Thinking of this, Henry Clark let out a silent laugh.

If Susan Baker saw this deep, silent smile, she definitely wouldn’t sleep so soundly again.

Chapter 004 Fire Crystal Stone

“Over there is Wolf Beach…” Henry Clark pointed to the empty riverbank across the river and said.

A great river wound its way from the northwest around the mountains before them. Due to the terrain, the river twisted and turned, forming a vast riverbank at the foot of a mountain. South of the riverbank lay a stretch of rolling hills.

Susan Baker looked at the situation across the river and asked, “When do the Ironback Grey Wolves usually appear?”

Henry Clark replied, “Normally, the Ironback Grey Wolves come to drink water at night. If this pack hasn’t been wiped out yet, we’ll be able to wait for them here.”

“Alright, we’ll set up camp here and wait for a few days,” Susan Baker decided after thinking for a moment. Then he turned to Edward Reed and said, “Junior sister Edward Reed, do you have any suggestions?”

Edward Reed rolled her bright eyes and shot a glance at Susan Baker, saying, “You’ve already said everything—what opinion could I possibly have?”

Susan Baker smiled slightly and cupped his hands, saying, “If there’s anything you need, I wouldn’t dare refuse.” Susan Baker was already handsome, and when he smiled, his teeth were white and neat, making him seem even more sunny and pure. His star-like eyes were full of deep affection—truly a graceful and elegant young man.

Susan Baker was handsome, Edward Reed was charming, and the two had similar cultivation levels, making them seem like a match made in heaven. Susan Baker inviting Edward Reed to hunt monsters together was perhaps also a way to build a closer relationship. Such a humble gesture was rare for Susan Baker.

Edward Reed’s clever gaze shifted, her pink lips curling into a small arc, as if she was smiling or perhaps pouting, and she muttered under her breath, “Trying to act cute, huh!”

Susan Baker’s smile froze. Although he didn’t understand what “acting cute” meant, Edward Reed’s obvious indifference couldn’t be clearer. Clearly, Edward Reed wasn’t buying it.

Linda Cooper and George Carter, standing nearby, also felt a bit awkward. They quickly turned their heads to look around, pretending they hadn’t heard the exchange between Susan Baker and Edward Reed.

Only Henry Clark remained calm, as if completely unaware of the awkwardness.

After being rebuffed, Susan Baker was secretly angry. Although a trace of green flashed across his face, showing a hint of anger, after all, he was only a fifteen-year-old boy. Despite his scheming, he couldn’t hide his feelings.

After a moment of silence, Susan Baker didn’t dare lose his temper and forced a smile, saying, “Everyone, set up camp. We’ll be staying here for a few days. The Ironback Grey Wolf’s pelt is very valuable, not to mention the monster core. Let’s try to kill as many as we can.”

Linda Cooper and George Carter hurriedly pulled Henry Clark along to prepare the camp. Susan Baker nodded to Edward Reed and said, “I’ll go check the terrain on the other side…”

After giving his instructions, Susan Baker stretched out his body, lightly tapped the center of the river with his foot, and gracefully crossed the six or seven-zhang-wide river. The whole process was smooth and effortless, showing Susan Baker’s impressive mastery of lightness skill.

Edward Reed’s bright eyes narrowed into crescent moons, secretly amazed. “Susan Baker’s Gale Sword Technique really is not to be underestimated!” Although Edward Reed wasn’t afraid of Susan Baker, her earlier rejection had made him lose face, and since he was narrow-minded, Edward Reed had to be extra cautious.

A full moon rose into the sky, illuminating the riverbank.

With the eyesight of Susan Baker and the others, they could clearly see what was happening hundreds of meters away. They had waited two days, but still hadn’t seen a trace of the Ironback Grey Wolves. The group was growing impatient. The autumn hunting season in the mountains lasted only a month. They had already been out for nine days and had gained nothing. If they didn’t see the Ironback Grey Wolves today, they would have to consider moving elsewhere.

Henry Clark secretly laughed. This place was called Wolf Beach, but who knew how many people came here every year to hunt Ironback Grey Wolves? The wolves within several hundred li had long since been killed off. If these people could actually wait for one, that would be a miracle! He had brought Susan Baker and the others here for another reason.

Even when the sun rose in the east, there was still no sign of the Ironback Grey Wolves. Many wild beasts came to drink by the riverbank, but not a single third-rank monster appeared.

After waiting in vain for two days, Susan Baker’s patience was nearly exhausted. He looked at Henry Clark with a colder, sharper gaze. “Wukong, what’s going on?” Susan Baker no longer bothered to pretend, his tone icy as he questioned.

Henry Clark replied calmly, “I said before, even though this place is called Wolf Beach, it still takes luck to encounter Ironback Grey Wolves.”

Susan Baker’s face darkened. “If you can’t find us any prey, what use do we have for you?”

George Carter and Linda Cooper also looked unfriendly, glaring fiercely at Henry Clark. They were just waiting for Susan Baker’s word to teach Henry Clark a lesson.

Edward Reed said lazily, half-smiling, “Trash is still trash, no matter how much you treasure him. See what good it’s done you now!”

Edward Reed’s sarcasm made Susan Baker even angrier. His expression changed several times as he considered whether to just get rid of Henry Clark to vent his anger.

Henry Clark sensed the danger and quickly said, “I know of a secret cave where there’s a fourth-rank Fire Bear!”

George Carter’s triangular eyes widened as he snapped, “Are you trying to get us killed? A fourth-rank monster, and you’re still talking nonsense!” As he spoke, George Carter drew his long blade, ready to act.

A fourth-rank monster was equivalent to a fourth-rank martial artist. The fourth rank of martial arts was called Tongli. Tongli meant that vital energy flowed through all eighteen acupoints in the body, with vital energy and inner strength merging as one, no longer separate—this was called Tongli.