Having moved away from the confrontation with the giant python, Yang Yi and the others had turned onto a different path, walking for several hours until nightfall descended.

"The sky is starting to darken. We should find a relatively high spot to set up camp and rest," Yang Yi stated calmly.

"Agreed!"

Everyone understood that once night fell, navigating the mountain trails would become significantly harder. Even though they had changed routes, there was still no guarantee that other predatory animals wouldn't appear. Especially since Instructor Li and Instructor Chen had both warned that wolves roamed this forest. Although this was Yang Yi's first experience with wilderness survival, having endured many hardships, he paid little mind to such matters.

After setting up the tents, the three women sat on one side. Yang Yi looked at Lin Wen, seemingly understanding what the other man intended, and said, "Let's go look for some firewood nearby."

"Okay!" Lin Wen nodded, then turned to the three girls, saying, "You three stay here and don't wander off. We'll be back soon."

"No!" Fang Yunyun, speaking up first, shouted at Lin Wen as he prepared to leave, "Lin Wen, I'm scared."

"This..." Lin Wen hesitated.

Yang Yi glanced over, judging that the girl's fear was not unreasonable, and said, "How about this: I'll go alone. It's better to leave one man here."

"I'll go with you."

Suddenly, the words caused everyone present to freeze, as both Xuanyuan Bing and Shangguan Yunmeng spoke in unison.

"Uh, why don't you two go then? Be careful," Shangguan Yunmeng said, smoothing things over after her moment of shock.

Xuanyuan Bing looked at her curiously but said nothing, walking over to Yang Yi and saying, "Yi, let's go."

"Mm!" Yang Yi was also surprised by Shangguan Yunmeng's reaction, but if they didn't find firewood soon, it might genuinely become prey time for wolf packs once it got darker.

After Yang Yi and Xuanyuan Bing departed, only Shangguan Yunmeng and the others remained. Shangguan Yunmeng gently closed her eyes, seemingly deep in thought, or perhaps deliberately ignoring everything related to the pair. Indeed, the situation clearly suggested that Lin Wen and Fang Yunyun were a couple; otherwise, Lin Wen wouldn't have shown such consistent care for Fang Yunyun on their journey.

"Yi, about that giant python this afternoon?" Xuanyuan Bing asked Yang Yi as she picked up some dry branches.

"Heh, nothing much. Those were just pawns some people used in an attempt to take my life." Yang Yi knew the python itself wasn't naturally aggressive; its attack on him was purely the result of someone pulling strings behind the scenes. The person Yang Yi suspected was Nangong San and his associates, but he certainly didn't believe the matter was settled. Consequently, he had already resolved to shift from a passive stance to an active one.

He had secretly dispatched Tian Cong and Diyu to patrol the vicinity, ordering them to eliminate anyone they encountered who didn't belong to the new recruit cohort—kill immediately upon discovery. This arrangement clearly indicated Yang Yi’s plan: after this month of military training was over, he would finally strike back. It was evident he felt it was pointless to continue playing games with them any longer, finding the pretense tedious.

"Was it Nangong San and those few?" Xuanyuan Bing asked, sensing what he implied.

"What? Are you still concerned about the affairs of the Eight Great Families?"

"No, Yi, you need to think this through. If you move against the other families among the Eight Great Families, that could lead to..."

"The Ye Family heir?" Yang Yi paused briefly at the mention, then smiled. "That guy has always preferred hiding in the shadows. While I haven't truly clashed with him yet, I don't know if he's an enemy or an ally right now, but I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough."

"Are you perhaps planning to use Nangong San and the others...?" Xuanyuan Bing couldn't fathom, couldn't imagine what Yang Yi was plotting at this moment.

Based on the current situation, if Nangong San and the three families engaged Yang Yi, given the strength of the Black God Gang, they would stand no chance. It wasn't that Xuanyuan Bing was shortsighted; even if Nangong San and the others allied with the British Royal Family and the forces within Fudan University, they still wouldn't match the Black God Gang.

Although she hadn't been by Yang Yi's side for long, Xuanyuan Bing knew clearly that the Black God Gang was a gang that improved moment by moment. Especially after dominating the Southern underworld, their power had risen exponentially. Even the Northern underworld today wouldn't dare boast about conquering the South within three days.

"Different strokes for different folks; the benevolent see benevolence, the wise see wisdom," Yang Yi chuckled lightly, gathering the pile of branches. "Let's go."

"Ah—oh!" As Xuanyuan Bing was still mulling over the meaning of Yang Yi's words, she quickly picked up her branches and followed him back when prompted.

"Although I didn't witness firsthand how he repelled that giant python this afternoon, the fact that we managed to escape safely is proof enough that his strength is extraordinary. Fei'er, what exactly are you thinking? If we make an enemy of him, the way things unfold might..." While Shangguan Yunmeng was lost in her own thoughts...

Yang Yi and Xuanyuan Bing returned with the firewood. After starting a fire, everyone felt much more settled. Perhaps it was the previous attack, combined with the current pitch darkness, that made the fire feel like a vital source of security—at least certain animals afraid of fire wouldn't approach.

"Right, what should we do tonight? Should all of us rest?" Shangguan Yunmeng inquired.

"It's fine. You women go rest. Lin Wen and I can take turns on watch," Lin Wen replied to Shangguan Yunmeng's question.

"Oh, in that case, let's turn in early so we can get up early tomorrow."

"Yes, you ladies go get some rest," Yang Yi said with a faint smile, asking Lin Wen, "Do you want the first half of the night or should I take it?"

"I'll take the first watch," Lin Wen replied.

"Alright then, we'll go rest now."

Thus, everyone, except Lin Wen, retreated into the tents to sleep. Once back inside his tent, Yang Yi's expression underwent a dramatic transformation—a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree shift. "I've been stuck at the lower stage of the Azure-level Grandmaster realm for a full six months. I dimly felt I was close to breaking through occasionally, but I still haven't succeeded." Thinking of this, Yang Yi shook his head with a wry smile.

He closed his eyes and breathed gently, clearly preparing to return to his old practice. Having not entered deep meditation for cultivation in a long time, he was now revisiting that feeling of entering rùdìng (meditative absorption).

################################### Meanwhile, elsewhere, two figures streaked through the forest, cold glints occasionally flashing from their hands. A moonless, high-wind night was destined for murder; indeed, those directed by Nangong San and his faction had launched their operation. And they had run straight into Tian Cong and Diyu, leading to an intense battle currently underway.

"Tian Cong, these people are so strange. They are clearly only at the Black-level Grandmaster realm, yet they are so difficult to deal with!" Diyu asked Tian Cong behind him.

"I don't know either. Perhaps it's that 'Six-Carat Virus' Dragon Lord mentioned. I'm just curious why they can take this virus without adverse reactions? Is there truly such a potent poison in this world that drastically enhances power without any side effects?" Tian Cong frowned, his eyes fixed intently on the six people surrounding them.

"Let's stop speculating and just carry out Dragon Lord's orders."

"Got it. You take the three on the right. The three on the left are mine."

"Affirmative!"

The two nodded to each other, uttering a single, decisive phrase: "Grandmaster First-Tier Domain."

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Flames that materialized from thin air instantly encircled the three Black-level Grandmasters on the left. On the other side, a black domain unleashed by Diyu, formed from swirling mist, directly engulfed the three on the right, trapping them within. Anyone observing from outside would be unable to see the three Black-level Grandmasters once they were swallowed by the black miasma.

"Hmm?" Yang Yi, who had been in meditation, suddenly sensed something. He snapped his eyes open. "What kind of virus is this Six-Carat Virus? It can even elevate someone to the Azure-level Grandmaster stage!" While thinking this internally, he walked out of the tent. He saw Lin Wen dozing by the campfire, frowned slightly, but didn't wake him.

Just as he was about to leave the area for another location, Xuanyuan Bing’s figure suddenly appeared, whispering softly, "Yi!"

"Why aren't you sleeping yet?" Yang Yi asked quietly.

"Where are you going?" Xuanyuan Bing questioned.

"There are some pests that need cleaning up."

"I also felt a very strong aura just now, could it be...?"

"I don't know. You go rest. I’ll be back soon."

"But..., I'll go with you."

"Don't worry, I’ll be fine." Yang Yi waved his hand dismissively, then added, "Although their strength is comparable to mine, I have confidence. You should stay here and guard. Furthermore, if you follow me, you’ll just be a distraction."

Ignoring whether Xuanyuan Bing felt uncomfortable hearing that, and not paying heed to what he had just said, Yang Yi’s internal state of alert was fully activated. Without delay, he bolted away.