Wind-Walking Tiger

When Amon brought Yan Jin and Lei Yin to the agreed meeting point, Vidal was already waiting again.

A large group had gathered beside him, dressed in all manner of outfits and vaguely divided into three circles.

"Amon, you're here."

"I'm here."

Vidal enthusiastically introduced him to the mercenaries. "This is Amon, my friend, and the other employer who hired you for this commission."

"Hello, I'm Vega, deputy commander of the Northland Mercenary Group, a level thirty-seven Battle Soul Master." To Vidal's left, a burly man in chainmail and a horned helmet introduced himself.

"Deputy commander?" Lei Yin asked doubtfully.

"Their commander is busy with other matters. Otherwise, we'd be much more certain of success this time. He's a Soul Ancestor, after all." Vidal sounded slightly regretful.

Vega pointed to a man beside him who was barely taller than Yan Jin. "This is my younger brother, Tapa."

"Leiqi." "Koman."

The leaders of the Jackal Mercenary Group's two three-man squads each stated their names.

"Cadron." "Levi." "Benini."

These were three independent mercenaries at the Soul Elder level.

Finally, Norbert nodded at Amon and said, "My name is Norbert. I'm also a guide."

Amon smiled. "You encountered a five-thousand-year Eyeless Snake and still came back alive. It seems you're quite strong."

Generally speaking, Soul Masters could not hunt Soul Beasts alone if they were at the upper limit of what their Spirit Rings could endure.

A five-thousand-year Spirit Ring was the absorption limit for a Soul Ancestor, so a five-thousand-year Eyeless Snake could be considered slightly stronger than a peak Soul Ancestor.

Eyeless Snakes had powerful senses and fierce temperaments, with an especially strong urge to attack humans.

Norbert shook his head. "I just have some unique skills when it comes to staying alive."

"Children?" Vega looked at Yan Jin and Lei Yin, frowning. "Young Master Vidal, forgive my bluntness, but we aren't going on a picnic. That Eyeless Snake is very dangerous. We can't be absolutely certain of our own safety, much less protect two children."

"We're not here to play. We're assisting with this hunt too."

Whoosh... Accompanied by the sound of burning, thick smoke billowed upward. Yan Jin's right hand, covered in magma, gave Vega an intense sense of danger and made every hair on his body stand on end.

Yan Jin withdrew her Martial Soul. In the most direct way possible, she had silenced everyone who questioned her.

The mercenaries all turned to look at Lei Yin, who merely smiled faintly.

Electric currents twisted like silver snakes, accompanied by distant rumbles of thunder.

Vega nodded and said no more.

He bore no ill will. On the contrary, it was precisely because he felt responsible for everyone that he had pointed out the problem.

Now that he knew this was not Amon's arrogance or a childish attempt to treat hunting Soul Beasts as a game, he had no reason to dissuade them further.

Ironheart City was not far from the Ironheart Mountains. The city itself had gradually formed because of the Soul Beast trade.

After less than an hour of travel, they arrived at the foot of the mountains.

There was no campsite here like the one outside Xilin Mountain Range, because Ironheart City already served that purpose.

Norbert and Levi led the way at the front, while Cadron and Benini kept watch at the rear. Everyone else surrounded Vidal and Amon in the middle.

Everyone remained alert, but they were not overly tense.

One of Vega's Soul Grand Masters revealed his Martial Soul, a Soul Beast that looked somewhat like a skunk.

His first Spirit Ring lit up, and a faint wave of Soul Power enveloped the entire group.

Along the way, snakes and insects scattered, making their journey much smoother.

Vega quietly reminded them, "This can only drive away ordinary snakes and insects, and it can also make normal beasts keep their distance. It has no effect on Soul Beasts, so don't let your guard down."

Relying on his extensive experience, Norbert found traces left behind by the Wind-Walking Tiger.

"Scent Snake, possess!" He activated his Martial Soul.

Fine scales appeared on his skin, and his eyes turned into vertical slits.

Norbert continuously flicked his tongue, now transformed into a snake's tongue, as he tracked the target through the traces he had found.

Amon also personally experienced the mercenaries' professionalism. Each had their own duties, and their abilities complemented one another, making the hunt much easier.

Back in Frostleaf City, the people Ma Wen had sent to help him had used almost the stupidest method possible—searching an area and relying on luck. They had spent a long time in the mountains before stumbling across a Lying Beast like a blind cat finding a dead mouse.

As they walked, Norbert slowed down.

Ahead was an open clearing. In its center stood a large rock, and atop it lay a blue-and-white tiger, occasionally using its tongue to groom its fur.

"A Wind-Walking Tiger. Judging by the markings on its tail, it should be around fifteen hundred years old. It's just right for you, Young Master," Vega observed for a moment before saying to Vidal.

"Very good. That one, then." Vidal nodded in satisfaction.

The Wind-Walking Tiger seemed to have caught the scent of danger as well and began to grow wary.

It rose to its feet and swept its amber eyes across the surroundings.

"This beast seems to have noticed us. Move quickly, use an encirclement formation, and don't let it escape. Also, hold back a little. Let Young Master Vidal deliver the final blow," Vega said quietly.

Then, at his gesture, the mercenaries rushed out in different directions. Tapa's Martial Soul was a type of bird, and he swiftly flew to the other side to prevent the Wind-Walking Tiger from getting away.

A fifteen-hundred-year Soul Beast could not cause much trouble when surrounded by several Soul Elders, and it was soon beaten to the brink of death.

In his Martial Soul Possession state, Vidal used a dagger to slit the Wind-Walking Tiger's throat.

A purple Spirit Ring appeared.

With a hint of excitement, Vidal said, "Protect me."

The mercenaries formed a circle around him and kept watch over the surroundings, lest some foolhardy Soul Beast come over to disturb them.

In truth, this was the objective they absolutely had to accomplish on this trip, because Vidal was the one paying them. As for Amon's Eyeless Snake, they did not hold much hope and had only come to try their luck.

Killing a Soul Beast comparable to a peak Soul Ancestor was no simple task.

In the forest, if a Soul Beast fled, it would be extremely difficult to catch up.

At the very least, they needed a higher-level Soul Master to firmly restrain it and prevent it from escaping smoothly.

With their advantage in numbers, they were certain they could defeat a five-thousand-year Eyeless Snake in a direct battle, but only defeat it.

After some time, the surging Soul Power around Vidal gradually calmed. He had successfully advanced to Soul Elder.

"Haha... I finally made it." He laughed. Soul Power he had not yet fully mastered still churned around him as he said to Amon, "Next, let's go find the Eyeless Snake. That thing won't be easy to deal with. You've made preparations yourself, right?"

Amon adjusted his Monocle and chuckled. "As long as we can find it... it won't get away."

Suddenly, a miserable scream rang out.

A Soul Master standing guard was snatched away by a white figure that flashed through the forest.