"Captain, are the others coming?" A burly man with a massive war hammer asked, his voice a low rumble. He looked down at a young man with fair skin and slightly long hair who was addressed as the captain.
"Yes, Zuro. They’ll be here soon," the captain replied, his voice calm and even as he walked silently. Beside the burly man, a young woman in her late twenties with a bow on her back looked at him with a mix of amusement and a playful hint of disdain. These three walked slowly toward the corroded zone, their spiritual energy fluctuating at a high level, hinting at least the sixth level of Qi Accumulation.
They were the same group Grey had spotted and quickly retreated from hours earlier. This was one of the scavenger camp’s primary hunting parties, tasked with gathering meat and herbs. Among them was the young man with fair skin, the leader of the scavenger camp. He carried an aura of grace and a cool, controlled demeanor that inspired respect and fear in equal measure.
As they entered the corroded zone, the captain turned his head, and two more men appeared as if from thin air. Their auras were just as strong as the others. The captain gave them a small nod, and the party of five moved together.
After a considerable distance, the captain spoke. "Today, we’re here to collect blue silver grass and hunt some local animals." The others nodded curtly, and the group fell into a watchful silence, their expressions vigilant as they ventured deeper. Only the captain seemed unconcerned, walking with a steady pace while the others were hyper-aware of their surroundings. These four were the only people the captain truly trusted; they had survived countless experiences together, forging a bond stronger than any bloodline.
They moved in what seemed like a random direction, but they were following a pre-planned path designed to avoid the most dangerous existences. Their route, however, led them directly to Grey’s dilapidated house.
Grey, who was diligently cultivating after his meal, felt a sudden premonition and his eyes flew open. A wave of discontent washed over him. He contemplated staying put, hoping they would pass by without incident. He wanted nothing to do with the scavengers and believed staying hidden was his best option.
But just as he was about to re-enter his meditative state while keeping his perception on watch, his eyes snapped open again. He stood up and moved silently toward the door. His eyes narrowed as he peered through a small hole in the piled-up items. The captain and his party were standing directly in front of his house.
As Grey’s gaze landed on the captain, the man turned his head and looked directly at Grey’s hiding spot. Grey’s heart began to race. The captain gave a small sigh and walked forward, stopping just three feet from the door.
"Well, well. What do we have here? A cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Accumulation living alone in the corroded zone. Will you come outside?" the captain’s voice echoed in his ears.
’He’s found me out...’ Grey’s mind raced. If he could detect faint traces of spiritual energy at his own level, it was only natural that the captain, a seasoned veteran, would be far more skilled. He had surely noticed Grey’s suppressed aura long ago.
’What should I do?’ Grey’s panic mounted.
As if reading his thoughts, the captain’s voice came again, calm and reassuring. "You don’t need to be afraid. I have no bad intentions, but I am curious about who this new energy signature belongs to. I know everyone in my scavenger camp, but it seems I’ve never met you before." He turned his back, rubbing the tip of his nose. He motioned for his companions to follow, as if preparing to leave.
Just as they were about to walk away, the loose pile of miscellaneous items blocking the entrance gave way. Grey’s figure was revealed in the broken doorway.
The captain and his party turned back, their expressions shifting from calm curiosity to shock. The captain’s eyes widened. "You’re a kid... What is a kid like you doing in the corroded zone?" a rough-looking man from the party exclaimed.
Their gazes were fierce and intimidating. If this had happened days ago, Grey would have flinched, but he instead raised his head and met their stares with a calm, detached expression. Inside, his heart hammered against his ribs. The pressure from so many powerful cultivators was immense. He felt suppressed and small, but he refused to show his fear. His detached gaze, a habit he had developed in his past life and one that perfected this body he was in, hid his frantic emotions well.
**☺️😉**