C34 Escape!

Han Lin was seething with anger. "Don't you dare!"

"Even if you manage to kill me, there's still Han Rou, our cousin, and Han Feng. The idea that your Chang family could ever consume ours is ludicrous!"

Chang Wenjun looked utterly bewildered. "Han Feng is the future of the Han family? That's laughable!"

"But rest assured, they'll be joining you shortly. The Chang family isn't as straightforward as you Han folks seem to think!"

A shiver ran down Han Lin's spine. He didn't grasp Chang Wenjun's full meaning, but he could sense that the Chang family harbored strengths that the Han family had overlooked. He couldn't die here; he had to survive and warn the family elders.

Chang Wenjun, perceiving Han Lin's intent, mocked him, "Just give up. We're evenly matched in our cultivation, both having unlocked four Main Bloodlines. And I have three allies, each with the Internal Strength of two Main Bloodlines. You stand no chance of escaping."

"What's that approaching?"

Chang Wenjun and Han Lin, as the strongest among the five, swiftly detected something amiss.

With a rustling noise, the figure of Han Feng came into view.

Han Lin's spirits lifted.

He was well aware that Han Feng had once effortlessly dispatched a Giant Tree Monster that ranked between the mid and late stages of Level 2. Han Lin didn't expect Han Feng to defeat Chang Wenjun; if Han Feng could just hold off the remaining three from the Chang family, they would have a ninety percent chance of making a getaway.

Before Han Lin could utter a word, Han Feng, his face ashen, bellowed, "Han Lin, run for it!"

In no time, Han Feng reached Han Lin's group, grabbed him, and they bolted. Only then did Han Lin find the energy to keep pace. He didn't understand what was unfolding, but Han Feng's demeanor told him it was serious.

Chang Wenjun swore under his breath and commanded, "After them, now!"

The four pursuers took off at once.

Chang Wenjun sneered from behind, "Escape is futile. Resign yourselves to your fate."

Just then, an enraged roar echoed from a distance.

Chang Wenjun's face twisted in alarm. "Damnation, that's the cry of a Devil Beast of at least Level-four. How on earth did such a creature break free from the mountain's depths!"

At that moment, Han Lin, Chang Wenjun, and the rest finally understood why Han Feng had bolted so urgently. With a Devil Beast of that caliber on their heels, anything less than a full-speed escape spelled certain death.

Han Lin's voice was a low growl of urgency, "Han Feng, what the hell is happening?"

Han Feng couldn't possibly divulge the truth; the secret he harbored would be compromised.

Given his current level of Internal Strength, who would buy the story that he took down a Level 3 Devil Beast with just his Claw Condensation Technique?

The Family Trials in Renzhong City were a mere twenty days away, promising fierce competition and perilous challenges. Revealing his mortal fire now would only make his future endeavors in the trials more arduous and hazardous.

Han Feng shook his head, feigning ignorance, "I have no idea. I just heard a beast roar and took off running."

Han Lin clearly didn't think Han Feng capable of enraging a Level-six Devil Beast and readily accepted his explanation.

Provoking such a creature would require venturing deep into the heart of the mountain range. But that was a death wish, especially for someone at the Middle Period of Mortal Rank, with Level-four Devil Beasts as common as cattle. The odds of escaping from such a place were slim to none.

Despite their swift pace, the Level-six Devil Beast was faster, steadily closing the gap.

With a pallid face, Han Lin still managed to reassure Han Feng, "Don't worry. At this distance, Instructor Lin and the others should hear the beast's roar. He might even arrive ahead of time. We might not need to make it out of the Jade Peak Mountain Range to be rescued."

"But the crucial thing is to buy time before Instructor Lin arrives. If Chang Wenjun and his group overtake us, we'll be in real trouble."

With that, Han Lin gestured to Han Feng to keep an eye on Chang Wenjun and his companions.

At this point, Han Feng, Han Lin, and Chang Wenjun were leading the pack. The remaining three members of the Chang family were lagging behind, their faces etched with panic, struggling to keep pace with the leading trio.

Han Feng's gaze on Chang Wenjun sent a jolt through his heart. "Chang Wenjun's heart is ruthless. They're from the same clan, yet he has no inclination to help. He's probably scheming to use these three as a distraction to buy time. Chang Wenjun is clearly mistaken, thinking the Level-six Devil Beast emerged due to hunger."

"Unfortunately, the Level-six Devil Beast is after me. It will only eliminate those in its way, not granting me much time."

Sure enough, soon after, three agonizing screams echoed from behind, but the beast's pace was relentless.

Inwardly, Chang Wenjun's thoughts were a storm of confusion: "What on earth is happening?"

Then, with a sudden, venomous glare, Chang Wenjun's eyes bore into Han Lin and Han Feng, filled with ill intent and viciousness.

Without warning, Chang Wenjun struck, clearly aiming to pull one of them back to secure time for himself.

Han Feng's expression hardened as he unleashed his Claw Condensation Technique.

Meanwhile, Han Lin, intent on escape, failed to perceive Chang Wenjun's actions.

It was evident that Han Lin's experience was lacking; he had not yet come to terms with the depths of human deceit and treachery.

Han Lin naively believed that getting ahead of Chang Wenjun would suffice, never anticipating a backstab that would leave him grievously wounded and trailing behind.

Although Han Feng's past life experiences were limited, they surpassed Han Lin's. He had been wary of Chang Wenjun from the start, and now, as the ambush unfolded, Han Feng instantly responded.

"Ah!"

Chang Wenjun, a practitioner of palm techniques, met Han Feng's attack head-on. Han Feng's Claw Condensation Technique effortlessly pierced through Chang Wenjun's palm.

With a cry of pain, Chang Wenjun fell back, and with a swift kick, Han Feng sent him tumbling even further behind.

Han Lin, coming to his senses, was awash with relief and gratitude. "Han Feng, I owe you big time!"

Without breaking stride, Han Feng replied, "We're family; there's no need for thanks. But you've got to be more vigilant."

Han Lin's face flushed with guilt as he remembered his past bullying and disregard for Han Feng. Listening to Han Feng's advice, he managed a wry smile. "Rest assured, I won't act that way anymore. It's unbelievable how perilous the outside is. When you compare it to that, our family squabbles really are insignificant."

"At least they don't pose a threat to our lives."

From behind, Chang Wenjun's voice boomed, "You can't just abandon me. Help me!"

But Han Feng and Han Lin paid him no heed.

With a fierce snarl twisting his features, Chang Wenjun bellowed, "If I die, my Third Brother will never forgive you. You're as good as dead in the Family Trials!"

Despite Chang Wenjun's furious outcries, Han Feng and Han Lin remained unmoved.

After being forcefully kicked by Han Feng, Chang Wenjun had fallen back. His injuries slowed him down considerably.

At that moment, the One-Horned Wolf emerged behind the group.

"No!"

Chang Wenjun spun around, his face a mask of despair.

The One-Horned Wolf was already lunging, its jaws wide open, ready to clamp down on Chang Wenjun.