The arrows weren’t deeply embedded, and as the fierce beast ran, they fell to the ground.
"Such strong defense!"
Lin Zheyu hid in the shadows observing, unable to resist saying in admiration.
The man had just unleashed a strike with all his might, but when it hit the beast, it merely parted its fur, leaving only a shallow wound.
The man looked at the fleeing beast but didn’t continue to pursue it, instead leaning against a nearby tree trunk, panting heavily.
He had expended a great deal of his energy.
The beast was incredibly strong, tough-skinned and thick-furred, extremely difficult to defeat.
If it hadn’t gotten caught in a trap and lost a lot of blood, exhausting much of its energy, he would have had no choice but to flee upon encountering it.
"It’s a pity, I let it slip away."
The man shook his head in regret.
He had been chasing the beast all the way but still failed to slay it.
After recovering some strength, he shouted loudly into the forest, "Since you’re here, friend, why hide in the shadows sneakily? Show yourself."
"Oh?"
Lin Zheyu was a bit surprised.
He had been discovered?
He had been fully employing the Turtle Breath Skill, making his body like deadwood, without emitting any breath. He had also been stealthily approaching without making a sound.
Yet he was still discovered by the man before him, such keen perception was truly astonishing.
"Is he trying to deceive me?"
Lin Zheyu muttered, not revealing himself.
After slaying Xing Jinglong and his group, he had also spoken similar words into the empty woods, aiming to see if anyone was hiding in the shadows.
"Friend, stop hiding, I’ve already spotted you."
The man glanced towards the direction of the bushes where Lin Zheyu was hiding, speaking with a smile.
His right hand tightly gripped the machete, his eyes full of vigilance.
One reason he hadn’t continued his pursuit was that he had sensed someone hidden in the shadows.
"He really did find me!"
Lin Zheyu was amazed.
Since he had been discovered, there was no need to remain hidden.
The man before him was weaker in strength, and as the recent battle showed, he wasn’t a master of poison and posed no significant threat.
"I just happened to pass by here, heard the sounds of combat, and curiously came to take a look, no ill intentions." Lin Zheyu emerged from the bushes, smiling as he spoke.
"Oh!"
The man looked at Lin Zheyu, showing an expression of surprise.
This person was very young, probably only sixteen or seventeen years old.
"This fellow isn’t simple!"
The man thought to himself, not underestimating Lin Zheyu despite his youthful appearance.
His eyes slightly narrowed, remaining cautiously alert.
With bandits rampant nowadays, anyone daring to venture alone into the mountains wasn’t easy to deal with.
"I see."
"Since you’re just passing through, and the beast has escaped, I wonder if you’d be willing to depart?" the man said.
"That’s exactly my intention."
"I’m unfamiliar with this part of the forest, and I wanted to ask you for directions, could you tell me which way would be more convenient to get to the Lion Valley?"
Lin Zheyu asked.
"Lion Valley?"
"Bandits are all over near Lion Valley, it’s not a good place to go."
"But since you intend to go there, you must be quite capable, unfazed by those bandits."
"If you wish to go to Lion Valley, head in this direction for about a mile, where you’ll see a small path. Follow it to the end, where there are three forks, take the leftmost path..."
The man showed goodwill, speaking in detail, and even used his knife to draw a rough map on the ground.
"Thank you very much, if it weren’t for you, I’d have spent more time on this journey." Lin Zheyu cupped his hands in thanks.
"No need for thanks."
The man said calmly, still remaining vigilant.
His hand tightly gripping the machete, ready to strike if anything seemed amiss, without hesitation.
Lin Zheyu didn’t mind, taking out his map and marking it.
Seeing Lin Zheyu take out a map to make markings, his expression appeared kind, and he looked unlike a villain or bandit, letting the man relax slightly.
He had just exhausted a lot of energy fighting the beast and didn’t want to conflict with the young man before him.