Amid the dense forest, a small deer grazed peacefully, its movements cautious. It stopped short of venturing further, knowing well the horrors lurking within the toxic swamp ahead.
In its limited memory, the swamp was a place of terror, where many of its companions had vanished without a trace. If not for the lush vegetation here, the deer would never dare approach. Today, it only sought a full stomach before retreating swiftly.
Suddenly, the deer froze mid-bite, its dark, alert eyes scanning the surroundings. Its ears twitched, following faint sounds in the distance. Instinct warned of imminent danger, prompting it to flee, but before it could move, a beam of light engulfed it, reducing its body to a mist of blood.
From the shadows emerged a group of eight or nine cultivators. Leading them was a man with sharp, narrow eyes and a hooked nose, his cold demeanor exuding an unapproachable aura. Hovering behind him was a radiant flying sword, still glowing faintly from the attack that had obliterated the deer.
"You claimed someone was waiting for us here. Where are they?" the man questioned without looking back, his icy gaze scanning the swamp's edge.
From the back of the group, a thin, pale girl stepped forward—it was Xiao Dao.
"They should arrive shortly. Let's wait for a moment," she replied, her voice calm but firm.
The person she referred to was Chen An. A month prior, she had arranged to meet him here to venture into the swamp together and hunt the Hundred-Eyed Giant Toad. When Xiao Dao arrived with her group, there was no sign of Chen An.
"Hmph! Wait? For what? Our young master's life is hanging by a thread, and we don't have time to waste!" barked a burly man from the group. He turned to the hooked-nosed man and said, "Second Master, let's not waste time waiting for some kid from the Talisman Sect. A mere Qi Condensation cultivator is no more than an ant in your eyes."
The "Second Master" referred to was Zhao Ye Han, the younger brother of Zhao Ming Yang, the head of the Zhao family in Qixia City. A cultivator in the early Foundation Establishment stage, Zhao Ye Han was second only to his brother in power within the Zhao family. A month ago, upon learning that the Hundred-Eyed Giant Toad was nearing death, Zhao Ming Yang had dispatched Zhao Ye Han to claim its heart and inner core.
Despite the toad's formidable strength, its recent childbirth had left it weakened. Zhao Ye Han could likely handle the task alone, rendering the others' assistance unnecessary.
Just as the burly man expressed his disdain for Chen An, distant footsteps echoed through the forest.
The flying sword behind Zhao Ye Han reacted immediately, emitting a sharp hum as it prepared to unleash a deadly strike. Yet, the tension eased as Chen An emerged from the dense foliage.
Bowing respectfully, Chen An addressed Zhao Ye Han, "Apologies for the delay, Senior Zhao. I was held up along the way and meant no disrespect."
Zhao Ye Han's narrowed eyes studied Chen An. "How do you know who I am?" he asked coldly.
"Rumors speak highly of the Zhao family in Qixia City. Your elder brother, Zhao Ming Yang, is a household name, and so are you, Senior Zhao. I had the honor of meeting your brother once and was deeply impressed by his presence. Seeing you today, I recognized you immediately," Chen An replied smoothly, his words polished with flattery.
The compliment softened Zhao Ye Han's icy demeanor. "Enough talk. Time is short. Let's move and retrieve the heart and core of the Hundred-Eyed Giant Toad!"
However, Zhao Ye Han's mention of the inner core caused Chen An's brows to furrow imperceptibly. Alarm bells rang in his mind. He glanced at Xiao Dao, who appeared equally surprised. Zhao Ye Han intended to seize both the heart and the core, violating their agreement that the Zhao family would only claim the heart.
Sensing Chen An's unease, Zhao Ye Han turned to him. "I heard you're after the Hundred-Eyed Giant Toad's inner core?"
Chen An's heart sank at the direct question. After a moment of internal struggle, he chose to answer honestly.
"My goal has always been the inner core. Xiao Dao and I risked our lives to pinpoint the toad's location. I wasn't aware the core was also needed to treat the Zhao family's young master."
Zhao Ye Han chuckled, his tone dismissive. "The Zhao family doesn't need the core for the treatment. But I've always been curious about such things and wish to study them. Don't worry—I'll return it to you once I'm done. Do you think I, Zhao Ye Han, would stoop to stealing from a junior?"
His words were casual, but Chen An knew the truth. Beast cores were invaluable treasures, sought after for alchemy, forging, and trade. Once in Zhao Ye Han's possession, retrieving it would be nearly impossible. Even if Zhao Ye Han genuinely intended to "study" it, how long would that take—years? Decades? By then, Chen An might already be dust in the wind.
When Zhao Ye Han pressed him again, asking if he was unwilling to "lend" the core, Chen An forced a smile. "How could I refuse a request from you, Senior Zhao? You're welcome to study the core for as long as you like."
Xiao Dao watched Chen An closely, noting the calm words on his lips yet the tightly clenched fists hidden within his sleeves.
Zhao Ye Han's greed had exceeded Chen An's expectations. Was he truly about to lose everything he had fought for?