Chapter 26: The Hunt Continues
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Dragon Roar Valley
In the middle of the valley, Brother Dao, a burly middle-aged man, was clearly upset. He smacked the head of his smaller, wiry companion, Skinny Monkey, and growled in frustration, “Skinny Monkey, are you trying to fool me?!”
Wincing, Skinny Monkey shrank back, his face twisted into an obsequious grin. “Brother Dao, I wouldn’t dare! I swear, everyone we’ve run into lately is here looking for the Seven-Colored Stag!”
“Then where’s the damn deer? I haven’t even seen a single hair!” Brother Dao spat on the ground, his expression sour with irritation.
Dragon Roar Valley had recently become a hotspot, attracting a mix of experts and shady characters. Brother Dao and Skinny Monkey had been scouring the area for over half a month. Instead of finding treasures, they found trouble.
Fortunately, both were Foundation Establishment cultivators. Skinny Monkey’s quick wit and Brother Dao’s strength had kept them alive, though not without a few scars.
Despite his anger, Brother Dao knew Skinny Monkey was too scared to lie about such things. He needed to vent, and after giving Skinny Monkey a sharp slap, he felt a bit calmer. “Let’s find a place to rest. That woman earlier looked all slutty and sweet, but she was all trouble like a snake. She packed a punch,” he grumbled, wincing as he touched a fresh wound.
Skinny Monkey, equally tired but wary of disagreeing, quickly thought of a spot. “Brother Dao, remember that stream we passed a few days back? It’s a good place to rest, and we might catch some animals coming to drink.”
“Alright, let’s head there,” Brother Dao decided, recalling the location. They set off at once, eager for a break.
About half an hour later, the air grew humid, and the ground dampened under their feet. They hastened their steps, visibly relieved.
After navigating through some low shrubs, they reached a babbling stream. Brother Dao laughed heartily, plunging his head into the water. “Refreshing!” he exclaimed.
Skinny Monkey, more reserved, cupped the water to sip slowly, his face reflecting pure satisfaction.
After drinking their fill, they searched for a place to rest and spotted an unusual rock near the stream. It was a large, brown slab, smooth and flat like a natural table.
Exhausted, they sprawled on the rock, welcoming the rest. “Ah,” Brother Dao sighed, feeling his muscles relax.
Skinny Monkey stretched but kept his senses sharp, his hand resting on his storage pouch ready for danger. Despite Brother Dao’s relaxed posture, Skinny Monkey noted his grip on his sword. “Hehe, sure, Brother Dao,” he replied when told to relax, though he remained alert.
“You’re too young to understand. Back in my day—”
Buzz—
Suddenly, a faint buzzing cut Brother Dao off. He sat up, sword at the ready, scanning their surroundings.
Skinny Monkey was quicker, jumping up with two black rods in hand. “Did you hear that?” he asked.
Brother Dao nodded. Before they could discuss further, a raspy voice surrounded them. “Too late.”
The buzzing intensified, and a swarm of brown insects enveloped them. Their screams echoed through the valley as birds scattered in fear.
Moments later, two skeletal remains hit the ground, shattering on impact.
A young man in strange attire stepped out from the forest, scooping up their storage pouches. He then opened a cloth bag, and the insects lined up to crawl inside. “The ancestral notes said corpse-eating insects evolve quickly by consuming cultivator flesh. A couple more times, and my insects will evolve again,” he mused, a sinister smile on his lips. He disappeared back into the dense forest, leaving behind the eerie silence.
…
“Senior Sister Jin Yue, there’s a cultivator city ahead. Let’s rest there tonight,” suggested Fang Cheng Lang, supporting the pale-faced Ye Cong Xin.
Zhou Jin Yue glanced back, slowing her pace. “We’re almost at Lantern City. We’ll rest there tonight.”
Fang Cheng Lang nodded, whispering encouragingly to Ye Cong Xin, “Junior Sister, hang on a bit longer. We’ll rest soon.”
Ye Cong Xin managed a weak smile. “I’m sorry, Senior Brother, for holding everyone back.”
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“You’ve done great, Junior Sister,” Fang Cheng Lang reassured her.
Lan Zi Yu added, “That’s right, Junior Sister. You’ve done well to keep up this long. Even I’m getting tired; it’s time to rest.”
Ye Cong Xin looked over at Yu Zhao, who seemed unfazed by the journey, her face composed and steady. For the first time, she felt deeply inadequate next to Yu Zhao.
Though both were mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, Ye Cong Xin’s frailty made her feel inferior. She wasn’t ready to accept that yet.
Her gaze shifted between Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu, settling on Lan Zi Yu, who seemed more approachable.
She lightly licked her lips, contemplating her next move, as they continued toward the safety of Lantern City.