The mountain forest was shrouded in shadow. A bird burst from the trees, its flapping wings carving a sharp silhouette against the sky before it vanished into the distance.
Shen Yanchuan glanced up, then looked away.
Lian Zhou and his men followed close behind, their footsteps nearly silent on the fallen leaves.
They walked for a long time without encountering anyone else.
Lian Zhou glanced around and asked in a low voice, "My Lord, the Beast Circle is just ahead. Do we keep going?"
Shen Yanchuan nodded. "The Third Prince has yet to be found."
Lian Zhou asked no more questions.
The Third Prince had vanished without a trace after being chased deep into the forest by assassins. They had been searching all this way, and while their pace wasn't slow, they always seemed to be one step behind.
He thought for a moment, then said, "Those assassins seem to have come prepared. Their skills are extraordinary."
