Chapter 65: Reaching The Mid Stage Of The Qi Refining Realm (1/2)

Yan Zhong took a deep breath before speaking again.

”The elite team of the Ashen Cloak mercenary company was not like the other elite teams. It was bigger, much bigger.” Yan Zhong spoke.

Lin Mu was getting tense upon hearing this, thus he gulped before asking.

”How many were there in the team?”

”Eighty mercenaries.” Yan Zhong replied.

”All cultivators?” Lin Mu inquired.

”Yes, all cultivators.” Yan Zhong answered while nodding his head.

Lin Mu went silent for a bit as he contemplated about the situation.

”How were they found?” Lin Mu asked.

Lin Mu understood that the more he knew about the situation, the better it would be for him. He had been hunting spirit beasts in the forest all this time, but now that there was a strong and ferocious spirit beast on the prowl, he may have to change his plans.

”The Ashen Cloak mercenaries sent out a search party later at night when the elite team did not return. They searched the entire night but still could not find them. It was only around four hours ago that they found them, or rather their remains.” Yan Zhong answered.

”Remains? You mean there were no bodies?” Lin Mu asked.

”Yes, all that they found there was splattered blood and chunks of flesh along with the bits and pieces of their armor, which helped to identify them.” Yan Zhong replied with a heavy voice.

Lin Mu was shocked by this, as he could not think of any beast that could do this. Sure, a beast would be able to kill such a large number of mercenaries, but it certainly could not eat them all. Still, from Yan Zhong's words, he could sense the hint of truth and dread.

If all that Yan Zhong said was true, then the Northern town had a huge problem at its hands. If such a beast wandered out of the forest, it would spell doom for the town.

”Where were the remains exactly found?” Lin Mu questioned.

”About Eight kilometers deep, in the northwestern side of the forest.��� Yan Zhong answered.

Lin Mu secretly took a breath of relief, as it was still very far from the town. He knew about the area Yan Zhong had spoken about. The Northwestern part of the forest was accessible from the western exit of the town. It was the same exit where the mercenaries and hunters had set up their camp.

If one went further in the northwestern part of the forest, they would found mountains surrounded by ridges. It was a dangerous area that was very difficult to cross, as the mountains and ridges acted as a natural barrier. This not only prevented people from crossing it, but it also stopped the stronger spirit beasts from crossing over.

The only way to cross this region was to travel through the frontier bridge or to use the smaller passes and tunnels. The frontier bridge was far towards the west, so the mercenaries had most likely used the smaller passes to cross this region.

Lin Mu did not think they would take the risk of traveling through the tunnels, as they were notorious for collapsing. Some beasts would also reside within them and use them as their nests or dens.

”Do they have any idea what kind of beast it was?” Lin Mu asked.