The tiger stood majestically in the mountain forest, emanating an awe-inspiring aura. In front of the great tiger, two figures stood rigidly.

Just as the fair-skinned man was at a loss, he heard Leaf Gray from the side say, "Great Tiger King, please calm your anger. I understand the rules. We'll follow your rules. Please, Great King, do not harm my life!"

As he spoke, he untied the storage bag from his waist, pretended to channel a bit of spiritual power into it, and then threw it down. Not only that, he also discarded the long sword in his hand.

The tiger looked at him and let out a soft snort. "Since you understand the rules, sparing your life is possible."

"Thank you, Great King!"

The tiger then turned its head to look at the fair-skinned cultivator. "And you, kid? Do you want to die, or do you want to live?"

"I want to live!" the fair-skinned cultivator blurted out, his face showing a pained expression. He imitated Leaf Gray's actions, untied the storage bag from his waist, opened the restriction lock, and threw it onto the ground in front of him.

He had heard some rumors in the market before, saying there was a demon beast in Jade Mountain that could speak human language. Many cultivators had encountered it, but the beast usually didn't take lives, only showing interest in spirit pills and spirit stones. As long as cultivators were willing to pay a price, they could escape from the tiger's jaws.

He never expected that just by chasing Leaf Gray into the mountains, he would run into this demon beast. This was truly the worst luck.

The tiger seemed somewhat satisfied with their compliance and spoke again, "Don't try any tricks. If I find out you didn't open the restriction locks, hmph!" The threat was unmistakable.

"They're open!" Leaf Gray and the fair-skinned cultivator said in unison. Moreover, Leaf Gray pointed at the fair-skinned cultivator and added, "Great King, he hasn't dropped his weapon yet. I fear he means you harm!"

The fair-skinned cultivator was stunned, inwardly cursing Leaf Gray to the deepest abyss.

The tiger clearly hesitated for a moment too, but soon it turned its head towards the fair-skinned cultivator, a threatening growl rumbling in its throat.

Clatter...

The fair-skinned cultivator promptly and decisively threw down the long sword in his hand, his heart aching as if bleeding! He knew perfectly well that the long sword in his hand was a spirit artifact. Even though its grade was very low, it was still a spirit artifact. For a low-level cultivator, having a spirit artifact versus not having one were completely different concepts; one could say a spirit artifact could increase his strength by ten percent!

But now, preserving his life was paramount. Provoking such a demon beast would surely lead to a bad end. Compared to his own life, external possessions could be discarded.

"Great King, if there are no other instructions, we shall take our leave now," Leaf Gray said.

"Scram," the tiger roared dismissively.

Both Leaf Gray and the fair-skinned cultivator slowly backed away, not turning their backs to the tiger. This was a normal reaction; anyone facing a threat would maintain vigilance.

However, after retreating several zhang, the fair-skinned cultivator was astonished to see Leaf Gray suddenly dash forward, snatch up the long sword he had discarded, and pounce on him with the force of a thunderbolt.

The fair-skinned cultivator was greatly alarmed, completely unprepared for Leaf Gray's outrageous action. With the great tiger right there, shouldn't survival be the priority? Where did he get such nerve?

He had no time to think. Almost the moment Leaf Gray moved, he also lunged forward, reached his weapon in a few steps, grabbed it, channeled spiritual power into the long sword, causing light to flow along the blade.

A fierce wind hit his face. Without even time to think, the fair-skinned cultivator raised his long sword to meet the attack.

With a clang, the fair-skinned cultivator, who hadn't fully risen to his feet, was forced down, kneeling on the ground.

One had a premeditated plan, the other responded hastily; in this exchange, Leaf Gray gained the upper hand.

The fair-skinned cultivator looked up sharply and saw Leaf Gray's steady, cold eyes. In that instant, he vaguely sensed something.

Before he could ponder, Leaf Gray was already thrusting with his sword.

The fair-skinned cultivator hurriedly channeled spiritual power to protect his body while simultaneously slashing at Leaf Gray with his blade. Yet, to his surprise, his protective spiritual power offered no resistance whatsoever. The long sword directly pierced through his heart, emerging from his back.

Leaf Gray followed with a kick, sending the fair-skinned man flying backward, the sword pulling out accompanied by a spray of blood.

In a flash, the outcome between the two was decided. Leaf Gray, unsure if the other was dead, didn't rashly approach. Instead, he took an attack talisman from his storage bag and held it ready, just in case.

If the other dared to stand up, he would immediately activate the talisman.

But looking over, the fair-skinned man's body on the ground convulsed violently a few times and then fell still. It seemed his sword thrust had hit a vital spot.

Conflicts between cultivators were this perilous, often deciding life and death in a very short time.

The ground was stained red with blood, the pungent smell of blood filling the air. Leaf Gray took a few deep breaths, calming his fiercely pounding heart.

A point of red light suddenly flew out from the direction of the fair-skinned cultivator's corpse and streaked into the back of Leaf Gray's hand.

"What in the..." On the great tiger's head, Evie's figure emerged, looking somewhat disconcertedly at Leaf Gray.

Just moments ago, Leaf Gray had suddenly rushed over and urgently told her, "Help me rob someone."

Then the fair-skinned cultivator came chasing after them, and Evie understood what Leaf Gray had encountered. She cooperated with the big tiger to put on a show. After all, this was something they were both good at, and they could even rob some good stuff in the process - why not go along with it?

But... wasn't it supposed to be a robbery?

How did it end with someone dead?

Evie slowly realized: she and the big tiger were the ones supposed to be robbing, while Leaf Gray, from start to finish, intended to kill, merely borrowing their presence and authority.

"You tricked me?" Evie glared angrily at Leaf Gray.

Leaf Gray glanced at her and criticized, "Your acting was too exaggerated!"

"What?" Evie was completely confused.

Before Leaf Gray could say more, a faint sound came from not far away. He hesitated only for a moment before charging forward, his voice trailing back: "Your secret is exposed. There's someone else nearby. If you don't want to die, come quickly!"

Evie felt like crying but had no tears, sensing she had boarded a pirate ship with no way off. Exchanging a look with the big tiger, Evie gritted her teeth. "After him!"

The tiger roared and galloped away on all fours.

In the jungle, a female cultivator with an alluring figure fled in panic, running for her life. She felt she had made a colossal mistake.

But could she really be blamed? She just wanted to live a better life, no longer having to flatter those disgusting customers against her will. They were all rogue cultivators; why should she have to endure others' disdain day and night? If this matter had gone smoothly, her future days would have been much more comfortable.

But she never, ever expected that the person she hired would fail.

After leaving the Providentia Merchant Alliance, she had followed the secret marks left by that person to this place, originally thinking she could sit back and divide the spoils. Instead, what she witnessed was the rogue cultivator named Leaf Gray killing the person she had hired. In her panic, she revealed her presence, and now she was being pursued.

She didn't want to die! She was still young, had many good days ahead of her; how could she die in a place like this?

Yet the sounds of pursuit behind her grew closer and closer. She knew she probably had no escape.