Halfway up Tian Kui Peak, Tian Kui Market spanned nearly a hundred acres, packed with rows of dense buildings. However, with the large number of people gathered this time, added to the already substantial population of the Bai Family, it was impossible to guarantee lodging for everyone.

As night deepened, many people left the bustling market to find suitable places to rest nearby. A few even ventured beyond the mist-shrouded Formation into the deep silence of the great mountain wilderness, which felt like a colossal, cold beast lurking in the dark.

"Chief Instructor, there's a cave up ahead," Captain Pei said suddenly, pointing forward as they moved through the silent night on Tian Kui Peak. Not far away was a low-lying cave that looked manmade rather than like an animal's lair.

"It was probably dug out by people from previous gatherings. It's a bit old, but it will do for one night," Chen Fei remarked with a smile after sizing up the cave.

Upon hearing this, however, Captain Pei looked puzzled. "Chief Instructor, it's no problem for us, but you... Didn't the Bai Family say they had already prepared accommodations for us?" Originally, they didn't need to find a place to stay. Given their status as members of the Flying Leopard, the Bai Family had already made arrangements for them.

But for some reason, Chen Fei had refused. This left Captain Pei utterly baffled.

After all, they were used to spending nights in the wilderness or deep in the mountains on missions, so they had long grown accustomed to making do in such harsh environments.

But the issue was Chen Fei's status as an Innate Ancient Martial Artist and the nominal Chief Instructor of the Flying Leopard. Wasn't this a bit unfitting?

"Me?"

Chen Fei paused, his gaze inadvertently catching several cold stares locked onto their position from behind. Suddenly, a faint smile flashed in his pitch-black, crystal-clear eyes. "I came out for tonight's show," he said.

"Show?"

Captain Pei froze, about to ask another question, but he saw Chen Fei turn and place a finger to his lips. He instantly swallowed the words that were about to leave his mouth, wisely choosing to remain silent.

Following that, their group of seven or eight entered the nearby cave and began tidying up.

Chen Fei and Captain Pei, however, had no need to perform such menial tasks. They stood atop the low cave, gazing at the endless, majestic mountains in the distance...

The deep, silent night shrouded the Lingnan Mountains like a dark miasma descending from the heavens. Despite the pitch-black darkness, the landscape had a distinctly rugged and majestic aura. It resembled a colossal, cold beast crouching in the night, quietly exuding a chill that inspired deep awe.

However, this was how ordinary people perceived it, which was slightly different from what Chen Fei was seeing.

What a terrifying earth vein... Chen Fei narrowed his eyes, observing the distant, serrated peaks that stood like a forest of sheer walls piercing the sky. He felt a deep, growling beast's roar echoing in his heart, tearing at his soul.

He knew this was no illusion. It was very likely that something lay buried deep within the thousand-mile stretch of the Lingnan Mountains. That dreadful aura rising from the depths of the earth was difficult to hide from the senses of a true Cultivator like him.

It was a feeling that had persisted since ancient times.

"Honestly, it's hard to imagine that in this age of high technology, such an ancient, wild mountain range still exists, especially one that stretches for nearly a thousand miles," Chen Fei remarked with a sigh, shaking his head as he gazed at the vast mountain range under the quiet night sky.

It was his first time visiting the so-called Lingnan Mountains, and they had already left a truly extraordinary first impression on him.

"As one of the three most renowned magical mountains in all of Huaxia Land, the Lingnan Mountains certainly have many unique qualities. It's said that ever since the golden age of Huaxia's martial traditions, these mountains have been the most dazzling, unparalleled gem of the Southern Martial World. Even now, countless treasures and opportunities lie hidden deep within these remote ranges, waiting for future generations to risk life and limb to explore them. It is truly extraordinary," Captain Pei said, nodding with a hint of awe.

Before long, the members of the Flying Leopard had finished tidying up the cave. A campfire crackled to life, its faint light pushing back the darkness.

"All of you, get some rest. I'll stand guard tonight. But remember, don't let your guard down. Something fun might be about to happen," Chen Fei said with a subtle smile, his young face illuminated by the firelight.

Something fun might be about to happen?

Hearing this, Captain Pei and the other members of the Flying Leopard all tensed, their expressions growing serious. They understood.

About half an hour passed. High in a towering tree not far from the cave, several figures cloaked in a murderous aura appeared as silently as ghosts. Chen Fei, who was sitting cross-legged outside the cave on watch, opened his eyes slightly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Finally decided to show yourselves, have you?"

"Is everything ready, Brother Xue?" one of the ghost-like figures asked, pulling back the hood of his black robe to reveal an old, sinister face. It was none other than the Half-Step Innate Elder of the Qiy Family, Qiy Tong. His voice was chilling.

"Rest assured, Elder Qiy Tong. Everything is ready. Tonight, that kid won't be able to escape, even if he grows wings!" a hunched figure with an equally cold disposition replied from behind him. He too pulled back his hood, revealing a face as wrinkled as dried tree bark. This was the Half-Step Innate Powerhouse from the Holy Fire Sect, the elder surnamed Xue.

To think the two families had actually joined forces.

"Then let's make our move. Best to avoid any unforeseen trouble," said the Half-Step Innate Elder from the Qiy Family, licking his lips as a cold aura emanated from him.

"Yes!"

The moment he finished speaking, the sound of tearing wind echoed from behind him. As the air surged, five black-clad figures shot out. They were enveloped in a terrifying, murderous aura, like grim reapers emerging from the night to claim lives. They moved in eerie silence, their presence enough to make one's skin crawl and send a shiver down the spine.

Seeing this, even a newly promoted Half-Step Innate Powerhouse from the Holy Fire Sect like Elder Xue couldn't help but show a trace of apprehension in his murky eyes. He remarked with a smile that didn't quite reach them, "The famed Shadow Guards of the Qiy Family certainly live up to their reputation. Seeing them in action today has been truly eye-opening."

It was rumored that the Qiy Family secretly maintained a terrifying, clandestine organization known as the Shadow Guards. They operated in five-man squads, could only be commanded by those at the Elder level or above, and possessed the strength to stop a Half-Step Innate Powerhouse. They were truly fearsome.

And what he saw today... certainly did not disappoint him.

Even he, a dignified Half-Step Innate Powerhouse, felt a flicker of indescribable danger from those five men, and that alone was proof enough.

"Naturally."

Qiy Tong of the Qiy Family gave a proud smile, then cast a dark, mocking gaze in the direction of the cave. "Those men from the Flying Leopard are tough and have some skill, so I notified the family to dispatch a squad of Shadow Guards overnight. This way, even if that kid has heaven-defying abilities, he won't be able to escape. Don't you agree, Elder Qiy Jun?"

As he spoke, he glanced back. In the darkness stood a man with short, choppy hair, holding a Black Long Saber. A cold, interested smile played on his broad, chiseled, square face.

"An interesting young man, isn't he?"

This was yet another Half-Step Innate Ancient Martial Artist, and the cold, damp aura he exuded was terrifyingly strong.

「...」

Outside the pitch-black, silent cave, Chen Fei sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, his face devoid of expression. A faint light, invisible to the naked eye, radiated from his body. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open with a soft, "Hm?" A hand appeared before him as if teleported. Resting in his palm was a short arrow shimmering with a faint, dark light. Poisoned?

"Who's there!?"

"Get out here!"

Captain Pei's sharp shouts erupted from inside the cave behind Chen Fei.

Immediately after, five or six dark figures rushed out.

It turned out that after hearing Chen Fei's earlier warning, none of them had actually slept. They had only been resting lightly, ready to spring into action at the slightest sound.

"It's you?" A hoarse voice came from the dark woods upon seeing Captain Pei and his men. Soon after, five figures slowly emerged.

"It's you!?" Upon seeing the five, both Captain Pei and the Elite of Flying Leopard behind him flinched, before their expressions turned cold. Clearly, the two groups were old acquaintances.

Heh heh...

As the robed figure who had greeted Captain Pei let out a sinister laugh, three imposing figures appeared behind him. They advanced step by step, their presence like a storm tearing through the still air, creating an overwhelming and oppressive pressure. Captain Pei and his men's expressions changed abruptly, a tightness gripping their chests.

A terrifyingly powerful aura pulsed from the three newcomers.

They were three Half-Step Innates!

"Young man, have you been well? Do you remember what I told you before?" the elder surnamed Xue from the Holy Fire Sect asked, smiling at Chen Fei. But that smile looked grim and savage.

"Is that it? Three Half-Step Innates. So this is what you're relying on?" Chen Fei's gaze swept over the three figures, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards. He had expected them to bring a more formidable lineup, but it was just three Half-Step Innates?

Sigh... It seems I've overestimated them.

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