The one at the top is a man in his forties, with dark complexion and a short beard on his chin.
He is the leader of this trip, Demon-Quelling Bureau Qingyang Prefecture Fourth Grade Wu Wei, Tie Zhan.
Sitting on his left was a tall, thin, middle-aged man with sharp eyes like a falcon, named Ye Xiao, who was good at tracking and killing.
On the right side is a burly man with a beard, carrying a heavy Ghost Head Blade named Shi Feng on his back.
The two women opposite, each about thirty years old, with weathered faces and capable and calm temperaments, are named Qing Man.
The other person looks younger, in his early twenties, with two daggers crossed behind his back. Body Movement is agile, and his name is Yan Ling.
"The situation is trickier than expected."
Tie Zhan spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse.
"Based on the descriptions of the two detectives who escaped, as well as the traces on the scene and the wounds of the victim, this monster is most likely 'Shadow Leopard'."
"It's actually Shadow Leopard?"
Yan Ling A flash of surprise flashed across his young face.
"I heard that the adult Shadow Leopard is extremely fast, with sharp claws and steel bones. He is good at concealing his presence and sneak attacks."
"The strength among Middle Third Grade belongs to the more difficult category, and some even have extraordinary talents, which can reach the Upper Third Grade level!"
"Not bad."
Qing Man took over the conversation with a cold voice.
"Judging from the traces at the scene and the victim's wounds, the size of this Shadow Leopard is far beyond ordinary. Even if it is not the size of Upper Third Grade, I'm afraid it is not far behind."
There was a brief silence in the hall.
The charcoal fire occasionally crackled, reflecting the solemn faces of the five people with different expressions.
This kind of monster with high agility, high stealth, and steel bones can be said to be the most difficult type to deal with. If you are not careful, your team will be reduced or even wiped out.
"Boss, I went out today and heard that Azure Profound Sect Prodigy Ranking's sixty-eighth Fang Han is Liangshui City. He returned to Liangshui City's home today."
Yan Ling turned his eyes, hesitated for a moment, and said.
"If he is willing to help, he should be more confident in dealing with this Shadow Leopard."
"No."
Before Tie Zhan could express her position, Qing Man had categorically denied it. She looked at Yan Ling and said.
"The disciples of the sect are pursuing battles between warriors and lack experience in hunting monsters."
She paused, and her tone sounded a bit like a senior's warning.
"Fang Han is indeed strong, but his experience is all in fighting with people, and he lacks experience in hunting monsters."
"If you join rashly, not only may you not be able to help, but you may even be unfamiliar with the methods of hunting monsters, disrupting our cooperation and becoming a drag."
Shi Feng thought about it and nodded in agreement.
"Qing Man is right. The disciples of the sect are quite capable, but when they go into the mountains and face monsters that they are not good at dealing with, they can only use a few percent of their strength at most."
"But Fang Han is a genius after all. With his strength, he might be able to contain Shadow Leopard."
Yan Ling blushed a little, but still defended himself.
"Containment?"
Ye Xiao The corners of his mouth curved into a smileless arc.
"You and I both know how fast Shadow Leopard is. No matter how high Fang Han Body Movement is, it is impossible to contain a Shadow Leopard in the mountains and forests."
"What's more, monster hunting is not a one-man fight, it requires teamwork. If you add someone who doesn't understand monster hunting at all, it will be harmful to others."
Tie Zhan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and shook his head.
"Qing Man and Ye Xiao are right. Although Fang Han is strong, monster hunting is not his specialty. Inviting him will do more harm than good."
Yan Ling opened her mouth, and her intuition told her that Fang Han should be invited to participate, but she couldn't think of how to defend herself.
At the end of the year, Liangshui City is immersed in a busy and festive New Year atmosphere.
Red lanterns were hung up in the streets and alleys, and brand-new Spring Festival couplets were posted. The air was filled with the smell of gunpowder smoke from the setting off of firecrackers, mixed with the aroma of stewed meat wafting from every house.
The children wore new clothes and chased and played in the alleys, laughing loudly.
The sellers' cries were also louder than before, and there was a lively atmosphere of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new.
In the Rain-Listening Pavilion, Fang Han's life after returning home is simple and regular.
In addition to taking time to accompany my parents Younger Sister, I also practice <Mystic Wind Art> to grow Internal Qi, practice <Black Tortoise True Art> to temper my body, and understand <Void-Sundering Nine Swords> and <Windcloud Escape>.
However, after learning about the threat of the monster Black Cloud Ridge, he added the Tracking Secret Technique training <Spirit Sniffing Art> to his daily training schedule.
"If that demon hunting team fails, I have to take action. Tracking and locking are the most important."
Fang Han whispered to himself.
According to the Fang Clan's inquiries, the monster that appeared near Liangshui City is Shadow Leopard, who is famous for its speed and stealth.
Although the Proficiency Realm-level <Spirit Sniffing Art> is quite powerful, it may not be enough to face such a monster that is famous for its stealth.
In order to prevent him from being unable to trace it, he decided to take time to practice <Spirit Sniffing Art> to improve his attainments in this secret art.
"Buzz--"
Fang Han sat down cross-legged on Quiet Room, and his mind sank into the exercise method of <Spirit Sniffing Art>.
Under the influence of Secret Technique Talent Amplification up to sixty-four times, his understanding of this Medium Grade secret technique quickly deepened.
The 30th day of the twelfth lunar month, New Year's Eve.
Rain-Listening Pavilion was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and there was a sumptuous dinner.
Fang Zheng and Lin Wan couldn't hide the smiles on their faces. Little Fang Ying was wearing a brand new coat and skirt, like a happy bird.
Fang Han put down his cultivation and stayed with his family to watch the New Year's Eve. Listening to the sound of firecrackers far and near in the city, his heart felt peaceful.
This is the warmth of home and an indispensable anchor point on his journey to martial arts.
At midnight, the old and the new alternate, and the city is filled with fireworks.
Fang Han stood in the courtyard, looking at the illuminated night sky, it was another new year.
New Year's Day, Qingyang Prefecture City.
As the center of a county, Prefecture City's Spring Festival atmosphere is much more lively than that of border towns like Liangshui City.
Dragon and lion dances, acrobatics, crowds of people, and loud noises.
Myriad Treasures Tower.
"Squeak--"
The door of the private room was gently pushed open, and the butler Wan Fu walked a little faster than usual, with an indescribable solemnity on his face, and even a trace of panic.
He walked to Wan Yuntian's side, leaned over and whispered, his voice very low:
"Master, the list has been updated. The ranking of Fang Han and Prodigy Ranking has been raised to... the fifty-fifth day."
"Click."
The valuable thin-bodied porcelain cup in Wan Yuntian's hand made a slight crisp sound, a slight crack appeared on the rim of the cup, and a few drops of hot Tea splashed out.
"Fifty-fifth?"
Wan Yuntian's narrow phoenix eyes suddenly narrowed, and in the depths of his pupils, the previous good mood due to the New Year's Day disappeared.
What replaced it was a churning coldness and a trace of panic that even he himself didn't want to admit.
After only stagnating for a month, Fang Han's ranking has rapidly improved again.
It jumped from sixty-eighth to fifty-fifth, a total jump of thirteen points!
The ranking of Fang Han remained unchanged last month. I originally thought that the opponent would encounter a bottleneck and the rapid improvement in strength would stop.
But he didn't expect that in just one month, the other party would use a more swift and arrogant attitude to crush his expectations.
"Where's Duan Wuya? What's the ranking of Duan Wuya?"
Wan Yuntian put down the damaged Teacup, and his fingertips unconsciously scratched on the smooth rosewood table, leaving a few shallow white marks.
He asked in a low voice with coldness.
"Duan Wuya's ranking has not changed, it is still 45th."
Wan Fu replied.
"Or forty-five?"
Wan Yuntian frowned deeply.
The gap between Fang Han and Duan Wuya is only ten places. The gap of ten places does not sound small.
But with the monster-like climbing speed of Fang Han... what does tenth place mean? Two months? Or even less?
If Duan Wuya is not urged to take action as soon as possible and Fang Han is given some time to grow, Duan Wuya may not be able to kill Fang Han.
We can't wait any longer, Duan Wuya must take action as soon as possible.
"Prepare a car and go to the Nether Pavilion station."
Wan Yuntian stood up and straightened his robes. All the emotions on his face had subsided, leaving only a deep coldness.
"Bring the pair of 'Nine Dragons Cups'."
Wan Fu felt a thrill in his heart. Those pair of Nine Dragons Cups are the young master's favorite and are worth a lot of money.
The young master was going to spend a lot of money to urge him. He didn't dare to ask any more questions and quickly bowed, "Yes."
Nether Pavilion station, in a room.
Duan Wuya is leaning on the large seat covered with animal skins, with a lazy posture.
"Duan True Disciple, Happy New Year."
Wan Yuntian walked into the room and held his hands in greeting.
Wan Fu silently placed the brocade box containing Nine Dragons Cups on the coffee table, bowed and retreated to the door.
"Master Wan, why did you come to my place instead of staying at home on the first day of the new year?"
Duan Wuya glanced over the brocade box, stayed on Wan Yuntian's face for a moment, and asked in confusion.
"Today's Prodigy Ranking update, Fang Han, is already ranked fifty-fifth. The speed of this kid's promotion is really... worrying."
Wan Yuntian sat down opposite and said.
"Fifty-five?"
Duan Wuya The eyebrows were raised slightly and became a little dignified.
There was originally a ranking gap of more than twenty between him and Fang Han, but now the ranking gap is actually only ten places.
With a ranking gap of ten places, although he was confident that he could still defeat Fang Han, his confidence in killing him was lower than before.
"Duan True Disciple, Fang Han This guy has a very evil nature. He is always unexpected. I am worried. The nights are long and the dreams are many. I think it is best to take action as soon as possible."
Wan Yuntian said anxiously.
"I know, I will take action as soon as possible."
Duan Wuya said a little unhappy.
Wan Yuntian's words clearly show distrust in his strength.
"Then I will retire and wait for good news from True Disciple."
Sensing the change in Duan Wuya's attitude, Wan Yuntian said goodbye and left.
"I hope Duan Wuya won't take too long..."
Wan Yuntian looked at the rapidly reversing street scene outside the car window, feeling inexplicable worry in his heart.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Liangshui City.
The atmosphere of the New Year is still strong, and there are many more pedestrians on the street than usual, visiting relatives and friends and congratulating each other.
Not long after Fang Han got up, a book Prodigy Ranking and Martial Artist Ranking exuding the fresh fragrance of ink was delivered to his hands.
He turned to the Prodigy Ranking section and his eyes quickly moved up.
No. 55: Fang Han (Azure Profound Sect)
"Sure enough, it has improved, and it has reached fifty-fifth."
He closed the book and looked calm, without much surprise.
On the night of the Jade Splendor City auction, he defeated two waves of attackers and killed dozens of warriors, including seven Fourth Grade.
With such a record, captured by Prodigy Ranking, ranking improvement is inevitable.
"However, if anyone uses this ranking to evaluate my current strength, I'm afraid they will suffer a big loss."
Fang Han A playful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
After taking the photo of Howling Moon Spirit Deer Horn, his Body Movement Talent was substantially improved. On the way back, <Windcloud Escape> successfully broke through to the realm of the Proficiency Realm.
Now his comprehensive strength is by no means limited by Prodigy Ranking Fifty-Fifth.
If someone targets Prodigy Ranking with his 55th ranking, he will definitely suffer a big loss.