A moment later, Li Zhong reacted and flattered Zhou Yan, "With these things, our Zhou family will definitely dominate Black Stone City."
"Hahaha... that's for sure!"
Zhou Yan laughed heartily.
Then, he stood up and stared at the distant mountain range, his eyes flickering.
"Since that's the case, let's not delay. Let's act quickly."
He waved his hand and said directly, "Li Zhong, you stay behind. The rest of you follow me."
"Yes, young master."
Everyone agreed and followed Zhou Yan, setting off quietly.
Black Wind Valley was only three li away from Black Stone City.
After about half a stick of incense, Zhou Yan and his entourage arrived.
"Young master, Black Wind Valley is just ahead."
Li Zhong pointed to the mountain range in front and said, "According to my memory, there is an open space ahead. Let's hide there first."
"Good."
Zhou Yan nodded.
Afterward, the group found cover behind a large tree.
They waited for the patrol team from Black Wind Stronghold to arrive.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Zhou Yan's eyes narrowed, and his gaze fell on a spot not far ahead.
"Young master, what's wrong?"
Seeing Zhou Yan's unusual expression, Li Zhong couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing."
Zhou Yan waved his hand and said indifferently, "Continue monitoring!"
Rumble!
Abruptly, a deafening roar echoed from within the mountain range.
It was as if the sky had collapsed and the earth had cracked, startling all the wild beasts.
Wolves, one after another, rushed out of the darkness and pounced on the patrol team from Black Wind Stronghold.
In an instant, blood and flesh flew everywhere.
Although the patrol team from Black Wind Stronghold was well-equipped, they were no match for these ferocious wolves.
In the blink of an eye, they suffered heavy losses and were forced to retreat.
"Run!"
"Help!"
Piercing cries came from the patrol team of Black Wind Stronghold.
At this moment, a burly man roared, "Brothers, fight with me and break through!"
"Charge!"
Upon hearing this, the remaining thugs from Black Wind Stronghold roared and charged forward bravely.
Bang bang bang...
The battle intensified, and blood flowed like a river!
Finally, after paying a very heavy price, the patrol team from Black Wind Stronghold successfully broke through the encirclement and escaped.
"Haha, we won!"
"Hahaha... I'm alive!"
"Brothers, let's go, let's leave Black Wind Valley."
"Right!"
...
The men from Black Wind Stronghold cheered and fled wildly.
"Not good."
Seeing this scene, Li Zhong's face changed dramatically, and he said in horror, "Young master, those bandits are going to escape! Quickly send people to intercept them."
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Zhou Yan's brow furrowed, and he said, "Li Zhong, are you an idiot?"
"I already warned you just now, but you didn't listen."
"Trying to leave now? Too late!"
"Young master, I..."
Li Zhong lowered his head, looking ashamed, and said, "This is all my fault for not reporting it earlier."
"Hmph..."
Zhou Yan snorted coldly and said, "You do have some oversights in this matter, but it's not a capital offense."
"Thank you for your mercy, young master."
Li Zhong was overwhelmed with gratitude and bowed, saying, "Young master, the reinforcements from Black Wind Stronghold have escaped. Should we send people to apprehend them?"
"No need."
Zhou Yan shook his head and said, "Our trip to Black Wind Valley this time is to steal medicinal herbs, not to kill."
"Besides, there are many experts hidden in Black Wind Valley. If they are discovered, it might lead to unforeseen consequences."
As he spoke, Zhou Yan's gaze followed the direction in which Black Wind Stronghold's people had fled, a cunning smile appearing on his lips. He muttered to himself, "The faster the people from Black Wind Stronghold run, the better."
"Because their lives are on a countdown."
As the words fell, a cold glint shot out.
Whoosh!
A sword light cut through the sky and sped towards the distance.
"This... Young master actually let the people from Black Wind Stronghold go!"
Seeing this, Li Zhong was startled and hurriedly advised, "Young master, there are many people in Black Wind Stronghold, and among them are quite a few cultivators at the Martial Disciple realm."
"If they find out, they will definitely not let it go."
"Young master, your life is precious, you must not take risks."
However, Zhou Yan ignored Li Zhong and accelerated his pace, striding out of the dense forest.
"Young master..."
Li Zhong stood frozen, his shock unabated. He couldn't help but swallow a few times, his face filled with bitterness.
The notorious reputation of Black Wind Stronghold was terrifying. He was truly afraid that Zhou Yan would be in danger.
"Young master, you will be fine. Your subordinate will await your triumphant return."
With a deep sigh, Li Zhong quickly followed.
...
Meanwhile.
At the top of Black Wind Cliff, a young man stood with his hands behind his back, on the edge of the precipice.
This man was handsome and exuded a strong aura of ferocity.
His name was Zhao Hu.
He was one of the four leaders of Black Wind Stronghold, a ninth-grade warrior who cultivated sword techniques.
"Young Master."
Abruptly, a servant in green clothes walked up behind Zhao Hu.
"Yes, go and arrange to dispose of all the bodies here, and seal off the news. Do not let it leak!"
Zhao Hu commanded.
"As you wish."
The servant in green replied respectfully.
Soon, the servant in green went down to make arrangements.
"Young Master, there is a secret passage in Black Wind Stronghold that leads to the depths of the valley."
At this moment, Zhao Hu said, "As long as the secret passage is blocked, no matter how many reinforcements Black Wind Stronghold sends, it will be difficult to break through the valley."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan's eyes lit up, and he pondered, "In that case, let's act immediately!"
With that, Zhou Yan took the lead and rushed towards the entrance of the secret passage.
"Yes."
Seeing this, Zhao Hu dared not delay and quickly followed.
The two weaved through the dense forest and soon arrived at the end of the secret passage.
"Young master, this secret passage has not been blocked."
Zhao Hu said after carefully examining it.
Hearing this, Zhou Yan's heart moved and he said, "That's good."
Swish swish swish...
Immediately, Zhou Yan did not hesitate, using his movement technique to sneak into the depths of the valley along the secret passage.
...
In the depths of the valley, there was a dark cave.
This cave was as black as ink, and one could not see their hand in front of their face.
"Who?"
Suddenly, a sinister and cold voice echoed from the darkness.
Hum!
In an instant, dark energy surged from the depths of the cave, converging into a burly figure.
"Kid, who are you?"
"This is a hideout I painstakingly dug out. How dare you trespass here? You must have a death wish!"
This figure was dressed in a black robe, was burly, and had dark skin, as if forged from steel, exuding explosive power.
"Heh heh... Black Eagle, how have you been!"
Zhou Yan grinned and said, "I'm here to ask you a question this time."