Chapter 313: Nest of the Green Dragon

This is the voice of the witch Sang Ya.

"How did she get here?" Lao Ruina's movement halted, instinctively trying to activate Shadow Vanish to hide, but Lei En grabbed her hand, preventing her from breaking free, and her stealth lagged a step.

The tent's curtain was pulled aside, and a graceful figure bent and slipped inside.

Sang Ya deliberately changed into a silk long dress that accentuated her figure, the undulating curves faintly visible, her face adorned with delicate makeup, a charming smile, and when she saw the scene inside the tent, her smile instantly froze.

"Lao Ruina, what are you doing here?" Sang Ya asked angrily.

At that moment Lei En finally released his grip; Lao Ruina quickly climbed down, replying weakly, "I came to have a heart‑to‑heart with the Lord, is that not allowed?"

"Heh heh…" Sang Ya sneered, "Talking heart‑to‑heart all the way to the bed, even a blind man wouldn't believe it. But seeing Lao Ruina's leather armor still intact on her, she probably hasn't had time to do anything with the Lord yet, fortunately…"

At that moment Lao Ruina also caught on, sizing up the specially dressed Sang Ya.

"Coming to see the Lord in the middle of the night without sleeping, how shameless." The Shadow Warrior retorted, turning her back to Lei En and mouthing an insult: "Slut!"

The witch, unwilling to appear weak, sneered, "I'm not like you, rushing to the doorstep; I have legitimate business to discuss with the Lord."

As she spoke, her fingertips traced a faint watery glow, forming a word—"bitch"—at an angle invisible to Lei En.

Lao Ruina's complexion flashed red and white, nearly grinding her teeth to pieces.

"What legitimate business could you have? Dressing so seductive, who are you trying to lure…"

"What I wear is none of your business."

"If I'm having a heart‑to‑heart with the Lord, you shouldn't disturb it."

"Who knows if you're having a talk or getting into bed?"

"Shameless…"

"Shameless whore!"

They both understood each other's intent, but with Lei En present, they didn't openly strike; they exchanged sarcastic remarks aloud while covertly making small gestures at each other.

The arguing grew louder, gradually spilling out of the tent.

Sitting on the bed, Lei En held his forehead, taking the opportunity to erupt, waving his hand impatiently, "Go argue in your own camp, don't disturb my sleep."

Both women were stunned.

Sang Ya put on a pitiful, delicate expression, "Lord…" She hadn't even managed to speak to Lei En before being driven out.

Lao Ruina was also unwilling to give up, about to speak.

"No need to say more, all out." Lei En set his face hard, his gaze turning stern.

Seeing his resolute attitude, the two could only leave the tent, thinking of retreat as a tactic to return later, when Lei En's command rang out: "Badi Shi, guard the tent entrance; no one may approach."

"Yes, boss."

An Extreme Warrior immediately stepped forward, standing before the tent like a steel statue.

The two women glared at each other, gritting their teeth, each believing the other had ruined their chance to climb onto a count lord's opportunity.

Lao Ruina let out a resentful hum and activated Shadow Vanish to leave.

Sang Ya also sighed silently, casting a spell; a burst of watery light concealed her figure, and she vanished.

Inside the tent, Lei En noticed their departure and let out a sigh of relief.

Frankly, both women's looks were quite striking; one could certainly make a move, even engage in group activities, but their backgrounds were unknown, so he dared not act recklessly.

In a previous life, a brother named Dong Ge, who had brothers all over the world, ruined a lifetime of brilliance due to a two‑minute impulse, paying a heavy price.

Lao Ruina and Sang Ya are both high‑rank transcendants; reaching such power is far from easy.

What if they also have someone behind them?

Although Viola gave him a colorful flag permit, he still couldn't act recklessly; Lei En, learning from predecessors' mistakes, held back a bit.

With an Extreme Warrior guarding outside, there was no further disturbance.

After dawn, Lei En stepped out of the tent.

The nearby Soul‑Hunting team camp was empty, only traces of a former encampment remained.

Lei En was not surprised; after Lao Ruina and Sang Ya returned last night, there were faint sounds of arguing in their camp, and later, before daybreak, they packed up and left.

"Selling demon souls has no impact; if a dispute arises because of women, that would be ridiculous."

Lei En muttered a few words.

Bulaimet stepped out of the tent, stretching and yawning, laughing, "Last night I think I heard women's voices; someone's luck in love is abundant, young men should watch their health."

"Haha, I didn't do anything," Lei En spread his hands, a face of innocence.

The dwarf, however, didn't believe him, wearing an expression only men would understand.

After breakfast, everyone assumed they'd leave immediately, but Lei En said there was no hurry, leisurely waiting until noon to set out.

Bulaimet noticed the Flame Dragon's direction was off and asked, "Where are we going?"

"Just wander around," Lei En replied vaguely.

The dwarf was somewhat surprised, "You've already obtained Lightning Affinity, why not return?" He quickly discerned, "This is the direction those Soul‑Hunters left; why are you following them?"

"Just watching the spectacle."

The Flame Dragon flew for only two or three hours before descending, allowing the Extreme Warriors to choose a spot and set up camp.

Bulaimet sent the Qinglin Owl soaring high to scout the distance; the sky was darkening, yet the Soul‑Hunting team's location was invisible, and finally unable to contain his curiosity, he asked, "What exactly is your purpose?"

"They're going to slay a dragon, supposedly a young Green Dragon named Monajias," Lei En explained, adding, "Over 99% will fail."

"Dragon slaying!"

Bulaimet couldn't help but laugh, "I told you these people's actions were odd, not like a regular Soul‑Hunting team; turns out they're a dragon‑slaying squad. But how did you judge they'd fail? I see Shiweifute is quite strong, and several teammates are tough characters; if it's just a young dragon and they're well‑prepared, they might succeed."

"There's a Green Dragon insider in their ranks," Lei En revealed.

"How do you know? Who's the insider?" Bulaimet asked skeptically; he had contacted the Soul‑Hunters last night but saw no one suspicious.

Lei En considered for a moment, "Can you keep this secret?"

"I can," the dwarf pounded his chest, thumping loudly, then looked full of anticipation.

I can too.

Lei En played a prank, and when he saw the dwarf's constipated, uncomfortable expression, he burst into hearty laughter, "Hahaha…"

Bu Laimeite scowled, his beard bristling and eyes glaring, yet he was helpless.

If the traitor in the Soul Hunt Team hadn't been discovered, Lei En actually didn't want to get involved; whether others succeeded in slaying the dragon didn't matter to him.

But, now that he knew, he couldn't just watch them march to their deaths; relying on Captain Shi Weifute's trust in him, he also couldn't stand by.

He is an Iron Guard worth befriending, and even more worth saving his life.

In the following days, they flew intermittently; the Flame Dragon's speed far outpaced the Soul Hunt Team's progress through the forest, and two or three hours of flight each day sufficed.

From start to finish, Lei En kept a sufficient distance from the Soul Hunt Team.

Bu Laimeite couldn't figure out how Lei En was tracking the Soul Hunt Team; it didn't match any method he knew. He asked several times without getting an answer and complained that Lei En was being cryptic.

Lei En let out a wry smile.

The answer was simple: that night he used activated metal to secretly leave a mark on Lao Ruina's belt clasp, but he couldn't tell Bu Laimeite.

Finally, the Soul Hunt Team halted ahead, circling within a certain area for two consecutive days.

From their movement trail, Lao Ruina seemed to be scouting the terrain.

Lei En rode the Flame Dragon into the sky, gazing at the front from afar; they had already left the Isimu River Valley, the terrain becoming rugged, no longer a flat primeval forest, and within dozens of miles rose a series of low hills.

The Soul Hunt Team was concealed around the outskirts of one unremarkable hill.

The hill was only a few dozen meters tall but spanned a vast area; its surface was draped in endless moss and forest, tangled with countless vines and roots, forming a massive green labyrinth.

A light mist pervaded the forest, and sunlight could not pierce the canopy; it was airtight.

Lei En surveyed the hill; Truth Willpower and the Key of Doors let his gaze pierce the distant space, detecting a faint magical aura.

This was not a naturally formed forest; it must be a nest crafted by the Green Dragon.

Regardless of the dragon species, they are the most dangerous within a Dragon Nest, as the nest grants extra power and sets magical traps and mechanisms, making defense impossible.

The Green Dragon moves in and out of the nest unseen, leaving no trace.

Insects, birds, and rodents near the Dragon Nest serve as the Green Dragon's eyes, and the nest's plants obey its commands like living beings, shifting to confound foes, attacking intruders, and being incredibly resilient.

Both inside and outside the nest, numerous slave guards are present.

Lei En's gaze swept the area around the hill.

Sure enough, he spotted a jackal‑werewolf tribe numbering several hundred, living in crude wooden huts and forming squads that patrolled outside the Dragon Nest. Besides the jackal‑werewolves, a flock of eaglefolk nested in the trees, their massive nests hanging from the treetops, occasionally flying out for a couple of circles.

Both jackal‑werewolves and eaglefolk possess rudimentary intelligence, barely qualifying as sentient races; eaglefolk even have innate simple spellcasting abilities.

Beyond the Dragon Nest's entrance, vague towering figures could be seen.

After a long observation, Lei En confirmed they were a few cyclops giants, entitled to enter the Dragon Nest and only occasionally emerging.

The Soul Hunt Team lingered without acting, seemingly waiting for an opportunity.

They waited for three days.

Lei En was almost impatient enough to return, but finally a commotion came from the Dragon Nest—a deafening roar, earth shaking.

He rode the Flame Dragon upward, and from afar saw, several miles from the Green Dragon's nest, flames shooting skyward, the fire spreading toward the nest.

The Green Dragon's servants were instantly alarmed.

The jackal‑werewolves rushed en masse toward the blaze, trying to extinguish it, but lacking water they were powerless; they could only send eaglefolk to fly over and cast fire‑extinguishing spells, yet the blaze was too great to be quelled quickly.

Thus, the area outside the Green Dragon's nest was left without guards.

Such a simple scheme actually succeeded.

Lei En shook his head inwardly, this was clearly the Green Dragon's plot, deliberately baiting the dragon‑slaying warriors, with the real killing move yet to be unleashed.

Then he saw Shi Weifute leading his comrades, charging toward the forest hill where the Dragon Nest lay.

Sorry I'm late, ha, it's the last day, wasting the monthly ticket by not voting!

(End of Chapter)