Chapter 50: Ambush

Su Hao paid little attention to the finals the next day, instead focusing on optimizing the functions of his [Minimap]. For familiar friends, he added a green ring around their icons; for strangers, a gray ring; and for enemies, a blood-red ring.

After several days of integration, his ‹Perception› rune network began to take effect gradually. Not only had his basic perception range extended to 200 meters, but he had also mastered the control methods of the [Minimap].

He could direct his Blood Qi to circulate within the rune along specific routes, enhancing his perception range. After testing, with his current strength, he could extend his perception to detect Blood Qi up to a range of 1,000 meters. However, the farther the distance, the more blurred the perception became.

If Su Hao stopped actively controlling the Blood Qi, the range would revert back to the basic 200 meters.

'I made the right choice; this is a life-saving divine skill! With this, my survival ability will greatly improve!'

However, Su Hao couldn't help but covet the beast veins stored on the third floor of the Lingyun Library. He wanted to record all of them into his system for research, but an old man guarded the place constantly, making it impossible to sneak in unnoticed and study each Vein. Crucially, Su Hao didn't want to clash with the academy staff.

His fascination with other veins (runes) stemmed from a persistent question: Why could runes produce such mysterious effects? What secrets were hidden within their complex structures?

Until he solved this mystery, it felt like a constant itch he couldn't scratch.

Although he now had a ‹Perception› rune, he couldn't extract any useful information from its complex lines.

'I need to collect more runes. With enough sample data, I'm confident I can uncover the secrets they hold.'

Su Hao firmly believed that no matter how mysterious the runes were, they would ultimately adhere to some universal laws and principles. Their special effects couldn't manifest without reason. As long as he continued to learn, one day, he would decode their mysteries.

First, Su Hao checked his remaining funds: 2 gold crowns and 35 silver shillings.

Then he left the academy and strolled through the streets and alleys of Lingyun Town.

Remembering his father Wu Yuntian's worn-out clothes and the old winter coat he wore year after year in the biting cold, Su Hao headed to a clothing store. He carefully chose two sets of clothes for his father—one for summer and one for winter.

He chose quality items, spending 20 silver shillings.

Then he bought a blanket, spending another 10 silver shillings.

Next, he visited a weapons shop and purchased some maintenance oils and repair tools for weapons and armor, spending 35 silver shillings.

Lastly, he stocked up on cooking spices, salt, and a barrel of fruit wine, costing 10 silver shillings.

In total, he spent 75 silver shillings.

When he returned to the Warrior academy, the enormous bundle strapped to his back was almost three times his body size.

….

The next day, after packing up, Su Hao met Little Fatty and He Qingqing outside He Qingqing's dorm, carrying his giant bundle.

When Little Fatty and He Qingqing saw Su Hao's enormous package, their mouths dropped open. Little Fatty exclaimed in shock, "Xiangwu, what on earth are you carrying? Are you moving?"

Little Fatty and He Qingqing's bundles were not small, but they were nothing compared to Su Hao's.

He Qingqing asked, "Xiangwu, isn't your bundle heavy? I have less stuff, let me help you carry some."

Su Hao shifted the bundle, adjusted its weight, and smiled. "No need, it's just some household supplies for my father. This weight is nothing."

Indeed, the bundle's weight was negligible to Su Hao. He could easily carry it while running laps around Lingyun Town without breaking a sweat.

Little Fatty looked troubled. "I forgot to get my dad a gift. What should I do?"

He Qingqing also looked distressed. "I forgot too…"

Su Hao said, "It's fine. These are just household items, not really gifts. Let's go!"

The three of them walked to the academy's gate and immediately spotted He Jianrong and Old Li waiting outside. They greeted the trio with smiling faces, waving enthusiastically.

To Su Hao's surprise, he saw a familiar figure.

"Father?"

It was Wu Yuntian. Su Hao had not expected his father to come.

"Dad!"

He Qingqing cheered and ran excitedly toward He Jianrong, grabbing his arm.

He Jianrong gazed lovingly at his grown daughter and couldn't help but sigh. She had matured so much. A few years ago, she would have jumped up and hung around his neck at a moment's notice.

He Jianrong took He Qingqing's bundle and said, "Qingqing, you've grown quite a bit taller!"

Little Fatty, on the other hand, looked shy as he strutted up to Old Li and said proudly, "Dad, can you see what's different about me?"

Old Li swatted Little Fatty's head, took the bundle, and said with a laugh, "What's different? You're still your old man's son!"

Little Fatty protested, "Can't you see? I'm already a mid-level commen Warrior!"

Only to have his father swat him on the head again.

Meanwhile, Su Hao's interaction was much quieter.

Su Hao approached with a smile and asked, "Father, how was the past year? Everything going well?"

Wu Yuntian, with his usual aloof expression, carefully examined Su Hao. Looking at his son, who stood spiritedly before him but still not reaching his shoulder in height, he nodded with satisfaction. "It was fine."

He reached out to take the enormous bundle from Su Hao's back.

Su Hao quickly stepped aside. "No need, I can manage. It's just some bedding, not heavy."

Wu Yuntian nodded.

Seeing that Su Hao could carry his bundle himself, He Qingqing quickly grabbed her bundle back from He Jianrong. "Dad, give me back my bundle. I can carry it!"

Little Fatty scratched his head awkwardly and followed suit. "Dad, I can carry mine too!"

Su Hao was speechless. Even carrying a bundle could turn into a competition. The human world was indeed fearsome.

He Jianrong looked helplessly at his now-empty hands, exchanged glances with Old Li and Wu Yuntian, and sighed. "Let's go."

The group of six left the city gates, took one last glance at the towering walls, and without further delay, followed a small path towards Chashan Outpost.

As they gradually distanced themselves from Lingyun Town, the three warriors immediately heightened their vigilance, prepared for any sudden appearance of fierce beasts.

Though still within the bounds of Lingyun Town, elite-level beasts occasionally roamed the area seeking food, and ordinary people often fell victim to these attacks.

Suddenly, Su Hao's brow furrowed. [Minimap] displayed ten unfamiliar Blood Qi signatures 200 meters ahead, positioned on both sides of the road, completely stationary.

Something was wrong—not all were strangers. Two of them had been recorded before.

Su Hao quickly reviewed the information. One was Dan Sui, a mid-level commen warrior, and the other was a high-level elite warrior he had encountered outside the academy.

They were coming for him!

A month ago, Su Hao had humiliated Dan Sui, a third-year student, by kicking him off his "pedestal". Now, he was undoubtedly seeking revenge, and it seemed he planned to ambush Su Hao in the wilderness.

Su Hao immediately checked the details of the other eight individuals. All were high-level elite warriors.

'What should I do?' Su Hao slowed his pace, considering his options.

If he were alone, he could simply charge through and take them down one by one. But with Little Fatty and He Qingqing, who had no means of protecting themselves, things became complicated.

Under the assault of high-level elite warriors, the two had no chance of survival.

Fighting and killing were not problems for Su Hao, but protecting Little Fatty and He Qingqing at the same time added a level of difficulty. Given his current combat experience, he wasn't confident he could ensure their safety.

Wu Yuntian noticed Su Hao's unusual behavior and turned to ask, "What's wrong, Xiangwu?"