Han Shuo and his companions possessed astonishing strength, each more impressive than the last. Flying from the Boundless Sea to the Dark Forest took them only a little over half a day.
Along the way, Borton, Livy, and the others quietly exchanged opinions about Han Shuo's claim that he had escaped from a middle god. They all thought he was boasting, and their gazes toward him grew more disdainful. Donna, who led the group, seemed very interested in Han Shuo instead, enthusiastically discussing various aspects of the situation on the Qio Continent with him.
With his Demonic Cultivation Art at its current level, Han Shuo would not deliberately humble himself to curry favor with Donna because of her superior strength and distinguished status. He remained neither servile nor overbearing, his manner relaxed and natural. Donna observed this and inwardly nodded.
Han Shuo paid careful attention and noticed that, because of his cheerful conversation with Donna, the taciturn Bowen's gaze toward him had acquired a faint trace of hostility.
By now, Han Shuo had roughly figured out the relationships among the five. Borton and Bowen were brothers, and Borton seemed very fond of Livy, making it quite obvious. Although Bowen remained silent, his gaze toward Donna was full of respect, which surprised Han Shuo somewhat.
Han Shuo keenly sensed the faint hostility in Bowen's eyes, but paid it no mind.
Upon reaching the Dark Forest, Han Shuo suddenly sensed the black dragon Gilbert's presence. With a shift of his awareness, he discovered that Gilbert was lingering where the Death Cemetery had originally stood, wandering back and forth.
"Please wait a moment. I have a small matter to attend to." Han Shuo apologetically informed Donna, then suddenly became a streak of dark light and flew toward Gilbert.
Filled with confusion, Gilbert circled