On the southern coast of the Dawn Continent, in the Sunset Jungle.
In Red Maple City, the atmosphere grew livelier as the annual hunting competition got underway.
The hunting competition was an old tradition of the Gendaya Tribe.
The Gendaya Tribe originated in the Trident Archipelago, northeast of the Dawn Continent. They initially lived by fishing and hunting, but as their people multiplied, grew in number, and became stronger, they established the Royal Court.
A people's festivals reflected their character to a large extent and were also an important marker of their identity.
The battle-loving Gendaya People felt strongly about the hunting competition. Regardless of status, anyone who met the requirements had to participate.
Only Lower Transcendent lifeforms could participate in the Red Maple Clan's hunting competition.
The main reason was that they couldn't obtain enough prey. The Sunset Jungle might have been full of magical beasts, but they all had backers. Apart from poachers from outside, no one dared kill them indiscriminately.
The prey released for the hunting competition consisted of low-intelligence races, monsters such as Black-Armored Boars, and some prisoners held in the clan's cells.
Without higher-level prey, clansmen with the strength of a Mid-Rank Transcendent or above naturally couldn't participate.
Otherwise, it would have been more fitting to call it a slaughtering competition than a hunting competition.
At the Campbell Family castle.
In the alchemy laboratory, Logo bent over a piece of alchemical equipment, assembling it.
The Shadow Spike was a two-star fine-quality magical alchemical weapon. Powered by a high-quality magic crystal, it was immensely powerful, and in capable hands, it could kill a Mid-Rank Transcendent lifeform.
Transcendent equipment in the Astral Realm was divided into twelve star ranks, corresponding to the Twelve Ladders of Eternity.
Each rank was further divided into six qualities.
They were common, fine, rare, legendary, immortal, and miracle.
Within the same star rank, the higher the quality, the better the equipment.
However, equipment of legendary quality or above was extremely rare.
Miracle-quality equipment was even rarer. The entire Elven Plane probably didn't have a single piece, not even a one-star one.
Miracle-quality equipment of ten stars or above was also known as a Miracle Creation.
More than a month ago, Logo had drawn up some blueprints and asked Lunbate to have the parts made by different alchemists.
Each blueprint showed different precision alchemical components. Once assembled, these components formed the Shadow Spike.
All the components had been ready twenty days ago, and Logo had become thoroughly familiar with the weapon in the time since.
Now he could assemble or dismantle the Shadow Spike in a single second.
"Young master, the hunting competition is about to begin. His Lordship the Count sent someone to ask you to come over," Lunbate called from outside. Logo answered while quickening his work.
A dozen or so seconds later, he finished assembling a long-handled spear-scythe. Logo had dismantled the Shadow Spike into three parts and combined them with other metal components to make the weapon.
Under the hunting competition's rules, excessively powerful weapons and equipment were forbidden. The hunt itself was a test of the clansmen's combat skills. What would be the point if they brought powerful equipment?
If he carried the Shadow Spike openly, he would certainly be stopped.
But the long-handled spear-scythe was only one-star equipment. At most, its materials were somewhat better, which wouldn't prevent Logo from carrying it.
If he encountered a danger he couldn't overcome by force, the spear-scythe could instantly turn into the Shadow Spike and catch the enemy off guard.
I hope nothing goes wrong! Logo picked up the spear-scythe and walked out of the laboratory.
A Two-Winged Pegasus pulled a splendid carriage slowly along the avenue. The cabin was very spacious and luxuriously furnished, with Catherine and Duoliya sitting opposite each other.
"Is everything ready?" Catherine put down her wineglass and asked.
Duoliya answered confidently, "You can count on me!"
"Good. This time, we must make that little bastard lose his position as first heir. Only Xisi can be the head of the Campbell Family!" A ruthless glint flashed in Catherine's eyes.
"Don't forget, once it's done, you have to get Xisi to support the head of my Russell Family in the election for the next Count of Red Maple," Duoliya reminded her.
"As long as it gets done, that won't be a problem."
"Are you sure you can control Xisi? I hear he and Logo are very close. Even after he was stripped of his position as first heir, he was only downcast for a few days, and his relationship with Logo didn't suffer any rift."
"If Xisi finds out someday that we planned to kill his older brother, then..."
"You don't need to worry about that. I'll take care of everything. You just need to make sure the half-elf I met earlier is reliable enough!"
"Jiesita is a druid at the peak of the third rank, and his combat strength is formidable. Besides, I have the child he cherishes as his own life in my hands. He'll definitely do everything he can to complete the task."
"Good!"
In the square, the old count, Kevin Herbert, was delivering the opening speech for the hunting competition. He spoke with great expression and feeling, spittle flying, while Logo struggled to stay awake.
He couldn't understand why the Gendaya Tribe, who had always prized brevity, were so fond of long-winded speeches.
Finally, ten minutes later, the old count concluded his opening speech and announced the official start of the hunting competition.
There were three hunting grounds: first rank, second rank, and third rank!
Participants of different strengths faced different prey.
Logo carried his spear-scythe to the entrance.
Blood Hounds lay on the ground. Every Gendaya who entered the hunting ground took one along to help search for prey.
Blood Hounds were a type of transcendent canine that the Gendaya Tribe had domesticated over many years. Their average intelligence was comparable to that of a ten-year-old. Exceptionally loyal and fearless in the face of death, they had extremely keen senses of smell and perception.
An adult Blood Hound generally reached 2.5 meters in length. They had long tails, extremely well-developed muscles, and large mouths that tapered to a pointed tip. Their jaws were long and narrow, with two rows of sharp teeth and an astonishing bite force.
Blood Hounds had no fur, only smooth, extraordinarily tough skin. Their digestion and regenerative abilities were excellent, allowing them to recover from injuries quickly by eating.
Blood Hounds and Hunting Hawks had accompanied the Gendaya Tribe for thousands of years, from the age of fishing and hunting to the present. They had left behind many beloved stories, and their bonds with the tribe ran deep.
To the Gendaya People, these two races were not merely tools, but partners. Even Two-Winged Pegasi couldn't compare in that respect.
After all, the Royal Court's national emblem bore patterns representing Blood Hounds and Hunting Hawks.
The Red Maple Clan also had a hound unit. It was exceptionally elite, its warriors seasoned by countless battles. They had carried out many important missions and earned distinguished merits.
Logo picked a Blood Hound at random and led it along. After an inspection, he successfully entered the hunting ground with his spear-scythe.