Qingshan Town
A young man carrying a huge black ruler walked curiously through the busy streets, taking in his surroundings.
Though many of his wounds had healed, faint scars remained on his body. An inconspicuous black ring adorned the finger of his right hand.
This young man was Xiao Yan. He had finally arrived at the town nearest to the Warcraft Mountains.
As he wandered through the street, he stopped occasionally to buy what he needed and to gather information, both intentionally and unintentionally.
Xiao Yan had originally planned to head directly into the Warcraft Mountains for training upon arriving in Qingshan Town. However, after the Gu demon's attack had left him severely injured and Yao Lao's soul in a state of slumber to save him, Xiao Yan was unsure if he could venture into the mountains alone.
Thus, he decided to join a mercenary team for added safety.
While gathering information from people on the street, Xiao Yan learned about recent major events in Qingshan Town.
He had heard of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's great reputation in Qingshan Town. The admiration in the man's voice as he spoke of Mu She, the group's leader and a two-star fighter, sparked Xiao Yan's desire for power.
But the shop owner pulled him aside and whispered, "The Wolf Head Mercenary Group, the strongest mercenary group with fighting masters, has been completely annihilated!"
Xiao Yan's eyes widened at the news, reflecting on the unpredictability of the world.
The shop owner's next revelation was even more shocking: "They were wiped out by a mysterious alchemist boy who looked only sixteen years old. He took down the entire mercenary group by himself!"
Stunned, Xiao Yan left the shop, still in a daze.
"He is so powerful. Even Nalan Yanran, the so-called Young Master of the Yunlan Sect, cannot compare to him..."
As an ordinary Dou Zhe, Xiao Yan could only sigh with admiration.
His main reason for coming to the Monster Mountain Range was to gain experience and search for an elixir to restore Yao Lao's soul, which had been severely damaged. Despite numerous calls in his heart, Yao Lao remained unresponsive.
By noon the following day, Xiao Yan had joined a mercenary team and entered the mountains.
Two days after Xiao Yan entered the mountains, Qingshan Town welcomed two other distinguished guests.
A pretty young girl with long flowing hair walked the streets, stopping frequently to admire commodities and tugging at the sleeve of an elder to make purchases.
Ling Ying sighed and bought the items for the young lady.
Many shop owners and mercenaries watched the wealthy strangers with interest, their eyes scanning them.
In truth, Xun'er was hoping to catch the big fish she sought through her high-profile behavior.
"If Brother Xiao Yan were here, he would have known about her arrival and come looking for her. Why has he been missing for so long?" Seeing that this method didn't work, Xun'er decided to inquire personally whether a young man carrying a huge black ruler had been in Qingshan Town recently.
After a long search, from sunset to deep dusk, Xun'er finally received some clues.
The news she received was even more shocking: Brother Xiao Yan had already passed away.
Xun'er returned to her residence, holding her chin and sighing.
"It seems we are late. Brother Xiao Yan has already entered the Monster Mountain Range."
Ling Ying nodded, understanding that Xun'er would have her own plans.
As expected, Xun'er gazed at the distant mountains and then clapped her hands excitedly. "How about I go directly into the Monster Mountain Range to find Brother Xiao Yan?"
Though the outer areas of the Monster Mountain Range posed no threat to Xun'er, the inner regions remained largely unexplored.
To ensure Xuner's safety, Ling Ying chose not to dissuade her and decided to follow silently.
Thus, Xun'er ventured into the Monster Mountain Range, tracing Xiao Yan's steps.
Fortunately, she had a treasure to track him, but locating someone in the vast Monster Mountain Range remained a significant challenge.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan had left his mercenary team shortly after entering the mountains and chose to train alone.
The mercenaries, seeing Xiao Yan's youth, had been overprotective, hindering his ability to hone his skills. So, he decided to take the risk and explore the mountains by himself.
Xiao Yan's departure made his trail harder to detect, and even with Ling Ying's help, Xun'er could not find him quickly.
Xun'er, patient and determined, followed Ling Ying through the Monster Mountain Range.
Suddenly, Ling Ying interrupted her.
"Miss, I seem to sense something familiar here. It doesn't feel right."
Ling Ying spoke with a hint of surprise.
Xun'er stopped and looked back at him with a serious expression.
She knew Ling Ying's strength and trusted his instincts. If he sensed a problem, there was indeed a problem.
Ling Ying, skilled in concealment and espionage, detected a faint, familiar aura he couldn't fully identify. He suspected it belonged to someone from the Gu clan.
Xun'er stepped closer, and Ling Ying hesitated.
"I can't pinpoint who this aura belongs to."
"But it's undoubtedly from someone of the Gu clan, though their strength is unknown."
Gu Fei was adept at concealing his presence, and the aura Ling Ying detected was several days old. It was impressive that Ling Ying managed to find it.
Though powerful, Ling Ying could not identify the aura's owner.
Xun'er's face grew tense at Ling Ying's discovery, filled with both panic and anger.
Given her previous encounter with Gu Yao, even without solid proof, Xun'er feared that someone from the Gu clan might be targeting Xiao Yan.
Thus, she was even more determined to find Xiao Yan and ensure his safety.
With Brother Xiao Yan's strength not being very strong, she worried about whether a mysterious ally would come to his rescue against the Gu clan's assassins. If not, what would become of him?