83 Cambrian Consciousness
After the five of them entered the villa, they were immediately hit by a strong stench and saw two severely decomposed corpses on the sofa inside. No one was in the mood to sleep in such an environment, so they decided to stay outside the villa for the night.
The nighttime temperature had dropped to below minus ten degrees Celsius, and sleeping on the ground was quite painful. The only thing they were grateful for was that they had obtained thicker sleeping bags in Chongqing. Otherwise, relying solely on their winter clothing would be insufficient. In another half a month, they would enter the deep winter season, and the climate would become even more torturous, especially since they had been heading north all along.
Abu was the most comfortable among them. Its thick fur allowed it to stay warm even in temperatures below freezing. Tang Yanqiu was also in a better condition. A layer of fine down-like feathers would grow underneath his feathers, providing excellent insulation. Combined with warm clothing, he barely felt the cold. Cong Xia could use energy to keep warm, but he usually hesitated to do so.
The one with the weakest resistance was Zhuang Yao. After all, he was underage and had a slender body. He would almost freeze and couldn't sleep at night. Cong Xia had no choice but to transfer energy into his body, causing his subcutaneous cells to generate heat. Only after Zhuang Yao's body warmed up, could he fall asleep.
While Zhuang Yao was asleep, Cheng Tianbi, who was on watch, asked, "How much energy does it consume for you to do this?"
Cong Xia replied, "Not much, much simpler than treating wounds."
"It seems like your cultivation is also effective."
"Yes, especially after becoming familiar with the second method, I feel that I have made much faster progress than before." Cong Xia tightened his down jacket, roasted the fire, and rubbed his hands. "As the energy storage in my body increases, the range of energy absorption and release is expanding. I am also trying to release energy on a larger scale. For example, if two of us are injured at the same time, I can treat both simultaneously. In a battlefield where every second counts, I must possess this ability."
Cheng Tianbi nodded. "Releasing energy on a larger scale may result in energy wastage. You need to learn to control it."
"I understand. It's already showing some results now." Cong Xia smiled at him and quietly infused energy into Cheng Tianbi's body. "Can you feel it?"
Cheng Tianbi suddenly felt a warm current appear in his body, instantly spreading throughout his entire body. Except for his fingertips and toe tips, which remained cold, most parts of his body became significantly warmer.
Cheng Tianbi said, "Alright, don't waste your energy."
Cong Xia said calmly, saying, "It's not a waste. I don't want you to freeze."
That energy lingered in Cheng Tianbi's torso for a while before dispersing. Some of it flowed into his feet, gradually restoring sensation to his numb feet.
Cong Xia smiled and said, "When your feet are warm, your body will feel warm."
Cheng Tianbi understood the hardships of cultivation and didn't want Cong Xia to waste unnecessary energy on him. "Alright."
"It's okay. You can help me see how long this energy can last."
Cheng Tianbi looked at Cong Xia's stiff fingers, wanting to say something, but in the end, he didn't. He simply said, "You should go to sleep too."
Cong Xia glanced at the time. "It's time to change the night watch. You should sleep, and I'll stay awake for two hours."
Cheng Tianbi patted his head and commanded, "Go to sleep."
"Then wake me up later," Cong Xia said. He was about to crawl into his sleeping bag when he suddenly sensed an energy fluctuation approaching from outside the villa. He turned abruptly in that direction.
Cheng Tianbi became alert. "What's wrong?"
Cong Xia said, "I sense something..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Cheng Tianbi also felt it. He grabbed his gun and stood up, kicking Tang Yanqiu's sleeping bag and whispering, "Everyone, wake up."
Tang Yanqiu, who had a light sleep, quickly climbed out of his sleeping bag and woke up Liu Fengyu and Zhuang Yao. Tang Yanqiu held his longbow and stood back to back with Cheng Tianbi.
The energy fluctuation drew closer, and they could sense that there were at least seven or eight approaching entities, moving quickly. After a while, several dark figures appeared outside the iron gate of the villa. Abu roared towards the shadows.
The lighting was too dim, and the others couldn't see clearly what the things were, but they could tell that there were seven or eight dog-like creatures with four hooves.
Tang Yanqiu's vision had also evolved, but his night vision wasn't much better. He raised his bow, aiming at the tallest silhouette, but he wasn't confident he could hit it accurately.
The seven or eight figures darted around in place and took cover behind obstacles, displaying remarkably agile movements.
"It seems like... hyenas," Cong Xia said. He instantly enhanced his vision and saw the appearance of those creatures. The largest one was over two meters long, while the others were around one meter. They had slender bodies, agile movements, and resembled dogs. Hyenas were a species of wild dogs, and the type he saw was the weakest in terms of attacking power. Cong Xia remembered it because hyenas were relatively common in mainland China.
"Hyenas... They shouldn't be native to Shaanxi. Could they be from a zoo?" Zhuang Yao whispered.
"Maybe, not sure if they are hyenas, but they're definitely wild dogs," Cong Xia replied.
Cheng Tianbi raised his gun and fired a shot at a garbage bin where one of the hyenas was hiding. The gunshot in the dark night was particularly impactful. With a loud bang, the garbage bin was pierced with a large hole, and the hyena quickly leaped away.
Tang Yanqiu flew up and stood on the outer wall of the villa, shooting an arrow at one of the shadows.
The best way to deal with animals is to scare them away with strength, thus minimizing the need for actual combat.
All the hyenas cowered behind cover, and their bestial eyes glowed brightly in the dark.
"Are they observing us?" Liu Fengyu furrowed his brow.
"They might be looking for an opportunity to attack," Tang Yanqiu replied.
Tang Yanqiu kept his eyes on the hyenas, unaware of their intentions. He didn't notice that a slender hyena was silently approaching him along the outer wall of the villa, its figure blending into the darkness.
Suddenly, the largest hyena let out a howl, diverting everyone's attention. At the same time, the small hyena sprang up, leaping two meters high, and viciously pounced on Tang Yanqiu.
By the time Tang Yanqiu caught sight of the hyena, its sharp teeth were dangerously close.
Tang Yanqiu instinctively raised his hand, intending to block with the bow handle. But he remembered something and abruptly stopped his action in mid-air. Instead, he thrust his arm into the hyena's mouth.
Tang Yanqiu grunted as he quickly shifted his body backward, but being attacked by the hyena caused him to lose his balance, and both he and the hyena fell off the wall.
Gunshots rang out again, and Cheng Tianbi's precise marksmanship pierced through the hyena's head.
Tang Yanqiu landed heavily on the ground, and the hyena convulsed and struggled for a few moments before taking its last breath. However, its teeth remained firmly clenched around Tang Yanqiu's forearm.
Everyone rushed over, and Cheng Tianbi forcefully pried open the hyena's jaws, then dragged Tang Yanqiu away.
At that moment, the other hyenas hiding in the shadows retreated.
Tang Yanqiu took a deep breath, dropped the ancient bow on the ground, and saw four bloody wounds on his arm.
Liu Fengyu cursed, "Are you fucking stupid? You didn't use that thick bow and used your own arm instead."
Tang Yanqiu sighed, "I can't let it be damaged in my hands."
The wounds were somewhat deep, and the bleeding wouldn't stop. Cong Xia thought about using the energy from the hyena to heal Tang Yanqiu, but then he suddenly realized something. "This is just an ordinary hyena, not a mutant. No wonder we couldn't sense the energy fluctuation and got ambushed by it."
After treating Tang Yanqiu's injured arm, he carefully examined the non-mutated wolf. "Indeed, it hasn't undergone any mutations, and its size hasn't changed much. So, does that mean they planned it? Using seven or eight mutated wolves to divert our attention while letting one non-mutated wolf approach us in secret for an ambush."
Zhuang Yao said, "There's only one explanation: there's a human hybrid among them, probably the largest one."
Cong Xia shook her head and said, "That must be it. But what could be the purpose of sending that wolf to ambush us? To test our abilities?"
"Perhaps, just like Zhang Mao used eagles and crows to test us. Except this wolf hybrid is much smarter than Zhang Mao," replied Tang Yanqiu, feeling apologetic. "Cong Xia, I'm sorry for making you waste your energy on me..."
Interrupting his words, Cong Xia patted his shoulder and smiled. "Don't worry about it. That bow is your family heirloom. If it were me, I would have bitten the bullet and fed my own arm. My energy can be restored, but damaged materials can't."
Only then did Tang Yanqiu feel relieved, as he gently caressed his beloved bow.
Liu Fengyu smirked, saying, "Well, it's your arm, not ours, so we're not in pain."
The group gathered around the campfire, devoid of sleepiness.
Zhuang Yao scribbled and doodled on the ground with a stick, saying, "There are two possibilities for this matter: either we are being targeted by a group of wolves, or we are being watched by an organization that possesses these wolves. I lean towards the latter. Relying solely on these seven or eight wolves, they wouldn't stand a chance against us. If there are humans among them, they would be aware of this issue. Furthermore, a wolf-human hybrid would still possess human consciousness, and humans wouldn't willingly live entirely among animals. Therefore, it's likely that some organization sent these wolves to sacrifice one non-mutated wolf and test our capabilities."
"It's probably some local faction in Hanzhong," Cong Xia said with a bitter smile. "It's like we're on a Journey to the West, facing hardships in every place we go. In the early stages, our dangers came from mutated animals, but now that the threat from mutated animals has decreased, mutant human organizations are rising, and they've started fighting amongst themselves."
Zhuang Yao pondered and said, "That's the inevitable trend. Tomorrow morning, we'll search for supplies in the city. Let's stick together and search as a group. If we can't find anything useful, we should leave as soon as possible. The resources here won't be as abundant as in Xi'an. Our gasoline should be enough to get us there. Honestly... I have a bad feeling about this."
"What is it?" asked Cong Xia.
Zhuang Yao spoke in a serious tone, "We're relatively close to Chengdu from here. It won't take long for flying birds to reach us. I still feel that we haven't completely escaped the pursuit of the Eagle Corps. We spared Zhang Mao's life to show our sincerity, but Zhang Qian, that person is even more ruthless and greedy than we imagined. There's no guarantee that he won't catch up to us."
"I suggest we leave now," Chen Tianbi said.
Zhuang Yao narrowed his eyes. "Now? Are you suggesting...?"
"That's right. I've made up my mind. We won't go to Luoyang; we'll head straight for Beijing. Therefore, there's no need for us to stay here. We'll resupply in Xi'an instead."
Originally, they entered Hanzhong because they anticipated going to Luoyang and needed to prepare for dual resupply between here and Xi'an. But if they're not going to Luoyang, they can simply leave following the highway without entering the city.
Zhuang Yao shook his head, disappointment and a hint of sarcasm in his eyes. "Well, since you've decided, I believe no one will object. We'll do as you say. We won't go to Luoyang; we'll head straight for Beijing." He stood up. "So let's not waste any more time. We'll leave here overnight."
The group began packing their belongings.
Cong Xia finished organizing his things and cooking utensils. He noticed Zhuang Yao using a regular-sized cat comb to groom Abu's fur on his leg. At this rate, it would take him a month to comb through all of Abu's fur, but it seemed to have become a habitual action for Zhuang Yao when he was lost in thought.
He walked up to Zhuang Yao and whispered, "Zhuang Yao, don't be emotional. Tianbi made this decision for the safety of all of us."
Zhuang Yao glanced at him. "Do you really think so?"
Cong Xia paused for a moment. "What do you mean by that?" Then he became serious. "Zhuang Yao, I know you're smarter than all of us combined. Your ability to manipulate people through words and telepathic suggestions can easily make others believe anything. But no matter what you want to say, never try to sow discord between Tianbi and me. We've lived and faced death together on this journey. I trust him."
Zhuang Yao chuckled mockingly. "I didn't intend to sow discord among you. Don't overthink it."
"Then what are you trying to say? Yes, I know you want to go to Luoyang. You want to obtain the Puppet Jade, and to be honest, we all do. But unlike you, we're not so confident in the team's strength. I'm afraid that being so close to Beijing, we might end up failing at the last hurdle. Just think about it. Luoyang isn't far from Beijing. Why don't we wait until we reach Beijing, settle down, and if we really find it necessary to obtain the Puppet Jade at that time, Abu can bring us to Luoyang in a single day. It's not too late then."
"It's too late." Zhuang Yao lifted his head, his eyes cold and filled with the wise tension of profound wisdom. "During this period, I've been thinking. If Beijing is really as wonderful as we imagine, why hasn't the Bat Person gone there? Zhang Qian and his subordinates can fly, so why haven't they gone? Considering the information we've gathered, I'm 80% certain that Beijing is more dangerous than any place we've passed through. And the source of this danger is most likely the Puppet Jade. The people brought by the Bat Person mentioned that the Puppet Jade has sparked numerous battles. Beijing is sending people everywhere to collect it. The Puppet Jade is both a blessing and a curse, but one thing is certain: it can make us stronger. And because the Puppet Jade can make people stronger, there must be many mutated individuals and animals enhanced by the Puppet Jade in and around Beijing. If we go there, we may become the weak ones. Do you want to become weak? I don't. Since our destination is Beijing, we need to have the ability to survive there. We need to take the lead, occupy the position of strength. Without the Puppet Jade, we've lost our advantage from the beginning."
Zhuang Yao's words hit Cong Xia with a profound impact. He knew very well that Zhuang Yao had a persuasive way of speaking, and yet he couldn't help but be swayed by his words each time. Zhuang Yao's considerations weren't without reason, and it was precisely because of this that Cong Xia felt especially concerned.
He whispered, "These are all speculations for now, but I also believe that it's not suitable for us to go to Luoyang at the moment. Like you said, the people around us have been strengthened by the Puppet Jade, so the Bat Person and his team must be very powerful as well. If we rush there, what if we can't make it back?"
"That's why I wanted to seize their piece of the Puppet Jade. They lack two things: natural force manipulators and cerebral domain evolvers, and Beijing is where these people gather. This might be our only chance to obtain the Puppet Jade with the minimum cost. But now, it's useless to say anything. If you all don't want to go, I can't force you."
Cong Xia furrowed his brow. "Then what did you mean by that statement earlier?"
Zhuang Yao smiled calmly, "Weren't you worried that I was trying to sow discord?"
Cong Xia honestly replied, "Whatever you say won't affect my trust in you or in Tianbi. But it does make me afraid when you hide things from me."
Zhuang Yao set the cat comb aside and used his fingers to groom Abu's fur instead. "But you don't fully believe what I say, do you?"
"I've heard your words, and some of them hold weight. But I will judge for myself," Cong Xia said.
Zhuang Yao glanced in Tianbi's direction and chuckled lightly before dropping a bombshell. "I suspect that Tianbi was a member of the scientific expedition team that went to Golmud."
Cong Xia's body trembled, and he stared straight at Zhuang Yao.
"Moreover, his mission must be related to the earthquake, or even bolder speculation, related to the Puppet Jade. That scientific expedition team went specifically for the Puppet Jade, right? If we make this inference, it's highly plausible that Tianbi's mission is related to the Puppet Jade as well. Don't you agree?" Zhuang Yao said.
Cong Xia's face turned grim. "It's true that the earthquake is related to the Puppet Jade, and it's almost certain that the scientific expedition team had a connection to it. But how do you speculate that Tianbi was a member of the expedition team?"
"There are some details that I've mentioned, but you wouldn't understand because you're not a cerebral domain evolver. However, if you consider the timing of his appearance, don't you find it quite coincidental?" Zhuang Yao looked at him sharply.
"That scientific expedition team disappeared in Qinghai, and they most likely all perished. There's no way they could have any connection with Tianbi," Cong Xia argued.
"What if Tianbi left Qinghai early to escape that disaster?" Zhuang Yao's gaze was piercing.
Cong Xia clenched his fists. "Zhuang Yao, unless you provide me with reliable evidence, I can't believe this."
Zhuang Yao tilted his head. Despite his childish and adorable face, a wisdom beyond his age emanated from him. "Why don't you go and ask him?"
"It's impossible," Cong Xia's voice was sharp. "I won't ask, and I have no right to inquire."
Zhuang Yao said, "That's all I have to say. I don't care whether you believe me or not. Anyway, the decision has been made. Let's focus all our energy on how to reach Beijing quickly."
Cong Xia turned and walked away, afraid that he would be unable to resist asking more questions if he stayed with Zhuang Yao.
Zhuang Yao had planted seeds of doubt in his mind. Some things didn't need to be explicitly stated; just sowing a few seeds could make them take root and sprout. Cong Xia was well aware of this, which was why he couldn't believe Zhuang Yao's words alone. In his view, Zhuang Yao would never easily accept his plans being changed. Zhuang Yao might not say anything, but he was surely planning how to make Tianbi change his mind. And for someone as resolute as Tianbi to change his mind, Cong Xia was the best point of entry.
He couldn't let himself be manipulated by Zhuang Yao. Even if Zhuang Yao's speculations were true, Tianbi had sufficient reasons not to go to Luoyang. From a safety perspective alone, Cong Xia supported Tianbi's decision.
Cong Xia felt a headache coming on. Comparing his intellectual prowess with Zhuang Yao was like comparing combat abilities with Tianbi—he would undoubtedly be thoroughly defeated. Despite this, he still had to give his all and resist Zhuang Yao's "brainwashing."
Tianbi approached and cast a cold glance at Zhuang Yao before whispering, "What did he say to you?"
Cong Xia clenched his fist secretly and replied, "He's dissatisfied with our decision not to go to Luoyang. I tried to reassure him, saying that your decision is for our own good." It was the first time he had hidden something from Tianbi, which made him feel guilty.
Tianbi didn't suspect anything. "Don't mind him. He won't give up easily. Be careful not to be manipulated by him."
"I understand."
Tianbi pondered for a moment. "Actually, many of Zhuang Yao's considerations make sense. When we arrive in Beijing, we might face formidable forces. You could say that going to Luoyang is right, but not going is also right. What I'm currently concerned about is our insufficient strength. It's better to go to Beijing first. Once we're there, with Professor Cong's help, we won't be at Zhuang Yao's mercy. The things cerebral domain evolvers contemplate go much deeper than we can comprehend. Only another cerebral domain evolver can assist us in that regard."
Cong Xia nodded. "You're right. I also think we should go to Beijing first. After all, Luoyang isn't far from there, and if it's really necessary, we can go there later."
Tianbi looked at Cong Xia and said seriously, "I have one more task, and that is to bring you safely back to Beijing."
Cong Xia smiled. "I remember."
The group packed their belongings and left the villa, planning to return to the highway and leave the area as soon as possible, heading straight for Xi'an.
From a distance, a pair of round, bright cat-like eyes watched their every move.
83 Cambrian Consciousness
After the five of them entered the villa, they were immediately hit by a strong stench and saw two severely decomposed corpses on the sofa inside. No one was in the mood to sleep in such an environment, so they decided to stay outside the villa for the night.
The nighttime temperature had dropped to below minus ten degrees Celsius, and sleeping on the ground was quite painful. The only thing they were grateful for was that they had obtained thicker sleeping bags in Chongqing. Otherwise, relying solely on their winter clothing would be insufficient. In another half a month, they would enter the deep winter season, and the climate would become even more torturous, especially since they had been heading north all along.
Abu was the most comfortable among them. Its thick fur allowed it to stay warm even in temperatures below freezing. Tang Yanqiu was also in a better condition. A layer of fine down-like feathers would grow underneath his feathers, providing excellent insulation. Combined with warm clothing, he barely felt the cold. Cong Xia could use energy to keep warm, but he usually hesitated to do so.
The one with the weakest resistance was Zhuang Yao. After all, he was underage and had a slender body. He would almost freeze and couldn't sleep at night. Cong Xia had no choice but to transfer energy into his body, causing his subcutaneous cells to generate heat. Only after Zhuang Yao's body warmed up, could he fall asleep.
While Zhuang Yao was asleep, Cheng Tianbi, who was on watch, asked, "How much energy does it consume for you to do this?"
Cong Xia replied, "Not much, much simpler than treating wounds."
"It seems like your cultivation is also effective."
"Yes, especially after becoming familiar with the second method, I feel that I have made much faster progress than before." Cong Xia tightened his down jacket, roasted the fire, and rubbed his hands. "As the energy storage in my body increases, the range of energy absorption and release is expanding. I am also trying to release energy on a larger scale. For example, if two of us are injured at the same time, I can treat both simultaneously. In a battlefield where every second counts, I must possess this ability."
Cheng Tianbi nodded. "Releasing energy on a larger scale may result in energy wastage. You need to learn to control it."
"I understand. It's already showing some results now." Cong Xia smiled at him and quietly infused energy into Cheng Tianbi's body. "Can you feel it?"
Cheng Tianbi suddenly felt a warm current appear in his body, instantly spreading throughout his entire body. Except for his fingertips and toe tips, which remained cold, most parts of his body became significantly warmer.
Cheng Tianbi said, "Alright, don't waste your energy."
Cong Xia said calmly, saying, "It's not a waste. I don't want you to freeze."
That energy lingered in Cheng Tianbi's torso for a while before dispersing. Some of it flowed into his feet, gradually restoring sensation to his numb feet.
Cong Xia smiled and said, "When your feet are warm, your body will feel warm."
Cheng Tianbi understood the hardships of cultivation and didn't want Cong Xia to waste unnecessary energy on him. "Alright."
"It's okay. You can help me see how long this energy can last."
Cheng Tianbi looked at Cong Xia's stiff fingers, wanting to say something, but in the end, he didn't. He simply said, "You should go to sleep too."
Cong Xia glanced at the time. "It's time to change the night watch. You should sleep, and I'll stay awake for two hours."
Cheng Tianbi patted his head and commanded, "Go to sleep."
"Then wake me up later," Cong Xia said. He was about to crawl into his sleeping bag when he suddenly sensed an energy fluctuation approaching from outside the villa. He turned abruptly in that direction.
Cheng Tianbi became alert. "What's wrong?"
Cong Xia said, "I sense something..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Cheng Tianbi also felt it. He grabbed his gun and stood up, kicking Tang Yanqiu's sleeping bag and whispering, "Everyone, wake up."
Tang Yanqiu, who had a light sleep, quickly climbed out of his sleeping bag and woke up Liu Fengyu and Zhuang Yao. Tang Yanqiu held his longbow and stood back to back with Cheng Tianbi.
The energy fluctuation drew closer, and they could sense that there were at least seven or eight approaching entities, moving quickly. After a while, several dark figures appeared outside the iron gate of the villa. Abu roared towards the shadows.
The lighting was too dim, and the others couldn't see clearly what the things were, but they could tell that there were seven or eight dog-like creatures with four hooves.
Tang Yanqiu's vision had also evolved, but his night vision wasn't much better. He raised his bow, aiming at the tallest silhouette, but he wasn't confident he could hit it accurately.
The seven or eight figures darted around in place and took cover behind obstacles, displaying remarkably agile movements.
"It seems like... hyenas," Cong Xia said. He instantly enhanced his vision and saw the appearance of those creatures. The largest one was over two meters long, while the others were around one meter. They had slender bodies, agile movements, and resembled dogs. Hyenas were a species of wild dogs, and the type he saw was the weakest in terms of attacking power. Cong Xia remembered it because hyenas were relatively common in mainland China.
"Hyenas... They shouldn't be native to Shaanxi. Could they be from a zoo?" Zhuang Yao whispered.
"Maybe, not sure if they are hyenas, but they're definitely wild dogs," Cong Xia replied.
Cheng Tianbi raised his gun and fired a shot at a garbage bin where one of the hyenas was hiding. The gunshot in the dark night was particularly impactful. With a loud bang, the garbage bin was pierced with a large hole, and the hyena quickly leaped away.
Tang Yanqiu flew up and stood on the outer wall of the villa, shooting an arrow at one of the shadows.
The best way to deal with animals is to scare them away with strength, thus minimizing the need for actual combat.
All the hyenas cowered behind cover, and their bestial eyes glowed brightly in the dark.
"Are they observing us?" Liu Fengyu furrowed his brow.
"They might be looking for an opportunity to attack," Tang Yanqiu replied.
Tang Yanqiu kept his eyes on the hyenas, unaware of their intentions. He didn't notice that a slender hyena was silently approaching him along the outer wall of the villa, its figure blending into the darkness.
Suddenly, the largest hyena let out a howl, diverting everyone's attention. At the same time, the small hyena sprang up, leaping two meters high, and viciously pounced on Tang Yanqiu.
By the time Tang Yanqiu caught sight of the hyena, its sharp teeth were dangerously close.
Tang Yanqiu instinctively raised his hand, intending to block with the bow handle. But he remembered something and abruptly stopped his action in mid-air. Instead, he thrust his arm into the hyena's mouth.
Tang Yanqiu grunted as he quickly shifted his body backward, but being attacked by the hyena caused him to lose his balance, and both he and the hyena fell off the wall.
Gunshots rang out again, and Cheng Tianbi's precise marksmanship pierced through the hyena's head.
Tang Yanqiu landed heavily on the ground, and the hyena convulsed and struggled for a few moments before taking its last breath. However, its teeth remained firmly clenched around Tang Yanqiu's forearm.
Everyone rushed over, and Cheng Tianbi forcefully pried open the hyena's jaws, then dragged Tang Yanqiu away.
At that moment, the other hyenas hiding in the shadows retreated.
Tang Yanqiu took a deep breath, dropped the ancient bow on the ground, and saw four bloody wounds on his arm.
Liu Fengyu cursed, "Are you fucking stupid? You didn't use that thick bow and used your own arm instead."
Tang Yanqiu sighed, "I can't let it be damaged in my hands."
The wounds were somewhat deep, and the bleeding wouldn't stop. Cong Xia thought about using the energy from the hyena to heal Tang Yanqiu, but then he suddenly realized something. "This is just an ordinary hyena, not a mutant. No wonder we couldn't sense the energy fluctuation and got ambushed by it."
After treating Tang Yanqiu's injured arm, he carefully examined the non-mutated wolf. "Indeed, it hasn't undergone any mutations, and its size hasn't changed much. So, does that mean they planned it? Using seven or eight mutated wolves to divert our attention while letting one non-mutated wolf approach us in secret for an ambush."
Zhuang Yao said, "There's only one explanation: there's a human hybrid among them, probably the largest one."
Cong Xia shook her head and said, "That must be it. But what could be the purpose of sending that wolf to ambush us? To test our abilities?"
"Perhaps, just like Zhang Mao used eagles and crows to test us. Except this wolf hybrid is much smarter than Zhang Mao," replied Tang Yanqiu, feeling apologetic. "Cong Xia, I'm sorry for making you waste your energy on me..."
Interrupting his words, Cong Xia patted his shoulder and smiled. "Don't worry about it. That bow is your family heirloom. If it were me, I would have bitten the bullet and fed my own arm. My energy can be restored, but damaged materials can't."
Only then did Tang Yanqiu feel relieved, as he gently caressed his beloved bow.
Liu Fengyu smirked, saying, "Well, it's your arm, not ours, so we're not in pain."
The group gathered around the campfire, devoid of sleepiness.
Zhuang Yao scribbled and doodled on the ground with a stick, saying, "There are two possibilities for this matter: either we are being targeted by a group of wolves, or we are being watched by an organization that possesses these wolves. I lean towards the latter. Relying solely on these seven or eight wolves, they wouldn't stand a chance against us. If there are humans among them, they would be aware of this issue. Furthermore, a wolf-human hybrid would still possess human consciousness, and humans wouldn't willingly live entirely among animals. Therefore, it's likely that some organization sent these wolves to sacrifice one non-mutated wolf and test our capabilities."
"It's probably some local faction in Hanzhong," Cong Xia said with a bitter smile. "It's like we're on a Journey to the West, facing hardships in every place we go. In the early stages, our dangers came from mutated animals, but now that the threat from mutated animals has decreased, mutant human organizations are rising, and they've started fighting amongst themselves."
Zhuang Yao pondered and said, "That's the inevitable trend. Tomorrow morning, we'll search for supplies in the city. Let's stick together and search as a group. If we can't find anything useful, we should leave as soon as possible. The resources here won't be as abundant as in Xi'an. Our gasoline should be enough to get us there. Honestly... I have a bad feeling about this."
"What is it?" asked Cong Xia.
Zhuang Yao spoke in a serious tone, "We're relatively close to Chengdu from here. It won't take long for flying birds to reach us. I still feel that we haven't completely escaped the pursuit of the Eagle Corps. We spared Zhang Mao's life to show our sincerity, but Zhang Qian, that person is even more ruthless and greedy than we imagined. There's no guarantee that he won't catch up to us."
"I suggest we leave now," Chen Tianbi said.
Zhuang Yao narrowed his eyes. "Now? Are you suggesting...?"
"That's right. I've made up my mind. We won't go to Luoyang; we'll head straight for Beijing. Therefore, there's no need for us to stay here. We'll resupply in Xi'an instead."
Originally, they entered Hanzhong because they anticipated going to Luoyang and needed to prepare for dual resupply between here and Xi'an. But if they're not going to Luoyang, they can simply leave following the highway without entering the city.
Zhuang Yao shook his head, disappointment and a hint of sarcasm in his eyes. "Well, since you've decided, I believe no one will object. We'll do as you say. We won't go to Luoyang; we'll head straight for Beijing." He stood up. "So let's not waste any more time. We'll leave here overnight."
The group began packing their belongings.
Cong Xia finished organizing his things and cooking utensils. He noticed Zhuang Yao using a regular-sized cat comb to groom Abu's fur on his leg. At this rate, it would take him a month to comb through all of Abu's fur, but it seemed to have become a habitual action for Zhuang Yao when he was lost in thought.
He walked up to Zhuang Yao and whispered, "Zhuang Yao, don't be emotional. Tianbi made this decision for the safety of all of us."
Zhuang Yao glanced at him. "Do you really think so?"
Cong Xia paused for a moment. "What do you mean by that?" Then he became serious. "Zhuang Yao, I know you're smarter than all of us combined. Your ability to manipulate people through words and telepathic suggestions can easily make others believe anything. But no matter what you want to say, never try to sow discord between Tianbi and me. We've lived and faced death together on this journey. I trust him."
Zhuang Yao chuckled mockingly. "I didn't intend to sow discord among you. Don't overthink it."
"Then what are you trying to say? Yes, I know you want to go to Luoyang. You want to obtain the Puppet Jade, and to be honest, we all do. But unlike you, we're not so confident in the team's strength. I'm afraid that being so close to Beijing, we might end up failing at the last hurdle. Just think about it. Luoyang isn't far from Beijing. Why don't we wait until we reach Beijing, settle down, and if we really find it necessary to obtain the Puppet Jade at that time, Abu can bring us to Luoyang in a single day. It's not too late then."
"It's too late." Zhuang Yao lifted his head, his eyes cold and filled with the wise tension of profound wisdom. "During this period, I've been thinking. If Beijing is really as wonderful as we imagine, why hasn't the Bat Person gone there? Zhang Qian and his subordinates can fly, so why haven't they gone? Considering the information we've gathered, I'm 80% certain that Beijing is more dangerous than any place we've passed through. And the source of this danger is most likely the Puppet Jade. The people brought by the Bat Person mentioned that the Puppet Jade has sparked numerous battles. Beijing is sending people everywhere to collect it. The Puppet Jade is both a blessing and a curse, but one thing is certain: it can make us stronger. And because the Puppet Jade can make people stronger, there must be many mutated individuals and animals enhanced by the Puppet Jade in and around Beijing. If we go there, we may become the weak ones. Do you want to become weak? I don't. Since our destination is Beijing, we need to have the ability to survive there. We need to take the lead, occupy the position of strength. Without the Puppet Jade, we've lost our advantage from the beginning."
Zhuang Yao's words hit Cong Xia with a profound impact. He knew very well that Zhuang Yao had a persuasive way of speaking, and yet he couldn't help but be swayed by his words each time. Zhuang Yao's considerations weren't without reason, and it was precisely because of this that Cong Xia felt especially concerned.
He whispered, "These are all speculations for now, but I also believe that it's not suitable for us to go to Luoyang at the moment. Like you said, the people around us have been strengthened by the Puppet Jade, so the Bat Person and his team must be very powerful as well. If we rush there, what if we can't make it back?"
"That's why I wanted to seize their piece of the Puppet Jade. They lack two things: natural force manipulators and cerebral domain evolvers, and Beijing is where these people gather. This might be our only chance to obtain the Puppet Jade with the minimum cost. But now, it's useless to say anything. If you all don't want to go, I can't force you."
Cong Xia furrowed his brow. "Then what did you mean by that statement earlier?"
Zhuang Yao smiled calmly, "Weren't you worried that I was trying to sow discord?"
Cong Xia honestly replied, "Whatever you say won't affect my trust in you or in Tianbi. But it does make me afraid when you hide things from me."
Zhuang Yao set the cat comb aside and used his fingers to groom Abu's fur instead. "But you don't fully believe what I say, do you?"
"I've heard your words, and some of them hold weight. But I will judge for myself," Cong Xia said.
Zhuang Yao glanced in Tianbi's direction and chuckled lightly before dropping a bombshell. "I suspect that Tianbi was a member of the scientific expedition team that went to Golmud."
Cong Xia's body trembled, and he stared straight at Zhuang Yao.
"Moreover, his mission must be related to the earthquake, or even bolder speculation, related to the Puppet Jade. That scientific expedition team went specifically for the Puppet Jade, right? If we make this inference, it's highly plausible that Tianbi's mission is related to the Puppet Jade as well. Don't you agree?" Zhuang Yao said.
Cong Xia's face turned grim. "It's true that the earthquake is related to the Puppet Jade, and it's almost certain that the scientific expedition team had a connection to it. But how do you speculate that Tianbi was a member of the expedition team?"
"There are some details that I've mentioned, but you wouldn't understand because you're not a cerebral domain evolver. However, if you consider the timing of his appearance, don't you find it quite coincidental?" Zhuang Yao looked at him sharply.
"That scientific expedition team disappeared in Qinghai, and they most likely all perished. There's no way they could have any connection with Tianbi," Cong Xia argued.
"What if Tianbi left Qinghai early to escape that disaster?" Zhuang Yao's gaze was piercing.
Cong Xia clenched his fists. "Zhuang Yao, unless you provide me with reliable evidence, I can't believe this."
Zhuang Yao tilted his head. Despite his childish and adorable face, a wisdom beyond his age emanated from him. "Why don't you go and ask him?"
"It's impossible," Cong Xia's voice was sharp. "I won't ask, and I have no right to inquire."
Zhuang Yao said, "That's all I have to say. I don't care whether you believe me or not. Anyway, the decision has been made. Let's focus all our energy on how to reach Beijing quickly."
Cong Xia turned and walked away, afraid that he would be unable to resist asking more questions if he stayed with Zhuang Yao.
Zhuang Yao had planted seeds of doubt in his mind. Some things didn't need to be explicitly stated; just sowing a few seeds could make them take root and sprout. Cong Xia was well aware of this, which was why he couldn't believe Zhuang Yao's words alone. In his view, Zhuang Yao would never easily accept his plans being changed. Zhuang Yao might not say anything, but he was surely planning how to make Tianbi change his mind. And for someone as resolute as Tianbi to change his mind, Cong Xia was the best point of entry.
He couldn't let himself be manipulated by Zhuang Yao. Even if Zhuang Yao's speculations were true, Tianbi had sufficient reasons not to go to Luoyang. From a safety perspective alone, Cong Xia supported Tianbi's decision.
Cong Xia felt a headache coming on. Comparing his intellectual prowess with Zhuang Yao was like comparing combat abilities with Tianbi—he would undoubtedly be thoroughly defeated. Despite this, he still had to give his all and resist Zhuang Yao's "brainwashing."
Tianbi approached and cast a cold glance at Zhuang Yao before whispering, "What did he say to you?"
Cong Xia clenched his fist secretly and replied, "He's dissatisfied with our decision not to go to Luoyang. I tried to reassure him, saying that your decision is for our own good." It was the first time he had hidden something from Tianbi, which made him feel guilty.
Tianbi didn't suspect anything. "Don't mind him. He won't give up easily. Be careful not to be manipulated by him."
"I understand."
Tianbi pondered for a moment. "Actually, many of Zhuang Yao's considerations make sense. When we arrive in Beijing, we might face formidable forces. You could say that going to Luoyang is right, but not going is also right. What I'm currently concerned about is our insufficient strength. It's better to go to Beijing first. Once we're there, with Professor Cong's help, we won't be at Zhuang Yao's mercy. The things cerebral domain evolvers contemplate go much deeper than we can comprehend. Only another cerebral domain evolver can assist us in that regard."
Cong Xia nodded. "You're right. I also think we should go to Beijing first. After all, Luoyang isn't far from there, and if it's really necessary, we can go there later."
Tianbi looked at Cong Xia and said seriously, "I have one more task, and that is to bring you safely back to Beijing."
Cong Xia smiled. "I remember."
The group packed their belongings and left the villa, planning to return to the highway and leave the area as soon as possible, heading straight for Xi'an.
From a distance, a pair of round, bright cat-like eyes watched their every move.
