With nightfall, the Bai youths grew even edgier, for many, their first night in a beast-ridden forest, fear was natural.
To Lin Yun, it was routine, he’d spent hundreds of nights in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, its dangers dwarfing this ravine—this was child’s play.
“We’ll camp here tonight, no travel after dark, we move again at dawn,” team leader Bai Yongzhi said.
They set up camp, pitching tents from storage rings.
“I’ll keep watch tonight, all guards must stay outside the tents,” Bai Yongzhi added.
With him and the guards on duty, the day’s tension eased for the Bai youths, they rested soundly in their tents.
“This training’s too soft.”
Lin Yun shook his head, unimpressed, resting at night made it too cushy.
To him, night forests were the real test, facing danger solo would forge them.
Midnight.
Lin Yun sat cross-legged outside Bailu’s tent, channeling energy to heal, the forest silent.
Bailu peeked out, whispering, “Big brother Lin Yun, you’ve trekked all day, come rest inside, the tent’s spacious.”
Her invitation flustered him—alone together at night wasn’t proper.
But her innocence was clear, she just wanted him to rest.
“No need, I’m fine out here, we moved slowly today, I’m not tired, you sleep,” he replied.
He closed his eyes.
“Alright then,” Bailu nodded reluctantly.
Time turned, dawn broke, morning sun bathed the land.
The team set out again.
At this pace, they marched three more days.
Three days later, afternoon.
“Everyone, that’s the Golden Immortal Tree ahead! We’ve reached our goal,” Bai Yongzhi pointed.
A shimmering golden tree stood out, bearing two yellowish fruits.
“Brilliant, we’ve finally found it!”
The Bai youths cheered, the past days had been torment—constant nerves, always on guard, they longed to grab the fruits and head back.
They quickened their pace, soon reaching the tree.
“These Golden Immortal Fruits aren’t fully ripe, another day or two would peak their potency, picking now works, just not at their best,” Bai Yongzhi mused, eyeing them.
“Trouble!”
Lin Yun, strolling casually, frowned.
“Danger’s coming! Get ready to fight!” His tone turned grave.
Though usually laid-back, his sharp instincts snapped to life at threats.
“You sick? Everything’s fine, where’s this danger? Full of it, shouting nonsense?” Bailian snapped, her face dark with irritation.
Bai Tong sneered, “If there’s danger, Uncle Yongzhi would sense it first, how’d a cripple like you know?”
The other Bai youths shot Lin Yun annoyed glares.
Bai Yongzhi, about to scold him for panicking, stopped mid-word, his face paling.
*Boom! Boom!*
The ground quaked faintly, distant rumbles echoed from the ravine!
They turned—a massive herd of beasts charged their way, lightning-fast.
Hundreds—three or four hundred at least!
“Beast horde! Prepare to engage! Guards, shield your charges!” Bai Yongzhi roared.
“My God… so many beasts!”
These Bai youths had never seen such a sight, a swarm like this?
They froze, petrified.
Even Bailian stood dumbstruck, pale, mouth agape.
Their guards drew weapons, tense.
The beasts closed fast, lunging at them!
Battle erupted!
Bai Yongzhi brandished his weapon, targeting the horde’s leader—a blood-armored giant lizard, he knew if it broke through, no youth or guard could handle it, he had to take it on.
Most Bai youths were paralyzed with fear, relying wholly on guards, only a few held some composure.
*Roar!*
As combat broke, several beasts charged Lin Yun and Bailu, jaws gaping.
Bailu froze in terror.
“Bailu, behind me!” Lin Yun stepped forward.
His voice snapped her back.
“Big brother Lin Yun, you’re hurt, let me fight!” Bailu bit her lip, summoning courage.
“Damn it!”
Bai Yongzhi, locked with the lizard, glimpsed beasts nearing Bailu, his face twisted.
Lin Yun was a meridian-shattered wreck—how could he protect her?
Bailu couldn’t kill them alone, and he was tied up, unable to help!
To him, she was doomed.
“I told you not to bring that cripple, to take a guard, why wouldn’t you listen!” he raged inwardly.
At Lin Yun and Bailu’s spot.
The beasts pounced.
“Die!”
Lin Yun’s sword flashed into a streak of light!
*Slash! Slash! Slash!*
The three lead beasts dropped dead, hitting the ground hard.
His strike—steady, precise, ruthless—hit vital points, no wasted moves, a seasoned hand’s mark, obvious to any expert.
“What! He…”
Bai Yongzhi, certain they’d die, felt shock crash through him as Lin Yun felled the beasts.
In the fray.
“Big brother Lin Yun, you… you can use inner energy, you’re amazing!” Bailu gawked, stunned by his instant kills.
“Bailu, I told you, if danger came, I’d protect you,” Lin Yun turned, smiling.
“Big brother, more beasts!” Bailu pointed frantically.
Lin Yun spun calmly, swordlight flashing, dropping them dead.
All so composed, unruffled.
