Living in the wilderness, every detail must be attended to. It’s not enough to rely on martial skills and a blade to wander about recklessly. Except for George Carter, the others were all veterans, handling everything in an orderly manner.

Edward Reed set up a defensive array around them. While it couldn’t defeat enemies, it could prevent demon beasts and the like from sneaking in. Susan Baker once again scattered scent-masking powder, concealing the aroma of food, human scent, and other odors lingering in the air.

Most demon beasts have a keen sense of smell, able to catch a scent from dozens of miles away if the wind is right. Even among low-level demon beasts, scent is often used to mark territory. For demon beasts, scent is especially important.

As hunters, Susan Baker and the others had to be even more careful about their own scent.

After eating, Susan Baker and Edward Reed studied a crude map for a long time, then gathered everyone to discuss the next day’s plans. Susan Baker was meticulous, Edward Reed quick-witted, Linda Cooper mature and steady, and with Henry Clark’s wealth of experience, they quickly came up with several contingency plans.

“This season, the main treasures are Blood Swallow Flower, Departure Dragon Grass, Mimosa Fruit, and Demon Eye Vine. These herbs are quite precious and extremely rare—it all depends on luck. As for Black Iron and Dark Gold, we might come across them if we’re strong enough. Legend has it that deep in the mountains, there are divine items like the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King, the Millennium Dragon Saliva Fruit, and the Nine-Leaf Bodhi. Even more fantastical, it’s said that the invincible Star River Lord from ten thousand years ago left behind the ‘Star River Scripture’ and the ‘Limitless Star God Pearl’...” Henry Clark, with his rich experience, explained the various legendary treasures of the Black Dragon Mountains.

Hearing about immortal abodes and divine medicines, George Carter and Linda Cooper both had their eyes light up. Even Susan Baker couldn’t help but show a hint of longing. Although this group had been to the Black Dragon Mountains several times, no one had ever told them these wild legends. Legends always stir the blood and set the heart racing.

Henry Clark’s low, hoarse voice sounded like celestial music to their ears at this moment.

Although Edward Reed greatly disliked Henry Clark, she had to admit that he was indeed skilled in this area and seemed very familiar with everything about the Black Dragon Mountains. Still, she couldn’t help but mock, “If there really were ten-thousand-year divine medicines and Star River treasures, the masters would have taken them long ago. How could it be our turn?”

Henry Clark wasn’t angered, replying calmly, “Such divine items cannot be sought by force; they come only by fate...”

This statement made Susan Baker and the others’ hearts burn with excitement again. Each thought, “That’s exactly right—divine items have spirits and will choose their own masters. It’s not just about having high cultivation.”

Legends of divine medicines and the Star River Lord have been passed down for centuries, known to all. Hunters and herb gatherers entering and leaving the Black Dragon Mountains number in the thousands, yet who has ever seen such things? Even with so many experts in the Red Lotus Temple, none have gone searching for them. These ethereal legends are just for excitement—only a fool would take them seriously.

Edward Reed sneered inwardly but said no more.

“I heard that one of the Seven Grandmasters, Curse-Stabilizing Heaven and Earth Yuan Tianyi, had a miraculous encounter as a child and obtained the ‘Xuantian Nine Yang Curse World Book,’ which is how he became a grandmaster who dominates the world. Now he’s even the Imperial Preceptor of the Xuanyuan Dynasty. People need a stroke of luck to succeed...” George Carter was full of envy and jealousy, wishing he could have such a miraculous encounter and become a peerless powerhouse himself.

“Our Heavenly Lotus Sect’s ‘Red Lotus World-Burning Canon’ is also a supreme demonic scripture. If we had the chance to cultivate it, we could also become peerless powerhouses.”

Listening to George Carter and Linda Cooper’s lively discussion, Susan Baker became excited as well and couldn’t help but say, “Legend has it that the ‘Limitless Star God Pearl’ is a supreme artifact, containing boundless star gods. It can draw upon the power of billions of stars, constantly tempering oneself and advancing one’s cultivation by leaps and bounds. If we could get it, it would be a hundred times better than any secret manual or treasure...”

The group grew more and more excited as they spoke, as if those legendary divine weapons and supreme scriptures were right before their eyes.

Having grown up in the strictly hierarchical and harshly regulated Red Lotus Temple, they constantly yearned for great power in their hearts. Being far from the temple now allowed them to speak freely and release their repressed desires.

Edward Reed had no interest in listening to their daydreams and returned to her tent to rest. Susan Baker and the others chatted enthusiastically for a long time, only going to sleep near midnight.

Before sleeping, Susan Baker reminded Henry Clark, “We can’t have no one on watch tonight. You and George Carter will have to work a bit harder. You stand guard for two hours first, then switch with George Carter. This concerns our lives, so you both must be careful...”

With five people, only two were assigned to keep watch, and after two hours, dawn would be near, so there was little need to sleep that night. Henry Clark had no complaints about Susan Baker’s arrangement. His obedient and humble attitude made Susan Baker very satisfied.

Henry Clark sat cross-legged at the outermost edge of the stone platform, eyes half-open and half-closed, silently practicing the Azure Dragon Water Guiding Technique from the Secret Art of the Hidden Azure Dragon, sensing the world’s vital energy.

Although his previous life was leisurely, after living in this world for ten years, Henry Clark’s body and mind had been tempered like stone. Not sleeping for several days was no problem for him. Moreover, sitting in meditation like this, body and mind relaxed, was almost as good as real sleep.

After two hours, Henry Clark awoke from his meditation. The crescent moon had set; it was the darkest time before dawn. Henry Clark didn’t bother to wake George Carter; since he was playing the obedient one, he might as well do the whole job.

As for Susan Baker, Henry Clark naturally understood his intentions. Susan Baker wanted to use Henry Clark, but didn’t realize Henry Clark wanted to use him even more. As for who would use whom, it would all depend on whose methods were superior!