Translator: CinderTL
Crunch.
The sound of boots stepping on dry branches echoed through the forest as the group moved swiftly through the dense woods. No one spoke, their focus solely on pressing forward.
A large pack of dogs patrolled the forest on either side of the column, their keen senses alert. The group walked in the center, and any wild beasts along the way fled at their approach. Even the most ferocious creatures dared not confront such a large and formidable group.
Xu Sanyan, bringing up the rear, gently tugged on Xun Ancai's sleeve and pointed to the young man walking beside the clan chief at the front. "Who's that?" he asked.
Xun Ancai glanced over. "Xun Yang."
"Why is he always by the clan chief's side?" Xu Sanyan pressed.
"Oh, he's being groomed as the clan chief's successor. Unless something unexpected happens, he'll be the next clan chief."
Xu Sanyan narrowed his eyes, a sudden thought sparking in his mind. His voice grew slightly urgent as he asked, "What criteria do you use to select a successor?"
Xun Ancai shook her head. "Who knows? The clan chief called the three of us over a few days ago and asked some bizarre questions. I still can't figure out how she makes her decisions."
"The three of you? You were included?" Xu Sanyan's heart leaped with excitement. He quickly pressed, "Who else was there?"
Xun Ancai nodded toward a woman ahead. "Xun Hua," she said, "you've met her before."
Xu Sanyan looked over. Xun Hua was the second person he had encountered upon entering the Secret Realm World.
So, the clan chief chose Xun Yang as the next clan chief successor from among Xun Yang, Xun Hua, and Xun Ancai? And after careful deliberation, she ultimately settled on Xun Yang?
If the successor is chosen this way, there's plenty of room for manipulation...
Xu Sanyan's eyes flickered with calculation as he silently schemed. What if Xun Yang were to "accidentally" die...?
The next successor would likely be chosen between Xun Hua and Xun Ancai?
Excellent!
Xu Sanyan's lips slowly curled into a smile. The more he pondered, the more he realized this could be a golden opportunity!
If Xun Ancai became the successor, and then the clan chief also "accidentally" met with an untimely end, wouldn't Xun Ancai naturally ascend to the position of clan chief?
With Xun Ancai as clan chief, things would become much easier for me.
Xu Sanyan stared at the clan chief leading the group, his mind racing.
These were merely his speculations for now. Things might not unfold as smoothly as he envisioned, and unexpected complications could arise along the way. But the possibility remained tantalizingly real.
As the saying goes, humans plan for two, while fate determines one. Unexpected events are inevitable, and no one can predict them. Yet, fear of the unforeseen shouldn't paralyze us into inaction.
Xu Sanyan secretly resolved to take the risk.
If this venture succeeded, Xun Ancai would truly have a chance to become the clan chief.
In an instant, a preliminary plan formed in his mind, but its execution would require meticulous planning.
Xu Sanyan's gaze shifted to Xun Yang's retreating figure. This mission seemed to be an opportunity—a chance to return him to the embrace of the Dog God.
A subtle manipulation during the battle would go unnoticed, and the clan chief would suspect nothing. After all, in the chaos of life-and-death combat, any mishap could be considered natural.
"What's wrong?" Xun Ancai noticed his odd behavior and asked casually.
Xu Sanyan shook his head. "Nothing..."
The group traveled from dawn till dusk, pausing only briefly to eat dried meat and fruit. They didn't rest for even a quarter of an hour.
This was Xu Sanyan's first time venturing so far from home. He now realized the world was far grander than he had imagined, dwarfing even the giant city and ghost city of the Hundred Saints Secret Realm.
Moreover, the natives of this world possessed formidable strength. Even void harmony realm experts would have to stand at attention here.
In this world, where spiritual power was nonexistent, even the most profound cultivation level was useless. Unless one could shatter the limitations imposed by the heavenly dao, they would easily meet their end, their path extinguished.
As Xu Sanyan's mind wandered, the clan chief at the head of the group stopped, and the others followed suit.
"We're almost at the pack beast territory," the clan chief announced. "Let's rest and replenish our strength."
Xun Ancai sighed in relief and plopped down on the ground, abandoning all pretense of decorum. She pulled a large piece of dried meat from the animal hide at her waist and handed it to him. "Eat something."
"Mm."
Xu Sanyan felt his stomach growling and took the meat, devouring it in large bites. Having lost his spiritual power, he could no longer subsist on wind and dew; he needed sustenance to maintain his physical strength.
Everyone cherished this rare moment of respite, knowing that a fierce battle lay ahead.
The clan chief approached Xu Sanyan and whispered, "Once the fighting starts, your only task is to eliminate their leader immediately."
"Understood," Xu Sanyan nodded in agreement.
The clan chief turned to leave, then paused, hesitated, and glanced back with a cryptic warning: "Just don't repeat what happened last time."
With that, she turned away, ignoring him completely.
Xu Sanyan's heart tightened, instantly understanding her meaning.
"Last time" referred to the Bear Clan's attack. He had deliberately delayed his intervention, successfully causing the Old Clan Chief's death. He had believed his scheme to be flawless, but she had seen through it after all.
Perhaps...
It wasn't that she had noticed, but rather that the Old Clan Chief had discovered the truth and revealed it to her before dying.
For some reason, she hadn't pursued the matter, but this incident would undoubtedly make her even more wary of him.
Xu Sanyan lowered his gaze slightly, inwardly resolving to be far more cautious in his future actions. He must never underestimate the natives, remembering that "pure-hearted" individuals like Xun Ancai were rare exceptions.
"What did the clan chief mean just now?" Xun Ancai asked, tearing at a strip of meat with her teeth.
"Nothing. Just eat."
"Oh."
About an hour later, the clan chief signaled the group to move on, continuing their journey deeper into the forest, though now with heightened caution.
As they ventured further, the trees gradually thinned, suggesting they were nearing the edge of the forest. Yet when they looked into the distance, the faint outlines of towering mountains still loomed, confirming they remained deep within the mountain range.
As dusk began to settle, the clan chief halted. Xu Sanyan, catching a faint glimmer of light, saw a vast plain stretching before them.
A plain in the mountains?
Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow, finding this sight truly rare.
Xun Ancai leaned close and whispered, "This is the pack beast habitat. The Snake Clan likely hasn't left yet. Stay close to me and don't wander off."
She spoke to him as if he were a child, her voice filled with concern for her husband's safety.
"Mm-hmm."
Xun Ancai glanced at the four-headed dogs, who immediately understood their master's intent. They pressed close behind Xu Sanyan, never leaving his side.
Good dogs.
Xu Sanyan glanced back at the four-headed dogs, feeling much more reassured. With their close protection, he should be considerably safer.
The clan chief patted the six-headed dog at her feet and murmured, "Find the Snake Clan."
"Woof~"
The six-headed dog nodded like a person, its nostrils twitching as it began to sniff the air for lingering scents. It slowly moved toward the southwest corner of the plain.
"Follow me."
(End of the Chapter)
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