Hunting Outside the Cave, Tiger and Bear Fight

Li Bufan moved swiftly through the snowy forest. With his Perfection of Skin Refining realm and the Spirit Monkey Three Leaps footwork, traversing the snow was far easier and faster than before. His sharp eyes swept the surroundings, searching for traces of the snow fox. Yet, after nearly an hour of searching, aside from a few startled Snow Sparrows taking flight and some Wild Hare tracks, he hadn't seen so much as a single strand of snow fox fur.

He stopped, breathing lightly, white mist curling in the cold air. A frown creased his brow. It seemed snow foxes weren't common prey you could stumble upon anywhere. Running into them before, and even lucking out with a Silver-Crowned Snow Fox, was pure fortune—Heaven itself handing him a meal. Finding another one so easily on the outskirts of this vast snowy mountain range wouldn't be that simple. Continuing to wander aimlessly out here would only waste his stamina and time.

Li Bufan took a deep breath of the icy air. The biting chill pierced his lungs, sharpening his mind. He looked up toward the deeper parts of the mountain range, where clouds and mist coiled around steeper, more treacherous terrain and denser, darker forests. Opportunity often walked hand in hand with danger. Resources on the outskirts were limited. The real treasures were likely hidden deep in those untrodden wilds.

But the danger in the deep mountains was nothing like the outskirts. The memory of last year's Winter Hunt was still vivid: setting aside the two Qi Condensation Beasts whose mere battle aftershocks nearly made him soil himself, even the Fierce Beasts driven out from the depths—Tiger Bears, Python Leopards—were all overlords of the forest, ferocious beyond measure. And the deeper you went, the more complex the terrain, the more unpredictable the wind and snow. It was easy to lose your way. The snow underfoot would quickly cover all traces. If you got lost, the consequences were unthinkable.

Li Bufan stood still, a fierce battle raging within him. Reason told him that venturing deep was extremely risky; one wrong step could mean utter ruin. But another, stronger emotion surged in his chest—refusal to accept it!

The path of martial arts was inherently defying Heaven—fighting men, contending with fate, battling oneself! If he cowered back just because the road ahead was dangerous and stopped at this relatively safe perimeter, what difference was there from slowly cultivating within Lin Manor? Why even set foot on this arduous path? He craved strength, craved breakthroughs, craved seeing a wider world! And more than that, he wanted to give his little brother a better life. Could a little risk like this stop him?

"Martial arts—how can it be without risk?" he muttered to himself, his gaze gradually hardening, even taking on a hint of fervor. "If I stop here, my heart won't accept it!"

With his resolve set, he hesitated no longer. He carefully recalled the route from last year's Winter Hunt and decided to head first to the place where he'd encountered those four Lin Family Guards. That area was already the border between the outskirts and the deep mountains, where wolf packs roamed. And a dozen or so li further in was the battlefield where those two terrifying Qi Condensation Beasts had fought. That path was relatively familiar to him, with some clear landmarks along the way.

Identifying the direction, Li Bufan took a deep breath, stepped forward, and resolutely set off toward the deeper parts of the mountain range.

The deeper he went, the quieter the environment became—deathly still, even. The branches of towering ancient trees were thickly coated in ice and snow, like silent white giants. The snow was deeper, often reaching past his calves, making walking even more laborious. The chill in the air seemed more biting, carrying a raw, savage aura. The silence around him was terrifying, broken only by the crunch of his footsteps and the steady thump of his own heartbeat.

He dared not be careless. His focus was razor-sharp, ears and eyes attuned to every sound and movement, missing nothing. At the same time, he constantly checked his memory of the route and prominent landmarks to ensure he hadn't strayed too far.

After about half an hour, he encountered no danger along the way, but also found nothing. Just as he estimated he was nearing the area where he'd met the guards and where the wolf packs roamed, a faint yet piercing low roar drifted from the mountain hollow ahead, carried by the wind!

Li Bufan stopped instantly, every muscle in his body tensing instinctively, like a leopard sensing danger. He tilted his head, listening intently.

The roar was low, deep, brimming with power and a bone-chilling wild majesty... This was... a tiger's roar!

And from the sound, it seemed filled with anger and warning, not an ordinary cry.

Encountering a fierce tiger in the deep mountains! Li Bufan's heartbeat quickened involuntarily, but surprisingly, he felt little fear. Instead, a strong sense of alertness and... curiosity surged within him.

He slowed his pace, crouching lower, using trees and rocks as cover. Like a ghost, he crept cautiously toward the source of the sound. Every step was as light as possible, making almost no noise.

The closer he got, the clearer and more violent the tiger's roar became, shaking snow from the branches. It seemed mixed with another, deeper roar, like muffled thunder? The two cries intertwined, full of brutality and confrontation.

"Not just one... they're fighting?" Li Bufan's heart stirred, and he moved even more carefully.

As the distance shrank, the roars, bellows, and heavy impacts grew deafening. He could even hear the crack of trees snapping under immense force. The smell of blood in the air thickened.

At about two hundred meters away, Li Bufan hid behind a massive Spruce that would take two people to wrap their arms around. He cautiously peered out toward the clearing where the sounds came from.

The moment he saw the scene, even with his mental preparation, Li Bufan couldn't help but suck in a cold breath, his pupils contracting.

In the middle of the chaotic clearing, a breathtaking battle for supremacy was unfolding!

The two opponents were a massive, robust tiger and a giant black bear standing upright like a small mountain of flesh!

The tiger was nearly a zhang in length, with an astonishing shoulder height. Its muscles rippled with explosive power, its yellow-and-black fur stark against the snow. The distinct "king" pattern on its forehead radiated the authority of the King of a Hundred Beasts. It crouched low, emitting a threatening, low growl, its thick Tiger Tail whipping the ground like a steel whip, sending up puffs of snow. Its amber eyes locked onto its opponent, filled with brutal killing intent.

The black bear facing it was even more staggering in size. Standing upright, it must have exceeded a zhang. Its body was covered in thick, coarse black fur, matted with snow and mud. Its paws were as large as winnowing baskets, with claws like ten curved blades, gleaming with a chilling dark light. It let out thunderous, muffled roars, baring a mouthful of jagged, yellowed fangs. Saliva and traces of blood dripped from its lips, making it look even more ferocious.

The clearing was a mess. Several trees as thick as a bowl had been snapped in half. The snow was covered in deep claw marks, rolling impressions, and splattered bloodstains. Clearly, this brutal fight had been going on for a while and was exceptionally vicious.

The tiger had a visible gash on its flank, blood staining its fur. The black bear bore several deep, bone-deep tears on its shoulder blade, and its left eye seemed injured, half-closed with blood seeping out.

Both were apex predators at the top of the food chain in these mountains, now locked in a life-or-death struggle for some unknown reason!

Li Bufan held his breath, suppressing his aura to the utmost, but his heart pounded uncontrollably. This scene was a hundred times more shocking and dangerous than hunting a Mountain Boar! The strength and wildness displayed by these two beasts sent chills down his spine.

But at the same time, an extremely bold, even insane idea sprouted uncontrollably in his mind like weeds—

When the snipe and the clam grapple, it's the fisherman who reaps the benefit!

No matter which of these two overlord beasts won, they would both be severely wounded. Then... maybe it would be his chance, Li Bufan's!

Tiger bones, tiger penis, bear gallbladder, bear paws... these were all priceless, highly nourishing treasures! The blood and qi essence in their flesh likely far exceeded that of a Mountain Boar, and might even surpass the Silver-Crowned Snow Fox! For Li Bufan, who urgently needed a massive energy boost to prepare for breaking through to Muscle Tempering, this was a windfall from Heaven!

The risk was enormous, but the reward was irresistibly tempting!

He stared fixedly at the fierce battle, his mind racing, calculating every possibility. His right hand slowly, silently, reached for the Hardwood Longbow and Armor-piercing Arrow on his back.

Whether he could become the fisherman who reaped the spoils depended on what happened next. He had to wait, wait for the perfect moment.

Li Bufan hid behind the giant tree like a stone statue, his breathing suppressed to the minimum, his entire aura concealed. Only his sharp eyes were locked onto the earth-shattering fight in the clearing. He knew well that any stray breath or sound could alert the two blood-crazed behemoths and drag him into an abyss of no return.

In the clearing, the tiger was clearly more agile. Using its speed advantage, it kept circling the black bear, looking for an opening. Suddenly, it let out a deafening roar, its massive body lunging forward like lightning, aiming for the bear's injured left shoulder!

Though wounded, the black bear reacted swiftly. Its towering body showed a flexibility that belied its size. A massive paw swung with a vicious wind, slamming toward the pouncing tiger! The force was immense—if it connected, even rock would crack.

The tiger seemed to have anticipated this. The lunge was a feint. Its waist twisted oddly in midair, halting its momentum. As it landed, its limbs pushed off, narrowly dodging the deadly paw. At the same time, its thick tail whipped like a steel cable, cracking sharply against the bear's injured left eye!

"Roar—!" The black bear let out a agonized howl. Its left eye was completely burst, blood streaming down. The pain drove it into utter frenzy. It no longer bothered with defense. Its massive body charged forward like a war chariot, its remaining eye bloodshot, driven by pure destructive instinct.

The tiger, having landed its blow, tried to retreat, but the black bear's reckless charge was too fierce. It dodged a fraction too slow and was slammed hard in the side by the bear's massive shoulder!

"Thud!" A dull sound, accompanied by a sickening crack of bone! The tiger let out a pained cry, its body tumbling across the snow, carving a deep trench. It struggled several times before getting up, but one front leg was clearly badly injured, its movements unsteady.

The black bear wasn't faring well either. After its mad charge, its massive frame swayed slightly. The claw wounds on its shoulder blade had split open from the violent movement, blood gushing like a stream, staining the snow red. It panted heavily, its single eye fixed on the wounded tiger, letting out threatening growls, but its momentum had clearly waned.

Both were battered!

An opportunity!

Li Bufan's heart nearly leaped out of his chest. Now was the time! Both beasts were at their last gasp—this was his best chance to strike!

Without hesitation, he drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and pulled the string in a flash! The movements were fluid and steady! The principles of Basic Archery flowed through his mind, and the precise control brought by [Heaven Rewards Diligence] was on full display.

His first target was the more threatening, faster tiger!

The bowstring twanged!

"Whoosh!"

The Armor-piercing Arrow turned into a streak of cold light, tearing through the air, and shot with pinpoint accuracy at the only remaining intact joint of the tiger's right foreleg! Li Bufan's intent was clear—first, completely cripple its mobility!

The wounded tiger's senses remained sharp; at the moment of crisis, it tried to dodge, but its grievously injured body slowed its reaction.

"Thud!" The arrow sank deep into the joint!

"Roar!!" The tiger let out a bitter, despairing roar. Its right foreleg gave way, and its massive body crashed heavily to the ground, unable to rise again. It could only struggle futilely with its remaining three legs, the ferocity in its eyes replaced by pain and despair.

The commotion instantly alerted the Black Bear on the other side. Though its vision was impaired, its hearing and smell still worked. It immediately sensed the third party, its single eye snapping toward Li Bufan's hiding spot. It let out a threatening roar and, dragging its wounded body, staggered as if to charge over!

Li Bufan's gaze was icy, unflustered. He drew another Armor-piercing Arrow, his eyes locking onto the deep, bleeding wound on the Black Bear's shoulder blade—the weakest point, enough to be fatal!

The bow was drawn to a full moon!

The arrow shot like a shooting star!

"Thud—!"

This arrow struck with perfect precision, entering through the massive wound on the Black Bear's shoulder blade, drilling deep into its body, possibly even damaging its internal organs!

The Black Bear's charge came to an abrupt halt. It let out a muffled, anguished roar mixed with pain and reluctance. Its massive body swayed twice, then toppled like a collapsing mountain or a falling pillar, crashing to the ground, sending up a flurry of snow. It twitched a few times and then lay still.

In the blink of an eye, both overlords of the mountain forest lay on the ground!

Li Bufan slowly emerged from behind the tree, longbow gripped tightly, arrows still in his quiver. He approached cautiously. First, he observed from a distance for a moment, confirming that the Black Bear was dead, while the tiger, though still breathing and struggling, was clearly near death and no longer a threat.

A surge of immense joy and accomplishment flooded his heart, but he forcibly suppressed it.

He didn't walk forward. Instead, he shot two more arrows at the still-gasping tiger—one aimed at its throat, the other piercing through its belly.

As the tiger's breathing gradually weakened until it ceased, Li Bufan finally walked toward the two beasts.

He had just reached the Black Bear when—whoosh! An arrow flew through the air.