In the Dense Forest, Tang Fei walked ahead carrying the rabbit, while Little Fatty and Phoenix chatted as they walked, appearing to get along very harmoniously.
Phoenix indeed preferred Little Fatty more because he was simple and genuine, looking amiable and approachable.
Tang Fei was more cunning than the holes in a hornet's nest; heaven knows which of his words were true and which were false? Phoenix was always on edge when interacting with him, afraid of accidentally falling into a trap he dug.
Tang Fei, the master of digging pits!
Tang Fei didn't care what they were talking about; he was in a very good mood, walking with an air of arrogant pride.
Originally, there was no hunting Mission today, yet by a stroke of luck, he managed to catch a rabbit.
How could a woman be more important than a rabbit?
This rabbit was big and fat, with a plump rear, enough to let them eat happily for three days even with an extra mouth to feed at home.
Moreover, Phoenix had a tiny appetite; Little Fatty ate more in one meal than she did in an entire day.
The Old Man always scolded Little Fatty for being a glutton, but how could he be a barrel?
He was a vat!
As they passed through Hate Mountain and were about to enter the human gathering area, they unexpectedly bumped right into a group of men wearing long robes and hats.
The Flame Shrine!
When the apocalypse struck and darkness descended, a group of opportunists took advantage of the situation, claiming to save the world under the guise of igniting the spark of light.
Whether they saved anyone or not wasn't important; in any case, the organization's members grew, and its influence expanded.
When the elite humans migrated to the New Star, and all law and police forces disappeared, leaving survival order nonexistent, the Flame Shrine took on the responsibility of punishing and educating the people on Old Earth.
Of course, these responsibilities were self-imposed.
It could be said that, to a certain extent, they held the power of life and death over ordinary Refugees.
The Flame Shrine had a strict hierarchy, dividing ranks by robe color, using the Flame Crest as their banner and insignia.
Ordinary members wore Grey Robes, with a grey flame embroidered on their Chest. Above them were Black Robes, White Robes, Red Robes, and Gold Robes. The clothing color differed for each rank, and the color of the flame embroidered on the Chest was also unequal.
Grey Robes were ordinary members, the apostles of the god. Black Robes were Third-Rank Divine Envoys, White Robes were Second-Rank Divine Envoys, Red Robes were First-Rank Divine Envoys, and Gold Robes represented the Flame God.
Most of these people wore Grey Robes, being the lowest-ranking members of the Flame Society. The person leading them wore a Black Robe; he was the Leader of these Grey Robe People and the Flame Society leader for this area.
Trying to hide now was too late; it would only invite more speculation and unwarranted disaster.
Thus, Tang Fei stopped walking, waiting for this group to pass first.
However, the leading Black Robe Person stopped, his gaze gloomy as he scrutinized Tang Fei for a moment before landing on Phoenix, who was a step behind him, instantly radiating a dazzling brilliance.
It was as if a Sun appeared before him, igniting all the light contained within his pupils.
Tang Fei knew things were bad the moment he saw the change in his eyes. Even he thought Phoenix's fair and tender appearance was extremely beautiful; in the eyes of these vulgar men... she must look like an immortal, right?
Furthermore, Phoenix was wearing a form-fitting black uniform vastly different from the local Refugees. Her height and long legs made her look gorgeous and sexy, like a Proud little swan that had landed in a field of drab Wild Chickens. Such a woman naturally drew everyone's attention and was very eye-catching.
Didn't Tang Fei carry her back precisely because of this?
If her physique were like Little Fatty's, Tang Fei would have to consider whether saving her was necessary.
It had nothing to do with her character; the main concern was the fear of not being able to carry her!
Tang Fei didn't move, and the people from the Church of Light didn't move either. Tang Fei didn't speak, and the people from the Church of Light didn't speak either.
The atmosphere immediately became tense.
After a long while, the Black Robe man grew impatient, pointed at Phoenix, and asked, "Who is she?"
"Her?" Tang Fei looked around, deliberately lowering his voice and adopting a cautious manner as if sharing a secret that must not be told, whispering, "She is a distinguished guest from the New Star; her entire Family came by spaceship."
Tang Fei dared not say she was someone related to him, because if he did, the people of the Flame Shrine would immediately move to seize her.
Some people's names could be discounted by half; some people's names could be discounted to the bone.
They wouldn't give any face to a young Hunter, nor would they care about his dignity. On Old Earth, a true law of the jungle prevailed; survival of the fittest was an undeniable truth.
There was no need for disguise or concealment.
Coincidentally, important figures often came down from the New Star to explore, searching for ancient secrets or spiritual salvation.
Since they couldn't ascertain the other party's true identity, they dared not act rashly.
"Is that so?" The Black Robe man scrutinized Phoenix carefully before asking, "Where is her Family?"
"That is difficult for me to say." Tang Fei looked troubled, saying to the Black Robe man, "Divine Envoy, you also know that most of these distinguished guests from the New Star have their own private matters to handle... My Family's Elder is undertaking a guide Mission. Because the journey is quite dangerous, they entrusted this young lady to us for care."
The Black Robe man hesitated; he could discern the information revealed in Tang Fei's words.
First, this woman was a distinguished guest from the New Star, with a very significant status.
Second, their entire Family came by spaceship, meaning they were numerous, possessed advanced weaponry, and should not be provoked easily.
Third, the boy's Elder took the distinguished guest on an important Mission; although they were just a few children, their adults could return at any moment. It would be best not to harbor any ill intentions.
A sinister smile appeared on the Black Robe man's lips as he said, "Since the distinguished guest came from the New Star, did she register with our Shrine?"
"Did she register?" Tang Fei looked towards Phoenix, asking uncertainly.
"She should have registered... These matters are handled by the Butler; I'm not very clear." Phoenix shook her head.
She knew she was in danger. From the moment the Black Robe man saw her, she knew what kind of thoughts he was harboring.
She also understood that if this was handled improperly, the consequences would be dire.
She understood Tang Fei's intentions and was happy to cooperate with his act.
After all, he was protecting her.
Thinking of this, a warmth unexpectedly arose in Phoenix's heart.
"Did she register?" The Black Robe man sneered, "I am in charge of the Hen Shan Gathering Area. Whether a distinguished guest arrives or not... others might not know, but how could I not know?"
"She trespassed into the Guard area of our Shrine; what is her purpose? What are her intentions? Our Shrine must investigate this matter clearly."
"Right, let her come with us... Perhaps they are those damned Predators..."
"She enters our Territory without even greeting our Shrine. Does she not hold our Flame Shrine in regard?"
"Take her away! Take her away. We can discuss anything clearly inside the Shrine..."
The Grey Robe People understood their Leader's intentions, and one by one, they clamored to take Phoenix away.
Some who were actively eager even rushed forward to try and grab her, but Tang Fei blocked them with his body.
"Divine Envoy... Divine Envoy..." Tang Fei looked at the Black Robe man, knowing the decision rested in his hands. "We are not Predators... we are just three children; how could we be Predators?"
"Are there few children among the Predators? They are far more ruthless when they strike!"
"Exactly. Even if she isn't a Predator, she could be a Predator's informant, a Spy, sent to our human gathering area to gather intelligence, waiting for their people to come and raid us..."
"Take her away!" The Black Robe man waved his hand and shouted, "Why waste words with him? If you dare obstruct us again, take him back to feed the god."
Tang Fei and Little Fatty showed expressions of fear.
The so-called feeding the god meant cutting you into pieces and throwing you into a cage to feed the divine pets raised by the Shrine.
A group of Grey Robe People moved to seize Phoenix, and Phoenix's eyes sharpened as she prepared to kill.
Tang Fei suddenly charged towards the Grey Robe People, like an enraged Little Wolf, roaring hoarsely, "Don't touch her... Get away, all of you, get away!"
"Don't touch her... She cannot go with you," Little Fatty also rushed forward immediately after.
Crack crack!
A group of people started punching and kicking them.
Tang Fei quickly fell to the ground. Little Fatty resisted for a while before realizing what was happening.
He also lay down, covered in wounds.
Thus, amidst Phoenix's curses, she was taken by the Flame Shrine people into the Hate Mountain Dense Forest.
（ps: Thanks to Bai Xiu Ben Xiu for becoming our patron, the Commander-in-Chief of the Hainan Imperial Guard, and a Good Brother of over ten years. ）