In the faint morning light, footprints left by those wandering on the road could vaguely be seen.

"Looks like quite a few came last night. I was sleeping and didn’t notice..."

"Thankfully, Lin, the Alliance Hierarch, provided us with this array, otherwise, I don’t think we would have had a peaceful night of sleep."

The speaker was Yuan Hong, who was currently dismantling the array together with the others.

Lin Feng let out a slight breath of relief; supporting this array yesterday had consumed a lot of his spiritual power. He hadn’t slept at all.

It was only because of his own strength that he managed to maintain his spirit, without letting others notice his condition.

Lin Feng said to Yuan Hong, "Brother Yuan, I’ll have to trouble you again this time, to head into the nearby mountains and forests to find some food for everyone."

Yuan Hong was indeed a senior with the greatest age here. Although he didn’t appear old, it was because he was a master of the Eight Spirit Knot, capable of living for hundreds of years without aging.

Moreover, after hundreds of years, as his realm improved, he would continue to live in longevity, a benefit of cultivation, free from the constraints of ordinary human lifespan. The immense life force within his body could prevent his metabolism from declining. Without decline, there would be no talk of aging. Lin Feng’s cultivation speed was inherently faster than others, making him appear young and vibrant, full of spirit.

Then, Lin Feng called on some others to join him.

Eating to maintain the best state is necessary. Otherwise, they would have to consume their stored life essence to sustain life, which is not economical when it’s unnecessary. Therefore, when possible, everyone would eat and drink like ordinary people, maintaining three meals a day to keep that life essence in full state, preserving their longevity.

There’s an old saying, the plan of the day lies in the morning.

Lin Feng and the others intended to take advantage of this morning to head towards their destination, striving to uncover the matter today.

Seeing that everyone had finished eating, Lin Feng immediately gathered them all together.

"According to the transmitted image, I can pinpoint only three locations."

Lin Feng said, taking out the map.

The map clearly showed three glowing red dots, marks Lin Feng had made using a spell.

"This is a hill. You and Gao Peng go there."

Then pointing to the other two locations, he continued:

"Here is the Dragon Abyss Pond, you fifty people go together."

Immediately, fifty cultivators responded.

Lin Feng then pointed to a geographical feature in the mountains, telling the remaining ten or so people, "You go here. If there is any movement, immediately send a message and others will provide support."

"Yes."

Seeing their assignment, everyone was especially enthusiastic. They thought that accomplishing this task would be a way to account to the people of Peace City.

Little did they realize the dangers this time; they assumed their large team, along with fellow cultivators, could look out for each other. But when danger truly strikes, everyone can only fend for themselves, and who can really take care of whom?

Lin Feng naturally followed the fifty people heading to Dragon Abyss Pond.

At this moment, everyone started moving into groups.

The two cultivators assigned to the hill looked at each other.

They were already on their way, just feeling somewhat puzzled. Why did the Alliance Hierarch pair them into a team of two, while the other two groups had twelve and fifty people respectively?

"I say, could it be that the Alliance Hierarch overestimates us?" a cultivator named Qian Yue mumbled.

The other, sensing his doubt in Lin Feng’s decision, kindly reminded:

"The Hierarch’s decision can’t be wrong, we just need to follow it. Since he’s arranged it this way, there must be a reason."

After saying this, the two didn’t talk much more and continued forward.

They reached a dense forest, where the thick trees and the black mist formed from resentment made the whole woods seem like night.

At that moment, Qian Yue used fire magic.

The fire magic lit up a small area two to three meters around them.

But fortunately, it was enough to guide their path.

They didn’t know how long they walked, only hearing leaves rustling underfoot.

The companion with Qian Yue was named Qian Hua.

Qian Hua found the rustling sound odd, so he asked Qian Yue:

"Did you hear that rustling sound just now?"

Qian Yue immediately nodded, confirming.

However, hearing the sound was one thing, but they didn’t find anything.

"Come on, let’s quickly reach the target point."

"Do you hear? What’s going on?"

Qian Yue saw two figures in front stand dumbfounded.

At that moment, a group seemed to approach them, appearing to be five or six people. These five or six people didn’t seem to have any living aura, exuding a deathly air all over. New Moon felt this from afar.

"What are these things?"

Qian Hua also halted, as he sensed danger.

But judging by their attire and the lanterns in their hands, they looked entirely human.

Why would humans be here? This place hadn’t seen human activity for years.

Qian Yue and Qian Hua decided to retreat, but the group was already approaching. Qian Yue and Qian Hua had no way to retreat.

They had seen much of the world — Earth Rank demon beasts, supreme wyrms — what had they not seen? Not to mention a few living dead with a graveyard air.

The real fear lay in the fact that this wasn’t a safe place, danger could appear anytime. Even two disciples in Spirit Communication Cloaks faced troubles, unable to save their own lives.

A middle-aged man holding a hoe came forward politely.

On his stiff face, he seemed to be smiling at Qian Yue.

He seemed to have no ill intent.

Then the middle-aged man started speaking.

"Hello there, this place is dangerous and not one to be wandering around."

He seemed kindly reminding Qian Yue and Qian Hua.

Qian Hua feigned calmness, greeting the middle-aged man warmly, trying to divert his attention.

"Hello, we are patrol team members from the city. We seem to have lost our way reaching here," Qian Yue pretended with a slightly embarrassed face, looking genuinely sincere...

Even Qian Hua, unsure of what to do next, began to think his companion was simply too adept at fabricating stories.

Qian Hua pondered internally, his hands and feet trembling from nervousness.

Seeing the five pale figures that lacked any human hue, carrying a strong, grave-like odor, Qian Hua simply couldn’t calm himself down.

He wondered, "Could these be the undead mentioned in ancient scriptures?"

The more Qian Hua thought about it, the more unsteady his emotions became.

The middle-aged man looked curiously at his trembling form, then asked Qian Hua.

"Young man, are you unwell? Why are you trembling all over, do you need to rest at my place?"

Qian Hua finally couldn’t hold back and was about to cry out.

Just as he was about to shout "Ah," Qian Yue struck him unconscious.

Then addressed the middle-aged man:

"My companion indeed feels unwell, his emotions unstable earlier. Hopefully, this helps."

After saying this, he supported Qian Hua and prepared to leave.

"Then we must trouble you."

With that, Qian Yue carried the unconscious Qian Hua, following the family into the forest.

At this very moment, Lin Feng had arrived with his fifty elite subordinates at the locations previously marked on the map.