Zhang Luan let out a yawn after enjoying the little spectacle and waved dismissively.

“Get in. No chatter.”

Hearing him, the group fell silent and quickly boarded the flashy, eye-catching Magic Conveyance, waiting quietly.

The veteran driver, just about to pull away, was stopped by Zhang Luan.

“Wait.”

“What are your orders, Holy Son?”

Zhang Luan picked up the map—previously used as a tablecloth—pointed to a spot, and said:

“We’re heading here. Fengxi Mountain.”

The driver frowned at the location, hesitated, then glanced at Yanat. Only after seeing Yanat give a slight nod did he reply:

“Yes, Holy Son.”

The Magic Conveyance rumbled to life and set off.

Following a route entirely different from the original plan, they traveled for hours before finally reaching Fengxi Mountain.

Yanat stepped out, gazing up at the towering peak. A faint unease stirred in his chest.

“Holy Son… this place feels unsafe. What exactly are we doing here?”

Zhang Luan alighted too, his eyes soft with nostalgia.

“This is the bandits’ home base.”

Yanat’s face paled. A chilling realization struck him. He stared at Zhang Luan, voice tight:

“Holy Son… you can’t mean to wipe them all out?”

“Why not?”

Yanat’s brow furrowed. *Say no?* Why shouldn’t they retaliate after the bandits attacked first? *Say yes?* With just their handful against well-armed bandits and numerous Superhumans? Madness.

“It’s… far too dangerous! Let’s return to Southern Sect City first. Gather reinforcements. Please, Holy Son—don’t act rashly. With so few of us, we can’t guarantee your safety up there.”

A playful smirk tugged at Zhang Luan’s lips.

“Who said you’re coming? You’re here to watch the vehicle.”

Yanat jolted, then urgently pleaded:

“Absolutely not, Holy Son! If this is truly their lair, it’s perilous! We must return to the Sacred Temple and bring backup!”

The others echoed him. None wanted the Holy Son harmed under their watch—especially not with the Holy Maiden’s wrath awaiting them.

Zhang Luan wasn’t surprised. He’d expected this.

“Think you can stop me? Those few bandits earlier kept you busy for ages. Tagging along now—just to become burdens? And if I wish to leave, I can vanish anytime. Trying to defy the Holy Son? The scriptures forbid it.”

He regarded them with a faint, unreadable smile. Yanat’s expression flickered. Zhang Luan was right—his power dwarfed theirs combined, and that mysterious spatial ability *could* extract him instantly.

*He was the burden.*

After a long silence, Yanat sighed wearily, head bowed.

“Holy Son… may I contact the High Priestess? Seek her counsel…”

“Do as you wish. But Ye Ying won’t disregard doctrine like you. This is the last time.”

Yanat activated the communication Magic Device. After relaying Zhang Luan’s plan, Ye Ying’s reply came instantly, calm and unequivocal:

“He is the Holy Son.”

Those four words shattered Yanat’s resistance. Watching Zhang Luan stride up the mountain path, he understood—his efforts were futile. The doctrine was clear: the Holy Son’s will was absolute. He exhaled deeply, murmuring to the retreating figure:

“Safe travels, Holy Son…”

…

Zhang Luan vanished into the forest without hesitation.

He knew this was the bandits’ territory—thanks to players. To complete this quest, they’d spent a full week gathering clues. Later, guide-writing players, chasing thrills and braving deadly traps, discovered a fissure hidden in the cliffside. Through it lay the bandits’ hidden base.

Under Yin Ke Duo’s guidance, the bandits had sealed their stronghold deep within the mountain. Fengxi Mountain appeared utterly ordinary. The fissure existed only due to geological shifts—undiscovered by locals, even the bandits themselves. Only resurrection-enabled players would dare seek it.

Now, it was Zhang Luan’s advantage.

He located the smooth, nearly featureless cliff face. No normal person would come here. He gauged the distance, teleported into the narrow crack. Too small for him—only a petite child might squeeze through.

No matter.

The Force of Creation extended inward under his will. He marked coordinates where space widened just enough, teleported again, and slipped inside.

Beyond the cramped gap stretched a glowing crevice—the bandits’ lair. Faint voices drifted out. He listened closely.

“You think those two’ll ever report back? Boss is getting impatient.”

“Pfft. Why worry? Snatching that Sacred Temple’s Holy Son? Easy. Rumor says he’s just a pretty boy—Holy Son only ‘cause of the Holy Maiden. They’ll be back soon.”

“True. Never heard of him. Hey… after the City Lord conquers Acamana City… those pretty priestesses… hehehe…”

Zhang Luan tuned out the rest. The voices were close—fifty meters. One teleport away.

He drew the cursed dagger, locked onto their positions, and smiled.

*Hope you’re not too scared.*