Zhang Ergou's sudden disappearance surprised Cai Chao, who was trailing behind him.
Even the Heavenly Dao Elder, who had been observing the two from the shadows, found it peculiar. He couldn't sense any trace of Zhang Ergou in the world, as if the boy had vanished into thin air. Cai Chao was also unable to see Zhang Ergou, nor could he feel his presence.
"Where did this kid go?" Cai Chao hurried forward. Although he had been following Zhang Ergou, he was still some distance away. He wanted to investigate the place where Zhang Ergou had just disappeared.
With Zhang Ergou gone, Cai Chao no longer concealed himself and, at extreme speed, reached the spot where Zhang Ergou had vanished. However, apart from the surrounding forest and ancient towering trees, he found nothing unusual.
"Strange, where is he?" Cai Chao searched around but found no trace of Zhang Ergou. He had clearly seen Zhang Ergou disappear from this very spot. He examined the area carefully but found nothing amiss.
"Did this kid just vanish into thin air? Does this kid truly have some secret?" Cai Chao finally believed Liu Xun's words. Having him keep an eye on Zhang Ergou was not a whim. In Cai Chao's opinion, this was likely why Liu Xun had instructed him to monitor Zhang Ergou.
...
The Heavenly Dao Elder, who had been secretly watching Cai Chao and Zhang Ergou, sensed Zhang Ergou's disappearance. He sent a wisp of his divine sense to stealthily bypass Cai Chao. However, it soon returned fruitless, as he too couldn't find any trace of Zhang Ergou.
"What secret is this brat hiding?" The Heavenly Dao Elder was surprised that even he couldn't find Zhang Ergou's whereabouts. His curiosity about Zhang Ergou grew, realizing this was yet another of Zhang Ergou's secrets.
Zhang Ergou had no idea that his intention to enter the black iron ball's small world was to draw out those who were pursuing him. He hadn't expected it to further increase the Heavenly Dao Elder's attention. The Heavenly Dao Elder did not reveal himself immediately; he wanted to see what Zhang Ergou would do next.
...
Inside the black iron ball's small world, Zhang Ergou swallowed several spirit-replenishing pills and sat cross-legged. He was rapidly restoring the spiritual energy he had consumed. Due to the prolonged intense running, his spiritual energy was almost depleted, especially since the pursuer behind him was not weak. Zhang Ergou had only managed to create distance by running at full speed. Along the way, his spiritual energy had been depleted by about seventy to eighty percent. Thus, when he reached a point not far from the center of the monster beast forest, Zhang Ergou chose to enter the black iron ball's small world to recuperate. This was because Zhang Ergou not only sensed the hidden aura of the person following him but also felt a powerful presence not too far ahead. If he rashly charged forward, he might be killed before even luring out his pursuer, which would be a significant loss.
...
Zhang Ergou's impromptu decision and actions were naturally not discussed with the Heavenly Dao Elder. After discovering Zhang Ergou's disappearance, the Heavenly Dao Elder did not rush to appear and search for him. Instead, he quietly observed the now-exposed Cai Chao.
"Nascent Soul initial stage!" The Heavenly Dao Elder narrowed his eyes. "The Liu Hai Sect is truly willing to invest!" Upon discovering Cai Chao's cultivation, even the Heavenly Dao Elder's composure was slightly shaken. After all, cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage were considered top-tier forces within any sect, each being nurtured by their sect. For the Liu Hai Sect to dispatch a Nascent Soul cultivator to monitor Zhang Ergou, it seemed that what Zhang Ergou had told him before was just the tip of the iceberg. It appeared the Liu Hai Sect's ambitions were far from simple, or they wouldn't be fixated on Zhang Ergou. As the Heavenly Dao Elder pondered, his thoughts flashed, and he decided to apprehend this early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator who was still searching for Zhang Ergou and interrogate him.
...
The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Cai Chao would never have imagined that he, the hunter, would become the prey. Or rather, this was a conspiracy targeted at him. Cai Chao was still pacing back and forth at the spot where Zhang Ergou had vanished, searching for any clues. Being in the heart of the monster beast forest, he dared not extend his divine sense too far, limiting it to within a three-meter radius. However, no matter how he probed, he still couldn't find any trace of Zhang Ergou.
...
"Excuse me, are you looking for me?" Just as Cai Chao was growing impatient, a voice came from behind him. Cai Chao turned around but saw no one. "Was it an illusion?" Cai Chao wondered. "Look up, I'm above you." This time, Cai Chao heard clearly and obediently looked up. He saw Zhang Ergou standing on the branch of an ancient tree, looking at him with a playful smirk.
"You did it on purpose. You discovered me long ago?" At this point, Cai Chao finally understood. It was clear Zhang Ergou had discovered him long ago and deliberately led him here. This kid was truly well-hidden.
"Heh heh, it seems you're not entirely stupid." Zhang Ergou, standing on the branch, did not deny it. Cai Chao's brows furrowed, his eyes fixed on Zhang Ergou on the branch.
"How did you discover me?" Cai Chao was confident that he hadn't revealed any flaws, yet this kid had clearly discovered him much earlier. Otherwise, why would he have gone to such lengths to lure him into the monster beast forest? Little did he know, Zhang Ergou had discovered his presence the moment he first used his divine sense to scan him.
"Heh heh, believe it or not, I discovered you the first time you used your divine sense to observe me?" Zhang Ergou chuckled. At this moment, his strategy was to use all sorts of methods to destroy the opponent's confidence, disrupt his state of mind, and create an opportunity for himself. He didn't count on the unreliable old man to find the Heavenly Dao Elder.
"What, impossible!" Cai Chao was shocked, clearly disbelieving Zhang Ergou's words.
"Why impossible? Your clumsy hiding skills were discovered by me long ago. After the first time, didn't you try to probe me with your divine sense several more times?" Zhang Ergou continued. He had felt someone spying on him that day after leaving the dwelling's room, so it seemed his feeling wasn't wrong. Cai Chao was greatly alarmed, but realizing Zhang Ergou was alone and only at the Golden Core mid-stage cultivation, he secretly relaxed.
"Is that so, kid? I admit your divine sense perception is good, but what of it? Now that you're alone, why don't you surrender quickly?" Cai Chao sneered sinisterly, a triumphant expression on his face. However, Zhang Ergou's next words made him turn pale with shock.
"Who told you I'm alone?"