Former Interstellar Mercenary In Urban Cultivation World
Chapter 851: Shadows of the Bloodline

Chapter 851: Shadows of the Bloodline

If it weakened further, he could easily lose track of it and end up going in the wrong direction. If he strayed too far, Gor’kan would never let him hear the end of it.

Zhar’khaen was frustrated. As a Pixiu, nighttime was supposed to give him the upper hand, but now he found himself in the same predicament as humans and devils, forced to stop and rest at night.

Suddenly, a spark of inspiration flashed through his mind.

"Resting at night?" Zhar’khaen’s usual playful demeanor disappeared, his face growing increasingly serious. "Could it be that the reason the aura suddenly weakened is because the other stopped to rest?"

"No, no! I can’t think like that." As soon as the thought emerged, Zhar’khaen immediately rejected it. He couldn’t believe that one of his own kind would submit to humans. "The aura weakening could also mean we’re getting farther apart. But that doesn’t quite add up either. During the day, the sense was getting stronger. Could it be that this kin, fearing discovery by humans, is pretending to rest like them, using an array to conceal their aura?"

Zhar’khaen’s eyes brightened. "That’s it! There’s no way a Pixiu would bow to humans. We’re too proud for that." His determined gaze fixed on the direction where he had last sensed the bloodline. "Tomorrow. By tomorrow, I should have my answer."

The next day, as the first light of dawn broke over Silent Echo Valley, before Zhar’khaen could set out again, a loud commotion erupted from behind him.

He whipped around, his brow furrowing deeply. "If Gor’kan and Vryss’laar are fighting together, no way can those humans overpower them so quickly. I have to get back... I must get back!"

With that thought, his figure vanished, speeding toward the direction where the bloodline’s aura had reappeared.

"Damn it! You’ve definitely been marked with something!" Gor’kan glared at the weakened Vryss’laar, his expression grim.

Vryss’laar had only reunited with him for half a day, and Gor’kan had been treating his wounds. But before long, the humans chasing them caught up again. Despite their familiarity with Silent Echo Valley, allowing them to slip away several times, they were relentlessly tracked down, making it hard not to suspect something.

"I think so," Vryss’laar admitted, looking ashamed. "When I was escaping, I fell into one of their traps. I remember smelling a strange fragrance. It must have been then." His face filled with guilt. "I’m sorry, I’ve dragged you into this."

"Even without this, they would’ve come for us eventually. Plans have just changed now. Hopefully, Zhar’khaen realizes what’s happening and doesn’t return to that spot," Gor’kan said coldly, his face stern.

Vryss’laar nodded. "Zhar’khaen has a keen sense for Pixiu’s bloodline. He’ll definitely figure it out. But are you sure? Do we really have another kin out there?"

Vryss’laar’s words even carried a hint of anticipation.

Gor’kan could sense it and, in response to his expectation, nodded and said, "It’s very likely true."

"That’s great," Vryss’laar let out a sigh of relief, excitement flashing across his face.

Gor’kan didn’t tell him about their suspicion—that their kin might have submitted to the might of the human race. It was only a guess, and there was no need to worry Vryss’laar over it. He just hoped that, when the time came, they wouldn’t be disappointed.

Gor’kan was more reserved, and many things he chose not to say. However, deep down, he also hoped to see another of their kind again.

They could not afford to lose any more Pixiu. Their tribe had dwindled from tens of thousands to a mere handful. They had experienced too much hope and despair.

"Let’s go. First, we need to shake off those people who are tailing us. The farther we get from their position, the safer they will be."

"Alright."

The two Pixiu moved once again. Gor’kan quickly hoisted Vryss’laar onto his back and sped away. He was so fast that, even though the humans and devils behind them knew the direction they had fled, they couldn’t keep up.

Suddenly, a massive tree was knocked over with a thunderous crash. As it fell, it revealed the furious face of Seojin Feng.

"What’s going on? Didn’t they say these Pixiu were highly combative? Why do they avoid direct confrontation every time?" Gu Luo’s expression was extremely dark.

They had been pursuing them for days and nights. What they initially thought would be resolved within a day had dragged on, and now, they couldn’t even catch up to the Pixiu.

"It is strange," said the sword cultivator.

City Lord Yun who has a heavy expression, added, "The Pixiu we’ve encountered before were always aggressive. Their pride is fierce; they would never flee without a fight. Something must have happened—something we’re unaware of."

If this were the same Pixiu who had fought them just a few days ago, they would likely be locked in a life-or-death struggle by now. Pixiu were proud creatures, never allowing themselves to show even a trace of cowardice before humans or devils. After all, they were descendants of the Beast Gods, and their veins carried the blood of these ancient beings. As the heirs of the Beast Gods, how could they tarnish their ancestors’ names? It was only through exploiting this "weakness" that their plan had succeeded.

But once a Pixiu, devoid of such a "weakness," decided to escape their encirclement at all costs, capturing it became nearly impossible. Without more people to assist them, their small group stood little chance of stopping the creature.

"I have a question," the sword cultivator suddenly said.

Everyone turned to him. "What question?"

"This Pixiu was hit with City Lord Yun’s ’Heavenly Dew,’ right? That Heavenly Dew, along with the poison City Lord Yun added, should have severely weakened its strength. So why is it still so fast?" The sword cultivator glanced around at the others, speaking calmly.

"I’ve wondered about that too," Seojin Feng said, looking at City Lord Yun.

The Heavenly Dew and poison had been City Lord Yun’s idea. In fact, the rest of the group only knew about the Heavenly Dew—they hadn’t been informed about the poison.