CHAPTER 109: DID YOU REALLY THINK YOU COULD RUN?

The black storage ring contrasted sharply against Adrian’s pale hand. It was very conspicuous and drew Julina’s attention. At a glance, he could tell it was a very high-grade storage ring.

Even higher than his own, which was saying something because his storage ring was a Gold grade storage ring. He glanced between the two storage rings as greed began over taking his mind. However, he didn’t act immediately.

There was something off about this unknown Foundation Establishment realm cultivator. He wasn’t worried, per se, but he just decided to be cautious.

"That ring on your finger. It looks very unique." He said while pointing towards the ring with his sword.

’Damn it!’ Adrian muttered inwardly. He had made a grave mistake. He hadn’t kept the ring inside the Blood Star. Because of everything happening so fast, he had completely forgotten about it and just wanted to get to safety.

Now it seems that his oversight was going to bring him some trouble.

"Haha, respected cultivator. This is just an old storage ring that was given to me by my father before he passed away. It was the only thing he left for me, so I cherish it greatly.

Anyways, would you allow me to accompany you out of this region? I do not know the way back, and I was hoping you could help me.

Of course, I’m not asking you to help me for free. I am willing to pay for your help."

Adrian replied while spouting off some bullshit that came into his mind. He wanted to quickly take Julian’s mind off the storage ring and redirect his attention somewhere else.

However, his request for help wasn’t an excuse. he genuinely hoped that Julian could help him get out of the inner regions.

"Hmph, What could a pathetic Foundation Establishment realm cultivator offer me?" Julian asked sarcastically. He was about to dismiss Adrian’s ask for help, but his gaze landed on the storage ring again, and an idea formed in his mind.

A sly smile appeared on his face before he spoke once again.

"However, since I am a kind and magnanimous person, I am still willing to help you. I just want that storage ring on your finger."

’Shit!’ Adrian cursed internally. His plan to divert his attention had failed and Julian seemed even more interested in the storage ring.

Adrian obviously couldn’t give him the storage ring. He hadn’t even checked it yet, so he didn’t know what was inside it. But he knew it was very valuable. Things that could help him improve his strength quickly.

He would be a fool to hand it over to Julian. He had hoped to divert Julian’s attention, but the man’s greed was fixated on the black storage ring. Adrian’s fingers twitched slightly, his instincts screaming at him to be ready for a fight. But he forced himself to remain calm.

"I... I appreciate your offer, Senior," Adrian said, feigning reluctance while subtly changing the way he addressed him. "But as I mentioned, this ring is the only memento I have of my late father. Surely, there must be something else I can offer you instead? Qi stones? Rare herbs? I do not have much, but it would surely not be a waste of your time."

Julian’s smirk widened, his grip tightening on his sword. "Do you take me for a fool? That ring is no ordinary trinket. I can sense its aura, far stronger than my own Gold-grade storage ring. Hand it over, and I’ll consider letting you walk away."

Adrian’s mind raced. He couldn’t afford to lose the ring, it held too many of his secrets, too many valuable resources. But provoking a Golden Core cultivator head-on was suicide.

Then, an idea struck him.

"Very well," Adrian sighed, lowering his head as if in defeat. He slowly began sliding the ring off his finger. "If this is the price for my safety, then I have no choice."

Julian’s eyes gleamed with triumph as he reached out. But just as Adrian’s fingers loosened around the ring-

Whoosh!

A sudden burst of movement. Adrian’s other hand flicked, and a small dagger that he retrieved from the Blood Star shot toward Julian’s throat. At the same time, he activated the Astral Steps, his body flickering like a shadow.

Julian snarled, deflecting the dagger with his sword. "You dare?!"

Adrian didn’t respond. He was already moving, darting backward into the dense undergrowth. His only chance was to lose Julian in the forest and use the terrain to his advantage.

But Julian wasn’t about to let prey escape. With a cold laugh, he gave chase, his Golden Core realm speed closing the distance rapidly.

’This is bad,’ Adrian thought, adrenaline surging. He needed a plan, and fast. The Astral steps provided him with a massive boost in speed, allowing him to match a Golden Core realm cultivator in the initial stages, but it was still not enough.

Julian was a Golden Core realm cultivator in the middle stages, so even without using a martial skill, he wasn’t able to outrun him. Additionally, the Astral steps required too much Qi to use, and very soon, he wouldn’t be able to use it anymore.

Adrian’s heart was pounding as he sprinted through the dense undergrowth, branches whipping against his arms. The forest was thick here, the towering ancient trees casting long shadows that swallowed the fading daylight. Behind him, Julian’s mocking laughter echoed, far too close for comfort.

Damn it, damn it, damn it!

He had miscalculated. A Golden Core realm cultivator was leagues beyond him in speed and power. Even with the Blood Star’s stealth function, Julian’s spiritual sense was locked onto him like a hawk tracking prey.

A sharp whoosh cut through the air. Adrian barely twisted in time as a blade of condensed Qi sliced past his shoulder, carving a deep gash into a tree trunk ahead. Splinters exploded outward, and Adrian hissed as a shard grazed his cheek.

"Did you really think you could run?" Julian’s voice dripped with amusement. "A Foundation Establishment ant like you should know his place."

Adrian didn’t waste breath replying. His fingers flicked, summoning a handful of talismans from his sleeve, low-grade explosive ones he had prepared for emergencies. He hurled them backward without looking.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The forest erupted in flames and smoke. Julian’s furious curse rang out, but Adrian didn’t stop. He channeled his Qi into his legs, pushing his movement technique to its limits. His lungs burned, his muscles screamed, but he forced himself forward.

Julian was too close to him so even though he was moving in and out of the void, it wasn’t enough to avoid the pursuit. When Julian saw Adrian’s body seemingly ’disappear’ multiple times, his eyes widened in shock.

He had never heard of such a martial skill. This only intensified his greed towards Adrian. He knew that Adrian wasn’t a normal Foundation Establishment realm cultivator. If he was able to capture him and find out his secrets, he would surely gain a lot.

Think. Think!

Fighting head-on was suicide. His only chance was to outsmart Julian.

The terrain grew rougher, the ground sloping downward into a ravine. A river roared below, its rapids churning violently. Adrian’s eyes narrowed.

’There.’ He thought.

He skidded to a halt at the edge of the cliff, pretending to hesitate. Julian emerged from the smoke, his robes were a bit roughened, but his expression triumphant.

"Nowhere left to run," he sneered, raising his sword. "Give me the ring, and I’ll make your death quick."

Adrian clutched the black storage ring protectively. "You’ll have to take it from my corpse."

Julian’s face darkened. "So be it."

However, before Julian could attack, the loud howl of the beast that Adrian had been hearing once again resounded in their surroundings. However, this time, it was close, too close.

Both men turned their heads, and within the mist, they could see a large wolf coming towards them at a frightening speed. Both of their faces paled as they finally remembered where they were.

The aura of the wolf was immense, surpassing that of any beast both men had faced before in their lives. In just a few seconds, it had already closed in on them. Seeing the massive frame of the beast finally woke both of them out of their stupor.

Because of the mist, Adrian couldn’t tell what kind of wolf it was. However, that was the least of his worries at this moment. He knew he couldn’t outrun that beast.

No matter how extraordinary he was, he wasn’t going to escape that beast’s pursuit. Without hesitation, he took a step backward, falling off the cliff. Julian’s eyes widened before he cursed in frustration.

"Damn bastard." He muttered while running towards the cliff. However, when he peered over it, he was shocked. He couldn’t find Adrian in the river below. No body, no clothes, no sign of him whatsoever.

He also remembered that he didn’t hear a splash when Adrian entered the river. However, he quickly threw these thoughts to the back of his mind as he tried to escape from the wolf.