Chapter 184: 171 Entering the Forest, Part 1

“Greetings, fellow brothers of the martial world.”

Just as Zhang Rongfang was carefully inspecting his surroundings, one of the members of Zhengming Association jumped onto a large white stone and stood upright to address the crowd.

“I am Wen Shaodong from the Zhengming Association, honored by the trust of martial friends, leading a team into Yinhuai Forest today.”

“This operation has two purposes.”

“First, to find our missing brothers and sisters of Zhengming Association.

Previously, thirteen people led by Senior Brother Yun entered during a chosen safe period, but we haven’t heard from them until now.”

“Second, to search for the daughter of Elder Chen of the Youheng Saber.

I have been entrusted by the elder to conduct this search, so I ask everyone to provide assistance if possible. If you have any clues, please inform us. I, Wen, express my thanks here.” He clasped his hands together towards the crowd.

“So the second leader of Zhengming Association is here in person. How is old master of Kunxu Sword’s health these days?”

“Since Elder Wen speaks, we naturally oblige.”

“Elder Wen entered the Eighth Grade several years ago, and his cultivation is surely higher now, ensuring our absolute safety.”

Once people recognized him, they promptly greeted him and expressed respect, one by one.

Wen Shaodong maintained a composed expression, with a hint of aloofness in his eyes, only greeting the few with the highest strength and familiarity.

Then he turned around to discuss matters with other members of Zhengming Association.

His self-introduction immediately attracted numerous people around him.

For the sake of his daughter, Elder Chen of the Youheng Saber placed a high-priced bounty, practically risking his lifetime assets.

This offer attracted many to try to take advantage.

Soon, Wen Shaodong led his team into the forest.

He didn’t mind if people followed. He carried a large bundle on his back, walking ahead.

Before long, he led more than ten members of Zhengming Association one after another into the forest.

Even in the daytime, the dim forest required torches to be lit for better visibility.

Subsequently, other small teams and even solitary individuals followed.

The bounty set by Elder Chen stated that if anyone finds a hint about his daughter, they may claim the reward.

This motivated many to come and try their luck.

Zhang Rongfang observed the people following, and joined them.

He wore a specially made latex mask from Golden Wing Pavilion, disguising as a sallow-skinned middle-aged man.

He blended into the crowd with other solitary adventurers, appearing inconspicuous.

Among the solitary adventurers were several burly men like him.

After all, martial artists are rarely not strong.

Besides the solitary adventurers, two teams accompanied Zhengming Association.

Both were temporary alliances.

One team had six members, led by Zhao Dihu, a renowned bounty hunter.

Zhao Dihu made his living in Wushan through rewards as a professional hunter.

Many present knew him.

While his strength was not high, his swift actions and high alertness helped him survive many dangerous missions.

Thus, slowly, his reputation spread.

The other team was led by a tall woman with ordinary looks and dark skin.

This woman, named Lin Huan had bright eyes, carried a straight sword on her back, and wore tight black clothing, seemingly binding her chest with something, showing little curvature.

Zhang Rongfang paid slight attention to these two.

Among the crowd, only these few had slightly stronger movement techniques, indicating good strength.

He could only judge others by their movements.

Often, without actual combat, no one could assess the other’s strength.

In total, the group exceeded fifty people.

They advanced for quite a while.

The light in Yinhuai Forest dimmed more and more, making daytime resemble night.

Scarcely any light filtered through the thick layers of leaves, leaving just a few fragmented spots of light.

This formed the solitary light source in the forest.

“Everyone, watch out for poisonous insects and miasma. Those with insect-repellent sachets, walk along the edges.” Wen Shaodong loudly reminded his team.

At this point, if the team continued, the major bounty would surely be claimed by the leading Zhengming Association.

Having encountered no issues for so long, the other two teams silently chose different directions.

They came here seeking rewards.

Thus, they couldn’t always follow the experts from Zhengming Association.

Both teams quietly dispersed.

The solitary adventurers also faced the choice of whether to split or not.

Zhang Rongfang glanced at the others beside him, remaining still, continuing with Zhengming Association.

He assessed this group along the way, realizing they seemed well-prepared.

Clearly, Wen Shaodong likely knew some insider details.

Soon, after the two teams split and departed, taking some solitary adventurers.

The remaining people continued with Zhengming Association’s team.

Zhang Rongfang wasn’t particularly following Zhengming Association. He followed intelligence from Golden Wing Pavilion, indicating that the forest shadow known as Iron Daoist headed in this direction for the best chance of encounter.

Others were here to find survivors, but he differed, he came searching for the forest shadow.

Now reaching a breakthrough in the Tenth Grade, he felt confident; even if he couldn’t defeat them, his newly enhanced body technique made it unlikely for anyone to catch him.

Unless the opponent was as powerful as the Celestial Maiden…

’Forest shadow…’ he licked his lips; if during this journey, he can gain super grade clues from this entity, then he could rapidly soar.

Those estimated with less than twenty life points could undergo super grade secret technique trials, but he, with over forty life points, naturally found it manageable.

As long as he obtained normal super grade martial arts, his physical qualities would advance further, reaching higher levels!

He could disguise his true Tenth Grade advancement through this.

Zhang Rongfang suddenly recalled the Celestial Maiden’s instructions.

She wanted him to stay here for three years.

Three years… With his progress and talent, it’s very likely that the Celestial Maiden thinks he can reach the peak of Ninth Grade within three years.

Then when the time comes, having Gong Shuyin provide this clue would be ideal…

After all, he has to be here for three years.

Gong Shuyin was also originally supposed to be here for three years. It’s too coincidental to ignore in this world.

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Among the other two bounty hunter teams, there’s the one led by Zhao Dihu.

After splitting from the Zhengming Association, they quickly spread out to search the forest on the left side.

Zhao Dihu gripped his curved saber tightly, drawing it out, as he cautiously surveyed his surroundings.

He dared not relax in the slightest.

Now over forty years old, his strength wasn’t formidable—only at Third Grade—but he consistently survived by maintaining this constant vigilance and attention to detail.

“Why so tense, Brother Hu? We have so many people, and the Zhengming Association is at the forefront, what’s there to fear?”

An Shuanghong, one of his deputies, laughed lightly.

“The Shadow in the Forest always acts with regularity, seldom making mistakes. We’re here during the safe period, nothing will happen. Just relax!” An Shuanghong dismissed the captain’s cautiousness.

“It’s become a habit, been this way for many years, can’t change it.” Zhao Dihu shook his head in resignation.

His Flower-Picking Saber Skill seemed grand and sweeping, but in reality it was filled with subtle changes, reflecting his nature perfectly.

This allowed him, despite being only Third Grade, to exhibit combat prowess comparable to Fourth Grade through his saber technique.

“Brother Hu, you’re too uptight, never getting close to women… At your age, saving so much money…” An Shuanghong’s words were abruptly cut off by a scream not far away.

Both were startled, quickly turning to look in the direction of the sound.

In the Yinhuai Forest.

A tall figure clothed in a black daoist robe was slowly pulling an iron sword from a man’s chest.

Blood gushed from the wound, spraying a large area over the trees and grass.

“It’s the Shadow in the Forest! Doesn’t he stay away during the day? Isn’t it supposed to be safe now?!?”

“Run!!”

“Scatter and flee!!”

“Why run, he’s alone, rush him!!”

Zhao Dihu shouted angrily, charging towards the Iron Daoist with his saber.

His shout immediately encouraged two others to muster the courage, fumbling out poison powder bags from their waist pouches and hurling them at the Iron Daoist.

Puff puff, two muffled sounds.

The powder bags exploded, but hit nothing.

The two were struck down one after another by the Iron Daoist who suddenly closed in, splitting each from top to bottom into two Y shapes.

“The fire oil!! Where’s the prepared fire oil!? Throw it!” An Shuanghong screamed in panic, grabbing an oil pouch from her back waist and splashing it towards the Iron Daoist.

She slashed open the oil pouch mid-air, unleashing a large spray of fire oil.

But even such a wide-range attack was evaded by the Iron Daoist.

An Shuanghong yelled, thrusting her saber with full force at him.

She activated her saber skills, ready to unleash a lethal strike, coordinating with Zhao Dihu to ignite it.

Yet after stepping out only twice, she realized with horror that Zhao Dihu, once rushing ahead, was now nowhere to be seen.

Thud!

Iron Daoist suddenly materialized beside her, piercing her waist with a sword, withdrawing it, and continuing to chase the rest….

Soon, most of Zhao Dihu’s team, along with the freelancers, were dead.

Only a few remained, fleeing towards the Zhengming Association’s group.

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“What was that noise!?”

Wen Shaodong halted his steps, turning to look in the forest’s direction.

This time, he had come specially equipped with unique weapons to counter the Iron Daoist.

Since failing on previous explorations, he had pondered deeply and finally devised what might be a Secret Technique to curb the Iron Daoist.

Now, should disaster strike, it would be the time to avenge his fellow disciples!

With this thought, a gleam of intense determination shone in Wen Shaodong’s eyes.

Under his direction, the Zhengming Association’s team quickly formed ranks, setting up to face the direction of the sound.

Zhang Rongfang stood at the back, also gazing in that direction, lost in thought.

Now at Tenth Grade, his senses far surpassed ordinary people, making him even more perceptive than Wen Shaodong.

At this moment, he clearly heard a heavy footstep rapidly approaching them.

He slowly gripped the handle of the wish wheel on his back, his expression darkening. Ready to act.

He hadn’t brought his Golden Wing Pavilion subordinates this time, considering too many people a burden needing protection.

Since the previous attempts with many people had been useless, it indicated that the Shadow in the Forest likely couldn’t be subdued merely by numbers.

Everyone’s attention was focused on the direction of the approaching footsteps.

Soon, the figures of Zhao Dihu and two others emerged within everyone’s view.

Their expressions were filled with panic, continuously glancing backward as they ran, as if evading something.

Once they had run a certain distance.

Finally, everyone could distinguish what was chasing them.

It was a daoist figure, its entire body encased in iron armor.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep