Roar!
A giant roar that echoed through the heavens and earth sounded from the deepest part of Yangping Mountain, shaking the surrounding multi-colored miasma into continuous turmoil. This was a forbidden area that no one had ever reached.
Yangping Mountain was extremely vast; the outer area alone had a depth of hundreds of miles or more.
The central area was another few hundred miles, and the deep area had a depth of nearly a thousand miles. The deepest part, covered in dense miasma, was even more profoundly deep, its extent unknown.
Even the area of Yangping Mountain designated by the Hunting Beast Hall, even the deep part, might just be a corner of Yangping Mountain's edge.
There was a mythical legend that the deepest part of Yangping Mountain was connected to the abyss. Whether this was true was unknown, as no one had ever crossed it.
The multi-colored dense miasma continuously churned. These vividly colored miasmas all contained potent toxins.
Even ordinary Spirit Beasts dared not travel through this miasma for long periods, because the miasma here, after years of accumulation, had reached an extremely terrifying density.
Accompanying the churning miasma, a ferocious head emerged from it. No, not just one.
One... two... three...
Three ferocious and ugly heads appeared within the miasma.
Beneath the three heads was a massive body resembling a jellyfish, covered in dark purple giant scales, appearing quite sinister and bizarre.
It bore a shape that was extremely uncomfortable, twisted, irregular, as if it shouldn't exist in this world. Just one glance instilled a sense of bone-chilling revulsion and horror.
The giant roar emanated from the three heads, as if awakening suddenly after countless years of slumber. The roar carried an indescribable excitement, brutality, or perhaps evil.
As the roar continuously spread outwards, shortly after, roars of beasts began to sound from the depths, seemingly in response to this terrifying creature.
Yangping Mountain's central area.
Bang!
Roar!
The massive body of a Silver-patterned Black Crocodile suddenly burst out of the ground, opening its bloody maw and biting towards a similarly massive black giant python.
With one bite, it clamped onto the giant python's tail, tearing a large bloody gash on its body covered in thick scales.
Hiss—
The black giant python was equally ferocious. Its enormous body flipped over, immediately coiling tightly around the Silver-patterned Black Crocodile. The thick python body continuously tightened, squeezing the Silver-patterned Black Crocodile's body until crisp sounds were emitted.
The Silver-patterned Black Crocodile felt pain but was also spurred by its ferocity. It still bit the giant python tightly without letting go, while its massive body continuously rolled, trying to shake off the python coiled around it.
The two terrifying Spirit Beasts fought to the death, smashing everything within the surrounding area to pieces.
It was just that, at some unknown time, tendrils of black mist spread out from the depths.
Like slender little snakes, they slowly drifted in the air.
Soon, as if they had found their targets, they drifted towards the two terrifying Spirit Beasts.
They entered the bodies of the two Spirit Beasts respectively.
After a while, the bodies of the two Spirit Beasts, who had been fighting to the death, trembled, and then began to shake violently.
Until after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the shaking abruptly stopped. The two Spirit Beasts' originally blood-red eyes, their red glow dispersed, had actually turned a pitch-black color.
Their intertwined bodies slowly uncoiled and headed towards the depths of Yangping Mountain.
...
"Damn it, how could this happen!!?"
"Yeah, that seems to be the Tang Zhu of the Hunting Beast Hall..."
"No way, are you mistaken? The Tang Zhu of the Hunting Beast Hall is a truly important figure, how could it be..."
"No mistake, I saw it with my own eyes. What was outside this morning was definitely..."
In the early morning, as Lin Sheng had just left his house and was walking on the street, he heard people on the street discussing animatedly, each with faces full of sighs and fear.
Pointing towards the direction of the Hunting Beast Hall headquarters in the town.
Lin Sheng frowned, feeling that something was amiss.
This situation clearly meant that something had happened again in the Hunting Beast Hall, and it was likely not a good thing.
Thinking this, he stepped towards the Ninth Squad's station first.
Although the Ninth Squad suffered heavy casualties in the transport mission, at least a few people returned. Putting everything else aside, Wang Sanyang should be among them.
Pushing open the tightly shut gate of the Ninth Squad's station.
Lin Sheng happened to bump into a sturdy figure walking out from inside.
"Tang Zhu Tian..."
Seeing the person, Lin Sheng immediately cupped his hands and spoke.
"Lin Sheng."
Tian Hu saw Lin Sheng and nodded slightly, but his appearance was a bit unusual.
"Lin Sheng? You're the one who came back alone yesterday? The deputy captain of the Ninth Squad!?"
A somewhat impolite voice sounded from beside Tian Hu. This was a tall, strong man wearing light armor, his gaze scanning Lin Sheng up and down with a scrutinizing look.
Lin Sheng recognized at a glance that the light-armored man before him was also from the Zhenshan Tower Guard, just like Qian Kai. However, compared to Qian Kai, he should be one rank higher, belonging to the Major Captain level. Zhenshan Tower Guard Major Captains are basically Martial Artists at the Forging Tendons Late Stage.
"Yes, I am," Lin Sheng replied neither subserviently nor arrogantly.
"Interesting. So many people didn't return, yet quite a few from your squad came back..."
Hearing this, the Major Captain snorted coldly. The next moment, he suddenly attacked, throwing a punch towards the wound on Lin Sheng's chest.
Lin Sheng frowned slightly and raised his hand to block in front of his chest. A strong force erupted from the opponent's hand, causing him to stumble back several steps. He still couldn't dissipate the force until he heavily hit the station's wall before finally stopping.
With just this, the wound on his chest split open again, and streaks of fresh blood soaked through his clothes.
"Brother Meng, what are you doing? There should be a limit to testing. I think that's enough."
The light-armored man looked at Lin Sheng, who seemed to have no ability to resist, and appeared unsatisfied, wanting to step forward. However, Tian Hu frowned slightly and spoke.
Hearing this, the light-armored man narrowed his eyes and his gaze fell on the wound on Lin Sheng's chest. In the end, he said nothing more and walked out.
Tian Hu just nodded slightly towards Lin Sheng and then left as well.
"Whoosh..."
Looking at the backs of the two leaving, Lin Sheng's gaze was calm. He had some guesses in his heart as to why the light-armored man had attacked him.
At this moment, Wang Sanyang walked out from inside the station, looking at Lin Sheng and sighing slightly.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Lin Sheng shook his head slightly.
He noticed that Wang Sanyang also had faint bloodstains on his body, apparently having likely gone through a similar experience as him.
"What happened?"
Lin Sheng sat on the steps and asked.
"The other four transport teams are all finished. Not a single person came back alive, even..."
Wang Sanyang spoke slowly, pausing before continuing.
"Even Tang Zhu Zhao's head was hung on a large tree outside the town and was only discovered this morning."
"This..."
Lin Sheng's gaze narrowed. He hadn't expected that this time, Tang Zhu Zhao Fang of the Hunting Beast Hall hadn't returned, and even his head was hung at his doorstep. This was clearly a deliberate humiliation.
"There were a total of 5 transport teams, hundreds of people, and only a few from our team returned. It's normal for them to be suspicious of us. After all, even Tang Zhu Zhao, who personally led a team, couldn't return, let alone people like us..."
Wang Sanyang's voice carried a hint of desolation, and his mood was quite low.
"I estimate that in the next few days, there will be interrogation procedures. Don't resist, don't get emotional, just cooperate well."
Hearing this, Lin Sheng didn't speak, just sat quietly. He had anticipated this situation.
Indeed, it was a bit conspicuous that the few of them returned.
Actually, if he hadn't taken action and dealt with those two Forging Tendons Late Stage experts, not a single person from their team would have survived.
Without staying at the station for long, he went to the medical hall to see Xiao Shi and Lao Zhou.
Both of them had low strength, but they also couldn't escape the interrogation process.
Seeing Lin Sheng come over, Xiao Shi's face was already full of indignation.
"These bastards, they actually suspect us of being traitors! Are they only satisfied if we all die?"
Lao Zhou's expression was also unpleasant, clearly filled with resentment.
After all, anyone who barely escaped death and managed to return would feel emotional when facing such a situation.
"Alright, there shouldn't be anything after the interrogation process."
Lin Sheng patted Xiao Shi's shoulder and said.
"Alas, I'm afraid it won't be that easy, Lin Tou."
Lao Zhou, who was nearby, shook his head slightly and sighed.
"This time, even Tang Zhu Zhao died, and died in such a humiliating way. This matter has become too big. None of the other teams had any survivors, and we who returned might be in some trouble..."
Saying this, Lao Zhou glanced around, then lowered his voice and spoke softly.
"In my opinion, it's better if we make plans early."
"Lao Zhou, you mean..."
Xiao Shi also reacted immediately.
"It might be impossible to stay in the Hunting Beast Hall any longer..."
Lao Zhou slowly uttered a sentence, his gaze looking towards Lin Sheng.
"Lin Tou, what are your plans?"
Xiao Shi's gaze also looked over.
"Lin Tou, just tell me what to do, I'll follow you!!"
Feeling their gazes, Lin Sheng didn't rush to speak.
Under the current circumstances, it indeed seems unsuitable to stay in the Hunting Beast Hall any longer.
He didn't give an immediate answer but told the two to wait for his news.
Coming out of the medical hall, Lin Sheng returned to his residence.
The situation was becoming increasingly urgent. Even a well-deserved high-ranking figure of Zhenshan Tower like Zhao Fang had his head hung at his doorstep. It was estimated that the conflict had reached its most intense point.
The peace of Yangping Town could be broken at any moment. The top priority was to send Lin Hong and the other person out as soon as possible, but the current situation seemed a bit troublesome.
On the way back, he clearly felt that someone was following him. As for who it was, it was naturally self-evident.
With his strength, he could naturally easily shake off the follower, but taking Lin Hong and the other person with him was a bit tricky.
No need to think, those who returned were now all under the surveillance of Zhenshan Tower.
Leaving Yangping Town was also a problem.
Looking at the two street vendors in plain clothes whose eyes occasionally swept past his door, Lin Sheng pushed open the door and entered his room.
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Hunting Beast Hall in Yangping Town.
A head with disheveled hair and wide, angry eyes was placed on the table.
Ouyang Yuan looked at this head, his fists clenched, making cracking sounds, his expression extremely gloomy.
"What a humiliation, what a humiliation... This can no longer be considered a simple provocation. If we don't do something at this point, how will others view my Zhenshan Tower?"
"Young Landlord, you cannot be impulsive about this matter. Tang Zhu Zhao's strength in the Forging Tendons Realm is already rarely matched. Even if the two of us old fellows fought him one-on-one, we might not necessarily win. To be able to leave Tang Zhu Zhao no chance to escape, the strength of the person who attacked is likely extremely high, definitely a Martial Artist in the Blood Transportation Realm."
Seeing Ouyang Yuan engulfed in rage, the two grey-clothed old men beside him immediately spoke.
"Blood Transportation Realm..."
Ouyang Yuan gritted his teeth and spoke slowly.
He also knew that he could do nothing at all. After all, besides his father, there was no one else in Zhenshan Tower who could deal with a Martial Artist in the Blood Transportation Realm.
"How is father's side? Why hasn't he returned yet?"
"Old Landlord, he is very strong and won't have any problems. At most, he is being held up. The more it is this time, the less we can act rashly. Staying in Yangping Town, we can protect ourselves..."
The grey-clothed old man spoke slowly.
"Mm, I understand." Ouyang Yuan seemed to have thought of something as well, his anger subsided, and he nodded slightly.
Meanwhile, Deputy Tang Zhu Chai Lu, who was standing below, had his eyes flashing, pondering the information revealed in the conversation between the few people just now.
"How are the few people who returned?" Ouyang Yuan's gaze fell upon the people below, and he spoke indifferently.
Below, besides Deputy Tang Zhu Chai Lu and Tian Hu, and two other Zhenshan Tower high-ranking officials, there was also the former Guard Major Captain Meng Yu.
"Reporting to Young Landlord, those people have all been put under surveillance. This time, the five transport teams were almost completely wiped out, and they were even able to accurately find the location of the real transport team. Clearly, there is a mole in Zhenshan Tower."
Meng Yu's voice was very certain, convinced that there was a mole in the team.
"You mean there's a mole among those people?"
Hearing this, Ouyang Yuan's face revealed a hint of coldness as he slowly spoke, and then he waved his hand.
"You may go down first."
"Then this subordinate will take his leave first."
Seeing this, Chai Lu, Tian Hu, and the others cupped their hands and withdrew. In the main hall, only Ouyang Yuan, the grey-clothed old men, and Meng Yu remained, a total of four people.
"Alright, now speak whatever you have to say." Ouyang Yuan picked up his teacup and took a light sip.
"There is indeed a mole, but not necessarily among those people. Only a small number of people knew the real situation of this transport. Those people's status is not high enough, and they don't know the specific details..."
Meng Yu replied respectfully.
"So you mean..." Ouyang Yuan paused his movement, his eyes slightly narrowed.
"There is a mole among the internal high-ranking officials, and it should be among the few people just now."
Meng Yu directly stated his deduction.
"Since the mole is not among those who returned, why are you wasting manpower on them?"
"This subordinate did this for two reasons: firstly, to paralyze the real mole and make them lower their guard so they can be caught; secondly, although the possibility of the returned people being moles is small, those who were able to return from this mission might also have problems."
"Since that's the case, then the matter of finding the mole is entrusted to you. Feel free to act boldly. Better to kill the wrong person than let a mole go. In this Yangping Town, we, Zhenshan Tower, are the true kings."
"This subordinate understands."
Meng Yu bowed respectfully, then slowly withdrew.
...
"Candied hawthorns, refreshing and sweet candied hawthorns... Don't miss it as you pass by..."
Although the flow of people in Yangping Town was not as great as before, there were still some traveling merchants and peddlers. After all, their roots were here, and they couldn't gain a foothold elsewhere.
The peddler selling candied hawthorns, holding a large stick made of straw circles filled with bright red candied hawthorns, walked slowly on the street, continuously shouting loudly.
Before long, the peddler arrived on the street where Lin Sheng was located. He was surrounded by many children. He was seen picking off candied hawthorns and collecting money. However, as he bent down, a small stone suddenly appeared from his sleeve. Without turning his head, he flicked it backwards, and it accurately went into the crack of the gate in the courtyard behind him.
A moment later, the peddler's cries on the street gradually faded away until they could no longer be heard at all.