"Master, it's not good! A group of humans has arrived outside, and they are carrying weapons you previously spoke of."
The little snake scurried onto Xiao Yang's shoulder, its forked tongue flickering frantically, clearly in a state of panic.
"Don't panic. Immediately notify our companions to evacuate."
A flicker of alarm crossed Xiao Yang's eyes, but he forced himself to remain calm and instructed the snake in a steady tone.
"Understood." The little snake agreed and immediately darted away.
Yu Ruying had woken up, but her severe injuries left her very weak as she struggled to sit up.
"Is it Zhao Yunhai and his group who have tracked us down?"
"I cannot be a burden to you. I will go and draw them away."
Yu Ruying realized she had underestimated the methods of mortals. The explosion had a power comparable to a full-force attack from a Golden Core stage cultivator. Had it not been for her defensive artifact protecting her, she would likely have perished on the spot. It was her carelessness that led to this predicament. Was this also a tribulation she was destined to undergo?
A sense of confusion arose in Yu Ruying's heart as she recalled her master's words. She had been told that after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, a tribulation awaited her, and upon overcoming it, her path would be unobstructed. She surmised that this must be her tribulation now.
A hint of disdain crossed Xiao Yang's lips. "They think they can trap us by bombarding the entire mountain, believing it will force us out."
"Don't worry, we have our ways to leave here."
Xiao Yang prepared to leave with Yu Ruying and the animals capable of communicating with him. The base of the entire mountain had already been excavated by the pangolin clan, creating a passage leading outside. This was a tunnel Xiao Yang had painstakingly dug with his pangolin army during his idle moments.
"This doesn't look like it was artificially carved," Yu Ruying remarked, her curiosity piqued by the marks on the cave walls.
"This is all the work of my companions," Xiao Yang said proudly, gesturing to the group of animals following him.
*Boom!!!*
At that moment, the mountain trembled, accompanied by a deafening explosion. Debris rained down from above. The animals behind were startled, causing a commotion, but Xiao Yang quickly regained control. After all, Xiao Yang was the only human they could communicate with and the only one who commanded their willing obedience.
The first explosion was merely the beginning. A barrage of artillery fire followed in quick succession. The mountain seemed on the verge of disintegration, with rocks continuously falling from above. Xiao Yang knew the passage wouldn't hold for much longer and urged, "Quick, quick, we need to get out of here!"
Outside, Zhao Yunhai, watching the mountain being bombarded, lounged in a chair with afternoon tea and pastries beside him. Guards were stationed all around, and Si Jinyan and others stood silently by his sides. Han Xiu, however, stood frozen in shock, the scene before him causing him to doubt his own strength. Could his power truly hold its ground in this world of firearms?
Seeing Han Xiu's stunned expression, Si Jinyan appeared beside him and gently guided him. "Individual strength has its uses. Young Master Yun doesn't keep useless people. Your presence here signifies you are useful."
"I am still useful?" Han Xiu looked at Si Jinyan with hopeful eyes, seeking confirmation.
"At least you are more useful than many people now. To be unwanted is to be truly useless." Si Jinyan saw himself in Han Xiu. He, too, had lacked power and doubted himself in the past. But Young Master Yun had told him, "Your abilities, whether strong or weak, are irrelevant compared to mine. As long as I need you, you are capable. If I no longer need you, then even if you are incredibly strong, you are a useless waste." This statement had been deeply ingrained in Si Jinyan's mind, becoming a guiding principle in his life. To be needed is to be capable; to be unwanted is to be truly useless.
"Thank you." Han Xiu's spirits lifted. He was needed by Young Master Yun, and therefore, he was useful. Why was he so fixated on the strength of his own power? He had been caught in a rut.
Zhao Yunhai sipped his juice, listening to the fireworks display that only he could enjoy. The bombardment lasted for a full twenty minutes, the entire mountaintop disappearing, leaving behind a bare expanse of land.
"Young Master Yun, nothing was found," Ada reported with a somber expression.
Zhao Yunhai calmly finished his juice, placed the cup aside, and said indifferently, "If nothing is found, then search for it." Xiao Yang had disappeared, presumably having escaped.
"Young Master Yun, someone just reported discovering a destroyed passage, but it's no longer usable." Si Jinyan rushed over to report.
"Go and search."
"That fellow won't have gone far. If you find him, don't alert him. Report back immediately." Zhao Yunhai tossed Si Jinyan a bottle of cola.
"Thank you for the reward, Young Master Yun." Si Jinyan, beaming, took the cola and bowed before leaving. Ada glanced at Si Jinyan, then lowered his head again, awaiting Young Master Yun's command.
"Young Master Yun, I have a discovery." At this moment, Han Xiu controlled a blood-covered pangolin and respectfully stood before Zhao Yunhai.
"Speak," Zhao Yunhai said, looking at the blood-covered pangolin with a thoughtful expression. He surmised this must be Han Xiu's beast-taming technique.
Han Xiu bowed. "Young Master Yun, this subordinate controlled this pangolin and obtained information about Xiao Yang."
"Xiao Yang escaped with that woman and a group of animals through that mountain cave."
"The cave suddenly collapsed, causing chaos and killing many animals."
Zhao Yunhai stepped in front of Han Xiu and looked at the pangolin again. "Since the other party cares so much about these animals."
"You should know what to do, then." Han Xiu was taken aback for a moment, then his expression brightened into a fawning smile. "Young Master Yun is wise. Xiao Yang will surely come to rescue it." This pangolin actually had an unusual relationship with Xiao Yang; it was personally raised by him, and their bond was deep. This pangolin had sacrificed itself to cover for its clan, getting separated and caught in the collapse.
"Xiao Yang, Young Master Yun is merciful and has treated a pangolin, preparing to return it to its owner. All you need to do is obediently hand over that woman." This message was broadcasted with loudspeakers across a twenty-mile radius.
Xiao Yang, hiding in the shadows, clenched his fists, looking at the drones flying overhead. Anger burned within him, but he suppressed it.
"Hand me over. I can see you have a special affection for that pangolin." Yu Ruying did not want to implicate the simple, foolish young man before her.
Xiao Yang immediately retorted loudly, "What do you take me for? How could I possibly hand you over?"
"That Zhao Yunhai is incredibly audacious, using firearms to bomb this place."
"This is the mountain range around Yanjing, isn't he afraid of being discovered?" Xiao Yang was unaware of the tremendous power represented by the Zhao surname.