At this moment, most people had run off to chop trees, so Jiang Chen no longer hesitated and quickly strode toward the single-log bridge.
By now, more than a dozen people had already crossed the river; he had to keep up closely.
Under the astonished gazes of some people, Jiang Chen stepped onto the single-log bridge and rapidly dashed toward the opposite side.
"Holy crap, when did this little kid catch up? And is he insane? Just charging across like that?"
"No, look at his speed, my god, he's actually faster than Wan Tianqi, one of the Five Great Heavenly Kings. Am I seeing things?"
"It's true, this little brat's speed is impossibly fast?"
Many people still on the shore cried out in shock. A six-year-old kid, moving faster than one of the Five Great Heavenly Kings, and he hadn't even released his martial soul yet.
While they were still in shock, with a whoosh, a streak of light shot out, an arrow. Gong Yin struck again.
His gaze was as cold and sinister as a venomous snake. Jiang Chen's speed had made him feel threatened.
Killing a threat in its cradle was what he loved to do most.
His target wasn't Jiang Chen himself, but the thinnest part in the middle of the log where fish had gnawed it away.
The arrow was much faster than Jiang Chen and accurately struck that weakened spot.
"Crack!"
Under this single arrow, the log snapped directly, then was swept downstream by the surging river current.
"My god, he's dead for sure!" someone on the shore shouted in shock, even drawing out those who were chopping trees.
Jiang Chen's expression changed, rage surging in his heart. Of course, he recognized that arrow; it was the technique of one of the so-called Five Great Heavenly Kings.
What a vicious mind. He had merely been a bit faster, yet it had provoked such ruthless murder from the other party.
"I will definitely kill you!" Jiang Chen roared inwardly!
His speed did not slow; instead, it grew even faster. There was no longer any log beneath his feet, yet he continued to advance rapidly.
With a light tap of his toe on the water's surface, he shot forward a great distance.
The Three Thousand Thunderclap Movements were endlessly versatile; grass-skimming and water-walking were naturally effortless. His face was as gloomy as water, and for the first time, he felt intense killing intent toward another person.
"My god!"
"He can run on water!"
"And his speed is getting faster!"
Countless people on the shore gaped, crying out in astonishment, their expressions as if they had seen a ghost.
Gong Yin's face grew even darker, his cold gaze bursting with killing intent. The two soul rings on his body finally lit up, and two arrows of astonishing power shot out without hesitation.
This bizarre child absolutely could not be allowed to live!
In that moment, a sense of crisis struck. Jiang Chen's heart jolted; he might actually get injured by these arrows.
Without any hesitation, his martial soul possessed him. That shocking purple soul ring shone brightly, and in an instant, his body was covered in ferocious black armor.
The arrows seemed to have eyes of their own. Even as Jiang Chen changed direction, they still locked onto him.
Right then, the two arrows connected in sequence and struck his back one after another.
The first arrow had extreme piercing power and actually penetrated the armor, but it was blocked by his skin.
The second arrow entered through the hole created by the first. It lacked piercing power and didn't even break Jiang Chen's skin, but the arrowhead exploded.
Bang! It was like a small bomb detonating on Jiang Chen's back. Under the force of the explosion, Jiang Chen's speed surged explosively, and he shot straight onto the opposite bank.
Jiang Chen abruptly turned around. Black evil qi billowed from his dark eyes, and a mouth with two sharp fangs opened wide, letting out a terrifying roar that filled people with dread.
Even across the river, everyone still felt that powerful, evil resentment, and an involuntary fear rose in their hearts, causing them to stagger backward.
Gong Yin stood rooted in place. A trace of fear flashed through his usually cold eyes, but it quickly turned even colder.
"What… what kind of monster is he? Why is he so evil?"
"A… a thousand-year soul ring! How could a thousand-year soul ring appear on a six-year-old child?"
"This is definitely on the level of the Five Great Heavenly Kings, no, perhaps even more terrifying. We absolutely cannot provoke him!"
Hearing the panicked shouts behind him, Gong Yin's expression grew even more vicious. Suppressing that trace of fear in his heart, he stared back into Jiang Chen's terrifying gaze.
After roaring a few times, Jiang Chen vented some of his anger, but he pressed the rest deep into his heart.
He released his martial soul and simply stared coldly at the opposite shore.
Not long after, several logs were laid across the river, but they were positioned far away from Jiang Chen. These examinees were afraid; who wouldn't fear something so evil?
Soon, everyone except Gong Yin had crossed the river and rushed into the forest, chasing after the people ahead.
Gong Yin still stood on the opposite side with no intention of crossing.
Jiang Chen waited no longer, turned, and left, but in his heart he swore fiercely: Gong Yin must die! This forest would be his burial ground!
Moreover, he would kill him openly and dominantly in front of everyone!
After waiting for a long time, Gong Yin finally turned and darted into the forest, quietly slipping upstream along the river.
The people who had gone to scout upstream had not returned—perhaps there was a place to cross farther up.
…
Jiang Chen did not hide in the jungle waiting like a sitting duck. Someone who was already doomed was not worth wasting time waiting for.
Since his martial soul had already been exposed, he had no more reservations. Whoever dared to strike at him would face his wrath.
He advanced swiftly, and soon he saw more soul beast corpses again. Beside the corpses lay the bodies of several girls, their lives already extinguished.
Jiang Chen felt no ripple in his heart. Since they had chosen to come here, they had to be prepared for death.
Becoming stronger came at a cost.
Soon, he caught up to the group that had just crossed the river.
Seeing Jiang Chen appear, this group felt some fear and quickly moved aside.
A few people's eyes flickered, but in the end, they did not act, watching as Jiang Chen passed by.
"I'm already at level 19, yet facing this guy, I feel inexplicable fear in my heart. His strength is definitely comparable to the Five Great Heavenly Kings."
"Maybe the Five Great Heavenly Kings will have to become the Six Great Heavenly Kings now."
"No, have you forgotten? Gong Yin has already offended this guy. One of them is bound to die."
"I've long disliked that despicable Gong Yin. Best if he dies by this kid's hand."
"I don't think so…"
…
Jiang Chen continued forward, following the trail of the two leading groups ahead.
High above in the sky, a small black bird had been following him the whole time.
Unfortunately, the forest was too dense, or else Jiang Chen could have relied on Little Black Sparrow to find the fastest route.
He could sense the life auras of soul beasts. Whenever one approached, he avoided it in advance.
After all, his goal this time was not to fight soul beasts, but to exit this forest as quickly as possible.
After advancing for two hours, a swampy area appeared before him.