Encounter with a Black-Haired Sharp-Tusk Boar! Five Join Forces in a Bloody Battle Against a Demon Beast

The first batch of disciples stepped forward to collect signal flares from the disciplinary team, carefully putting them away. These were the things that could save their lives.

The Martial Academy had long since explained the rules of the trial and how points were calculated for different demon beasts.

Batch after batch of disciples entered Azure Radiance Mountain, like streams flowing into the sea without stirring even the slightest ripple.

The next batch of disciples stepped forward. Suddenly, Liu Yunche spotted a familiar figure—Han Xu of the Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall.

Several others nearby wore the same attire, presumably all from the Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall.

Han Xu seemed to sense something. The instant he turned around, their gazes collided in midair.

He froze for a moment, then broke into a dazzling smile. His white teeth gleamed beneath the sunlight, yet his eyes held a trace of provocation and fighting spirit.

Liu Yunche remained calm, without the slightest ripple in his eyes. He merely gave Han Xu a casual glance before withdrawing his gaze, standing amid the crowd with his aura restrained as he quietly waited.

Han Xu's expression darkened at the sight. With a cold snort, he turned and left, his right hand brushing the hilt of the blade hanging at his waist. His heart immediately settled, and he resolved to reclaim his dignity.

Besides the Flying Bear Fist, the Flying Bear Martial Arts Hall's Flying Bear Blade Technique was also peerless. This treasured blade had been handed to him by Xue Changli before his departure.

Something he had never dared dream of possessing—a Low-grade Martial Treasure!

With this item, he no longer regarded Liu Yunche as a threat, believing him to be nothing more than a trial on his path of martial arts.

At that moment, the front gradually grew noisy.

Following the sound, he saw a group of lavishly dressed, proud young men and women preparing to enter Azure Radiance Mountain.

"Those are people from the Three Great Families. The three walking in front are Liu Tianlin of the Liu Household, Tao Xiaoyun of the Tao Clan, and He Chaoyang of the He Clan."

He Wu crossed his arms, slightly raising his brows as he spoke blandly.

"The three of them have decent talent and have already reached Iron Muscle. Though they are not considered the best within their respective Lineages, among the martial artists participating in the hunt, their cultivation is relatively high."

"Iron Muscle... a whole major realm above me."

Liu Yunche's gaze narrowed. He pondered inwardly, and a measure of vigilance quietly rose within him.

Iron Muscle was the second stage of Flesh Tempering. Iron Muscle martial artists possessed tough, powerful bodies capable of withstanding Low-grade Martial Treasures.

Flesh Tempering began with Copper Muscle, which was Shi Qingyue's current realm.

After that came Iron Muscle, Silver Muscle, and Golden Muscle. Golden Muscle corresponded to Jade Skin; both were realms belonging to geniuses. Ordinary martial artists would generally choose to break through into Tendon Forging after reaching Silver Muscle.

Elder Lu had told Liu Yunche all this when he had visited Elder Lu's residence that day.

Liu Tianlin wore brocade robes and had a cold face. After receiving his signal flare, he stared straight ahead, an aloof arrogance that warned strangers away radiating from him as he strode directly into the forest.

Tao Xiaoyun wore an emerald gown, her brows and eyes cool and detached. She swept her gaze over everyone present as if they were nothing, then followed without slowing her steps.

He Chaoyang wore red, his expression unrestrained and flamboyant. After taking the signal flare, he casually stuffed it into his sleeve. Only after casting a disdainful glance at the surrounding Martial Academy disciples did he start forward.

Just as he was about to enter, he seemed to think of something. He abruptly turned, looking down on everyone from on high. The contempt in his eyes was undisguised, and his lips curled as he prepared to provoke them.

Suddenly, a cold, sword-sharp gaze shot directly toward him.

He looked up and saw that it was Elder He Wei of his own clan. He immediately fell silent in embarrassment, shrinking his neck and leaving behind only an ambiguous snort.

He Wei shook his head helplessly and pulled a faint smile at the people around him. Yet his eyes held a hint of indulgent favoritism, without the slightest apology.

"The boy is wild and unruly. Please forgive the spectacle."

"Young Master He is simply showing his true nature. Youthful recklessness is what reveals a martial artist's true colors!"

A brawny middle-aged man hurriedly bowed and praised him, his face full of fawning flattery.

The people around him gave him cold glances before looking away, the contempt in their eyes self-evident.

This man was originally an affiliate of the He Clan, so naturally he twisted himself into every shape to curry favor with He Wei.

Elder Lu said nothing. He stood quietly in place, watching batch after batch of disciples enter Azure Radiance Mountain, his aura as steady as a mountain.

At last, it was Liu Yunche's group's turn. He accepted the signal flare handed over by the disciplinary officer and carefully tucked it close against his chest.

Liu Yunche gave Elder Lu a slight nod, then followed the others, his figure disappearing into the lush forests of Azure Radiance Mountain.

"Elder Lu, was that young man just now your newly accepted disciple?"

Liu Yunche's actions had fallen into Liu Sheng's eyes. Something about the young man's bearing between his brows felt lingeringly familiar, so he asked.

Elder Lu glanced at Liu Sheng, clasped his hands behind his back, and replied slowly in an even tone, "He is the son of an old friend."

"I see." Liu Sheng nodded in understanding, yet that inexplicable sense of familiarity continued to circle in his heart, refusing to disperse.

After entering Azure Radiance Mountain for several miles, the scenery around them had completely changed.

Ancient trees towered overhead, blotting out the sky and sun. Sunlight filtered sparsely through the dense branches and leaves, while vines twisted around the trunks and rotten leaves carpeted the ground.

A faint grassy, woody stench mixed with dampness rushed toward them. The occasional crisp birdcall only made the mountain forest seem more secluded and profound.

Liu Yunche and the other four walked side by side, slowing their pace.

At first, they could still catch sight of disciples from other martial halls and the Martial Academy, and hear scattered footsteps and conversation.

But the deeper they went, the human voices gradually faded until the surroundings fell completely silent.

Only the soft crunch of decaying leaves beneath their feet remained, along with the rustling of branches and leaves in the forest breeze.

A huge number of disciples had poured into the mountains, yet it was as if the boundless forest had swallowed them whole. Not a trace of activity remained, and an invisible tension quietly descended upon the group.

"Why haven't we seen a single demon beast here? They are all ordinary wild animals. This silence is making my heart uneasy."

Li Xuantong frowned and spoke in a low voice, unconsciously tightening her grip on the hilt tucked against her chest.

After they continued stealthily inward for several more miles, the dampness in the forest grew heavier. A breeze swept past, carrying a faint fishy, gamey odor.

Shi Qingyue, walking at the front, abruptly raised his hand to signal everyone to stop and remain silent. They instantly held their breath and concealed themselves behind thick tree trunks.

In a clearing ahead, a pitch-black demon beast stood with its back to them. It was as burly as an ox, its coarse, tough black hair standing upright strand by strand like steel needles.

Two curved tusks glinting with cold light protruded from its mouth as it lowered its head to gnaw on prey on the ground.

Heavy snorting mixed with the sound of flesh and bone being crushed rang especially clearly through the silent forest, while a vicious demon beast aura radiated from its body.

With his back against a tree trunk, He Wu wore a grave expression as he gave a quiet warning only the few of them could hear, his tone full of caution:

"That is a Black-Haired Sharp-Tusk Boar. Its hide is rough and thick, and its defense is astonishing. Though it is a Skin Tempering Realm demon beast, those tusks are incomparably sharp and fiercely powerful. No one below Flesh Tempering can withstand them!"

"Furthermore, if it encounters danger, the black hairs across its body can shoot out."

"I'll restrain it from the front. Look for an opportunity to support me from the sides. Be careful!"

Shi Qingyue lowered his body and stepped lightly. His voice was low, but it carried a thread of excitement.

His entire body was taut with tension. He pulled on a pair of specially made iron-armored gloves, their palms covered in neat, dense pieces of fine iron armor, while cold light flashed at the knuckles.

Shi Qingyue held his breath and focused, inching quietly toward the Black-Haired Sharp-Tusk Boar.

His steps were light, his five fingers clenched into a fist. With a thought, the inner breath in his dantian surged fiercely into his right hand.

In an instant, Shi Qingyue threw a punch, his fist tearing through the forest and whipping up a sharp gust of air.

The Black-Haired Sharp-Tusk Boar seemed to sense danger. Its hind legs bent slightly as it prepared to flee. Unfortunately, it was still one step too slow.

The next moment, Shi Qingyue's fist, wrapped in dantian inner breath and covered in hard iron armor, smashed viciously into the Black-Haired Sharp-Tusk Boar's rear passage with the sharp edges of his gauntlet!

A shrill, drawn-out howl rang through the forest, hoarse and heavy, mournful and piercing. Its legs went limp, and with a thud, it collapsed to the ground.

He Wu and Li Xuansheng felt chills run down their spines. As they looked at Shi Qingyue, something unfamiliar appeared in their eyes—partly wariness, partly as if they were meeting him for the first time.

"Quick, now's the perfect chance." Shi Qingyue failed to notice his companions' odd reactions and urged them.

Upon hearing this, Li Xuantong could not help taking a step back. Her lips parted as if she had something to say, but in the end, she said nothing.

A black shadow flashed past her—it was Liu Yunche, closing in.

With Concealed Edge in hand, he did not hesitate to drive it into the Black-Haired Sharp-Tusk Boar's waist and abdomen. The blade sank in completely, leaving only the hilt outside.

After suffering repeated injuries, the Black-Haired Sharp-Tusk Boar's beastly nature was instead aroused. Its fur stood erect, its eyes reddened slightly, and a faint gleam rose from the tusks beside its lips.

"Not good! Find cover quickly—watch out for its sharp hairs!" Seeing this, He Wu cast aside his unease and shouted urgently.

Before his words had even faded, the steel-needle-like black hair over the Black-Haired Sharp-Tusk Boar's body suddenly tightened and stood straight up.

Accompanied by an enraged roar, countless sharp hairs flashing with cold light shot wildly in every direction like arrows in a torrential downpour!

The sharp hairs tore through the silent forest with piercing, ear-splitting whistles. Every one of them carried savage force as they fired out indiscriminately.

Shi Qingyue reacted first. He had followed his father, Shi Xiuyan, escorting caravans and delivering goods for years, so he possessed abundant experience.

He had already sensed something amiss before He Wu spoke. Now, with considerable calm, he ducked behind an ancient tree.

Liu Yunche was next. Cautious by nature, he understood well the principle that if one strike failed, one should retreat a thousand miles. His body moved, turning into an afterimage as he evaded the flying sharp hairs.

Li Xuantong had no time to draw her sword, so she could only use its sheath to knock aside the incoming sharp hairs while swiftly retreating.

He Wu and Li Xuansheng did not dare delay in the slightest either. Both flashed away at top speed.

One rolled fiercely along the ground, while the other leaped behind a thick vine at the side, narrowly avoiding the main barrage of sharp hairs.

Even with their swift reactions, the corners of their clothes and shoulders were grazed by scattered sharp hairs. However, no blood appeared at the cuts.

Other than Liu Yunche, all five were at least Silver Skin martial artists. Though these sharp hairs were keen, they could not injure them.

The demon beast's furious assault had not harmed them. Instead, with that thick layer of sharp hair gone, it was easier for them to strike.

At this moment, the Black-Haired Sharp-Tusk Boar's eyes were crimson as though stained with blood, fixed tightly on Shi Qingyue, the one who had gravely wounded it.

The waves of stabbing pain coming from behind made it increasingly frenzied. Its thick hind hooves stomped fiercely, and its entire body became a streak of black light as it rammed toward Shi Qingyue.

"Haha... good timing!"

Shi Qingyue stared intently at those tusks. The skin across his body tightened, then began to gleam. The muscles beneath seemed forged from bronze, giving him an impregnable air.

His face remained as calm as a still lake. His bloodstained hands shot out and, like an antelope hanging its horns where no trace could be found, steadily seized those coldly gleaming tusks.

The enormous impact struck him. Veins bulged across Shi Qingyue's body, his blood and qi churned endlessly, and no one knew how many leaves he crushed beneath his feet.

His body was driven steadily backward. Gritting his teeth, he slowly forced out two words:

"Strong... enough."

His arms grew increasingly solid, like a pair of bronze limbs. Suddenly exerting force, he shouted:

"Get... up!"

The others watched as the Black-Haired Sharp-Tusk Boar was violently hurled into the air. Seizing the opportunity, Liu Yunche and the other three immediately surrounded it.

Liu Yunche twisted his wrist, and the Concealed Edge blade stabbed viciously into the demon beast along the old wound in its waist and abdomen, sinking to the hilt.

Li Xuantong drew her sword. A flash of cold light passed, precisely severing the tendons in the demon beast's hind legs.

He Wu and Li Xuansheng coordinated seamlessly as well, their punches and kicks carrying fierce winds as they slammed into the demon beast's chest.

In the span of a breath, they completely extinguished the Black-Haired Sharp-Tusk Boar's life.

The demon beast crashed to the ground and moved no more. Its remaining warmth slowly dissipated through the forest.