Yuan Zhiwen dragged an injured leg, struggling to move through the mountain forest.
It was already deep in the night, with a bright moon hanging at the zenith. Yet, dense foliage obstructed most of the moonlight, leaving only specks of it trickling down, forming patches of halo on the ground.
At this moment, Yuan Zhiwen’s heart was no longer filled with anger, only fear and regret remained.
Fearful of the limitless lurking dangers in this midnight forest, regretful of his own negligence.
In merely half a day, the team following Yuan Zhiwen into the mountains only had four or five left, and all were injured.
Even Yuan Zhiwen himself fell into Zhao Ya’s trap. Although the rescue was timely, his left leg was severely sprained, and such an injury, seemingly trivial, could be fatal at this moment.
This entire situation stirred a desire to retreat in Yuan Zhiwen’s heart.
Yet, when they decided to withdraw from the forest, they realized the situation was not simple—they were trapped in this green hell.
Indeed, hell!
Especially after nightfall, while walking, someone might suddenly have their head severed by a blade emerging from the darkness.
How could one not be terrified?
Yuan Zhiwen couldn’t fathom why this masked man, clearly just a Second Realm Martial Artist, was so formidable, even managing to sneak up behind him unnoticed.
Could it be that he possesses some special Technique?
However, at this moment, none of that mattered.
Yuan Zhiwen only thought about escaping this damned forest as quickly as possible, even if it meant facing punishment from the Patriarch upon return.
Thinking of this, Yuan Zhiwen quickened his pace.
Suddenly.
A shadow darted out from the bushes not far away.
Yuan Zhiwen, along with everyone else, was startled and immediately huddled together.
Then they realized, the shadow was merely a wild rabbit, which only made them breathe a sigh of relief.
Yuan Zhiwen’s face was grim.
He understood that they had become like frightened birds.
At this rate, forget about going home; they might all end up buried here.
But given the situation, even someone who always prided himself on wisdom, like him, had no solution, so he could only try to console his subordinates with a few words and motivate them with money before continuing on.
However, shortly after resuming their journey, someone else encountered a trap.
A log covered in spikes fell from a tree, crushing the unlucky fellow’s face, sending him directly to the afterlife.
The already unsettled hearts of the group completely collapsed this time.
No matter how loudly Yuan Zhiwen shouted, it was to no avail.
The remaining two or three people, disregarding everything else, quickly scattered and fled for their lives.
On the scene, only the hobbling Yuan Zhiwen stood alone.
Oh, and a corpse on the ground, still twitching unwillingly.
The piercing night wind infused Yuan Zhiwen with chill, making him shiver uncontrollably.
After hesitating for a moment, he surprisingly stopped advancing, choosing instead to shout into the void, "I know you’re watching me from the darkness, why not, we make a deal?"
His answer was the whistling wind through the mountains and the distant cries of unknown night birds.
Yuan Zhiwen stood in place, waiting.
Time passed by, second by second.
His seemingly calm demeanor belied a growing anxiety.
He didn’t know what this masked man intended.
But he was certain that continuing blindly would be his end, so why not risk it all?
Just then, a distant scream faintly reached his ears.
The sound made his scalp tingle.
Yuan Zhiwen knew it was the masked man hunting down those who had fled.
Yes!
Hunting.
During the day, they were the hunters, and Meng Lei was the prey.
Now it flipped, and he himself became the prey.
Suddenly.
He heard a hoarse, cold voice from behind.
"A deal? What can you offer me?"
Yuan Zhiwen’s entire body jolted, fear flashed across his face, yet he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He didn’t fear the voice, he feared being completely ignored.
After all, a chance to talk meant a chance to negotiate.
And if he could negotiate, Yuan Zhiwen was confident he could satisfy the other with his words and offer.
He did not dare to turn around, instead raising both hands above his head to indicate no ill will, and then in a completely sincere tone he said.
"I can offer you the Hong Family’s exclusive Secret Technique, provided you spare my life."
"Exclusive Secret Technique? What exclusive Secret Technique?"
Yuan Zhiwen inwardly cursed.
He hadn’t expected this degree of caution, even when he was alone now, the other refused to show himself, choosing instead to interrogate him from the shadows.
This made things rather tricky!
Yet being quick-witted, he swiftly adjusted his mentality and gravely spoke, "This Secret Technique is specifically for advancing one’s Martial Dao Realm. I believe trading it for my life is undoubtedly sufficient."
After speaking, Yuan Zhiwen awaited quietly, feeling increasingly confident.
Such a Secret Technique for advancing Martial Dao Realm!
Its value was immeasurable.
Surely, many would give anything to elevate their Realm.
"Oh? There exists such a Secret Technique? I don’t believe it!" a cold voice came from the darkness.
"Truly, or why else would the Hong Family dominate Wuxiang City, even suppressing the Song and Yang Families?" Yuan Zhiwen hurriedly explained.
"Even if such a Secret Technique exists, how could you possess it? Do you take me for a fool?" the voice sneered.
"You’re right, but I’ve been undercover in the Hong Family for years, and I know a thing or two about this Secret Technique. While I don’t know the Technique for advancing to a High Realm, I do know how to advance from the Second Realm to the Third Realm!"
No response came.
But Yuan Zhiwen was confident.
Because he believed no Second Realm Martial Artist could resist such temptation.
Sure enough.
Mere moments later, he saw a rustling in the bushes ahead, and a figure emerged from the darkness.
It was the masked man he had seen during the day.
"If the Hong Family truly has such an impressive Secret Technique, why would they remain confined to little Wuxiang City? They should have already dominated Yunxiao County, if not the entire Great Yan!"
Hearing Zhao Ya’s words, Yuan Zhiwen quickly explained.
"That’s because this Secret Technique is extremely consuming, and the cost increases with each Realm. For a normal person to become a First Realm Martial Artist, it might require ten units of resources. To advance from the First Realm to the Second would require at least fifty units, and from the Second Realm to the Third would need a terrifying two hundred units of resources."
"However, after years of accumulation, I’ve saved enough resources for one breakthrough. If you’re willing to spare me, I’ll immediately hand over both the Secret Technique and the resources to you upon returning to the city!"