"Everyone, we're approaching Sunset Forest. Please stay alert and don't get separated."
A middle-aged man clad in heavy armor walked at the front of the group, his deep voice ringing out behind him. His uniform clearly marked him as a soldier of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Trailing behind him were members of the Star Luo Empire, led by Davis. Lin Fan walked silently at Davis' side, cloaked in a long black robe with a black mask completely covering his face.
Following behind them, a well-organized Star Luo military unit—around 5,000 strong—was stationed along the outskirts of Sunset Forest. Their well-disciplined movements and silent atmosphere made it clear: these were elite soldiers.
Not far away, Heaven Dou's forces were also setting up camp. However, their formation lacked the same sharpness. Compared to Star Luo's troops, they appeared more chaotic—less trained and clearly less formidable.
Some of the Heaven Dou soldiers cast envious glances toward the Star Luo warriors, admiring their finely forged armor and military discipline, before returning to their own duties.
Meanwhile, the Star Luo soldiers continued their work wordlessly—efficient, focused, and proud. Even their footsteps carried wind.
Rustle, rustle—
Heaven Dou's scouts were the first to enter the forest, carving a path and guiding the group forward.
Though both empires had brought large contingents, only elite squads—no more than thirty people each—would enter the forest proper.
This was a soul beast forest, after all.
Too many people might trigger unforeseen dangers. Even if humanity believed they had already thoroughly explored the continent's soul beast territories, the two great forests remained vast and mysterious.
Especially their core regions—still forbidden, still uncharted.
Even Titled Douluo dared not enter the core of these forests lightly. Who knew what ancient terrors still lurked deep within?
Lin Fan narrowed his eyes as he watched a figure from Heaven Dou's side quietly walking ahead.
If nothing went wrong… that person must be the one seeking to absorb the hundred-thousand-year soul ring, right?
Keeping a low profile, just like me.
But who could it be?
Since when did Heaven Dou possess such a powerful individual?
And on the Star Luo side… things weren't exactly clean either.
Lowering his head slightly, Lin Fan quietly probed his surroundings with spiritual perception—and the corners of his lips curled into a cold smile.
Unseen by all, colorful butterflies perched high atop the trees, fluttering their wings as crimson compound eyes silently tracked the procession.
At the same time, faint tremors rippled beneath the earth—barely noticeable, masked by the march of boots.
No one noticed—except Lin Fan.
Behind them, the path they had walked began to be overtaken by purple-black grass. But within moments, it shifted back to a lush green, blending perfectly with the natural surroundings.
Lin Fan silently received reports from his Zerg scouts embedded throughout the environment.
Heaven Dou had deployed a covert team composed entirely of Soul Emperors, led by someone who emitted fluctuations more akin to a Soul Sage.
But even that was dwarfed by what Star Luo had prepared—they'd deployed three elite teams in secret, tailing the main group closely.
Every one of them was expertly hidden—completely undetectable to any ordinary observer.
And Heaven Dou's little team had already been discovered and was now being shadowed in turn.
"Interesting… is this distrust? Or the mantis stalking the cicada, only to be watched by the oriole?"
He chuckled silently.
Things were finally getting fun.
The hunt hadn't even begun, and already the two empires were engaged in silent warfare.
From the looks of it, Star Luo's experts held the upper hand—for now.
But the Star Luo Emperor couldn't possibly be unaware that Heaven Dou had someone near Titled Douluo level on their side.
So what hidden cards was he holding?
Lin Fan certainly wasn't foolish enough to think he was that trump card.
More likely, he was just another chess piece in the emperor's grand game.
After all, Lin Fan could clearly sense that three Soul Sages from Star Luo's squad were keeping close tabs on him—definitely under the emperor's orders.
As long as he played nice, all would be fine. But if he showed any unusual behavior…
He'd become their first target.
Lin Fan scoffed inwardly.
So you want to play?
Then let's see who can play better.
With a pulse of spiritual energy, Lin Fan activated part of the Zerg network. Behind them, the purple-black grass twitched—then began to spread outward in every direction. Silent. Swift.
If there were any more rats hiding in the shadows, it was time to drag them out into the open.
He wouldn't allow anyone to spoil his fun.
Whoosh—
The purple-black carpet rippled forward, tiny organic nodules burrowing beneath the surface like waves, surging outward.
"Hmm?"
An old man in a green robe, walking alone, paused as the strange grass crept along the forest floor. He narrowed his eyes, then slammed his staff into the earth.
Boom!
A ripple of green energy burst outward.
The moment it touched the corrupted grass, the entire patch withered instantly—curling up and crumbling into black ash.
The old man crouched, pinching a bit of the ash between his fingers, examining it carefully.
He frowned. "Strange… When did this forest start growing things like this?"
Shaking his head, he stood upright and continued on his way—staff in hand, step by step into the depths of the forest.
Despite his slow gait, each stride covered massive distances—as if space itself folded beneath his feet. He vanished into the forest like a phantom.
Elsewhere, Lin Fan's body jolted slightly. His expression hardened.
It's him.
So Heaven Dou had more aces up their sleeve?
No—this couldn't just be about a single hundred-thousand-year-old Titan Giant Ape.
Neither side was being honest.
If it were just a powerful soul beast, there would be no need for so many hidden cards.
It was clear now: both empires had gone all-in.
From what Lin Fan could sense, Heaven Dou had at least two individuals at quasi-Titled Douluo level.
And Star Luo would certainly not be sending less.
What are they really after?
Lin Fan frowned, linking his consciousness deeper into the Zerg hive mind.
It was time to start preparing in earnest.
This mission was shaping up to be far more dangerous than expected.
But with danger… came opportunity.
This could be the pivotal moment for the rise of the Zerg.
Whether or not he could seize that chance…
Would depend on the arrangements he made right now.
****
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