“I have my own teammates. Joining you… doesn’t seem right, does it?” Lin Yun said.
“What’s wrong with it? Do as you’re told, or die!” the white-haired old man barked.
Their intent was clear: they wanted Lin Yun to scout dangerous areas, using him as a shield for their team as they ventured deeper into the border mountains, where dangers and unknowns awaited.
“Alright, I’ll go with you,” Lin Yun said, walking toward their group.
With their overwhelming strength, Lin Yun had to comply for now.
Upon joining their team, the Tongtian realm old man stayed close to the young man in the brocade robe, guarding him personally.
The young man absorbed all four demon crystals on the spot.
Despite the team having over a dozen members, the crystals were solely for the young man, none shared with the others.
Lin Yun’s observation was correct: these people were likely assigned to protect the young man.
Lin Yun couldn’t help but sigh. Having a powerful background and family made a huge difference, easing the path of cultivation.
Even the most dangerous task of hunting demons to advance cultivation became far simpler for a privileged young master like him.
But there was no helping it; his advantages were built on the efforts of his ancestors and elders.
In the ancestral land, Lin Yun could rely only on himself to carve out a path.
Yet, if he succeeded, he could make the cultivation journey easier for his loved ones.
Just as in the cultivation continent, his hard-fought efforts had paved the way for his friends and family.
Without him, how many of them could have reached the Tribulation realm on their own?
After absorbing the four crystals, the young man’s team set off again.
…
Meanwhile, Lin Yun’s teammates stopped after fleeing a great distance.
“What do we do now? Lin Yun was held back by that group, and we don’t know why. His fate is uncertain,” Zhou Bocheng said, shaking his head with a sigh.
They had escaped, but Lin Yun was in the hands of that group, and they didn’t know the reason.
“There’s nothing we can do. Coming to the border mountains means being prepared for sacrifice. The dangers here aren’t just from demons but also from other hunting teams,” Zhong Hongkai said.
“If he makes it out alive, he’ll contact us. Let’s focus on ourselves for now,” Gan Yu added.
…
Over the next seven days, Lin Yun followed the team, heading deeper into the border mountains.
During this time, they engaged in only two small-scale demon hunts, targeting lone prey.
With such a large group, they were a conspicuous target, and hidden demons wouldn’t attack them proactively.
Instead, the team sought out signs of combat, rushing toward any battle sounds to rob other teams.
Two days ago, they successfully ambushed another group of two, who, intimidated by the Tongtian realm cultivator, handed over their spoils.
Additionally, from their conversations, Lin Yun learned that in a year, valuable natural treasures would ripen deep in the mountains.
They likely wanted Lin Yun to serve as bait, drawing attention and sacrificing himself when the time came.
Beyond that, Lin Yun gleaned no further details. They only mentioned in passing the need to hurry, collecting crystals while pressing deeper to reach their destination within a year.
At this moment, the team was still advancing into the border mountains.
“Young master, there’s combat activity over there!” the Tongtian realm old man suddenly halted.
Lin Yun also sensed it, battle sounds coming from about ten miles to the left.
“Good! Let’s go check it out!” the young man said, fanning himself excitedly.
The team concealed their aura and quietly moved toward the left.
Soon, they reached the battlefield, hiding behind cover to observe.
Lin Yun looked ahead. A three-person team was fighting two demons intensely, but it seemed they would ultimately win.
The young man signalled everyone to wait and watch.
Lin Yun could tell this team was seasoned at preying on others, likely having robbed countless teams already.
After more than ten minutes of watching, the intense battle ahead concluded.
The three-person team was battered, one severely injured, all in poor condition.
“It’s time, go!” The young man waved, leading the charge.
“That was quite a show,” the young man said as they emerged.
“What do you want?” The three, seeing Lin Yun’s group of over a dozen, panicked.
Injured and weakened, they were terrified of this sudden large group.
“We’re here for the demon crystals, of course,” the Tongtian realm old man said.
“Run!”
The three, clearly coordinated, didn’t hesitate, fleeing in three different directions without a word.
“Hmph, seeking death! Get them!” the young man sneered, giving the order.
The Tongtian realm old man and several other fighters quickly pursued.
“You only needed to hand over the crystals. Dare to run? Then your lives are ours!” the old man soared through the air, his speed astonishing.
Seeing this, Lin Yun’s face lit up with a faint smile.
With the Tongtian realm old man chasing, this was his chance!
At that moment, their attention was on the fleeing trio.
Lin Yun hadn’t dared act earlier, with the old man always near the young man.
He quietly moved forward.
“Hey, kid, what are you doing?”
As Lin Yun neared the young man, two Saint realm bodyguards reacted, trying to stop him.
Boom!
Lin Yun’s arm, instantly covered in dragon scales, erupted with internal energy. He struck one bodyguard with a palm, forcing him back.
His other hand swiftly drew his sword, pressing it against the young man’s neck from behind.
