“Hahaha, that’s the funniest joke I’ve ever heard! I’d love to see who ends up dead out there. Let’s go!”
Murong Shao burst into wild laughter before leading his team away.
“Let’s move too,” Ling Xiao said calmly, keeping his killing intent buried deep.
A true master didn’t flaunt their intent, it was foolish to tip your hand before acting.
About fifteen minutes later, the four left Yun Kong City.
Murong Shao’s team was nowhere in sight.
Ling Xiao wasn’t in a rush. Killing Murong Shao was secondary, a bonus. Racking up military merits was the priority, tied to his potential breakthrough to Martial Master.
“Brother Ling, where are we headed?” Yin Ran asked, puzzled, as they traveled.
He noticed Ling Xiao hadn’t paused since leaving the city, nor checked a map, just beelined in one direction.
Unbeknownst to him, Ling Xiao’s Mountain River Map had unlocked the full layout of Yun Kong City and its outskirts, marking every Dream Elixir caravan, shop, warehouse, and factory with precision.
With that, Ling Xiao needed no physical map, just the Mountain River Map’s guidance.
“A Dream Elixir factory hidden deep in the mountains!” Ling Xiao replied tersely.
“A factory!” Yin Ran exclaimed, “Those are usually top secret. How’d you know?”
“Aren’t you asking too much? If you don’t trust me, leave now,” Ling Xiao said, frowning.
Some things he couldn’t explain, not out of unwillingness, but inability.
Lying meant weaving more lies to cover it, and he hated the hassle.
Yin Ran paused, then gave a wry smile, “You’re right, Brother Ling. Since I’ve joined your team, I’ll follow your lead. No more questions.”
A sharp guy.
He knew when to shut up and lower his stance.
Though still curious how Ling Xiao pinpointed a factory, he’d chosen to trust and let it go.
What was the point of second-guessing now?
The four soon entered a dense jungle, nearly untouched by humans, with scant wildlife.
Yin Ran grew more perplexed but held his tongue, eager to see Ling Xiao’s reasoning.
“Stop!” Ling Xiao suddenly waved, whispering.
“Something up?” Yin Ran asked.
Ling Xiao nodded, parting the bushes ahead. The view opened up.
A hidden paradise, a basin ringed by wild plants, devoid of people and animals.
Who’d guess a massive Dream Elixir factory lay here?
Around it, fields stretched, not for crops, but for “Beauty Immortal” plants.
The name hinted at their allure: fragrant flowers, graceful like maidens.
Most wouldn’t suspect these beauties fueled the harmful Dream Elixir.
“You actually found it!” Yin Ran marveled. He hadn’t expected Ling Xiao to locate such a huge factory, teeming with traders.
Clearing this alone could net them hefty merits.
“No sentries in sight, but there’s likely hidden ones. Hold off, I’ll scout,” Ling Xiao said, closing his eyes.
His soul force spread, Mountain River Martial Soul whirring. Moments later, he opened them.
“We can’t descend from above, the cliff’s too steep. A slip with our lightness skills means death. But there’s a concealed passage nearby, lightly guarded. The four of us can handle it.”
As he spoke, he leapt toward a direction.
Yin Ran didn’t ask why this time. Ling Xiao’s first surprise was enough, questioning again would be dumb.
Soon, they reached a waterfall.
“Jump through,” Ling Xiao said, punching a hole in the cascade and darting across.
The others followed suit.
Beyond was a cave, masked by plants but findable with effort.
Yin Ran was stunned again. Was Ling Xiao some divine oracle, knowing even this?
Still, he stayed quiet.
With a leader like this, he was thrilled.
He’d considered Ling Xiao might be a ninja clan spy but dismissed it.
If Ling Xiao were a spy, he wouldn’t expose a secret factory just to trap a minor camp disciple like him.
He’d target General Lin Ze.
“Ten yards ahead, four hidden sentries lurk on both sides of the cave. They’re lax, probably no intruders for ages dulled their edge. Three patrol the center: one early Sixth Layer, two early Fifth Layer. The sentries range from early to peak Fifth Layer,” Ling Xiao said, analyzing via the Mountain River Map.
“Here’s the plan: I take the center three. Yin Ran, you handle the left two. Leng Mei, the right two. Sister Yixue, conserve your strength, Martial Masters might show up later, and we’ll need you.”
“Understood!”
Ling Xiao’s plan was flawless, no objections.
“Move!”
The words barely left his mouth before he shot forward.
“So fast!” Yin Ran and Leng Mei marveled, though not their first time seeing it. They hurried after him.
“Heavy Shadow Sword Technique, One Sword, Three Shadows!”
Ling Xiao’s technique excelled against multiple foes. Using just the second layer, he spawned two phantoms.
The three patrolling traders opened their mouths to shout, but too late.
His sword was blindingly swift.
The strongest was only early Sixth Layer, if Ling Xiao couldn’t silence them instantly, he’d be a disgrace.
“Clang!”
The Ice Glass Sword sheathed.
His three forms merged.
The traders collapsed, not a peep escaping.
Done, Ling Xiao didn’t press on. He glanced at both sides.
Real combat was the true test of strength.
Sparring was nothing. He wanted to see Yin Ran and Leng Mei’s practical skills.
