Luo Cheng

Around the Beast Horn Arena, tens of thousands of stone seats stretched out, and now nearly every single one was filled. A dense sea of black figures extended to the edge of sight—a turnout befitting the most grand competition Qingyang Town had seen in years.

Under Lin Zhentian's lead, the Lin Family entered the very center of the Beast Horn Arena, where the view was best. From here, they could not only overlook the thick jungle below but also clearly see the scene on the central giant platform.

Most of those who could enter this area were factions of some renown, and several of them maintained good relations with the Lin Family. As soon as they arrived, many came over to greet them, and Lin Zhentian responded with a beaming smile.

After a few pleasantries, Lin Zhentian led the group to a conspicuous row of empty seats and sat down. The Lei and Xie families were seated nearby as well, but they only glanced at the Lin Family before looking away. No matter how friendly they acted on the surface, they always looked down on outsiders like the Lin Family and the Mad Saber Martial Hall.

Lin Changqiang and Lin Dong sat down together. On Lin Dong's right were Qing Tan and Lin Xia, while on Lin Changqiang's left sat Lin Hong and Lin Shan.

Everyone eagerly observed the dense jungle below, faintly hearing the occasional ferocious beast roar. According to Lin Zhentian, there might even be demonic beasts inside.

Demonic beasts were far more terrifying than ordinary wild animals. It was said that even the weakest demonic beast could easily tear apart anyone below the Body Tempering Stage Seven. Some powerful demonic beasts not only possessed considerable intelligence but could also use Yuan Power, making them exceptionally deadly.

However, according to Lin Ken, most demonic beasts usually lived in larger mountain ranges. The Beast Horn Arena was too crowded with people, so demonic beasts were rare. The biggest threat in the hunt, then, was actually the participants from other factions. When Lin Changqiang heard this, he felt as if colorful flags were planted all over Lin Ken...

As they sized up the jungle, another large group surged into the area, all bearing the same emblem on their chests.

"It's the Mad Saber Martial Hall!"

As the fastest-rising major force in Qingyang Town, the Mad Saber Martial Hall drew many eyes the moment they appeared.

Striding boldly at the front was a sturdy man with a blank expression. Several crisscrossing saber scars on his face added to his fierce aura. At his waist, a long object wrapped in black cloth hung—likely a long saber.

"That's the hall master of the Mad Saber Martial Hall, Mad Thunder Saber Luo Cheng. His rise is inseparable from him," Lin Xiao said in a low voice. "He's also a Late Heavenly Origin Stage expert. If I'm not mistaken, he's probably already at Late Heavenly Origin Stage, just one step away from the Yuan Dan Stage. There aren't many in Qingyang Town who can tie with him."

"Luo Cheng? Just from the name, you know he can fight," Lin Changqiang said with a serious nod.

"Back when he first came to Qingyang Town to establish the Mad Saber Martial Hall, both the Lei and Xie families tried to interfere. He directly challenged Lei Bao to a duel. In the end, he took three palm strikes from Lei Bao and slashed a deep wound across Lei Bao's chest—a reckless, all-or-nothing attitude that made both families back off," Lin Xiao said, looking at Luo Cheng with some admiration. "This Luo Cheng is extremely fierce and very protective of his people. Even the Lei and Xie families don't dare push the Mad Saber Martial Hall too far now."

As they spoke, the Mad Saber Martial Hall group approached. Lin Zhentian stood up with a smile, cupped his hands toward Luo Cheng, and greeted him. Luo Cheng's expressionless face cracked into a somewhat stiff smile.

Over the years, due to the exclusion by the Lei and Xie families, the Mad Saber Martial Hall and the Lin Family had grown quite close, with a decent relationship.

"Haha, I knew you two would join the hunt too," a voice suddenly called out as a figure broke away from the group and dashed over to Lin Changqiang and Lin Dong. It was Wu Yun, whom they had met at the Trade Fair.

"Of course. Think I'd let you have all the glory?" Lin Changqiang slapped Lin Dong's shoulder casually. "Lin Dong and I have agreed—we're taking first place in this Hunting Competition."

"???" Lin Dong's eyes widened. He held back for a long time but ultimately said nothing, just giving Wu Yun an awkward smile.

"When the hunt starts, we can find a chance to cooperate. The Lei and Xie families are definitely in cahoots, and fighting two-on-one is always a hassle."

But Lin Changqiang only smiled faintly at Wu Yun's suggestion, noncommittal.

Seeing Lin Changqiang's confident demeanor, Lin Dong wanted to warn him to be careful, but thinking of Lin Changqiang's cultivation, he didn't know what to say.

"I wonder how Changqiang trains. Back in the Body Tempering Stage, our speed was about the same, and we broke through to Early Earthly Yuan Stage on the same day. But in just over ten days, he's already at the Middle Stage?"

That's right—Lin Changqiang, who had been at eight percent in Early Earthly Yuan Stage, had finally reached Middle Earthly Yuan Stage after half a month of assisted training, sleeping in the Ghost Captain Fashion for two straight weeks, and reluctantly using two Double Experience Cards.

"Host: Lin Changqiang

Gender: Male

Cultivation Level: Middle Earthly Yuan Stage (Two Percent)

Martial Arts: Returning Wind Cotton Palm (Third-grade), Mysterious Gate Seal (Fifth-grade), Fire Dance Whirlwind (Sixth-grade)...

Cultivation Art: Azure Yuan Art (Third-rate)

Spiritual Power Level: None

Secret Technique: None

Spiritual Power Art: None

Treasures: Little Trumpet (2), Intimacy Rose (2), Double Experience Card (1), Double Gold Coin Card (2), Dragon Gallbladder Bright Silver Spear (High-grade Spirit Treasure), Ghost Captain (Fashion)

Lottery Draw Count: 0"

Looking at his panel, Lin Changqiang nodded in satisfaction. "I'll save the last Double Experience Card for when Lin Dong encounters some other opportunity and his cultivation skyrockets."

"Ding, congratulations, host. Side Quest One triggered: Defeat Lei Li and become the undisputed number one among Qingyang Town's younger generation. Quest completion reward: Honor Broadcast—Overbearing Path of Action (When the host actively emits Yuan Power fluctuations to display strength, the fluctuation equals that of the current stage with twenty percent increased experience). Quest failure penalty: Deduct one Lottery Draw Opportunity."

"Ding, congratulations, host. Side Quest Two triggered: Help the Lin Family win first place in the hunting event. Quest completion reward: Two Lottery Draw Opportunities. Quest failure penalty: Deduct one Lottery Draw Opportunity."

"Twenty percent increase? If I use it when I'm at eighty-something percent in Late Earthly Yuan Stage, wouldn't others see me as Heavenly Yuan Stage?" Lin Changqiang grew interested. "I was planning to slack off and let Lin Dong take down Lei Li, but now it looks like I'll have to do it myself."