In the outer region of Marsh City, Fang Hao’s expression darkened when he received news from a technician. 

“Team Leader Fang, fourth squad has fallen. This is the video they sent!” 

“Project it on the screen.” Fang Hao’s brows were tightly knit. 

The video was calm in the beginning, but when the black fog rose, everything changed! 

Fang Hao slowly closed his eyes and deeply exhaled as he and the technician listened to the hopeless screaming and beastly roars from the video. He turned to the men around him and said, “Please inform the rest that the plan has changed. I’ll break through to tier four, then we’ll leave tomorrow!” 

“Wait, don’t you think that’s too little time for a breakthrough? Don’t you need to strengthen your base first?!” the vice leader asked with concern. 

Fang Hao shook his head. “No, we don’t have enough time. Send out the message and begin preparations. We leave tomorrow.” 

“Yes, Sir!” The vice leader didn’t doubt Fang Hao’s abilities to break through to tier four, he was just afraid of the possibility of an accident if Fang Hao did not have a proper base. He knew its dangers all too well, but there was no time. The beast was named Balamu, an Octoviolet Silversnake that had appeared thirty years ago. 

Although it wasn’t physically strong, it had immense mental power. Based on reports from past battles with it, it was currently extremely weak. 

This beast should never have existed on earth! And it was extremely intelligent, too! It had appeared in Yunxi City within what used to be China’s Nanyun Province, which had three million people. Previously, it was found to be a tier four beast but it had managed to evade the many fighter squads sent to kill it. After five years, it had even led a massively destructive beast tide that overwhelmed the city’s defenses and caused over a million deaths. 

The humans in the highest levels of leadership were furious, sending reinforcements immediately. Unfortunately, they still weren’t quick enough, and it was expected that the city would fall. In spite of that, crowds of masters defended the city and the Octoviolet Silversnake abruptly left. Intel also stated that a master went after it and chopped its head off, so how did it appear in the Great Blue River? 

As for the black fog, although Fang Hao hadn’t experienced it himself, he knew it was bad news. The beasts around the area were strange, too, seemingly much more violent than beasts in other areas.

He grew increasingly uneasy. They didn’t have much time. 

… 

Marsh City. 

It was nightfall. Within a little house in the countryside, two siblings sat opposite each other as they ate food they used to find delicious. 

Feeling stressed by the mood, Xiang Ning put down his chopsticks. Xiang Xiaoyu didn’t notice, eating as if she had lost her soul. Her eyes were empty, staring off into the distance. Xiang Ning didn’t know what she was thinking. 

“Cough. Cough.” Xiang Xiaoyu finally looked up when he drily coughed. “What’s wrong?” 

He pursed his lips, then took out his communicator and tapped on it. A ringtone sounded next to Xiang Xiaoyu. 

“Big Brother, that’s a lot of money! I can’t possibly spend it all.” She panicked when she saw the additional fifty thousand dollars in her bank account. She had never seen so much money in her life! 

Xiang Ning smiled and shook his head. “I’ll be heading off to the wilderness tomorrow, and you must take good care of yourself. Don’t worry about money. Buy whatever you want, including food. Don’t hold back when you’re out with your friends, either.” 

Xiang Xiaoyu bit her lip and stood up. She walked over and punched him. 

“Xiaoyu, what’re you doing?” Xiang Ning was stunned, and gently grabbed her by the wrist. 

“Why do you never think of yourself? I’m so worried for you.” Tears fell like rain as she spoke. Fifty thousand dollars! That was an average man’s yearly income! Their little family had never had more than ten thousand dollars in savings, let alone fifty thousand. She was terrified that it was all Xiang Ning had. 

Then, she thought about how he was going to the wilderness, and if anything happened.… This would be the money he left behind for her. Fear gripped her heart; she was worried sick that Xiang Ning would die out there.

He held her hand and stroked her hair with a smile. “I’m sorry for not considering your feelings, but this is my dream. If I want to become a powerful martial artist, I must do this. Don’t worry, we have teachers and instructors, as well as at least five hundred students like me in this activity. It’s very safe.” 

Xiang Xiaoyu felt his warmth. “Really?” 

“It’s true! Plus, I promised to buy you a set of spiritual armor. I still have a hundred thousand left with me, anyway.” 

“A hundred… thousand?” 

“Look at this.” He dramatically handed her his communicator with a notification of his bank balance showing on its screen. 

When she saw the six figures, she believed him. Suddenly, as if she had a thought, she gasped, “No way, are you a prostitute? Or did Fang Rou become your sugar mommy?” 

He frowned in exasperation, knocking her head. “Who taught you that?” 

“Heh, just kidding,” she chuckled, clutching her head. She wasn’t so worried anymore. “But really, how did you make so much money?” 

He coughed, then solemnly replied, “Xiaoyu, there’s many kind people in this world who’ll give you money on their own accord.” 

She made a face, but didn’t ask further. She didn’t want to ask if he wasn’t ready to explain, so she just sighed in relief when she saw that he didn’t have any injuries, terrified he was in an illegal fight club. Chen Zixin had told her a lot about them. 

To be honest, Xiang Ning didn’t know what to say. Should he say he had taught a few people a lesson by beating them up? And this was their school fees? If Xiang Xiaoyu didn’t ask, he wouldn’t tell. The matter was closed. 

After dinner, they washed the dishes and Xiang Ning took a shower. “I’m paying Uncle Zhao a visit,” he said when he came out of the bathroom. 

“Alright, be careful.” 

Xiang Ning jogged to Uncle Zhao’s workshop, greeting him with, “Uncle Zhao, smoking isn’t good for your health.”