Chapter 1537 - 1534: The Sinister Trap

Fang Wushang nodded with a lonely expression. After waving her goodbye, Ye Qiu left the headquarters.

However, when gathering at the designated town west gate, Ye Qiu discovered something even more surprising.

The person Ye Qiu least wanted to meet, Bai Zhuotian, was standing beside Nan Haowei.

"What's going on...?"

Ye Qiu asked Nan Haowei quietly.

"I arranged it. I already know about what happened between you. But from now on, you'll be companions of the family, and I thought this training would be a good opportunity to put your past grievances to rest!"

As Ye Qiu stared blankly at the laughing Nan Haowei, Bai Zhuotian slowly stepped forward.

"......"

Ye Qiu was on full alert, prepared to react instantly no matter what happened. Although it was on the street, there was no way to predict what this man might do.

But completely contrary to Ye Qiu's expectations, Nan Zhuotian suddenly bowed his head. A barely audible voice came from beneath his drooped bangs.

"A few days ago... I caused you trouble..."

This time, Ye Qiu was truly startled from the heart, left speechless with his mouth agape.

"I won't do those rude things anymore... Please forgive me..."

His gloomy long hair covered his face, hiding his expression.

"Ah... umm..."

Ye Qiu managed to nod slightly. What was going on here? Had he undergone some kind of personality transformation surgery?

"Alright, alright, let's call this matter settled then!"

Nan Haowei let out a booming laugh again. Although Ye Qiu still found it hard to accept and felt there must be something hidden here, he couldn't discern Bai Zhuotian's current state of mind from his bowed face.

Ye Qiu found it difficult to discern any subtle differences. He decided to accept his apology here for now but warned himself not to lower his guard at all.

Shortly after, another family member arrived, and once everyone was assembled, they prepared to head towards the forest. Just as Ye Qiu was about to start moving, Nan Haowei's loud voice called him back:

"Wait... Today's training is to be conducted in the closest form to real combat. In order to assess your crisis management skills, you must listen carefully to my orders."

"Does that mean we're not allowed to run away?"

To this question from Ye Qiu, Nan Haowei naturally nodded.

At this point, Ye Qiu actually felt a strong sense of resentment inside.

Seeing Bai Zhuotian and another member obediently nodding, Ye Qiu had no choice but to reluctantly comply as well.

"Alright, let's set off then!"

At Nan Haowei's command, Ye Qiu and the other three left the city, heading towards the forest visible in the distant west.

The Ala Great Forest was an arid wilderness with very sparse vegetation. Ye Qiu, eager to finish the training and return home, suggested running all the way to the forest, but Nan Haowei dismissed the idea with a wave of his arm.

Ye Qiu figured it was because he had only trained his strength and neglected his agility, so he reluctantly gave up the idea and walked obediently through the wilderness.

During the journey, they encountered several monsters, but on this point, Ye Qiu couldn't wait for Nan Haowei's orders and swiftly dealt with them all with a single strike.

Soon, after crossing several somewhat elevated rocky mountains, the imposing grey stone structure of the forest appeared before them.

"Okay, let's take a break here!"

Nan Haowei announced in his deep voice, and the team came to a halt.

"......"

Though he wanted very much to charge through the forest in one go, knowing that his suggestion would not be accepted, Ye Qiu sighed and sat on a nearby rock. By then, it was already nearing noon.

"Now, let's distribute the food."

After saying this, Nan Haowei took out four leather pouches and tossed one over to Ye Qiu, who caught it with one hand. Opening it without high expectations, he found only a bottle of water and some store-bought bread inside.

Thinking he should be eating the sandwiches personally made by Fang Wushang, Ye Qiu cursed his bad luck internally as he unscrewed the bottle cap and took a sip of water.

At that moment, Ye Qiu's eyes caught the figure of Bai Zhuotian sitting alone on a rock. He was the only one who hadn't touched his pouch. His eyes beneath his drooped bangs were staring at everyone with a dim gaze.

What was he looking at...? Ye Qiu couldn't figure it out in the end, but had a feeling something bad was going to happen!

Suddenly, a cold shiver enveloped his entire body. What was this guy waiting for, Ye Qiu wondered... That must be it.

Ye Qiu immediately threw the water bottle away, trying to spit out the liquid in his mouth.

But it was too late. Ye Qiu suddenly felt weak all over and collapsed on the spot. He realized his body couldn't move!

No doubt, he had been poisoned with paralysis.

Looking to the side, he saw that Nan Haowei and another member were also lying on the ground, struggling similarly.

Ye Qiu immediately reached for his waist pouch with the part of his left arm he could still slightly move, but this only deepened his fear. All the medicines in his pocket were gone.

"Heh... heh heh heh..."

A sharp laugh reached Ye Qiu's ears. Bai Zhuotian, sitting on the rock, hugged his body with his arms, laughing maniacally. His sunken eyes were filled with that familiar crazy joy from before.

"Aha! Yaha! Yahaha!"

Bai Zhuotian, as if unable to hold back any longer, looked up at the sky and laughed aloud. Initially, Nan Haowei stared at him in bewilderment before finally speaking:

"Wh-... What's the meaning of this... These waters weren't... prepared by you, were they..."

"Nan Haowei! Quickly use the antidote...!"

Upon hearing Ye Qiu's voice, Nan Haowei sluggishly began searching his waist pouch.

"Ah!"

Bai Zhuotian let out strange noises, jumping down from the rock, and kicked away Nan Haowei's left hand. The green potion fell from his hand as a result. Bai Zhuotian picked up the potion, then reached into Nan Haowei's pouch and grabbed the remaining potions, stuffing them into his own waist pouch.

All hope was lost.

"Bai... Bai Zhuotian... What do you intend... to do... Is this... a training too...?"

"You fool!"

Bai Zhuotian's boot harshly kicked Nan Haowei's mouth, which didn't understand the situation and continued asking random questions.

"Ugh!"

Nan Haowei's body twitched slightly, showing that Bai Zhuotian was ready to take action against his own people. But this change did not affect the current situation in any way. Because in a forest already explored like this, it was unlikely for someone to pass by so coincidentally.