Chapter 640: The Encounter
Chapter 640: The Encounter
"Black Yao, are we almost there?" asked one of the seven Awakened from the Green Swamp, as they traveled eastward from the south at a rapid pace.
"Weren't you from the south before joining the Green Swamp? You should be familiar with the terrain here, right?"
As the sun rose over the horizon at dawn, the group of Awakened from the Green Swamp swiftly made their way through the rugged terrain. Their speed was extraordinary, effortlessly leaping over obstacles that would challenge ordinary humans.
The bumpy mountain paths seemed unable to hinder their progress, except for the occasional sheer cliffs that forced them to detour.
"It'll take us two days to cross this mountain range, and then we'll reach a flatland. Based on my experience, it'll take just one day to get to the Alon Camp—the place where the trees are growing now," said the man in the lead, dressed in a black robe, in response to a question from one of his companions.
"The Emerald Bird also told me that there's a dangerous group of bugs nesting in this area. Should we go and check it out?" asked another member of the group.
The man in the black robe at the front quickly shook his head, "That's not our job."
"Then let's just go around it and head straight for the Forest Capital. That's where we need to go," someone from the back agreed.
Mentioning the Forest Capital, the group's eyes.
"Forest Capital? Alon is now our slave. Do you think those who stayed behind could have done something to revive this forest?"
"Be alert! Don't underestimate anyone from the Wilderness. They might have powers beyond our imagination," the leader in the black robe warned.
The group fell silent, as if the topic was taboo.
"What if it's someone from the Dust Path World?" someone ventured, breaking the silence.
"Or even more extreme, someone from the City of Law?" another suggested.
"Impossible! Absolutely not!" the leader in the black robe immediately dismissed the idea.
"The City of Law is sealed. Without Fifth Stage or higher skills, it's impossible to even enter. As for the Dust Path World, it's in chaos, and our world is depleted of vitality. Why would they come here and invite trouble?"
"But you know they created a forest in the east. Maybe, like those crazy Righteous Ones, they want to restore the vitality of this world..." someone suggested.
"Nonsense! Don't be absurd!" the leader snapped, his voice filled with anger. "Those Righteous Ones are self-centered lunatics. They wouldn't care about restoring this world!"
The discussion ended abruptly, and the group from the Green Swamp, preferring to be cautious, remained silent.
The seven continued their journey deeper into the mountains. As noon approached, the man with a tattoo of a venomous snake on his arm suddenly slowed down and pointed upwards.
"Black Yao, look over there!"
All seven Awakened looked up, following their companion's gaze. High above, on the side of a grayish-white mountain peak, a large bat flew by.
The man who had spoken was simply wondering why a nocturnal creature like a bat would be out during the day.
Suddenly, an arrow shot out from the mountainside, striking the bat in mid-air, causing it to plummet to the ground.
In the direction where the arrow was fired, a figure darted through the mountains, clearly heading towards where the bat had fallen.
"..."
The seven Awakened individuals from the Green Swamp halted in their tracks upon witnessing this scene.
"Someone?"
"This place is already under the control of the Forest City."
"He might know about the bugs' situation?"
"Let's capture him and ask."
"That arrow isn't ordinary; it's probably an Awakened Hunter with skills around the Third Stage."
"Then let Gray Rhino and Porcupine go with Eagle to capture him."
"The rest of us will continue forward; our mission doesn't allow for leisure."
The leader, Black Yao, made the decision.
Three members of the team immediately left to head towards the bat's falling location.
To deal with a hunter around the Third Stage, the three of them would act together, leaving their target with no chance of escape. It was the most time-efficient plan for the group.
For the people of Green Swamp, this should have been a smooth operation, especially since they were gaining information while on the move.
However, not long after the team split up, the remaining four Awakened individuals, who were continuing their journey, suddenly heard a loud boom from the left.
A thunderous roar echoed through the mountains as a bright flame erupted.
Then, rocks exploded, dust flew, and visibility was severely hindered. Only the Awakened individuals' Essence manifested beneath the mountain peaks!
"Someone is fighting them!"
"What skill caused that explosion?"
"There are quite a few of them, and they're all Awakened!"
Someone shouted from behind Black Yao.
He was about to lead the team to provide support, but almost simultaneously, a wail sounded from within the group:
"Ah!"
Black Yao turned around, only to find that their group of four had become three.
One of his companions had just fallen to the ground.
A black, sharp arrow was embedded in his head, and blood flowed from both wounds, mixed with the smell of burnt brain matter.
"Where did that arrow come from?"
"Black Yao, no, this guy is dead!"
"No sound at all?"
The three Awakened individuals reacted differently.
Where did the arrow come from, and who launched the attack?
The arrow, enhanced with Silent Blade, was almost impossible to defend against during an ambush. Lindsay's attack instantly killed one of them.
But as the three Awakened individuals reacted and looked towards the corresponding mountain peak where the arrow had hit, a thunderous bowstring sound reverberated in the distance.
Another black arrow shot out from the shadows on the side of a mountain peak, speeding towards the three Awakened individuals.
However, this time, they were prepared.
The remaining three did not get hit like their fallen companion.
They quickly dodged, and one of them even managed to track the arrow's trajectory.
A golden glow emanated from his hand.
The power of Law manifested, and he forcibly pulled back the arrow that had just flown past, gripping it tightly.
The black arrow snapped in the man's hand.
With this action, the man also identified the Essence wrapped around the arrow.
"Strong Essence power, but not a hunter."
"Fourth Stage!"
Upon hearing his companion's report, Black Yao made a swift decision.
He led the charge towards the shadowy area from where the arrow had been fired:
"Gray Rhino and the others can handle themselves!"
"This attacker is the leader; let's capture him first!"
(End of Chapter)
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