The lake was surrounded by mountains, teeming with visible beasts. As long as one possessed sufficient strength, they could hunt as many as they desired. However, beasts with delicious meat were scarce.
Qin Feiyang searched for less than an hour before finally finding a boar. Boar meat was quite tasty. Whether grilled, stewed, or stir-fried, its flavor was always rich and appetizing. Also, the boar didn't possess strong attack power, so with Qin Feiyang's current strength, it could be easily dealt with.
He hid behind a thicket of shrubs, his gaze fixed on the boar, as he slowly and silently approached. This boar was about two meters long, its body covered in dark, bristly hair that resembled steel needles.
Just as he was about to reach it, Qin Feiyang kicked off the ground, darting out from behind the shrubs like a lightning bolt. He threw a fierce punch, striking the boar's head. With an agonized squeal, the boar collapsed, dead.
If this were the past, I would've had to detour around a beast like this. It truly feels good to be powerful.
Qin Feiyang licked his lips, strode forward, grabbed the boar's front and hind legs, and lifted it. He chuckled, "Good one. Must be around four to five hundred pounds. Enough meat for Uncle Yuan and me for quite a while."
He hoisted the boar onto his shoulders and ran towards the lake, his steps swift and light.
AWOOO!
Suddenly, a loud, clear wolf howl erupted from somewhere behind him, startling the animals in the jungle into scattering in all directions.
However, Qin Feiyang's eyes lit up. He skidded to a halt, turning to look in the direction of the howl.
This howl was full of vigor, shaking the mountains and rivers, and subtly carried a hint of ferocity—clearly indicating the presence of a fierce beast!
Fierce beasts were different from wild animals. Wild animals, like ordinary people, could only react instinctively. But fierce beasts, like Martial Artists, had already mastered methods of cultivation.
Back in the Imperial Capital, Qin Feiyang had seen many fierce beasts. These creatures not only possessed intelligence comparable to that of humans but also wielded heaven-defying abilities and incredible destructive force, enough to overturn rivers and seas.
Most importantly, fierce beasts were worth far more than wild beasts! Given Qin Feiyang's current situation, nothing was more important than money. Only with enough money could he buy more Body-refining Elixirs!
I should first see what level of fierce beast it is, Qin Feiyang thought. Carrying the boar, he dashed towards the source of the sound.
Fierce beasts were also categorized by levels: Low-level, Intermediate-level, and High-level. Of course, even beasts within the same level varied in strength.
The power of Low-level fierce beasts was equivalent to One-star to Three-star Martial Artists.
The power of Intermediate-level fierce beasts was equivalent to Four-star to Six-star Martial Artists.
The power of High-level fierce beasts was equivalent to Seven-star to Nine-star Martial Artists.
Qin Feiyang silently prayed it wouldn't be a High-level fierce beast; otherwise, even if it stood right in front of him, all he could do was stare helplessly.
After dashing several hundred meters, he stood atop a small hill, looking ahead. He scanned the area, and what he saw made his heart leap. Fifty meters away, sprawled on a bed of withered leaves, was a white wolf.
But it was covered in wounds. It lay there alone, licking its injuries.
Wolves were cunning and ferocious beasts; it wouldn't be surprising if it were pretending to be injured to lure prey into a trap. Moreover, wolves were pack animals!
So, the moment he identified it as a wolf, Qin Feiyang quickly retreated down the hill. He gently placed the boar on the ground, then climbed back up the hill, concealing himself in the tall grass to observe silently.
Slowly, he began to feel that the wolf didn't seem to be feigning its injuries. Every wound on its body was a ghastly gash, with flesh torn open; in some places, he could even see bone.
After confirming this several times, Qin Feiyang prepared to make his move. This wolf was an Intermediate-level fierce beast, worth at least ten Gold Coins.
A Body-refining Elixir's market price was fifty silver coins. One Gold Coin was equal to one hundred silver coins. This meant the wolf could be exchanged for at least twenty Body-refining Elixirs—truly an unexpected windfall.
"There it is!"
But just then, an excited shout rang out from nearby.
That voice... why does it sound familiar? Qin Feiyang quickly ducked back into the grass, his brow furrowing slightly.
Simultaneously, upon hearing the shout, the white wolf struggled to its feet again and started to move in Qin Feiyang's direction. But after only a few steps, likely due to the severity of its injuries, it collapsed again, thrashing violently.
However, it couldn't get back up. A flicker of despair quickly crept into its eyes.
Two boys, about fourteen or fifteen years old, ran towards the white wolf, approaching from a distance.
"So, it's them." Qin Feiyang whispered, a cold light in his eyes.
One was named Lin Shi, the other Lin Feng. The former was a burly youth, significantly taller than his peers at around one meter eighty-five, his muscular body brimming with explosive strength. The latter was comparatively thin, about one-meter-seventy tall. He wore a gray long robe, and his narrow eyes, like those of a snake, glinted coldly, evoking an immediate sense of revulsion.
Both were disciples of the Lin family. Because of his relatively close association with Lin Yiyi, most Lin family disciples didn't care for him. These two, especially, had frequently humiliated him over the past five years.
"Damn beast, why don't you try running now?!" As the two drew near, they flanked the white wolf, sneering.
"It seems they were the ones who grievously injured the white wolf," Qin Feiyang murmured.
Both were Six-star Martial Artists; dealing with an Intermediate-level fierce beast together wasn't a difficult task for them. Yet, it was clear the wolf was no pushover, as both Lin Shi and Lin Feng were also covered in wounds from the encounter, presenting a rather sorry sight.
Confronted by the two, the despair in the white wolf's eyes deepened.
Lin Feng looked down at it, sneering coldly, "You dared to harm us? After we kill you, we'll go to Wolf Valley and slaughter all your whelps! More than fifty Low-level fierce beasts should fetch a good few Gold Coins."
What? The Wolf King of Wolf Valley?! Qin Feiyang was astonished.
He had long heard of the infamous Wolf Valley, the most dangerous place in this region. It was said to be permanently occupied by a pack of man-eating wolves that didn't even spit out the bones; any ordinary hunter who entered was doomed to die. In the past five years, he had never set foot there. Even when near Wolf Valley, he always took a wide berth.
But unexpectedly, he had run into the Wolf King of Wolf Valley today!
The Wolf King was worth ten Gold Coins. A Low-level white wolf was worth three Gold Coins. Lin Feng had said there were more than fifty in Wolf Valley. That meant if they could hunt them all, they could sell for over a hundred Gold Coins, exchangeable for two or three hundred Body-refining Elixirs!
This is a huge fortune! The mere thought of it sent a surge of excitement through Qin Feiyang.
At that moment, Lin Feng and Lin Shi finally made their move. Dealing with a gravely injured, dying Intermediate-level fierce beast, even if it was the Wolf King, should be easy for them.
However! An unexpected turn of events occurred!
The dying Wolf King suddenly leaped up with a burst of energy, its blood-red maw wide, fangs bared, as it lunged for Lin Shi's head!
"Damn it!" Lin Shi was shocked and furious.
In that critical instant, he jerked his head aside, narrowly dodging the Wolf King's lunge. The Wolf King's fangs still sank into his right shoulder.
CRACK!
The bone was instantly crushed!
Moreover, the Wolf King tore off his entire arm! Blood gushed out like a fountain!
"AHHH…" Lin Shi wailed in anguish, clutching his bleeding stump, and roared venomously, "Lin Feng, kill it! Kill it now!"
The Wolf King's sudden attack had startled Lin Feng as well. He even instinctively took a step back. But hearing Lin Shi's roar, he flew into a rage and retaliated with a powerful punch to the Wolf King's back.
"AWOOO…" The Wolf King howled in agony. Its body, like a meteor, crashed through a large patch of bushes and, with a heavy THUD, slammed into the soft earth.
Witnessing all this, Qin Feiyang couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. The cunning and ferocity of wolves truly lived up to their reputation! Despite being on the brink of death, it had managed to rip off Lin Shi's arm! If Lin Shi and Lin Feng hadn't arrived, he might have been the one ambushed by the Wolf King. The thought alone sent a shiver down his spine.
But now, the Wolf King was truly immobilized. Half of its body was buried in the mud. It stared fixedly at Lin Shi and Lin Feng, its despairing eyes tinged with a hint of grim satisfaction.
This was the nature of a wolf! Even in death, it would make its enemy pay!
It's my turn. And I'll take care of Lin Shi and Lin Feng while I'm at it! A cold light glinted in Qin Feiyang's eyes. He rose from the grass without any concealment and strode towards the two youths and the beast.
"Huh?" Lin Shi, who was tending to his wound, suddenly saw Qin Feiyang emerge. A murderous intent flared in his eyes as he barked, "What are you doing here?"
"Who?" Lin Feng, walking towards the Wolf King, turned his head in confusion. He then sneered, "Well, if it isn't you, the good-for-nothing trash." His tone was dismissive. With that, he turned back and strode towards the Wolf King, a sharp glint in his eyes.
Qin Feiyang remained silent, his pace quickening with every step.
Lin Shi sensed something was wrong and shouted, "Qin Feiyang, what do you think you're doing?"
"Killing you!" Qin Feiyang gave a chilling smile, his walk breaking into a run as he sprinted towards Lin Shi.
"Kill me?" Lin Shi was momentarily stunned, then sneered contemptuously, "Even though I've lost an arm, it's not your place to act presumptuously. Lin Feng, go finish off the Wolf King. As for this trash, I'll shatter him with one punch!"
"Understood," Lin Feng nodded, showing no intention of helping.
Though Lin Shi was critically injured, he was still a Six-star Martial Artist. Killing a good-for-nothing who couldn't cultivate should be child's play for him.
"Then let's try!" Qin Feiyang licked his lips, a bloodthirsty gleam in his eyes. He clenched his fists, power surging within him. As he neared Lin Shi, he unleashed a punch with all his might, holding nothing back.
Lin Shi's eyes showed disdain, but he didn't hold back either, throwing a punch in return. He harbored the same intent as Qin Feiyang: since they'd met here, it was time to eliminate him completely!
BOOM!
"AHHH…"
The instant their fists collided, a pained scream suddenly rang out.
What? Lin Feng's body trembled. That was Lin Shi's scream?
Whirling around, he beheld an unforgettable sight.
The 'trash' in his eyes, Qin Feiyang, was standing steadily on the ground.
Meanwhile, Lin Shi, whom he had expected to win easily, now lay on the ground, blood foaming from his mouth! His other arm was also fractured; a sharp shard of bone had pierced the skin, exposed to the air, with blood gushing out!