Beast Taming: I'm Really Just a Forest Ranger

Chapter 319 - 188: No One Can Stop Advisor Chen from Living a Peaceful Life! (Part 4)

The skinny man was dejected, and the muscular man hung his head, remaining silent in response to Chen Yuan’s various questions.

"How dare you lie to me." Lu Ran kicked away a pebble and then squatted in front of the two, a hint of annoyance flashing in the eyes beneath his dark red bangs, "Should we let the Blast Flame Fighting Ape give them a thrashing?"

Just then, one of the Investigation Department members spoke up: "I just searched their backpacks, and they’re filled with ordinary living supplies. Didn’t find any documents that could prove their identity."

Professor Song suddenly spoke: "Please make them talk."

Upon hearing this, the face of this Investigation Department member lit up with an eager smile: "Got it, professor."

His name was Yao Li, and along the way, he maintained a low profile, quietly walking at the back with another member.

At this moment, he finally had the space to shine.

When it came to unsealing a suspect’s lips, he was professional.

Yao Li’s thoughts moved, and a Pet Beast resembling a gray crane slowly appeared from the Summoning Array.

The creature was slender and graceful, standing almost as tall as Chen Yuan, with matte light gray feathers, wing tips, and tail feathers tinged with a faint silver glow.

The beak had a translucent amber hue, with visible flowing golden patterns inside.

Bright Light Crane, Spirit-type Pet Beast.

"Bright Light Crane, I leave it to you," Yao Li spoke.

The Bright Light Crane took its long steps forward, slowly pacing in front of the two, lowering its lids, the golden patterns inside its beak shining brightly. Its wings lightly flapped, releasing golden dust to envelop the two.

Chen Yuan hadn’t seen this skill before, so he turned to look at his younger brother.

Chen Wenhao said, "Breath of Truth, Spirit-type skill, likely able to hypnotize opponents. If the target is human, it can temporarily rob them of the ability to lie."

Chen Yuan nodded in realization.

In simple terms, it makes the opponent speak the truth.

Yao Li’s expression turned serious, his voice stern: "Your names and identities."

Skinny man: "Real name Ma Yu, senior member of the New Star Association."

Muscular man: "Real name Zhang Li, senior member of the New Star Association."

Upon hearing this, Yao Li’s expression turned slightly serious and he pursued the questioning: "What’s the purpose behind disguising yourselves?"

Ma Yu: "To infiltrate the research team or disperse team forces."

Everyone’s expressions shifted slightly.

Yao Li asked, "What’s the purpose of infiltrating the team?"

Ma Yu: "To gather information on the World Tree Cyan."

Yao Li’s eyes sharpened, his voice rising: "Why gather the information?"

Ma Yu fell silent, evidently not knowing the answer to this question.

"Where did you learn of our whereabouts?" Professor Song’s eyes were sharp as he questioned.

Ma Yu remained silent.

Chen Yuan suddenly asked, "Besides you, how many members are in Qinling?"

Ma Yu: "Two leaders in charge, plus ten senior members."

A moment later,

"It’s these guys again." Yao Li frowned, sharing some not entirely confidential information with the group, "The New Star Association’s organizational philosophy is to establish a brand-new social order, rewriting the world’s rules."

"The existence of the World Tree is not considered secret to them. Learning about our whereabouts is not difficult, and they prepared early on, attempting to gather more intelligence."

Zhang Yu couldn’t help but remark: "Such audacity, daring to disguise their identities."

Chen Wenhao showed worry: "They won’t set up an ambush, will they?"

Yao Li decisively shook his head, speaking with confidence: "Rest assured, they’re just a bunch of sneaky individuals. Even given ten guts, they wouldn’t dare ambush."

After a pause, he laughed: "Everyone shouldn’t fear this organization, they only dare to hide in the shadows, even acting cautiously, afraid to attack us, not even daring to expose their identities."

"Our Investigation Department holds great power; eliminating them is only a matter of time."

Chen Yuan’s mouth twitched.

Hey, hey, hey, don’t jinx it.

"But... why does the New Star Association want to gather information on the World Tree?" Yao Li frowned in thought.

Lu Ran brushed back his dark red hair, blurting out, "Definitely planning to make a pact. Who wouldn’t want to make a pact with a stronger Pet Beast?"

Professor Song, who had remained silent for a long time, suddenly spoke, his tone intriguing: "Human greed is infinite."

"The Divine possesses immeasurable power, inevitably attracting covetous attention."

Yao Li muttered under his breath: "How dare mortals covet the power of the Divine..."

"There’s nothing they wouldn’t dare," Professor Song gazed at the distant rolling mountains, his tone profound, "as long as the benefits are enough."

"Advisor Chen, the upcoming journey won’t be calm." Professor Song turned to look at Chen Yuan, the pillar of the team, issuing an order, "Let’s move ahead quickly."

Chen Yuan nodded silently.

What he thought was just an ordinary research activity inadvertently unveiled gods, ancient secrets, and even the New Star Association popped up.

Is the next step supposed to be world-saving?

Has a peaceful, leisurely life come to an end?

"No way, no one will disrupt my continued leisure!" Chen Yuan mused to himself.

As the thought passed, he looked at the unconscious pair: "Professor, how should we handle these two?"

Professor Song already had plans, he turned to another Investigation Department member: "Please take them down the mountain and report the situation here."

"Got it, professor."

This person deployed Qiong Yue, securely fastening the two men with ropes alongside Qiong Yue’s body, while Chen Yuan instructed the Twin Flower Concubine to use [Sweet Fragrance], ensuring they wouldn’t wake up for half a day.

Subsequently, Qiong Yue carried the three away.

Chen Yuan looked at Mr. Xiong: "This time you’ve made great contributions, helping us catch two bad guys."

Mr. Xiong indifferently waved a paw.

What use are human achievements to me?

"If the leader agrees, I’ll request two Spirit Fish or honey as rewards for you," Chen Yuan added.

"Roar!"

Mr. Xiong’s eyes lit up, pounding his chest repeatedly.

Please bring more bad guys to visit!

Due to the sudden appearance of the two from the New Star Association, time has been delayed a bit, unknowingly nearing evening.

"We’re here, this is the place."

After a while, Chen Yuan leading the way stopped.

Upon arriving here, a strong desire to keep going arose simultaneously in all the Pet Beasts’ hearts—move forward! Move forward!

"Such a large influence range, truly terrifying," Chen Wenhao exclaimed.

Chen Yuan turned to Professor Song, who answered without waiting for him to ask, lowering his voice: "Continue."

Chen Yuan nodded slightly, exhaling lightly, his gaze firm, as he swept his hand forward: "Let’s go!"

"Woof woof!"

Cola darted ahead from his left, taking large strides into the Mysterious Forest they’d approached several times yet never entered.

"Squeak!"

Spark soared high into the air, its sharp eyes scanning everywhere, patches of withered trees filling its view.

Winter forests, unlike the lush vitality of summer, are ruled by desolation, solitude, and sadness, the main theme of winter.

"It’s a pity there hasn’t been snow yet," Jiang Wenning, gazing at the barren forest, couldn’t help but feel disappointed; this scene was vastly different from what she had envisioned.

"You wouldn’t want it to snow," Chen Yuan chuckled.

"Why?"

"Once it snows, the difficulty of crossing mountains will increase significantly."

"Oh, I see..."

"Let’s go, there’s still a long way ahead of us."

To see the World Tree requires crossing large swaths of forest and mountains.