Shen Fei walked on the left side of the group, Xiao Ning'er on the right, with the entire procession between them. The Shadow Mantis's perception spread around the group, covering several dozen yards ahead and behind.
He could sense a few demon beasts moving within several li, but their auras were weak, below silver rank, and none seemed inclined to approach.
He walked slightly ahead of the middle of the procession, keeping a steady pace as his gaze swept the woods on either side.
Mingyu stopped ahead and to the left, tilting its head slightly as though sensing something.
Two breaths later, it continued floating forward, but more slowly. Seeing it stop, Shen Fei asked no questions. He simply tightened his perception, concentrating on the area ahead and to the group's left.
Sure enough, about a quarter of an hour later, Mingyu's voice drifted back from ahead, soft and rustling, audible only to Shen Fei and Xiao Ning'er.
"Three li ahead and to the left, there's a pack of Gray-Furred Wolves. About twenty, silver rank. Go around them."
Shen Fei relayed the message to the chief beside him. The chief nodded and gestured to the people behind him. The procession did not stop, merely shifting some distance to the right and skirting the side of a low slope.
Shen Fei tracked the Gray-Furred Wolves with his perception, only drawing it back after confirming that the distance between them had grown to more than five li.
Over the next three days, the group moved slowly but steadily. Mingyu's perception spread around them like an invisible net, detecting most beast hordes early enough for them to circle around.
Occasionally, a few scattered demon beasts approached from the flanks. Before Shen Fei or Xiao Ning'er could act, Deputy Chief Tie Xiong led the