Chapter 182 The Enemy Appears

"Mr. Chu, as soon as we return to the Southern Frontier Base City, I will pay your reward immediately."

Xiao Ya promised while patting her chest.

"Alright."

The group hurried toward the exit of the valley.

They didn't know if the 6th-rank Martial Artists who had fled and Li Tian's group were still alive.

Everyone quickened their pace.

Just as they stepped out of the range of the Netherworld Miasma Valley, the sight ahead caused the expressions of the three to change drastically.

On the open ground at the valley entrance, several corpses lay scattered about; they were the 6th-rank Martial Artists from the Xiao Family who had fled earlier.

They had died miserable deaths, their bodies covered in wounds caused by Sharp Weapons, and fresh blood stained the ground. It was clear they had been ambushed and had little chance to resist.

"It's them!" Xiao Ya's Face turned pale as she stepped forward to examine the bodies, her fingertips trembling slightly.

"They were all killed by Sharp Weapons; this was definitely done by human Martial Artists!"

Uncle Fu crouched down and carefully inspected several wounds, a hint of gravity flashing in his eyes. "These wounds contain fluctuations of Grandmaster-level Origin Power. To be able to kill several 6th-rank Martial Artists at once, the attacker must be at least a 7th Rank Grandmaster!"

"A Grandmaster-level Martial Artist?" Xiao Ya's brow furrowed, her eyes instantly filling with coldness.

"Who else could it be besides Li Tian?! He was scared into fleeing by the Netherworld Poison Python and lost Face. He must have been driven to rage and killed them to silence them!"

The more she thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed, and her tone grew colder. "I didn't expect him to be so malicious! To vent his anger, he actually struck out and killed members of my Xiao Family! If it really was him, even if it ruins the business relationship between our Xiao Family and the Li Family, I will personally kill him to avenge these subordinates!"

Uncle Fu also emitted a chilling killing intent and nodded. "The Young Miss is right! Li Tian is narrow-minded and vindictive; it's not surprising he would do such a thing. We must find him and uncover the truth!"

Chu Han stood to the side, his eyes calmly scanning the scene.

Li Tian was indeed a major suspect; after all, he was the only one who might harbor a grudge against Xiao Ya and himself.

"Continue searching outward to see if we can find any trace of Li Tian; perhaps we'll find other clues," Chu Han said.

The three didn't linger and moved quickly along the path outside the valley.

Xiao Ya and Uncle Fu were vigilant, their Origin Power circulating, ready to respond to any sudden situation.

Chu Han spread his Mental Energy, covering the surrounding area for several kilometers; any disturbance could not escape his perception.

Not long after, Chu Han's eyes suddenly narrowed.

"There's a situation," he said in a low voice. "About a thousand meters ahead, a group of people is approaching quickly. There are quite a few of them, and I sense Li Tian's aura among them."

"Li Tian really is nearby! He actually dares to come back!" A flash of killing intent crossed Xiao Ya's eyes.

Uncle Fu's Face also darkened. "For Li Tian to be so emboldened, the people he brought must be quite strong. We must respond carefully."

Chu Han added, "In this group, there are four Grandmaster-level Origin Power auras and over twenty 6th-rank Martial Artist auras. Most importantly, there is one extremely strong aura that has reached the 7th-Rank Limit, even above Uncle Fu's."

"What?!" Xiao Ya and Uncle Fu were both shocked, their Faces full of disbelief.

Four Grandmasters, over twenty 6th-rank Martial Artists, and one 7th-Rank Limit expert?

Such a lineup would be considered a force not to be underestimated even in the Southern Frontier Base City.

"Could it be the Li Family?" Xiao Ya murmured to herself, her eyes filled with doubt.

"Although the Li Family is also a major Family in the Southern Frontier, their foundation is far inferior to our Xiao Family. Generally, they wouldn't easily deploy so many Grandmaster-level experts. Moreover, our two families have a long history of cooperation; they shouldn't dare to move against us."

Uncle Fu also shook his head. "It's unlikely to be the Li Family. The Li Family shouldn't go as far as to risk a complete break with our Xiao Family for Li Tian by deploying such a powerful force."

Just as the two were puzzled, figures flickered in the dense forest ahead, and a group of Martial Artists dressed in black outfits with fierce expressions rushed out, instantly surrounding Chu Han's group of three.

Leading them was a burly middle-aged man with a ferocious gaze, radiating the powerful aura of the 7th-Rank Limit.

Behind him were three steady Grandmaster-level Martial Artists and over twenty 6th-rank Martial Artists, watching like tigers eyeing their prey.

The strength of the other three Grandmaster-level Martial Artists was also at the 7th Rank Mid-stage.

In the midst of this group, Li Tian was covered in wounds, his clothes in tatters, with blood still hanging from the corner of his mouth; he had clearly suffered a beating.

However, the look he gave Chu Han's group was full of venomous resentment and a hint of smugness, not showing the slightest restraint despite his miserable state.

Including him, the number of Grandmasters in this group reached five.

"It really is you, Li Tian. Did you kill the members of my Xiao Family?" Xiao Ya's Face was ice-cold as she spoke through gritted teeth.

Li Tian sneered, a flash of madness in his eyes. "So what if I did? They were in the way! Xiao Ya, did you think that by rejecting me, I would have no way to get you? Let me tell you, none of you are escaping today!"

He turned to look at the leading man and said flatteringly, "Lord Hu Chi, these three are the Xiao Family members I mentioned. I didn't expect them to be so resilient that they could actually escape from the Netherworld Poison Flood Dragon. They must be carrying treasures they obtained in the Netherworld Miasma Valley, especially this woman—she is the eldest Young Miss of the Xiao Family, Xiao Ya! Capture her, and the Xiao Family will have no choice but to comply!"

Hearing this, a flash of greed appeared in Hu Chi's eyes. He looked Xiao Ya up and down, a lewd smile curling on his lips. "Not bad, not bad. As expected of the Xiao Family's eldest Young Miss, she indeed has some beauty. Li Tian, you've done well. After this is over, this woman will be rewarded to you to do with as you please!"

"Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!"

Li Tian was overjoyed, his flattery becoming even more pronounced. The look he gave Xiao Ya was full of lust. "Xiao Ya, soon you will be mine! Didn't you look down on me before? When the time comes, I'll let you know the consequences of rejecting me!"

Xiao Ya trembled with rage, her Face flushing red as she cursed, "Li Tian, you despicable and shameless villain! I was truly blind to have let you come with us to the Poisonous Swamp!"

Uncle Fu's killing intent had reached its peak. Staring intently at Li Tian, he said word for word, "Li Tian, you murdered Xiao Family members and colluded with outsiders to threaten the Young Miss. Today, I will surely take your dog life!"

Chu Han stood to the side, watching the scene with cold eyes.

In his heart, he felt great disdain for Li Tian's behavior.

As for this group of Martial Artists who had suddenly appeared, he felt they must have come prepared.

Listening to the conversation between Li Tian and them, it seemed they were specifically targeting the Xiao Family.

Li Tian had been captured by them and had turned traitor on the spot.

As for the identity of this group, it was still unknown.

However, the behavior of this group was extremely consistent with the Slayer Organization.

"Who are you? Why are you targeting my Xiao Family?" Xiao Ya questioned angrily.

Hu Chi gave a sinister laugh. "We are members of the Hunting Association. As for the Xiao Family, it's just your bad luck that you've been too prominent these years and caught someone's eye. If you're smart, surrender quietly; perhaps you'll suffer less. Otherwise, don't blame us for being ruthless!"

"The Hunting Association! You're people from the Hunting Association!"

At the mention of the Hunting Association, the expressions of both Xiao Ya and Uncle Fu became extremely ugly.

"What is the Hunting Association?" Chu Han asked curiously; it was his first time hearing of this organization.

Uncle Fu explained, "The Hunting Association is the most notorious Slayer Organization active in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. All Martial Artists in the Southern Frontier Base City loathe them. Various major powers have organized many campaigns to suppress them, but none have been able to completely eliminate them."

"So that's how it is." Chu Han nodded, his expression remaining perfectly calm.

At this moment, Li Tian pointed at Chu Han and said, "Lord Hu Chi, this kid is extremely arrogant, and his strength is somewhat strange. He previously killed countless Bone Bats ten thousand meters in the air and could even deal with the Essence-Devouring Poison Mosquitoes. If we want to capture Xiao Ya, he will definitely be an obstacle!"