Chapter 81

Xuantian Town, bordering the Beast Forest, serves not only as a place where Xuantian Sect's laboring disciples cultivate and work, but also as the second-largest resource transit hub after Danyang County.

Merchants, peddlers, bounty hunters, and major factions from Tongzhou all regard Xuantian Town as a place to make fortune.

They buy and sell various resources here, opening shops, inns, blacksmiths...

Of course, it's not free—the land is terrifyingly expensive, and the Xuantian Sect holds partial tax rights over Xuantian Town.

In the southern part of Xuantian Town, several streets are long occupied by nearly a hundred small and large gangs founded by the Xuantian Sect's outer-disciple members, their power structures extremely complex.

Among them, a two-court, two-exit mansion spanning over five hundred square meters bears a wooden plaque at its gate inscribed with "War Wolf"—this is Cang Luo's War Wolf Gang base.

The gang base was rented by Wang Fuhai at his own expense for two years, and with the weapons, pills, and other supplies he purchased, it is said he spent all his savings.

Wang Fuhai declared he had bet everything on Cang Luo and the War Wolf Gang; if he fails to recoup his investment, he will lose all chance of competing for the family inheritance.

Cang Luo was deeply moved and told Wang Fuhai he would repay him ten thousandfold within a year.

Wang Fuhai's family runs a trading house—they sell goods—and after the Two Realms connect next year, simply smuggling a few items from Earth could make the Wang family the richest in Danyang County.

Of course, the prerequisite is that Cang Luo survives and returns to Earth!

Right after the War Wolf Gang was founded, Cang Luo decided to head into the Beast Forest for training that same day; after gathering at the base to collect weapons and pills, the group marched boldly toward the Beast Forest.

Since all were Wu Shi cultivators, unable to fly and lacking funds to equip each person with a warhorse, they could only run—the ability to cover long distances on foot is fundamental for martial artists of Yuanwu Continent.

As gang leader, Cang Luo sprinted ahead alone, unleashing his Infinite Qi to its fullest, never pausing for breath or rest; no one could match his speed, yet he frequently stopped to wait for the others to catch up.

This was intentional—he deliberately displayed his strength before them, seeking to awe them into reverence, making it easier for him to issue commands.

It worked: seeing Cang Luo's astonishing stamina and Qi reserves, everyone was stunned, speculating he must have cultivated an advanced core technique.

Yin Mengru wiped sweat from her brow, squatting to rest; immediately, male disciples rushed to fawn over her—offering water, fanning her—but she smiled and declined each, maintaining a reserved demeanor to attract Cang Luo and uncover his identity.

Along the way, she seized every opportunity to draw near him, but he showed no interest, seemingly determined to keep distance.

Yin Mengru couldn't understand: was she not beautiful enough? Was she unattractive? Or had he already taken someone else's heart?

Was she really any less than Yun Jiao?

Did he prefer petite women?

Confused, Yin Mengru and the others continued onward.

After more than an hour of running, they finally reached the Beast Forest.

Zhao Renwu glanced at the sky and said: "In another hour, night will fall. After dark, beasts become harder to track and far more dangerous. Let's set up camp tonight and enter tomorrow."

Everyone nodded in agreement, but Cang Luo shook his head: "Fortune favors the bold. If you can't endure this much danger and hardship, how can you ever change your life or create miracles?"

The greater the danger, the more it stirs potential—and right now is precisely when some beasts venture out to hunt.

Don't worry—we'll only operate within the range of first-tier beasts."

With that, Cang Luo activated his satellite surveillance and stepped into the Beast Forest. The others reasoned: if beasts are out hunting now, and Cang Shiye survived nearly a month alone in this forest, why should we fear?

Realizing this, Zang Feng, Wang Fuhai, and Miss Bai Li immediately followed Cang Luo; the rest quickly followed suit.

Zhao Renwu, though displeased his advice was overruled, could only lead Zhao Renli and others onward—he dared not show even a hint of cowardice before the three female disciples, Yin Mengru.

This was Cang Luo's second time entering the Beast Forest; it looked exactly the same.

Giant cedars towered, vegetation thick and lush; human footprints left no trace—within a single day, they were completely erased by the movements of beasts and plants.

After entering the range of first-tier beasts, unearthly roars erupted all around—but only sounds, no sightings; after a full incense stick's walk, not even a shadow of a beast appeared.

Zhao Renwu glanced at Cang Luo ahead and sneered inwardly.

You ignored my advice and insisted on entering now? Let's see how you find beasts—I don't believe they're your pets.

He longed to see Cang Luo humiliated, so he spoke: "Cang Shiye, based on my experience, there are no first-tier beasts here. You'd need to go dozens of li deeper to find any—but by then, night will be complete..."

Everyone understood his implication: Why didn't you listen to me and wait until tomorrow? Do you really intend to spend the night in the Beast Forest?

Spending the night here is dangerous—do you realize that? Are you willing to endanger the entire gang?

Cang Luo ignored Zhao Renwu, focused entirely on scanning for beasts.

Another half-incense stick passed—still no sign of any beast. Some grew impatient; Zhao Renwu and his group slowed their pace, gradually dragging down the rest; the sixty-man team moved slower and slower.

Cang Luo frowned, turned, and asked: "What's going on? Why are we slowing down?"

Though he asked, he knew perfectly well—Zhao Renwu was causing trouble.

Damn it!

Zang Feng and Wang Fuhai had no objections—why must you, Zhao Renwu, oppose me? Clearly, one mountain cannot hold two tigers. I must recruit his men first, then kick him out of the gang.

Facing Cang Luo's question, everyone fell silent—they dared not openly challenge their leader's decision.

Then Zhao Renli frowned and said: "Leader, we all feel continuing is pointless. As Brother Zhao said, no beasts can be found here now. Let's set up camp early, before we're caught unprepared."

Zhu Que Tang's leader, Zhao Jin, also urged: "Yes, Leader. Since we can't find any beasts now, why not set up camp right here?"

After he spoke, Zhao Renwu's disciples all began urging Cang Luo—especially the Zhu Que Tang members, who clamored loudest.

"Do you not trust me?" Cang Luo glanced at Zhao Renwu, calmly: "If I told you two first-tier beasts—Iron-Scaled Lizards—are fighting over food, both badly wounded, just one li ahead—would you believe me?"

At this, everyone froze in slight shock, then exchanged skeptical glances.

We might barely believe you can detect Iron-Scaled Lizards by their roars.

But you claim exact numbers, exact distance—and that they're wounded from fighting over food?

That's impossible!

Did you see them with your own eyes? Or are those two lizards your pets?

"Heh!" Zhao Renwu widened his eyes mockingly: "Leader, are you joking with your junior brothers?"

Not finding beasts now is fine—we can set up camp and return tomorrow. But please don't betray our trust in you!"

Zhao Renwu's words won wide approval—even He Cheng and others now doubted Cang Luo.

After all, what Cang Luo claimed was indeed outrageous.

Miss Bai Li leaned against a giant cedar, silent. She thought Cang Luo was too eager for results—this was a bad sign.

But what if he was telling the truth? How could he know what was happening one li away? He sounded so certain.

Cang Luo was indeed a bit eager for quick success; he was forced by the situation on Earth and had to seize every second to improve his cultivation and strength, otherwise whether he could even return alive to Earth was in question, let alone protecting his family and taking revenge.

At this moment, Wang Fuhai asked, "Brother Cang, how did you judge that there are two Iron-Shell Lizards one li away?"

The iron scales on the Iron-Shell Lizards are excellent materials for crafting Grade One Rune Armor; a complete set can sell for thirty Low-Grade Spirit Stones, worth far more than their demon cores. If it's true, then we've struck it rich."

Everyone's eyes lit up. Thirty Low-Grade Spirit Stones? Wouldn't two mean sixty? Each person would get one, and the demon cores alone are worth two Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

If what the Gang Leader says is true, that would be great, but is that even possible? Unless he has precognitive abilities.

Although Cang Luo did not have precognitive abilities, he had satellite eyes with a God's-eye view, which for them was practically the same as precognition.

Cang Luo smiled and said, "Whether it's true or false, we'll know once we go take a look. It's not far, just one li. Brother Cang, what do you think?"

Cang Feng was the Hall Master of the Deliberation Hall, holding the power of accountability, with the right to question the Gang Leader's decisions and initiate a Deliberation Hall accountability vote. If the opposing votes exceeded two-thirds, the Gang Leader's orders could be refused.

For instance, right now, he could initiate an accountability vote to veto Cang Luo's decision.

However, for such a trivial matter, he would not easily exercise his accountability power. He said, "The Gang Leader is right. Whether it's true or false, we'll know once we go take a look."

Seeing that the Hall Master of the Deliberation Hall did not oppose the Gang Leader's decision, everyone could only do as Cang Luo said; whether it was true or false, they would know once they looked.

Thus, Cang Luo commanded, "Hall Master of the Azure Qing Long Tang, Hall Master of Bai Hu Tang, take orders! I order you two to each lead five brothers to flank from the left and right. Do not startle the snake. The rest of you follow me forward."

The War Wolf Gang had a total of sixty members. From the Hall Masters to the Gang Leader, there were eleven high-ranking officials; the remaining forty-nine were ordinary gang members. Among them, forty were assigned by Cang Luo to the four halls, with ten people per hall.

The remaining nine people: eight of them were placed under the command of the Left and Right Dharma Protectors.

Originally, these eight people were to stay behind at the gang's base, but since the gang was newly established, the base was empty and desolate, with nothing at all, so there was no value in leaving anyone behind.

The last person was appointed by Cang Luo as the Gang Leader's Assistant, responsible for conveying Cang Luo's orders. When there was business, the Gang Leader could not possibly go convey it personally, could he?

The Gang Leader's Assistant, surnamed Yun, named Yun Jiao...

At Cang Luo's single command, the Hall Master of the Azure Qing Long Tang, He Cheng, and the Hall Master of Bai Hu Tang, Liu Xuande, immediately accepted the order, led their people away, and headed to the location designated by Cang Luo to flank the two Iron-Shell Lizards.

Although they were very puzzled, they still followed the order and acted.

Everyone followed the order and moved quickly into action.

At the rear of the formation, Zhao Renli muttered quietly, "Our expedition starts with bad luck..."

His voice was low, yet just loud enough for everyone to hear. Upon hearing it, everyone's steps faltered slightly, and their speed slowed down a bit.

After discovering this, Cang Luo said nothing but sneered inwardly. The gang was only established a few hours ago, and you are already singing in opposition to me?

Wait and see how this Gang Leader slaps your faces!