The Lord of Kingdom Wei had once roamed the entire hunting reserve practicing Heaven-Mapping Techniques and undoubtedly knew the regions where sixth-tier beasts concentrated.
Under the normal progress schedule, Qi Qi and her group wouldn’t arrive there until the next day, but their journey had already advanced significantly—more than ten hours earlier than expected, which seemed unnatural. On the battlefield, being late was definitely inexcusable—but it was no good to arrive prematurely either—it might disrupt troop formation and tactical support coordination overall.
Right away, someone frowned and said, “Is she marching in light armor solely comprised by swift-moving units? They have indeed taken a rather reckless approach.”
Within each aristocratic household, teams composed no more than nine individuals, for only they would share accumulated hunting scores. The rest attendants were separated into two roles: supply support, though their path and stop points were strictly regulated much like forward supply hubs within military structures, leaving any convey of goods between the hubs to be handled personally at the teams’ disposal; while some were considered independently-participating scouts—responsible mainly for passing intelligence information regarding positions of rival parties during critical periods deep within the black circles when various factions converge, clash, and snatch achievements against one another.
From this, one may surmise: an elite group of nine must do more than simply display brute strength—they bear responsibilities covering logistic support and intelligence exchange, therefore team composition became pivotal. Usually speaking, appropriate occupational balance had to be arranged—a comprehensive, continuous provisioning system must be established, along with awareness of battlefield conditions across neighboring hunting domains in the extended 15 days endurance within the great wilderness in order to last till its climax without breaking down.
Thus the real examination placed upon young aristocrats through the Spring Hunt lay precisely upon their ability to plan holistically.
By mid-to-late stages it escalates fully as a head-to-head clash between powerful clans. Though core progenitors from these families might receive some restraint protection—as if Qi Qi faced Zhao Junhong, neither side would commit lethal strikes outright. For all remaining members within the hunting cadre however, casualties often meant forced withdrawal—fatality resulted merely in compensation paid afterward.
Therefore, the real excitement within Spring Hunting began in its mid to latter phase. Qi Qi, were she to charge prematurely into danger recklessly and her professional composition overly biased, she’d inevitably fall behind at later stages. What difference could mere half a days’ gain make?
Although殷Qi Qi had indeed pushed too deep too soon, however, the real high-score holder this season was without controversy was the Zhao Household of Yan Yun. Not long after discussions circulated concerning the whereabouts of this house’s team, their points soared alarmingly—quickly claiming the summit, firmly holding their dominant lead position.
Someone hence retorted disapprovingly yet nonchalantly, “So hurried and so brash. Zhao family junior is losing a general’s decorum.”
Meanwhile another argued, “Zhao Junhong, one of Zhao Clan’s four noble masters—proud, even arrogant—but possessing truly brilliant capabilities. Among young scions from noble families across this realm’s current generation, who even compares to him? His approach is that of bold straightforward assault—an upright royal commander, fearless, requiring no stratagem, indeed carrying majestic authority.”
Then a third chuckled, countering, “Call it majesty? Zhaos’ superiority complex always knew no boundaries—they are exactly like old Lord Zhao himself.”
At last the Duke of Wei couldn’t resist a faint laugh at this.
Zhao Junhong indeed resembled his proud patriarch—Zhao bloodlines bore uniqueness, generating one genius after another. This superiority complex became so typical they often ended up politically isolated, surrounded only by sycophantic lesser families or subservient clients, rather than close equals.
By the depth of Mount Tianxuan, Qian Yesha stood slowly upright beside a slain huge black leopard corpse frowning as he traced a fresh slash mark along his right shoulder armor.
Claw marks nearly tore through this plated garment, rupturing the hidden layer of Uldur silk sandwiched beneath—a specialized combat outfit meticulously supplied by殷House tailored exactly for all Spring hunters. Only the additional shielding across shoulders, chests, and midriffs spared him from grievous injury here.
Such a beast proved dangerously formidable—a beast classified as class six. Among spring game targets this black tiger ranked among the deadliest candidates indeed. To rapidly grasp prey prowess surrounding himself, Yesha recently adopted aggressive confrontations, only to be forced acknowledging just how formidable these intelligent predatory beasts really were. The decisive blow against this beast required dual blossoms.
Now seeing the Leopard slain meant ascending to advanced hunting grounds—Qian had specifically targeted this sector as prime destination for this excursion and now he’d clearly arrived.
Instead of immediately pursuing more trophies, he first plucked multiple medicinal herb types from between forest crevices. After capturing a toxic viper known as silverback, extracting venom from fangs he began blending secretions layer-by-layer atop crushed herb essence into a thick medicinal paste. Finally Yesha impaled his bolt magazines directly into his poisonous concoction leaving them immersed throughout the night transforming their heads into a fast-acting hemotoxic weapon.
Although toxic substances had been banned explicitly for this season’s Spring Hunt event—an adept individual like he, sourcing ingredients and formulating naturally on premises would bypass regulatory inspection entirely. These modified quarrels Qian intended to reserve exclusively for large seventh-tier creatures, like feathered ground drake (“Beiydi Long”, a ground droning wyvern), saber-fanger (“Wan Chi Juxiang”, an elephant species marked by curving tusks), or dense anacondas—massive bovid serpents named ‘Senran’.
An ordinary day passed subsequently—scoring Qian a handful of mere fifth-level kills, yet he wiped all evidential clues. Through repeated exercises Qian grew thoroughly familiar with terrains, vegetation coverage areas, and predatory behaviors. Fully deploying sharpshooting tactics he could now keep himself beyond risk consistently.
By calculating timings—Qian knew noble factions were just now closing in upon this region in force as they spoke. It became imperative Qian study early behavioral patterns demonstrated by these teams—to finalize counter strategies whether remaining within these sectors hunting, or choosing a further advance into more critical, deeper hunting grounds further in.
Further still lies darkness—an outer perimeter designated ‘Heisan Quan’. Once crossing this boundary—the land becomes patrolled territory for Darkkin troops—undead or goblins, possibly drow warriors lurking behind foliage at dusk.
Meanwhile back to Duke Wei, Lord Zhao’s house remains steadily unchallenged at the leaderboard’s pinnacle. Song household climbed upward into top ten ranks, yet魏ranked ninth at last glance. Regarding the殷contenders they stood only at twentieth, being outgunned by well over thousand extra Lord Zhao’s scored marks.
Another subsequent report brought some normalcy except anomalies—a few unusual developments emerged regarding the Qi Qi household: The score felt far below reasonable estimations. With their present point tallies suggesting current activity occurred inside a relatively barren terrain zone, thus the paltry return raised many eyebrows.
Thereupon upon orders dispatched by Lord Kingdom, a loyal scout wing sent inquiries concerning Qi Qi’s precise activity reports: the returned report however left assembled dignitaries face-faulting. Apparently Ms. “Delight” QIAN already bagged herself several trophies before diverting her full enthusiasm towards campfire grilled meals—behaving entirely as one out to party rather than participate within the royal Spring contest!! This though—hardly a novelty—had she not once postponed serious martial skill contests across entire months merely indulgent revelry preceding those inheritance competitions? Thus—merely goofing off within this Hunt first few days would remain par—for her.
Day Three finally approached—a deep, drawn out roar broke the stillness echoing profoundly through mountain valleys until earth itself quaked gently. An enormous Saber-fang mammoth stampeded forward, seven meters tall at least—smashing aside forests left and right in its mad panic.
Rightly then—a lone distant figure emerged, tracking relentlessly behind the colossal beast—maintaining consistent trailing distance patiently.
Observant eyes could catch glimpses—the mammoth bore upon its head a pair crossbow missiles sunk deep into its hindquarters. Toxic brew already worked within its nervous system—the greater the movement, the more accelerated toxin flow within body, hastening ultimate collapse shortly—half quarter of an hour at latest before mortal expiry.
He harboured no doubts whether the mammoth could withstand this poison—but he had to guard the beast’s desperate last moments; thus maintaining distance—merely tracking methodically. He carried out his large caliber, black powder anti-material long-range rifle ready for final shot upon beast’s imminent termination signal. While formidable weaponry in itself—an anti-beast grade, yet insufficient at defeating elephant skin plating over three thick inches!—thus fatal blow would depend upon critical point volleys delivered at pointblank range instead.
Mid-chase maneuver: sudden sharp senses alerted Yesha—he whirled sharply glancing upwards across distant inclines. There—a running force was rushing rapidly towards this place—the leader being none other than junior lord Zhao Junhong.
Sensing the charging mammoth—Zhao effortlessly halted. Signaled, handed instantly a fully silver-body archaic firearm prototype—a primitive energy pulse repeater design. With practiced form—Junhong leveled sighting mechanisms until ornate body etchings fully lit radiating a silver glow.
“Wait!!” Qian shouted suddenly.
The beast, long crazed, ran heedfully ignoring human presences ahead—merely barreling headlong. Junho calmly maintained precise crosshair—disregarding Yesha’s yell—firmly pulling back the trigger!!
The silver cannon fired a melodious peep—an elegant burst erupted out through the muzzle unleashing brilliant silver radiant beams.
The beast cried once, seemingly crashing into shining sphere afar. Upon exit—the beast’s frontal skull half gone with immense force while remaining body was carried forward from inertial force alone across dozens of strides until slamming down heavily with one thunderous crash.
Gunfire appeared tame—but power overwhelming! Completely dwarfing Yesha’s enhanced Eagle Shot series weapon systems. Evidently a Grade Five-class gun and definitely hand modified by Master Engineers for peak battle performances.
The moment tiny lights darted skywards marking hunting credit allocation—Qian scowled. This one mammoth he’d already completed ninety percent effort killing—only to finally finish by a final shot of Lord Zhao here.
“Listen,” He growled coldly—”It was my prey!!”
Without even looking Junho strolled forward toward dead carcass dismissively replying, ”What’s yours and theirs are all equal under my eyes…”
He replied icily further, “It was poisoned and beyond recovery, soon to succumb anyway. Surely you—the heir apparent of noble Zhaos wouldn’t even condescend stealing such mere hunting scores right?”
Zhao shrugged nonchalantly—”’Steal’! What steal? My visual field perceives it now therefore possession becomes legitimate—everything I see…is already mine.”
Yesha chuckled mirthlessly—”Ah—I see! If such is how you interpret law of claim—then my gratitude!”
Having said—he pivoted sharply marching away in clear disdain.
“Wait just moment.”
At Zhao’s call he didn’t turn back—but suddenly his danger senses screamed!! He rolled forward instantly dropping flat upon dirt terrain, narrowly dodging a red hot energy bullet stream barely passing inches overhead!!
Using sheer limb power for explosive movement, Yesha rocketed several strides forth then made sideways evasive dashes—a series of complex evasions that allowed avoidance even second shot. After breaking contact—he halted all maneuver, broke into full sprint dash to escape—distance expanding beyond range reach capability of enemy gun in seconds precisely.
A Zhao subordinate, utterly stunned, stood with muzzle still glowing from fresh projectile discharge.
A famed long-range combat specialist himself—never had he encountered any individual capable evading surprise attacks so absolutely!! First avoidance, though he could still credit fortune…but the succeeding maneuver had been nearly perfection in movement. Yet the final phase of action, suddenly ceasing evasions altogether and accelerating directly outward instead?—threw entire targeting algorithms offline—leaving even a third attempt failing utterly.
Junhong scowled grimly, murmuring an expletive curse before rebuking, “Useless.” He himself had cared not whether one’s followers attempted assassins strike—but missing completely even after firing was utterly humiliating for one’s reputation.
At present Qian vanished deeply past forest lines completely—while one hesitant follower inquired, “My Lord…shall we pursue??”
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