He Definitely Wouldn't Expect Us Following Behind

Fast forward.

Hundred Herb Peak.

Cloud Forest.

Led by Jiang Hong, the 4 groups of disciples consistent of 24 people successfully arrived at the location of the trial.

The captains of the four groups were gathered together, doing the final verification before the start of the trial.

Most of the disciples were experiencing the trial for the first time. However, there were very few cases where second-generation cultivators like Shen Xingjian had a certain amount of experience a long time ago.

Often, at times like this, the benefits of experience would be displayed.

"Senior Brother Shen, we will depend on you later."

"With Senior Brother Shen around, completing the trial will be easy."

"Of course. Don't you know who our boss is?"

In Shen Xingjian's group, Liu Yuan and his lackeys surrounded Shen Xingjian and praised him.

Shen Xingjian enjoyed the praises very much. He enjoyed it so much that he felt light-headed from all the praise.

He raised his head arrogantly with his hands behind his back and puffed out his chest confidently.

"Don't worry. With me around, I guarantee that you will successfully complete the trial."

Shen Xingjian's words were like a calming pill for everyone in his group. At the same time, his words also pressured the other groups.

On the other side, the other team leaders were also giving their final words.

"I'll be the vanguard. Wang Han and Jiang Hong will stay at the rear. The rest will stay in the middle of the formation. Intermediatef you have any objections, just say it."

A burly man with a serious expression, who looked simple-minded and honest, was issuing orders loudly.

He was the leader of this group, the disciple from the Hundred Swords Peak, named Linley. His cultivation base was at the peak of Foundation Establishment, just like Shen Xingjian's. He carried a giant sword on his back, and his fiery gaze oozed a sense of brutality.

With such a shocking aura, even if someone really had an opinion, no one would dare to refute.

Linley quickly looked back. As he expected, no one refuted him. Just as he was just about to announce the start of the battle.

"I want to act as the vanguard, too."

An untimely voice sounded.

Linley frowned as he looked over.

Under everyone's gazes, Jiang Hong stood out.

The disciples were shocked, surprised, and .weirded out

It had to be known that aside from the mountain bandits who were main goal of their trial mission, there were also many wild demons roaming around the mountain. As vanguards, they were naturally the ones who would have to contributed the most. Except for those like Linley who seemed like he was ready to fight at any time, everyone was trying their best to get along well with each other, but there was actually someone who would stand out.

Could this be the reason why Jiang Hong was recognized as the most talented by Eldest Senior Sister?

"Let's not talk about the formation first. You're only at the early stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm. If you fight at the vanguard position, when you encounter bandits, will you still have the strength to survive?

All the disciples thought that Jiang Hong was playing tricks and that he was just trying to act cool in front of Eldest Senior Senior Senior Sister.

"Old Jiang, what are you doing?" Wang Han, who was in the same group, immediately stood up and pulled Jiang Hong over. He leaned forward and whispered, "Although our mission is only to eliminate the bandits, there are still monsters over here. If your spiritual qi is exhausted on the way, it will be very dangerous. I know you're anxious to show off to Eldest Senior Sister, but you can't be rash."

'Who told you that this was the reason?' Jiang Hong was speechless. He couldn't be bothered with him, and so he said sincerely to Linley, "I want to train myself a bit more. In addition, if I become the vanguard, I'll be able to preserve some energy for Eldest Senior Brother Lin."

Other than freeloading off his senior sister, farming, and cooking, killing monsters was the easiest way to gain attribute points.

It was very difficult for his physique to reach the Golden Core Realm, so he naturally had to show it off.

"Forget it. Everyone here knows that you and Senior Sister Gu were reluctant to part with each other just now. If you say that is your reason, can you even believe it yourself?" Wang Han rolled his eyes and continued to interrupt.

Jiang Hong couldn't be bothered with this fellow any longer. At this moment, Linley walked over to him.

A pair of powerful eyes stared straight at him.

After a pause, he asked in a deep voice,

"We are still quite a distance away from the bandits' stronghold. There's no guarantee that we will not encounter many monsters along the way, and many unexpected situations may occur. Even so, are you sure you want to be the vanguard?"

"I'm sure." Jiang Hong smiled without any hesitation.

Wang Han slapped his forehead in exasperation.

Linley didn't ask any more questions. He turned and said.

"Follow behind me and take turns sharing the position with me, but if I find you unsuitable, I'll replace you immediately."

After a pause, he added,

"I hope you take responsibility for what you said."

"I understand." Jiang Hong cupped his hands and smiled confidently.

While holding his sword, Linley withdrew his gaze, then made a hand seal with his fingers.

"Follow me."

An awe-inspiring shout rang out, and under Linley's lead, the group advanced deeper into the forest.

...

"Boss, your plan is really brilliant. Other than the number of disks, even the disk itself has been tampered with. The Profound Disk will not show our exact location at all. This Jiang Hong probably never thought that we have been secretly following him."

Liu Yuan chuckled as he watched Jiang Hong and the others leave.

Beside him were Shen Xingjian and the other four underlings in the same group.

Shen Xingjian placed his hands behind his back. The corners of his lips curled up into 3/10 of a sneer, 3/10 of cold smile, and 4/10 nonchalant smile. His entire aura was cold and arrogant.

"Be cautious and leave a backup plan when you do things. Being a stable has always been synonymous with me. The few of you should learn from me. Only then can you go far on the path of cultivation."

"Yes, boss." The lackeys agreed in unison, their bright eyes filled with deep admiration.

As expected, they did not follow the wrong person.

Immediately after, a lackey echoed,

"Boss, let's hurry up and follow him. I can't wait to teach that brat a lesson."

"Don't worry, everyone will have a chance when the time comes." Shen Xingjian nodded in relief. He then turned to look at Liu Yuan. "Your arrangements are not bad. I like all of them. After I teach this brat, who doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth, a lesson, I guarantee that I will reward you handsomely when I return."

"Thank you, Boss." Liu Yuan chuckled. "But there's no need. After I kill him, someone will naturally reward me."

"Huh?! Are you crazy? Who said I was going to kill him?"

Shen Xingjian was stunned. He was indeed very unhappy with Jiang Hong, but it was not to the point where he wanted to kill him.

"Of course I said it." Liu Yuan smiled kindly. "Not only do I want to kill him, but I also want to kill everyone present."

Shen Xingjian: ?!

"So, farewell."

Just as Shen Xingjian reacted, his voice stopped abruptly.

His chest was pierced through by a long sword with a sinister purple aura. His spiritual qi quickly dissipated and was uncontrollable. Not only him, but his other lackeys were the same. All of them fell into a pool of blood without putting up any resistance.

A pitch-black figure silently appeared behind him. Under the pitch-black hood, a pair of scarlet eyes stared at him coldly. Shen Xingjian's eyes widened in shock.

"Y-you, are, w-why, why are the devils here…"

Moreover, this aura was at the Golden Core Realm.

Why would a Golden Core Realm devil appear?

Shen Xingjian was at a loss. The black-robed man pulled out his sharp sword in an instant.

Blood flowed in a beautiful parabola in the air, dyeing the sky red and splattering on the ground.

Shen Xingjian fell to the ground with a thud. His pupils dilated and he stopped breathing on the spot.

Liu Yuan knelt on one knee and bowed respectfully to the devil in front of him.

"Servant Liu Yuan greets Master."