Chapter 3: Going Their Own Ways (Part 1)

Looking at the empty large manors, Li Ran and the others couldn’t help but admire these Beast Tamer clansmen. They resolutely abandoned their homes and quickly scattered to flee without hesitation. The few Beast Tamer clansmen who escaped were utterly terrified; once they reached the manors, they didn’t dare stay and immediately warned their kin to flee as well.

Outside the manors lay a small town, inhabited by ordinary people along with a few low-level Beast Tamer disciples who hadn’t managed to escape. If it had been up to Aizek and Meili, they would have destroyed the town right away, but Guo Shier stopped them. He had no habit of killing ordinary people or low-level disciples. As for experts of their caliber, they generally disdained killing harmless ordinary folks.

Although Aizek and Meili were somewhat unwilling, they didn’t want to offend Guo Shier. Thinking about killing ordinary people brought them no sense of achievement, and they still had a bit of pride. If not for Guo Shier’s intervention, they wouldn’t have minded killing everyone in the town to vent their anger. Since Guo Shier stepped in to stop them, they gave up and focused their attention on the elite Beast Tamer warriors.

After quickly searching several manors and finding some loot, everyone gathered again. Aizek said resentfully, “Those bastards escaped really fast…” Meili comforted him, “We’ll definitely run into them again! We’ll kill them every time we see them!”

Because of this encounter, the two became the nemesis of the Beast Tamer clan. They didn’t know how many elite Beast Tamer warriors they had killed. With their strength, as long as they didn’t make mistakes or get trapped, those elite warriors were no match for them. Especially when working together and launching surprise attacks, a single swift strike would be enough to send those warriors to their deaths. After all, the Beast Tamer clan’s greatest skill was controlling their spirit beasts, but when the two attacked, they would kill first, regardless of whether the opponent had unleashed their spirit beast or not.

The group chose one of the manors to live in. After days of traveling nonstop, everyone was exhausted, especially Aizek and Meili, who had been trapped in a formation and were already at their limit. They found an empty room and fell into deep sleep.

After resting for five or six days, everyone gathered again to discuss their next move.

Ezek and Meili had fully recovered. As super-aberrant talisman beasts, they had an extremely strong recovery ability—just a few days was enough for them to bounce back, and Ezek’s wounds had also mostly healed. When trapped in the canyon, he was covered in injuries, but fortunately, his massive size, along with the fact that the Beast Tamer tribe didn’t want to kill him but only force him to submit, meant that although his wounds looked frightening, they were mostly superficial.

The group sat in the spacious hall, and Li Ran asked, “Ezek, Meili, what do you plan to do?”

Ezek was extremely grateful to Li Ran and held him in high regard. If it hadn’t been for Li Ran’s quick action in assembling a team to rescue them, he and Meili would likely have become captives and enslaved by the Beast Tamer tribe for life. After thinking for a moment, he said, “I plan to continue searching for the Beast Tamer tribe members with Meili.”

Ezek’s tone was firm, sending chills down everyone’s spine. If targeted by a super-aberrant talisman beast like Ezek, the Beast Tamer tribe members would be in big trouble. This male and female pair were extremely vengeful and would take their anger out on other members of their tribe as well.

Li Ran nodded. He had no objection to Ezek and Meili seeking revenge, but he didn’t intend to join them. He knew that with Ezek and Meili’s strength, as long as they were careful, they wouldn’t be in too much danger. He said, “Be careful when you act… This world is complex. We’ve just arrived and still don’t understand many things. We can’t always arrive in time to rescue you.”

Ezek nodded. “Yes, I’ll be careful.” Though he was very proud, he wasn’t annoyed by Li Ran’s reminder, knowing it came from a good place. He added, “It was my carelessness this time. If we had separated and covered each other, we wouldn’t have suffered so much.”

Meili said, “Who would have thought those guys would be so despicable as to set a trap? We can fight them openly—who’s afraid of them?”

Guo Shier said, “Enough of these losses… One time is enough. Brother Li Ran, let’s keep looking for a way to the Greater World.” He felt urgent, as even a master of talismans wasn’t immortal. When the time came, he would die too. He didn’t want to die at the Star Sacrifice—otherwise, he would never be able to return to the Greater World.

Li Ran said, “Hmm, Shier, there’s no need to rush. We’ll find a way out.”

Guo Shier laughed. “I’m not rushing… I’m extremely anxious…” He made a joke.

Li Ran chuckled. “I knew it, haha.”

Qi Wu Zhen shook her head slightly and said, “Isn’t it good here? Why do we have to go to some big world?” Her strength had grown rapidly here, something she had never expected. In the World of Spells, she had already reached the pinnacle and could go no further. That’s why she was so happy to come to the Star of Sacrifice, feeling that this was her true destination.

Li Ran said, “Xiao Zhenzhen, the Star of Sacrifice… this world is too small.”

Qi Wu Zhen pouted and replied, “It’s not small at all… it’s already really big, okay?” Unintentionally, she showed a childish demeanor, and in an instant, everyone couldn’t believe their eyes.

The others were stunned, feeling that the two seemed to have some kind of romantic tension. Had they gone from enemies to rivals with mutual affection?

Li Ran was also taken aback for a moment before laughing and saying, “Hmm, yeah, it’s not small… hehe.”

Only then did Qi Wu Zhen realize that the others’ expressions were strange. She regained her stern expression, but couldn’t help rolling her eyes at Li Ran. That fleeting flirtatious look once again left everyone overwhelmed.

Li Ran just liked to tease Qi Wu Zhen. Their strengths were roughly equal, and they had fought many times before, with no clear winner. Gradually, they got used to each other. Especially Qi Wu Zhen—since ascending to the ninth-tier altar, she had been almost invincible. Only after meeting Li Ran did she realize there was someone else with equally strong abilities, which made her feel a sense of kinship.

Yao Ze Busong and Goha exchanged a glance, both feeling a bit confused about where to go. After a while, Yao Ze Busong sighed and asked, “Goha, what do you plan to do?” He knew that although they were part of a team, it would eventually disband, and they needed to find their own paths. In the World of Spells, they had been top professionals with noble status, able to do as they pleased. But here, they had to start over.

The two decided to form an alliance, supporting each other through thick and thin. Along the way, they had developed a certain level of understanding, and their friendship had grown deeper.

Goha said, “Let’s find a place to rest for a while and try to level up as much as possible before thinking about other things.”

In fact, this was what most people thought. The Star of Sacrifice was perfect for professionals from the World of Spells, as everyone wanted to advance further. Moreover, this world shared one thing with the World of Spells: strength ruled everything. As long as one’s strength was at the top level, life here would not be inferior to that in the World of Spells.

Yao Zebusong turned and asked again, “Wuji, Halechi, should we form a team again?” He didn’t dare ask Qi Wuzhen—this woman was too powerful. Not only was he afraid, but the others felt similar. As for Li Ran and Guo Shier, he knew they had their own plans, aiming to explore some greater world.

Zhen Wuji hesitated for a moment. He was tempted; he originally didn’t intend to form a team and instead wanted to explore the Sacrificial Stars alone. But after some thought, he nodded in agreement. “It’s good. Together, we’ll be stronger.” He thought of Aizek and Meili—such powerful beings who had almost been destroyed. It was safer to stick together. Once their strength improved and they became familiar with the Sacrificial Stars, they could consider exploring on their own, which would be more secure.

Halechi had originally wanted to stay in a safe place, improve his strength, and then come out. Now, he too felt a bit scared. Following the others was indeed a good idea. His thoughts were similar to Zhen Wuji’s—a group of four was better than being alone, as they could take care of each other. He said, “I’ll join!”

Halechi’s gaze shifted to Qi Wuzhen. He really hoped Qi Wuzhen would join too. If she joined, the team would become even stronger.

Qi Wuzhen replied calmly, “Don’t look at me. I plan to go with Shier and the others…”

Li Ran and Guo Shier were stunned. Li Ran asked, “Are you sure? Sure you want to come with us?”

Qi Wuzhen said, “I’ll go with you… for a while only. When it’s time to leave, I’ll leave. Of course, I won’t follow you to some greater world. I just need companions temporarily.” She was used to being with Li Ran, and suddenly leaving felt uncomfortable to her. Moreover, she was also unfamiliar with this world and needed time to get used to it.

The team split into three groups: Aizek and Meili in one group, Yao Zebusong, Goha, Zhen Wuji, and Halechi in another, while Li Ran, Qi Wuzhen, and Guo Shier formed a third group, ready to go their separate ways. No gathering lasts forever. The group of nine who had left the Spell World finally disbanded.

Just as everyone was about to leave, a loud voice was heard outside the manor: “Holl, Master Holl… are you here?”

Aizek’s eyes bulged. He now hated Holl from the Beast-Taming Clan deeply. Back in the canyon, this guy had been the main culprit, though he had managed to escape. In his mind, since someone was looking for Holl, they must be Holl’s friend—and therefore deserved to die as well.

Guo Shier laughed, “A friend has come to visit.”

Ezek rushed out of the hall first, with Mei Li following closely behind. The others followed as well, flying above the manor.