The Bamboo Grove Warning

“Not now?” Xiao Chen smiled.

“Hehe, so you’re not as honest as you seem. I thought you were just a cold-blooded strongman, decisive and unmoved by anything.” Liu Ruyan was a woman of boundless seduction, her delicate, flirtatious face radiating an异样的魅惑 that stirred even Xiao Chen’s iron resolve, stirring a faint ripple within him.

With a graceful sway of her hips, she departed—lithe steps, a slender waist, curved and full. She left behind a silhouette of peerless, sensual allure. She was a creature of infinite temptation, her bewitching charm far surpassing her natural beauty, and though her face might not rival Zhao Lin’er or Yan Qingcheng, her seductive power already eclipsed them both.

Xiao Chen gazed at his own reflection in the clear stream, and soon calmed. His alliance with Liu Ruyan was nothing more than mutual utility: form over substance.

Xiao Chen’s annihilation of three alliances in a single night had caused an uproar. His sheer dominance made everyone realize that this young man, who belonged to no alliance, was not to be trifled with. In a sense, the name Xiao Chen had been branded into the hearts of all, becoming the focal point of every conversation.

Many knew that once Yan Qingcheng, Kailuo, Wang Tong, and the others returned, a storm would surely erupt. They would not let the matter rest. A great battle was eagerly anticipated by many, a clash of the peak powers.

Without a doubt, Xiao Chen had become a figure of the moment on Dragon Island. All alliances watched him closely, and he drew the gaze of many young male and female cultivators.

Xiao Chen was well aware that people were talking about him. For two days, he had been moving among the alliance encampments, closely monitoring the situation. Finally, after a hearty meal of meat with Yizhen and Yichi, he departed.

With Yan Qingcheng and the others about to return, Xiao Chen decided to vanish for a while, to focus on training and let his enemies grow frantic.

He found the three skeletons in the Dead-Silent Forest, and then they headed to the Bone Sea. Xiao Chen wanted to greet Liu Mu, but found that he had already left. The other cultivators who had ventured deeper into the island were also gone, their traces lost. With so many practitioners now flooding the outer reaches, the area was no longer a quiet place for cultivation.

Figures near the divine stele in the Bone Sea were all newcomers.

Among a pile of Tyrant Dragon bones near the stele, Xiao Chen pulled out Keke, who had been sleeping soundly.

“Ya-ya ya-ya…” Disturbed from its sweet dreams, Keke waved its tiny paws fiercely, grumbling with displeasure.

“Keke, how about I take you somewhere for a treat?” Xiao Chen began to dangle the bait, hoping to take Keke with him. This strange little beast—pure white as jade, fluffy like a little tiger or a little lion—was far too extraordinary. Xiao Chen wanted it by his side at all costs.

It was a necessary measure; the little beast had shown no sign of wanting to follow him. It had only stayed out of curiosity. He had to keep it constantly intrigued.

At the mention of good food, Keke’s bright, large eyes immediately sparkled with little stars. Its long eyelashes fluttered as it gulped, swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

Xiao Chen couldn’t help but laugh. This little beast was truly amusing.

But then Keke drooped its head in frustration, patting its round, bloated belly. Having consumed all that life nectar earlier, it still hadn’t digested it all, preventing it from enjoying any delicacies.

“I can help you get rid of that problem—but it will take some time.”

Keke’s eyes lit up again, and it babbled “ya-ya ya-ya” as if doubting whether Xiao Chen really had such an ability.

“Don’t worry, I’ll fix it for sure. But I’ll need your treasure tree,” Xiao Chen said, pointing at the “tree hat” perched on Keke’s head.

Keke immediately took down the treasure tree and handed it over carelessly. If the sacred little tree had feelings, it would surely be weeping—the little beast seemed to care nothing for it.

“It won’t do here. We need a quiet, undisturbed place. Also, I need to think things through.”

And so Xiao Chen’s party set off. Though the little beast kept looking back at the divine stele, it eventually left with them.

From deep within the island, dragon roars could be heard from time to time. Xiao Chen wanted to test his luck, to see if he could find a few more dragon eggs.

As they traveled through the Dead-Silent Forest, Xiao Chen found it very strange. The trees here were lush and green, so why was it so deathly still? Not even a single bird. Could it be because of its proximity to the Bone Sea?

The towering ancient trees in this area would require a dozen men to encircle. They were thousands of years old, no less impressive than those of Treant Valley, yet there were no signs of any treants having emerged here. Clearly, none had successfully metamorphosed.

This time, Xiao Chen was not heading north toward the alliance settlements. Instead, after entering the Dead-Silent Forest, they traveled eastward. It was only after going several dozen li that they finally emerged from that uncannily quiet forest.

Coming out into a world filled with life felt completely different. A babbling brook, fragrant flowers, cheerful birdsong, and the occasional beast roar made this world seem vibrant and alive.

Though dragon roars echoed through the mountains from time to time, after advancing ten or so li, Xiao Chen still couldn’t pinpoint their source. He encountered plenty of fearsome beasts—all primeval species. He suspected that some of these monsters could rival the evil dragons.

Before long, Xiao Chen discovered a river in the forest. He followed it eastward. Bamboo groves began to appear on both banks, while other trees gradually thinned out.

After another few li, the surroundings turned into vast bamboo groves. In this area, savage beasts were fewer; mostly herbivores roamed.

Green bamboo, a clear river, low shrubs, along with crisp birdsong and deer that did not flee at the sight of humans—all this made the region seem harmonious and peaceful. On Dragon Island, where ferocious beasts roamed, such tranquil zones were rare.

Ahead, more than twenty wild elephants were drinking by the riverbank. Their white tusks gleamed with a faint luster, and their powerful bodies lined up like towering walls.

But at that moment, the elephant herd stirred in panic. All of them trumpeted in fright and turned to flee.

Xiao Chen sensed something was wrong. A foul, nauseating stench rushed toward him. A gale swept through the bamboo grove ahead, parting the bamboo as if by some uncanny power, splitting open a path through the stalks.