Dapeng's Time Travel Life

Chapter 491 Concealment and Exploration: Undercurrents Before the Storm

Zhang Peng and his group hurried through the forest outside the ruins, the chilling aura of the dark forces still lingering behind them. They knew that their brief victory over the dark forces was merely the calm before the storm, and the real danger could strike at any moment. The dense forest, with its intertwined branches and leaves, was occasionally punctuated by the low growls of unknown wild animals, adding to the tense atmosphere.

“Let’s find a safe place to hide first. The dark forces are definitely searching for us.” Zhang Peng said while cautiously observing his surroundings. His eyes showed fatigue, but even more so, determination. The power of the stars flowed slowly within him, providing him with a continuous source of strength.

Murong Yu nodded in agreement, the Chaos Breeze Sword in his hand trembling slightly, as if sensing the potential danger. "This forest is too conspicuous; we need to find a secluded valley or cave."

Liu Ruoli gently stroked her jade flute, the sound echoing in the air, the sound waves transforming into invisible tentacles, probing the surroundings. "I sense a valley to the southeast, where the spiritual energy fluctuations are relatively stable; it might be a good hiding place."

Su Yi remained silent, his eyes scanning his surroundings warily, dark magic flickering in his hands. Having once been a member of the Black Robe Organization, he knew the methods of dark forces well, and his heart was filled with vigilance and unease.

The four of them proceeded cautiously in the direction Liu Ruoli had indicated, careful not to trigger any traps or attract unnecessary trouble. When they finally arrived at the valley, the scene before them brought them some relief. The valley was surrounded by dense vegetation, and a huge rock at the entrance formed a natural barrier.

Upon entering the valley, Zhang Peng used the power of the Starry Sky to create a powerful stellar barrier around it. The barrier shimmered with a faint light, blending seamlessly with its surroundings, making it difficult for outsiders to detect. The barrier not only protected against invading enemies but also concealed their presence, making it difficult for dark forces to track them.

“Next, we need to use this time to improve our strength,” Zhang Peng said. “Although I have initially mastered the power of the Starry Sky, I still need more time to comprehend and apply it. The same goes for you; you must seize the time to cultivate.”

Murong Yu found a quiet corner and began cultivating a higher level of the Chaos Breeze Sword Technique. His swordplay, enhanced by the laws of chaos, became increasingly fierce; each swing generated a gust of wind, whipping up the surrounding leaves. Liu Ruoli, on the other side of the valley, played her jade flute, the sound waves merging with the surrounding spiritual energy, continuously enhancing the power of her sonic spells. Su Yi, meanwhile, silently cultivated dark magic in the shadows of the valley, attempting to break through his own limits.

Zhang Peng sat alone in the center of the valley, eyes closed, deeply immersed in comprehending the power of the stars. His consciousness once again entered the cosmos, the laws governing the movement of the stars clearly presented before him. He attempted to further fuse the power of the stars with the laws of chaos, creating even more powerful spells.

However, while they diligently cultivated, the dark forces did not cease their search. Inside the headquarters of the dark forces, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive. The leader sat on a massive black throne, his face so somber it seemed capable of dripping water.

"A bunch of useless trash! They can't even handle a few punks!" the leader roared angrily. "Increase the search efforts! We must wipe them out completely before they fully improve their strength!"

The underlings of the dark forces obeyed their orders with trepidation, scattering to various corners and using all sorts of methods to search for Zhang Peng and his companions. Some skilled dark mages used dark magic to sense the spiritual energy fluctuations left behind by Zhang Peng and his group; others disguised themselves and infiltrated nearby towns and villages to gather information about them.

In a town not far from the valley where Zhang Peng and his companions hid, a man in black robes sat in a tavern, chatting idly with those around him. He seemed to be casually inquiring about strangers, but in reality, he harbored a secret plan. Suddenly, he overheard someone mention seeing strange lights in the mountains, and a thought struck him.

"Oh? What kind of light?" the man in black asked casually.

"It looks like starlight, twinkling and flashing, it's very strange," the man replied.

The man in black robes was overjoyed. He knew this was likely the trace left by Zhang Peng and his men. He quickly got up, left the tavern, and ran towards the mountains…