"We may have the upper hand because everyone underestimates us, but I can’t say for certain how much combat strength I can contribute; so, if possible, we should think of methods beyond brute force to achieve our goals," Yan Xiaobao said, his expression turning serious at last.
"For now, let’s rest a few days, recover from the journey. Then we can start looking for clues across the entire area. After that, we can search for an exit," Yan Xiaobao concluded, glancing around.
Finishing his words, Yan Xiaobao fell silent. Instead, he chose a room in the large house, sat down, and began meditating. He allowed himself to become one with his surroundings, drawing the essence of heaven and earth, and started refining it into Qi and spiritual energy.
Watching Yan Xiaobao, his friends followed suit. After a while, the entire house became as quiet as it had been before their arrival. No sound could be heard, yet energy ripples continuously surged from the house, revealing someone was truly present within.
"I’ve been ordered to eliminate the friends of this white-haired boy," a voice came from beneath a cloak. The speaker appeared ancient, his body hunched, voice low and raspy.
"Commander, I understand your position," he said, then turned to leave the room. "I understand your stance, yet I am executing my mission, and nothing will stop me from accomplishing it," he muttered as he left, shutting the door behind him.
With a deep sigh, the Commander could only watch as the man closed the door and walked away.
Outside the room, his hunched back seemed to suddenly uncoil. The aura of age disappeared, replaced by an unmistakable sense of power.
A cloak concealed the man, yet if it were removed, a scarred face would emerge, revealing him as the assassin previously tasked with clearing soldiers traveling to Qianli River Academy in the convoy.
Beside him, a small cat swished its tail, mewing softly at its master. Elegant stripes adorned its body, resembling the beast that once accompanied this man.
Scar-faced Killer navigated through various routes and grounds of the Dragon Company headquarters until he reached a house that appeared to be his destination.
This house happened to be where Yan Xiaobao and his friends were resting, meditating, and emanating ripples of energy.
Scarface’s features twisted in frustration as he eyed the vigilant guards stationed at the entrance, not to mention the patrol guards who frequently lingered in the residential zones.
At the sight of the patrol team, Scarface moved swiftly, blending into the residential area as though he belonged. He managed to reach the rear of the building without drawing anyone’s attention to himself.
The walls surrounding the place stood five meters high—so tall that humans would typically struggle to scale them. However, the small cat beside him transformed swiftly into the enormous beast it had once been, effortlessly leaping over the walls to enter the vicinity of the house. Even with Scarface’s scars, the leap was easy enough.
Silent as a shadow, the tiger landed softly on the grass, shrinking back into an adorable little cat. Slowly, Scar-faced Killer crept closer to the house, thoroughly pleased as he sensed the energy ripples.
To him, it was advantageous if the group was fully focused on cultivation. The deeper their focus, the more they attuned themselves with the surrounding elements, leaving them less aware of his approach.
The house was large enough to accommodate hundreds of people, meaning there were entry points from all directions.