Chapter 29: First Entry into the Mountain Range? I'm a Professional Slacker!

The Cloud-Piercing Ship moved at extreme speed; in less than half a day, the lush, boundless Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range below was already clearly visible. From within the mountains, the roars and howls of various demonic beasts could be faintly heard, and the air was permeated with a faint scent of wildness and blood.

The flying ship did not venture deep, but instead descended slowly onto a relatively flat temporary campsite on the outskirts of the mountains that had already been cleared by an advance unit.

The camp was filled with banners, and many imperial soldiers were already stationed there, with an aura of grim slaughter permeating the air.

"Third Squad, assemble!" Captain Zhao Lie’s voice was cold and hard.

Lin Xuan and the others quickly formed a line before him.

Zhao Lie’s gaze swept over everyone, and he said in a deep voice, "The mission of our Third Squad is to clear the 'Black Wind Ridge' area within a fifty-mile radius to the northwest of the camp, exterminate the 'Iron-Backed Gray Wolf' pack entrenched there, and investigate whether there are any abnormal energy fluctuations. Iron-Backed Gray Wolves are mostly Tier 2 demonic beasts, equivalent to the Foundation Establishment stage, but the wolf king may reach Tier 3 (Golden Core stage). Furthermore, the pack is massive and skilled at coordination, so do not be careless!"

"Now, check your equipment. We depart in one incense stick of time!"

Everyone checked their magic treasures and elixirs one after another. Lin Xuan also made a show of patting his green robes, while in reality, his spiritual sense had already swept through his Dust Ring and dantian, confirming everything was ready.

One incense stick of time later, the twelve members of the Third Squad, led by Zhao Lie, left the camp and shot into the vast forest like sharp arrows.

Once they entered the mountains, the environment instantly became complex. Towering ancient trees blocked the sun, vines were intertwined, and the ground was covered with a thick layer of humus; the air was filled with the scent of dampness and decay. Various poisonous insects and strange plants lurked in the shadows; if they were not all Golden Core cultivators, this harsh environment alone would have been enough to make it impossible to move an inch.

Zhao Lie was highly experienced; he moved silently, constantly using various hand signals to direct the team to provide alternating cover and remain vigilant of their surroundings.

Lin Xuan followed in the middle of the team, appearing as vigilant as the others, but he was actually quite relaxed inside. With the aid of the "Turtle Breathing Technique" and the system, his spiritual sense coverage far exceeded those of the same realm, and he had long since incorporated every movement within several miles into his perception.

He even had the leisure to secretly critique:

"There is a 'Green-Scaled Python' hiding in the tree canopy three hundred meters to the front left. It’s at the peak of Tier 2, and its aura is hidden quite well, but unfortunately, it cannot escape my scan."

"That swampy area to the rear right is a bit strange; it seems to have traces of a natural maze array. It’s the right choice to bypass it."

"Tsk tsk, the route Captain Zhao chose is indeed cunning; it avoided several potential demonic beast lairs."

He played the role of an "ordinary" first-level Golden Core cultivator perfectly, neither rushing forward nor dragging his feet. When he needed to act, he would casually use a strand of spiritual power to finish off low-tier demonic beasts that occasionally darted out; when he didn't need to act, he would silently observe, familiarizing himself with the mountain environment and his teammates' styles.

[Ding! Detected that the host has skillfully utilized the "Workplace Slacking Technique," maintaining a low profile in a dangerous environment, conforming to the essence of "lying flat." Gained 1000 Slacking Points!]

Lin Xuan: "..."

System, is there something wrong with your criteria for judgment?

After marching for about an hour, the scout leading the way (a cultivator in the team skilled in speed) returned quickly with a grave expression: "Captain, five miles ahead, I discovered traces of the Iron-Backed Gray Wolf pack. The number is not small, estimated at no less than a hundred! The wolf king's aura is vaguely reaching the mid-stage of Tier 3!"

Mid-stage of Tier 3! Equivalent to the fourth to sixth level of the Golden Core stage!

Everyone’s expression tightened. Although they had twelve Golden Core cultivators, the wolf pack held an absolute numerical advantage, and the wolf king was formidable; this hard battle would not be easy to fight.

Zhao Lie pondered for a moment and decisively ordered: "Form the 'Small Three Talents Array'! Body cultivators in the front, magic cultivators in the center, those skilled in speed move around to provide support! Mu Xuan, you and I will stay in the center to provide support and be ready to assist all sides!"

"Yes!" everyone responded, quickly changing their formation.

Lin Xuan was assigned to the center with Zhao Lie. This position was relatively safe and allowed him to survey the overall situation, which suited him perfectly. He stood silently by Zhao Lie’s side, looking as if he were ready to take orders at any time.

Soon, the howling of wolves came from far to near, surging like a tide! In the dense forest ahead, pairs of ghostly green eyes lit up, and over a hundred Iron-Backed Gray Wolves, as sturdy as oxen, with fur like iron and chilling fangs, rushed out, surrounding the Third Squad! A fishy wind hit their faces!

The wolf king at the lead was exceptionally large, with a shoulder height of over two meters, muscles coiled all over its body, and steel claws flashing with cold light. Its scarlet eyes stared fixedly at Zhao Lie, emitting the formidable pressure of a mid-stage Tier 3 beast!

"Roar!" The wolf king let out a roar to attack!

In an instant, over a hundred Iron-Backed Gray Wolves surged toward the Small Three Talents Array like a black tide from all directions!

"Hold steady! Attack!" Zhao Lie shook his long spear and was the first to meet the wolf king! The spear thrust out like a dragon, accompanied by the sound of tearing air!

Other team members also used their own methods; sword light, blade energy, magic techniques, and talismans exploded in the wolf pack like fireworks! The battle instantly entered a white-hot state!

Lin Xuan was in the formation, appearing to focus on the battle with tension, but in reality, he was at ease.

A body cultivator was pounced on by three gray wolves simultaneously, and his protective spiritual light was crumbling. Lin Xuan casually flicked a finger, shooting out a condensed strand of spiritual power that precisely pierced the eye socket of one of the gray wolves, helping him out of the predicament.

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Mu!" the body cultivator shouted gratefully.

On the other side, a fireball technique released by a magic cultivator was extinguished by the fishy wind whipped up by the wolf king, and he fell into danger. Lin Xuan calmly flicked out a low-tier "Gale Talisman" to fuel the flames, while simultaneously, a hidden strand of spiritual power quietly struck the wolf king’s forelimb joint, causing its movement to lag slightly.

The magic cultivator took the opportunity to retreat, breaking out in a cold sweat, and his gaze toward Lin Xuan also carried gratitude.

Lin Xuan was like a battlefield support master, always using the most inconspicuous methods at critical moments to resolve crises for his teammates or create small troubles for the wolf pack. His strikes were precise, his consumption was minimal, yet the effects were surprisingly good.

[Ding! Detected gratitude and recognition from Teammate A/B, Emotion Points +666!]

[Ding! Detected confusion and irritability from the wolf king, Emotion Points +333!]

Zhao Lie was in the heat of a fierce battle with the wolf king; although his cultivation base was slightly inferior, his spear technique was exquisite and his experience was seasoned, so he fought the wolf king to a draw for the time being. However, he also keenly noticed that the entire battle situation seemed to be going a bit more smoothly than expected; the pressure on the team members was not that great, and the dangers that occasionally appeared were always resolved at critical moments.

His gaze inadvertently swept over Lin Xuan (Mu Xuan), who was standing behind his side the whole time and seemed to have no major movements, and a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes. This Mu Xuan did not seem as simple as he appeared on the surface.

The battle lasted for about an incense stick of time. Under the tacit cooperation of the Third Squad (and Lin Xuan’s invisible support), the wolf pack suffered heavy casualties, leaving only the wolf king and a dozen elite gray wolves to put up a desperate struggle.

The wolf king also had several wounds on its body, and a trace of retreat flashed in its scarlet eyes.

Just as it feinted with a claw, preparing to force Zhao Lie back and lead the remnants to retreat—

A sudden change occurred!

"Hum—!"

An extremely obscure, yet soul-trembling, cold aura of death, like an invisible ripple, suddenly spread from the depths of the dense forest on the side of the battlefield!

This death aura was not aimed at anyone, but its pure "death" intent made all living beings present, whether human cultivators or Iron-Backed Gray Wolves, feel a sense of instinctive fear and discomfort! Their movements could not help but lag!

"Netherworld Death Aura?!" Zhao Lie’s expression changed drastically!

Lin Xuan’s heart also tightened! He was too familiar with this aura! It was definitely someone from the Netherworld Sect! And their cultivation was not weak! They had actually come too! And were lurking nearby?

Just as the death aura permeated and everyone was distracted!

The wolf king, which had originally intended to retreat, saw its scarlet eyes flare with light, as if stimulated by this death aura to become even more manic! Ignoring the long spear thrust by Zhao Lie, it suddenly changed direction and, with a madness like a suicide attack, pounced toward Lin Xuan, who was closest to it and also appeared to be the "weakest" (first-level Golden Core)!

Its blood-red maw opened, fishy saliva mixed with the scent of blood, carrying a full-force strike of a mid-stage Tier 3 beast, vowing to tear this human to shreds!

"Mu Xuan, watch out!" Zhao Lie was shocked and furious, wanting to rescue him but it was already too late!

Other team members were also stunned by this sudden turn of events!

Facing this sudden fatal attack, Lin Xuan’s face showed the perfect expression of "terror" and "being caught off guard," as if he had been scared silly.

However, in his Dust Ring, the Black Tortoise Shield was already primed and ready.

In his calculations, using the Black Tortoise Shield to take this blow head-on, while it would expose part of his strength, was within a reasonable range and would just happen to allow him to be "forced" to show some value, making it easier to act within the team later.

Just as he was about to "reluctantly" bring out the Black Tortoise Shield—

"Amitabha!"

A clear and resonant Buddhist chant, like a spring breeze bringing rain, dispelled the pervasive cold death aura.

A soft yet resilient golden Buddhist light arrived later but reached first, like an inverted golden alms bowl, instantly covering the front of Lin Xuan!

"Bang!!"

The wolf king’s full-force strike slammed heavily into the golden Buddhist light, emitting a muffled, thunderous sound! The Buddhist light rippled violently, but it steadily blocked the attack!

Liao Chen’s figure had appeared on the edge of the battlefield at some point; he held one hand upright before his chest, his face peaceful, and his body exuding pure Buddhist power.

"Evil creature, have you not awakened yet?"

Liao Chen looked at the manic wolf king with a calm gaze, his voice carrying a power that cleansed the soul.

When the wolf king was illuminated by the Buddhist light, the madness in its eyes actually receded a bit, revealing a trace of bewilderment.

Zhao Lie seized the opportunity, his long spear thrusting out like a poisonous dragon, instantly piercing the wolf king’s heart!

The wolf king let out a wail of unwillingness and crashed to the ground.

The remaining gray wolves saw their leader killed and immediately scattered and fled.

The crisis was resolved.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Liao Chen with complex eyes, and then at Lin Xuan, who still had a look of "lingering fear."

Lin Xuan patted his chest, arched his hands toward Liao Chen, his tone carrying the relief of "surviving a disaster": "Many thanks to Master Liao Chen for your rescue!"

Liao Chen nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Lin Xuan for a moment; those clear eyes seemed to be able to see through vanity, making Lin Xuan’s heart tighten slightly.

"A mere trifle, it is good that Benefactor Mu is unharmed." Liao Chen’s voice remained peaceful, with no discernible emotion.

Zhao Lie also stepped forward and cupped his fists toward Liao Chen: "Many thanks for your help, Master!"

Liao Chen returned the salute, then looked toward the direction in the depths of the dense forest where the death aura had come from, his brows slightly furrowed: "That Netherworld Death Aura just now... this place is not suitable for staying long. Captain Zhao should clear the battlefield and evacuate as soon as possible."

Zhao Lie nodded with a grave expression.

Lin Xuan looked at Liao Chen, then glanced at the direction from which the death aura had come, his thoughts racing.

Why did Liao Chen happen to appear here? And even save him?

Was that Netherworld Death Aura released by accident, or was it done on purpose?

The waters of this Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range were becoming increasingly murky...

He touched the Dust Ring on his index finger, feeling the remains of the Phoenix Wood placed inside, and faintly felt that this mission was likely far from as simple as just exterminating demonic beasts.

(End of Chapter 29)