Some seventy Card Adepts made their way through the forest, a stifling atmosphere hanging over the group. Every face held a measure of suspicion and fear. They moved gingerly, afraid to let even one footfall land too heavily, while those responsible for detection acted as though facing a formidable enemy.
"He's nearby!" A short Card Adept swallowed reflexively. He had studied Perceptive Olfaction as a secondary discipline, as had several others in the group. The enemy had Green-Brown Water on him, which was the only reason they had not lost his trail. However, because it was only a secondary discipline, their mastery of Perceptive Olfaction was shallow. They could roughly determine whether he had been nearby, but not pinpoint his exact location.
Thump! A dull, thunderous sound came from behind them.
Every Card Adept's expression changed!
Crack! A Card Adept's Energy Shield and head suddenly burst apart! Some of the Card Adepts around him screamed involuntarily, and everyone instinctively shrank aside.
Baole and Jielamu exchanged a look, their faces livid. Each saw anger in the other's eyes-and the fear beneath it!
"That's the twenty-eighth! If this keeps up, we're all going to die! Baole, we're all going to die!" Jielamu screamed hysterically. The muscles in his cheeks kept twitching, and his eyes were filled with profound despair.
Veins throbbed on Baole's bald head. He abruptly seized Jielamu by his clothes and roared, "Enough, Jielamu! Calm down! That damned bastard wants to drive us mad! Yes, you're right. We're doomed this time. Even if we go back, Wen won't spare us. We're dead! But damn it! I'd rather die-die at this bastard's hands than at Wen's!"
Their subordinates watched the two captains argue in terror. Not one dared step forward.
Baole released his grip, and Jielamu's legs gave way. He landed