Strongest Family System Chapter 137 137: Trial in the Outer Forest — Day Two (Part 3

The mont the beast launched, the woods exploded into motion, but Robert had already moved from the beast's side. His step shifted not forward but sideways, just enough to pull the group's line off balance in a controlled way. The area where he had been was sliced by the beast's claws, which struck wood rather than flesh. The wood broke into pieces.

Retreat left, now, he said low. They did not argue. Training from the past days surfaced at the right ti. Ronan pulled Sarah with him. Sai grabbed Taylen's sleeve before he committed to a counterstrike. Eissa instinctively moved, shifting positions already.

They did not try to win. They slipped away from the battle. The beast, confused by the sudden loss of pressure, turned its attention toward the nearest movent in the brush behind them. Sothing else had been there. Sothing quieter. Sothing human.

Robert did not look back. He guided the group downhill through uneven terrain, forcing the pursuers to either reveal themselves or slow down. They ran only as long as needed. Then the speed changed to a fast, silent walk.

Only after several minutes, when the forest noise partially returned, did Robert raise a hand and signal a halt. He scanned the terrain. Dense roots curled around a shallow depression where a large tree had collapsed years ago. The hollow beneath it ford a natural pocket with limited angles of approach.

Good. Inside. They slipped into the cover one by one, crouching low. Ronan brushed leaves over their entry marks. Sai scattered loose dirt to blur footprints.

Only then did Robert allow himself a full breath. Taylen spoke first, voice tight. That thing nearly tore my arm off. And you nearly swung at the wrong mont, Sai replied quietly.

Taylen did not argue. Robert finally turned toward them. His face was calm, but his eyes were alert in a different way now. asuring and calculating.

We are being hunted. The words settled heavier than any shout. Sarah stiffened. Hunted by whom? Cultivators, Robert said. Ten of them. Silence.

He continued before panic could grow. Two are stronger than the rest of the mbers. Spirit Root Level 7, low stage. The others are around Level 5. Taylen stared. Ten.

Ronan's grip tightened on his spear. You are certain. Yes. How long, Sarah asked. Since yesterday, Robert said. Possibly earlier. Only Sai and Eissa did not look surprised.

Eissa exhaled slowly. The qi disturbances. Sai nodded once. And the broken rhythm in the forest. Taylen ran a hand through his hair. Why did you not say earlier? Because fear makes noise, Robert replied. And noise gets you killed here.

That ended the complaint. What do we do then, Ronan asked. We do not fight head-on, Robert said. If we clash directly, two or three of us die first. Maybe more.

No one liked hearing it, but no one argued. First, we recover. Use pills. Stabilise qi. If anyone feels close to a breakthrough, attempt it quietly; it will help us in the battle with Assiasn.

Here, Sarah asked.

Here. They began. One by one, pills dissolved on tongues. Breathing slowed. Qi circulated carefully, not greedily. Robert did not join imdiately. He watched the treeline.

He was thinking. Elsewhere, the forest told a different story. The spirit beast had not followed the Osborn group. Instead, it had found the scent of the hidden assassins. Hunger made it hunt them and eat.

The first Level 5 assassin died without even finishing his warning gesture. Jaws closed on his shoulder and neck together. A short scream. Then silence.

The second tried to flee and made three steps before the claws opened his back. The remaining assassins reacted fast. Too fast for panic. Their formation tightened.

One of the Level 7 cultivators stepped in. His blade flashed with condensed qi and struck the beast across the skull ridge. Not clean. Not enough.

The beast retaliated, but the second strike landed deeper. Bone cracked. The beast collapsed after a final thrash.

No one spoke for a while. Two gone, one of the Level 5 murmured. The leader's expression hardened. This was not in the plan.

They dragged the bodies aside and concealed the blood scent with soil and crushed herbs. Not for dignity. For survival. Blood attracted more sinister beats.

We relocate, the leader said. Slowly. No signals. They moved until they found a rock formation with narrow access. Only there did they pause. We were detected, he said quietly. That boy noticed us.

I did not expect that, one admitted. Neither did I. His jaw tightened. Before we touched them, we already lost two n. This is not a coincidence. Anger simred, but it stayed controlled.

We recover first. Then we hunt. Back in the hollow, the Osborn group rested. Breathing steadied. Shoulders loosened. Minor wounds stopped aching.

Eissa moved between them, helping regulate qi flow, correcting posture, and keeping circulation smooth. Taylen looked at Robert. So what is the plan?

Robert studied the ground. The slope. The tree density. The way sound travelled between trunks. There are choke points ahead, he said quietly. Narrow paths where numbers matter less.

Ronan followed his gaze. You want to lead them there. Maybe. He did not say more. The forest helped those who listened. Beast territories overlapped here. So areas even assassins would avoid.

He could use that. But timing had to be exact. Night approached slowly. The golden light faded into a deep green shadow. The temperature dropped.

No fire. No loud movent. Just breathe and wait. Far away, a long roar echoed. Not near. But not distant enough for comfort. Sarah swallowed. That is bigger than the one we fought.

Yes, Sai said. Robert remained still. Both groups have now hid. Both knew the other existed. Neither wanted to move first and expose themselves. The forest had turned them into equal prey.

As darkness deepened, Robert felt it again. A faint disturbance. Not close. Not far. Sothing is moving carefully. He did not alert the others. Not yet.

He simply shifted his posture, ready. Sowhere between predator and assassin, the next move was forming. And the night was only beginning.