Chapter Twenty-One: Pursuing the Thieves

Liu Feng was momentarily taken aback by Zhao Yang's words and asked, "What's going on?"

"In a while, the various classes will compete, so I want to quickly improve my abilities," Zhao Yang replied.

Liu Feng asked in confusion, "Our class against the other three classes?"

"That's right. The class that ultimately wins will receive generous rewards," Zhao Yang confirmed.

"And what does this task have to do with that?" Liu Feng questioned.

"If you want to rapidly enhance your strength, you can either go outside for training or practice in the academy's cultivation tower. External training is more dangerous without a mentor accompanying you, so few students choose that path. The cultivation tower is much safer, and the speed of improvement there is several times faster than outside, but it consumes a lot of contribution points. That's why we're taking on academy tasks," Zhao Yang explained.

Liu Feng nodded slightly. "I see."

Zhao Yang continued, "Because this task seemed so simple, we grew lax, which led to several injuries among our group."

Liu Feng pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll accompany you this time."

Zhao Yang said, "Besides you, I've invited a few others, all among the strongest in our class. We'll wait for them here."

Liu Feng and Zhao Yang waited in front of the academy for the others to arrive.

Soon, four people emerged from the academy, each looking spirited and composed, clearly possessing considerable strength.

"These are my close friends: Zhao Yu, Zhang Bing, Wang Yang, and Wang Yue," Zhao Yang introduced each of them to Liu Feng.

"And this is Liu Feng," Zhao Yang said to the four.

They nodded toward Liu Feng, acknowledging his presence.

Zhao Yu approached Zhao Yang and asked, "Zhao Yang, when do we leave?"

"We’ll head out now, but everyone needs to be careful. That thief is very formidable; don't take him lightly," Zhao Yang warned, his expression serious.

Seeing Zhao Yang's demeanor, the group exchanged glances and nodded solemnly.

Liu Feng, Zhao Yang, and the other four set out toward the east side of the academy.

Liu Feng asked, "Zhao Yang, where is the thief?"

"Just outside the Crimson Sun City, in a remote village. That’s where we confronted him," Zhao Yang replied.

Zhang Bing asked, "Won’t the thief run away?"

"He shouldn’t. He seems to be searching for something there. If he doesn’t find it, he won’t leave," Zhao Yang said.

Without further discussion, the group quickly headed to the location Zhao Yang mentioned.

Leaving behind the bustling Crimson Sun City, the crowds thinned, and as they walked, they occasionally passed small villages where few people were seen.

After about an hour, Liu Feng and his companions arrived at an unnamed village. Its area was vast, but there were few houses.

They saw very few people; most must have been out working in the fields.

"This is the place. Be careful," Zhao Yang told everyone.

Liu Feng and the others grew cautious, advancing warily and searching from the eastern side of the village.

An hour passed, but they found nothing unusual.

Just then, two people approached from the opposite direction, chatting as they walked. As they passed by, Liu Feng’s group overheard their conversation.

One said, "Liu San, last night I saw a strange person here, claiming to be searching for something. I was curious and followed him. He stopped by the big river just outside our village and then jumped into the river."

The other asked, "Why did he jump in?"

"Who knows? I waited a while, but he didn’t come out, so I left."

Liu Feng and his companions listened as the two walked away.

"It seems the thief is likely near the big river they mentioned. Let’s go take a look," Liu Feng suggested.

Zhao Yang nodded, and the other four agreed.

They asked the villagers for directions to the river and headed that way.

Leaving the village, they walked east for about two miles before arriving at a mighty, roaring river, hundreds of meters wide. The river’s length stretched beyond sight.

"This river flows rapidly. How did the thief go in without fear of being swept away?" Liu Feng wondered.

"He must have some treasure that protects him from the current," Zhao Yang guessed.

"Should we just wait for him here?" Wang Yue asked.

"Don’t be impatient. I think he’ll come out soon," Zhao Yang replied.

As they spoke, Liu Feng suddenly noticed someone approaching from the left front, staring at the river, lost in thought, seemingly unaware of Liu Feng’s group.

Zhao Yang and the others stopped talking, clearly having noticed the man as well.

Liu Feng signaled, and the group quickly hid behind a large tree.

The man came closer, stopped not far from them, and without hesitation jumped into the river.

Liu Feng and his companions remained hidden, watching the river intently. After a quarter of an hour, the man emerged from the water.

"Ha! The Soul Refining Flower will mature tonight. Once I harvest it, entering the Yin-Yang Realm and refining my soul will be much easier. Then, my strength will increase rapidly," the man said excitedly on the riverbank.

Liu Feng and his group heard everything clearly.

"A Soul Refining Flower! So such a thing really exists. It seems our luck is excellent," Liu Feng said.

"Should we capture him now?" Zhang Bing asked.

"Don’t rush. Wait until he picks the Soul Refining Flower, then we’ll have even more to gain," Zhao Yang said calmly.

"Agreed, we’ll wait until nightfall and then capture him," Liu Feng added.

The man lingered by the riverbank for a while before heading off into the distance.

Liu Feng and his companions took out some food, eating and resting as they waited for nightfall.

Time passed slowly, the sun dipped westward, and darkness began to descend. As dusk fell, the land was swallowed by shadows, and the distant village lights began to glow.

Liu Feng and his companions waited a long time. Just as their patience wore thin, a dark figure appeared by the river.

He looked around cautiously, and after confirming no one was near, he suddenly jumped into the river.

The water churned, and the figure vanished beneath the surface.

Seeing the figure disappear, Zhao Yang stepped out from behind the tree, followed by Liu Feng and the others, who approached the riverbank.

"Should we act once he comes out, or wait until he leaves this place?" Liu Feng asked.

Zhao Yang thought for a moment. "Let’s wait until he leaves. We’ll see where he hides, then plan our move."

"Zhao Yang is right. Let’s follow him and see what other secrets he has," Zhao Yu agreed.

Liu Feng and his companions returned behind the tree, waiting for the dark figure to surface.

About an hour later, the sound of water caught their attention. Under the moonlight, Liu Feng saw a dark figure emerge from the river, holding a bluish plant, which he quickly stowed away.

"That must be the Soul Refining Flower," Wang Yue said.

"Keep your voices down. Let’s follow him and see where he goes," Zhao Yang said quietly.

The figure began moving, and Liu Feng’s group carefully followed.

He traced the river for about a mile, then turned aside and slipped into a patch of woods.

Twisting and turning, he arrived beside a small mountain and vanished from sight.

"It seems this mountain has a hiding place. Let’s search carefully," Liu Feng suggested.

Everyone nodded, and they cautiously began searching around the mountain.

"You dare follow me? You're courting death," a sudden voice echoed as they explored.