Anan didn’t grasp Lede’s words. He insisted, “Grandpa Lede, how could that be? Your strength is nearly level 100. You’re already a top-tier powerhouse in this world. Even if some Monstrous Beasts are stronger, the gap can’t be that huge.”

Lede chuckled. “Child, you’re young. You don’t know how strong people truly are. Folks like me are as common as dirt. The world is vast. I suspect beings exist who could kill me with a flick of a finger.”

Anan gasped, “Impossible! Our emperor is only level 136. That’s why our empire stands safe. But even he couldn’t kill you with one finger.”

Lede pointed at the ground. “Really? Then who set the massive, unbreakable Barriers around the Monster Forest, home to all those powerful Monstrous Beasts?”

Anan argued back, “That’s just legend. Such people might not even exist now.”

Lede gazed at the sky. “I’ve seen them. People who erase entire mountains and lakes with a single spell.”

This shocked not just Anan, but Lengyan too. She’d been skeptical but never voiced it. Now, hearing Lede’s firsthand account, disbelief gripped her. He had no reason to lie.

Li Xiaotian grinned. “You’ve never heard this story. We kept it secret. Back then, our captain loved bragging about it.”

Lin Nan stifled a laugh, staying silent.

Lede’s old face flushed red. He shot Li Xiaotian a fierce glare. Li Xiaotian shut up instantly, sparing Lede further embarrassment.

Even Lengyan smiled faintly—a rare shift on her usually icy expression.

Lede cleared his throat. “Enough. I’ll tell the story later. For now, we’ll cast a Barrier to seal the Monster Forest. We can’t trap high-level beasts, but those under level 30? We’ve got this.”

Lin Nan frowned. “Captain Lede, a stronger Monstrous Beast lurks nearby. Casting a Barrier now is suicide. We can’t defend ourselves during the ritual.”

Li Xiaotian nodded firmly. “He’s right, Captain.”

Lede shook his head. “I’ll cast it alone. You watch. If trouble comes, run.”

Lengyan’s voice held a trace of worry. “But Captain, casting solo might injure you internally. And we’d never abandon you. Why not wait here? You said this wasn’t our mission. We can just pass the intel to the next team.”

Lede sighed. “I can’t stand by. How many humans will those beasts kill? What use are we to the empire if we just enjoy comfort in high seats?”

Silence fell. Lede continued, “I’m starting the Barrier. If danger comes, run. Understood?”

Anan declared, “We’re not afraid! No matter how strong they are, nothing can beat us!”

Such reckless words would’ve earned a scolding earlier. Now, they lifted everyone’s spirits. Faces brightened.

After a brief prep, Lede channeled magic. Elemental energy surged from his body, spreading slowly. A true powerhouse like Qin Jun would’ve sealed the Barrier in a blink.

Meanwhile, Qin Jun watched the exhausted girl stumble out of the Monster Forest. She collapsed against a tree, drained from tension. Her eyes fluttered shut as she passed out.

Qin Jun checked her pulse. Confirming she was truly unconscious, he approached in human form. He knelt, gently smoothing her hair and wiping her cheek. His touch stirred her slightly.

Qin Jun smirked. A soft spell sent her back to sleep, her face now relaxed with a dreamy smile. He’d woven a pleasant illusion for Nora—a brief respite before her journey.

Now, he’d deal with that sinister man. You don’t hurt someone and hide.

Qin Jun vanished. He found the man perched in a tree, masking his aura as an ordinary bird. But Qin Jun saw through it.

The man had waited there, seething. He’d sensed Nora escape the forest. Those meddlers cost him his meal.

Then he spotted Lede—the group’s strongest—lowering his guard to cast a Barrier. Perfect. A free kill. Only the old man could challenge him.

The man morphed into a giant eagle. It shot toward Lede, bypassing Anan and the others before they could react.

The eagle’s beak nearly pierced Lede’s throat. Lede barely blocked it. But aborting the Barrier mid-cast unleashed brutal backlash. He roared, “Run! That beast is here. We can’t win!”

All four charged in anyway, ready to stand or fall together.

Lede sighed and joined the fight.

The man shifted back to human form. A massive wind blade slammed the four back. Only Lede held firm, summoning a fiery dragon that lunged at the foe.

The man sneered, “Cyclone.”

A tornado trapped the fire dragon, shredding it instantly. The vortex then surged toward Lengyan’s group.

They gasped, casting a wind wall together. It shattered like paper. All four were swallowed by the storm.

Lede yelled, “Max out your shields! You can’t beat this. When the cyclone fades, run! I’ll hold until dawn. Reinforcements will come.”

The man laughed coldly. “Worry about yourself. You’ll all be my meal soon. They’ll pay for stealing my prize.”

His voice dripped with icy malice.

Lede deflected a few weak spells. He growled, “Try this! Blazing spirits, lend me your power! Fire Spirit Sword!”

A giant wielding a flaming sword materialized above him, cleaving down.

The man blinked in surprise. “Not bad. But a firefly can’t outshine the sun.”

He chanted, “Mighty Wind King, your loyal servant calls! Grant me your power! Wind Cutter!”

A colossal wind slash bisected the giant—and the forest behind it.

Lede’s hope died. The man raised a wind blade, ready to strike.

Applause cut through the air. “Decent strength. Let’s play.”