"Just some little gadgets."
Saying this, Zhao Ya opened the stopper of a jar, and a pungent odor hit his face.
Unexpectedly, it was filled with Zhao Ya’s specially-made kerosene.
Back in the Earth Cave, Zhao Ya relied on this kerosene to successfully counterattack and kill that Fifth Realm Exotic Beast.
Today, Zhao Ya wanted to try using it against these lower-level Exotic Beasts.
Under Zhao Ya’s command, everyone quickly hid the kerosene from these jars.
Not only that, Zhao Ya also thoughtfully went into the forest and left a jar of kerosene on the tallest tree.
After everything was ready, Zhao Ya and the others returned to the city.
At this time, the wealth and goods from the city’s noble clans were also delivered. Zhao Ya publicly gave sufficient rewards to everyone who went out of the city to work, while the rest were jointly kept by several Martial Arts Halls.
This move was made openly and fairly, leaving no one a reason to complain.
Zhao Ya simply had his dinner in the city tower.
Many people stayed as well, eagerly waiting for nightfall.
Night fell.
The distant forest began to shake.
Zhao Ya knew this meant the beast herd had arrived.
However, he was not in a hurry, merely waiting quietly.
Although he wasn’t anxious, Pan Xuexian beside him felt a bit uneasy.
Today, Zhao Ya called him over and entrusted him with a very important task.
Although Pan Xuexian was very confident in his archery skills, the thought of this matter being related to the Commandery’s safety made his heart tremble slightly.
"No need to be so tense, this is merely a small harassment." Zhao Ya suddenly said.
Pan Xuexian nodded vigorously upon hearing this, then tried hard to adjust his breathing, slowly calming down.
At that moment, Zhao Ya saw numerous Exotic Beasts emerging from the forest and appearing on the open land in front of the city gate.
Thanks to the results of today’s work, these Exotic Beasts had nowhere to hide and were directly exposed to everyone’s gaze.
"It’s a Jade Python!"
"That’s a Giant Horned Deer!"
"Heavens, there’s even a Golden-eyed Fox?"
Some people recognized a few types of Exotic Beasts among them, and they couldn’t help but exclaim.
But more of them were Exotic Beasts whose names couldn’t be called out at all.
However, a comforting thought was that the level of these Exotic Beasts was generally not high, most of them were around the Second Realm.
As they approached the city gate, those colorful eyes stared at the city walls, making many people feel a tingling on their scalps.
But Zhao Ya just gave them a brief glance, then turned his gaze to the distant forest.
Although it was nighttime and the distance was very far, Zhao Ya had deliberately marked places in the forest with glowing powder during the day.
So faintly visible were many huge figures in the forest.
Evidently, the Exotic Beasts in the forest were stronger than those beneath the city.
Zhao Ya fixed his gaze on the tallest tree in the forest.
He had smeared the most glowing powder on that tree, just to see what the commander of this Beast Tide looked like.
Because if there were truly a commander, it would definitely appear at the highest point of the battlefield to better observe the situation.
Indeed.
A huge black shadow slowly appeared beside that tall tree.
Upon a clear view, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but be shocked.
For it was a nearly four-meter-tall Ghost-faced Giant Ape.
Although its facial expression was hard to see due to the distance, Zhao Ya could still read something from those lamp-like eyes.
It was a kind of aloof cruelty and mockery.
Just like a cat would toy with a mouse before eating it.
That was not something expected in the eyes of an Exotic Beast.
Zhao Ya spoke solemnly, "Are you ready?"
Pan Xuexian nodded, raising his longbow, "Ready."
"First shoot at the tallest tree in the distant forest; I’ve already marked it for you in advance. Can you do it?"
Pan Xuexian took a deep breath and said firmly, "I can!"
He didn’t say he’d give it a try, nor did he hesitate; he directly picked up a custom long arrow, placed it on the bowstring, aimed at the distant forest, and pulled the string.
Generally, an arrow’s range is about a hundred steps, and skilled archers can hit a target within two hundred steps, which is already the limit.
But Pan Xuexian was different.
He displayed a high talent for shooting since childhood and, after entering Hundred Steps Martial Arts Hall, improved rapidly. Now in terms of archery, even his teacher couldn’t match him.
This was the reason why he could previously maneuver in the forest, relying solely on archery to contend with a Ghost-faced Giant Ape.
Even so, hitting a jar on a big tree two miles away in the dark was still not an easy task.
Pan Xuexian held his breath, focused, his steady hands unmoving like a mountain.
People around also quieted down, fearing they’d disturb him.
Suddenly.
Pan Xuexian released his grip, and the bowstring twanged loudly, sending the arrow flying towards the forest.
At the same time, Pan Xuexian nocked another arrow and shot it again in the same direction as before.
This was to ensure the first arrow didn’t miss, so he deliberately followed up with a second.
But the second arrow didn’t come to use, for within just a few moments, the jar on the big tree was pierced by the arrow.
The flint on the arrowhead sparked, instantly igniting the kerosene inside.
Flames soared, enveloping the Ghost-faced Giant Ape by the tree.
This Ghost-faced Giant Ape was caught off guard by this tactic and immediately got covered with kerosene.