteps came from the direction of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group Camp. Xiao Yan's spiritual perception locked on instantly. It was the tall, thin mercenary who had been stung by a Poison Bee, leading three subordinates through the woods on a patrol, cursing as they went.
"Damn it, where did that useless bastard go? The commander said we'll all be punished if we can't find him!" a short, fat mercenary complained. He clutched the swollen Poison Bee sting on his arm, baring his teeth in pain.
The tall, thin mercenary's face darkened. "Search! Search carefully! Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we're finding that brat Xiao Yan! If the Mo Family's bounty falls through, none of us will have anything good coming!"
They continued onward, grumbling and swearing. Suddenly, the short, fat mercenary sniffed, and his eyes lit up. "Huh? What's that smell? It seems like... Blood Spirit Grass?"
The others immediately caught on and concentrated on sniffing the air. That faint, blood-sweet scent was unmistakably the smell of Blood Spirit Grass!
"It really is Blood Spirit Grass!" a narrow-faced mercenary exclaimed in delight. "And the scent's strong. It must be nearby!"
Greed flashed in the tall, thin mercenary's eyes. He knew exactly how valuable Blood Spirit Grass was. If he could get his hands on it, he could live comfortably for quite some time. As for the task of finding Xiao Yan... it no longer seemed so important in the face of treasure.
"Find it! Follow the scent!" The tall, thin mercenary lowered his voice, excitement gleaming in his eyes.
They immediately followed the scent toward the valley. Before long, they spotted the faint mark on the rock face.
"That's our group's mark!" the short, fat mercenary said excitedly. "Someone must have found the Blood Spirit Grass earlier and marked it, hoping to keep it all for himself!"
"Who cares whose it was? It's ours now!" The tall, thin mercenary licked his lips, a vicious gleam showing in his eyes. "Come on! Let's take a look!"
The four carefully entered the valley and soon spotted the thriving stalks of Blood Spirit Grass.
"It's really here! Five stalks!" The narrow-faced mercenary could not help exclaiming softly, his voice brimming with wild delight.
The tall, thin mercenary suppressed his excitement and scanned their surroundings warily. "Be careful. There are usually magical beasts guarding Blood Spirit Grass."
Barely had he finished speaking when a series of dull thuds came from deep within the valley, accompanied by heavy panting and the grating scrape of tusks.
"Oh no! Ironback Wild Boars!" The short, fat mercenary went pale and instinctively took a step back.
Several gray-black shapes charged out of the dense woods. They were indeed Ironback Wild Boars. Their enormous bodies resembled small hills, their backs covered in a hard, horny layer that gleamed like metal. Their two curved tusks were sharp as knives, and their scarlet eyes fixed on the humans who had invaded their territory, radiating savage fury.
"There... there are seven or eight!" The narrow-faced mercenary's voice trembled, and even his sword hand shook.
The tall, thin mercenary's heart tightened as well, but the Blood Spirit Grass was so close that greed overwhelmed his fear. "What are you afraid of? There are four of us! Can't we handle a few beasts? Grab the Blood Spirit Grass first!"
The moment he finished speaking, the largest Ironback Wild Boar at the head of the pack abruptly lowered its head. Its hooves tore at the earth before it shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, whipping up a fierce wind as it charged straight at the tall, thin man!
"You're asking for death!" The tall, thin mercenary gritted his teeth and swung his long saber to meet it. His seventh-stage Dou Qi gathered along the blade, forming a fierce arc of saber light.
Clang!
The saber light struck the Ironback Wild Boar's back with the clear ring of clashing metal, yet left only a faint white mark!
"How is that possible!" The tall, thin mercenary's expression changed drastically. The Ironback Wild Boar's defenses were even stronger than the rumors claimed!
Before he could react, the Ironback Wild Boar was upon him. Its massive head jerked upward, and its sharp tusks slammed into his chest with a gust of rank wind.
Pfft!
The tall, thin mercenary spat out a mouthful of blood under the crushing blow. His body flew backward like a kite with a severed string and crashed heavily into the rock face, his fate unknown.
"Second Brother!" The other three were scared out of their wits. Not daring to linger, they turned to flee.
But the Ironback Wild Boars were already enraged. Squealing, they surrounded the mercenaries, their hulking bodies rampaging through the woods as the crack of breaking trees rang out one after another.
Screams, clashing weapons, and the boars' roars echoed through the valley. Soon, everything fell silent again, leaving only the Ironback Wild Boars' heavy panting and... the smell of blood.
Deep in the woods, Xiao Yan watched it all quietly, his face expressionless.
He had not attacked or even approached. He had merely laid out some "bait" and kindled the flames of greed. The rest was nature's law: the weak were meat for the strong.
The Wolf Head Mercenary Group had lost four capable men and forged a deadly feud with the Ironback Wild Boars. For the time being, they would no longer have the strength to search for "Xiao Yan," much less collude with the Mo Family. And all of it looked like nothing more than an accident born of greed.
"Settled." Xiao Yan turned away, paying no further attention to the valley. He adjusted his herb basket, confirmed that the ancient book and note were safely stowed, then checked his bearings and headed toward the edge of the Tagor Desert.
Next, it was time to meet that "Queen Medusa."
Beneath the moonlight, his figure receded into the distance, merging with the vast darkness of the night. Only the Heavy Xuan Ruler occasionally flashed with a cold gleam under the moon, as though speaking of the edge its master kept hidden.
Before you continue