The cold night wind rushed past Lin Tian’s face as he ran through the Black Mist Mountains.
Branches scratched his arms.
Sharp rocks cut the soles of his shoes.
But he didn’t slow down.
Behind him, the voices of the black-robed cultivators echoed through the forest.
“Search the east side!” “He couldn’t have gone far!” “Don’t let him escape!” Lin Tian gritted his teeth.
His heart pounded against his chest.
“They’re still following me.” The old man’s voice sounded in his mind.
“Do not panic.” “Panic leads to mistakes.” Lin Tian took a deep breath.
He forced himself to calm down.
His master was right.
Fear would only make him careless.
He jumped over a fallen tree and landed on the other side.
The forest around him became darker.
Tall ancient trees blocked the moonlight.
Strange sounds came from every direction.
Spirit beasts lived everywhere in these mountains.
Most cultivators avoided traveling here at night.
But tonight…
The forest was his only chance.
Suddenly, Lin Tian stopped.
In front of him stood a steep cliff.
Below it flowed a fast-moving river.
He quickly looked behind him.
The voices were getting closer.
“They’re almost here.” He clenched his fists.
“What should I do?” The old man answered calmly.
“Hide your aura.” Lin Tian frowned.
“Can I do that?” “You can.” “I’ll teach you.” A stream of information appeared in Lin Tian’s mind.
It was a simple technique called Hidden Breath Art.
It wasn’t an attack.
It wasn’t a cultivation technique.
It simply concealed a person’s spiritual energy.
Lin Tian quickly followed the instructions.
His breathing slowed.
His Spiritual Qi became quiet.
Within seconds…
His presence almost disappeared.
The old man nodded.
“Good.” “For your first attempt, that’s impressive.” Just then…
Three black-robed cultivators arrived at the cliff.
Each of them carried a long sword.
Their faces were hidden beneath dark hoods.
The leader looked around carefully.
“I sensed someone here.” Another cultivator frowned.
“I don’t feel anything.” The leader narrowed his eyes.
“Search again.” Lin Tian hid behind a massive boulder.
He barely dared to breathe.
One of the cultivators walked only a few steps away from him.
If he turned his head…
Everything would be over.
A single drop of sweat rolled down Lin Tian’s forehead.
The cultivator suddenly stopped walking.
He looked directly toward the boulder.
Lin Tian’s heartbeat became louder.
The old man’s voice remained calm.
“Stay still.” “Trust your technique.” The cultivator stared for several moments.
Then…
He shook his head.
“Nothing.” The three men slowly walked away.
Lin Tian quietly released the breath he had been holding.
“I actually fooled them.” His master chuckled.
“Your Heaven-Forbidden Root isn’t just powerful.” “It also learns very quickly.” Lin Tian smiled for the first time since leaving the Lin Clan.
Maybe…
Just maybe…
He really did have a chance to change his fate.
But before he could take another step— A deafening roar shook the entire mountain.
The ground trembled violently.
Birds exploded into the sky.
Even the black-robed cultivators froze.
The old man’s voice suddenly became serious.
“Impossible…” “Why is a Spirit Beast of that level here?” Far away…
Two enormous crimson eyes slowly opened within the darkness.