"The cave?" Xiang Yan arched an eyebrow, eyes sparkling with interest as he stared at Xiao Yi, smiling, "You were actually planning to go in just now, weren't you?" "Indeed," Xiao Yi glanced at Xiang Yan, who seemed eager to jump in, and said calmly, "I'll share this secret with you, but you'd better not try to claim everything for yourself. Otherwise, I won't let you get what's inside without a fight. Believe me—though my strength may not match yours, your mere Star Two Duelist rank isn't even particularly strong in Qingshan Town." Watching the serious expression on Xiao Yi's face, Xiang Yan chuckled, stroking his nose with a teasing tone, "I did intend to knock you out and go down myself. But seeing how confident you are, I've decided to keep my original plan—after all, better safe than sorry." At this, Xiao Yi gave a light sniff, glared at Xiang Yan with growing annoyance—she hadn't expected him to actually have such intentions. "Now, I'll give it a try." "Taking a step forward, Xiao Yan glanced at the unusually concealed strange tree area and turned to ask. "Well, we've only just come out, so if we don't return now, Mu Li will surely suspect something. Our herb-gathering team will stay overnight in the mountain range. How about we come tonight?" Shaking her head, Xiao Yisheng paused thoughtfully. "Mu Li—wasn't he the deputy commander of the Wolf-Head Mercenary Company?" "Yes." Nodding slightly, Xiao Yisheng clearly didn't want to speak much about him, glanced at Xiao Yan, and then softly asked, "What's your name?" "Xiao Yan." Nodding once, Xiao Yisheng said nothing further and turned to walk toward the outer edge of the forest. Gazing at the graceful silhouette slowly fading into the darkness, Xiao Yan shrugged and turned back, his eyes once again fixed on the隐约 mountain cave. Excited, he rubbed his hands together. While chatting with other mercenaries in Utan City, he had always been deeply interested in exploration and treasure hunting—had it not been for Xiao Yixian's request to stay with the group, he would have already left the party to seek adventure on his own. With a soft smile, Xiao Yan turned and walked toward the dense forest, never expecting that his casual stroll would unexpectedly land him on such a significant opportunity. "He's a guard among the mercenaries, someone I just happened to meet a moment ago." The young physician replied calmly, then softly said, "Mr. Mu Li, let's go—we're just a short distance from our destination." "Hmm, good." The young man known as Mr. Mu Li nodded warmly, stepping aside to let the physician pass. However, as Xiao Yan walked by, he suddenly extended his arm and stopped him. Frowning slightly, Xiao Yan turned to gaze at the handsome young captain, smiling, "Mr. Mu Li, is there something I can help with?" "Heh, I have no intention of being intrusive—shouldn't you be the young warrior with two-star rank? I've heard from my subordinates that you have excellent cultivation potential." Mr. Mu Li smiled gently and asked calmly. "Just lucky, that's all." Looking at Mu Li's seemingly composed expression, Xiao Yan replied with a quiet smile. "Would you be interested in joining the Wolf-Head Mercenary Corps?" Our company treats outstanding members like you very well—after all, in the World of Warcraft Mountains, one can face life-threatening dangers at any moment, and having someone to look after you is truly a blessing." Mu Li smiled, crossing his fingers. Listening to Mu Li's clearly persuasive words, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, shook his head, and smiled, "Sorry, I've always been a bit wild. If I join your company, I might bring quite a few troubles. Perhaps that will disappoint Mu Li少爷." "No problem at all," Mu Li waved off with a casual gesture, smiling. "Whenever you're ready, feel free to come to me. The higher positions at the Wolf's Head Company are always open to those with potential." With Xiao Yan's refusal, Mu Li seemed unconcerned. A touch of regret on his face, Xiao Yan stepped aside and joined the scattered group of soldiers ahead. Gazing at Xiao Yan merging into the crowd, Mu Li's eyes gradually narrowed, a subtle chill spreading through his pupils—clearly, Xiao Yan's refusal had not merely stirred annoyance, but truly ruffled the young lieutenant. "Kid, I hope you don't spoil my plans; otherwise, no matter what achievements you make in the future, I'll keep you permanently stationed in the Monster Mountains!" With his fingers tightly clenched, Mu Li's voice had lost its earlier warmth, now laced with a steady undercurrent of coldness. "Set up camp here, and be careful not to damage the medicinal herbs around." Wiping the sweat from her forehead, the young healer turned to the group and smiled gently. At her words, the surrounding mercenaries immediately responded with loud affirmations and began setting up their tents with great enthusiasm. Watching how diligently the mercenaries worked under the simple instruction of the healer, Xiao Yan silently admired, realizing that the woman held a status among them far higher than he had anticipated. Shaking his head slightly, he glanced at the healer now directing the herb-gathering team as they dug up the plants, then strolled off on his own through the basin. Due to certain reasons, the energy within this sunken area was notably denser and purer than that outside, which allowed the herbs to grow in bulk here. The basin was quite spacious, and its internal terrain had even eluded the exploration of the Wan Yao Zhai. The location where Xiao Yan and his companions now stood was merely on the outer edge of this vast basin. After wandering around the outer areas, Xiao Yan failed to find the medicinal herb he needed, and with a slightly disappointed shake of his head, he glanced at the dark interior before finally deciding to return. With his current strength, the perilous terrain of the Beast Mountains presented threats at every step. Upon returning to the campsite, the white tents had already been erected, and many mercenaries were busy preparing dinner. As he entered the camp, he immediately spotted the graceful young healer standing at the central position, with Mu Li closely following at her side. When Xiao Yan looked at the two, both the healer and Mu Li seemed to sense his presence and turned their gaze toward him as well. Their eyes met, yet the nuances in their expressions differed. With a warm smile, Xiao Yan nodded politely to both of them before turning and walking toward the interior of one of the tents. Staring at the fading figure of Xiao Yan, Mu Li smiled gently and said to Xiao Yishen, "Xiao Yan has an exceptional talent for cultivation. I'm certain he will achieve great things in the future." "Perhaps so," Xiao Yishen replied with a faint, composed smile, neither confirming nor denying. "I'll go to check on the medicinal supplies. Could you please help manage the order within the camp, Mu Li sir?" With a gentle smile, she nodded when Mu Li acknowledged her request, then proceeded toward a larger tent located in the central area. Gazing at the graceful silhouette, Mu Li slowly withdrew his gaze once the figure had disappeared from view, his hands lightly clenched, a somewhat strange, enigmatic smile playing at the corner of his lips. As the sky gradually darkened under the glow of the campfire, the mountains came into view, and the forest was enveloped in darkness. The branches and leaves swayed, as though countless fierce beasts with outstretched limbs and jaws were stirring. As night fell, the camp gradually grew still, save for the occasional crisp crack of wood burning in the flames. In the quiet darkness, a tent suddenly shifted slightly, and a dark, graceful figure slipped silently out, moving through the gap in the sentry line into the black forest. Not long after, a second shadow emerged from another tent, closely following the first. In the dense woods, distant wolf howls occasionally echoed, sending shivers down the spine. As the two figures moved—one ahead, one behind—faster and faster, they steadily drifted farther from the camp. In the dark, Xiao Yan raised his head slightly, gazing at the graceful figure ahead through the faint moonlight, a gentle smile forming on his lips, and hurried after her. "The treasure hunt has begun..." The subtle echoes of the youth's excitement slowly faded into the stillness of the night.