The Pest-Killer Squad departed through the dense forest.

On the road, the discussion never stopped.

Yu Minxia said, "Xiuni, why did we just leave like that? That Boss Huang has the outside-world information we need."

Chen Xiuni shook her head. "Big Sister, he wasn't willing to keep trading."

One of the Pest-Killer Squad edged closer. "Something's off about that man's attitude. The snail and the tree might not be his battle pets at all. I think he may have wanted to lure us away, then try to tame the snail and the tree himself."

"I considered that possibility too. But the snail does seem to have a close connection to him — it showed real hostility toward me approaching, and none toward Boss Huang. As for the tree, it's hard to judge whether it even has a mind." Chen Xiuni spoke as she walked.

A squad member asked, curious, "Captain, when you shook Boss Huang's hand — his, uh, his Talent, was it really strong?"

Chen Xiuni frowned, seeming to recall the sensation of the handshake. "Very strong. His aura was concealed, but I could feel that crisis-sense, like standing in a tiger's jaws. His pressure on me wasn't as great as the snail's, but I could tell — he's more dangerous."

"Really that strong? Then isn't he about on par with that Xu bug?" Yu Minxia wasn't quite convinced.

"I looked over the battlefield. A lot of leftover Mushroom Arrows and Mushroom Cannons — A-Tai and the Master came prepared this time. Yes, it was mostly the tree and the snail that blocked them, but Boss Huang came through the Mushroom weapons' attacks completely unharmed. That in itself is a capability." Chen Xiuni finished, then turned and said gravely, "Next time we trade, all of you be careful. This man is no pushover."

"Captain, if Boss Huang is dangerous, why bother tangling with him at all? Didn't he let slip that the Eastern Theater Command still exists? We could send people to contact them and request military aid… I don't believe Boss Huang is a good man — why…