Hunting

At the center of Beast Horn Field, atop the massive platform.

The winter sunlight poured down, yet it could not dispel the tense, drawn-sword atmosphere on the platform.

Lei Li's shout exploded through the crowd like a thunderclap, sparking an uproar.

Three Fire Python Tiger Cubs!

To any faction in Qingyang Town, that news was enough to stir up a storm.

An adult Fire Python Tiger possessed the strength of the Heaven Yuan Realm. If the cubs were properly raised, they would become three Heaven Yuan Realm Demon Beasts in the future. Such power was enough to change the balance of Qingyang Town!

In the viewing stands, Lei Bao and Xie Qian exchanged a glance, greed and resolve flashing through both their eyes.

They knew this was an opportunity—an opportunity to seize the Fire Python Tiger Cubs openly and legitimately.

"Is that true?" Lei Bao abruptly rose to his feet, his booming voice righteous and stern. "The Fire Python Tiger Cubs are of great importance. How can they be privately divided among you juniors? Lin Dong, Wu Yun, hand over the cubs, and this matter may yet be dealt with leniently!"

Xie Qian also said coldly, "Indeed. If things are truly as Lei Li claims, then you two resorted to sneak attacks. You are dishonorable scoundrels, and Qingyang Town has no place for such conduct!"

With just a few words, the two men had pushed Lin Dong and Wu Yun to the opposite side of morality.

On the massive platform, Lin Dong's expression darkened slightly, while Wu Yun's face turned livid with anger.

"Bullshit!" Wu Yun roared. "The Fire Python Tiger was ownerless to begin with. Whoever has the ability to obtain it owns it! Does everything your Lei Clan sees belong to your Lei Clan? If that's the case, I'll take a stroll through the deep mountains tomorrow. Every Demon Beast I see will be mine, and if anyone catches one later, they'll have to compensate me!"

His shameless argument drew laughter from quite a few people in the arena, though they also found it reasonable.

Demon Beasts had always been governed by the law of the jungle. Whoever had the strength got them. That was only natural.

"Stop twisting words!" Lei Bao's face sank as the aura of Great Perfection of the Core Formation Realm faintly spread out, making the air around him several degrees heavier. He said coldly, "If you do not hand over the cubs today, do not blame this old man for being discourteous!"

Bang!

Not far away, Luo Cheng, the master of Raging Blade Martial Hall, smashed his stone chair with a single palm strike and shot to his feet. The long blade at his waist hummed as his voice turned frosty. "Patriarch Lei, whatever your Lei Clan says is the truth, while anything said by my Raging Blade Martial Hall is sophistry? Do you take my Raging Blade Martial Hall for easy prey?"

Lin Zhentian also slowly rose. Although his aura was not as imposing as Lei Bao's, his gaze was as sharp as a blade. "Lei Bao, Xie Qian, are you planning to openly rob juniors of their opportunities?"

The standoff between three Heaven Yuan Realm experts instantly made the entire Beast Horn Field tense.

The ordinary townspeople held their breath, scarcely daring to make a sound.

The younger members of the major families, meanwhile, all wore grave expressions, knowing that today's matter would likely not end peacefully.

Just as the tension reached its peak, a calm voice rang out from the crowd.

"Patriarch Lei, Patriarch Xie, everything requires evidence."

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw that Luo Heng had somehow appeared before the Luo Family's viewing stand. He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression composed.

The instant he spoke, everyone's attention focused on him.

This sixteen-year-old Heaven Yuan Realm expert and core disciple of the Flame City Symbol Master Association now held a reputation in Qingyang Town no less than that of several Patriarchs.

When Lei Bao saw Luo Heng, his pupils contracted slightly, and a trace of wariness flashed through his eyes.

He had long heard of Luo Heng's achievements in Flame City. Defeating Yue Feng with a single sword strike was no small feat.

More importantly, Luo Heng had the Flame City Symbol Master Association behind him, a force that even the Blood Wolf Gang feared.

"What insight does Nephew Luo have?" Lei Bao asked in a low voice, though his tone had lost some of its earlier aggression.

Luo Heng smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over Lei Li and Xie Yingying on the platform. "Brother Lei Li claims that Lin Dong and Wu Yun launched a sneak attack and robbed you. Do you have any evidence? For example... wounds? Or witnesses?"

Lei Li's expression stiffened. He did indeed have several injuries, but they had been left by the Fire Python Tiger during their battle, not by Lin Dong and Wu Yun.

As for witnesses... only the few of them had been present at the time. Where could any other witnesses have come from?

"The wounds on my body are evidence!" Lei Li gritted his teeth. "If they had not ambushed me, how would I have been injured?"

"Oh?" Luo Heng raised a brow, his tone teasing. "Then may I ask, Brother Lei Li, are your wounds from a blade, a sword, fists, or palms? Lin Dong uses his fists, while Wu Yun uses a blade. If they truly came from a sneak attack, the characteristics of the wounds should be obvious."

"This..." Lei Li was left speechless. Anger rose in his heart, but he did not know how to explain himself.

Most of his wounds had been caused by the Fire Python Tiger's claws and fangs. They were completely different from fist or blade wounds.

"Furthermore," Luo Heng continued, his voice not loud yet clearly reaching every ear, "the Fire Python Tiger is a Heaven Yuan Realm Demon Beast. Even if it was severely wounded, it would not be something ordinary Body Tempering Realm cultivators could defeat. Brother Lei Li and Miss Xie are both in the Body Tempering Realm, yet they managed to 'wear down' a Fire Python Tiger to death. Such strength... is truly admirable."

His words were tactful, but their meaning could not have been clearer.

Lei Li was only at the Body Tempering Ninth Level, while Xie Yingying was at the Body Tempering Eighth Level Peak. How could they possibly wear down a Heaven Yuan Realm Fire Python Tiger to death?

It simply made no sense!

Whispers immediately broke out throughout the arena.

"Exactly. The Fire Python Tiger is a Heaven Yuan Realm Demon Beast. Even if it was badly injured, could someone in the Body Tempering Realm really deal with it?"

"Could Lei Li be lying?"

"I think it's very possible. Fire Python Tiger Cubs are so precious. Who wouldn't want them?"

Listening to those discussions, Lei Li's face flushed red, yet he did not know how to refute them.

Lei Bao's face also darkened. He had not expected Luo Heng to strike directly at the heart of the matter with a single remark.

"Nephew Luo, your words are mistaken," Xie Qian suddenly spoke, his voice cold. "The Fire Python Tiger is indeed powerful, but if it was truly severely wounded and on the verge of death, those in the Body Tempering Realm might not be unable to kill it. Besides, Lei Li and Yingying joined forces and possessed martial arts techniques. Wearing down a severely wounded Fire Python Tiger to death is not impossible."

"Patriarch Xie is right." Luo Heng nodded, his expression still calm. "But since both sides insist on their own version, and there is no conclusive evidence, this matter has become an unsolved case. In my opinion, why not do this..."

He paused, sweeping his gaze across the arena before slowly saying, "Since Lin Dong and Wu Yun have obtained the Fire Python Tiger Cubs, they are their opportunity. If Patriarch Lei and Patriarch Xie feel this is unfair, you may discuss it with Grandpa Lin and Master Luo. Should other opportunities arise in the future, let Brother Lei Li and Miss Xie have priority. Why damage Qingyang Town's harmony over three cubs?"

His words were flawless. They gave the Lei and Xie Clans a way out while preserving Lin Dong and Wu Yun's interests.

More importantly, he had mentioned "Qingyang Town's harmony." It was a reminder to Lei Bao and Xie Qian that forcibly seizing the cubs would mean making enemies of the Lin Family, Raging Blade Martial Hall, and even the Luo Family.

The Luo Family was no longer what it had once been. Luo Shan was in the Late Heaven Yuan Realm, Luo Yun was in the Middle Heaven Yuan Realm, and with Luo Heng, this monstrous talent, added to the mix, their strength was no weaker than any other faction.

If they truly tore off all pretense, the Lei and Xie Clans might not gain any advantage.

Lei Bao's expression shifted repeatedly as he exchanged a look with Xie Qian.

Both men saw unwillingness in each other's eyes, but they also saw apprehension.

Luo Heng's appearance had disrupted their plans.

More importantly, they could not determine just how strong Luo Heng had become.

To defeat Yue Feng with a single sword strike in Flame City, he had to possess at least the combat strength of the Late Heaven Yuan Realm.

With such strength, along with his identity as a core disciple of the Symbol Master Association, he was no longer someone they could easily offend.

"Fine."

After a long while, Lei Bao drew a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the fury in his heart. "Since Nephew Luo has spoken, we shall let this matter rest for now. However..."

His tone shifted as his sharp gaze fell upon Lin Dong and Wu Yun. "The Fire Python Tiger Cubs are of great importance. You two should take care of yourselves. Do not bring about your own deaths."

The threat was utterly undisguised.

Lin Dong remained calm and cupped his hands. "Thank you for the reminder, Patriarch Lei. This junior will be careful."

Wu Yun also grinned. "No need for Patriarch Lei to worry. My Raging Blade Martial Hall can still protect the cubs."

Lei Bao snorted coldly, said nothing further, and swept his sleeve as he returned to his seat.

Xie Qian also sat down with a gloomy expression.

A disturbance had temporarily been quelled through Luo Heng's intervention.

Yet everyone knew this was merely the calm before the storm.

The temptation of the Fire Python Tiger Cubs was too great. The Lei and Xie Clans would never give up so easily.

On the massive platform, the Hunting Tournament continued.

In the end, relying on his Earthen Yuan Stage cultivation and outstanding hunting results, Lin Dong claimed first place without suspense.

Lei Li came in second, Wu Yun third, and Xie Yingying fourth.

As for the Luo Family disciple who had participated, his name was Luo Feng. He was the son of Luo Yun's cousin and possessed Body Tempering Seventh Level cultivation. He barely squeezed into the top ten, which was still a respectable result.

After the award ceremony, the Hunting Tournament officially came to an end.

The crowd began to disperse, but the discussions continued for a long time.

"Today was truly eye-opening. Three Fire Python Tiger Cubs..."

"The Lin Family is going to rise this time. Lin Dong broke through to the Earthen Yuan Stage at fifteen. His future is limitless."

"And Luo Heng, just a few words made Lei Bao and Xie Qian back down. That kind of authority is no weaker than that of several Patriarchs."

"Qingyang Town's skies are about to change..."