"What is that?" Su Xiu couldn’t help but lean closer to Shangguan Yutong, her eyes peering into the unseen distance. Shangguan Yutong took Su Xiu’s slightly cold hand and gave it a firm, reassuring squeeze. "Don’t be afraid. It’ll be okay."

The ground beneath their feet trembled faintly but persistently. Nothing short of massive beasts on the move could cause such an effect. In the distance, they could hear the roars of wild animals, but the sounds vanished as quickly as they appeared.

Ling Xiao glanced at Xiao Lin, who said in a low voice, "The Blast Flame Lion from earlier today..."

Ling Xiao nodded and whispered, "Be careful. They’re very alert. Let’s slowly back away."

Shangguan Yutong nodded in agreement. The group deftly packed up their tents and gear, then began moving slowly in the direction opposite the noise.

They hadn’t gone far when they heard a series of low calls that sounded like some form of communication. Ling Xiao’s group stopped, their brows furrowing. The grass in most parts of the Mesopotamia Grassland was tall, and while they could hear rustling footsteps, they couldn’t see what was making the sound. At this point, they had a nagging feeling that this wasn’t an ordinary animal migration. No matter how numerous, regular beasts couldn’t force a Tier Four Magical Beast to the edge of the plains. It was even less likely to be other Magical Beasts, as no one had ever heard of large, herd-dwelling Magical Beasts.

After a long moment, Shangguan Yutong whispered, "Beastmen." The night was black as ink, obscuring everyone’s faces, but it was clear that none of their expressions would have been pleasant. Even Ling Xiao, who knew little about Beastmen, felt a sense of dread. A large group of humans was unlikely to scare off a Tier Four Magical Beast. Even if a Magical Beast wanted to avoid a direct confrontation with humans, it wouldn’t abandon its territory and its pride.

Suddenly, a few high-pitched calls echoed from that direction. Ling Xiao’s eyes flashed in the darkness, and he and Shangguan Yutong exclaimed at almost the same time, "This is bad! Run!"

Yes, they had been discovered!

This was no laughing matter. Since the enemy had the strength to drive away a Tier Four Magical Beast, Ling Xiao and his group certainly didn’t believe that they alone could contend with them. Besides, they hadn’t even seen what these things looked like yet.

Sure enough, the sound of approaching footsteps rustled through the grass. Ling Xiao’s group broke into a sprint, running away from the sound. Hearing the commotion, several roars erupted from behind them, sounding utterly terrifying in the quiet night sky.

Fortunately, the group’s composure was excellent. Shangguan Yutong had considered this when she chose them. There were others with greater strength, but in terms of loyalty, character, and mental fortitude, these few were the best. Though Su Xiu wasn’t very strong and was a bit timid, it was simply a natural feminine reaction. Right now, she and Xiao Yang were in the lead, with Zhao Jie in the middle, while Xiao Lin and Shangguan Yutong brought up the rear.

They sprinted through the tall grass, which made a continuous RUSTLING sound. They all quickly batted away the sharp-edged blades of grass whipping at their faces to avoid injury to their eyes.

"Why are they chasing us?" Zhao Jie muttered as he ran.

"They’re heading for Cameron Town... Dammit!" Shangguan Yutong’s voice was filled with frustration. The others fell silent. A large group of noble students had just returned there today. Although Cameron Town’s defenses were formidable, no one knew how many Beastmen were in this horde. "We... we should get back to Cameron Town as fast as possible."

"It’s no use going back now. It’s more important to shake these things off and find the herbs!" Ling Xiao’s reasoning wasn’t entirely selfish. Some of the herbs Qiu Chen needed could only be found on this grassland, and the fresher they were, the more effective.

Shangguan Yutong understood Ling Xiao’s point. The Beastman attack was an unforeseen event. If Cameron Town couldn’t hold, their small group returning wouldn’t change the outcome. Any casualties would just be a part of it. Still, she voiced her concern, "I hope nothing terrible happens. Otherwise, those nobles will go insane!"

"Those nobles... If I recall correctly, don’t they spend all day shouting about their loyalty to the Empire?" A faint, mocking smile touched Ling Xiao’s lips. "Even if they die, they might even get the title of ’hero’ out of it."

Shangguan Yutong chuckled. "You’re just good at making excuses. Don’t forget you’re the scion of a great noble family yourself."

"I’m not like them," Ling Xiao said calmly. Just then, the sounds from behind grew closer. Shangguan Yutong said softly, "You all go on ahead. I’ll cover our retreat!"

"No! If we go, we go together!" Su Xiu said resolutely, stopping in her tracks. The world was pitch-black. They could only rely on their senses to feel the approach of a dozen or so "Beastmen"—they might as well call them that, since they still hadn’t even seen their faces.

The pursuing enemies were cunning. Seemingly aware that the group ahead had stopped, they also slowed their pace. In the darkness, the Beastmen’s vision was far superior to that of humans. The group could clearly sense them closing in, then slackening their steps. They moved through the grass with such incredible agility, like cats, that even the rustling sound became nearly inaudible.

Shangguan Yutong already had her longsword in hand. A Demon Swordsman’s night vision was decent, and through the gloom, she could make out several huge, furry figures with glowing green eyes closing in on them.

With a flick of her longsword, an exquisitely beautiful streak of Seven-Color Sword Qi suddenly appeared in the pitch-black darkness. Following her blade, it shot through the night like a rainbow sprite, sweeping violently toward the stunned Beastmen!

Sword Qi could wound without a sound, but the Beastman’s dying shriek was bloodcurdling. The bewitching Seven-Color Sword Qi sliced the towering Beastman in the lead clean in two! The stench of blood filled the air. The other Beastmen were startled and halted in their tracks, then hefted massive Wolf Fang Clubs and brought them crashing down on Shangguan Yutong’s head with a great WHOOSH of air. At the same time, Xiao Lin and Zhao Jie drew their swords, and two streaks of Sword Qi flashed with a cold light in the darkness as they swept toward the Beastmen behind.

Su Xiu, however, grabbed Ling Xiao, who was about to move forward, and pulled him behind her. "Don’t go! It’s dangerous!"

Ling Xiao’s heart warmed, and he chuckled. "Don’t worry, Teacher. I can protect myself!"

With those words, he spun around and vanished into the tall grass like a phantom in the night. Su Xiu cried out in panic from behind, "Ling Xiao, come back! It’s dangerous!"

Shangguan Yutong, while engaging the enemy, also shouted, "Ling Xiao, don’t make everyone worry! Get back here!"

Because of the darkness, they didn’t dare to go all out for fear of injuring their comrades. Moreover, they discovered that these pursuing Beastmen all possessed the strength of Great Sword Masters!

Battle Qi emanated from their Wolf Fang Clubs. Although its killing power wasn’t overwhelming, it was still startling. The Beastmen had a powerful presence, and even though Shangguan Yutong had cut one down at the outset, it seemed to have only ignited their bloodlust. They howled madly and charged, completely fearless of death.

Ling Xiao moved as if he had merged with the night. Even the Beastmen, with their extremely keen sense of smell and Spiritual Sense, failed to detect the human mixed in among them!

With each simple thrust of Ling Xiao’s Fine Willow Sword, a Beastman would inevitably collapse, clutching its throat. Gradually, the Beastmen began to panic. There were over twenty of them, the weakest of whom was stronger than a Tier Two Sword Master, yet they were dying silently and continuously. It was truly bizarre.

Beastmen were not easily rattled, but they still felt fear. In fact, the more civilized they were, the more pronounced this emotion became. The last one, a Beastman with the power of a Mad Sword Master who had been tangling with Shangguan Yutong, finally fled in a panic after finding itself alone, leaving an arm behind as the price for its escape.

Ling Xiao’s eyes shone like stars, but he didn’t give chase. There was no need to cut the weeds and pull up the roots... because more Beastmen were roaring in the distance, surging in their direction.

"Run!" Shangguan Yutong cried out, then shouted with a hint of annoyance, "Ling Xiao, you get over here!"

The moment Ling Xiao reached her side, she grabbed his hand. "Don’t you dare take a risk like that again!" With that, Shangguan Yutong led Ling Xiao and the others in a renewed retreat.

The Beastmen behind them were apparently more timid and never dared to pursue too closely.

"These damn beasts!" Shangguan Yutong cursed, then asked with some confusion, "Ling Xiao, how did you see them?"

Being pulled along by Shangguan Yutong’s soft, delicate hand gave Ling Xiao an indescribable feeling. He could sense her concern for him. Ling Xiao said, "I just felt them."

Shangguan Yutong knew this guy couldn’t be measured by common sense. She raised an eyebrow but didn’t press the matter, instead picking up the pace. The group ran without stopping until the air grew cool before dawn, not even knowing where they were. Only then did the sounds of their pursuers finally fade away.

By the growing light, they could see each other, and they all looked utterly wretched. They were likely soaked to the bone. Only then did Shangguan Yutong let go of Ling Xiao’s hand. She was startled by the sight of him covered in blood and cried out, "Ah! Ling Xiao, are you all right?"

Ling Xiao laughed. "It’s all their blood. If it were mine, I would’ve bled to death over the course of the night."

"Don’t talk nonsense," Shangguan Yutong said, shooting Ling Xiao a glare. The entire group plopped onto the ground in exhaustion. Before them was a river, twenty or thirty meters wide. The current was steady, but the constant whirlpools on the surface indicated that it was very deep.

Zhao Jie pushed back his soaking wet hair and said between laughing breaths, "If more Beastmen show up now, we’ll have a hard time even running!"

As he spoke, a series of roars echoed from the distance.

The group exchanged a look. Even the gentle Su Xiu couldn’t help but glare at Zhao Jie. "You and your big mouth!"

The group sprinted off once more, following the river upstream.