From Sword to Slaughter: Evolution

Ye Lan quickly snapped back to his senses, glancing at Xin Haohui and the others before fleeing.

Run!

He had just killed one of his fellow mercenaries, and if caught, he'd be executed for sure!

Especially since Zhang Hu was a third-rank martial artist.

Once Zhang Hu received the news, there'd be no way for Ye Lan to escape!

"Ye Lan has killed one of our own!!"

Xin Haohui shouted, his voice echoing throughout the area.

The Violent Tiger Mercenary Group members were immediately alerted, and they began converging on the scene.

Even though Ah Bao was only a first-rank martial artist, he was skilled in combat, yet he had fallen to Ye Lan's sword!

In no time, Zhang Hu himself arrived.

"Captain, not only did Ye Lan refuse to hand over the sword, but he also killed Ah Bao."

Xin Haohui reported quickly upon seeing Zhang Hu.

Zhang Hu's face darkened as he stared at Ah Bao's lifeless body.

He hadn't expected Ye Lan to go this far!

This only confirmed his suspicion that the sword was anything but ordinary.

"Bring him back."

Zhang Hu commanded in a low voice.

The Violent Tiger Mercenary Group was the most powerful group in Tianlang City, and such an incident would be humiliating if they didn't capture Ye Lan.

"Yes, sir!"

The mercenaries dispersed rapidly, setting out to capture Ye Lan.

"Huff, huff."

Ye Lan had already fled the city by now!

He didn't stop running until he reached the depths of the forest outside the city. Only then did he collapse onto a rock, panting heavily.

Reflecting on what had just happened, he was still shaken.

If he hadn't fled the city immediately, he would have been trapped like a sitting duck.

"Damn those guys."

Ye Lan's face twisted in anger as he thought about Xin Haohui and the others.

If it hadn't been for them, he wouldn't have had to flee the city.

"But with this divine sword in hand, the stronger I become, the better I'll be able to wield its power."

Ye Lan looked at the Shadow Blood-drinking Sword.

Recalling the dark energy that had surged from the blade when he infused it with his Source energy, his eyes burned with fervor.

This sword clearly possessed many hidden abilities, waiting for him to uncover.

He took out some pills from his pocket and began cultivating.

The forest's complex terrain would make it difficult for the Violent Tiger Mercenary Group to find him.

Right now, the most important thing was to quickly increase his strength!

With greater power and higher-quality Source energy, he'd be able to fully utilize the sword's capabilities.

...

"Have you found him?"

Zhang Hu asked as he walked through the streets outside the city.

"He's already fled into the forest."

One of the men responded.

"It seems he headed deep into the Emerald Forest."

"Smart move."

Zhang Hu sneered.

If Ye Lan had stayed in the city, he would have been caught for sure.

"Captain, what should we do now?"

The others looked to Zhang Hu for guidance.

"He won't get far."

"With the beast tide about to break out in the Emerald Forest, set up guards at the forest's exit."

"If he tries to come out, capture him."

Zhang Hu ordered.

He was now certain that the sword was far from ordinary.

He had heard tales of ancient swords that could pass on special techniques to their wielders.

Clearly, Ye Lan had acquired something valuable.

Damn it!

Zhang Hu was filled with regret.

He should have known something was up when Tian Jinxin killed Wang Ba to steal the sword.

But back then, seeing the sword damaged by his own blade, he had dismissed it as worthless.

Now it was too late to regret.

The only priority now was to find Ye Lan.

...

"Though I could bully ordinary people in the city using the Violent Tiger Mercenary Group's name..."

"I was just as much a victim within the group."

"This world is one where the strong prey on the weak. Without strength, you'll always be bullied."

"I don't want to be bullied by anyone ever again."

Ye Lan muttered to himself as he held the sword, as if speaking to the blade.

"Too bad you can't hear me."

He sighed, looking at the Shadow Blood-drinking Sword in his hand.

"I'd tell you I can hear you, but you probably wouldn't believe that the sword has a mind of its own."

Ye Fan silently mocked from within the sword.

"But Zhang Hu is a third-rank martial artist. After absorbing the Shadow Mercenary Group, the Violent Tiger Mercenary Group now has over a hundred members."

"They'll find you soon. Will you be able to hold them off?"

Ye Fan pondered from within the sword.

"Regardless, I need to get stronger."

Ye Lan, oblivious to Ye Fan's thoughts, gripped the sword tighter.

Roar—

Suddenly, the roar of beasts echoed through the forest.

What was that!?

Ye Lan was startled, his gaze darting forward. He spotted several large boars charging toward him.

"Ironhair Boars, first-rank beasts!"

Ye Lan sneered at the sight of the incoming creatures.

Clenching the Shadow Blood-drinking Sword, he swiftly moved to engage the boars.

The past few days of sword training had paid off, and combined with the sword's sharpness, the Ironhair Boars quickly fell to his blade.

[Absorbed vital blood of a first-rank Ironhair Boar, gained 0.1 Energy Point]

[Absorbed vital blood of a first-rank Ironhair Boar, gained 0.1 Energy Point]

...

[Killed first-rank Ironhair Boar, gained 200 Evolution Points!]

...

The system notifications kept coming, much to Ye Lan's delight.

Roar—

But then the roars of beasts grew louder, and more creatures charged out from deeper within the forest.

"A... a beast tide!?"

Ye Lan's face paled as he realized what was happening.

This was bad.

He hadn't anticipated encountering a beast tide here.

But now, he couldn't run.

The Violent Tiger Mercenary Group was surely waiting for him outside.

What should I do!?

Ye Lan hesitated for a moment, then tightened his grip on the Shadow Blood-drinking Sword.

"Fight."

Having just killed those first-rank beasts, the sword seemed sharper than ever.

It appeared that the blood of beasts could also nourish the divine sword.

"Come on, all of you, die!"

He roared as more beasts charged toward him, thrusting the sword forward to meet them!

...

"He hasn't come out yet?"

Xin Haohui asked as he patrolled the outskirts of the Emerald Forest with the rest of the Violent Tiger Mercenary Group.

Inside the forest, the sounds of many beasts could be heard.

Every month, a beast tide would occur for a few days.

As for the cause, no one knew.