Even without the geologist's word, everyone knew what to do.
Two martial artists stayed behind to cover their retreat, while the rest ran into the forest.
The pack of dogs behind them gave chase but were intercepted by the martial artists.
Though these black dogs looked menacing, their combat effectiveness was mediocre. The martial artists could take them down without even using their handguns.
But the mountain goat before them was a different matter.
"Roar!"
The mountain goat let out the same sound as Xue Ding.
Lin Xiao Tian finally understood where Xue Ding's voice had come from.
Gunshots erupted from behind, but they didn't last long.
To avoid a total wipeout, they chose to scatter and flee. Fortunately, the dogs didn't pursue for too long. After running for a while, Lin Xiao Tian noticed the black dogs behind him were turning back.
Lin Xiao Tian didn't sleep a wink that night, his nerves on edge.
Only when the sun rose the next day did Lin Xiao Tian relax slightly.
During the day, Kunlun Valley was quite peaceful, with almost no danger.
However, Lin Xiao Tian's biggest headache now was figuring out how to get out.
Kunlun Valley couldn't be in daylight forever. Once night fell, no one could guarantee those monsters wouldn't return.
If he couldn't get out of the valley, he would eventually encounter those monsters.
What to do?
Lin Xiao Tian frowned.
If he couldn't leave the valley, there was only one option: improve his strength.
The Shen Nong Heart Method was an Qi-refining technique. By continuing to cultivate, he could develop mana.
Mana was the foundation of immortal cultivation. With mana, his combat power would instantly skyrocket, and Lin Xiao Tian was confident he could deal with these monsters then.
But to cultivate mana without a fortuitous encounter, it would take at least a decade to see any significant progress. Lin Xiao Tian couldn't wait that long.
With both paths blocked, Lin Xiao Tian could only take it one step at a time.
During the day, Lin Xiao Tian retraced his steps from memory, searching for a way out, but to no avail.
And so, night fell again.
Lin Xiao Tian maximized his senses, carefully monitoring every movement around him.
In the darkness, a cry caught his attention.
The sound was distant, but Lin Xiao Tian heard it.
Lin Xiao Tian cautiously moved in the direction of the sound.
Not long after, Lin Xiao Tian saw a familiar figure.
The martial artist appeared not far away, walking slowly, seemingly injured.
Lin Xiao Tian was about to approach but, out of caution, decided to observe further. What if this was a trap? This time, he was facing intelligent monsters, and Lin Xiao Tian dared not be careless.
Indeed, after observing for a while, Lin Xiao Tian sensed something was wrong.
Martial artists were different from ordinary people; they were trained. How could this person move so stiffly?
Lin Xiao Tian felt as if he were a clockwork toy, especially when turning corners – it was incredibly awkward.
After following for a bit longer, the martial artist encountered two people ahead.
Lin Xiao Tian focused his gaze and saw that it was none other than Yang Xin and Li Xue.
"Master Chen, that's great, you're still alive," Yang Xin said with surprise.
But Master Chen didn't reply, standing still and staring blankly at them.
Since it was night, the two women only knew that Master Chen had stopped, but not his exact condition.
If they had seen the eerie expression on Master Chen's face at this moment, they would have fled without hesitation!
Li Xue instinctively pulled Yang Xin behind her and took out a flashlight.
"Master Chen?" Li Xue called out tentatively, shining the light.
The moment the light fell on Master Chen, both women were startled.
Master Chen's eyes were wide open, his face covered in bulging veins, his expression like that of a dead person, especially terrifying on such a night.
"Run!"
Li Xue reacted quickly, pulling Yang Xin to flee.
Master Chen didn't chase but opened his mouth and yelled.
The sound was identical to Xue Ding's from yesterday.
"Miss, you go on, I'll handle him," Li Xue said to Yang Xin.
"Be careful yourself," Yang Xin replied, clearly scared.
Li Xue gave a slight smile, but her expression turned cold as she turned away.
She knew that if she returned, she would surely not survive this.
She understood the skill level of martial artist Master Chen. As a master sent by the main family, his strength far surpassed hers. If such a person was reduced to this state, she could only imagine her own fate.
After yesterday's events, she knew that this kind of cry would attract many monsters. Therefore, Li Xue decided to eliminate Master Chen.
She couldn't see clearly in the darkness and had to get close to Master Chen to act. To be safe, she planned to use her gun.
The forest was full of obstacles. Master Chen's footwork was excellent, and Li Xue had no way to deal with him for the moment.
Li Xue could hear Master Chen circling her, making her feel as if she were surrounded. If she couldn't break through, she would be dead once those black dogs arrived.
As she thought this, she suddenly felt a chill down her back.
Li Xue instinctively ducked, narrowly avoiding Master Chen's attack that grazed her head.
Master Chen stopped observing from afar and engaged Li Xue in close combat.
Li Xue wanted to use her gun, but she realized how naive she had been.
The moment she drew her pistol, Master Chen knocked it away. In close combat, with just a few moves, Master Chen struck her in the abdomen.
Li Xue grunted.
A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth from the blow.
Li Xue was helpless as she looked at the shouting Master Chen before her.
It seemed she was going to perish here today.
Thinking that she was going to die in this godforsaken place without ever having had a boyfriend, Li Xue felt truly unwilling.
At this moment, the image of Lin Xiao Tian appeared in her mind.
If only Lin Xiao Tian were here now!
Just as she thought this, Lin Xiao Tian actually appeared.
*Bang!*
Lin Xiao Tian landed a punch on Master Chen's head.
The next moment, Master Chen stopped yelling.
Even so, Master Chen continued to move.
"Let's go!"
Lin Xiao Tian grabbed Li Xue and ran.
Not long after Lin Xiao Tian left, several black dogs arrived. They growled at Master Chen's body, as if trying to wake him.
At that moment, a tall figure appeared.
A monster with a human face and a sheep's body stood before Master Chen.
It cast a cold glance at Master Chen and then crushed his head.
Following that, the human-faced sheep-bodied monster let out a roar, and the black dogs beside it seemed to receive a command, scattering in all directions.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiao Tian led Li Xue to a secluded spot.
Lin Xiao Tian began to rub something onto Li Xue's body.
"What are you doing?"
"These are herbs that can mask our scent. If we smear them on, those black dogs won't be able to find us."
"Oh, oh..." Li Xue breathed a sigh of relief.
She had been worried Lin Xiao Tian might do something to her.
But at the same time, she felt a flicker of anticipation...