In the dense, tranquil forest, the leaves suddenly trembled, and several figures darted out from the branches. Their bodies, like agile monkeys, touched the tree trunks before lunging forward again. After a few such leaps, they swiftly vanished at the end of the branches.
“Stop!” As the figures flashed by, the one in the lead suddenly raised his palm. The four behind him then landed on the tree trunks with remarkable agility and cast puzzled glances at the black-robed youth ahead.
“What’s the matter?” Jia Gua scanned the surroundings but found no sign of movement, causing her to whisper in confusion.
“Someone’s coming, hide first,” Xiao Yan said, his eyes fixed intently on the left. His exceptional soul perception granted him superior survival skills in the jungle. He could detect things that others could not, a trait that rarely put him at a disadvantage in this kind of hunting competition.
Upon hearing Xiao Yan, except for Xun’er, Jia Gua and the others were taken aback. They felt no sign of anyone approaching. However, seeing Xiao Yan’s serious expression and remembering his position as the team leader, they nodded slightly. Then, the five figures simultaneously darted and quickly hid in the dense undergrowth below.
About five minutes after Xiao Yan and the others concealed themselves, faint whistling sounds emerged from the nearby thickets. Soon, five figures gradually appeared and halted not far above their hiding spot, sharp eyes scanning the quiet jungle.
Through the gaps in the foliage, Xiao Yan and his companions fixed their gazes on the five senior students from the inner courtyard who had just arrived. Judging from the aura emanating from them, these individuals were all around the level of One-Star Great Fighter.
Though their strength was impressive, they were still inferior compared to Xiao Yan and his group. Furthermore, Xiao Yan and his comrades were not rookies, so they naturally made no unnecessary noises that might alert the seniors. Thus, after a brief search, the five senior students departed in disappointment.
As soon as the five left, Bai Shan moved to stand up, but Xiao Yan’s expression changed, and he hissed, “Don’t move!”
“Why? They’ve already left,” Bai Shan replied, irritated by Xiao Yan’s command.
Despite his words, Bai Shan did not make any large movements. Xiao Yan ignored him and directed his gaze towards the place where the five had disappeared. Seeing this, Bai Shan and the others also froze, following his gaze.
The silent tension hung over the forest. After about three to four minutes, the branch they were watching suddenly trembled. Several figures reappeared, clearly the same group that had just left. Bai Shan’s face darkened with frustration.
“There’s no one, Liu Mu. You’re really too paranoid. We can’t afford to waste time like this,” one of the figures, upon seeing no movement, shook his head and turned to a lean, green-clad youth.
Liu Mu, the addressed youth, nodded helplessly and hesitated, “I cultivate wood-elemental fighting spirit, making my senses much keener in the forest. Maybe it was just an illusion. Let’s go.”
Not entirely sure, he spoke and turned towards another part of the thicket, followed closely by the other four.
“Indeed, these people from the inner courtyard are no ordinary foes…” Watching the five depart, Xiao Yan slowly stood, sighing. If not for his soul perception, he and his team would have been caught off guard.
Jia Gua and the others also rose, shifting their gazes from the retreating figures to Xiao Yan. In their eyes, there was now a hint of trust and respect, recognizing his ability to detect danger and lead them to safety.
“Let’s go. We don’t know our current location after that chaotic rush. Roaming aimlessly will only lead us into trouble,” Xiao Yan said, frowning slightly.
“I think we should gather intelligence about the forest and the exact numbers and strengths of the senior teams participating in this hunt. Otherwise, we may end up surrounded and outnumbered. We can handle one team, but if more are attracted, I doubt we can defeat them all. These inner courtyard students seem very experienced in combat,” Xun’er suggested after a moment’s thought.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan and the others pondered, then nodded. Xun’er’s concern was valid; wandering without information would inevitably slow them down when encountering stronger teams.
“In this place, the only ones who might have that information are the senior students from the inner courtyard. Should we try to obtain it from them?” Bai Shan frowned.
Xiao Yan rubbed his chin, deep in thought, and finally said, “Let’s see how things go. If we get a chance, we could target a senior team. We’re not your average team. As long as we’re careful, we should be able to handle one without attracting others.”
“Eh?” Jia Gua and the others were stunned. Other freshmen were trying to avoid the senior teams, but Xiao Yan wanted to take them on?
“This is too risky,” Bai Shan disagreed, shaking his head.
“Grinding the axe does not hinder chopping firewood. If we wander in this vast forest, how long will it take? And you’ve seen how covetous the seniors are of this ‘Fire Energy.’ It must be incredibly important. If they can rob us, why can’t we do the same? A bit of risk is worth it to avoid regret later,” Xiao Yan said, waving a black crystal chip.
Jia Gua and Wu Hao exchanged looks, considering the idea. After a while, they nodded, “We can give it a try.”
Seeing their agreement, Xiao Yan relaxed and turned to Bai Shan, “What about you?”
Bai Shan’s face fluctuated under their watchful eyes before he gritted his teeth, “Fine, but if anything goes wrong, you, the team leader, take the rear.”
Smiling, Xiao Yan ignored the last comment, “Since everyone agrees, let’s go. Better to seize than to be seized.”
Leading the way, Xiao Yan became a black shadow darting through the thickets, followed closely by Xun’er and the others.
Having decided on their plan, Xiao Yan and his team began to pay attention to the occasional senior teams they encountered. In the next two hours, they met three, but each time, the proximity of other teams forced them to retreat.
In the dense underbrush, the five watched another senior team pass overhead. Xiao Yan sensed a team to the north, and to avoid drawing their attention, they stayed hidden once more.
As the senior team left, Xiao Yan was about to move when he paused, sensing the northern team halt. Without hesitation, he led the four towards the north like moles through the jungle.
After about five minutes, they stopped, peering through the foliage at a clearing where ten figures clashed. Within minutes, five freshmen were defeated, surrounded by the senior team, their fists glowing with fighting spirit.
Xun’er and the others looked to Xiao Yan, awaiting his decision. Eyes narrowing, Xiao Yan opened his soul perception fully. After a moment, he nodded.
“Wow, we’ve found two groups of freshmen today. Quite a haul!” a blue-robed youth in the clearing laughed, looking at the three additional ‘Fire Energies’ on his crystal card.
“Freshmen, thank you. If you want revenge, find us in the inner courtyard. But remember, you’ll need enough ‘Fire Energy,’ ha-ha,” he said, grinning at the fallen freshmen.
“Let’s find the next target,” he continued, turning away.
“You don’t need to look anymore; we’re right here,” a calm voice sounded from the branches. The five freshmen, two girls and three boys, had surrounded them.
The blue-robed youth and his companions were surprised. These freshmen were supposed to run, not confront them.
“Pretty girls, we’ll have to be gentle. Wouldn’t want to leave a bad impression,” the blue-robed youth said, his eyes landing on the two girls.
“What about the other three?” a companion asked.
Smiling, the blue-robed youth said, “Since these newbies are so arrogant, we should teach them a lesson. Let’s draw blood and show them their place.”
“Alright,” the others agreed, their eyes gleaming maliciously at the freshmen.
“Two-star Great Fighters, one-on-one, no delay, quick and decisive. Remember, none escape,” Xiao Yan warned, eyeing the five seniors.
Nodding, the four prepared, and in a flash, they leaped into the clearing, overwhelming the seniors with their power.
As the fighting spirit burst from Xiao Yan and his team, the blue-robed youth’s face twisted. These freshmen were stronger than them!
“Damn, we underestimated them! How are they so strong?” he cursed, but before he could signal a retreat, a black shadow appeared, blocking his path. He swung his fist, but the shadow dodged, its speed and strength far surpassing his.
“Looks like we messed up,” the blue-robed youth thought, staring at the cold, sharp eyes of Xiao Yan.
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