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墨書 Inktalez
Xunuo observed carefully; aside from his own team, there was another second-generation disciple leading a group. In terms of strength, his team was undoubtedly the strongest.
After the groups were assigned, Gao Weiji reiterated the entry points into the mountains and the areas designated for hunting beasts. Then, with a command from Ximen Tower to set off, the disciples split into their respective teams and descended the mountain.
Zigong Changhe was not new to beast hunting and was well aware of the details of this activity. As other teams rushed towards their entry points, Zigong Changhe led his team at a steady pace, reaching their designated location after half a day.
Zigong Changhe arranged the team into two lines, spreading them out as much as possible. Those using melee weapons were placed in the front row, while those with bows and concealed weapons were positioned in the back. Zigong Changhe took the lead as the point man, while Xunuo stayed at the rear as support. Each pair of adjacent teammates had to be able to signal each other.
With everything in place, Zigong Changhe boldly entered the vast mountains, marking the beginning of this beast-hunting expedition.
Xunuo followed behind, knowing this was Tian Feiyu's arrangement to protect him. However, he did not want to remain idle throughout the journey. As an elder, he felt responsible for ensuring the safety of his juniors. Therefore, he extended his Divine Sense to envelop the entire team, ready to provide timely assistance if needed.
This beast-hunting operation involved over ten martial arts sects from the southern part of Great Liang Kingdom simultaneously. As a result, all ferocious beasts active around the outskirts of the vast mountains were inevitably attacked. Gradually, these beasts were pushed deeper into the forest.
On that day, Xunuo's team encountered more than ten ferocious beasts, killing four or five of them while the others fled into the dense woods.
During their nighttime rest, Zigong Changhe expressed his concerns to Xunuo: "This beast-hunting operation is different from previous ones. If we encounter any unexpected situations, you should escape back to Wuhua Mountain and say it was for your brother that I sent you back to report."
Xunuo looked at Zigong Changhe and asked, "What makes you so uneasy? Do you sense something unusual?"
Zigong Changhe furrowed his brow and replied, "I've participated in two beast-hunting operations before. Generally speaking, seeing two or three beasts on the first day is already considered a lot. It’s usually on the fifth or sixth day that we encounter large groups of ferocious beasts. The fact that they are appearing in clusters right at the start makes me worried."
After pondering for a moment, Xunuo suggested, "Then we should send a disciple back to Wuhua Sect to report this matter."
Zigong Changhe shook his head: "Reporting would be useless. Do you think Wuhua Sect can send more reinforcements? This time, aside from Seven Star Sword Hall, all other halls have sent their elite members. Whether this beast-hunting operation succeeds or fails depends solely on these people. Moreover, if we send someone back now to report and something happens later on, what reason would Lu Shidi have to return?"
Xunuo shook his head: "I appreciate your good intentions, Brother Zigong. Although I may be mischievous at times, I wouldn't abandon my fellow disciples when faced with danger. These beasts may be fierce, but they won't scare me into running away."
Zigong Changhe said, "If it were just these wild beasts, we wouldn't be afraid. However, every time we hunt deeper into their territory, we end up pushing these ferocious beasts too hard. Eventually, one or two mutated beasts will emerge. Some of these mutated beasts are impervious to blades and bullets, some are as swift as the wind, and others move in strange ways. But when these mutated beasts appear, it usually coincides with the end of our hunting operations. The various hunting teams gradually converge, forcing these beasts into a confined space. At that point, with the combined strength of several teams, we can eliminate such mutated beasts. If it's just our team encountering a mutated beast, we can only rely on fate to escape; there is absolutely no chance of victory."
Xunuo's expression changed as he asked, "Could they be demon beasts?"
Zigong Changhe was taken aback and replied, "What do you mean by demon beasts?"
Xunuo inwardly regretted asking such an unreliable question; Zigong Changhe was merely a martial artist and could not possibly know about such matters. He looked directly at Zigong Changhe and said, "You describe these mutated beasts as impervious to blades and bullets, swift as the wind, and moving in strange ways—doesn't that sound like demons?"
Zigong Changhe waved his hand dismissively and said, "Lu Shidi's thoughts are too far-fetched. If they were demons, we wouldn't dare come here to hunt them."
Xunuo smiled lightly to brush off the matter but remained extremely cautious in his heart. Zigong Changhe was unaware, but Xunuo knew that deep within the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, demon beasts did exist.
If they truly encountered a demon beast, Xunuo calculated that it would be difficult for him to escape with his life. He would be absolutely powerless to protect his fellow disciples in the team. The only feasible plan was to detect the enemy early and promptly notify his companions to retreat.
On the second day of their departure, Xunuo opened his Divine Sense fully, prepared to issue a retreat warning at any moment. In the following days, although the number of ferocious beasts increased, they did not encounter the mutated beasts that Zigong Changhe feared nor any demon beasts. Even so, Xunuo remained vigilant and kept his Divine Sense fully active as they advanced.
A month later, Xunuo's team finally ran into serious trouble while crossing a valley; they were ambushed by a pack of wolves.
This wolf pack consisted of dozens of wolves. Although Xunuo sounded the alarm, the sheer number of wolves was overwhelming; two disciples still fell victim to their jaws. Zigong Changhe quickly gathered the remaining disciples back against a cliff to form a defensive fan shape to avoid being attacked from both sides. After a flurry of arrows and hidden weapons struck down over ten dead wolves, the pack retreated reluctantly while howling around them.
Zigong Changhe called for the injured disciples to treat their wounds within the defensive circle.
He pulled Xunuo aside and said, "In the past, we always managed to suppress wild beasts into a corner. The howling of those beasts could attract mutated ones. This time it's reversed; their howling has trapped us here. We must be wary; if a mutated beast truly appears, you should act according to my signals. If things go awry, we'll hold off the beast while you make your escape."
Xunuo sighed and replied, "I will act according to circumstances; Brother Zigong need not worry about me."
After thinking for a moment, he added, "Why don't we go out together and eliminate these wolves? That way we won't attract any mutated beasts."
Zigong Changhe forced a smile and said, "If it were just a couple of them, we could easily go out and eliminate them. But with dozens of wolves here, you and I would be torn to shreds in an instant."
Xunuo glanced at Zigong Changhe, then stomped his foot and walked outside the defensive circle. He paced back and forth, feeling increasingly frustrated with each step.
With Xunuo's current abilities, killing this pack of wolves would be a matter of moments. However, among these fellow disciples, many of his techniques couldn't be used. He could only watch helplessly as the wolf pack summoned mutated beasts.
After some thought, Xunuo realized that continuing like this would harm both himself and others; he needed to take action. If necessary, he would temporarily leave the group and head forward alone. By eliminating the more formidable beasts ahead, the pressure on Zigong Changhe and the others would lessen. If things continued as they were, this team might not survive until the beast extermination was complete.
With that in mind, Xunuo drew Azure Edge and walked toward the wolf pack. Zigong Changhe was alarmed and jumped out of the defensive circle to chase after Xunuo.
Xunuo waved his hand at Zigong Changhe and said, "Brother, don't be anxious; I'll be back soon."
Zigong Changhe knew his junior brother often acted unpredictably but didn't believe he could survive among a pack of wolves. Yet Xunuo's confidence gave Zigong Changhe a bit more faith.
However, Zigong Changhe understood that going out meant offering himself as prey. He instructed the disciples behind him to hold the defensive line while he followed closely behind Xunuo from a distance.
Xunuo moved quickly and soon reached the wolf pack. The wolves, sensing an isolated target, immediately charged at him with seven or eight of them pouncing forward. With a flash of Xunuo, he struck down several wolves to the ground.
Without pausing, he charged into the midst of the pack. In his wake lay a field of dead wolf bodies. Within a short time, he had wiped out the entire group of wolves.
This is the second update. It's chapter one hundred; for readers, it's just a small step, but for me, it's a significant milestone. The hardships I've faced along this journey can only be truly understood by those who have experienced it themselves. I will persevere and hope for your support.
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