Chapter 12

Brothers, please give me a favorite and a recommendation~~ Why is it that my favorites keep increasing, but the recommendations don't move at all T.T? Give me some motivation to write~~

Also, I sent the contract a bit late, so I estimate it will only be changed to A-sign on Monday.

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"Xiaohan, run fast!" Lu Baichuan's eyes were bloodshot with rage. His entire body was radiating a fierce aura as he angrily chased after the green-patterned python.

Without needing Lu Baichuan's reminder, Jiang Han's body hair stood on end. Without a second thought, he immediately used the Ghost Step, disappearing from his original spot in the blink of an eye. Still feeling uneasy, he flashed a few more times and stopped behind the group.

The green-patterned python, having lost its target, immediately directed its anger at Lu Baichuan, spewing toxic mist that filled the air with a foul stench.

"Tricky beast!"

Lu Baichuan was filled with regret, almost causing Jiang Han to be in danger just now. His anger soared, and a yellowish glow enveloped his body, protecting him from the toxic mist. He attacked the green-patterned python with a series of furious strikes.

"What are you all standing there for? Go help the boss!" Jiang Han shouted loudly when he saw the others staring at him in shock.

The group finally snapped out of it, temporarily putting aside their astonishment at Jiang Han's performance. They surged forward, each one attacking the green-patterned python with their full might.

Jiang Han wiped the sweat from his forehead and slumped to the ground. The continuous use of the Ghost Step in a moment of fear had almost depleted his true essence!

He swallowed a recovery pill and quietly restored his true essence. In the heat of the moment, he had used the Ghost Step without thinking, and his ghostly steps and speed had saved him from a crisis. However, how was he going to explain this to everyone?

The Ghost Step was of no small grade, and everyone could easily tell from Jiang Han's performance. He had never had this kind of body technique before!

Jiang Han squatted on the ground, troubled. It seemed he was better suited to being alone. When working with a team, some of his secrets couldn't be exposed. It wasn't that he didn't trust them, but these secrets were too shocking and could easily slip out, attracting unwanted attention.

"I'll leave after this mission is over," Jiang Han thought to himself.

To be honest, he was a bit reluctant to leave these friends, but he had to go. His secrets could not only bring trouble to himself but also endanger them.

Jiang Han didn't have the right to have friends... at least not until he became stronger.

Sitting on the ground, he watched as the group battled the green-patterned python.

After all, it was a second-stage beast, lacking full intelligence. Combined with the fact that Jiang Han had taken the Blood Orchid, the python's anger had disrupted its rhythm, making it unable to resist the group's attacks.

Finally, in a moment of carelessness, the green-patterned python was struck by Shi Jian's axe at its vital point, causing it to scream in pain and curl up.

"Come on, we're almost done with it!" Lu Baichuan's eyes lit up, and he shouted loudly.

Everyone was invigorated and attacked even harder. The injured green-patterned python was unable to resist and was soon killed by the group's combined efforts.

The group was not unscathed either, almost everyone was injured, wincing as they treated their wounds.

"This snake is really tough," Shi Jian muttered, sprinkling some low-quality healing powder on his wound and then tightly bandaging it with a strip of cloth.

The others also treated their wounds, but none of them used the golden wound medicine, which had an extremely powerful healing effect and could be a lifesaver at any time!

Lu Baichuan, being the strongest and focusing on defense, was the only one who wasn't injured.

After killing the green-patterned python, Lu Baichuan sighed in relief and quickly walked over to Jiang Han. He hadn't seen Jiang Han's movements clearly when the python attacked him, so he didn't know if Jiang Han was injured.

"Xiaohan, are you okay?"

Jiang Han remained seated, his eyes unfocused, as if he hadn't heard Lu Baichuan's words.

Lu Baichuan's heart tightened, thinking Jiang Han might be injured. He quickly squatted down, supporting Jiang Han's shoulder with one hand and waving the other in front of Jiang Han's face, urgently saying, "Xiaohan, are you okay? Don't scare me, you..."

"Ah?" Jiang Han snapped out of his daze. He had been thinking about how to explain himself to Lu Baichuan and the others, getting lost in thought.

"I'm fine, just thinking," Jiang Han smiled, seeing Lu Baichuan's worried face, feeling a warmth in his heart.

"That's good!" Lu Baichuan, seeing that Jiang Han was indeed uninjured, breathed a sigh of relief and stood up, shouting to Ding Yixian and the others, "Everyone, deal with the python's body. These snake-type beasts are full of treasures, don't waste them!"

"Do I need to tell you that?" Ding Yixian rolled her eyes, ignoring the blood and carefully began to process the body.

Generally, the bodies of poisonous snakes wouldn't be toxic after death, but this was an unknown poisonous python, so they had to be cautious.

Lu Baichuan chuckled awkwardly, not saying anything, and began to observe the surroundings to prevent other beasts from being attracted by the blood.

The others either kept watch or helped process the green-patterned python's body, all tacitly avoiding mentioning Jiang Han's earlier performance.

Jiang Han stood up, dusted off his clothes, and watched the group's busy figures, feeling moved.

He knew they were trying to make things easier for him, respecting his privacy.

But Jiang Han had already thought of a good reason, one that could explain the Ghost Step and allow him to leave the Dawn Team smoothly.

He just needed to find the right moment to say it.

...

Everyone worked efficiently, taking less than half an hour to process the green-patterned python's body. The snake meat and other parts were divided into several large packages, carried by the stronger members, while the beast crystal was kept by Lu Baichuan.

On the way back, everyone was still chatting and laughing. They had initially thought the mission would be troublesome, given the 5000 gold coin reward.

Unexpectedly, apart from the green-patterned python's toxic mist causing a bit of trouble, everything else went smoothly!

Only Jiang Han remained silent, walking among the group without a word, seemingly lost in thought, not paying attention to his surroundings.

"Xiaohan, what's wrong? Why are you so quiet?" Ding Yixian couldn't help but ask.

"Uh, nothing," Jiang Han turned his head woodenly.

"Then what are you thinking about?" Ding Yixian frowned, noticing Jiang Han's unusual and troubled appearance.

"Uh, nothing," Jiang Han shook his head.

"Can you stop saying 'uh'?!" Ding Yixian said irritably.

"Uh..."

Ding Yixian: "..."

Seeing Jiang Han's state, Ding Yixian didn't want to say more and resumed chatting with the others, occasionally glancing at Jiang Han.

Jiang Han continued to walk in silence, head down.

"Everyone, stop for a moment..."

After walking for about half an hour, Jiang Han suddenly looked up and spoke softly.

"...I want to tell you all something."

"What is it?" Shi Jian was the first to step forward, his face full of curiosity, "Come on, come on, don't be so slow!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt two killing auras and shivered, forcing a smile and turning around, "Ladies, I didn't mean to..."

The two women in the group huffed and glared at him, then turned their attention to Jiang Han, waiting for him to speak.

Shi Jian wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, inwardly calling them tigresses.

"Xiaohan, what do you want to tell everyone?" Lu Baichuan smiled.

Jiang Han was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I might have to leave everyone."

Everyone's smiles froze, looking at Jiang Han in disbelief, their eyes full of shock.

"Ha ha, Xiaohan, what did you just say? I think I must have heard wrong..." Lu Baichuan laughed dryly, his voice hoarse.

"Boss!" Jiang Han suddenly took a deep breath and shouted, "...and everyone, you didn't hear wrong, I am leaving!"

"Why... Did Sister Yan do something to you?" Ding Yixian stared at him blankly, then forced a smile, "If there's anything wrong, Sister Yan can change..."

"Sister Yan, you're great, everyone is great!" Jiang Han lowered his head and said solemnly, "Although no one said it, I know everyone must be curious about the body technique I used earlier..."

"Are you leaving because of that?" Lu Baichuan gritted his teeth, "No one doubted you. You're part of the Dawn Team, how can you just leave?"

Jiang Han slowly shook his head and said softly, "I'm sorry, everyone. I also deceived you before. Those pills weren't left by a 'high person,' there's another reason."

Everyone was stunned again, then frowned. Lu Baichuan was about to speak but was interrupted by Jiang Han.

"Please listen to me," Jiang Han pinched the bridge of his nose, "In fact, you could say there is a 'high person,' but not in the way you think."

Everyone was confused by Jiang Han's words, and what he said next left them speechless.

"To be precise, there is a person of high cultivation who wants to take me as a disciple, and those pills were left by my 'master.'"

"He asked me to find him after some time to formally take me as a disciple, which is why I have to leave."

"I'm sorry for deceiving everyone before. My master said I shouldn't reveal his identity, so I had to lie to you. But I felt that if I didn't explain clearly, it might cause misunderstandings, so I'm telling you about my master."

"Uh, can you understand what I'm saying?"

Jiang Han let out a long breath after his explanation and cautiously looked at everyone's expressions.

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