Immortal Supreme: Sovereign of the Grand Dao

224  The Mantis Stalks the Cicada...(you know how it goes...)

"Master, we've got news about the Beard Gang Brothers," Kaiser reported, a sense of urgency in his voice.

Arthur, now concealing his identity beneath a cloak, nodded for them to continue.

"They've recruited three more members, all with full beards. Currently, they're accompanied by a lady with a young boy of approximately 12 years old. They're on the brink of starting their treasure hunt," Tanik added, relaying the latest intelligence.

"Good. Lead the way then," Arthur instructed, his gaze focused on the trio.

They left the city silently, moving like shadows through the outskirts.

The landscape unfolded before them as they tracked the Beard Gang Brothers and their newfound companions.

'So they were serious about this beard gang thing?' Arthur felt the ideologies of the brothers were funny.

Days passed in quiet pursuit, Arthur employing his skills to thwart any potential threats from powerful creatures.

The beard gang boasted to the girl who was the one with the map that it was by their strength, not knowing that Arthur had been sensing dangers ahead of time and taking care of it for them.

The trio became more amazed as they followed Arthur.

They couldn't comprehend what kind of Runic Talisman could not only completely hide their aura and presence but even the sound they make when they move quickly through the air.

"Hm, this direction, they are heading towards the forbidden zone, the Ancient Battlefield." Kaiser spoke.

Arthur nodded at that and said, "Since that can still go knowing the dangers of that place then they must have some assurance."

He then asked Kaiser, "What is the origin of the young girl and the boy?"

"Master, they are both siblings who appear to be hiding from enemies until they met the beard gang brothers and made a deal with them," Kaiser explained.

"So the deal was for the Beard Gang Brothers to protect them and they will share a Fortuitous Encounter?" Arthur concluded.

"Exactly Master. But unfortunately we were not able to get any detailed information on the identity of the two except their names."

"Philia and Toki."

"I see," Arthur nodded thoughtfully.

It appears that the siblings were the real reason for his coming here.

Finally, the group arrived at the Ancient Battlefield, a forbidden zone in the Southern Continent.

The air was thick with ancient power, and the forest exuded a mystical aura.

Mighty spirit beasts roamed and roared, and the very atmosphere seemed charged with danger.

"Hey, isn't it time to use that?" One of the men said to the girl. His figure trembling slightly.

"Hey, are you scared?" The little boy asked.

"What? Scared of what little boy?! I'm just asking."

"Oh," the boy didn't look convinced.

"Hey, stop the banter," Alvin one of the brothers stepped forward.

"This is where you act," he faced the girl.

Philia nodded and brought out a map from her spatial ring.

The girl unfolded the, and a golden aura enveloped them. Arthur's eyes narrowed in confusion  as he felt a familiar energy, yet eluding the grasp of his memory.

"Stay hidden," Arthur whispered to the trio. They nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

As the Beard Gang Brothers stared at the map, Arthur observed their interactions from a concealed vantage point.

The lady and the young boy, seemingly innocent, exuded an air of mystery.

Arthur sensed that this treasure hunt was not as straightforward as it appeared.

The golden aura of the map intrigued him. It resonated with something deep within his memories.

"But what is it?"

"Could this be related to one of my past incarnations?" Arthur had a hunch that he felt to be the more likely scenario.

The Beard Gang Brothers spoke in hushed tones, their excitement palpable.

The lady and the boy shared glances filled with a mixture of anticipation and caution.

"Sister..."

"Don't worry Toki. We'll be fine."

"I'm not worried, I'm just hungry."

*Tap!*

Philia flicked his head.

"Ough!"

"Like you even felt pain, stop playing around. Now is not the time for food."

"Alright, fine. But this doesn't stop my stomach from growling."

Indeed, his stomach growled at that point and even Arthur's group who was far away heard it.

"Wow, little kid. Do you have the digestive system of a spirit beasts?!"

"Enough chit chat, let's move," Kevin ordered.

This ancient battlefield held secrets, and he was determined to uncover them.

---

As Arthur stealthily followed the group, a sense of surprise gripped him when he noticed that they were effectively concealed from the powerful beasts inhabiting the Ancient Battlefield.

"The concealment of that map must be quite high...and quite ancient." Arthur said.

The reason why he could do the same was simply due to the high-level concealment array given to him by Suo Hao which has proved its worth, shielding his group from the keen senses of mighty beasts with formidable cultivation.

As the two teams ventured deeper into the place, with one ahead and one secretly behind, they traversed many dangerous landscapes that unfolded before them.

That was until they arrived at a certain location with mountains all around.

The mountainous terrain was shrouded in a mystical ambiance and one can tell that this was no ordinary place at a glance.

In fact, without the map, nobody would be able to find this place but when they arrived, they met an obstacle.

A Giant Red Serpent guarding the mountain cave seemed oblivious to their presence as it slept soundly.

"A Tier Six Spirit Beast?" Arthur sensed Its rank.

"Moreover its the very rare, Purple-Yang Poison Serpent. Hmm, let's see how this will play out," Arthur decided to be a spectator for now.

The fact that this could be a fortuitous encounter for him doesn't mean it can't be laced with dangers that can cause even him to end up on the losing end.

Arthur watched intently as the group approached the massive serpent.

They engaged in a heated debate, their opinions clashing like thunder in the silent expanse.

The prospect of advancing further into the mountain cave divided them.

'Heh, fools,' Arthur thought in his heart as he knew where this will lead to in the end.