Chapter 233: Thunder Energy

Are there wolves? Are there still wolves in this area?

There definitely are wolves; this place is very remote, perfect for wildlife to live!

In an instant, the crowd went into an uproar, looking around nervously.

Don't panic, everyone; wait where you are, I've already contacted the search and rescue department.

The female tour guide shouted loudly, calming everyone's emotions.

Just waiting here isn't helpful; we might as well go up the mountain first...

Exactly, wasting time here means our money is basically wasted!

Someone was unhappy, muttering loudly.

Well, then let's do this," the female tour guide said to the assistant beside her, "you take them up the mountain; I'll stay here and wait for the rescue team.

The assistant nodded, saying, "Then you be careful yourself."

What's there to fear? There's not a wolf here; those people are just talking nonsense.

The female tour guide waved her hand, signaling him to go first.

Soon, the group again marched mightily up the mountain.

Li Xixi, why are you just standing there not moving?

Zhang Yujie turned and saw Li Xixi standing still, and said softly: "Let's not get involved in this; I feel there's danger—how could someone disappear for no reason? Moreover, that man with the child is no ordinary person; I guess he's a Talent Endowed."

Seeing Li Xixi's puzzled expression, Zhang Yujie told her what she had seen on the bus.

You say that middle-aged man isn't ordinary, his eyes emit electricity—are you sure you didn't missee?

Absolutely sure; back then it even startled me, and I still remember those captivating eyes!

Zhang Yujie said firmly.

Li Xixi frowned, thinking: "You say the young man's disappearance might be related to that middle-aged man?"

It's not impossible; I think that guy looks like a kidnapper—maybe the little girl is someone he abducted!

Zhang Yujie rubbed her chin with her right hand, looking serious: "But no matter what, this has nothing to do with us; let's go, follow me up the mountain."

No, I want to find him; he must be in danger now...

Li Xixi took out her phone, but none of the messages she sent got a reply.

Come on, you don't think being a Second‑Realm Martial Artist lets you walk around unchallenged, do you? Your strength isn't even enough to fill the gap between someone's teeth!

Anyway, I've decided—whether you follow or not is up to you!

Li Xixi also stopped paying attention to her, and continued searching along the direction they had come from.

Sigh, I can't do anything with you; can't I help you look?

Zhang Yujie sighed and quickened her pace to catch up.

The female tour guide waiting for the rescue team didn't stop them either; having two Martial Artists help search is definitely a good thing.

If her tour group runs into trouble, she'll definitely bear responsibility, possibly even face criminal penalties.

The thunder energy on Sleepless Mountain is so dense it's terrifying...

On a mountainside.

Lu Jing sat cross‑legged, practicing the Universal Breathing Technique to sense the floating, gathering thunder energy around him.

Wherever the thunder attribute is strongest, I'll go there—I'm sure to find what I want.

Lu Jing stood up and looked toward the summit of Sleepless Mountain.

In the distance, snow capped the peaks year‑round; nearby, yellow and green intermingled, the forests fully colored, with babbling streams.

Walking through the undeveloped mountain forests, hearing the warblers' chirps and breathing the occasional cool breezes, Lu Jing's mood also relaxed.

The uneven terrain didn't impede his steps at all; his figure glided over as if on level ground.

After walking like that for about ten or so minutes, Lu Jing suddenly stopped.

Because in his perception, the closer he got to the summit, the thinner the thunder attribute energy became.

The summit isn't it?" Lu Jing pondered slightly, "It seems the energy is richest around the mountainside...

Could it be that one would have to bore through the whole mountain?

Lu Jing muttered to himself: "Forget it; let's circle the mountainside once—if we gain something, great; if not, we'll head back."

No matter what, this trip isn't wasted; we'll just treat it as a leisurely outing to relax.

Having figured it out, Lu Jing didn't linger long and headed straight down the mountain.

Xixi, look quickly!

Zhang Yujie, who was searching along the downhill path, suddenly called out to Li Xixi: "That looks like Xiao Yu's hairpin!"

Li Xixi hurried over and picked up a delicate pink KT cat hairpin from the grass.

This hairpin is very distinctive; Zhang Yujie immediately thought of Xiao Yu.

It really is Xiao Yu's—how did it end up here?

Li Xixi frowned, thinking: "If a hairpin drops, you'd definitely notice; normally you'd pick it up, unless something urgent happened at the time and you couldn't bother."

She quickly figured out what had happened then.

Zhang Yujie nodded: "In other words, they definitely encountered danger; as to what kind of danger, it's still unknown..."

Hey, there seems to be a side path ahead leading elsewhere; could they have taken it?

Li Xixi's eyes lit up, and she headed down that side path.

You know they're in danger; shouldn't you report the situation to the police first?

Zhang Yujie looked helplessly at her receding back and could only follow.

Parting the weeds, they entered the secluded path; visibility became extremely poor, with towering cliffs on both sides, giving a feeling of oppression.

Xixi, wait for me!

Zhang Yujie stopped Li Xixi, panting, and reminded, "Don't rush; first call the guide and tell her the situation here, otherwise the rescue team won't be able to find us!"

"Alright, I'll follow your lead."

Li Xixi nodded, took out her phone, and prepared to dial.

At that moment, four or five burly men emerged from the grass on either side.

"Yo ho, ladies, are you lost?"

"Who are you?!"

Li Xixi and Zhang Yujie were startled, instantly pressed back‑to‑back, their faces full of vigilance.

The sudden uninvited guests surrounded the two, fists clenched and ready.

On closer look, they wore identical uniforms embroidered with characters.

"World Martial Hall, which hall are you from, and why are you encircling us?"

Zhang Yujie furrowed her delicate brows and forced herself to sound calm.

"Heh, do we still need a reason for what we want to do?"

From behind the hulks, a middle‑aged man whose eyes blazed with fire stepped forward, a cold sneer on his face, slowly approaching the two.

"Hall Master, the scout reported that these two are close to Lei Hao; they might be acquaintances."

"Oh?"

The flame in the middle‑aged man's eyes flared brighter, "Then spare their lives for now, bind them and take them away!"

"Yes!"

The men standing like pillars sprang into action at once.

"Don't come any closer; if you get any nearer, we'll strike!"

Zhang Yujie and Li Xixi stuck together, fists raised, looking ready to fight for their lives.