Chapter 52: How Could the Top Three Satisfy?

Wei Po Tian’s spirit soared, and he declared boldly, “Grandmother has given me a strict command to secure one of the top three positions. But I, Wei Po Tian, am a distinguished imperial lieutenant colonel; how could I be satisfied with just the top three? A man’s ambition determines his achievements!”

Qi Qi scoffed, “With Zhao Jun Hong, Song Zi Ning, and me here, if you can get into the top three, that would be a miracle! Be realistic!”

She didn’t believe that the Wei family’s grand dowager would issue such a harsh command. At most, she might have promised some benefits to motivate him. Wei Po Tian wouldn’t have been allowed to participate in the Spring Hunt if he hadn’t broken through to the sixth level. The Spring Hunt was no different from actual combat, and many people died every year. Although core members were protected, nothing in the world was completely risk-free.

Exposed, Wei Po Tian stammered, “This… there’s no need to be so blunt! Actually, I came to discuss something with you. If I only manage to get fourth place, could you let me take your position? After all, for you, it’s the battle results that count, not the ranking.”

Though Qian Ye was somewhat distracted by his own thoughts, he was startled by what he heard. He almost couldn’t believe his ears as he finally saw the unprincipled side of this man who claimed he could punch through the sky.

Qi Qi’s eyes sparkled, and she slapped Wei Po Tian’s shoulder hard, saying, “What benefits did your grandmother promise you to make you so eager?”

“Um… it’s nothing much.”

“Whatever it is, I want half of it! Otherwise, forget it. You dreaming of getting into the top three is just that—a dream!” Qi Qi stated firmly.

Wei Po Tian frowned, “Fine, half it is. Sigh!”

Qi Qi affectionately put her arm around Wei Po Tian’s shoulder, saying, “Now, that’s more like it, my good sister!”

Wei Po Tian fumed, “Who are you calling sister?”

“No need to deny it! We’re sisters, or at least we will be if you give me half of the benefits!” Qi Qi patted Wei Po Tian’s shoulder, using a bit of primordial force to knock him to the ground.

Wei Po Tian nearly fell flat on his face but managed to jump up just before hitting the ground. Before he could get angry, Qi Qi grabbed him and pulled him back to the living room to discuss how they would fight and share the spoils.

In the major Spring Hunts of Tian Xuan and Beihai, many noble families’ children participated. This was when the clans sought to recruit new talent and the young nobles aimed for advancement.

According to tradition, the Zhao and Song clans would come to Tian Xuan, while the Zhang and Bai clans went to Beihai. For the clans, it was enough to send representatives; the specific person was irrelevant. There was a rumor that Song Zi Ning, from the Song clan, was chosen to come to Tian Xuan not because of his strength, but because he was exceptionally handsome, and thus favored by the Song family’s patriarch.

The children sent by the noble families, on the other hand, held more prestigious positions. For example, Qi Qi of the Yin family was already a final candidate for inheritance, ensuring her a significant elder seat, even if she didn’t end up leading the family. The Wei family’s young master, Wei Po Tian, was present partly because he was still young and would otherwise be at the bottom, and partly to hone his leadership skills and build his own team.

In other words, for the noble families, the rewards for winning the Spring Hunt were secondary. They valued the opportunity to showcase their family’s strength and discover new talent. Each family had its own goals.

Wei Po Tian’s grandmother hadn’t set a specific ranking target, but he himself was ambitious. Even before the hunt began, his aspirations were already high. His goal was to aim for the top spot.

For a newly sixth-level Wei Po Tian, the top three would be an exceptional achievement. If he succeeded, the benefits from his grandmother’s favor would be substantial.

Qi Qi had a maid bring a hot towel for Wei Po Tian to wipe his face and casually said, “Po Tian, taking half of your benefits isn’t too much. You know the situation in Tian Xuan this year. Nan Gong Wan Yun and Kong Ya Nian are both here, and neither of them is a pushover. To get into the top three, their families have gone all out. And they are both seventh-level; you can’t beat either of them, right?”

Wei Po Tian snorted arrogantly, “That remains to be seen! Even if I can’t beat them, I won’t necessarily lose. General Bai has already said that without a top-tier secret technique, a seventh-level can’t break through my Thousand Mountains Barrier.”

Qi Qi laughed, “Didn’t Xiao Ye just teach you a lesson?”

“Th-That’s different!” Wei Po Tian was at a loss for words, unsure how to argue.

Qi Qi waved her hand, “You don’t know the targets of the Zhao and Song clans, do you?”

Wei Po Tian said, “I arrived late and haven’t had time to gather information yet.”

At the dinner party in the villa, Zhao Jun Hong, in front of a group of young men and women, nonchalantly said, “I’m probably the least capable among my brothers, but since I’m here, I’ll aim for first place.”

After the dinner, Ye Mu Lan asked Song Zi Ning about his target. Song Zi Ning, in his usual mild manner, replied, “I don’t aim for first place, but I’d be content with third.”

Thus, the Zhao and Song clans effectively reserved two spots in the top three. With their status, they wouldn’t make such claims without confidence.

The competition for the third spot would be fierce. In previous hunts, things always started off light, but grew intense as the hunt progressed, with the final stages marked by open and covert rivalry.

Wei Po Tian wasn’t entirely stupid and thought of allying with Qi Qi, though other noble families likely had their own secret alliances, making the situation serious.

However, the low-level hunting grounds in the outer regions of the Tian Xuan Mountains were clearly divided. Only after entering deeper would they overlap, and the hunts would turn into contests. The Wei family, being the last to choose, had a hunting area far from the Zhao and Song clans and other high-ranking families. They would only meet the Yin family in the latter half of the hunt. With the plan settled, Wei Po Tian left without further delay.

After Wei Po Tian left, Qi Qi, unable to contain her curiosity, immediately took the necklace from Qian Ye and examined it. She then placed it around his neck, saying, “Keep it safe; it’s very useful. Now that he’s the heir, he has more resources and authority than I do. This guy is oddly attentive, isn’t he?”

Qi Qi didn’t expect Qian Ye, who had been in a bad mood, to respond. She suddenly remembered something and asked, “How do you plan to deal with those three people?”

Qian Ye’s eyes turned cold, “Disable them. It’ll be a warning to Song Zi Ning.”

Qi Qi nodded, smiling, “Exactly!”

Despite the late hour, the sky above, except for the Yin family’s camp, was busy. If one had keen eyesight, they could see several large airships slowly gliding towards the depths of the Tian Xuan Mountains. These airships were used to drop dark race warriors for the Spring Hunt participants to hunt.

Each year, some dark race warriors managed to escape into the depths of the Tian Xuan Mountains, surviving and growing stronger. This was a significant variable in the hunt, intentionally allowed. If these young people were to face real battle, the dark races wouldn’t play by the rules and only send appropriately leveled opponents. Escaping from higher-level enemies was also a survival skill.

On one of the airships, the captain looked down through the window. His eyes, enhanced with supernatural abilities, were sharper than an eagle’s, allowing him to see the camp below and even the Yin character on the flag.

A sinister smile appeared on his lips as he touched the pocket of his uniform. Inside was a card with a primordial force array code, which could unlock a safety deposit box at an imperial bank branch, now filled with ten thousand imperial gold coins.

The captain retracted his gaze and headed to the lower deck. The private soldiers guarding the entrance saluted him.

He returned the salute and said, “I need to check again to ensure there are no issues. These black-blooded scum are never peaceful.”

The soldiers stepped aside, and the captain descended the stairs. The lower deck was sealed with alloy walls, creating individual cages for various dark race warriors, all captured from various battlefields, with levels below seventh and no particularly strong abilities, suitable for the Spring Hunt.

In the darkness, pairs of eyes glared fiercely at the captain.

Several werewolves growled and reached for the small crystal embedded in their chests.

The captain stopped in front of them, saying, “If you dare remove that, you’re dead. I need to make sure you remember my words.”

He pressed a button, and a burst of primordial force burned the werewolves, who howled in agony and collapsed. The eyes of the dark races in nearby cages became less menacing, and many showed fear.

The captain walked to the deepest part of the lower deck, where a blood clan sat, looking somewhat dispirited and malnourished. He remained silent, not changing his posture even as the captain approached.

The captain took out a whip covered in barbs and pointed at the blood clan, barking, “You! Stand up and come here!”

The blood clan obediently stood up and slowly walked to the cage.

Under the cover of his body, the captain discreetly opened his hand, revealing “Yin Qi Qi” written on his palm, along with a simple yet lifelike sketch of her.

The blood clan’s eyes flashed, and he nodded almost imperceptibly.

The captain rubbed his hands, and the writing and drawing vanished. He growled, “Go back and sit down! Don’t try any tricks, or I’ll make you regret it!”

He cracked the whip as he left the lower deck, slamming and locking the door behind him.

A commanding officer of the private soldiers patrolling the area asked, “How’s the situation below?”

The captain shrugged, “It’s fine. These black-blooded scum are pretty well-behaved.”

The officer sighed in relief, “Good. Just one more hour, and this damned mission will be over.”

The airship flew deeper into the mountains. Few knew that an eighth-level Blood Knight, with his full power intact, had infiltrated the holding cells.