"Just follow behind me later. If anything happens, I can cover you," said Ye Lingchen.

Xu Nan nodded, but she still had some wishful thoughts in her head. The people from Earth's Gate were still human; they should not be that horrible.

In order to avoid startling their target, the group decided to continue on foot from quite some distance away. The sky turned dark as they trodded along.

As they proceeded, they entered a forest. There were quite a number of leaves scattered on the ground. The group threaded along into the depths of the forest.

According to the testimony given, the heart of this forest was Earth's Gate's stronghold. Once they confirmed the location and returned with a report, troops would be dispatched to decimate this stronghold.

Rustle!

Right then, distant footsteps could be heard. The sound of it was painfully obvious in the silent night.

The group widened their eyes. They could see the shimmering shadows of human figures in the distance under the moonlight.

"Stealth!" Sergeant Gao quickly ordered in a hushed voice. "Xu Nan, you protect your master's wellbeing! Unless under special circumstances, you're not to act on your own!"

Ordering the disciple to protect the master; that showed what impression Sergeant Gao had of Ye Lingchen. However, the comforting thing was that he still ordered Xu Nan to protect Ye Lingchen.

Soon, the group shuffled and disappeared into the woods.

In a short moment, the footsteps closed the distance. Three shadows appeared on the ground. These shadows were elongated, approaching the group step by step.

Three people!

Everyone unconsciously held their breath, not daring to produce the slightest sound.

Rustle rustle!

In the silent night, only the sound of footsteps echoed at the scene.

Under the cover of the night, they could not make out the appearance of those three. However, the one in the middle was much bigger than the other two. Further, he looked burly, giving off an intimidating aura.

All of a sudden, the man in the middle curved his lips. He stopped in his tracks and announced in a chill tone, "Stop hiding and show yourselves!"

The voice was like a basin of cold water, one that chilled their hearts thoroughly.

However, with tacit understanding that developed over the years, they took a deep breath and walked out of the shadows. By the time they showed themselves, they had already made a ring to surround those three in the middle.

"Who are you? What are you doing here at this hour?" Sergeant Gao asked coldly, his eyes staring at them like an eagle.

"Hehe, you captured my people. Why are you still asking the obvious?" The burly man in the middle laughed, his eyes filled with malice. Although he was surrounded, he showed no signs of fear.

Beside him, the other two were slightly shaken. However, they only lowered their body and put on a smile filled with bloodlust.

"So it is you guys!"

Li Hu bellowed, "Raise your hands, squat down, and surrender. That way you'll avoid some torment!"

"Hehehe, with just you guys? Surely you jest," The burly man's voice was deep and filled with energy as he spoke disdainfully.

"Cut the nonsense. Go!"

Sergeant Gao roared and the five of them rushed forward from five different directions!

Due to Sergeant Gao's orders, Xu Nan stayed with Ye Lingchen and did not join the operation.

"Hmph!"

The burly man did not act. Instead, the two beside him huffed and rushed forward!

"Know your limits!"

Li Hu chuckled continuously. Although he was big-sized, his moves were agile and nimble, punching forcefully at one of the opponents.

That person, similarly, raised his hand. Unable to dodge the attack, he decided to match Li Hu's attack.

Bang!

Both of them separated again the moment they clashed, equally matching the other.

However, next to Li Hu, someone dashed forward and stretched his hands to grab at that person's shoulders!

It was a grappling technique!

That person swayed his body and started a roll, after which he bounced straight up again. Raising his leg, he sent a sweeping kick at Li Hu!

"You attack his lower body, I'll get the top!" Li Hu bellowed.

Both acted in harmony, quickly suppressing their opponent.

On the other end, Sergeant Gao, with the assistance of two more members, managed to subdue the other person without wasting much effort.

After that, five of them casually knocked those two out and tied them together.

"Hehe, it's your turn!"

Li Hu's eyes were gleaming. The five of them surrounded the burly man like a pack of wolves hunting their prey.

"Are you regretting that you didn't comply with the other two earlier?" asked the person next to Li Hu, laughing in a relaxed manner.

The people from Earth's Gate were extraordinary indeed. The two men earlier were on par with them in terms of fighting prowess. If not for their numbers, subduing them would not be as easy.

Meanwhile, the burly man was just watching from the side. He did not fight, nor escape. He was undeniably a feeder, providing them with advantageous conditions.

Bringing these three back and confirming the location, that day's mission would be complete. It was miraculously smooth.

Although he was surrounded, the burly man's expression remained calm. He casually cracked his neck. "Although you're slightly lacking, the five of you will somewhat be sufficient to warm me up."

His voice was incomparably cold, and he was cocking his finger provocatively at Sergeant Gao's team of five men.

"You're asking for it!"

Li Hu bellowed, his gaze cold as he rushed at the burly man.

He lowered his body and leaped into the air, rotating a few times while airborne. His leg made a sweeping kick aimed at the burly man's head!

That was his signature move, and also his strongest technique. He was confident that not many could block his attack!

Seeing the burly man standing still on the spot, Li Hu's eyes showed signs of excitement.

However, right at that moment, the burly man moved. He quickly raised his left hand.

Bang!

The kick that Li Hu was so proud of was caught dead in his hand!

"How is this possible?!" Li Hu's voice was filled with disbelief. In an instant, he felt a chill in his limbs!

That attack carried almost all his strength, yet it was easily blocked by that person?

Sergeant Gao and the rest were similarly stunned. That attack from Li Hu was something they were familiar with.

The burly man swung his hand and Li Hu was immediately sent flying like a small boat in the ocean.

"Uncle Li!"

Xu Nan immediately rushed over, looking at Li Hu worriedly. "Uncle Li, are you okay?"

Li Hu rolled a few times on the ground somewhat pitifully. "I'm okay. It's just a fracture on my leg."

He wanted to stand up but the pain from his leg caused him to take in a mouthful of cold air.

Who would have thought that the burly man would be that strong. With just a simple grab, it almost snapped the bones in his leg.

"That guy is monstrous!" Li Hu stared at the burly man, his eyes displaying a look of horror. Within his mind, a devastating storm was brewing.

Sergeant Gao and the rest were facing the burly man, their hearts were also in extreme turmoil. An ominous feeling filled their hearts…