"You seem pretty rich, huh?"

The bald middle-aged man froze for a moment, then a sleazy grin spread across his face.

"Yes, yes! If you take me out, I’ll reward you handsomely. So please, let me go first—it’s scorching in here!"

His words sounded respectful, but inwardly, he sneered at Zhang Luan.

*Damn it, I still have to spend money. When I get out, I’ll hire a gang to beat this kid senseless and settle my score!*

Zhang Luan snorted coldly, ignoring him. He grabbed Abi’s hand and led the others toward the exit.

From the sentry’s map earlier, he already knew its location.

Seeing Zhang Luan leave with the group, panic flashed in the bald man’s eyes—this wasn’t how he’d imagined it.

"Hey! Young brother, don’t go! Take me too! What’s the point of trapping me here? Hey!!!"

His shouts echoed loudly. The bandits Zhang Luan had tricked earlier heard them too. By the time they rushed from Abi’s prison cell, only the sweaty, pot-bellied man remained.

"Damn this fire dome! Hurry up and break it! Where are the Superhumans? Get two to crack this thing! The rest, chase them down—they’re heading for the exit! Kill every slave if you can! Don’t let them escape; they know we work for the city lord! If this leaks, we’re dead!"

The bandit captain barked orders, sending most after Zhang Luan while he and a mage studied the flame barrier.

Just as they struggled, the fire dome vanished, revealing the bald man drenched in sweat.

"You… you’re his accomplice? I get it—that guy used legendary spatial powers earlier. This fatso must’ve been teleported here too! Watch out—he’s probably rigged with traps!"

The captain drew his weapon, aiming at the man.

Terrified, the bald man dropped to his knees, surrendering instantly.

"Spare me, sirs! I wasn’t teleported! I was just minding my own business in my room when he suddenly appeared, trapped me here—it’s got nothing to do with me!"

Hearing this, contempt twisted the bandit captain’s face. Cowards like this were worthless. He yanked the few remaining hairs on the man’s head, tearing them out. As the man winced in pain, the captain shook his head furiously.

"I don’t care who you are! Anyone dragged from the slave quarters by that guy is trouble. Take him back—I’ll make him regret it in the slave pens!"

At the word "slave pens," the man’s brow tightened in dread. He hadn’t expected the bandit to ignore his pleas. Was he doomed?

*No! I must survive!*

"Brother, please! You’re just after money, right? I’ve got loads! Spare me—I’ll give you everything!"

His voice cracked with desperation. The captain just sneered and slammed his weapon against the man’s head.

"Shut up. If you’re so rich, why sleep in the wilderness? At least fake it better."

Meanwhile, Zhang Luan guided the group safely to the exit—a solid mountainside with no visible passage.

But he knew the way.

In his past life, bored players had cracked this exit’s secret and shared it online. Now, it was his advantage.

First, he erected a wall of Stellar Flame behind them, blocking the bandits. Then he felt along the rock face, found a special stone, and twisted it hard. The mountainside slowly turned translucent.

"Hurry. Cross through here—you’ll be safe."

Hope surged in their hearts. They rushed through the exit, and Zhang Luan watched his quest progress climb steadily. Thankfully, the task was simple: just get them out. If he had to escort each home, he’d have skipped it entirely.

Glancing at the final sliver of progress, he knew it represented Abi and the greasy middle-aged man.

Thinking of the bald man’s arrogance made Zhang Luan’s skin crawl. The guy showed zero gratitude for being rescued—only anger and disdain. Saving him would only invite more trouble. Better to leave him to rot.

Zhang Luan glanced back. The bandits feared the Stellar Flame’s heat and kept their distance. The few Superhumans among them tried attacking, but their skills couldn’t pierce the flames. Zhang Luan smirked, raised his arm, and condensed a massive ball of Force of Creation.

At his limit, it floated down like a feather and shattered silently like foam.

Nothing happened?

Impossible.

Beside him, Abi—the Star Oracle—felt the area shift the moment he released that energy.

Before she could react, Zhang Luan yanked her away. When they looked back, the exit had sealed into solid rock.

The mountain camp’s builder was a minor genius—this exit was one-way. Entering required either spatial teleportation like Zhang Luan’s or finding another entrance.

The instant he left, Fengxi Mountain trembled. The shaking came in waves. The devout dropped to their knees, praying in fear. Others cursed their luck—just escaping one nightmare to face an earthquake.

Only Abi knew Zhang Luan had caused it.

Watching his quest rating for *The Tyrant’s Secret of Southern Sect City* soar, Zhang Luan grinned brightly.

He hadn’t forgotten his real mission. Saving these people was incidental. Meeting Abi was luck. Wiping out every bandit—that was the job.