Hunting a Tiger

This was the only kind of Medicinal Pill he could take now. As for the Qi Gathering Pill, that was for Qi Refining Stage disciples to cultivate with.

Looking at the Medicinal Pill in his hand, Su Shi'er hesitated for a moment before closing his eyes and swallowing it.

The moment the Medicinal Pill went down his throat, Su Shi'er felt a warm current flow through his entire body. It felt like basking in the sun, exceptionally comfortable.

This state lasted for a full hour.

When the warm current faded, Su Shi'er opened his eyes and saw that, without his noticing, a thick layer of black impurities and grime had seeped out over the surface of his body.

He hurried into the courtyard and washed the impurities from his body. Then he took several deep breaths. Not only did he feel no discomfort, he instead felt his entire body brimming with strength.

Only then did he let out a long breath, his hanging heart finally settling.

"It seems these Medicinal Pills really are fine. Just like the books said, they can purge the impurities within the body and strengthen one's physique."

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

"Then I won't have to fear that fierce tiger if I run into it again!"

As Su Shi'er silently pondered, he settled down in the Waste Pill Room and ate Foundation Cultivation Pills every day.

He had no idea just how extravagant this behavior was. Treating Foundation Cultivation Pills as food was unheard of—not merely in the Cangshan Mountain Range, but throughout the entire Zhao Kingdom.

If the other disciples found out, they would surely die of envy!

In the Cultivation World, the success rate of pill refinement was extremely low. Yun Ge Sect's entry-level disciples received only three Foundation Cultivation Pills a month at the least, and no more than ten at the most.

For ten consecutive days, Su Shi'er lived in constant unease.

Every night during those ten days, the fierce tiger appeared. Knowing he was no match for it, he could only hide among the waste pills whenever it came, using them to conceal his scent.

That morning, Su Shi'er swallowed another three Foundation Cultivation Pills.

But this time, almost no impurities were expelled from his body. Aside from no longer feeling hungry, he experienced no other obvious changes.

This made Su Shi'er's brows immediately furrow.

"Looks like Foundation Cultivation Pills can't strengthen my physique without limit either. But that makes things troublesome! That fierce tiger is always a threat. If it runs into me one day, I'll be dead for sure."

"I have to find another way. Even if it means taking a risk, I need to get rid of it as soon as possible!"

"My physique is no worse than those adults' now. If I can make another trap..."

As Su Shi'er thought this over, a gleam appeared in his eyes. His improved physique had sent his confidence soaring, but unless driven into a corner, he would never engage the fierce tiger in close-quarters combat.

The greatest difference between humans and animals was that humans used their brains!

Once he had the idea, he acted on it. He did not waste a moment.

He inspected the rooms one by one and soon found a pile of farming tools in one of them.

Su Shi'er selected an iron shovel and an axe, then began to act.

After a whole day's work, he had dug a deep pit five or six meters deep in the courtyard. He chopped down several stakes as thick as arms, sharpened them, and planted them upside down at the bottom and around the sides of the pit.

By nightfall, a carefully crafted trap had appeared in the courtyard.

After concealing the trap, Su Shi'er carried the axe to a corner of the courtyard wall, crouched down, and began to wait patiently.

He had made up his mind that he would hunt that fierce tiger tonight.

Pressing his ear against the wall, he listened intently.

After consuming so many Foundation Cultivation Pills, not only had his physique improved, but his five senses had also been strengthened. Now, he could hear many sounds from a hundred meters away with crystal clarity.

Based on the past few days' experience, the fierce tiger should have arrived by now.

Before long, rustling footsteps sounded in the distance.

Hearing the movement, he instinctively tightened his grip on the axe. With his back against the wall, he stared at the courtyard without blinking.

Thud!

With a dull sound, the fierce tiger leaped over the wall as though it were returning home.

At the sight of it, Su Shi'er first shuddered, then hurriedly raised his axe, stood up, and prepared for battle.

Though he had prepared himself long ago, this was still his first time facing such an opponent. Fear rose in him instinctively, and his hands and feet felt somewhat weak.

This creature's enormous body alone was not something he could easily shake.

At the same time, the fierce tiger noticed Su Shi'er in the corner. Catching the scent of a living human in the air, its savage nature flared.

Roar!

The fierce tiger roared, opened its blood-filled maw, and charged at Su Shi'er.

Its sharp claws and fangs glinted coldly beneath the moonlight. The foul stench it spewed from its mouth was enough to seize the soul!

Its massive body made the ground tremble.

As the fierce tiger drew closer and closer, Su Shi'er's heart leaped into his throat, and cold sweat drenched his back!

Only when his gaze fell upon the trap not far ahead did he feel somewhat reassured.

But the next instant, an abrupt change occurred.

Just as the fierce tiger was about to step into the trap, it suddenly sprang into the air. It was about to leap over the trap and pounce directly upon Su Shi'er.

Su Shi'er was alarmed. If the trap failed to work, he would be in grave danger on his own.

Ah!

With a sudden shout, he no longer had the leisure to fear. Using every ounce of his strength, he hurled the axe in his hand at the fierce tiger in midair.

Bang!

With a dull crash, the axe came down and smashed the fierce tiger's head until blood flowed freely.

Su Shi'er's strength now rivaled that of a powerful strongman!

The fierce tiger had only just leaped up when it took an axe blow. Its body paused in midair, and it landed early.

The instant it hit the ground, pain made the fierce tiger bare its fangs. Its tiger eyes flew wide open, and it let out a ferocious roar as it prepared to charge Su Shi'er again.

But the moment it moved, the ground beneath its feet suddenly loosened and collapsed. Caught off guard, it fell straight down.

Squelch!

A spray of bright red, steaming blood splashed up from the trap. As it fell, the fierce tiger was pierced through by the sharpened stakes, letting out a roar that shook heaven and earth.

But after roaring a few times, it fell silent.

Seeing that there was no more movement, Su Shi'er hurriedly picked up his axe, walked to the side, and leaned over to inspect the pit.

The moment he poked his head over, a black shadow flashed before his eyes. The fierce tiger had endured its injuries and leaped back up.

Su Shi'er was caught completely unprepared and was sent flying. The axe in his hand flew from his grasp as well.

The instant he landed, his whole body ached as though it had been battered apart. If he had not taken Foundation Cultivation Pills for so long and greatly strengthened his physique, that blow would have scattered him to pieces.

"Not good!"

Ignoring his injuries, he inwardly cried out and scrambled to his feet.

The moment he stood, he saw the bleeding fierce tiger pounce on him. Its bell-sized eyes gleamed with venomous hatred as it pressed him to the ground. Its jaws opened wide, its teeth flashing coldly as it tore toward him.

In his desperation, Su Shi'er flung a handful of dust into the air. While the fierce tiger shut its eyes, he lashed out with a fierce kick at its wounded spot.

His strength now far surpassed that of an ordinary mortal. This kick was both heavy and ruthless. The fierce tiger staggered from the pain and nearly fell to the ground.

Su Shi'er seized the chance to break free. With a roll, he reached the place where the axe had fallen. He picked it up and swung it hard at the fierce tiger.

By now, Su Shi'er had fought up a blaze of fury. Too much anger filled his chest, demanding release. At that moment, with the sight of blood reddening his eyes, he no longer cared about traps or anything else.

Already injured, the fierce tiger's reactions and agility had both declined sharply.

Against Su Shi'er's attacks, it was utterly unable to defend itself.

Half an hour later, several new wounds marked Su Shi'er's body. But the fierce tiger was drenched in blood from head to toe, lying on the ground and unable to rise again.

"I... I actually killed a fierce tiger with my own strength?! Those cultivators' Medicinal Pills are far too incredible."

Su Shi'er stood beside the fierce tiger's corpse. After calming down, he felt exceptionally exhilarated.

Hunting a fierce tiger alone had greatly increased his courage! Such a sense of accomplishment was beyond words.

But then waves of lingering fear washed over him.

"That was close. I thought the trap was foolproof, but I never expected the fierce tiger to play dead. I nearly died beneath its claws because I let my guard down. I must be even more careful from now on!"

The fierce tiger's feigned death and counterattack left a deep impression on him. It also made him realize that at no time could he underestimate any opponent.

That night, Su Shi'er slept exceptionally soundly.