Xi Feng's Provocation
Just then, Zhao Qingfeng called out from ahead, "Alright, there's an open area ahead. Let's stop and rest for a bit to recover our strength."
Upon hearing this, Wang Bufan felt as if he had been granted a pardon and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. However, he didn't show it on his face. Instead, he straightened his back and said loudly, "Perfect timing! I'm hungry too! I'll go hunt Mortal Beast nearby and bring it back to give everyone an extra meal!"
Wang Xijing glanced at him but said nothing. Zhao Qingfeng nodded slightly. "Alright, be careful."
"Don't worry!" Wang Bufan laughed heartily, then turned and walked deeper into the woods, thinking smugly, 'Hmph, let me show you my strength! You'll all be so envious when I come back carrying this big thing!'
Seeing Xi Feng, Xi Feng turned his gaze to the still composed Dongfang Yueming and said with a hint of provocation, "Brother Dongfang, you seem quite leisurely. Why don't you stretch your muscles and contribute some food to everyone?"
Zhao Jin frowned slightly. Yue Tao lowered his eyes, seemingly lost in thought. Wang Xijing watched with great interest. Zhao Yi, on the other hand, made no attempt to hide his mocking smile, looking like he was waiting to see a good show.
Shi Qing looked worried and gently touched Dongfang Yueming's arm.
Dongfang Yueming lazily raised his eyelids and sneered at Xi Feng, "What? Brother Xi, are you starving and can't wait? Or... are you afraid you won't be able to catch it yourself and want me to do it for you?"
"You!" Xi Feng's face flushed red instantly, a surge of anger rushing to his head, almost unable to suppress the urge to attack. He was Tendon Transformation Greater Completion! An absolute main force in the team! How dare this kid be so disrespectful!
Zhao Yi chuckled, adding fuel to the fire.
Xi Feng's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and veins throbbed on his forehead, but after glancing at the silent Qin Rushuang beside him, he forcibly suppressed his anger. He would endure it! Once they reached the Earth Spirit Sect, there would be plenty of opportunities to teach this brat a lesson! He was determined, yet helpless.
"Heh," Dongfang Yueming chuckled, stood up, and stretched his wrists. "Since everyone has a need, let's take turns. I'll go first this time."
Before he finished speaking, his figure shot off like an arrow in the opposite direction from Wang Bufan, so fast that Xi Feng's pupils suddenly contracted.
Xi Feng stared in the direction where Dongfang Yueming had disappeared, letting out a barely audible snort. He thought to himself, 'Hmph, just a trick of his footwork. I'll see him return empty-handed!' He forcibly suppressed his displeasure, comforting himself that his opponent was merely a show-off.
Meanwhile, as Dongfang Yueming ventured deeper into the forest, his steps were uninterrupted, but his thoughts were racing: the strength Tendon Transformation Initial Stage level of Yi Jin Jing was sufficient to deal with ordinary opponents, but it was still somewhat inadequate against truly skilled masters or troublesome Ferocious Beast.
With a thought, he activated the system.
[Points-100]
[Furious Tiger Tendon Transformation Method: Entry → Minor Accomplishment (0/100)]
In an instant, a more refined and resilient sense of power surged from the depths of his body, coursing through his meridians, as if every tendon had become more supple and elastic. A satisfied smile curved Dongfang Yueming's lips, and his steps became even lighter and more swift.
Not long after, there was a rustling sound in the grass ahead, and Low-Level Mortal Beast with protruding tusks, resembling a wild boar but much larger in size, came into view.
Dongfang Yueming's eyes narrowed, but he neither flinched nor dodged, and his body suddenly accelerated.
"Pfft!"
The blade One Flash and disappeared in an instant; before the specific move could even be seen, the Mortal Beast let out a short, mournful cry, its massive body crashing to the ground, a thin line of blood slowly widening along its neck. Clean and swift, without the slightest hesitation.
He easily hoisted the Mortal Beast's corpse onto his shoulder and turned back to the camp.
When Dongfang Yueming reappeared in everyone's sight, Xi Feng was resting with his eyes closed. Hearing the noise, he raised his eyelids and glanced at the not-so-small prey on Dongfang Yueming's shoulder. He deliberately showed a hint of disdain on his face, but quickly regained his composure, as if he didn't care about it at all.
However, Zhao Qingfeng and Qin Rushuang both glanced at Dongfang Yueming again, seemingly without prior agreement. Both were experienced experts, and they keenly sensed that this young man before them seemed... subtly different from when he left. His aura appeared more restrained and composed. Was it just their imagination?
Just then, the sounds of fighting and Wang Bufan's slightly rapid breathing came from the other side of the woods. After a while, the fighting gradually subsided, accompanied by a dull thud as something heavy fell to the ground.
A moment later, Wang Bufan emerged, dragging a low-level Mortal Beast that also bore numerous scratches, looking slightly disheveled yet with a hint of smugness. He panted heavily, wiped his sweat, and thought to himself, 'Heh, finally done! This beast was quite troublesome... but at least I didn't lose face!'
He raised his head, ready to show off his victory, but his gaze swept across the center of the camp, and he suddenly stopped, his smugness freezing on his face.
Beside the campfire, Dongfang Yueming was leisurely skewering a piece of prepared meat with a branch and roasting it over the fire. The fat dripped, sizzling and making an enticing sound, and a faint aroma of meat filled the air. Judging from his skillful movements, he had clearly been back for a while!
Wang Bufan stared in astonishment at the scene, then at his prey, still covered in mud and blood, which he was dragging along. His heart pounded with shock: 'This... this guy isn't just a show-off?! He... he's back so quickly?!'