---
Chapter 22 – At Night
As dusk settled, the sun slowly disappeared behind the western mountains.
Yang Xie and his group were gathering the corpses of the alien wolves.
"It's a pity that this second-level alien wolf didn't have an alien crystal in its body," one of them remarked.
"Finding an alien beast crystal is purely luck. If even one in a hundred second-level beasts has one, it's already a blessing," another replied.
"It's getting late. It's not safe to go any further at night. We should rest here and continue our journey tomorrow morning."
Despite the minor disappointment, the team was satisfied with their haul. However, traveling at night was too dangerous due to poor visibility and unpredictable threats. Resting now and resuming at dawn was the wisest choice.
Nangong Lan checked on Nangong Wei and Nangong Qing's injuries.
"You're both fine—just some minor scratches," she said.
A soft green glow emerged from her hands as she used her healing ability to treat them.
"Thanks, Xiaolan."
"No need to thank me. I may not be good at fighting, but supporting the team is what I do best. I'm happy as long as I can help," Nangong Lan replied with a small, embarrassed smile.
"Xiaolan, you're the treasure of our team. Our survival and success depend on you. Don't downplay your importance," Nangong Qing said seriously.
Yang Xie couldn't help but agree. Any team with a capable healer like Nangong Lan was incredibly lucky.
---
Nightfall
As night fully set in, darkness blanketed the landscape.
Yang Xie gathered firewood and started a bonfire, preparing to cook. With so much fresh alien wolf meat, skipping dinner wasn't an option.
He carefully cut several portions from the wolf's legs, seasoning them before placing them over the fire. The crackling flames illuminated the group as they sat around, the smell of roasting meat filling the air.
"I didn't expect you to be such a good cook," Nangong Xiuqin remarked. "You should consider joining our team permanently as our chef!"
"The seasoning is perfect!" another teammate added in agreement.
Yang Xie grinned. "Thanks, Sister Xiuqin. But if we're talking about skills, your marksmanship is even more impressive! Xiaoya and I were completely stunned watching you in action."
"Haha, that's nothing," Nangong Xiuqin laughed. "I haven't even shown my real strength yet!"
Yang Xie smirked, but his mind wandered for a moment. How strong is she really?
"Then I definitely need to see it next time," he said with amusement.
---
Understanding Alien Beasts
"Brother Qing, what exactly is the difference between first-level and second-level alien beasts?" Yang Xie asked. "They all seem the same to me."
"It's not something you can determine at a glance," Nangong Qing explained. "Generally, higher-tier beasts are larger, but the real difference is in their abilities. First-level beasts rely purely on physical attacks, while second-level beasts can harness and release spiritual energy. Think of it like a martial artist—at the warrior stage, we train our bodies, but from the second level onward, we can channel and release spiritual energy. It takes experience to distinguish them quickly."
"You two are both talented. With time, you'll get the hang of it," he added.
The meal continued with casual conversation, and everyone enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere. Yang Xie's cooking had been a surprising delight, lifting everyone's spirits.
As the night deepened, stars twinkled brightly above them.
---
Night Watch Arrangements
"The protective gear I provided will come in handy tonight," Nangong Qing reminded. "We'll take turns keeping watch. Our team members will rotate shifts, while Xiaoya and Yang Xie can rest."
He turned to them with a stern expression. "Make sure to wear your protective suits properly. The mosquitoes in the wild aren't just annoying—they can be deadly."
"Brother Qing, we want to take part in the night watch too," Yang Xie and Nangong Ya protested in unison.
"We appreciate your willingness to help," Nangong Qing said, "but you're still too inexperienced to handle potential dangers at night. The sudden appearance of second-level beasts in this area suggests something unusual is going on. We can't afford unnecessary risks."
Seeing their disappointed expressions, he softened his tone. "Don't take it the wrong way. Safety comes first, and this decision is for everyone's benefit. When the time is right, we'll make sure you get your chance to fight."
Yang Xie clenched his fists slightly. He hated feeling useless. But after a moment of thought, he realized—he wasn't as powerless as he seemed.
I don't need to fight personally. I have the Shadow Army.
A subtle smirk formed on his lips. His Shadow Soldiers could battle alien beasts for him, gaining strength through his Shadow Devour ability.
He leaned against a tree and closed his eyes. "Alright, we'll rest, Brother Qing. Thank you for watching over us."
Yang Xie settled in, pulling his protective suit snugly around him. Next to him, Nangong Ya also leaned against him, exhaustion evident in her delicate features. Within minutes, she was fast asleep.
As the rest of the team took their positions for night watch, a silent movement unfolded in the shadows.
---
The Hunt Begins
Unseen by the others, countless dark figures slipped out from Yang Xie's body, merging seamlessly with the night. Under the cover of darkness, no one noticed as his Shadow Legion emerged.
Yang Xie sent Yang Yi and 900 Shadow Soldiers to hunt for alien beasts, leaving 100 behind for protection. The remaining soldiers quietly surrounded him and Nangong Ya, ensuring their safety.
Deep in the forest, Yang Yi and his troops soon encountered a pack of alien wolves. Strangely enough, there seemed to be an abundance of them in this area.
Could this be their base camp? Yang Yi wondered.
A dozen first-level alien wolves lunged at them, but against the sheer numbers of the Shadow Legion, they stood no chance. Within seconds, the wolves were slaughtered.
Yang Xie's Shadow Devour ability activated, consuming the essence of the fallen wolves. Their bodies shriveled into blackened husks before disintegrating entirely.
Despite keeping his eyes closed, Yang Xie could feel the surge of energy flooding back to him.
I'm about to break through.
The power gathered within him, and moments later—he advanced to the second stage of the warrior realm.
A triumphant smile played on his lips.
This is incredible. The Shadow Legion is a game-changer!
If his forces continued hunting at this rate, he could break through multiple stages in a single night.
"Yang Yi, keep going," he whispered internally. "Let's see how much stronger I can get by dawn."
---
End of Chapter 22