Thankfully, Xie Ziyuan was quick to act. He jumped at the skunk beastman's throat and his paw sank deep into his neck.
The skunk beastman's eyes widened. He didn't even have a time to struggle much. Because Xie Ziyuan had appeared beside him as if he had just teleported!
Blood poured out of his neck which was nearly severed from his body. Xie Ziyuan didn't only stab him once, but countless times, showing his ferocity and ruthlessness.
Lin Yuyao was scared but she was quick enough to lunge at her brother and covered his mouth.
When a beastman was on the verge of madness, they would show symptoms like Xie Ziyuan. Ruthless, decisive and without regard for life.
They could even attack their own companion. Not to mention that Xie Ziyuan's eyes were slightly red at this moment. A clear sign he was on the verge of such madness.
They shouldn't make their presence known…
Xie Ziyuan severed the skunk beastman's neck with another stab, and blood spurted out everywhere.
"Let's leave here." He jumped away, frowning as he wiped the blood from his hands. "Fierce beasts will be coming soon."
Lin Yuyao slowly released her brother and bit her lip. Xie Ziyuan was aware of their thoughts, but he didn't care much.
He walked first, and they followed. No one spoke. An oppressive and heavy atmosphere descended among the three, making awkwardness in the air palpable.
Because of his condition, he often showed symptoms similar to beastmen who were about to lose their mind. He frowned as he washed his hands with the water from the inner space.
Just now, in order to appear near Lin Yuyao in a split second, he has used the most energy in his body. A single teleportation cost a lot of power in his current situation.
"We will rest first." His tone was noticeably colder. The siblings flinched a little.
Lin Yuyao bit her lip, a little guilty. After all, Xie Ziyuan had shown such a side because he wanted to save her. He was a man with countless abilities; she didn't know whether it was the side effect of using his ability.
After she got closer to him, she knew that he didn't radiate the madness beastmen usually show. The redness in his eyes… was that because of something else? Energy overexertion?
Lin Yu'an tugged on her sleeve, his gaze full of worry.
Xie Ziyuan pursed his lips. His gaze roamed the dark surrounding, and he led them back to the vine cocoon.
There were countless vines cascading from the gigantic banyan tree. Its prop roots served as pillars, and the numerous vines clung to them, some filled with leaves while others as thin as ropes.
It was a perfect hiding place.
"Stay here." Xie Ziyuan told them without explaining further.
Lin Yuyao's heart almost leaped out of her chest. She called out, "Master Xie…"
When his sharp, penetrating eyes landed on her, she felt as if a pair of venomous snake's eyes were staring at her, rooting her to the spot. It was unknown how long she had been standing there without continuing her words.
By the time she recovered her senses, Xie Ziyuan was already gone.
"Sister…" Lin Yu'an bit his lip.
Lin Yuyao sighed. "Let's go inside and wait for Master Xie to come back."
From his tone earlier, she detected a hint of exhaustion, so he might really rest somewhere. Since he didn't want to stay with them, they would wait for him to come back.
"We were wrong." Lin Yu'an suddenly opened his mouth. "When Master Xie returns, we should apologize."
"Yes, let's apologize to Master Xie." Lin Yuyao still readily agreed, dragging her brother inside the dense cascading vines.
Xie Ziyuan stood on a high tree branch. After the siblings hid themselves, he went to the cave again. On the tree branch, he could see everything.
Even the smallest movement on the bushes in the darkness.
He stayed there and didn't move, letting his energy recover slowly. Once he regained his power, he could go deal with the other three traffickers.
His forehead marred with a frown and his eyes squinted slightly, full of thoughts. Did he scare that woman because of his actions just now?
Ever since he killed the second skunk beastman, he hadn't sensed her presence. Then, he realized it was already midnight. However, the fight with the second skunk beastman had happened before midnight struck.
Did he scare her off? An old ghost who had lived for so many years wouldn't be scared off by a small gruesome scene, right?
Su Yining had indeed seen the fight between Xie Ziyuan and the second skunk beastman. There wasn't much blood involved from the end of her screen.
Her Yuanyuan just stabbed the beastman with his claw and the villain died just like that. After she saw him resting and unmoving for so long, she also became sleepy and soon fell asleep.
Xie Ziyuan stayed on the tree for a long time. The vine cocoon was from a special material, and it magically could mask other smells as long as the two cats hid deep enough.
So, when he saw some raccoon beastmen exiting the cave with an unpleasant look on their faces, he wasn't worried.
"They haven't come back after so long. Do you think something has happened to them?" A raccoon beastman asked the companion beside him.
"This place is relatively safer compared to the other zones. What kind of danger can they encounter? At most, they might encounter a fierce beast at fifth rank order." The other beastman retorted impatiently.
Their stomachs were already grumbling, and as the night became deeper, they were more prone to irritation.
"You can't rule out the possibility." The first beastman rolled his eyes. Annoyance was all over his face at his companion's sarcastic reply.
They were one step away from going at each other's throat. The two snorted at each other, still restraining themselves. One beastmen turned around and went inside. The other followed.
Not long after, a skunk and raccoon beastmen exited the cave. The skunk beastman was a different person and not the one who had been involved in the conflict between the two earlier.
As they walked with each other to search for their missing companions, they were unaware that someone was staring at their back with snake-like venomous eyes.