Hunting Ground

"So you're the Fifth Young Master of the Wang Family!" Zhou Baiyun said with a smile.

Her previous mood vanished in an instant.

Before coming here, she had already conducted a detailed investigation into all the major and minor families of East Sea City. After Sun Gaoyan's introduction, she learned the identities of Wang Teng, Xu Jie, Bai Wei, and the others.

After exchanging a few simple words, she offered a slight apology and walked toward the others.

Once she had gone far enough, Xu Jie said in a low voice, "I'm afraid Zhou Baiyun doesn't think much of our families."

Though Zhou Baiyun had not shown it openly, it was obvious that she was not as enthusiastic toward Wang Teng's group as she was toward the others.

Sun Gaoyan's expression was somewhat unpleasant. Xu Jie and the others had been invited by him, and Zhou Baiyun's attitude made him lose face.

Wang Teng patted his shoulder. "Don't mind it. We're only here to eat and drink for free today. Making friends is secondary."

"Gaoyan, don't take it to heart. A day of free food, drinks, and fun is pretty great too," Xu Jie said with a grin.

With his interruption, everyone's mood immediately improved.

"Tell me, how did Li Rongcheng end up with Zhou Baiyun? Logically speaking, the Li Family shouldn't be on the same level as the Zhou Family yet, right?" Bai Wei suddenly asked.

"I heard Zhou Baiyun is recruiting Martial Apprentices, especially Advanced Martial Apprentices with the potential to become Martial Warriors," Sun Gaoyan said.

"Then it's not strange. After Li Rongcheng became an Advanced Martial Apprentice, the Li Family publicized it everywhere, terrified that no one would know. Everyone says the Li Family has produced a genius and will definitely have a Martial Warrior in the future," Yu Hao joined the discussion.

"Hmph, becoming a Martial Warrior isn't that easy. Advanced Martial Apprentices aren't all that rare, but very few can become Martial Warriors. There might not even be one Martial Warrior among a thousand Advanced Martial Apprentices. As for Li Rongcheng, even if the Li Family sold everything they owned, they might not be able to push him that far," Xu Jie said disdainfully, clearly irritated.

"But that doesn't stop Zhou Baiyun from trying to win him over now," Bai Wei said mockingly.

"Cast a wide net and catch more fish! Li Rongcheng is probably one of those fish. But if Zhou Baiyun knew about your strength, Brother Wang Teng... heh heh!" Xu Jie laughed gleefully.

"This has nothing to do with me. No matter how nice she is to me, I won't get involved," Wang Teng said, shaking his head.

Sun Gaoyan's heart stirred. Combining their conversation with Li Rongcheng's earlier expression...

After some wild speculation, he seemed to have discovered something. A sharp gleam flashed through his eyes.

However, he did not show anything unusual. His attitude remained the same as before, but he gradually and deliberately worked his way into Wang Teng's little group.

Yu Hao and Bai Wei did not dislike Sun Gaoyan's personality. Although Wang Teng had noticed something, he said nothing.

Besides, Sun Gaoyan was Xu Jie's cousin, so that connection naturally made it easier for them to accept him.

For a time, the group chatted happily.

At noon, it was time to eat.

Plate after plate of exquisite dishes was placed on the tables, their fragrance filling the air and making mouths water.

"These are... Star Beast ingredients!"

Yu Hao had seen them before and spoke in a low voice.

"Zhou Baiyun really spared no expense. These Star Beast ingredients must have cost quite a bit," Xu Jie said with a sigh.

Everyone took their seats. The others all crowded around Zhou Baiyun, and before long, they had occupied the front end of the dining table.

The table was long.

Wang Teng and the others could only sit at the far end, making them seem somewhat out of place.

Soon, everyone began eating.

Wang Teng picked up a piece of meat and put it into his mouth. After taking a small taste, he found that the vital energy contained within was not particularly dense.

These should just be wild animals from Earth Star that underwent slight mutations.

That made sense. Everyone present was merely ordinary people. How could they withstand the energy contained in real Star Beast ingredients?

Moreover, Wang Teng gave them a rough look. Among these Rich Second Generations and officials' children, quite a few had pale faces and looked so weak they might suddenly drop dead at any moment.

For them especially, eating a little was nourishing, but eating too much was little different from poison. It could kill them.

Zhou Baiyun probably understood this too, which was why she had prepared these ingredients.

Of course, most people did not know that. Slightly mutated wild animals were like the rare game eaten by wealthy people in his previous life, something they normally had little chance to taste.

On top of that, the ingredients had been prepared by skilled chefs. They looked good, smelled good, tasted good, and were nourishing as well. Everyone ate with great delight.

They all praised Zhou Baiyun for being so thoughtful!

The meal lasted more than an hour. Once everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Zhou Baiyun stood and said, "Baoan Mountain has plenty of entertainment. Rest for an hour or so this afternoon, and we'll head out at two thirty. Since we're here today, we should have as much fun as we can."

Everyone loudly agreed.

There were many rooms in the Mountain Villa. Everyone found one for themselves. Those who wanted to rest went to rest, while those who did not continued gathering together to chat and joke around.

Xu Jie, Bai Wei, and the others did not have Wang Teng's energy and planned to rest for a while.

Ever since he began practicing martial arts, Wang Teng had consciously kept his energy at full capacity at all times. Since he had nothing to do, he went to take a short nap as well.

Two thirty.

Everyone came out of their rooms and gathered in the hall. Led by Zhou Baiyun, they headed into the mountains.

There really were plenty of entertainment facilities in the mountains. There was an open-air mountain spring pool, and with the hot weather, it was the perfect time to take a handgun out and play in the water, while also admiring the girls in swimsuits.

After all, there was no shortage of pretty girls among these wealthy young people.

Not only that, Baoan Mountain had also specially set aside an area as a Hunting Ground. Visitors could form teams to hunt, which was another kind of fun.

Given how much men loved firearms, this hunting game would undoubtedly satisfy them to a great extent.

There was no need to go into the other forms of entertainment one by one.

When everyone arrived and saw the open-air pool beneath a small waterfall, along with the various entertainment facilities nearby, they could hardly wait to strip off their clothes and jump into the cool water.

"Woohoo!"

Someone had clearly already done so. Without even taking off his clothes, he let out a wolfish howl and leaped into the water.

Water splashed everywhere!

"Lin Hao, are you crazy?!"

Those who knew him could not help laughing and scolding him in disgust.

Lin Hao poked his head out of the water, wiped the water from his face, and laughed loudly. "It feels amazing! Anyone who wants to play, get down here already. Why are you still standing around?"

"His name suits him. He really is bold and straightforward, not pretentious at all," Zhou Baiyun praised.

Lin Hao burst into laughter again.

"Idiot," Xu Jie muttered with a helpless smile.

"The Hunting Ground is right beside us. Anyone who wants to play can head over there. Just register with the staff."

"You can hunt some game for us to barbecue tonight!"

"I've prepared a mysterious gift for whoever hunts the most prey. It'll go to them!"

Zhou Baiyun pointed toward an entrance on the left and explained, then added a reminder.

"However, I should remind everyone that quite a few of the beasts inside are somewhat aggressive, so be sure to watch your safety. It's best to go in teams and look out for each other. If you act alone, the danger will increase greatly."