There's No Man Alive Allowed to Touch Them

It was the second day. The group continued their exploration of keys. Within a few hours, they found some more keys. And, with a sudden boost from the red key Fei Bao Xing earned, the group stands with 29 points.

"So, tell me. How did you defeat the Toxic Swamp Goby?"

"Ehh... You're asking me now?"

Fei Bao Xing was surprised at the sudden question by Guan Ru Na. They were already exploring in the dark for quite some time, and suddenly he was asked out of nowhere.

"I'm just curious. I tried asking Ru Yi, but she said she was unconscious the whole time. Apparently, Ru Yi said you also treat her injury, I thank you for that. So tell me what kind of move did you use?"

"Umm... I did not do anything special?"

Guan Ru Yi frowned upon hearing Fei Bao Xing's reply. The indirect answer indicated that he still did not trust her completely.

"At least tell me your cultivation level. I tried looking at your aura, but could not detect any. What method are you using to hide it? Is it some kind of treasure?"

"Hmm... Treasure huh... I could use this." Fei Bao Xing mumbled to himself. Then, he finally answered with a clear voice. "My level is a secret. And, I suppressed my aura using a treasure."

Guan Ru Na sighed in displease. It seemed that Fei Bao Xing did not have any intention to reveal anything. But, his action only made her convinced that he was dangerous as she thought he was.

"Chang Miao, I did it! With this, we have secured 30 points."

Meanwhile, Guan Ru Yi just returned after hunting another Blue Striped Squirrel. With a green key in her hand, she waved it around in the air looking happy she could finally be useful.

But somehow, the edge of her eyes caught Fei Bao Xing holding hands with her sister. The smile disappeared instantly and was replaced with a jealousy glare.

[Uuuuu... Why is it her? It should be me instead...]

"Ru Yi... Ru Yi..."

"Ah... Young Lady Min."

Chang Miao's call seemed to have wake Guan Ru Yi from whatever she was thinking.

"Are you okay?"

"Ah... Yes, I'm okay. I'm sorry to make Young Lady Min worried."

"Look, how many times have I told you? Even though we decided to trust Fei Bao Xing, you just can't call me Young Lady Min."

"I'm sorry, Chang Miao."

"It's all right." Chang Miao smiled a little, then she said, "Anyway, we now have earned enough points. What do you think we should be doing next?"

"We should head back now. I'm already tired. I want to sleep in a bed, instead of grass." said Guan Ru Yi as could not stand seeing her sister gets close to Fei Bao Xing any longer. If they could go to a bright place as soon as possible, they did not have any reason to hold hands any longer.

"Wait! We should go search for some more keys." Guan Ru Na said. "Remember what the elder said to us, to try and get more than thirty points. He said it will be worth our time."

Her plan was to earn sixty points and buy some time until she can expose Fei Bao Xing's real colour.

Chang Miao nodded. "Ru Na, have a point. We still have about one and a half days left. It's enough to earn forty or fifty points. Ru Yi, you don't have a problem with this, right?"

"...Yes, no problem." Guan Ru Yi said reluctantly.

Fei Bao Xing wants to cry. It seemed Chang Miao still disregard him since she did not ask him for opinion. He really wanted to head back right now, but have to follow them along.

"Ah... It's Chang Miao's team."

Suddenly, four men came out from nearby. They were from another group.

"It's you guys... What happened to you?" Guan Ru Yi asked after looking at their state.

Unexpectedly, they were in dishevelled clothes and with small injuries all over their body.

"This..." One of the guys said. "This is because of Deng Huan!"

"We tried so hard getting eight points! But, he stole it from us."

"He threatened us to give us all the keys. When we refused, he beat us up, to the point we almost die."

The girls frowned... Deng Huan may be more powerful and higher than the average men. But, from what they told, this seemed like a new personality of Deng Huan. Is it because he was putting a facade in front of Chang Miao and the girls or is it because stealing between teams is allowed?

The quick-witted Guan Ru Na quickly said, "I see... We did not have many keys either. Sorry, we're not able to help you guys."

"No, It's all right. Thank you for worrying about us. We could not possibly take yours."

"That's right. It's not a gentleman of us if we try to steal from the girls. Right?"

"Right, right. We would never steal from Chang Miao."

The two groups quickly exchanged greeting and information.

"I see, so there are blue keys under the rocks."

"Sorry, we are not able to give you much information."

"It's all right." Chang Miao said. "We are just glad to be able to help."

"Then, how about we search together?"

"We refuse!" said Guan Ru Na with a smile.

The four guys smiled wryly and quickly and left after saying their goodbye.

"It's too bad we're not able to work together with the girls."

"That's given. But do you know what makes me mad? It's that guy, Fei Bao Xing!"

"How dare he hold hands with Guan Ru Na!? I'm so jealous!"

"There's no man alive allowed to touch them. The next time I see him, I'll kill him!"

"Before that... We should find enough keys first..."

The four guys sighed as they lamented on their bad luck. Truth to be told, even with the information the girls have given them, they were not sure if they could earn another thirty points with the remaining time limit.

***

On the other side of the forest, there were four men from another group encircling an old man. Despite being surrounded on all sides, the old man doesn't seem fazed at all.

The four men tried attacking the old man like they wanted to kill him. But, the old man skilfully dodged them all. Quickly, caught all of their blows and threw them to the ground. It was not just one time but multiple times.

"Hahaa... How is it? Still want to try?" said the old man while pointing at the silver key he wore like a necklace. "As I said, I did not move my feet and only used my left hand."

"Huff... Huff... Not anymore." said one of the guys.

"As expected of Elder Kong Ling Jue, we could not possibly beat you."

"Thank you for your time, but we should get moving now."

"Haha... Since your guys already collected 17 points. It's probably the correct decision to move on instead." Kong Ling Jue smiled.

As one of the elders of the Silver Hand Owl, he inserted himself as part of the recruitment test to see for himself, the strength of the new recruits.

He walked around with a silver key worth 100 points and gave a chance for any team that wants to take it from him. Of course, he did not expect anyone to just take it from him. Even with a handicap of only using one hand, the recruits could only dream of getting that silver keys in their hands.

Suddenly, a Water Moon Owl came and landed on Kong Ling Jue's shoulder.

"Hoot... Hoot... Hoot..."

"Chang Miao's team broke the rule, and they were acting suspiciously." Kong Ling Jue creased his eyebrow. "I better check on them."

At the same time, another four men came from the bush nearby. They rushed in and abruptly attacked the four men that just fought against Kong Ling Jue earlier.

Of course from the attacking group was Deng Huan. With his overwhelming power, their team quickly crushed the enemy that was already tired from the fight. Leaving the victims injured but still alive, Deng Huan took all the keys.

"Your team already has so many keys, even if you take some more, it won't change the reward. Aren't you going to leave?"

Deng Huan and his teammate cupped their hands and bowed to Kong Ling Jue.

"Thank you for the elder's advice. But, there's something else we must do." Deng Huan said.

"It's time, Deng Huan." said one of his teammate. "It's time to attack Chang Miao's team!"

Deng Huan nodded, then he quickly leaves with rage on his eyes.

"Well then, elder. We will leave first." said one of the teammate before he follows Deng Huan.

"Hmmm... Interesting!" said Kong Ling Jue to himself. "Perhaps it's better to halt the investigation for the moment."