The woods ahead had grown sparse. Through Gu Qingnian's Spiritual Detection Sharing, even Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng could clearly make out the tracks. Wang Yan had evidently found the right place.
"Impressive, Teacher Wang."
Ma Xiaotao praised him in a low voice, and the other Inner Court students' eyes held noticeably more respect.
Wang Yan gave a bitter smile without saying anything more. If he had been blessed with greater talent, why would he have ended up like this?
"Qingnian, what's the maximum range of your soul skill?"
"Eight hundred meters," Gu Qingnian answered without hesitation.
Surprise instantly crossed Wang Yan's and the others' faces. That far? "All right, use your straight-line detection to sweep the area ahead, from eleven o'clock to three o'clock. See if you find anything."
"To the left. I can just make out a hillside about five hundred meters away. The footprints lead toward the foot of the slope," Gu Qingnian said after a single look, wasting no words.
Wang Yan nodded and said,
"In that case, the enemy should be at the foot of the slope. If my guess is right, there should be a cave there where they're hiding. Before we act, we need to confirm their identities. Once we're certain they're the Hand of Death, I won't need to tell you what to do.
"The Reserve Team will stay with me and provide reinforcements. Xiaotao, we'll leave the main assault to your group. Qingnian, stay behind them, cover the rear, and keep an eye on the situation, just in case."
"No problem. Leave it to us." Ma Xiaotao and Gu Qingnian nodded together.
A wild flame seemed to have begun burning in Ma Xiaotao's pink eyes. They had found their target. All that remained was to strike.
"Everyone, get changed," Wang Yan