169: A relentless pursuit, a narrow encounter!

Lu Yuan was slightly startled, then scratched his head, revealing a somewhat shy smile.

"Senior Qin Feng, you flatter me. I... I was just lucky, a wild guess."

He waved his hand, politely declining, "I'm not very good at those profound theories."

He didn't want to expose too much; his perception largely stemmed from the Frost Flame Power after his Nirvana, and the vision sharing of the Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon.

These things were too troublesome to explain.

"A wild guess?" Shi Tai grinned from the side, "If you're just guessing, then aren't we all blind?"

Raimond walked over and patted Lu Yuan's shoulder, his eyes full of admiration.

"Lu Yuan, don't be modest."

"You played a crucial role in completing this mission!"

"If you hadn't seen through that beast's Void Mimicry at the last moment, we would probably still be running around in circles!"

His tone was solemn: "I, Raimond, will remember this contribution!"

"After we return, I will truthfully report to Uncle Lei and strive for extra academic credits and rewards for you!"

Lin Wei also walked over, a smile in her beautiful eyes.

"Yes, Junior Schoolmate Lu Yuan, thanks to you this time."

"Otherwise, our mission this month would have been in jeopardy."

Liu Ying also nodded slightly, her gaze towards Lu Yuan carrying a hint of curiosity.

This young-looking Junior Schoolmate, dressed simply, actually possessed such astonishing perception.

Lu Yuan was a bit embarrassed by everyone's praise, only chuckling.

"It's the result of everyone working together."

"Alright, stop standing around." Raimond waved his big hand, "Let's quickly deal with the spoils!"

"Although this Void Shadow Stealth Leopard didn't drop a card, all of its materials are good stuff!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's spirits lifted, and they began to work.

The materials of a fourth-tier demon beast were quite valuable.

Especially for a spatial-type demon beast like this, its fur, claws, teeth, and beast core all contained spatial energy, making them precious materials for crafting equipment and potions.

Shi Tai, with his immense strength, was responsible for skinning.

Qin Feng cut open the leopard's head and took out the fist-sized beast core.

Lin Wei and Liu Ying collected valuable bones and tendons nearby.

"This leopard skin is good, extremely tough, and comes with a faint spatial distortion effect, it can fetch a good price."

"The claws and teeth are also top-grade, they can be used to make weapons."

The squad members worked together, and soon the Void Shadow Stealth Leopard's corpse was processed.

Raimond put away the most valuable beast core and most of the fur, distributing the remaining materials to everyone.

"Alright, mission accomplished, let's head home!"

"Finally, I can go back and get some good sleep!" Shi Tai stretched.

Everyone packed up, preparing to leave the Moon Scar Canyon.

Just then, Lu Yuan's heart suddenly tensed!

A faint, almost imperceptible aura, a delicate thread of blood, quietly wrapped around him!

Within this aura, there was a familiar fluctuation, and an nauseating hatred!

Almost instantly, a name appeared in his mind —

Bedrock!

Lu Yuan's pupils suddenly constricted!

It was him! It was definitely Bedrock!

This chillingly malevolent resentment, wishing to grind him to dust, he was too familiar with it!

But... how did he find his way here?!

Nine Heavens Secret Realm! March Forest!

How did Bedrock sneak in?

And how could he pinpoint his location so accurately?!

Could it be... Little Red?!

At this thought, Lu Yuan understood.

If Bedrock used some kind of tracking secret art that used a spirit pet as a guide... Damn it!

He had originally wanted to keep a low profile and sneak back home!

Lu Yuan cursed inwardly.

Since Bedrock dared to pursue him here, he must have something to rely on.

The 'Kindling' organization! It seems they have considerable influence in Mobei Province!

Trouble!

He wasn't sure if Bedrock had any other tricks up his sleeve, and his Nirvana rebirth still had a month's cooldown, so he clearly couldn't take any more risks.

He had to proceed cautiously!

He looked at the cheerful crowd beside him, perhaps... he could borrow some prestige?

...Meanwhile.

In a secluded mountain hollow in the outer region of the Nine Heavens Secret Realm.

Space subtly warped, and Bedrock's figure staggered into view.

Another smuggled teleportation!

Although the process was arduous, it at least got him in!

Bedrock took out a few source cards to recover, then got up a moment later.

He pulled a simple stone disk from his backpack.

On the stone disk, a faint thread of bloody light flickered.

And at the end of the light thread, it vaguely pointed in a direction, he clicked his tongue.

"However, it's also reaching its limit."

He could clearly sense that the Flame Sprite in his backpack was rapidly weakening.

Three days! No, at this rate, it would die within two days!

But two days were enough for him to deal with Lu Yuan and get the crown!

In contrast, Lu Yuan's location indicator was becoming clearer and clearer!

"The Blood Soul Guiding Charm is truly potent!"

"Moon Scar Canyon... Hmph, let's see where you'll run this time!"

Bedrock sneered, his figure flickered, turning into an afterimage, and he rapidly sped away, following the guidance of the bloody light thread.

His speed was astonishing!

...Inside the canyon.

"What's wrong, Lu Yuan?" Raimond noticed Lu Yuan's momentary distraction and asked.

"Nothing, Senior." Lu Yuan quickly composed himself, "Perhaps the battle just now was a bit draining, I'm slightly lightheaded."

"That's good, let's leave here as soon as possible."

"Your team must be getting anxious too."

Raimond nodded, not thinking much of it.

The squad continued forward, preparing to return the way they came.

However, they hadn't gone far —

Buzz —!

A powerful aura suddenly descended from the sky, instantly locking onto every member of the squad!

The killing intent in that aura was undisguised!

"Who's there?!" Raimond's face changed drastically, and he roared!

His Source Power instantly erupted, and his Thunder Light Battle Blade reappeared in his hand as he vigilantly scanned his surroundings.

Shi Tai, Lin Wei, Qin Feng, and Liu Ying were all battle-hardened students, reacting extremely quickly.

In an instant, the light of various cards lit up, summoned beasts roared, and weapons were drawn!

The squad instantly formed a defensive formation, as if facing a formidable enemy!

He's here!

Bedrock!

"Lu Yuan..."

A surprised voice suddenly echoed through the forest.

"You're really not dead!"

"The flame heart crown... where is it?!"

As the words fell.

A figure slowly appeared on a giant rock about ten meters in front of the squad.

The newcomer was dressed in black, looking travel-worn, holding a small stone disk in his left hand, which clearly wasn't anything good.

This person was none other than Bedrock!

He looked down at the Leimeng Squad from above, his gaze fixed on Lu Yuan.

Not moving an inch!

Raimond and the others were all shocked!

They hadn't noticed how this person had appeared at all!

Such a stealth technique was simply incredible!

It didn't seem like something a fourth-tier fluctuation could achieve; at least Raimond felt inferior!

What shocked them even more was that the moment the other party spoke, he called out Lu Yuan's name directly!

And, he also mentioned something about the flame heart crown?

What was going on?!

How could Lu Yuan know such a powerful enemy?!

Raimond's heart was in turmoil, and he turned to look at Lu Yuan, as if asking:

"Lu Yuan, this..."

Lu Yuan did not speak.

He merely slowly raised his head, his calm gaze meeting Bedrock's blood-red eyes, which were filled with killing intent.

"I told you!"

"We'd meet again!"