They arrived at a relatively cleared up area within the wilderness before settling down as everyone was discussing the order among themselves. Tang Lin patiently stayed quiet, waiting for them to finish deciding. Suddenly two boys got out of the horse carriage; Xu Yang and Xu Ming had overheard Elder Xu Yi and the other servants as Xu Ming walked towards them.
"Elder Xu Yi, I have an idea. What if we let Tang Lin keep watch the whole night, since he is the weakest and newest servant? This is so we can preserve our energy and manpower", Xu Ming suggested with a smirk.
Tang Lin rolled his eyes at Xu Ming's remark, not bothering to hide his displeasure.
"There's no way elder Xu Yi would agree to something like that, right?" he hoped.
"Hmm… sure. Does anyone have any complaints?", elder Xu Yi asked, looking at the other servants.
They had no reason to refuse as they shook their heads, averting their eyes from me.
"W-What… I can't believe I had even the slightest faith in the Xu family. It seems that their shamelessness knows no bounds", Tang Lin thought as he felt blood rushing to his head.
"I understand", commented Tang Lin, trying to cool his head down.
Night fell and drowsiness seeped into the minds of everyone.
With his eyes sagging and body slouched, he sat atop a large spirit tree not far from the others to keep watch. Elder Xu Yi had set up an emergency protective barrier, but Tang Lin had to scout further away, outside the barrier.
*Grrrr*
The sound of low growls awoke Tang Lin from his sleepiness as he got up in a crouching position, searching for the origin of the sound.
"1-2-3… 9-10", counted Tang Lin.
There was a pack of wolves heading to the group's direction and the leader seemed to be the one at the very back. It was at least twice the size of the other wolves and a scar over its right eye.
"Spirit wolves! I've heard of them before; they like to be around spirit trees due to the negative yin energy being condensed here. The smaller wolves should be much weaker than the black tiger from the past, but what worries me is that that large wolf at the back. Its ravenous aura can even rival the giant serpent or possibly even stronger than that. I should head back and report this", he thought wisely, jumping down from the tree and returning with haste.
Even though he wanted to let them all die, if they were killed, he would have no one to protect him in the Forest of Remorse and never be able to reach the mysterious realm.
He returned to a fairly open area within the forest as he continued walking forward. Elder Xu Yi had set up a protective barrier that also enclosed the area making it invisible.
*Bump*
"Ow, what the? Why can't I go in? Is there a mistake in the array?" Tang Lin complained as an uneasy feeling started growing in his mind.
*Bang, bang*
Slamming his fists against the barrier, ripples appeared letting him slightly see the inside clearer. Unexpectedly, a face appeared behind the ripples. It was the last person he had wanted to see.
"Xu Ming! I don't have time to argue with you, let me in. There's something I need to repor-...", said Tang Lin before being interrupted.
"Sorry, I'm sure you can hear me, but I can't hear you. So, I have no idea what's making you so panicked, but I guess it means you're about to die soon. Good Luck, ahahaha!" stated Xu Ming with a devilish smile, chuckling maniacally.
"XU MING!!" yelled Tang Lin, accidentally losing his temper and raising his voice.
He could hear the sound of the wolves growing closer and closer.
"AHHH! I need to run, but where should I go", he thought frantically, looking around everywhere before looking deeper into the forest.
"So be it. If you won't bring me to the mysterious realm, I'll go there by myself. I won't die! I will make it out of here, no matter the costs!" Tang Lin roared at the disappearing figure of Xu Ming, before heading deeper into the forest towards the Tianshan mountains.