CHAPTER 355: CHAPTER 355: DANGER

The night descended quickly in the forest. The crimson glow of the battlefield sky dimmed, replaced by a heavy darkness that pressed in from all directions. Their campfire flickered against the towering trunks, shadows stretching unnaturally long.

"It’s too quiet," Chu Hao muttered, tightening his grip on his sword.

Even though he likes to act like a buffoon most of the time especially to amuse his sister, he had also been a soldier and could tell that the forest being so quiet was unnatural.

Chu Miao looked beyond the barrier she had set and agreed with her brother.

"I agree with you. This place it too eerie. This silence definitely doesn’t represent safety, so all of you should stay sharp and don’t let your guard down."

"Let’s guard in shifts instead of all of us staying awake. We haven’t rested much over the last month since we had been cultivating non-stop.

With two people guarding, the others can sleep." Ye Xuan suggested because this is what he used to do with his squad when they went on missions before.

The others agreed without any objections.

Thus, several groups of people teamed up to keep watch.

The first watch began with Ye Xuan and Gu Fan. The rest reluctantly allowed themselves to rest, though most kept a hand close to their weapons even in sleep.

For a while, the only sounds were the crackling of the fire and the faint trickle of the spirit stream.

Then, just past midnight, a low growl echoed from the forest. It was the kind that would make your spine tingle and everything around you screams danger.

Ye Xuan’s eyes snapped open, hand on his blade instantly. Gu Fan was the same as he alertly looked around with his hand hurriedly reaching for his blade placed on the ground.

The two didn’t immediately wake the others but instead stood up slowly.

The sound came again, closer this time. A guttural rumble that vibrated through the ground they were standing on.

The firelight fron the bonfire flickered, as though disturbed by an unseen wind.

Ye Xuan exchanged a glance with Gu Fan, then glanced back at the sleeping forms of their companions inside the tents.

The two had been on numerous missions before, so they understood each immediately and a decision was made.

Ye Xuan lowered his voice and muttered, "Wake them quietly. Something’s coming."

Gu Fan nodded, then went to wake up Chu Miao first. She was the official leader and had to instructbthem.

He crouched to shake Chu Miao’s shoulder gently. Her eyes opened instantly, sharp and alert. She needed no explanation; her instincts had already felt the oppressive presence drawing near.

Within moments, the entire group was awake, weapons in hand.

The protective formation around their camp flickering faintly, its lines of light flickering as though being tested.

It was obvious that something was attacking it. However, Chu Miao knew that the strength of this formation is not enough to prevent whatever was outside attacking it.

Then

Boom!

The trees at the edge of the clearing swayed violently as something massive moved. The barrier also shook.

Then, a pair of glowing eyes appeared in the darkness, the size of lanterns. The growl that followed was enough to rattle their bones.

It was no wonder the place had been so quiet during the day. With such a beast, few things would dare to appear in this forest.

This beast was out here probably for the water in the spirit stream.

"It’s such a huge beast..." Chu Hao whispered, sweat beading on his forehead from fear.

This was the first time he had seen something so massive.

"This should be a beast born in this battlefield. However, from the pressure it is releasing, it is still young." Chu Miao commented.

The only reason the array formation was still intact was because this beast hadn’t grown yet. It was like the little tiger.

Thinking of Little White, Chu Miao wondered why it had not reacted to this commotion and turned to check and to find it was in deep sleep.

It seemed that the superior-grade spirit stone it had eaten had triggered an advancement and the beast had entered deep sleep to advance.

Without another word, she waved her hand and the tiger was swept away into the beast space.

A shadow emerged from the forest, an enormous beast with scales like black iron, its claws digging into the ground as it advanced.

The heavenly pressure it radiated was nearly unbearable, heavier than anything they had faced so far. Chu Miao’s aura flared just enough to counterbalance the oppressive presence.

The forest they thought to be a safe haven had just revealed its first guardian. But this was also a welcome challenge. After all, they would not be able to improve without fighting some battles.

Ye Xuan raised his sword, his voice cold but steady. "Everyone, be ready to fight." He was a person who would never back down from a fight.

Especially with their abilities now. The only thing that might prove a danger was the heavenly pressure that was still upon them, slowing them down.

The group shifted instinctively into battle positions, their earlier fatigue forgotten. The superior-grade spirit stones had been their fortune, a fight with this beast, perhaps, was the price they had to pay for such luck.

The ancient battlefield was reminding them of a truth Chu Miao had already known well: every opportunity came hand in hand with danger.

And tonight, danger had come to their camp.

"I will take down the array formations so that the materials wouldn’t be destroyed if this beast were to force itself through by breaking them.

Be ready when that happens. And please, do not panic because a moment of panic could lead to irreversible disaster.

This beast is still young and it’s real cultivation should be peak stage foundation establishment realm.

However, you have to understand that I am sthe strongest person here and my cultivation is only at the late-stage foundation establishment realm.

Beasts are different from humans. A beast of the same cultivation level is stronger than a human, so be careful." Chu Miao first gave advice because she didn’t want to lose anyone in this training ground.