Ling Tian turned around and began to walk away, but then he heard a noise.
It was a soft sound like the snap of a wooden stick underfoot, but it made him stop in his tracks.
He listened carefully, but this time there was nothing to hear.
"Maybe I just imagined it," he thought.
He resumed walking, but an unsettling feeling lingered. Ling Tian couldn't shake off the sensation that someone was watching him.
He kept glancing behind him, but there was nothing to see.
It sent a chill down his spine, and he looked over his shoulder, desperately searching for any signs of the mysterious observer.
Yet there was nothing but the vast expanse of the forest, serene and undisturbed.
Despite his unease, Ling Tian tried to push aside his worries and resolve to continue his journey.
Ling Tian tried to ignore the feeling and continued on his way. He knew he couldn't waste any time.
He needed to rest and treat his wounds, and then he would keep hunting. He was determined to be the first.
As he left the area and disappeared into the forest, a mysterious figure hid behind a tree and let out a relieved sigh.
The figure approached the spot where Ling Tian had just fought the snow lynx.
The snow was now stained with blood, a deep crimson that contrasted sharply with the pristine white of the landscape.
The blood was everywhere, splattered across the ground, soaking into the snow.
The head of the snow lynx was severed from its body and lay a few meters away, its eyes still open and its fur matted with blood.
The mysterious figure approached the head and knelt down to examine it.
The fur on the head was a beautiful shade of white, with black markings around the eyes and ears. The eyes were still open, but they were glazed over and lifeless.
The mouth was open in a silent scream, and the teeth were stained with blood.
The figure was a person dressed in black, like an assassin, with their face covered.
Only their eyes were visible, flickering with shock and amazement.
The person removed the cover from their face and muttered, "Tsk, what a strong bastard! Still, I can't believe what I just witnessed."
The person was Mo Xuan, the same middle-aged man who had been ordered by the grand elder to eliminate Ling Tian.
However, as he stood amidst the aftermath of Ling Tian's battle, doubt began to creep into Mo Xuan's mind.
Ling Tian's display of strength and resilience surpassed his expectations.
Mo Xuan couldn't help but wonder what hidden power lay dormant within Ling Tian, waiting to be unleashed in the future.
For a brief moment, he entertained the thought that Ling Tian could be a valuable asset to the clan, but he quickly dismissed it.
"What am I thinking? That useless person could never have a promising future," he scolded himself harshly.
"How could I forget that he has been stuck at the third level of body tempering for over six months? He has no talent whatsoever!"
Mo Xuan's eyes narrowed as he clenched his fists tightly. He knew what he had to do.
With a cold smile, Mo Xuan turned and vanished into the shadows.
**Divisions in zone
The moonlit forest was not only vast and immense, but its zones were equally expansive. Even the area designated for Tier 1 beasts surpassed the size of Chang'an City, one of the three major cities within the Yueming Kingdom.
To manage and protect the participants in such a massive expanse, the clan had divided each zone into numerous parts, with a dedicated supervisor guarding each one.
The Tier 1 zone was further subdivided into a staggering 70 parts, with each section carefully monitored by a Qi-gathering cultivator from the previous generation of the clan.
Likewise, the Tier 2 zone was divided into over 200 parts, a testament to the sheer magnitude of the area.
Many martial disciples and some Martial warriors were stationed along the boundary between the Tier 2 and Tier 3 beast zones, where the danger escalated significantly.
Their presence served as a line of defense against the more formidable and savage creatures that lurked deeper within the forest.
This meticulous division and allocation of guardians allowed the clan to effectively manage and safeguard the Participants, ensuring that the hunting contest and the cultivators within it could proceed under a measure of control and security.
**Protector Chilling( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)**
Mo Xuan, utilizing his skills as a martial disciple, stealthily made his way toward the protector assigned to Ling Tian's section of the Tier 1 zone.
With practiced finesse, he moved soundlessly through the dense forest, his presence concealed from the unsuspecting guard.
The protector, a Qi-gathering cultivator, remained oblivious to the danger lurking in the shadows.
Being a skilled martial disciple, he can easily conceal his presence from a Qi-gathering cultivator.
Mo Xuan discreetly approached the unsuspecting protector, knowing that a direct confrontation was unnecessary.
With careful precision, Mo Xuan mixed a potent sleeping drug known as "Slumberleaf Potion" into the protector's wine.
This drug was concocted using a rare herb called Slumbertwig Leaf known for its sedative properties, and was created to induce a deep slumber, rendering the protector helpless and vulnerable.
With the task accomplished, Mo Xuan silently observed as the unsuspecting protector unknowingly consumed the drugged wine.
Gradually, the effects of the sleeping drug took hold, and the protector's eyelids grew heavy.
Overwhelmed by drowsiness, he succumbed to a deep and dreamless sleep, completely unaware of the imminent danger that lay ahead.
Mo Xuan, satisfied with the success of his scheme, faded back into the shadows, his presence undetectable.
He knew that his actions had paved the way for his next move, setting in motion a chain of events that would soon unfold in the moonlit forest.
*An hour later
Mo Xuan had ventured deeper into the moonlit forest, reaching the area where second-tier beasts roamed.
This was the zone designated for the hunting contest of Qi-gathering cultivators.
He was in charge of watching over this part of the 2nd Tier zone, guarding both the body-tampering and Qi-gathering cultivators from the danger of high-tier beasts.
As he roamed, It didn't take long for him to spot a second-tier wild beast—a Moonshadow wolf with piercing green eyes.
Its sleek black fur shimmered under the moonlight, and its sharp teeth glistened.
The wolf stood tall and formidable, exuding a sense of power and danger.
Sensing Mo Xuan's presence, the beast became alert, recognizing him as a stronger enemy.
Mo Xuan let out a hysterical laugh, his voice filled with mockery. as he spoke,
"Well, well, what do we have here? A little wolf, Anyway, you will do fine Hahahaha...
"In response to Mo Xuan's evil laugh, the beast let out a low, menacing roar,
its growl vibrating through the air, challenging Mo Xuan's arrogance
and its attempts to appear strong or courageous, betraying its underlying fear.
"You think you can stand against me? How amusing!" He sneered at the wolf.
With a burst of confidence, he launched an attack, aiming to strike the wolf.
However, his blow missed its mark, landing near a massive boulder about ten meters away. The impact shattered the boulder into countless pieces, scattering them across the forest floor.
Terrified, the wolf realized the peril it faced and immediately fled for its life.
It sprinted in the opposite direction, leading to the area inhabited by Tier One beasts, desperate to escape from Mo Xuan's relentless pursuit.
Unbeknownst to the wolf, this was the same direction where Ling Tian had taken refuge.
Meanwhile, Ling Tian, weary from his battle and wounded, had been searching for a place to spend the night and tend to his injuries.
Finally, he discovered a secluded spot tucked away in the forest. It was a small clearing surrounded by towering trees, offering a sense of safety and tranquility.
The ground was carpeted with moss, providing a soft and comfortable resting place.
Ling Tian carefully settled himself in this hidden sanctuary, taking a moment to examine his wounds.
He tore a strip of cloth from his tattered robes and skillfully bandaged his injuries.....
*Back To The Moonshadow Wolf
As the wolf entered the territory of the Tier One common beasts, a ripple of fear swept through the area.
The common beasts sensed the predator's presence and swiftly retreated into their hiding spots, their bodies quivering with trepidation.
They knew better than to challenge a creature of higher rank.
Somewhere in the same part of the zone, a young boy in his teens engaged in a fierce battle with a 9th-level common beast, a ferocious lizard known as the "Blazing Scale Lizard."
The boy displayed remarkable skill, matching the lizard blow for blow.
Their movements were agile and precise as they exchanged attacks, each struggling to gain the upper hand.
However, amidst their intense duel, a bone-chilling roar echoed through the forest.
The sound reverberated with a menacing power, causing both the lizard and the young man to freeze in their tracks.
Fear filled the lizard's eyes as it swiftly disengaged from the fight, realizing the impending danger. It darted away, its scaly body blending into the shadows.
The young man, initially taken aback, quickly understood the gravity of the situation.
A high-ranking beast had trespassed into the territory of the common beasts, which explained the lizard's hasty retreat.
Realizing the imminent threat, he too left the area, searching for a place to hide.
As he hurried away, he muttered curses towards the protectors responsible for guarding this part of the zone.
Similar scenes played out throughout this part of the Tier 1 zone, where participants of the hunting contest were embroiled in fierce battles.
In one instance, a young girl named Ling Yue found herself at the mercy of a wild boar, its menacing tusks poised to strike.
However, upon hearing the resounding roar of the approaching 2nd Tier beasts, the boar relinquished its pursuit and hastily retreated, tail tucked between its legs.
Ling Yue let out a sigh of relief, but her fair face bore, mingled with a fit of fiery anger.
Ling Yue, the daughter of Ling Tian's first uncle, possessed remarkable strength at just 15 years old. Famously known as "The Phoenix of the Clan".
Ling Yue, the "Phoenix of the Clan," was a young woman of extraordinary beauty and talent.
She possessed a slender and graceful figure, long ebony hair, and eyes like pools of liquid amber that radiated warmth and intensity.
However, there was also a hint of aloofness and arrogance in her gaze, reflecting her unwavering self-assurance and acknowledgment of her extraordinary abilities.
Already in the 8th layer of body tempering, she fought the formidable boar for a grueling half-hour, a feat that will astonish all who witnessed it.
Determined and courageous, she swiftly rose to her feet and dashed towards a hiding place, knowing the importance of concealment in the vast and expansive moonlight forest.
*On Ling Tian's side
He had just finished treating his wounds using the medicinal herbs he had brought from the clan before venturing into the forest.
Being a junior in the body tempering realm, he was allowed to carry these herbs, unlike the Qi gathering cultivators who had to rely solely on what they could find in the jungle.
Ling Clan members were trained in survival skills and the use of medicinal herbs for treating injuries.
Finding a variety of herbs in the forest, Ling Tian skillfully prepared a healing ointment and gently applied it to his wounds.
Taking a moment to relax, he settled down for a brief nap, cautious not to fall into a deep sleep as it could be perilous in the unpredictable forest.
However, his tranquility was shattered by a bone-chilling roar that reverberated through the air, startling him awake.
Ling Tian cursed under his breath, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and Dread.
"Fu*k, what the hell was that....?"
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[Author Note]
Dear Readers,
I apologize for the mistakes I made in previous chapters. I will look into them and clarify them as soon as I have the time.
Tier is the major realm, and levels are used for the 9 sub-divisions in each realm for beasts.
I have also changed the word from the area of moonlit forest to the zone.
If you find any other mistakes, please mention them so I can correct them.
Thank you for your support!
Please vote for the novel by giving it power stones...*