Arch-enemies

"Three days from now, a group of disciples will be coming to the Hundred Thousand Mountains for a trial. You Furred Beast Slaves must cooperate fully," Elder Huohuo said expressionlessly.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming and Wulu exchanged glances and found themselves speechless.

"May I ask what the specific content of this trial will be?" Wulu asked after a pause.

"You don't need to know that now. Just remember to gather here in three days. Do you understand?" Elder Huohuo commanded in an unrefusable tone.

"Yes." Wulu lowered his head and replied. Yuan Ming nodded somewhat listlessly.

"I know what you're worried about. These trials are common for the sect, but not every one of them will offer you a chance to perform. Listen carefully: after this trial concludes, depending on your individual performance, you can earn between one hundred and three hundred portions of Blood Food. If anyone achieves significant merit, it's not out of the question that they could be directly accepted into the sect as a Registered Disciple," Elder Huohuo added, glancing at the two of them.

Wulu's breathing immediately became heavier upon hearing this, and Yuan Ming's eyes also lit up.

"I've said all I need to say. Don't miss this opportunity," Elder Huohuo said indifferently.

"Yes." The two responded in unison, their voices immediately much louder.

Afterward, Elder Huohuo collected their beast blood, gave them the month's antidote, and then hastily leaped onto a giant eagle, spreading its wings and flying away. This left Yuan Ming, who had intended to report the matter of the corpses in the valley to him, feeling rather speechless.

Following that, Wulu bid Yuan Ming farewell and turned to leave, appearing quite hurried. His figure soon disappeared into the distance.

Yuan Ming did not linger there. He walked towards the direction of the canyon, but his mind was occupied with the disciple trial Elder Huohuo had mentioned, his expression gradually growing solemn.

At first glance, this trial seemed like a good opportunity for the Furred Beast Slaves scattered throughout the Hundred Thousand Mountains. However, upon closer consideration, something felt slightly off.

The disciples Elder Huohuo referred to were undoubtedly Registered Disciples. These individuals, in terms of talent and cultivation, were superior to them, the most peripheral Furred Beast Slaves of the sect. The only value the Furred Beast Slaves held for them was their familiarity with the Hundred Thousand Mountains, which could help with navigation.

He didn't believe the sect would reward them with a substantial amount of Blood Food simply for guiding them or assisting them.

Things were likely not that simple.

"I should just be careful myself," he cautioned himself inwardly.

Three days later, by the boundary marker.

In the early morning, figures converged from all directions. Before the sun had fully risen, over thirty people had gathered there.

Some of these individuals appeared quite excited and eager, while others looked bewildered, seemingly unaware of why they had been instructed to assemble.

Not long after Yuan Ming arrived, Hagon sidled up to him.

"Did you hear? It seems the sect has sent a group of Registered Disciples here for training," Hagon whispered.

"If they're here for training, why do they need us to cooperate?" Yuan Ming asked, confused.

"Don't you get it? Those guys who live pampered lives in the sect, how would they know the dangers of the Hundred Thousand Mountains? They'll definitely need us to accompany and assist them," Hagon said, rolling his eyes.

"Is it like nobles going hunting and bringing along some attendants?" Yuan Ming inquired.

"Attendants is too nice a word. More like hounds or lackeys," Hagon shook his head and replied.

As they were speaking, a small team of about ten half-naked individuals arrived together, surrounding a tall man with disheveled black hair and a fierce, sinister expression. It was Wubao of the Green Wolf Gang.

Upon their arrival, their gazes swept towards Yuan Ming and Hagon, filled with anger.

Yuan Ming's expression remained unchanged, and he met their stares without flinching, showing no trace of fear in his eyes.

"What's inevitable is inevitable," Hagon muttered, tugging at the corner of his mouth.

As soon as he spoke, another team of about ten people arrived. Leading them was, naturally, Jin Kun of the Hyena Hall.

When their eyes met, Jin Kun's expression was also not very pleasant. Previously, he had cooperated with the Green Wolf Gang to target Yuan Ming and Hagon, but not only had the two escaped, but several of his subordinates had also been seriously injured.

They had not given up on Yuan Ming, especially Wubao, and were just waiting for the right opportunity. If the chance arose, he would still attack without hesitation.

Jin Kun's small, beady eyes continuously scanned Yuan Ming and Hagon. He said to Wubao, "Since you still have intentions, why don't we take advantage of the fact that Elder Huohuo hasn't arrived yet and we have all our people? Isn't this the perfect time?"

"I have my own plans, so don't cause trouble. Yuan Ming is definitely going to die this time. As for Hagon, I'll toy with him slowly later," Wubao said with a cold smile, licking his lips.

"That's good, that's good," Jin Kun replied, nodding and smiling.

Hagon's brow furrowed as he watched the two collude in their villainy, while Yuan Ming appeared nonchalant.

Just then, a piercing cry echoed from high in the sky.

A massive shadow descended, covering the area as it approached.

Everyone looked up and saw Elder Huohuo flying in on his falcon mount, with four unfamiliar figures standing behind him.

After the falcon landed, Elder Huohuo leaped off first, followed by the other four.

The appearance of these individuals immediately drew the attention of all the Furred Beast Slaves.

The first to dismount the falcon was a burly man with a rough face and a short beard. He was powerfully built, his dark robes stretched taut, and a black axe was strapped to his back, indicating he was not to be trifled with.

Following closely behind was a woman with a full, voluptuous figure but an unremarkable face. Her attire was almost identical to the short-bearded man's, seemingly standard issue, even down to the beast head emblem on her chest.

Yuan Ming looked closely and noticed a line of small text beneath the beast head emblem that read "Beast Taming Hall."

Although the woman's appearance was plain, her figure was incredibly alluring. As she dismounted the falcon, her chest seemed to bounce like two white jade rabbits, captivating the Furred Beast Slaves who hadn't seen a woman in a long time.

The woman seemed completely unfazed by their lewd gazes. She puffed out her chest, struck a seductive pose, and stood beside the short-bearded man.

After her, another young man in a green robe, thin and gaunt, with a shy smile on his face, kept his gaze fixed on the ground just in front of his toes.

Although his robe differed in color from the previous two, the style was the same. On his chest was an emblem resembling an alchemy furnace, with the Southern Border script "Alchemy Hall" written below it.

Lastly, there was one more person, dressed in a fiery red short skirt, different in style from the other three. Beneath the emblem on her chest were the words "Fire Refining Hall."

This woman had delicate features and exceptional beauty. Her apricot-shaped eyes, in particular, were full of spirit. Combined with her short, practical attire, they perfectly accentuated her slender figure, making her appear both lively and beautiful, as well as sharp and capable.

As soon as she appeared, she immediately drew away more than half of the gazes that had been focused on the alluring woman.

However, unlike the alluring woman, she was clearly displeased with the audacious stares. She placed a hand on the long, green vine whip coiled around her waist and glared at the crowd.

The Furred Beast Slaves lowered their heads as her sharp gaze swept over them.

Yuan Ming stared at the words "Fire Refining Hall" on her chest, lost in thought for a moment. He recalled Zhao Tong mentioning that the Fire Refining Hall was responsible for crafting Magic Tools within the sect.

That guy had previously said he'd ask around to see if any senior disciples from the Fire Refining Hall could help engrave array patterns on the Azure Fish Sword, but there had been no news since.

"Slap!"

Just then, a sharp whistling sound suddenly pierced the air.

Yuan Ming instinctively dodged, and a whip's shadow flashed past his side before retracting.

He looked confused, seemingly unable to understand why the woman had suddenly attacked him.

Seeing that his gaze had moved away from her chest, the red-dressed woman couldn't be bothered to pursue the matter further. She coiled her whip and hung it back at her waist.

"What a temper," Yuan Ming muttered under his breath, cursing inwardly.

Elder Huohuo ignored this. Seeing that the woman was no longer pursuing the issue, he finally spoke:

"Everyone, all the Furred Beast Slaves I have are here. You can choose freely; you can even take them all."

The Furred Beast Slaves listened, confused. He hadn't offered them any explanation.

"Elder Huohuo, we only need someone to guide us. One or two are enough; we don't need so many," the red-dressed woman said first.

"Senior Sister Chen Wan, why not take a few more? If we really encounter danger, having more people can provide a buffer," the thin young man in the green robe suggested, looking at the red-dressed woman.

What did he mean by "buffer"? Wasn't it just a scapegoat?

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming felt a surge of displeasure. Most of the other Furred Beast Slaves also showed unhappiness, though they dared not act on it.

"Bada, with us here, what are you worried about? For this mission of ours, what difference does it make if we take one or two Furred Beast Slaves versus ten or eight?" the stout man with a short beard grinned contemptuously.

"Exactly. Taking more people is just a burden," the alluring woman added, her voice soft and charming. Despite her dismissive words, the Furred Beast Slaves felt a tremor, wishing each of them could go with her.

"Kun Tu, Yang Chan, this trial is not a child's game. Think carefully yourselves," Elder Huohuo reminded them.

"Elder, there's no need to worry. This is our trial; we can't rely entirely on Furred Beast Slaves to pave the way," the stout man named Kun Tu waved his hand, appearing unconcerned.

Then, as if casually, he pointed at the crowd: "You, you, the two of you come with us."

His seemingly casual gesture drew everyone's attention to the two chosen "lucky ones."

Wubao grinned and looked at Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming couldn't help but frown.

"Brother Yuan, I don't think this is a good assignment," Hagon said with some concern.

The two chosen by Kun Tu were none other than Wubao and Yuan Ming.