Chapter 2195 - 2196: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind

Ling Zhenfei decided to leave, and then headed straight towards the depths of the forest.

The people from Li Hen Palace were in the nearby forest, thinking like the mantis hunting the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, so they wouldn't be far from the main troop.

Therefore, Ling Zhenfei searched in the distance, having previously observed their general location upon arriving.

Ling Zhenfei used his Blooming Step Technique to head towards that place far away.

Although Ling Zhenfei's advancing speed was quick, he was also very cautious, with the power of the soul constantly probing ahead.

After walking for some time, Ling Zhenfei suddenly stopped and slowly walked towards that place.

He discovered someone nearby, a person with a faint presence.

Ling Zhenfei flew up into a tree, slowly and cautiously moved towards the place, and finally discovered a person not far away.

This person was leaning against a big tree nearby, not moving at all, not knowing what they were doing.

Ling Zhenfei was very curious, wondering what this person was doing, so he used a bit of Northern Spiritual Energy to probe them.

After probing, the person still didn't react at all.

Ling Zhenfei was curious because usually cultivators would sense Northern Spiritual Energy probing towards them.

So Ling Zhenfei became more curious and directly descended from the tree without hiding, walked lightly towards the person, and realized when he came to the front that the person had been asleep all along, almost as if dead.

Ling Zhenfei felt odd because he could sense the person's faint presence all along.

Ling Zhenfei summoned the courage to speak to the person: "Brother, pardon the interruption."

But even after saying several sentences, there was no reaction, so Ling Zhenfei curiously walked over to the person and gently patted them.

After a gentle pat, the person unexpectedly fell to the ground.

Ling Zhenfei was startled, took a closer look, and discovered a small bite wound on the side of the person's neck.

Ling Zhenfei was curious, used his Perspective Eye, and was shocked, realizing the person's blood had been completely drained.

Ling Zhenfei looked around alertly, but saw nothing.

Initially, Ling Zhenfei suspected some sort of blood-sucking monster, but after searching carefully, he found no such creature.

Upon scrutinizing the wound once more, he suddenly realized the wound was human-inflicted, indicating someone had drained the person's blood.

Ling Zhenfei was shocked, recalling the Blood Son's vampiric tendencies.

Could this person have been victimized by the Blood Son?

Ling Zhenfei wasn't certain, then upon inspecting the person, found a storage ring on their hand.

Ling Zhenfei took the ring into his hand, used his Northern Spiritual Energy to erase the Divine Sense upon it, and saw its contents.

Ling Zhenfei could almost confirm this person was a disciple of Li Hen Palace, for inside the storage ring was a Li Hen Palace badge, some money, books, a cultivation technique, Li Hen Palace clothes, and various daily items.

Ling Zhenfei was astonished, never imagining the person died from blood drainage, or was perhaps not entirely dead.

Ling Zhenfei sensed some presence still within the body but couldn't save them due to blood depletion.

After apologizing to the corpse, Ling Zhenfei left.

If everything was as Ling Zhenfei suspected, then Blood Son should be nearby, close to Li Hen Palace.

Ling Zhenfei thought it over and donned the clothes from the storage ring.

After changing into Li Hen Palace attire, Ling Zhenfei continued forward.

Finding Li Hen Palace members around confirmed the palace was nearby, and shortly Ling Zhenfei reached their camp.

As it was deep night, most were resting, with only guards on duty.

"Who goes there?"

Ling Zhenfei was noticed immediately upon appearing.

Ling Zhenfei said, "Just one of us, went for a bathroom break, no need for alarm."

The guard looked at Ling Zhenfei and said, "Show your badge."

Ling Zhenfei promptly showed his badge.

Seeing the badge, they quickly saluted: "Ah, a Armor Leader, sorry for not recognizing you earlier."

Ling Zhenfei was puzzled, realizing the deceased was a minor official, though he was unfamiliar with the Armor Leader title.

"No problem, it's understandable in this dark night, and it's part of your job, I understand."

After these words, Ling Zhenfei walked away as if nothing happened, easing their wariness.

The guards indeed left Ling Zhenfei alone, returning to patrol, with many around but none paying attention.

Ling Zhenfei wandered a bit, realizing he shouldn't loiter aimlessly, needing a hiding spot, thus infiltrating Li Hen Palace deeply.

Ling Zhenfei searched for a hiding place, soon discovering it near several large carts.

Previously, Ling Zhenfei noticed Li Hen Palace members pushing large carts, but wasn't sure their purpose.

These carts were cloaked and heavily guarded, leaving Ling Zhenfei unclear.

Now it seemed behind these carts was a fitting hideout.

Ling Zhenfei went behind a cart, sitting to rest by its wheel.

By then, it was deep night, and the forest, without moonlight, was engulfed in darkness.

Ordinary folks would see nothing, yet Ling Zhenfei, a skilled cultivator, found it straightforward; such darkness hardly affected his and others' sight.

After a glance, many were around, mostly resting, either sleeping or cultivating.

Cultivation requires patience, strengthening slowly over time, with diligence playing a part.

Yet diligence isn't the sole factor; talent is paramount.

Diligence and talent complement, enabling geniuses to excel with seemingly little effort due to their talent and efficient cultivation.

While others might train ten hours, a genius might need only three or four, excelling significantly with similar lengthy efforts, showcasing why their prowess seems extraordinary.

Ling Zhenfei leaned near the wheel, while another nearby in the tree seemed to feign sleep but couldn't rest, eventually sitting up uneasily.