Chen Linjian

Their adventure was secret, so they told others that they are going to the mountain valley to practice. The group of 38 people without problem left the city and headed towards St. Ancestral Mountains.

The trip to Ancient Orchid Ruins would take about five to six days. There is no doubt they would be attacked by the demon beasts during their travel. But they were not a threat to him. He was more worried about the Dark Guild. Would they attack? In the novel, they were hunting for the children of influential families. Have they been sent by the Sacred family, or was it their independent operation? He didn't know. He had to stay vigilant in any case.

After traveling for over 10 hours the group was tired of walking through the uneven mountain roads. When they reached a flat area, Chen Linjian ordered to set up a camp.

Shen Yue who was gnashing his teeth with anger watching Nie Li and girls conversing on the road found his chance at last and approached Ye Ziyun.

"Ziyun, why don't we set up camp together? This way I can protect you," he said.

"Uh, thank you. But I am camping together with the other girls."

Seeing Shen Yue's dejected face Nie Li wanted to make a joke but decided it was not worth it. He approached Chen Linjian and spoke to him.

"Master Chen Linjian, I want to scout around the camp. There may be some dangerous demon beasts around."

"Oh, good idea! You are from Ye Ziyun's group, aren't you?" Chen Linjian asked.

"Yes,"

"Okay, I will send my people as well. You can take care of yourself?" he asked looking at his gear. He could see that Nie Li's armor wasn't cheap.

"Yes," answered Nie Li.

Chen Linjian set two Silver rank followers with him. They divided the area into three sectors and began exploring it. He scouted almost a kilometer distance from the camp and didn't find anything. The area was empty, suspiciously empty.

He returned to the camp hoping that the others found the Fox Bear nest. He found them reporting to Chen Linjian. Chen Linjian turned to him and asked, "Did you find anything?"

"No, nothing. The area is empty, suspiciously empty" he voiced his earlier thoughts.

Chen Linjian looked at him seriously and said, "One of the scouts found something he thinks is an abandoned nest of a demon beast."

"We must investigate it anyway," said Nie Li.

"I agree with you. Let's go" he said and they followed the scout that found the nest.

It was a clearing in the middle of the forest with a diameter of 20 meters. Various kinds of branches were scattered all over the area. The smell of urine still lingered in the air and there was also grey-colored fur on the branches.

Nie looked at the nest and said, "We must leave. This is the nest of a large group of Fox Bears"

"Fox Bears?" spoke the scout who found the nest. "Even if they were dangerous beasts, nest looks like it was abandoned a long time ago"

Chen Linjian looked like he agreed with his scout.

"Can't you smell the urine? This is how the Fox Bears mark their territory. They hibernate most of the year in a cave and come out to hunt in early summer. In other words, at this time of year. They are not very dangerous beasts, adults only reaching the Silver rank. But can we afford to fight them?" Nie Li refuted.

Chen Linjian was surprised. They haven't even thought about the smell. There is no way it would have stayed for so long. He now saw Nie Li in a different light. It's no wonder Ye Ziyun invited him. She must have invited him for his expertise.

He at first thought that she didn't take the dangers seriously inviting her two classmates instead of guards. It looks like he was mistaken about her too.

"So what do you advise?" He wanted to know Nie Li's opinion.

"We have to leave this place immediately before it gets completely dark. The Fox Bear's sense of smell is very sensitive, if the Fox Bear found out that someone has invaded their area, I'm afraid that they will go on an all-out war with us. Although we have sufficient strength to kill this Fox Bear group, inevitably, we will also have casualties. Our goal is the Ancient Orchid City Ruins!"

Chen Linjian looked at the twilight sky for a moment and said, "Okay we will leave immediately."

"What's your name?" Chen Linjian asked him on the way back to the camp.

"Nie Li. Nice to meet you."

They hurried to the camp. Many people already set up their camps. Chen Linjian ordered everyone to dismantle them and be ready to leave.

Many people complained, but Chen Linjian was determined. Nie Li hadn't set up his tent so he helped the girls to dismantle theirs. The camp was quickly gathered and they left.

When they left the forest it was completely dark. But they continued walking. After some time they heard roars from the forest they had left. Now their resentment towards Chen Linjian for forcing them to move in the dark was gone and they admired him instead.

But Chen Linjian knew who was responsible for this foresight. He approached Nie Li and thanked him for his insight and Ye Ziyun for bringing him to this expedition. Girls were surprised that it was Nie Li, who had predicted the demon beasts' attack. Nie Li felt a bit uncomfortable. He might not have noticed anything without foreknowledge. So he told them not to mention it.

They continued walking into the night. Nie Li with the girls at the back of the group continued talking about different topics. Girls were interested in many topics and Nie Li had almost encyclopedic knowledge about the world and wasn't averse to sharing it.

From time to time Nie Li scanned the forest behind them but didn't find anything suspicious. It looks like the Sacred family didn't send assassins after him. And truthfully why would they? Nie Li this time hadn't attacked the Sacred family's reputation or openly antagonized them. Killing someone for schoolyard squabbling is a bit too much even for the Sacred family. Especially if it may attract the attention of the City Lord through his daughter. But still, Nie Li wouldn't put it past the Sacred family to do something despicable just because they wanted it. So he will stay vigilant.

Slowly dawn came, and the group stopped to set up a camp and have breakfast. Nie Li was worried that the incident with Huyan Lanruo would repeat itself, but luckily his breakfast and subsequent rest were undisturbed. It looks like he is not interesting enough yet for her. And Nie Li prefers it that way.

Only Shen Yue continued glaring at him after asking Ye Ziyun again to have breakfast with him and getting refused. As if it was Nie Li's fault that she doesn't want to leave her friends. Well, some of it may be his fault, but who counts such small slights anyway. After two hours of rest, the group continued on their way.

--------------------