Late at night.
The forest was anything but tranquil, with the sounds of insects, birds, and even the roars of soul beasts echoing continuously.
In the makeshift camp, no fire was lit to avoid attracting soul beasts.
After a simple meal of steak, lamb legs, chicken, duck, fish, shrimp, vegetable salad, fruit, and red wine, everyone retreated to their tents.
The battle with the Linjia Beast had left them physically and mentally exhausted.
At this moment, inside Yu Xiaogang's tent.
Max and Yu Xiaogang sat together, their shadows elongated by the dim, flickering candlelight.
On the small table in front of them were a pot of wine, two cups, a dish of beef, and a dish of peanuts.
These were all purchased at the market outside the Spirit Hunting Forest, including the individual tents, all paid for by Zhou Chen, the little "golden man."
"...I feel like I'm living in a dream. A six-year-old child is stronger than me, a Soul Elder!" Max took a small sip of wine, his mind dazed as he spoke, "I really want to know what kind of hidden family can cultivate such a genius!"
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang shook his head and said, "I don't know either; Zhou Chen never mentioned it. However, their family has deep foundations. I managed to break through thanks to a pill they gifted me, which is said to come from a divine inheritance."
"Divine?" Max was suddenly startled, then nodded in understanding.
Like most ordinary people, Max would attribute such miraculous occurrences to divine intervention.
However, Max quickly noticed something amiss, "Xiaogang, why would Zhou Chen's family gift you a pill?"
"This..." Yu Xiaogang hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice, "I joined their family's public force to serve them. Beyond that... I can't disclose anything."
"Understood," Max nodded, his heart suddenly ablaze with excitement.
He realized that Zhou Chen's hidden family might no longer be content to remain anonymous and sought to expand their influence.
However, to expand their influence, they would need more than just their direct family members; they would require many external members. Yu Xiaogang was likely able to join because that hidden family urgently needed people!
And if Yu Xiaogang could join, then so could Max!
With this in mind, Max looked at Yu Xiaogang and said, "Xiaogang, you know, I've always been a civilian soul master, lacking cultivation resources. Now, nearing fifty, I'm still a Soul Elder. To advance further, I must join a powerful force... So, I'd like to serve that hidden family too. Can you introduce me?"
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang was momentarily stunned, then relaxed.
Max's thoughts were only natural. After all, he himself couldn't resist the temptation and eventually joined Ziwei Palace.
Moreover, Max was his old friend who took him in during his hard times, allowing him to become a guest elder at Notting Academy. Yu Xiaogang was obliged to fulfill Max's request.
So, Yu Xiaogang nodded, "Alright, I'll talk to Zhou Chen tomorrow."
Then, he raised his glass, clinking it with Max's, and they both drank it all.
However, neither of them noticed Hu Liena, slender and stunning, silently eavesdropping on their conversation from outside the tent, protected by a soul bone that concealed her presence and blurred her outline...
Simultaneously.
At the edge of the Spirit Hunting Forest.
Dozens of men in black stealthily bypassed the patrols of the Heaven Dou Empire's army, climbed over the ten-meter-high iron fence, and successfully infiltrated the Spirit Hunting Forest.
On normal days, such sneaky entries were not uncommon, usually involving soul masters without money or status, or those holding grudges against the Spirit Hall who wished to hunt soul rings for advancement.
However, today's group of men in black wore uniform attire, were well-trained, and exuded a chilling aura of menace!
These were clearly death soldiers, cultivated by a powerful force!
Once inside the forest, the men in black gathered, seemingly to discuss a plan.
"His Majesty sent us, the Royal Secret Guards, with two plans: one to recruit the young genius to our Xingluo Empire before others notice, and the other, if recruitment fails, is to kill him!"
"According to intelligence from our operatives within the Spirit Hall, they've already discovered the young genius and even obtained a portrait of him. We lack the strength to compete with the Spirit Hall for talent..."
"So now, we have no choice but to execute His Majesty's second plan—eliminate the genius to prevent the Spirit Hall from growing stronger and threatening our Xingluo Empire. Do you understand?"
"For Xingluo!" The dozens of men in black responded in hushed unison.
"Good!"
The leader of the black-clad group nodded in satisfaction, "Now, go find the target and kill him!"