Set Up by Capital

"What is this...?"

As the gates of the Wasteland Zone base swung open, unconscious demon beasts were dropped into the empty mountain forest one after another. Yellow Big Tiger and the Rhinoceros Deer brothers slipped in among them.

It was already late at night. The media company knew the explorers' locations clearly; as long as they avoided where the cameras were pointed, no viewers would spot anything amiss. So the demon beasts were deployed quite crudely. Cultivators carried enormous iron cages through the air to designated locations, and the bottoms of the cages opened automatically, sending the demon beasts crashing to the ground.

Taking in the surroundings, Yellow Big Tiger drew a deep breath and felt long-forgotten wildness returning to its body.

This place was almost exactly like the Wasteland Zone beyond the barrier!

"I just overheard those Human Race members talking. They said there are young cultivators inside exploring for treasure. These demon beasts were released to serve as obstacles for them." It said coldly, "If that's true, then this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us."

Seeing the Rhinoceros Deer brothers staring blankly at it, Yellow Big Tiger realized it had used an idiom again.

So it pulled out its phone, brought up the photos the Flying Bird Group had secretly taken of Yue Wen and Zhao Xing'er, showed them to the two Rhinoceros Deer, and said, "Let's split up and search. These two are the targets. If you see either of them alone, kill them if you get the chance."

"Heh heh." Second Rhinoceros Deer gave a savage grin. "No problem."

If they had been in the city, they might sometimes have felt lost. But within this familiar jungle, they would completely regain the bloodthirsty nature of demon beasts!

That was why Yellow Big Tiger had called it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

This place could maximize the combat strength of demon creatures like them while restricting the Human Race. It was practically a hunting ground prepared just for them!

"Oh, right, there's another target." Yellow Big Tiger added. "I don't know where those Human Race people threw my little brother. Help me look for him while you're at it."

Second Rhinoceros Deer asked, "If your little brother is alone, should we kill him too?"

Yellow Big Tiger's fists tightened, but after giving it some thought, it lowered its voice and said, "Of course not. If you find him, protect him. Those Human Race cultivators are dangerous. Little Black's cultivation is lacking, and I'm worried he'll be in danger."

"Alright." Big Rhinoceros Deer agreed. "Leave it to us. Don't worry."

Worry my ass.

Yellow Big Tiger thought, If I could find a third powerful demon creature willing to help me kill cultivators, I wouldn't be using you two idiots...

Beep!

The phone in its pocket chimed. Yellow Big Tiger picked it up and saw that it was a notification from a video app, recommending a "livestream being watched by hundreds of thousands nearby."

"Trash app." Yellow Big Tiger shut it off with a frown. "At a time like this, how could I possibly be in the mood to watch a livestream?"

Raising its head, it waved to the Rhinoceros Deer brothers. "Go!"

The Rhinoceros Deer brothers turned around and, with a few quick bounds, vanished into the vast forest. The woods were deep, the leaves dense, and the moonlight dim. Ferocious Hunters set out at this moment!

Ji Yang was anxious.

Late at night, most of the explorers had chosen to establish safe areas and rest. After all, they had spent most of the day exploring and were already somewhat exhausted. Moreover, all kinds of Human Race spiritual senses weakened at night, while demon beasts' senses became even sharper. Going out to fight at such a time was disadvantageous to oneself.

But Ji Yang did not rest. He held his right hand high, a flame burning in it, and used himself as a torch as he moved forward.

He was looking for demon beasts.

As the most outstanding... male disciple of this generation of Hidden Dragon Pool, he had plenty of pride in his heart. He had joined this program for no other reason than to make a name for himself and attract a wave of supporters.

Like Qi Dian of Linjiang Gate, young people like them who could be considered outstanding within their respective Immortal Gates all believed they could stand shoulder to shoulder with the prodigies of their generation and were inferior to none of their peers.

When he heard that his personal livestream had the lowest popularity, Ji Yang's self-esteem took a massive hit.

Thinking about it carefully, he could accept being less popular than He Caihua. Sister Hua was, after all, a major internet celebrity with millions of followers. He could also accept being less popular than Li Feixia, since she had come with her own traffic. Being less popular than Liu Yuanjun was even less of an issue—he possessed an Innate Immortal Body and was Xuanfeng Temple's ace disciple, with a spot in next year's City Hero Battle qualifiers practically guaranteed. He could even accept being less popular than his senior sister. After all, she was shorter than him, but stronger than him, and had beaten him up since they were children.

But being less popular than those two independent cultivators was something he truly could not accept.

What were independent cultivators?

In the eyes of Immortal Gate disciples, weren't they, plainly speaking, just a bunch of wandering cultivators living off scraps?

Their Cultivation Methods and supernatural powers were cobbled together from everywhere. They had no magical artifacts, could not afford heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and even if they encountered some opportunities, those would not be enough to support them through several realms.

Even though Yue Wen and Zhao Xing'er had earned their spots by displaying formidable strength, they were at most better-bred wandering cultivators, with the possibility of being taken in and raised by a sect someday.

The problem was, no one had taken them in yet, had they?

How could he be worse than them?

More importantly, if he could not even beat them, then he would be dead last!

He had been trying so hard to find treasure chests and win, yet the director had told him to learn more from Yue Wen. Yue Wen had been constantly killing demon beasts, and the audience loved watching it.

Heh heh.

What a scheming bastard.

He had actually found a way to steal the spotlight.

While everyone else was looking for treasure chests, he was over there coolly slaughtering demon beasts. Of course that would draw attention. Now that I'm killing demon beasts too, what can you use to compete with me?

Do you even understand the weight of Hidden Dragon Pool?

Ji Yang had resolved to display Hidden Dragon Pool's Shadow Profound Supernatural Power more often before the cameras, give the viewers something good, and make them understand that Immortal Gate disciples like him were fundamentally different from independent cultivators!

But his problem now was that he could not find any demon beasts...

After Yue Wen's plow-like sweep, the vicious and grotesque demon beasts throughout a vast area had all turned into warm and friendly Demon Suppressing Coins. The demon beasts that had just been deployed had yet to begin moving, and the entire park was deathly silent in the darkness.

Ji Yang simply lit a fire. Wasn't that supposed to be extremely dangerous in the Wasteland Zone? It could very easily draw a coordinated attack from the surrounding demonic beasts.

Come and attack me, then.

Ji Yang fantasized inwardly. The new demonic beasts had probably been released for a while already. While everyone else was resting and regulating their breathing, he would clear out this entire park in one go!

Wouldn't that drive the viewers crazy!

By tomorrow morning, the popularity of his personal livestream would reach its peak. He'd punch Liu Yuanjun and stomp Li Feixia beneath his feet—every independent cultivator could step aside.

Whoosh—

With a flash of firelight, an enormous upright figure actually appeared before Ji Yang. It looked like a half-transformed demonic beast, with what seemed to be a deer head. It was rather ugly, and it even wore an ill-fitting work uniform.

"Oh." Ji Yang's eyes lit up as he murmured, "The newly released monsters really are stronger, huh? Not only are they half-transformed, they're even wearing clothes."

The demonic beast opposite him seemed to be looking for something as well. It had originally been hurrying past, but upon seeing the flame dancing in Ji Yang's hand, it suddenly bared its teeth. Clear fury appeared on its face, as though it had been provoked. "Fire—"

"It can even speak human language?" The fighting spirit in Ji Yang's eyes intensified. "Killing one of these should count for ten of the previous ones, right?"

With that, he flicked his wrist and hurled the fireball in his palm.

Bang—

The monster opposite him dodged with incredible speed. The fireball struck the ground and exploded, turning into more than a dozen scattered flames.

Ji Yang's figure flashed, merging into one of the flames as he directed all dozen-plus fireballs to attack together!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

That monster was none other than the eldest of the Rhinoceros Deer brothers.

It had been searching all over the mountain for Yue Wen and Zhao Xing'er when it ran into an unfamiliar Human Race cultivator. If nothing had happened, it might have simply passed by.

But this human kept provoking it with fire!

Big Rhinoceros Deer's eyes turned bloodshot. It swung the wrench in its hand and viciously smashed apart the three fireballs ahead of it. In an instant, only the flame containing Ji Yang remained directly before it!

Startled, Ji Yang turned to flee.

The monster became even more certain that this was his true body. It took a huge stride after him and swung the wrench down viciously!

Clang—

The wrench struck Ji Yang squarely on the spine, knocking him out of the flames. He rolled more than ten meters away and immediately coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"No..." His face paled in shock. "Didn't they say we could definitely handle them? Isn't this demonic beast a little too fierce?"

No, no!

His thoughts spun rapidly. He must have underestimated it. Every monster here had been bought by Wangyou Media from the city guard army, and they would strictly control the strength of every demonic beast.

They had to be the kind that required serious effort to deal with, but weren't truly difficult to defeat.

There was no way an opponent they could not fight at all would appear.

In other words, the monster opposite him was not actually that strong. He had merely been careless.

The most important part of his Shadow Profound Supernatural Power was concealment. By shifting forms and changing shadows, the enemy could never guess where he was hiding and could only endure his endless harassment.

But just now, he had exposed himself too quickly.

That had to be it.

Thinking this, Ji Yang sprang back to his feet with a kip-up and charged fiercely at the monster ahead. In the midst of his sprint, his body suddenly burst into a blazing flame, scattering through the air into dozens of dazzling fires!

Yet without him noticing, the little bee camera that had been diligently circling him was abruptly swallowed by the flames.

With a soft sizzle, the little bee died in the line of duty.

"I'll come from the left, then I'll come from the right. Haha, you definitely won't be able to guess where I am now!" Ji Yang laughed wickedly to himself.

Dozens of fireballs converged in attack. Big Rhinoceros Deer shifted left and right, casually smashing apart several fireballs, then lunged forward in a single step and once again located Ji Yang's hiding place with perfect accuracy.

Clang—

"Ah! You guessed it again?!" Ji Yang wailed.

The wrench strike was powerful and heavy, smashing through his technique on the spot and sending him crashing to the ground.

The flames filling the sky scattered like rain. After Ji Yang hit the ground heavily, he felt the world spin. Amid his horrified expression, only one thought remained in his mind. Is this right?

Why was it beating me like I was its grandson? Something had to be wrong, right?!

Was it too strong, or was I too weak?

Neither made any sense!

Should a monster with this kind of strength even appear here? There was no way Yue Wen had been fighting monsters this strong. If he could kill dozens of these things in a row, Ji Yang would eat the wrench in that monster's hand!

Not even a Gang Realm expert could do that, could they?

Yet this demonic beast that should not have appeared was standing right before him, and two wrench blows had shattered his dream of fame.

The only word for this was bizarre.

Shock, anger, grief, helplessness... As his consciousness gradually cleared, countless thoughts converged in an instant. At light speed, Ji Yang reasoned out the most likely possibility.

Wangyou Media wanted to harm me?

Capital has set me up!