Encirclement

Yuan Ming transformed into the White Ape, quickly moving his limbs, a look of confusion on his face.

He could feel that both the compatibility and connection between himself and the beast hide had strengthened, but for some reason, the power of his transformation hadn't increased.

As Yuan Ming was pondering this, he suddenly felt a warmth spread through his body. A powerful demonic energy surged from within the White Ape hide, dispersing like a torrent and flowing into every part of his body. A "bang" suddenly echoed from within him!

The next moment, his body rapidly expanded as if being inflated. His muscles writhed, and his bones crackled with explosive sounds.

This change was swift, and it passed just as quickly, lasting only two or three breaths.

The White Ape form grew by a tenth, its muscles bulging proportionally, and its ape claws became even sharper.

Yuan Ming took a deep breath, feeling the stronger power surging through his entire body compared to before, and felt quite invigorated.

This method he had stumbled upon by accident, which seemed to have backfired, could actually enhance the power of the White Ape hide transformation. If he had the time, he would study it thoroughly, as it was his greatest trump card in combat for the time being.

Yuan Ming dispelled the Fur Transformation Technique and returned to the cave, soon emerging again with a piece of black beast hide in his hand – the Toad hide he had found.

If the nurturing technique was effective for the White Ape hide, it might also work for the Toad beast hide.

He immediately performed the Fur Transformation Technique, transforming into the Toad form. He then replicated the process, activating the nurturing technique to draw the heat flow from the incense burner and slowly infuse it into the Toad hide.

As expected, the Toad hide could absorb the heat flow, but it stopped after only accommodating five or six streams. No matter how hard Yuan Ming tried, it showed no further reaction.

"It seems the growth potential of beast hides varies; this Toad hide is far inferior to the White Ape's," Yuan Ming thought to himself.

After a few breaths, a cool yet powerful demonic energy emanated from the Toad beast hide, giving his entire body a peculiar, slightly chilling sensation.

Yuan Ming closed his eyes and sensed carefully, a smile appearing on his face.

Although his current Toad form hadn't significantly increased in size, the strength in his limbs had improved considerably. His lungs expanded and contracted with more vigor, and his diving time had at least doubled.

However, what excited him most wasn't these improvements, but that the Toad transformation had awakened a new ability.

He lowered his body and channeled his spiritual power into the black bumps on his back. The black bumps writhed and suddenly grew to several times their original size.

Pfft!

More than a dozen black liquid droplets spurted from the bumps, shooting like arrows and hitting a patch of bushes in front of him.

Sizzle...

The lush green leaves rotted at a visible rate, and the tough bark quickly cracked, as if all its moisture had been leached away by the black liquid.

In less than half an hour, a thriving bush had completely withered and died, with only a few thick branches barely remaining. The rest had turned into rotten black mud.

"What potent venom. I'll call this the Toad Poison Arrow," Yuan Ming breathed in slightly.

"Speaking of which, what exactly are these streams of hot air emanating from the incense burner? They nourish the beast souls so effectively?" Yuan Ming dispelled his transformation and gently touched the incense burner mark on his arm, his thoughts turning again.

The incense burner had previously allowed his consciousness to possess others and even control their actions. Now, it could also strengthen the beast souls contained within the Fur Transformation hides to enhance their power. It always amazed him, clearly marking it as an unparalleled treasure. When he could leave this place, he would definitely study it thoroughly.

When Yuan Ming returned to the cave again, Hagon had stopped nurturing the beast hide and was lying on the straw bed with his eyes closed, resting. The Green Wolf hide was placed aside.

Yuan Ming glanced at the wolf hide and sat down.

It was quite clear that the incense burner could strengthen beast hides, and it would surely have an effect on the Green Wolf hide. Hagon was his friend, and they were currently in the same predicament. Should he help him strengthen this item as well?

However, for safety reasons, the secret of the incense burner could not be revealed. Even if he wanted to help Hagon, he couldn't let him discover it.

At this moment, Yuan Ming suddenly stood up, as if listening intently, his expression quickly turning grim.

"Hagon, get up quickly!"

"What's wrong?" Hagon wasn't fast asleep and immediately sat up upon hearing him.

"Someone's coming, and there are quite a few of them!" Yuan Ming said in a deep voice.

"Are they enemies? Should we leave quickly?" Hagon exclaimed, startled, and grabbed the green wolf hide beside him.

"It's too late." Yuan Ming shook his head, his figure flashing to the cave entrance. He peered into the distance through a gap in the doorway.

More than a dozen figures had appeared in his field of vision, rapidly approaching. Within a few breaths, they reached the cave entrance and surrounded it in a fan shape.

The newcomers clearly belonged to two factions. The two leading figures were one, a burly man with disheveled black hair, a hooked nose, and three scars on his face; the other was a short, stout man with beady green eyes and blond hair.

"It's Wubao of the Green Wolf Gang and Jin Kun of the Hyena Hall! These two gangs have always been enemies, how could they appear at the same time?" Hagon also arrived at the cave entrance, and upon seeing the people outside, he gasped in shock.

Yuan Ming remained silent, his expression shifting between happiness and anger.

He had certainly heard of the Hyena Hall, which was as renowned as the Green Wolf Gang. If it were only the Green Wolf Gang, he was confident he could retreat safely. However, with the addition of the Hyena Hall, things became much more complicated, especially with their leaders appearing simultaneously.

"Heh heh, Gang Leader Wubao, I'm not bragging, but in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, there's no one our Hyena Hall can't find," said the blond man, Jin Kun, while picking his teeth with a small beast bone and smiling.

Wubao looked at the cave before him, snorted, and formed hand seals. His palms crackled, and a purple lightning ball the size of a pigeon egg materialized out of thin air.

"Not good!" Yuan Ming's pupils contracted, and he pulled Hagon back in retreat.

Wubao waved his right hand in the air, and the lightning bead flickered and disappeared.

The next moment, a dazzling purple light flashed through the forest, and a purple bolt of lightning appeared out of nowhere, tearing through the air and striking the large rock at the cave entrance.

With a loud "boom"!

The giant rock, over ten feet high, exploded, shattering into countless fragments that flew in all directions, kicking up a large cloud of dust.

"I didn't expect Wubao to have actually mastered the Lightning Strike Technique!" Jin Kun's eyes flashed with apprehension before quickly disappearing.

The Lightning Strike Technique, like the Wood Thorn Technique, belonged to the category of spells. In the cultivation world, there were myriad spells, but they all ultimately fell within the scope of the five elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.

However, there are always exceptions in this world. Some cultivators or demonic beasts possess extraordinary talent, or experience significant upheavals later in life, allowing them to cultivate and control powers that do not belong to the five elements.

In the cultivation world, this situation is referred to as a mutated spirit root.

There are many types of mutated spirit roots. Famous ones include the Lightning Spirit Root, Shadow Spirit Root, and Poison Spirit Root, among others. Whether a mutated spirit root is good or bad is hard to say. If it mutates favorably, the spirit root becomes stronger. If it mutates in a malignant direction, it can even harm the body.

The Lightning Spirit Root is considered a favorable mutation. The lightning attribute is known for its immense destructive power. Furthermore, because lightning naturally occurs between heaven and earth, the Lightning Spirit Root is relatively common compared to other mutated spirit roots. It gives rise to many lightning-attribute spells and divine abilities. The Lightning Strike Technique is one of the lower-tier ones, but its power is far beyond that of five-element spells like the Wood Thorn Technique.

Wubao flicked his sleeve, a faint green light flickering at his fingertips. A strong gust of wind materialized out of thin air, sweeping outwards and scattering all the dust from the cave entrance.

The situation inside the cave became clearly visible. Yuan Ming had not concealed his presence and stood there leisurely. However, Hagon, who was beside him, had vanished.

Wubao frowned. When he had first arrived, he had clearly seen two people inside the cave.

"Boss, be careful. The other person is probably hiding in the shadows. Yuan Ming is acting this way to lure us in. If we attack rashly, we'll likely be ambushed," Zan Bai said in a low voice.

Wubao nodded imperceptibly and made a gesture with his left hand behind his back.

The Green Wolf Gang members slowly shifted their positions, encircling one side of the cave entrance.

Amidst the crowd, Wulu looked at Yuan Ming with a slightly complex expression, letting out a soft sigh.

"Wubao, Jin Kun, what brings two distinguished figures like yourselves here?" Yuan Ming asked, his eyes taking in Wubao and the Green Wolf Gang's movements. He spoke calmly and unhurriedly.

"Yuan Ming, why play dumb? You've repeatedly opposed my Green Wolf Gang and even killed my Vice-Boss Bayin. Your crimes are heinous. Surrender obediently, and we'll at least leave you with a whole corpse!" Wubao said coldly.

Yuan Ming and the Green Wolf Gang were locked in an irreconcilable conflict, so he saw no point in arguing. He turned to Jin Kun, "Are you here to capture me as well, Boss Jin Kun? I believe I've never offended the Hyena Hall."

"Heh heh, Brother Wubao and I are close friends. He invited me, so naturally, I can't stand by and do nothing," Jin Kun said with a smile, his small green bean-like eyes darting around.

"Today's conflict is between me and the Green Wolf Gang. It has nothing to do with others. Boss Jin Kun, you should think carefully about whether to get involved. I'm not exactly a magnanimous person," Yuan Ming said slowly, scanning the Hyena Hall members around him.

"Oh, are you threatening me?" Jin Kun's eyes narrowed sharply, his gaze turning cold.

"It's not a threat, just some advice," Yuan Ming replied with a smile.

He had heard a lot about the relationship between the Green Wolf Gang and the Hyena Hall from Tule. The two major gangs were constantly vying for dominance and would never be on good terms.

Given Jin Kun's personality, he was likely harboring thoughts of watching them fight it out. Yuan Ming's move was intended to give Jin Kun an out. If he could persuade Jin Kun to remain neutral, there might be a chance of victory in today's battle.

Jin Kun stared at Yuan Ming, his small green bean-like eyes narrowed to slits. Suddenly, he burst into laughter.

Yuan Ming's brow twitched, but he remained silent.

"Heh heh, Yuan Ming, you truly are something. Remaining calm in such a situation and trying to divide us... honestly, I've even considered recruiting you into the Hyena Hall!" Jin Kun said, laughing heartily.

"Jin Kun, do you still want the goods?" Wubao asked with a frown.

"All Hyena Hall members, listen up! Surround this place! Not even a single fly should be allowed to leave!" Jin Kun waved his hand impatiently.

The Hyena Hall members immediately spread out, forming a semi-circle that enclosed the other side of the cave. Together with the Green Wolf Gang members, they completely sealed off all escape routes from the cave.

Just then, Zan Bai, who was hidden in the crowd, pulled out a crossbow. Three green arrows were nocked onto it. He aimed at Yuan Ming and pulled the trigger.

A piercing sound of air being cut through echoed as the arrows transformed into three green streaks, heading directly for Yuan Ming's vital chest area.