"If you wish to stay alive, then keep your silence," Liang Jinyu said without turning her head.
"No! Today, regardless of what you say, I am determined to fight you!" Han Xiaoyu angrily seized Liang Jinyu's arm.
As Han Xiaoyu grabbed Liang Jinyu's arm, the two subordinates of Liang Jinyu suddenly sprang to their feet.
"This is not your concern. Sit down and focus on your cultivation," Liang Jinyu commanded.
The two subordinates cast Han Xiaoyu a cold glance before slowly resuming their seats.
For a moment, Han Xiaoyu felt utterly bewildered, instinctively trembling under their intense gaze.
"It must be an illusion! It's just that I'm overly nervous," she reassured herself internally.
Just as Han Xiaoyu attempted to calm her thoughts, Liang Jinyu turned her head and looked directly at her.
"If you value your life, I suggest you remain still. And take a good look at your companions—do you know who they really are?" Liang Jinyu's words were not loud, but each one pierced Han Xiaoyu's ears with precision.
Han Xiaoyu was confused, ready to question Liang Jinyu about her people, but Liang Jinyu's next words stunned her.
"Do you know why that man only thanked me? It's because, while he was cultivating, someone in your group harbored murderous intentions towards him!"
"Impossible! They are all my—"
Before Han Xiaoyu could finish, Liang Jinyu immediately interrupted, "Girl, it's good to have a clear mind, but you don't understand the hearts of others."
Han Xiaoyu was struck to the core by Liang Jinyu's words.
"Could I really be that naïve...?"
"Remember, some things are better left unsaid. This era has changed. If you continue this way, you might not make it out alive."
Liang Jinyu emphasized the final words, her advice meant to protect the girl's life. It was clear that she did not want to see Han Xiaoyu waste it.
As Han Xiaoyu reflected on herself, a figure slowly descended from the slope.
Upon seeing the figure in black, Liang Jinyu quickly stood up and waved.
Noticing someone beckoning to him, Xu Que quickened his pace.
When he arrived at the group, the first thing he sensed was an unsettling aura.
He couldn't quite pinpoint what felt off, but the discomfort was undeniable.
"How should we proceed?" Liang Jinyu asked.
Xu Que glanced in the direction, then checked his timer.
Realizing that only six hours had passed, he pointed to the bushes below the slope and said, "Our only hope now is that there are no white ghosts down there. Otherwise, we'll have no choice but to move along the mountain slope."
"Understood, we'll follow your lead," Liang Jinyu replied, leaning closer to Xu Que. "What is that thing you have?"
"It's a timer, invented by one of my teammates," Xu Que explained, handing it to Liang Jinyu.
Upon receiving the timer, Liang Jinyu was visibly shaken. She understood the value of such an item.
"Would you sell it?"
Xu Que took back the timer and smiled. "If we make it out alive, I'll give you two."
"Not enough!" Liang Jinyu said, her tone firm. "You must understand its value."
Xu Que nodded in acknowledgment. "It's a unique device from our company. I don't intend to sell it."
"Impressive!" Liang Jinyu praised. "You are the most remarkable person I've met so far. I'm the CEO of Honor Corporation, and I hope we can collaborate in the future."
At her words, Xu Que turned his head sharply, staring at the woman beside him.
At that moment, his mind raced, filled with disbelief.
Honor Corporation!
What that name represented in his previous life needed no elaboration. Just the top three in Z Country was enough to symbolize its glory.
But then it clicked—Honor Corporation didn't have Liang Jinyu back then.
"Is Chai Xiaohau your husband?" Xu Que asked, his curiosity piqued.
"You know Chai Xiaohau?" Liang Jinyu gave him a curious look.
Truth be told, in elite circles, she hadn't seen Xu Que before, only recognizing him from a military video that had surfaced online.
"I don't know him personally, but I've heard of him," Xu Que replied, recalling Chai Xiaohau from his past life. "They say he's quite powerful, with a shrewd mind..."
Before Xu Que could finish his sentence, Liang Jinyu burst into laughter, looking at him as though he were an oddity.
"What's so funny?" Xu Que asked, bewildered.
"Are you sure you've been listening to Chai Xiaohau?" Liang Jinyu asked, struggling to hold back her laughter.
"Isn't it him?" Xu Que was puzzled. He was certain that the Chai Xiaohau from his past life was a strong figure, and his core company framework was tied to both Honor and Destiny.
Liang Jinyu stifled her laughter. "Chai Xiaohau isn't my husband; he's my younger brother. Don't ask me why our surnames are different, but I'll tell you this: he's not the person you think. It's probably just a coincidence that you both share the same name."
Xu Que halted in his tracks, momentarily speechless. What kind of situation was this?
Xu Que felt like cursing.
The situation seemed to have deviated from the original path, throwing in a new version of Chai Xiaohau!
"I could scream," Xu Que muttered inwardly.
"What's wrong with you?" Han Xiaoyu asked from behind.
Xu Que turned to her, his sense of unease finally taking shape.
"Did you do this?" Xu Que asked, turning to Liang Jinyu.
Liang Jinyu gave a subtle nod, continuing forward.
Xu Que followed quickly, "How did you train her?"
"Your killing intent," Liang Jinyu said cryptically.
Xu Que's face twitched. He hadn't expected her intuition to be so sharp. No wonder she had founded Honor Corporation.
Xu Que turned to Han Xiaoyu. "Which company are you from?"
"Dayu Hunter Corporation," Han Xiaoyu smiled.
"I've never heard of it," Xu Que replied, turning away.
This comment felt like a stone dropped into a calm lake, and it instantly broke Han Xiaoyu's composure.
"Waaah..."
Both Xu Que and Liang Jinyu turned in surprise.
"Stop crying!" Xu Que said coldly.
Liang Jinyu quickly covered Han Xiaoyu's mouth.
"Stop crying. We're still in danger," Liang Jinyu whispered into her ear. "What's wrong?"
"He's bullying me," Han Xiaoyu sobbed, pointing at Xu Que.
"Huh?"
Both Xu Que and Liang Jinyu exchanged confused glances. They had no idea when this bullying had occurred.
Before Liang Jinyu could speak, a deep bear growl sounded from the bushes ahead.
"Dammit, stay alert!" Xu Que pulled out his longsword, eyeing the bushes warily.
At the same time, Han Xiaoyu stopped crying, alarmed by the growl.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of heavy impacts against trees echoed.
Hearing the chaotic noise, Xu Que motioned for the others to fall back.
Just as he completed the gesture, eight massive snow bears emerged from the bushes.
Seeing the snow bears were all super A-grade, Xu Que immediately ordered, "Everyone, fall back!"
Roar!
The largest snow bear roared and charged toward Xu Que, its massive limbs striking the ground.
Xu Que dodged quickly, but as he sidestepped the first bear's attack, two more snow bears lunged from the side.
"Damn, I'm unlucky!" Xu Que muttered under his breath, rolling to avoid their claws.
Just as he regained his footing, another snow bear charged directly at him.
Roar!
The bear swung its massive paw toward Xu Que with terrifying force.
"Shit! It's so large, but so fast!" Xu Que leapt backward, his black longsword slashing toward the snow bear's head.
Swish!
The bear's skull split like tofu, cleaved cleanly in half.
The other seven snow bears, having seen their comrade fall, instantly turned their attention to Xu Que and let out a furious roar.