Return to the Mountains, Big Tiger in Danger!

"Second Senior Sister, what stage have you reached in your cultivation? Can you tell me? If it's inconvenient, just pretend I didn't ask."

On the road, Jiang Hao looked at Second Senior Sister and asked.

Second Senior Sister Wen Xiang—her name was quite poetic, but in reality, she was burly and plain-looking, hardly associated with "beauty" at all.

However, Second Senior Sister was kind-hearted and had a great sense of humor.

Among the many Inner Disciples in the martial arts hall, Jiang Hao had the best relationship with Second Senior Sister.

Wen Xiang glanced at Jiang Hao and said with a smile, "Nothing I can't say. I'm currently at the peak of Hidden Force."

"Peak of Hidden Force? Doesn't that mean you're almost at Transforming Force? Once you step into Transforming Force, Second Senior Sister, you could enter the Huangtian Sect as an Inner Disciple too, right?"

"Where's the ease in that? Not only is it hard to go from peak Hidden Force to Transforming Force, even if I reached Transforming Force, I couldn't become an Inner Disciple of the Huangtian Sect. To be an Inner Disciple there, you have to be under thirty, and I'm already over thirty."

Jiang Hao was slightly stunned.

Second Senior Sister was over thirty?

Jiang Hao vaguely knew that Second Senior Sister wasn't married.

Even for a martial artist, thirty was definitely considered older.

Still, this was Second Senior Sister's private matter, and Jiang Hao didn't feel comfortable asking.

The two of them arrived at Flying Eagle Mountain.

Big Tiger seemed a bit excited to be back on Flying Eagle Mountain, letting out low growls.

Jiang Hao patted Big Tiger's head and soothed him, "Don't rush. You'll have plenty to do soon."

Big Tiger calmed down.

Jiang Hao jumped off Big Tiger's back.

Soon, Big Tiger would need to hunt, and being on his back would hinder his movements.

Wen Xiang tied her horse to a tree at the edge of the forest, and the two of them, along with the tiger, entered Flying Eagle Mountain.

"Big Tiger, lead the way to where the prey is. We'll follow you."

Jiang Hao said to Big Tiger.

Big Tiger let out an excited low growl, then leaped forward, charging deep into Flying Eagle Mountain.

Jiang Hao's Blood Qi was now abundant, and his stamina was even more terrifying than Big Tiger's.

Thus, he kept close behind Big Tiger.

As for Second Senior Sister Wen Xiang, there was no need to mention her—no matter how fast Big Tiger ran, she could keep up.

Finally, Big Tiger gradually slowed to a stop.

His tiger eyes locked onto a distant elk.

Big Tiger crept silently, step by step, toward the elk.

His movements were graceful and utterly soundless.

That's how tigers were.

When hunting, they were extremely cautious—if they didn't strike, fine, but when they did, it was a killing blow.

Jiang Hao stared intently at Big Tiger.

He watched every single movement.

In his mind, the outlines of the "Tiger Form" were gradually taking shape.

It was as if he had suddenly overlapped with Big Tiger.

After all, Jiang Hao had already comprehended the Tiger Form in his Fierce Tiger Fist, reaching Minor Accomplishment.

He just lacked some opportunity and inspiration to reach Major Accomplishment.

But with Big Tiger to observe daily, and now a live demonstration of how to hunt, inspiration surged into Jiang Hao's mind like a gushing spring.

Soon, Big Tiger made his move.

Though Big Tiger was a bit chubby, his posture was still as agile as ever.

With one pounce, the elk panicked and had no way to dodge. Big Tiger knocked it down in a single bound and directly bit into its throat.

The elk struggled violently.

Before long, the elk lost the breath of life.

Dead!

A huge elk like that, killed by Big Tiger just like that.

The whole process had no unnecessary struggle.

Very simple.

That is a one-hit kill!

This is how tigers hunt.

Inspiration surged like a spring in Jiang Hao's mind.

Now his Comprehension had surpassed 4, far stronger than a few months ago, so his insights ran deeper.

"Fierce Tiger Fist at Minor Accomplishment only grasps the 'Tiger Form' preliminarily, not the true ferocity of a tiger. A tiger stalks its prey with careful approach, then strikes with thunderous force, hitting the vital point..."

Jiang Hao suddenly understood.

A spark of inspiration burst forth in his mind, granting him profound realization.

He could clearly feel his understanding of the "Tiger Form" deepening.

This also proved that his trip here was worthwhile.

Simply observing Big Tiger up close every day wasn't enough; he had to watch how Big Tiger hunted.

Only then could Jiang Hao's Fierce Tiger Fist reach Major Accomplishment.

Big Tiger dragged the elk over to Jiang Hao, as if showing off its achievement.

Jiang Hao smiled and said, "Second Senior Sister, you must be hungry. We're in luck today."

"Big Tiger may be a bit chubby, but its skills haven't slipped. Not bad."

Second Senior Sister Wen Xiang nodded.

The two cut off a portion of the venison and began roasting it.

The rest was given to Big Tiger.

"Second Senior Sister, you've also practiced the Fierce Tiger Fist, right?"

"Yes."

"Then has Second Senior Sister reached Major Accomplishment with the Fierce Tiger Fist?"

Wen Xiang took a fierce bite of the venison and mumbled indistinctly, "Minor Accomplishment."

"Minor Accomplishment? Then watching Big Tiger hunt should have given you some insights too. How about we compare notes?"

"Just now, while watching Big Tiger hunt, inspiration surged in my mind, and my understanding of the 'Tiger Form' deepened..."

Jiang Hao spoke at length about his insights into the Tiger Form.

But he completely failed to notice the blank look in Second Senior Sister Wen Xiang's eyes.

What?

Insights?

Wen Xiang had indeed watched Big Tiger's entire hunt.

But it was just... that.

If she were to strike, she'd do it better than Big Tiger.

As for insights?

Who could gain insights just from watching a tiger hunt?

Seeing Jiang Hao's excited expression, Wen Xiang felt a bit conflicted.

Now there actually was one.

Jiang Hao had taken one look at Big Tiger hunting and gained deeper insights into the Tiger Form.

Was this what a genius was like?

Wen Xiang fell silent.

Her Master had sent her to watch over Jiang Hao, to protect him and prevent any accidents.

He hadn't said a word about her gaining insights into the Fierce Tiger Fist.

Only someone extraordinary could comprehend a fist technique by watching a tiger hunt.

Before, Wen Xiang had no direct sense of Jiang Hao's "genius."

But now, she did.

So Wen Xiang continued silently gnawing on the venison, refusing to respond to Jiang Hao's so-called "exchange of insights."

"Roar..."

Big Tiger let out a few low growls again.

There was a hint of restlessness in its voice.

"Junior Brother, what's wrong with Big Tiger?"

Wen Xiang asked curiously.

She knew Big Tiger was intelligent, and only Jiang Hao could understand what it meant.

Jiang Hao said a bit sheepishly, "Big Tiger's back in the mountains, and its old habit has kicked in. It wants to go mark its territory."

Wen Xiang suddenly understood.

Although Big Tiger possessed the Tiger Demon Bloodline, he was ultimately not a tiger demon and still retained certain beastly traits. Marking territory by urinating—that was an instinct carved into the bones of tigers. Returning to the mountain forest, Big Tiger was influenced by this instinct and naturally wanted to claim his territory, which was why he had been so restless and agitated.

"Let him go. He can't overcome the habits ingrained in his nature yet," Wen Xiang said.

Jiang Hao nodded. He understood this as well.

"Big Tiger, go quickly and return swiftly." Jiang Hao patted Big Tiger's head. Big Tiger let out an excited low growl, then dashed off swiftly, circling the mountain forest to mark his territory.

Big Tiger raced through the forest. He felt exhilarated. Although he had meat to eat every day at Jiang Manor, he was ultimately the king of beasts, and the mountain forest was his true home.

Big Tiger's territory was vast. He urinated at its edges and then patrolled continuously within it. Any beast that stepped into his territory was either driven away or killed by Big Tiger.

Suddenly, Big Tiger faintly caught a familiar scent—the smell of another beast. Following the scent, he indeed spotted a wild boar. This boar was enormous, charging recklessly through the forest, extremely arrogant. It paid no attention at all to the territory markers Big Tiger had left.

Big Tiger was furious. He was the king of beasts, and this was his territory—how could he allow a wild boar to act so insolently? So, Big Tiger approached silently.

"Whoosh." The next moment, Big Tiger moved. Although the wild boar was also strong, with terrifying brute force that was no less than Big Tiger's, Big Tiger was very agile. With a single pounce, despite the wild boar's violent struggle, Big Tiger's sharp claws left a series of wounds on its body.

Seeing Big Tiger, the wild boar seemed somewhat afraid, making "grunting" sounds and backing away. Big Tiger advanced step by step, then pounced again, sinking his jaws into the wild boar. The wild boar struggled violently. The two beasts tangled and rolled on the ground.

The wild boar's strength was indeed great, and it broke free from Big Tiger's grip again. Big Tiger even took a charge from the boar, but it wasn't a serious problem. The wild boar began to flee, while Big Tiger gave chase without letting up.

The wild boar was injured, blood flowing steadily from its wounds. Big Tiger stayed right behind it, and as time passed, the boar gradually slowed down, unable to run any further.

"Crunch." Finally, Big Tiger bit a huge wound into the wild boar's throat. Blood gushed out, and the wild boar let out a mournful cry before crashing heavily to the ground.

"Quick, over here." Several young martial artists burst out of the forest, immediately spotting the wild boar and Big Tiger on the ground.

"Damn, the wild boar is almost dead." "This boar has a Demon Bloodline. According to the mission, we need to capture it alive. But it looks like it won't survive." "The boar was killed by this tiger." "Huh? This tiger is unusual too—it also has a Demon Bloodline." "Since the boar is dead, capturing this tiger alive will still count as completing the mission."

There were three martial artists in total, slowly closing in on Big Tiger. Big Tiger seemed to sense the danger.

He edged backward bit by bit.

Whoosh.

The three martial artists moved together.

They all lunged fiercely at Big Tiger.

Big Tiger raised a paw and swiped at one of the martial artists.

But that martial artist was faster—he actually grabbed Big Tiger's paw with his bare hands, then exerted force with both arms and let out a loud shout: "Up!"

The martial artist lifted Big Tiger straight up and slammed him hard onto the ground.

Thud.

Big Tiger was knocked dizzy and disoriented.

What's more, the three martial artists pressed down on him, their terrifying strength pinning Big Tiger so he couldn't move at all.

Clearly, all three had developed inner force, making their strength fearsome.

"Got him! Tie him up quick."

The three quickly pulled out ropes, ready to bind Big Tiger.

"What are you doing? Let Big Tiger go!"

Just then, Jiang Hao arrived.

In truth, Jiang Hao had been searching for Big Tiger for a while now.

After all this time, he'd thought Big Tiger had run off on his own.

Turns out Big Tiger had been caught by someone.

Jiang Hao was both shocked and furious—thankfully he'd found Big Tiger, or the consequences would have been unthinkable.

"A kid?"

"Where did this child come from? Did he get separated from an adult?"

"Come here, tell me which family you're from. This mountain forest is very dangerous."

The three martial artists were all surprised to see Jiang Hao.

They hadn't expected a child to be in the woods.

Jiang Hao had just split up with Second Senior Sister Wen Xiang to search for Big Tiger.

Second Senior Sister was still behind him now.

These three martial artists mistakenly thought he'd gotten lost from an adult.

"I'm the owner of this tiger. Please, the three of you, let Big Tiger go."

Jiang Hao had calmed down as well.

Judging by their attire, they didn't look like hunters, but they'd easily subdued Big Tiger—they were most likely martial artists.

However, Jiang Hao's words only made the three even more astonished.

Owner?

This tiger had an owner?

And the owner was a child under ten years old? Was that even possible?