She had visited several arms shops buying substantial ammunition, which nearly consumed what she got in the previous mission as her profit share. Apart from routine activities she hadn’t engaged in anything suspicious.
Tianshe let these words mull slowly, then spoke in a grave voice. “Step up surveillance and follow her closely! Luo Xiong, you will go too. If she makes any effort to intervene, keep her trapped at the city no matter what!”
Even Tianshe harbored a profound sense of apprehension towards this female Hunter – that’s why he sent among his four finest specialists, one of them being Luo Xiong.
Birdlike agility shimmered momentarily in Feiniao’s eye as abruptly, he volunteered. “Let me tailing that woman! I love that kind of assignment thoroughly!”
Tianshe clouded instantly, roaring fiercely, “Impossible! We cannot touch her yet! Otherwise Grandpa’s going full rage – you’d better not try any moves against his will unless looking for annihilation.”
Feiniao moistened his dry lips showing predatory smile said, “That decrepit senior barely stands at level five. I still can’t figure our leader fears his shadow…He’s ruined numerous of our good plans though time and time. In all due frankness… we should have chopped off his head long ago when he spoiled those chances.”
The leader’s features sank deeper into gloom, murmured slowly, “Indeed we definitely will behead him one fine day – no urgency though. Liao Ye, what about your contact status with Hunters’ guild lately?”
Lean and wiry, Liao Ye bore always a serpent-like quality through his slitted eyes. Speaking calmly, his voice flowed as silk. “Successful outcomes already! I’ve summoned exactly the one you will admire immensely.”
At his voice signal, another hooded figure silently glided into main hall from the courtyard’s direction, stepping precisely ahead Tianshe’s position. With smooth movement threw back the heavy cowl revealing youthful, handsome profile.
Undisturbed meeting Tianshe’s sharp stare, he declared confidently. “I am Li Lunzhe, a three-star tracker whose Origin energy stands firm at level four!”
Recognizing sudden fire sparking in Tianshe’s pupils rising up from throne. “I remember you definitely! Among promising youngsters you ranked always as one most powerful Hunter. Go on stating your bargain demand.”
The younger man grit teeth spitting words slowly, “Help me hunting down Qian Ye, and after he falls – the one you owe my price will be Yu Yingnan!”
Hearing this, Feiniao let out low contemptuous snort close-by.
For few heartbeats measuring him through narrowed eyes, suddenly Tianshe laughed outright declaring loudly. “Your price, unfortunately I must reject.”
Color fled instantly from Li Lunzhe’s face. The head honcho however stretched conversation longer.
“Yet considerately, my agreement would run differently – after the target dies, Yu would fall into our grips. Let you keep playing with the captured prize for three entire days before!”
After short hesitation Li clenched his jaw firmly. “Agreement confirmed. Deal struck solid!”
“Liao ye,” came sharp demand from Tianshe, “provide support members to assist his operations!”
“No,” was icy reply straight. “Operating solo suits my style!”
“Haha… indeed, solo tactics do!” Tianshe chuckled aloud. In wilderness – best predators hunting other elite monsters remained precisely those of matching caliber.
Soon after departing orders: Heilang, Feiniao following Li Lunzhe one after another slipped out night shrouded shadows. All movements timed ahead usual rising hours; way too premature for sun to breach skyline.
Inside dark hall footsteps never ceasing as Tianshe stalked back – forwards – pacing rhythm continuously reviewing every single tactical deployment. Every piece positioned already where best served strategic purpose despite lingering uneasiness gnawing relentlessly inside core being.
Silence stretched painfully. Long after careful watching master’s facial expression – Liao Ye spoke up tentatively. “Our preparations rivaling overwhelming scale to counter small fry sounds overkill indeed. Hunting mice employing an elephant?!”
Tianshe’s expression loosening little, slight nod followed in agreement. For this youth Qian Ye aged scarcely twenty possessing merely level-three War-Biner status; even sending three elite grade-four killers counted as serious over-investment! Dual among them even rated inside the Four Magnificent Specialists – by far not ordinary class-four specialists!
Even though this young target gained reputation for unusual capabilities, experience gap comparing with those seasoned hunters still stretched wide. Liao indeed had right calling this move swift crushing雷霆attack – even bordering unnecessary excessive force.
Ascending the staircase heading bedroom direction, intending grab some light shuteye. This whole night’s mental struggle drained him far more intensively than complete sleep deprivation. Currently heavy headache surged violently making difficult to settle mind. Though soon laying position, exhaustion tried hard taking control over him. Yet restless thoughts kept spiraling, preventing reaching true sleep stages.
Outside the Darkvein Wastes periphery at exact timing…
Qian Yeh already securing hidden grotto shielding wind pressure efficiently, successfully lit warming campfire crackling beneath him. In front – boars’ ham spinning slowly on open fire nearly ready to perfection. Sparks snapped while melting juices sizzled with delicate rising wisps carrying savory mouthwatering aroma in air circulating through enclosed space slowly.
Outwards the cavern entrance – unexpected approaching sounds emerged. Then broad figure entered briskly declaring first impression aloud cheerfully…
“What delicious fragrance!”
Calmly rotating roasting spit, Qian briefly glanced through half-lidded gaze evaluating intruder. Fire lighting risks calculated thoroughly by him – from distance perspective external visibility or aroma trace elimination guaranteed complete, unless some specific exception occurs like tonight.
The young man, despite Qian placing early warning trip-lines along vicinity, none had been disturbed. Those footfalls must came exclusively after deliberate near-approaches when the visitor wished them heard!
In two confident strides he crossed and settled comfortably cross Qian’s campfire opposite site legs stretching elegantly straightening posture regally.
“Greeting! Myself William Feng introducing.” He spoke warmly as if old-time friends meeting.
Narrowing forehead contrasted sharply his high cheekbones while strands golden locks matched classic Viking blood ancestry. Feature-wise quite an exceptional handsome man blue-gray irises radiating attention sincerity through unblinking gaze perpetually smiling lips; subtle short beard adding charismatic aura enhancing youthful charm further.
Without any reaction Qian continued final seasoning phase on his half done ham, then calmly stated. “My designation Qian. Your nomenclature sounds strangely foreign rather than local Empire citizen?”
William smiled gently. “Origination western Empire’s border kingdom though youth transferred early to study & inhabit this central Qin Realm eventually. Adoptive parent bearing the Feng surname inspired my naming!”
Qian’s iris shimmered faintly questioning furtherly. “So upper Realm inhabitant born?”
This caught William eyebrows slightly arching. “Indeed precise observation sharp my new found acquaintance! Correct. I do hail precisely from the noble Overland.”
With that brief confirmation passing, for a moment quietness held firm. Qian finally retrieved completed meal using precision blade slicing portion evenly. With casual motion presented to guest companion. Delighted at the offering immediately William devoured ravenously with apparent pure delight.
Observing the feast gestures, for fleeting moment Qian’s finger tensing microscopically; barely perceived shift though not missing William’s attention slightly twitch ears twitch detecting the tension but maintaining steady eating rhythm without raising suspicious looks
Returning attention to the cooking, second ham reinserted rotation motion. Seasonings sprinkling precisely then alcohol dowsed generously initiating renewed toasting process.
Portion quantities indeed generous with both participants devouring two massive ham totaling near a hundred-weight swiftly – nothing remained behind!
Patting contented stomach William beamed. “Last consumed hearty portions long forgotten months ago!”
“Scarfness prevails regarding quality meats in the wilderness,” Qian agreed neutrally.
“Meals easy to find, deliciousness extremely rare though. Pray you allow temporary stay tonight? Just short resting interval needed,” William requesting politely still smiling bright.
Qian shrugged freely, “Unconditional welcome. Please stay freely; personal intention nap time approaching shortly.”
Positioning nearer to cavern entrance outside firelight zone, unpacking luggage as pillow supporting, William reclining back effortlessly entering sleep state quickly as closing eyes immediately immersed into soft deep breathing.
Focusing fixedly on flickering flame for several prolonged moments Qian adjusted himself gradually reclining half-resting back on cool stone wall behind. Eyes tightly shut; breath rhythm slowing methodically entering specialized state training. Military refined Art of pseudo-sleep – a survival strategy between wakefulness & dreaming allowing sudden alert reflexes upon external disturbances.
Silence blanketed everything but for infrequent campfire snapping crackles occasionally resonating. Unnatural absolute quiescence prevailing night sky…
Nocturnal wilds belonged exclusively to predatory nocturnal beasts and numerous minor nocturnal clans. Ordinary adventurers usually encountered at least few times nightly assaults. Tonight remained however oddly tranquil eerie lacking any typical howls shrieking echoing usual landscape rhythm…
Precisely 5A.M following regular dawn rhythm…
Eyes popped open instant wakefulness breaking as stretching with audible yawning. “Excellent slumber quality definitely”
Sensitivity already alert Qian’s eyes popped opening as well immediately tracking movements.
Energized William completed morning calists. Finale radiant smiles dazzling illuminating. “Heartfelt gratitude hospitality extended!”
“Few preparations really,” was casual dismissing motion.
Bending near with sudden move William patted firmly Qian’s shoulder saying. “Time parting approaches! Opportunities reunion again? Be careful! Enemies hunting specifically approaching!”
“Will manage definitely”. Qian shrugged still leaning back wrapped within traveling cloak shadows just lifting head fraction only.
Gazing deep Qian’s presence, William eyes shimmering meaningful understanding; Backpack retrieving motion; waving gesture leaving; never once back looking departing decisively through cave passage.
For considerable duration Qian stayed unmoving statue fashion exactly same spot. Even as fading footsteps completely vanished long distant finally letting release of held breath. Sudden pouring sweat drenching through instantly soaking.
Gradually tracing precisely that shoulder zone touched during farewell. Then bringing under nose inspection breath intensely.
Immediate recognition flared detecting trace amounts of residual heat essence. Dark Origin signature unmistakably sensed! Originated probably Lycan territories specific nature detection unmistakable clarity.
Strength gap between them proved absolute, unbridgeable ch asm!
From first instant sensing entrance of this William; hidden anomaly detected; despite thorough scans no exploitable weakness uncovered until his parting gift – intentional clue exposing his overwhelming power disparity existing.
Beyond physical traces also caught that moment during feasting William’s neckline partial reveals concealed ink – just fraction of mysterious emblem briefly emerging as shirt slightly shifted!
A solitary towering cliff peak. Steep majestic silhouette matching one ancient seal locked inside Qian’s memories from past! Not mere body decoration but something representing sacred faith symbol – belonging ancient legendary totem marking unique clan membership status…
At cliff’s summit dwelling exists ferociously mythical tribe – rumored apex creatures atop entire bestial evolutionary hierarchy, whose members each possessing terrifying capabilities unmatched anywhere.
What reason brought such prominent figure appearing suddenly Darkvein? Combined together with enigmatic black-robed stranger emerging suddenly that day; ominous premonition grew steadily. On Pillar Domain land – a monstrous storm gathered inevitably. Once caught within vortex – complete annihilation certain fate awaiting all lesser beings caught unready for such power scale.
Only once fully assured William departed, did Qian finally breathed relatively safely realizing escaping near-impending annihilation. Any slightest hostile thoughts towards Qian – that creature could literally tear him into meat shreds easily. Confronted by superior absolute force – tactics, trickster abilities, etc… none matters anymore whatsoever.
Last mentioned words – tracking enemies probably belonged directly to Tianshe forces following him closely though? Well predictable reaction expected naturally from said leader figure.
Afterwards Qian methodologically extinguishing embers preparing certain hidden modifications within cave interior prior reclaims some of traps scattered outdoors, then finally departing silently disappearing into horizon.
A few more sun-height passages afterwards; arriving at their destination – cave mouth stood ahead welcoming. Leading their formation clearly Heilang’s silhouette standing boldly at forefront of group composed entirely professional adventurers’ attires… A tracking master renowned within wilderness pursuing his craft relentlessly finally tracking down precisely desired target’s trail up till current coordinates.
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