Former Interstellar Mercenary In Urban Cultivation World
Chapter 850: Silent Echo Valley (Part 4)

Chapter 850: Silent Echo Valley (Part 4)

"This presence just appeared, and my senses are never wrong," Zhar’khaen said seriously. Though he usually joked around, he wouldn’t make light of something this significant.

"Then it must have come to Silent Echo Valley from the outside," Gor’kan said. Knowing Zhar’khaen wouldn’t make such an ill-considered statement, he already believed him by seventy percent. The remaining thirty percent was due to Zhar’khaen’s innate sensitivity to their kind, a gift that had helped them evade capture by humans and devils multiple times.

Zhar’khaen, not wanting his companions to take risks, asked worriedly, "Could this be a trap set by the humans or devils?"

Gor’kan shook his head. "The sensing of bloodlines cannot be wrong. It must be real. What’s unclear is why this adult Pixiu has entered Silent Echo Valley at this particular time."

"Could it have sensed what’s happening here?" Zhar’khaen wondered aloud.

"Possibly, but we can’t lower our guard. There’s no guarantee this one hasn’t already been captured by humans or devils," Gor’kan warned grimly.

Zhar’khaen’s eyes, usually full of humor, flared with killing intent. "Are you kidding? The dignity of a Pixiu is sacred and inviolable. We are descendants of a Nine Heaven Pixiu. Taming us? That’s impossible! The pride of a holy beast cannot be trampled on easily. If this kin has truly submitted to humans or devils, I’ll kill them myself!"

"Can you still sense this kin’s presence?" Gor’kan asked.

Zhar’khaen nodded. "Yes, but their bloodline power seems weak. I can only faintly sense it."

Gor’kan pondered for a moment. "Vryss’laar’s situation might be tricky. We can’t all leave. One of us must stay here to wait for him. Since you’re better at sensing our kin’s bloodline, I’ll stay here to wait for Vryss’laar. Once we meet up, if you haven’t returned, we’ll come find you."

"That works," Zhar’khaen agreed readily, as he had been thinking the same thing. With that, he prepared to take flight.

"Wait. Don’t reveal your true form. Shift into a human shape before you go. Our enemies could be anywhere right now," Gor’kan called out, giving a final reminder.

Zhar’khaen furrowed his brow. He much preferred moving in his true form, but Gor’kan wasn’t wrong. In the end, he reluctantly agreed.

The giant demonic beast vanished in an instant, replaced by a slender figure standing on a tree branch. The purple silhouette had an elegant build and a heroic face. If it weren’t for his aura, it would be impossible to tell that he was a demonic beast.

"I’m off. You two be careful."

"You’re the one who needs to be careful. Make sure you figure things out before approaching. These are dangerous times," Gor’kan reminded him again.

"Got it," Zhar’khaen waved and left.

Gor’kan watched in the direction he disappeared, a faint sense of worry lingering. Even if this wasn’t a kin coming to help them, he hoped it wasn’t someone from the enemy’s side. That chance seemed slim, though. Deep down, he still trusted his kin.

If they truly found another kin, it would be a reason for celebration. It meant there was still hope for the Pixiu clan to recover its glory from the ancient days.

At the same time, Amalia and Kenny Lin, thanks to Wealth’s guidance, no longer needed to search aimlessly. Following the occasional directions from Wealth, they steadily advanced in one direction.

Silent Echo Valley wasn’t entirely forested. Many areas had been flattened from past battles—not just between humans and devils, but even between demonic beasts who are fighting over territory. Forests had been reduced to plains, and towering mountain peaks had been leveled, now covered only by knee-high grass.

When they encountered one of these plains, they made sure to skirt around it, wary of potential enemies lurking nearby.

After crossing a mountain ridge, the sun rose and set again. Despite traveling for so long, they had only ventured a thousand miles into Silent Echo Valley.

As the sun once again dipped behind the western mountains, Silent Echo Valley returned to its eerie silence. The deeper they went, the more perilous it became.

Although they hadn’t yet run into any humans or devils, they had encountered several groups of demonic beasts. At one point, they were almost spotted and attacked by one of them.

The two immediately decided to rest for the night and continue their journey when the sun came up the next day.

They found an enormous tree so large that even ten adults couldn’t wrap their arms around it. Such massive trees were commonplace here, in a landscape more ancient than a primeval forest. In a concealed spot beneath the tree, they dug a small hollow, emptied it out, and sealed it back up.

"You think this kid won’t screw us over, right?" Kenny Lin asked as he plugged the hole with tree bark, waiting for Amalia to finish setting up an array that could conceal their presence and energy.

"He wouldn’t dare. Pixiu’s bloodline is powerful, and it’s possible for kin to sense each other," Amalia said, placing Wealth on a bed of soft grass.

"By that logic, Welath’s kin should be able to sense him too, right? Maybe they’re already heading our way. Why don’t we just stay here and wait for them to come?" Kenny Lin joked.

"That’s possible, but waiting is too passive. Would you really just sit here and wait for them?" Amalia gave him a sidelong glance, doubting he’d be able to sit still long enough. If he could, things would be much easier.

Kenny Lin quickly shut his mouth, realizing his jest wasn’t worth continuing.

Just as Amalia finished setting the array to conceal their presence, Zhar’khaen who is running swiftly and effortlessly through the night, suddenly let out a surprised noise and stopped, landing on the trunk of a large tree.

"Why did the bloodline’s aura suddenly weaken?"

The bloodline’s sense hadn’t been strong to begin with, but now it was fading even more, to the point where it was barely detectable.