Ling Tian Sword God

Chapter 78: Chapter 77 Demon Forest_1

”’Fire Demon’ Duan Guiyun? Don’t tell me he’s another one whose reputation exceeds his abilities, just like you?” Ling Chen said noncommittally.

”Heh heh! You’ll find out whether his reputation is deserved when you meet him.”

Ouyang Lie’s eyes were icy cold. The more Ling Chen underestimates Duan Guiyun, the better. He probably won’t even know how he died.

At this moment, Bai Susu of the Medicine King Sect and Wei Xuan of the Golden Shark Gang approached to offer congratulations. ”Brother Ling, congratulations.”

Ling Chen shook his head. ”It was expected. Nothing to be happy about.”

”Indeed,” Bai Susu nodded. Ouyang Lie had been utterly crushed by Ling Chen. If they hadn’t underestimated Ling Chen from the start, this outcome wouldn’t have been surprising.

”However, that ’Fire Demon’ Duan Guiyun is no ordinary character. He’s one of the few top young experts ranked just beneath those on the Martial World’s Heavenly List. If you do encounter him, Brother Ling, you must be extremely careful.”

”That’s right,” Wei Xuan added with a solemn expression. ”Duan Guiyun’s strength has reached the Martial Artist Fivefold Realm, a level Ouyang Lie cannot compare to. Moreover, Duan Guiyun is an extremely cruel man who kills without blinking. If he targets you, I fear for your life.”

”Thank you for the warning.”

Ling Chen cupped his fists towards them. Their intentions were simple: having witnessed his hidden strength, they merely wanted to express goodwill and perhaps befriend him.

”There’s no need for thanks,” Bai Susu said, a faint smile on her face. ”Once we enter the Demon Forest, we’ll all need to cooperate and help each other to complete this mission smoothly.”

”The Demon Forest is fraught with danger, and this is my first time going to the Demonic Sound Valley. I’ll have to rely heavily on you both then.”

Ling Chen wasn’t an ungrateful person. He wouldn’t hesitate to strike down those who sought trouble, but he welcomed those who genuinely wished to be friends.

Navigating the Jianghu, having a few more friends was never a bad thing.

”Yes, Young Hero Ling Chen is right. Once we enter the Demon Forest, we will indeed have to rely on all of you,” Lin Ya said with a captivating chuckle as she and Yuan Tianxing approached.

”We have been entrusted with a task and must carry it out faithfully. Since we accepted this mission, we will naturally do our utmost,” Ling Chen said calmly, cupping his fists.

Hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Lin Ya’s beautiful eyes. Ling Chen remained remarkably composed before her, his gaze direct and unwavering, entirely unaffected by her allure.

Yuan Tianxing said, ”I’ve instructed my men to prepare rooms for the four young heroes. Dinner will be served in the main hall; a servant will notify you. Also, the Demonic Sound Valley is no safe haven. You should all take precautions. Tonight, it’s best to focus on resting and conserving your energy.”

”’President Yuan’s reminder is apt,’ they acknowledged. None of them dared to underestimate the Demon Forest. Exotic Beasts were a common sight there. Encountering weaker ones wasn’t an issue, but if they met a top-tier Tier-2 Exotic Beast, even renowned experts like Wu Xiang Young Master or Feng Piaoliu—top figures on the Heavenly List—might not gain an advantage. They could easily perish within, becoming nothing more than fertilizer for the land.

「The night passed uneventfully.」

Early the next morning, the large convoy set off under Yuan Tianxing’s direction.

This time, besides the four selected young experts, dozens of guards from the Commerce Association accompanied them. Additionally, there were several elderly men, looking quite advanced in age. Ling Chen surmised they were likely experts in gathering medicinal herbs and prospecting for ores.

Ling Chen wasn’t overly worried. The expedition leader, Yuan Tianxing, was a Fifth Level Martial Artist. With him overseeing the convoy, the others shouldn’t feel too much pressure.

「Around noon」

The group entered the Demon Forest.

The outskirts of the Demon Forest posed little threat to the convoy. However, after venturing about a hundred miles deeper, an increasingly dangerous aura began to permeate the surroundings.

In the deathly silent forest, everyone proceeded quietly, their vigilant eyes constantly scanning the shadowy corners. Those with weapons gripped them tightly, while those without discreetly circulated their True Qi, ready for any sudden danger.

AHH!

Despite everyone’s caution, death was still inevitable. One of the guards suddenly collapsed, his face turning purple as he frothed at the mouth.

”What happened?” Lin Ya frowned and hurried over.

After turning the body over for a closer look, they found a bleeding hole in the dead guard’s neck from which a colorful centipede was crawling out.

”It’s a Five-Colored Blood Centipede!” Ling Chen exclaimed, recognizing it. This was no ordinary insect but a small Exotic Beast. Though its physical strength was negligible, its venom could easily kill a warrior.

SLASH!

Ling Chen’s sword flashed like lightning, cleaving the centipede in two.

”He’s beyond saving.” Bai Susu crouched, examined the guard, then shook her head. ”The Five-Colored Blood Centipede’s poison acts within a few breaths. There’s no time for rescue.”

”The body of a Five-Colored Blood Centipede is a medicinal ingredient. Collect it,” Lin Ya instructed a nearby guard. ”Also, note this down: provide a burial allowance of ten thousand taels of silver for this brother.”

”Yes, Lin Steward!” The guard’s eyes lit up. Ten thousand taels of silver was enough for their family to live on for a lifetime. With such compensation, they wouldn’t have to worry about their families even if they faced mortal danger.

”Everyone, be vigilant!” Lin Ya said calmly, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. ”From this point on, the Exotic Beasts we encounter will be formidable. The slightest carelessness could cost you your lives.”

”Let’s keep moving.”

The convoy couldn’t halt its progress for a single guard’s death. Besides, everyone knew this was likely just the beginning.

After advancing another three to four hundred miles, the convoy began to slow. They were approaching the Demonic Sound Valley.

”It seems there aren’t as many Exotic Beasts as I expected,” Kong Xuan remarked from the front of the group, looking relaxed. To him, these weak Exotic Beasts, and even ordinary wild animals, were no match in a single exchange. Moreover, he carried insect-repelling powder, so common poisonous insects couldn’t get near him.

So far, apart from the guard who died unexpectedly at the start, only three others had perished by the time they reached the outskirts of the Demonic Sound Valley. This could already be considered minimizing their losses.

Bai Susu couldn’t help but frown. This is rather strange. We’ve traveled so far without encountering a single Exotic Beast. When things are this abnormal, something is usually amiss. These minor skirmishes pose no real threat to the convoy. If this was all the danger there was, the Blue Moon Commerce Association wouldn’t have needed to hire us. Such tranquility likely presages a storm.

”What, are you hoping we’ll encounter powerful Exotic Beasts?” Kong Xuan asked, looking at Bai Susu sarcastically. ”We should take advantage of our good luck, enter the Demonic Sound Valley quickly, finish our business, and leave immediately.”

”Young Master Kong is right.” Lin Ya nodded with a smile and gestured to Yuan Tianxing and the others. ”Let’s pick up the pace.”

”Wait!”

Just then, Wei Xuan of the Golden Shark Gang’s expression suddenly changed. He dropped to the ground, pressing an ear to it as if listening for something.

Seeing this, Ling Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly. That technique... It’s the Golden Shark Gang’s unique skill, ’Hearing the Surf from Ten Miles Away.’ It can temporarily enhance one’s hearing to detect any unusual movements in the vicinity.