"…!"
As soon as the fishing hook manages to latch itself onto the four storage pouches—that are held in Chen Lan's hand, the flow of time returns to normal.
"…"
The first to react to the situation is Wang Yongning, who dashes forth, and leaps into the air—with his right hand reaching towards the four storage pouches.
"Back off!"
Holding a bo-staff—that measures at five feet in length, Teng Hao leaps in front of Wang Yongning.
The body of the bo-staff seems to be constructed from black wood, while its ends are wrapped in spiky metal sleeves.
Towards Teng Hao's approach, Wang Yongning draws out his Relic, which are two knives with ring pommels.
The blade of these knives is decorated with branching flame patterns, and as Wang Yongning positions them in front of himself—to block the incoming bo-staff, these patterns release a bright shine.
*Klang!* as the bo-staff comes into contact with Wang Yongning's daggers, a crisp sound echoes outwards.
Following this, flames erupt from Wang Yongning's daggers—pushing Teng Hao back.
"…"
Landing onto the ground, Teng Hao brushes off the flames—that are sticking onto his sleeve.
"Surnamed Long, you're courting death!"
Towards Shao Tianming's practitioner-like cuss words, Long Hua laughs aloud, and nods his head, while replying—
"Very good, I haven't heard those cuss words being directed at me in ages."
Taking the storage pouches off the hook, Long Hua splits them into two portions, and tosses them to Ye Chen and Teng Hao.
Without waiting for Shao Tianming and the others to charge at him, Long Hua immediately turns to the right, and shouts—
"Everyone, the world has only one rule to follow! Those with the biggest fist—decides order!"
Shouting these words aloud, Long Hua makes a break for it.
Simultaneously, chaos ensues.
Having seen that there were a limited number of storage pouches to be had, and that stealing was an alternative—to signing that odd parchment, numerous Sinners rushed forth, and charged at the Ashen River Hall.
"…"
Pointing her finger in the Ashen River Hall's direction, Qing Yue orders for the giant calabash, that is looming over her head, to—
"Fire!"
*Boom!!!* upon the shot's landing, bodies fly and scatter.
On the opposite side—
"Out of my way!"
"Get lost!"
Teng Hao and Shen Le—who had regrouped with Gui Lian and the others, have also started to fight their way out of the chaotic gathering.
"Tch, dammit."
Realizing quick how futile it is to make an attempt at suppressing this crowd, Shao Tianming shouts—
"Get your transport vehicles out! Their numbers are too high; we won't be able to fend them off!"
"Understood!"
"Affirmative!"
Just as the Ashen River Hall begins to retreat—
"Everyone, get on!"
Summoning out five white tigers—that are about the size of a bike, each, Qing Yue hops onto the back of one.
Rather quickly, Long Hua and the others followed.
"Holy, they're after us now…"
Drawing out her bow, and notching an arrow, Yu Ji fires a few shots back at the Sinners—who are quick to turn their attention towards their group.
"Eat this!"
Summoning out his Relic as well, Ye Chen throws it towards the pursuers, and as soon as it lands onto the sand—
*Boom!!!* a massive cloud of dust erupts, creating a smokescreen to cover their movement.
Recalling the black greatsword back into his grip, Ye Chen dismisses it, and faces forward, while asking—
"Qing Yue, how many miles can these cats take us?"
"Probably around 40 miles?"
"Alright, we'll take a breather after that."
Settling on this decision, the group continues to move.
...…
An hour later, out in the middle of the open desert—
"Hmph!"
*Bam!* smashing his fist against the side of a white truck, Shao Tianming grinds his teeth together in rage.
"…"
Fuming in silence, Shao Tianming gradually regains his composure, and looking back at the event—
"Hahaha!"
Laughter erupts from his mouth, as he remarks—
"Of all the things to use, a fishing rod?"
"…"
Seeing how quickly Shao Tianming had regained his composure, and is being so nonchalant about losing a few storage pouches, Wang Yongning frowns, and asks—
"That's enough to get you to settle down?"
Ceasing his laughter, and heaving a sigh, Shao Tianming replies—
"Whatever really. Giving those supplies out—got us a good number of recruits. If those recruits manage to live to the end, it means they show promise."
"I suppose."
Off to the side, Li Zi Xiang looks to Chen Lan, and says—
"Chen Lan, your pay is getting docked for the month."
Having been the only one to have lost four storage pouches, Li Zi Xiang sees this as the perfect excuse to use—to cut some of Chen Lan's salary.
Turning to Li Zi Xiang with wide eyes, Chen Lan replies—
"C'mon for real? I've got a bunch of restaurants that I want to try out…"
Shrugging a shoulder, Li Zi Xiang replies—
"I'll reconsider, if you perform well later."
"Alright, the moment I see that surnamed Long again, I'll get my revenge."
...…
Upon Shao Tianming having finished filling Wang Yongning in on Long Hua and the others, the latter puts on an expression of contemplation, and remarks—
"…I see. The fact that they could think to steal from us so quickly, there's potential for them to be our biggest competitor in this ruin."