Becoming a Saint From the Iron Armor Skill

Chapter 437: Chapter 221: Beware of Ambush

「The next day, approaching noon.」

Silent Extinction Ridge, on the edge of the Great Wilderness Mountain Range.

This was a vast hilly region stretching for over a hundred li.

Though it was considered part of the Great Wilderness Mountain Range, the vegetation here was sparse and low. Weeds grew wild, and in the few scattered patches of forest, the trees were not particularly tall.

The mountain forests to the north, closer to Fenglin Town, were, by contrast, much denser and deeper, with many ancient, towering trees.

On the tallest of these peaks, Chen Cheng was hidden beside a massive boulder.

He was currently covered in all sorts of vines, blending in perfectly with his surroundings.

This was no ordinary camouflage. It was a clever fusion achieved by Chen Cheng using the Concealment Secret Skill to meticulously sense the minute details of the surrounding environment.

At this level of integration, it would be difficult for anyone to notice him, even if they walked right past.

Gazing far off toward Silent Extinction Ridge and the Great Wilderness Mountain Range, he could faintly hear the roars and howls of Demon Beasts.

Chen Cheng was lost in thought.

’According to legend, a severe Demon Beast Tide disaster also occurred in this area several decades ago.

’At that time, the Purple-clothed Guards from the Demon Suppression Department who came to slay the demons were unable to combat the Demon Beast Tide. They chose to set fire to the mountain forests to halt the tide’s advance.

’This hilly region was once covered in dense, deep vegetation. The wildfire burned for several whole months and did indeed succeed in stopping the Demon Beast Tide.

’But because of that fire, this land turned into a barren wasteland. Afterward, any Demon Beasts causing trouble from deep within the Great Wilderness Mountain Range could pass through with ease.

’Without the forests to act as a barrier, in this region of over a hundred li, there was almost no chance of escape if one encountered an unbeatable Demon Beast.

’Since then, almost no one dared to set foot in this area. The Demon-slaying Teams would rather take a detour of two or three days than pass through here.

’And that is how Silent Extinction Ridge got its name.

’Previously, when Shen Zhiheng and the others led the Demon Beast Tide away from the Fenglin Town area, they must have also bypassed Silent Extinction Ridge.

’But a rampaging Demon Beast Tide obviously wouldn’t take a detour. It would instinctively take the shortest, most unobstructed path—right through Silent Extinction Ridge.

’By waiting here at Silent Extinction Ridge, I should be able to find out if Shen Zhiheng’s group can lure the Demon Beast Tide away again.

’Right now, Silent Extinction Ridge is peaceful. Shen Zhiheng and his people are probably still trying to lead the Demon Beast Tide deeper into the Great Wilderness Mountain Range.

’The Demon-slaying Team has Beast-Attracting Incense, so luring the Demon Beast Tide away shouldn’t be difficult.

’The difficult part is that the Black Lotus Sect villains hiding in the shadows will use all sorts of methods to draw the Demon Beast Tide in the opposite direction.

’This matter is truly quite tricky.

’But I can’t worry about all that.

’No matter what, I have to ensure my own survival first if I want to be of any real use.

’When two armies clash, it’s soldiers against soldiers, and generals against generals.

’The foot soldiers fight on the front lines, while the commanders-in-chief command from the rear.

’Only when the enemy’s commander-in-chief makes a move can our own commander-in-chief act.

’As it stands, there’s no one truly powerful in the Demon-slaying Team. They clearly lack a commander-in-chief-level figure.

’But the hidden Black Lotus Sect villains might have those two old monsters, the Celestial and Earthly Imperfections, as their commanders-in-chief.

’So I can only act as our side’s temporary commander-in-chief. I’ll wait for the Celestial and Earthly Imperfections to show themselves, and then I’ll act accordingly.

’Besides, I’m also very curious what those two, Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang, will do.’

...

Half a cup of tea’s time passed before two figures, hidden amongst the mountain woods, moved quickly toward the peak where Chen Cheng was.

It was none other than the two sisters, Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang.

They were also in disguise, wearing caps woven from branches on their heads and mottled-colored cloaks made of twigs.

Even Chen Cheng, who was lying in wait, almost failed to spot them.

Moreover, the two of them had deliberately suppressed their auras and concealed their tracks, making them look very sneaky.

’Heh, the two sisters of the Shen Family are quite interesting!’

A faint smile touched the corners of Chen Cheng’s lips.

The two sisters crept onto the peak, surveyed the terrain, and finally crouched down under an ancient tree not far from Chen Cheng.

They gazed out toward Silent Extinction Ridge, observing the lay of the land.

After a moment, Shen Qingyao whispered, "Those Black Lotus Sect villains are truly despicable! To think that I, a Golden Pattern Purple-clothed Guard of the Demon Suppression Department, would have to stoop to this kind of disguise!"

Shen Qingshuang said, "We’re short on people. This is our only option."

"What should we do next?" Shen Qingyao asked.

She actually already had a plan in mind, but she had a habit of asking for others’ opinions first, then using them as a reference to improve her own plan.

When she acted with Chen Cheng before, she would always ask for his opinion first.

Now that Chen Cheng wasn’t here, she could only ask Shen Qingshuang.

This habit was actually quite beneficial. For someone in a position of authority, frequently asking for subordinates’ opinions and considering them before making a decision often prevents mistakes.

The only downside was that the person asking first often exuded a natural sense of superiority: ’I’m the one in control, I’m the wiser one, the advantage is mine!’

If the person being asked was a subordinate, they would naturally accept it gladly. But without such a superior-subordinate relationship, hearing it too often could easily lead to resentment.

Shen Qingshuang was certainly not Shen Qingyao’s subordinate, nor was she as magnanimous as Chen Cheng. Resentment immediately welled up in her heart. Her delicate brows furrowed as she retorted:

"What do you think we should do?"

"Shen Qingshuang, you are truly no fun at all."

Shen Qingyao sighed lightly. Left with no choice, she laid out her own idea.

"Logically, the fastest way to support Third Uncle and the others is to cut through Silent Extinction Ridge.

"But on this mission, we have to be on guard against those two old monsters, the Celestial and Earthly Imperfections, who might be hiding in the shadows. We can’t reveal our position, so we have no choice but to take a detour.

"As long as Third Uncle and his men can hold on for a little while longer, we’ll rush over and first find a way to eliminate the hidden Black Lotus Sect villains."

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