Indeed, the king of the Hyena Clan was quite capable.

Aware that he was still being hunted, he chose to stay in his den, even if it meant being labeled a coward by other beasts. He was unwilling to take even half a step out.

Yu Huan shook his head.

"There's no movement. It's too cautious. Of course, if I were in its shoes, I might have to choose the same thing."

Yu Huan gazed at Wang Zhan with a certain fear, but more so with respect.

This member of the Human Race was different from those he had previously encountered, perhaps because he was so young.

So, was he alternately cunning and impulsive, creating an illusion that obscured his true strength?

Wang Zhan suddenly thought, "What if I leak the news to him that I'm part of the same faction as those others? Do you think something interesting will happen?"

A chill ran down Yu Huan's spine.

"Absolutely! You've frustrated it for so many days. Given the chance, it definitely won't pass up the opportunity for revenge. However, I suspect that even if it wants vengeance on you, it wouldn't come alone but with its entire clan."

"Ha ha, ha ha, ha ha ha..."

Wang Zhan burst into laughter.

A mere Martial Master, who clearly couldn't do a thing to a Martial King, yet he had a King-level figure pinned down within its own clan's territory, unable to move. That was quite satisfying; it gave him a great sense of accomplishment.

However, he now needed to wait for the right moment and avoid acting rashly. Carelessness would draw attention from those who were closely monitoring him, potentially making these jungles even more dangerous.

"Let's go, let them continue their pursuit. I've noticed something these past few days: this grandson of yours has quite an appetite. Did you send him to me because you couldn't afford to feed him?"

The pitiful little wolf cub stared up at Wang Zhan with wide, innocent eyes.

Yu Huan, trailing behind Wang Zhan, chuckled.

"How could that be? Do you believe the Beast Clan could lack food?"

What they lacked was always the flesh and blood of high-level beasts!

The two glanced at each other, seeing profound meaning in each other's eyes, as if they had a tacit understanding, yet neither was willing to broach the delicate subject.

Then, with a hearty laugh, they dropped the topic, unconcerned whether the little wolf cub would eventually become an assistant to the Human Race or return to the embrace of the Beast Clan.

「Two days later.」

Tao Zhu somehow managed to lead the other two into a Melted Cave.

Besides a collection of crystal clear, sparkling beads of various colors, and some crawling Insects that hadn't yet developed spiritual wisdom, there was nothing else there.

Lin Hao pondered, replaying the events of the past few days in his mind. The other two sat to one side, recovering their lost Essence Energy and mental energy.

Especially Tao Zhu; one should know he was a Martial King who, since his debut, had never experienced such a humiliating ordeal. He had been almost continuously chased, and his heart was filled with indignation.

"Once I find that senior, I'll make you all pay!"

He was seething. If he had that senior's wings here, he would have escaped long ago. How could he still be relentlessly pursued by the Beast Clan, like a dog that had lost its home?

However, Lin Hao was thinking about other things.

"Why did those two King-level beasts suddenly become alert halfway through the chase? What exactly happened? And is Wang Zhan really that mysterious person? If so, where is he?…"

Lin Hao knew clearly that if those two Martial Kings hadn't suddenly become vigilant while pursuing them, allowing Tao Zhu to find an opportunity to break out, they would have been surrounded by now. They would have inevitably become food for the beasts unless they played their trump cards.

But this was also the strange part.

Lin Hao couldn't help but suspect: Did that "senior" reveal his aura or traces, which the Beast Clan noticed, hence their fear? If that's the case, Wang Zhan couldn't possibly be that expert. After all, no matter how exceptionally talented a mere Martial Master was, he could never be a match for a Martial King, let alone make them wary. Therefore, it was possible that the Dao Protector was real and was the hidden power behind the scenes.

"What are you thinking about?" Yu Lan, disheveled, her hair simply tied up, suddenly asked from beside him.

Lin Hao mused, "Our escape earlier felt a bit too easy, as if someone was secretly watching from the side…"

Little did Lin Hao know, before he could finish, Tao Zhu laughed proudly.

"I know, it must be that senior! Although you haven't met him, that senior is truly powerful, with a high degree of energy aggregation. I suspect that if he unleashes his full power, these King-level beasts wouldn't be a match for him."

Lin Hao smiled helplessly.

A simple mind has its advantages. At least, in many situations, intuition alone is sufficient.

But for Lin Hao, who was responsible for this area, the destructive potential of a powerful, unstable factor was even more terrifying than Wang Zhan's presence, and it was impossible to guard against effectively.

The problem was, he had never even seen that expert's face.

Just then.

THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP...

A series of footsteps echoed, reaching the ears of the three.

Their expressions immediately tensed, and their internal energy began to gather, their bodies coiled with vigilant readiness.

"Who is it?" Tao Zhu called out softly.

In the distance, from a passageway, a tall, burly figure suddenly appeared, grinning.

"Senior, long time no see!"

...

A look of surprise crossed Yu Lan's face.

"Wang Zhan?"

Tao Zhu and Lin Hao naturally reacted the same way. However, Tao Zhu was more easygoing and familiar, much like Huangfu Feng, a senior brother of Wang Zhan's at Chu State's Martial Arts Academy. He immediately relaxed his guard, rushed forward, and hugged Wang Zhan tightly. His hand, as large as a cattail fan, patted Wang Zhan's back resoundingly as he said cheerfully, "Hahahaha, good lad, we meet again! By the way, where's your master? I wanted to ask, when we were fleeing, did he appear? Is that why the Beast Clan let us go?"

Hearing the word "fleeing," Yu Lan blushed slightly, somewhat embarrassed.

Lin Hao's expression also darkened. What does he mean, "fleeing"? Can't he give us some face? It's called a strategic withdrawal, alright?

Wang Zhan didn't seem to mind at all.

"It was my master! Actually, from the moment you entered the jungles, my master had already spotted you. But he had some matters to attend to at that time, so he didn't intervene immediately. You wouldn't blame him, would you?"

Wang Zhan first fabricated a cover story for himself, then concocted a justification for that cover story. Double protection, it surely wouldn't fall apart, right? *Cough*.

He certainly couldn't just bluntly say to the three of them, "You could have all died for all I cared. I didn't intervene because I just wanted to see how lucky you were. If your luck was bad and you died, you would have died for nothing."

Of course, Wang Zhan had his own considerations in this.

Although these three before him were a bit weak, and while he might not be able to kill the strongest among them, Tao Zhu, he could certainly tie him down. They were somewhat useful, representing the support and backup he had been looking for from the start.

If it came to a point where he couldn't handle things himself, the Human Race could also provide timely support, which was far better than him being flustered and caught unprepared.

So, after Tao Zhu expressed that he didn't mind at all, and the other two nodded in understanding, Wang Zhan got straight to the point.

"I wonder if you're interested in some events that might occur in this area in the near future? In fact, a major reason my master has stayed here is precisely for this matter!"

"Oh?"

Lin Hao immediately looked up, countless possibilities flashing through his mind.

"What matter is it? Would your master… mind if you tell us?"

Lin Hao stressed the word "master" slightly. Of course, only Wang Zhan could sense it.

Yu Lan was unaware of Lin Hao's suspicions, and Tao Zhu was a straightforward, carefree fellow. It seemed Lin Hao had the clearest insight into the situation.

Wang Zhan looked meaningfully at this person who had been his guide since his arrival on the Star War Battlefield.

He sensed it; Lin Hao likely harbored suspicions about the existence of his so-called "master." So… is this person the truly critical figure here? And why has Yu Lan come?

Wang Zhan spoke directly, without any concealment.

"Of course, he wouldn't mind. Actually, this is the greatest discovery I've made since arriving here, although I'm still searching for clues.

But I have a premonition that before long, this place will become the most bustling spot in the surrounding jungles. Countless King-level beasts and high-level beasts will gather, and even… those lofty Emperors will cast their gazes here…"

Listening, Lin Hao directly interrupted Wang Zhan's continued explanation, saying gravely, "Are you saying that the battle some time ago occurred because a Nine-headed Serpent, a messenger under an Emperor's command, appeared? And its target is a fortuitous opportunity that might appear in this area, an opportunity not restricted by race?"

Wang Zhan nodded.

"This information is common knowledge. If you don't believe me, you can try to verify it. For example, from the king of the Hyena Clan, the Tiger King who pursued you, or the Fox King, the Monkey King, the Eagle King… and so on. You can gather this information from any of them.

As for why I know, it's because my master happened to bestow upon me one of the Beast Clan's top Lord-level beasts. It was once the king of a clan and knows the course of events clearly."

As for minor details like the Blood Wolf King being merely Wang Zhan's partner, and whether the words of a clan king would inherently be credible enough, Wang Zhan simply ignored them.

The crucial point now was just one thing.

Lin Hao, having inadvertently revealed a glimpse of his deeper vulnerabilities to Wang Zhan through his own oversight, now presented Wang Zhan with more strategic possibilities.

As long as he could persuade this hidden boss, even if Wang Zhan messed things up, the Human Race would stand behind him, providing protection and resolving his troubles. That would be a huge advantage!

As for himself, he just needed to do one thing.

That was, to continue the charade!

But the three of them were shocked. Why did King-level beasts seem so utterly ordinary in Wang Zhan's eyes?

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