Hunting the Tiger

This was the only type of pill he could currently take. As for Qi Gathering Pills, those were for disciples at the Qi Refining Stage to use in cultivation.

Looking at the pill in his hand, Su Shi'er hesitated for a moment, then closed his eyes and swallowed it.

As the pill went down his throat, Su Shi'er immediately felt a warm current flow through his entire body, as comfortable as basking in the sun.

This state lasted a full hour.

When the warmth faded, Su Shi'er opened his eyes and saw that a thick, black layer of impurities and filth had unknowingly seeped out from the surface of his skin.

He quickly went to the courtyard to wash off the impurities. Then, taking a few deep breaths, he felt no discomfort—instead, his whole body was brimming with strength.

Only then did he let out a long sigh of relief, the hanging stone in his heart finally settling.

"Looks like these pills really are fine. Just like the books say, they can remove impurities from the body and improve constitution."

"With this many Foundation Cultivation Pills, if I take them all, my body will definitely become very strong."

"By then, if I run into that Fierce Tiger again, I won't have to be afraid!"

Su Shi'er thought silently to himself, then settled down in the Waste Pill Room, living on Foundation Cultivation Pills every day.

He had no idea how extravagant his behavior was. Eating Foundation Cultivation Pills like meals—not just in the Cangshan Mountain Range, but across the entire Zhao Kingdom, it was absolutely unheard of.

If other disciples found out, they would be green with envy!

In the Cultivation World, the success rate for alchemy was extremely low. For entry-level disciples of the Yun Ge Sect, the Foundation Cultivation Pills they could receive each month ranged from as few as three to at most ten.

For ten straight days, Su Shi'er spent every moment in fear and anxiety.

During these ten days, the Fierce Tiger appeared every night. Judging himself no match for it, he could only hide among the waste pills when it showed up, using them to mask his scent.

This morning, Su Shi'er swallowed three more Foundation Cultivation Pills.

But this time, almost no impurities were expelled from his body. Aside from no longer feeling hungry, there were no other noticeable changes.

This situation made Su Shi'er's brow furrow immediately.

"It seems Foundation Cultivation Pills can't infinitely improve my constitution. But if that's the case, I'm in trouble! That Fierce Tiger is still a threat—if I run into it one day, I'm dead for sure."

"I have to think of another way, even if it's risky, I need to get rid of it as soon as possible!"

"My constitution now is no worse than those adults. If I can set up another trap..."

As Su Shi'er thought, a gleam lit up in his eyes. The improvement in his constitution had boosted his confidence, but unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn't engage the Fierce Tiger in close combat.

The biggest difference between humans and animals is using one's brain!

Once he decided, he acted without wasting time.

Checking each room one by one, he soon found a pile of farming tools in one of them.

Su Shi'er picked out a shovel and an axe, then got to work.

After a full day's effort, he dug a pit five or six meters deep in the courtyard. He cut down several arm-thick wooden stakes, sharpened them to points, and stuck them upside down at the bottom and sides of the pit.

By evening, a carefully crafted trap appeared in the courtyard.

After concealing the trap, Su Shi'er picked up his axe, crouched in a corner of the courtyard wall, and waited patiently.

He was determined—tonight, he would hunt and kill that Fierce Tiger.

Pressing his ear to the wall, he began to listen intently.

After consuming large amounts of Foundation Cultivation Pills, not only had his constitution improved, but his five senses had also been sharpened. Now, he could clearly hear many sounds from over a hundred meters away.

Based on his experience from the past few days, it was about time for the Fierce Tiger to show up.

Soon, he heard the rustling sound of footsteps in the distance.

Hearing the noise, he instinctively tightened his grip on the axe, pressed his back against the wall, and stared unblinkingly at the courtyard.

"Thump!"

A dull sound rang out as the Fierce Tiger, as if coming home, leaped in from over the wall.

Seeing the Fierce Tiger appear, Su Shi'er first shuddered, then quickly swung his axe, stood up, and braced himself for battle.

Even though he had prepared in advance, facing such an opponent for the first time, his heart still instinctively trembled, and his hands and feet felt weak.

This creature before him—just its massive size alone was not something he could easily shake.

At the same time, the Fierce Tiger also noticed Su Shi'er in the corner. Scenting the unfamiliar human presence in the air, its ferocity flared.

"Roar!"

With a thunderous roar, the Fierce Tiger opened its bloody maw and charged straight at Su Shi'er.

Its sharp claws and fangs glinted coldly in the moonlight. The stench of its breath was enough to seize one's soul!

Its massive frame shook the ground as it moved.

As the Fierce Tiger drew closer, Su Shi'er's heart leaped into his throat, and cold sweat broke out on his back.

His gaze fell on the trap not far ahead, and only then did he feel a bit more at ease.

But in the next second, a sudden change occurred.

Just as the Fierce Tiger was about to step onto the trap, it leaped into the air, seemingly about to clear the trap and pounce directly on Su Shi'er.

Seeing this, Su Shi'er grew frantic. If the trap failed, relying on himself alone would be extremely dangerous.

"Ah!"

With a fierce shout, he cast aside his fear and, using all his strength, hurled the axe in his hand toward the airborne Fierce Tiger.

"Thud!"

A dull sound rang out as the axe struck, smashing the Fierce Tiger's head and drawing blood.

Su Shi'er's current strength rivaled that of a mighty strongman!

The Fierce Tiger, having just jumped, took the axe blow, its body faltering midair and landing prematurely.

The moment it landed, the Fierce Tiger snarled in pain, its tiger eyes wide with fury, letting out a vicious roar as it prepared to charge at Su Shi'er again.

But as it moved, the ground beneath its feet suddenly gave way and sank. Caught off guard, it tumbled straight down.

"Squelch~"

A spray of hot crimson blood splashed up from the trap. In the instant it fell, the Fierce Tiger was pierced through by sharp wooden stakes, unleashing a earth-shaking roar.

After a few roars, however, it fell silent.

Seeing no further movement, Su Shi'er hurriedly picked up his axe and walked over to peer down.

The moment he leaned in, a dark shadow flashed before his eyes—the Fierce Tiger, enduring its injuries, had leaped back up.

Su Shi'er, caught off guard, was sent flying, the axe knocked from his hand.

As he hit the ground, his whole body ached and throbbed. Had he not been taking Foundation Cultivation Pills for a long time, boosting his physique dramatically, this impact would have shattered him in his former state.

"Not good!"

Ignoring his injuries, he silently cursed and scrambled to his feet.

No sooner had he stood than the bleeding Fierce Tiger, its bell-like eyes gleaming with venomous malice, pinned him to the ground. Its jaws gaped wide, teeth glinting coldly, as it lunged to bite him.

In desperation, Su Shi'er flung a handful of dust into its face. Seizing the moment as the tiger shut its eyes, he kicked hard, aiming squarely at the wound on its body.

His strength now far exceeded that of an ordinary mortal. This kick was heavy and vicious; the Fierce Tiger, wincing in pain, stumbled and nearly fell.

Su Shi'er seized the chance to slip free, rolling over to where the axe had landed. Grabbing it, he swung with all his might at the Fierce Tiger.

By now, the fight had stoked his fury. Too much anger burned in his chest, needing an outlet. At the sight of blood, his eyes reddened, and he no longer cared about traps or strategy.

The Fierce Tiger, already wounded, had its reflexes and agility greatly diminished.

Faced with Su Shi'er's assault, it could barely defend itself.

Half an hour later, Su Shi'er had gained a few more wounds. But the Fierce Tiger, drenched in blood, lay on the ground, unable to rise again.

"I... I actually killed a Fierce Tiger with my own strength?! Those cultivators' pills are just too powerful."

Standing beside the tiger's corpse, Su Shi'er calmed down, his heart surging with excitement.

Hunting a tiger alone had boosted his courage immensely! The sense of achievement was beyond words.

But soon, waves of lingering fear washed over him.

"That was close. I thought the trap was foolproof, but I never expected that tiger to play dead. I nearly died under its claws from carelessness. From now on, I have to be even more cautious!"

The tiger's feigned death and counterattack left a deep impression on him. It also made him realize that he must never underestimate any opponent.

That night, Su Shi'er slept more soundly than ever.