The treasured beast was formidable. Although Ye Feng and his companions held the upper hand, they refrained from pressing their advantage too hard, aiming to minimize casualties. They engaged in a slow battle of attrition with the beast, carefully depleting its strength before launching a decisive, devastating strike.
The beast roared in a frenzy, its power significantly amplified. Yet, having exhausted much of its energy, this madness came too late; even in its desperation, it managed only to inflict minor injuries upon Ye Ba.
Ultimately, Ye Feng delivered a powerful downward strike, severing the beast's head.
"Captain is mighty!"
The members of the hunting team cheered in unison, their faces alight with excitement and exhilaration. This was a treasured beast—rarely seen in decades. The value of this single creature alone made their efforts worthwhile.
"Brothers, gather the beast's carcass! Let's take a moment to rest and have a bite to eat. We'll set off again in an hour!" Ye Feng commanded, a broad smile breaking through his typically stoic demeanor.
The beast's worth was immeasurable—a treasure that money could not buy.
The hunting team members obeyed, beginning to set up defenses before taking out dried meat to eat.
Ye Feng, having expended considerable energy, sat down to meditate and recover after issuing his orders. The other warriors who had participated in the battle, all at level eight, followed suit. The remaining members focused on defense.
"Uncle Ba, are you alright?" Ye Tian asked, offering a piece of dried meat to Ye Ba, who had been injured in the earlier battle, while Ye Meng tended to his wounds.
Hearing Ye Tian's words, Ye Ba laughed heartily. "I'm fine—just a minor injury. What man goes through life without a few scrapes? I've grown accustomed to it. So, how does life in the hunting team feel?"
"It's alright, but I haven't had a chance to make a move. I'm feeling a bit restless!" Ye Tian replied with a grin.
"Ha ha…"
Ye Ba laughed heartily at this.
After finishing the bandaging, Ye Meng sat down and playfully ruffled Ye Tian's hair, scolding him with a smile. "Feeling restless, are we? Do you really think you could have taken down that beast? Even your father couldn't take a shot at it, and you're complaining about itching to fight."
Ye Tian's face turned red with embarrassment.
"Alright, remember how we felt the first time we joined the hunting team? If we encounter a beast comparable to your level, we'll let you have a go. With us around, you'll be safe." Ye Ba waved his hand dismissively.
"Thank you, Uncle Ba!" Ye Tian grinned in response.
An hour later, Ye Feng opened his eyes and called out coldly, "Let's move out!"
The hunting team members swiftly gathered their belongings, their expressions serious as they pressed onward.
As they delved deeper, they encountered several fierce beasts, reaping substantial rewards. Ye Tian seized the opportunity to engage a few times, facing off against level two and three beasts. They would never allow him to confront a creature of higher level, which left him feeling somewhat frustrated.
"Ye Tian! A level three rampaging bull! Come quickly!"
Just as Ye Tian was feeling vexed, a fellow team member called out from ahead.
Level three?
Were they seriously asking a level six warrior to take on a level three beast? This was tantamount to bullying—ahem, rather, bullying a beast!
Sullenly, Ye Tian approached, only to see a yellow rampaging bull charging toward him, its sharp horns looking menacing. The other team members couldn't help but shout, "Ye Tian, watch out for its horns!"
"Watch out for what?"
Ye Tian, feeling increasingly annoyed, could no longer afford to conceal his true strength. With a flash of blood-red light, he swung his blade downward, effortlessly cleaving the rampaging bull in two.
Instantly, silence enveloped the area, as the hunting team members stood in shock.
Though the rampaging bull was only a level three beast, its combat prowess was comparable to that of an early-level four warrior. They had not anticipated that Ye Tian would annihilate it with a single strike.
All eyes turned to Ye Tian in astonishment.
Ye Tian shrugged his shoulders, exasperated. "Next time, save me a level five beast; the level threes are hardly challenging enough!"
Ye Ba, Ye Meng, and the others were rendered speechless.
Ye Feng, recovering from his shock, directly inquired, "What is your true strength, kid?"
"I'm indeed a level four warrior, but my Thunder Palm technique has reached perfection, granting me the power of a level five warrior," Ye Tian replied matter-of-factly.
"Alright, next time we'll let you handle a level five beast!" Ye Feng, a bit stunned, nodded in agreement with Ye Tian's request.
Amidst a chorus of admiration and laughter, the Ye family's hunting team continued their journey.
Before long, they encountered a level five beast—a howling moon wolf.
After testing the waters, Ye Feng determined that the howling moon wolf was indeed at level five and promptly summoned Ye Tian. "Here you go; this wolf is your quarry!"
Ye Tian charged forward, brimming with enthusiasm.
"Go for it! Don't let your father down!" Ye Meng laughed heartily.
"Charge forth, young man, and deliver us a thrilling showdown!" The other members of the hunting team joined in the raucous encouragement, their laughter echoing, which only served to irk Ye Tian.
Level five?
Had he not been concealing his strength, he could have dispatched this howling moon wolf with a single blow.
With a sigh of resignation, Ye Tian suppressed his power to level five and swung his blade toward the oncoming wolf.
Clang!
Ye Tian's blood-red blade collided with the wolf's sharp claws, sending a flash of cold light through the air. The howling moon wolf opened its wide maw and lunged at him.
"Impressive! Too bad you crossed paths with me!" Ye Tian marveled, then flipped his blade, its chilling radiance poised to pierce the wolf's throat.
"Excellent!"
"Such remarkable swordsmanship!"
The members of the beast-hunting team were captivated, their eyes sparkling with admiration. Even Ye Meng and Ye Ba couldn't help but express their astonishment.
"Has Ye Tian studied sword techniques?" Ye Feng turned to Ye Meng, his gaze penetrating. Although he was unsure of the exact sword style Ye Tian had employed, every stroke was a lethal strike, undeniably impressive.
"I'm not sure; I've never seen him wield a sword before!" Ye Meng shook his head, perplexed, having never witnessed Ye Tian in action.
"Perhaps an elder from the Martial Arts Pavilion taught him. I've noticed him visiting there frequently," Ye Ba suggested.
Ye Feng and Ye Meng nodded in agreement, considering it a possibility, though they thought little of it.
Unbeknownst to them, Ye Tian had acquired this military sword technique during his previous life as a special forces soldier.
As a warrior, particularly a super soldier like those in the special forces, the primary purpose of mastering combat skills was to kill.
Thus, military sword techniques eschew any embellishments or fancy maneuvers, focusing instead on striking the enemy's vital points, each slash designed to be fatal.
Ye Tian, an exceptional special forces operative, had grasped the essence of this technique and was now showcasing it in this strange world.
The Howling Moon Wolf was formidable, yet its strength only served to highlight the prowess of Ye Tian's swordsmanship, each blow aimed at the creature's critical points.
Before long, the Howling Moon Wolf began to tire significantly, and in a moment of negligence, it fell victim to Ye Tian's lethal strike, meeting its demise beneath his blade.
Silence enveloped the scene!
Then, resounding applause erupted, accompanied by excited cheers.
"Bravo!"
"Fantastic!"
"That was truly spectacular!"
Each member of the beast-hunting team displayed awe, clapping and cheering, making Ye Tian feel as though he were attending a concert of some celebrity.
"Impressive! I never expected you to have mastered such a powerful sword technique. With a yellow martial spirit, it's no wonder your cultivation progresses so rapidly; even your talent in martial arts is extraordinary!" Ye Feng approached, his face brimming with admiration.
"Uncle Feng, I want to challenge a Level Six beast!" Ye Tian smiled and made his request.
"No way!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Ye Feng flatly refused, his voice stern: "Don't let the defeat of one Howling Moon Wolf inflate your ego. A Level Six beast is comparable to a Level Seven warrior; no matter how skilled your sword technique, you wouldn't stand a chance. I'm telling you, the path of a warrior requires steady progression. You have tremendous talent, but do not let pride cloud your judgment!"
Listening to Ye Feng's admonition, Ye Tian felt speechless.
At that moment—
A rumbling sound shook the ground, akin to an army of thousands charging forth, the earth trembling beneath them, as ominous wolf howls echoed from the distant woods.
"Aw~~ Aw~~" The furious roars, accompanied by frenzied howls, caused Ye Feng and the beast-hunting team members to change their expressions; the menacing aura signaled an encounter with a pack of wolves.
Ye Tian's expression also shifted as he recalled Ye Meng's words: a single beast is not frightening, but a pack of beasts is truly terrifying!
In the wilderness, encountering a pack of wolves poses the greatest danger; wolves are inherently frenzied creatures that live in packs, often numbering in the hundreds or even thousands, making even Level Ten beasts steer clear.
"It's a pack of wolves!" Ye Ba exclaimed sharply, his face betraying his anxiety.
"How could we encounter a pack of wolves? We haven't ventured far; this doesn't seem to be their territory!" Ye Meng's expression mirrored his concern, though confusion flickered in his eyes.
Generations of hunting had equipped the ancestors of Ye Family Village with extensive knowledge about which areas to avoid, understanding where to hunt and where not to tread.
Wolves, like this, would not typically ravage this territory, allowing the beast-hunting team to hunt here without trepidation.
But now—
Ye Feng's gaze sharpened as he suddenly spotted a tuft of golden fur beneath the neck of the slain Howling Moon Wolf, his face turning pale with alarm: "This isn't just a Howling Moon Wolf; it's a Howling Moon Golden Wolf, the cub of a wolf king! We've killed it, and the pack is coming for us!"
Everyone's expression shifted; if they had merely crossed paths, it might have been manageable, but it was evident the wolves were coming for revenge, making a fierce battle unavoidable.
In this moment, Ye Feng appeared remarkably composed. He swiftly organized a defense and instructed Ye Ba and Ye Meng, "You two protect Ye Tian and ensure his escape. Remember, he must not come to harm!"
"Uncle Feng!" Ye Tian exclaimed, panic rising within him.
But no one paid him any heed!
The other members of the beast-hunting team did not question Ye Feng's orders.
Ye Meng opened his mouth to say something but ultimately remained silent. Ye Ba nodded gravely, saying, "Captain, rest assured. Even if I perish, I won't let anything happen to Ye Tian. You all must hold your ground; I will rush to bring back the village chief for assistance."
"Alright!"
Ye Feng nodded and resumed his preparations for defense.
Though reluctant, Ye Tian was ultimately forcibly led away by Ye Ba and Ye Meng.
"Uncle Feng!"
Watching the towering figure growing fainter, Ye Tian felt his eyes moisten, and a roar of fury escaped his throat.