The First Order

“Be careful of the situation outside the campsite when you’re keeping watch at night,” Ren Xiaosu reminded Yang Xiaojin before he went to sleep, “The sound of footsteps last night really did happen. It can’t be that so many people heard it wrong. If you sense any problems, just fire your gun. The sound of the gunshots will wake everyone up.”

Yang Xiaojin nodded. “Mhm. Do you feel the situation right now is very similar to the time when we were in the Jing Mountains?”

Ren Xiaosu was stunned. “We’re still taking turns to keep watch for each other, but our relationship this time—”

“I’m saying it’s as strange as back then,” interrupted Yang Xiaojin. “We don’t know who the real enemies are.”

“Oh, you’re talking about that?” Ren Xiaosu said, “I feel the changes at this place happened much earlier than in the Jing Mountains, so it might be more dangerous here.”

“Hallowed ground.” Yang Xiaojin pondered things for a moment. “There’s only two hallowed grounds in the entire Alliance of Strongholds. But if the Qing Consortium said it was because a god was born here, why have we never come across any gods before?”

“We probably won’t recognize a god even if we see one.” Ren Xiaosu said, “But I don’t think the truth can be kept under wraps for long. The truth will be revealed sooner or later.”

“Mhm, go and get some sleep,” Yang Xiaojin said softly.

On this night, no one was able to get a good sleep, including Ren Xiaosu.

Everyone reckoned that if something were really following them, it would only be a matter of time before the enemy made its move.

On the surface, no one was nervous. When everyone was asked during the gathering earlier if they were afraid, all of them laughed it off and said there was nothing to be scared of.

But as the night continued, everyone stopped hydrating. It was as though they were afraid they would have to head out of the camp to relieve themselves at night.

Thus, on this night, everyone was waiting for that strange creature to approach again. Regardless of whether they were keeping watch or not, everyone was waiting.

However, nothing happened even after dawn broke.

But even at this moment, everyone was unable to sleep. They were worried Ren Xiaosu would wake everyone up again the moment they fell asleep.

Therefore, Cheng Yu was thinking he should only get some rest after Ren Xiaosu’s morning antics were over.

As he waited, there was still no movement from Ren Xiaosu even though it was already daybreak.

Cheng Yu came out of his tent with two dark circles under his eyes. He found the experience of leading the team this time to be extremely terrible!

Just as everyone was getting out of bed to wash up, they saw Cheng Yu walk to the middle of the campsite with a heavy expression. “Something happened to the other team.”

Everyone immediately turned to look at Cheng Yu. Someone asked, “What happened? Did they all get wiped out?”

“No.” Cheng Yu shook his head and said, “They said an unknown creature attacked someone who went out to relieve himself during the night. Only one person had died, and they all went out this morning to look for him. They just found his corpse and discovered his organs had all been consumed.”

Someone asked, “Did they see what it was? If it only ate the internal organs, could it be a scavenger?”

When Ren Xiaosu heard this, he frowned. It was probably a misunderstanding that many people had about scavengers. In fact, most carnivores in the wilderness would prioritize eating the internal organs of their prey first. This was because the internal organs had the most nutritional value, especially the cholesterol heavy ones, and were easier to digest. They would usually finish eating the internal organs before feeding on the other parts.

Therefore, it would be impossible to determine the type of animal based on its feeding preference.

Yang Xiaojin looked at Ren Xiaosu. She knew Ren Xiaosu was probably the person who understood the wilderness the most among this group of people. “Can you deduce anything from this?”

“It’s difficult.” Ren Xiaosu said as he looked at Cheng Yu again, “Where did they find it? Were there any footprints or feces in the vicinity of the body? What was the area around the wound shaped like?”

Cheng Yu shook his head and said, “I only received very limited information from them. I just know the body was found a few dozen meters away from their campsite. No one heard his cry for help. There were bite marks on his neck, so it seems like he passed out immediately after being ambushed.”

Ren Xiaosu whispered to Yang Xiaojin and the Great Hoodwinker, “Without seeing the bite marks and not knowing how much of the organs were eaten, I can only make a simple guess that it was a lone attacker. Moreover, it was probably not that hungry either. Otherwise, they would’ve dragged the corpse away and hid it in a cave or tree to protect it. It seems like it might be an extremely powerful creature without any natural predators in the wilderness and isn’t afraid of crowded places. It’s probably quite patient and knows how to sneak attack its prey.”

But even after making all these deductions, he still could not figure out what exactly had attacked that person.

The Great Hoodwinker said to Cheng Yu in panic, “Why don’t we turn back? Why are y’all still going forward when it’s so dangerous?”

Ren Xiaosu’s mouth twitched a little. The Great Hoodwinker was putting on an act again.

However, Cheng Yu said, “Since you’ve already accepted the payment, stop getting cold feet on me. Just carry out your duty and lead the way. We won’t be advancing any further today. The team that met with trouble is only 50 kilometers away, so the higher-ups are now asking them to join us and advance together.”

It seemed like the Anjing House was not expecting there to be casualties so soon. As such, they decided to merge the two teams so their strength would be better concentrated.

On the afternoon of the same day, the team members who were sitting idle in the campsite suddenly heard the sound of footsteps.

Everyone stood up and looked towards the source of the sound. A loud voice panted, “How much longer do we have to walk before we join up with the other group? Why is the Anjing House so cowardly? We’ve only lost one member, yet they’re already trying to merge us with another group? Are they trying to tire us to death?”

Another voice said coldly, “Boss Luo, you can withdraw from the team if you don’t wish to go to the Sacred Mountains.”

“Withdraw?” Luo Lan hooted, “Why should I withdraw? I’m one of your C-rank hitmen too. It was you all who sent me those texts asking me to assemble, yet you want me to withdraw now? No way!”

“You’re just a normal person, so why the hell are you tagging along for?!” The Anjing House member was becoming unhappier as he spoke.

When Ren Xiaosu heard Luo Lan’s voice, he wanted to facepalm. He had not expected Luo Lan and Zhou Qi would also be part of the team that was joining them!

Moreover, no one knew that Luo Lan was a supernatural being. Judging by how Luo Lan was panting, he was still pretending to be a normal person.

Ren Xiaosu had never met the Anjing House member who was leading the team. He looked at Yang Xiaojin who also shook her head.

When this group of people came walking out of the forest in the wilderness, the first thing everyone saw was Luo Lan’s burly figure.

However, Ren Xiaosu realized that Luo Lan, who used to be fat, had now become much bulkier. He was starting to look more like a big man.

Ren Xiaosu found this a little difficult to accept.

When Luo Lan saw Ren Xiaosu, he was stunned. However, he immediately looked away as though it were nothing and had no intention of greeting Ren Xiaosu at all.

Ren Xiaosu was pleasantly surprised. Fatty Luo was still as savvy as ever.

Before the people from the Anjing House could say anything, Luo Lan started calling out to the people behind him, “Alright, we’re finally here. Everyone, quickly sit down and get some rest.”

The Anjing House members standing behind him had helpless looks on their faces. Luo Lan had usurped their authority on the journey thus far. It was like he was the de facto leader of the group as his leadership qualities completely outshone the rest!