C22 Enemies Always Cross Paths with Each Other

Qin Biao had been asleep for a full day and night, and it wasn't until the following evening that he began to stir. Darkness enveloped him, the moon hidden behind a veil of thick clouds.

Upon regaining consciousness, he immediately checked his dagger and the Demonic Cire, ensuring they were intact. Satisfied, he exhaled in relief, rested briefly, and tucked the talisman he had found into his chest before setting out once more.

Uncertain whether any Demon Hunters remained in the depths of the forest, Qin Biao avoided heading directly for the exit. Instead, he found a stream where he washed away the scorched blood from his skin.

The icy water of the stream helped clear his mind. His body was unharmed, but he needed a secure place to absorb the Demonic Power from the Demonic Cire and grow stronger. This location, where he had slain a Demon Hunter the day before, was no longer safe—they might still be searching for him.

With this in mind, Qin Biao wasted no time on comfort. After a quick cleanse, he secured the Demonic Cire and dagger and resumed his journey.

Having learned from his previous encounter, Qin Biao proceeded with extreme caution, scrutinizing each area thoroughly before moving on. It took him over an hour and a half to approach the exit. Once he was confident that no Demon Hunters were in sight, he burst forth from the forest.

On the ground, Qin Biao noticed disordered footprints. After surveying the area, he determined that the Demon Hunters had gone left, which allowed him to dash off to the right, using the cover of night to hasten his escape.

Meanwhile, several dozen kilometers from the forest, a group of Demon Hunters convened in a room within a small town. Their leader was a man clad in a black martial training uniform.

"Senior Brother Lee, is this really wise? If Senior Brother Duan discovers that we fled without avenging Lin Yun, we might not get off so easily," one voiced his concern.

"Indeed, Senior Brother Lee. Perhaps we should just keep running. If we return, we'll face reprimand, but staying here could mean that monster catches up to us," another added, fear etched on their faces as the memory of Lin Yun's demise haunted them.

Senior Brother Lee, clearly the leader of the group, furrowed his brow and spoke up, "Where can we possibly go in this vast world? If we flee, we'll be branded as traitors to our sect and death will be certain. We might as well return and take our chances. True, Senior Brother Duan has been seething with resentment since his last mission with Senior Sister Yun, but he wouldn't dare harm us. We'll just have to plead with Senior Sister Yun; surely, she won't send us to our deaths. Regarding the creature you mentioned, I've laid a false trail leading east. It won't catch up to us that quickly. Relax."

The disciples nodded in agreement, seeing no other option. Who could have predicted a simple Demon Hunter task would turn into such a fiasco, leaving them caught between a rock and a hard place?

"Alright, everyone head back and get some rest," Senior Brother Lee commanded, his gaze sweeping the room. "Stay alert, and let's not have any more incidents. Xiaowu, make sure you keep a close watch on those demons, understood?"

Xiaowu, his face etched with concern, reluctantly accepted the task under the weight of Senior Brother Lee's stern look. He hung his head and stepped out of the room.

The rest retreated to their rooms for the night, leaving Xiaowu alone, crouched by the door of the woodshed where the captured demons from the forest were kept.

"Man, this is just my luck," Xiaowu sighed, leaning against the door to catch a brief respite.

Meanwhile, a slight figure perched on a tree branch just outside the slumbering town. Observing the quiet settlement, Qin Biao finally halted.

Having emerged from the forest, Qin Biao had deliberately traveled in the opposite direction of the Demon Hunter, aiming to evade pursuit. However, unbeknownst to him, the Demon Hunter had only created a diversion.

"As the saying goes, the most profound hiding place is in plain sight. This is it," Qin Biao muttered under his breath. "When my Demonic Power surges, it will be the end for you, Duan Hao." With those words, he stealthily made his way into the town.

In the shroud of night, every household lay in deep slumber. Qin Biao moved cautiously along the eaves, navigating the small town with fewer than a hundred homes nestled against the forest, mostly inhabited by farmers, evidenced by the array of agricultural tools outside each dwelling.

Qin Biao meandered through the town, seeking a secure spot to practice his cultivation. As he passed an inn, the Demonic Cire, which had been dormant for days, began to glow with a soft green light, radiating waves of warmth.

Startled, Qin Biao quickly ducked into a shadowy nook, pulled out the Demonic Cire, and examined it. The artifact glowed gently and felt warm to the touch, seemingly drawn to something.

His gaze settled on the inn. When Qin Biao moved the Demonic Cire away from the building, the light vanished, only to reappear as he approached once more.

"What's happening? Is there an offspring inside?" Qin Biao mused, slightly bewildered. It was his first encounter with the Demonic Cire, and he was unsure of how to react.

After a moment's hesitation, he tore a piece of a black martial training uniform from nearby and wrapped the Demonic Cire to conceal its glow. With swift movements, he leapt onto the inn's rooftop for a better vantage point.

As soon as he landed, Qin Biao nearly shouted in surprise. Below him, a person was sleeping against a door, dressed identically to a Demon Hunter. From the firewood shed behind the sleeper, a subtle Demonic Power seeped out.

Qin Biao didn't understand why he had stumbled upon a Demon Hunter here, but his instincts screamed for him to flee. The Demonic Cire, however, had other plans, exerting a force that propelled Qin Biao toward the shed.

Desperately trying to resist, Qin Biao found the Demonic Cire's strength overwhelming, relentlessly driving him forward. Just as he was about to enter the shed, the sleeping figure's eyes snapped open, and he leapt to his feet, exclaiming, "Who's there?"

"Done for," Qin Biao thought, panic-stricken. Without further thought, he squeezed through a small opening beside the door and slipped into the shed.