In the deep mountains and old forests, the morning light was clear, and insects and birds chirping could be heard from time to time.
The men of Tiger Hunting Village were either lying down or sleeping. Many of them were injured, and their clothes were ragged like beggars. Only a few people with strong blood Qi were patrolling the periphery, alert for danger.
On a flat open space, Jiang Ming was practicing the Leather Tiger Bone Technique. The friction with the air made a whistling sound, and from time to time, a surging aura broke out.
A few days ago, Fang Lie had completely sensed his blood Qi. One morning after entering the mountains, Jiang Ming had "improved" while practicing his fist techniques. From time to time, he began to sense the dense blood Qi.
"You're not messing around at all." Guan Feng carried a big bow on his back, walked to Jiang Ming, and smiled.
Jiang Ming retracted his fist and looked around. "I've always been in the mountains and forests, so I might have gotten used to it. Besides, it's getting messier and messier. Only by practicing my combat skills can I face danger better. However, I never knew that the depths of Great Cloud City's Cloudy Dream Mountain Forest could be so dangerous."
As he spoke, Jiang Ming's face was also cautious. When he was a herb gatherer in the past, the range of his activities had never been so deep. The wild beasts he encountered were also within his scope of dealing with. But this time, the mountain forest was completely different.
It had been five days since Guan Feng had brought this group of newcomers into the forest. Despite being full of confidence, they had suffered a huge blow in the past few days.
The deeper they went into the forest, the more terrifying the wild beasts they encountered.
On the first day, they were still able to kill a few wild deer happily. On the second day, they were ambushed by a pack of wolves, and Zhao Xiaoliu and the rest of the newbies were injured.
Yesterday, a thick-skinned black bear had charged into the crowd and killed two newbies. In the end, it was Guan Feng who had to shoot an arrow into the bear's heart before it was killed.
"No one knows how big the Cloudy Dream Mountain Forest is," Guan Feng sighed before he continued, "The wild beasts here are even more brutal. Some of them have eaten exotic flowers and rare herbs. It's not difficult for them to bite martial artists to death. Of course, that's why Tiger Hunting Village entered the place to make a living. Otherwise, how could we feed hundreds of people by killing ordinary wild beasts?"
Jiang Ming's heart moved. He remembered this mountain forest. "It's not simple to find a place that can make wild beasts mutate. Maybe there's some supernatural power, maybe it's related to immortal cultivation, or maybe it's a place that can make wild beasts mutate," he thought to himself.
When he becomes stronger in the future, he might even want to come and explore the place fully.
"Are you willing to settle down in Tiger Hunting Village?" Guan Feng suddenly asked.
Jiang Ming was stunned. Whether it was the newcomers or the seniors who had been in the village for decades, they could only be considered employees of Tiger Hunting Village.
Settling down meant becoming a real part of Tiger Hunting Village and being the owner of Tiger Hunting Village. The rights and resources the owner had were completely different from those of the workers like Jiang Ming.
However, it was not easy to settle down in Tiger Hunting Village. At the very least, he had to become a third-class martial artist like Peng Lu.
However, the strength that Jiang Ming displayed today was only that of sensing blood Qi. Could it be that Guan Feng had seen through his true strength?
Jiang Ming shook his head secretly. Of course not. Unless a martial artist stimulated his own blood Qi, it would be difficult for a first-class martial artist to see the background of others.
However, Jiang Ming had been with the people from Tiger Hunting Village for a month. He knew that they were a group of men who seemed rough but were sentimental. Guan Feng had treated him well, so he did not want to lie.
Thinking of this, Jiang Ming raised his head and said frankly, "I don't want to lie to Master Guan, but I only had one purpose when I first came to Tiger Hunting Village, and that was to learn martial arts and become stronger. When I was in Tiger Hunting Village, I would naturally do my best and not slack off. But my ambition is not in Tiger Hunting Village, nor is it in this place. Whether I'm a herb gatherer or a martial arts apprentice, there's no difference to me. They're just experiences on my way to growth."
Jiang Ming was like a frivolous teenager, but these were indeed his true thoughts. For him, how could he spend his immortality in Tiger Hunting Village? However, this was not something that outsiders could know.
Guan Feng clicked his tongue in wonder, "Do you know how much the elders in the village are willing to fight for a place to settle down? The world is not as romantic as you think. With your strength, you'll only die if you go out and make a living. It's not as safe as joining the Tiger Hunting Village."
Jiang Ming laughed freely. "Master Guan, you taught me on the first day that I should press forward with the momentum of a tiger. Why are you talking about stability now? Is it because you have stayed in the village for too long that the tiger's momentum has been worn out?"
Guan Feng was stunned for a moment before he burst out laughing. "Good, as expected of the young man I admire, you're both smart and arrogant! Don't worry, just stay in the village and learn martial arts. As long as it's something I know, I can teach it to you! If you become rich one day and the Tiger Hunting Village is in trouble, don't forget to give me a hand," Guan Feng joked.
"Yes!" Jiang Ming nodded seriously. "I will!"
Many of the newbies had been exhausted over the past few days and were in a deep sleep. At this time, they were woken up by Guan Feng's loud voice. Just as they were about to curse at the man, they shut their mouths after seeing who it was.
Peng Lu brought a few people over and said in a solemn voice, "Boss, I've already scattered the tiger luring powder!"
"Alright, this trial ends here!" Guan Feng grinned and said, "Take these newbies with you and carry the prey to Peace Town. There will be people waiting for you there. Whoever wants to leave after returning to the village will get a hundred copper coins as a leaving gift. The rest of you must follow me deeper into the village."
"We can finally leave the mountain?" Zhao Xiaoliu clutched at his injured arm and cried out.
Many people heaved a sigh of relief, and a few people's eyes even flickered with fear, not wanting to enter the mountain again.
Guan Feng saw all these people and shook his head in disdain. He turned around and walked deeper into the forest.
Peng Lu directed these newbies to carry the roosters, hares, and other prey. He himself, on the other hand, gave a light shout and directly carried the black bear that was as tall as two people on his back, walking down the mountain with quick steps.
"As expected of a third-class martial artist." Fang Lie carried a bunch of roosters and a deer on his shoulder. "I wonder when I will be able to cultivate the blood Qi and become a martial artist."
Jiang Ming was dragging a wild boar and asked curiously, "Since when did the village have a stronghold in Peace Town?"
Fang Lie scratched his head and said, "I heard that all the major forces in the city are building a large number of branches in Peace Town. Our village should have participated in it, right?"
Jiang Ming nodded. He thought of Ah Fei, Old Jiang, and the others. It would be good to go back and have a look.
They reached Peace Town.
The familiar minor official still stood at the entrance of the town, collecting protection fees from every herb gatherer who returned to the town.
However, when he saw Peng Lu, who was carrying a black bear and walking as if he was flying, and also saw the group of burly men behind him, the frivolous and arrogant expression on his face instantly changed into flattery and humility.
"You must be the heroes from Tiger Hunting Village. This way, please. Your village's stronghold is in the best place in the center of the town."
Although he was a government official, he was just a small official without any rank. Compared to the martial artists of Tiger Hunting Village, he was nothing.
When Jiang Ming walked past him and exchanged a glance with him, the official was stunned, and panic flashed in his eyes.
"Long time no see, haha!" Jiang Ming laughed.
The minor official revealed a smile that was uglier than crying. "Ming, so you've joined Tiger Hunting Village. I've offended you in the past; please forgive me."
As he spoke, he quickly took out a bunch of copper coins from his pocket and wanted to hand it to Jiang Ming.
"Keep it for yourself." Jiang Ming shook his head and left.
The person who used to act like a tyrant was now bowing down to him. There was no point in arguing with such a person.