Chapter 131

In the end, the Hidden World team decided to keep searching in New York. Even with almost no hope, they refused to quit, not even with odds as low as one in a hundred thousand.

Meanwhile, James was sound asleep and had no idea what was going on.

The next morning, Noe came to the attic and saw the second-floor room. His eyes went wide. He rushed into the yard. "What happened? Is everything okay?"

Rex followed behind, glanced at the charred room, and curled his lip. "Don't tell me they stayed up all night messing around in there?"

The others were eating breakfast in the living room. Hearing the noise, James came out to greet them. "You're here early. Come eat with us."

Noe paused, then remembered the mess upstairs and quickly asked, "What happened up there? Is anyone hurt?"

James rubbed his nose. "It's fine. My spiritual energy's been shaky since I got hurt, and I accidentally set off an explosion last night. I was about to apologize. Here, I can't just take advantage of you. Use the money on this card to fix the place." He handed Noe a card.

They went back and forth, but Noe finally took it.

Rex stood there looking confused. He had assumed these people had shady backgrounds, but he didn't expect them to offer to pay for the damage.

The two sat down to eat. Noe told James and the others to stay a few more nights, but James turned him down. A few extra days wouldn't matter, but things in Uruguay were unclear, and James figured any delay could bring trouble.

"Noe, since we're friends now, why hang around during a sensitive time like this? We can meet up again when everyone's free."

Noe studied James's face. Seeing how sincere he looked, a trace of disappointment crossed his own eyes, and he sighed.

"Fine. Since you've made up your mind, I'll get you out of here. If you don't want to fly, we can drive. I'll take you to the border, just in case."

Kirk slung an arm around Noe and grinned. "How long will it take?"

Noe thought for a second. "If we leave now, we can get there by evening."

James nodded. "Then let's go right away. No more delays."

Evelyn complained, not understanding why they had to leave in such a rush. Only when they got in the car and were about to start did a group of people suddenly rush out and surround them. That was when Evelyn started feeling uneasy.

She looked at James without thinking. James nudged the stunned Noe. "Are these your country's people? Their clothes don't look right."

Noe blinked and shook his head. "I don't know them. They're outsiders."

Kirk rested his chin on his hand and told Rex, who was driving, "Floor it and ram through. Since they're not locals, it doesn't matter if we hit them."

Rex gritted his teeth and hit the gas. But the person in front grabbed the hood with one hand and stopped the car cold. Rex let off the gas. Against that kind of strength, speed didn't matter.

Kirk glanced at the people outside. "Isn't your country super closed off? How are there so many people just standing around here? Where are your people?"

Chris said flatly, "Something's wrong."

Roy licked his lips, looked around, and smirked. "Want to bet? Are they here for you or for us?"

James thought for a moment, then said firmly, "They're after Noe. Probably those treasure thieves you mentioned."

Noe clenched his fist and reached for the door. "I have to make them pay!"

Rex was shocked. "Don't!"

James grabbed him. "Going out there is suicide."

Noe looked back, eyes determined. "They're here for me. I should be the one facing them. I can't drag you into this!"

He tried to shake James off but couldn't break free.

"Ronan, let go! I'm going down to fight them!"

James ignored him and stared at the people surrounding the car. "Looks like I was wrong. They're not from Hidden World."

Manuel pressed his brow. "We're a step too late again. These guys are tough. At least their leader isn't here."

Chris looked up and met Roy's eyes.

Roy asked with a smile, "You going or me?"

Right now, the only ones strong enough to handle the group outside without getting hurt were him and Chris.

Chris didn't answer. He just opened the door and got out.

Noe tried to grab him but missed, panicking. "Why'd he just go out like that? Those people are strong. What if he gets hurt?"

James agreed and glanced at Roy. Roy shrugged and quietly got out too.

Noe's eyes widened. He tried to follow, but Jagger in the passenger seat quickly locked the doors.

Jagger met Rex's eyes and said softly, "This is safer."

Noe couldn't open the door. He could only stare outside anxiously, praying they wouldn't get hurt.

To his surprise, the two who got out quickly took care of a bunch of enemies. Noe was stunned and looked back at James in disbelief. "You guys were really hiding your strength! You're that strong?"

James smiled, his expression a bit complicated.

Chris came back to the car and tried the door, but it didn't open. Rex fumbled to unlock it, and the two got in.

Roy clapped his hands and reported calmly, "Taken care of. All level 8 to 9 in cultivation. I'm impressed. Cultivators showing up everywhere is one thing, but even level 9s everywhere? Are we that behind?"

Rex's heart skipped a beat. If these people hadn't been here, Noe would've been in real trouble.

He lowered his voice and looked at Noe in the rearview mirror. "They actually came after you."

Noe let out a breath but wasn't surprised. "Those people will do anything for the Umbral Infusion, even pretending to be locals. It's no shock they'd come after me."

James really wanted to pretend he didn't hear, but every word came through clearly. He looked away and stared out the window.

Noe spoke slowly. "Ronan, I might not be able to get you out of the country. It's clear something's happened in Uruguay. With this car, you shouldn't run into any locals blocking you. Let's meet again when fate allows. Rex, get out."

Rex nodded and opened the door to get out.

Noe got ready to leave too. The car was silent.

James pressed his lips together and asked quietly, "Noe, since they're specifically targeting you, you're not just an ordinary person, are you?"

Noe paused, then smiled faintly. "Actually, I never told you guys. I'm the son of the king of Uruguay. Duke is just a title."

Kirk blinked. "No wonder Rex calls you Duke. You really do have a noble background."

Noe smiled helplessly. "It's just a title. Nothing special about it. Anyway, you guys should get going. We'll meet again if fate allows."

James rubbed his brow and grabbed Noe's arm before he fully got out of the car.

"They sent this many people just to deal with you. You can imagine how many experts are hiding around the palace or even near your home. Going back like this is walking right into a trap, isn't it?"