At the start of the limit-breaking training session, Ai Xi had turned some heads, but everyone was busy with their own training, so they tended to turn their attention away after a brief look.
As time passed, the attention on Ai Xi increased gradually, because it would dash around the grounds every five minutes with all the strength it had. What that was most surprising was that there seemed to be no end to its stamina. It became the most attractive sight on the grounds because of that.
In the same period of time, Ai Xi had accomplished several times more training than the average demon. Being able to undergo such a large capacity of training would undoubtedly be very effective.
Seeing how Ai Xi sprinted with reckless abandon, on top of how its speed was visibly increasing, Li Jianren had a hunch.
He then started to take notice. Soon he discovered the reason.
In this world, there were plenty of items that could replenish stamina. The most common was the stamina potion. They could replenish a demon's stamina quickly.
However, even the most common stamina potion was expensive. Novice demon tamers did not have much money, so naturally they would not use stamina potions to replenish the vitality the demons lost during training. They would rather achieve the same goal by giving the demons breaks.
That further widened the gap between individuals. Ai Xi could replenish its stamina every five minutes and go on with its limit-breaking training and was improving noticeably. The other demon pets, meanwhile, needed to take long breaks after they reached their limits. The difference was magnified just like that.
Li Changsheng was not surprised by Li Jianren's uninvited arrival. The more outstanding he was, the more people would want to sabotage him. He was already prepared for the eventuality from the start.
"Does it concern you?"
Li Changsheng did not raise his head to look at the other man while he spoke; he was still "serving" Ai Xi demurely.
"Of course it does, because soon it will be mine!"
Li Jianren felt fury bubbling up inside him when Li Changsheng ignored him, but he pushed it down, forcing himself to stay calm.
He had possibly raised his voice deliberately. The people present were all demon tamers with excellent senses, so the scene naturally caught their attention.
They prepared themselves for some drama when they saw that Li Jianren was planning to teach Li Changsheng a lesson. The ones who particularly enjoyed gossip even inched closer.
Most demon tamers were attracted to conflicts.
At this moment, Ai Xi looked up abruptly and bared its sharp teeth at Li Jianren threateningly, seemingly displeased by Li Jianren's mouthiness, or perhaps it realized that Li Jianren was plotting after the Healing Spring. Its limbs tensed up, ready to strike at any time.
Anyone trying to steal its food was naturally its enemy.
Instinctively, Li Jianren took a step back when he noticed the threat. When he recovered his composure, his face turned pale for a moment before he blushed a blotchy red, feeling embarrassed.
"It's fine. He can't take that from you." Li Changsheng patted Ai Xi's head. The entire time, his expression had not changed a bit.
In order to prevent inter-clan fights and thus hurting the clan from the inside, the clan had set a list of clan rules targeting that. Altercations between clan members were severely prohibited. Those who broke the rule would be punished heavily.
This was a rule everyone in the clan had committed to their memories because those who did break the rule had been punished severely—the clan head of the last generation had lost his position for that very reason.
Although private altercations were prohibited, clan members could apply for a public standoff. This could increase the capabilities of the clan members and also resolve the feuds between them.
"Li Changsheng, are you willing to accept my challenge? If I win, you must give that dolium to me!"
Li Jianren restrained his anger. He could not break the rules, so his only choice was to issue a challenge to Li Changsheng.
Li Jianren challenging Li Changsheng excited the drama lovers among the clan. They egged on Li Changsheng, urging him to accept the challenge.
In this world, people were passionate about demon battles. They held various activities and competitions centered around these battles.
For the demon tamers, battles between demon pets were normal.
According to the clan rules, the challenged had the right to refuse, but in this world where the strong trampled over the weak, they would definitely be looked down on if they did. Their reputation might be tarnished just like that.
Of course, this was when both parties were on a similar level. If the difference between them was huge, no one would bat an eye if they refused a challenge.
"What if you lose?"
Li Changsheng did not fear Li Jianren's challenge, nor did he plan to refuse. He also wanted to see the results of Ai Xi's training. He was not someone who would just stand there and let himself be humiliated, so he instantly retorted.
According to the rules, both parties could make a wager, but the items involved could not have too big of a disparity in value. They also could not be too valuable.
"How about this?" Li Jianren appeared confident. He took out a light green streamer ribbon from his pocket.
"This is… The Wind Streamer!" Some clan members instantly recognized the object and its function.
Under the influence of the rules that governed this world, a special Inventory associated with a demon pet would materialize automatically after it signed a contract with a demon tamer. This Inventory could only store Treasures but not other items, so it was called a Treasure Inventory.
Without special conditions, a demon pet would only possess one Treasure Inventory and no more.
Treasures were made from special materials. They could increase a demon's battle strength to a certain degree. Their uses were varied. Some could increase battle strength, some were more supplementary, and some had special abilities.
Treasures were categorized into four ranks, according to their amplifications and benefits: Low, Medium, High, and Excellent. The higher the rank of a Treasure, the more potent their benefits were, and the more valuable they were.
The Wind Streamer, particularly, could amplify the power of Wind-type demons. It was a Wind-type Low-quality Treasure. If it was stored inside a Treasure Inventory, it could amplify the power of Wind-type skills.
Normally, a Low-quality Treasure could raise the power of a Wind-type skill by one-tenth of the original potency.
Treasures compatible with a demon could help them exhibit their strength. This Wind Streamer was very compatible with Ai Xi's attributes. It was the perfect item for Li Changsheng.
This Wind Streamer was more valuable than this dolium of Healing Spring.
No, half a dolium, to be precise, as Ai Xi had already drunk a lot of it.
"Li Changsheng, will you accept my challenge?"
Li Jianren appeared confident.
"Sure, I accept your challenge!"
As expected, Li Changsheng chose to battle.
"Wonderful. You're a true man. You got guts!"
At Li Changsheng's reply, Li Jianren looked assured, as though he believed he got this in the bag.
He was not stupid. Before he came to cause a commotion, he had observed Ai Xi's speed. It seemed to be slower than his Fire Wolf.
What a demon was capable of could be easily seen from its most defining skill. As a Wind-type demon, the White-fronted Tiger's biggest advantage was its speed. If even its speed was inferior to his Fire Wolf, its ability as a whole should be as well.
Unfortunately, Li Jianren's observations were not astute enough. He did not notice the shackles chained on Ai Xi's legs, and so he underestimated its speed.
At this moment, the Fire Wolf was staring at Ai Xi intently, eager to fight. Ai Xi was still drinking, head lowered, and did not notice its advance.
Soon, news that Li Jianren had challenged Li Changsheng had spread widely. As time passed, more and more clan members gathered at the scene voluntarily.