Especially the martial arts halls near the city wall were even more on edge, wishing they could move away immediately.
Amidst the commotion, another ten days and nights passed in the blink of an eye, and all was calm outside the city.
Even the traffic of merchants didn’t cease.
So, many people began to doubt, thinking perhaps Lu Dingtai was just fearmongering.
Just as these people were getting restless, something suddenly happened, acting like a catalyst, directly igniting their desires.
A team that dared to venture outside the city actually succeeded in hunting a Third Realm Exotic Beast and discovered a usable Meat Field.
When the news spread, many people’s eyes went red with envy.
That was the Meat Field of a Third Realm Exotic Beast.
Something that couldn’t be measured by money at all.
For the team’s members, it was equivalent to earning enough for a lifetime in one go.
Stimulated by this event, the hunting teams, which had been dormant for a while, became rampant again.
And as they returned with spoils, fewer people cared about Lu Dingtai’s warnings.
Even people from some of the Grand Martial Arts Halls began to join the fray, organizing their disciples to hunt outside the city.
Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall was the most enthusiastic, and they reaped considerable rewards.
Yuan Chenfeng even declared that as long as they could persist for another month, they could gather enough Meat Field for everyone in the Martial Arts Hall to eat, and at that time, Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall’s strength would undergo a qualitative leap.
People had mixed reactions to this news, with some questioning Yuan Chenfeng’s intentions.
But these doubts were soon drowned in envious gazes.
Ren Yong Martial Arts Hall.
Shang Tiefeng said with a wry smile, "Today I heard that even the usually low-profile Guangrui Martial Arts Hall is organizing a team to hunt Exotic Beasts outside the city. What do you all think?"
Several of Shang Tiefeng’s disciples exchanged glances, and then one of them said, "Master, you mean...?"
"If all the martial arts halls are out hunting while Ren Yong Martial Arts Hall remains inactive, our strength will gradually fall behind. It might not show in the short term, but over time, I’m afraid..."
At the end, Shang Tiefeng sighed.
Recently, he had been troubled by this issue.
Should he organize a team to go? Lu Dingtai had personally come to his door to talk about this.
At that time, he had promised not to act rashly.
But if they didn’t go, he was afraid his martial arts hall’s strength would fall behind, never to catch up again.
As he was torn, Nie Jingnian suddenly said, "Master, has Dingtai Martial Arts Hall organized a team?"
"No."
"Then that’s just fine. Since even Dingtai Martial Arts Hall hasn’t made a move, why the rush?"
"But Yuan Chenfeng and his people...."
"What Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall decides to do is their business, we don’t need to care. Besides, I believe they will pay the price for their greed sooner or later," Nie Jingnian said firmly.
Shang Tiefeng sighed after hearing this, "Alright, let it be."
Having said that, he left worriedly.
Nie Jingnian shook his head as he watched his master’s back.
Master was great in every way, but this indecisive, hesitant character needed improvement.
Lately, Xia Cunyi was on a high.
As the leader of one of the three hunting teams from Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall, his team had the most bountiful harvest, earning him praise from Yuan Chenfeng.
Ever since being defeated by Zhao Ya, Xia Cunyi hadn’t felt so proud.
Plus, hunting outside the city had the benefit of filling one’s pockets secretly, allowing him to quietly keep a portion of the earnings.
Though seemingly small, over time, it accumulated into quite a fortune.
So Xia Cunyi was the most supportive of hunting outside the city and was relentless in his efforts.
Today was no exception.
He led a team weaving through the forest.
Everyone carried several bags on their backs, filled with the day’s catch.
Xia Cunyi planned to gut a few Exotic Beasts before returning to see if there was a Meat Field.
If there was, he could secretly keep one for himself.
This way, he wouldn’t run short of dried meat for cultivating in the future.
Just as he was feeling pleased, the scout ahead suddenly made a gesture.
It signified a situation.
The team immediately halted.
Xia Cunyi quickly moved to the front, peering through the forest gaps, and his eyes lit up.
Ahead on an open ground stood a giant wild chicken.
Its plumage was vibrant, eyes crimson, and claws gleaming, clearly an Exotic Beast.
This type of Exotic Beast was the most likely to yield a Meat Field, and if lucky, an Exotic Beast Egg, which was a treasure.
Xia Cunyi gave a look to his fellows, and the disciples from Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall quietly divided into two teams, flanking from both sides to prevent the wild chicken Exotic Beast from escaping.
Meanwhile, Xia Cunyi instructed his people to take up net ropes while he got ready himself.
When the two flanking teams were in position, Xia Cunyi dashed out like an arrow, delivering a palm strike to the wild chicken.
The wild chicken squawked in shock, flapping its wings to counterattack, but it was no match for Xia Cunyi and was knocked out with a palm.
His subordinates rushed up, tying the wild chicken firmly with net ropes.
Xia Cunyi was immensely proud, feeling as though he had improved his skills again recently.
But just then, a scream echoed from the forest.
It was from the two flanking teams.
Xia Cunyi was taken aback, and before he could react, several corpses were thrown from the forest.
From all around the forest, at least seven or eight Ghost-faced Giant Apes appeared.
It was Xia Cunyi’s first time seeing Ghost-faced Giant Apes, having only heard of them being formidable and cunning.
Unexpectedly, he encountered as many as seven or eight this time.
Moreover, each giant ape possessed at least the power of a Third Realm pinnacle.
Xia Cunyi felt a chill run through his body.
And if he felt this way, how much more terrifying it was for his subordinates.
The disciples from Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall accompanying him were mostly at the Second Realm level.
Now facing Third Realm pinnacle Exotic Beasts and so many of them, they were naturally terrified.
Someone tried to run but barely took two steps before a giant ape grabbed them, crushing their head, then licking the brain matter from its hand.
This sight was utterly terrifying for the group.
"Help!" someone screamed frantically.
Then they scattered fleeing.
But they were no match for the Ghost-faced Giant Apes.
The apes leisurely chased, akin to cats playing with mice, and crushed each catch’s head upon reaching them.
The sound of skulls cracking echoed continuously, making Xia Cunyi shiver in fear.
Despite his ability to fight a Ghost-faced Giant Ape,
he refrained.
There were far too many of them.
Even if he forced a victory over one, the remainder would be his downfall.
So, taking advantage of those Ghost-faced Giant Apes busy encircling his junior brothers, he dashed into the forest, fleeing at full speed.
His speed was swift, covering over a mile in the blink of an eye.
As the sounds of cries behind him grew faint, Xia Cunyi silently breathed a sigh of relief.
But right then, he felt the ground tremble, and a huge silhouette appeared in the woods ahead.
His eyes widened instantly.
It was a Ghost-faced Ape of even greater size standing before him.
It stood over four meters tall, with bulging muscles and markings around its mouth not in the usual white but a pale yellow.
Xia Cunyi began to tremble uncontrollably.
Because he felt the oppressive force emanating clearly from this giant ape.
Fourth Realm!
Possibly even a Fourth Realm pinnacle Exotic Beast!
He covered his mouth, afraid to make the slightest sound, cowering behind a tree, praying silently, please don’t find me.
But at that moment, he heard a noise above and looked up, paralyzed with fear.
A huge face of a Ghost-faced Ape peered down from the treetop.
Its mouth curled slightly, seemingly mocking Xia Cunyi’s cowardice and foolishness.