CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 52: STRANGE YOUNG BOY_1

Whenever something is out of the ordinary, a demon is surely at work!

Qin Feiyang scanned his surroundings, his gaze settling on a point down the street to his left. A burly man was there, hurrying alone down the street.

Pulling out Blue Snow, Qin Feiyang leaped down into the street. He ran silently up behind the man and pressed the point of Blue Snow against his back, whispering, "Don’t look back, don’t make a sound, or I’ll kill you on the spot!"

The burly man trembled, color draining from his face.

Qin Feiyang asked, "Answer me, where are the people of Black Bear City?"

The burly man answered, "They’ve all gone outside the city."

"All gone outside the city?"

Qin Feiyang frowned. "Why have they gone outside the city?"

"Today is the annual hunting competition. Everyone has gone to join in the excitement..." the burly man explained in detail. It turned out the hunting competition was jointly organized by the four major powers—the Martial Palace, Elixir Palace, Treasure Pavilion, and the City Lord’s Mansion—and was held every two years. As such, the hunting competition had essentially become a tradition in Black Bear City and a great opportunity for participants to make a name for themselves.

If one could perform exceptionally well in the hunting competition, they might catch the attention of these four major powers. Of course, substantial rewards were also guaranteed. However, there was one restriction: those at the Martial Ancestor realm or above could not participate. Only martial masters and Martial Artists below the Martial Ancestor realm could take part.

Having learned the situation, Qin Feiyang saw no reason to further trouble the burly man and slipped away stealthily. When the man cautiously turned to look, Qin Feiyang had already vanished without a trace.

Outside the city lay a vast plain. The area was currently teeming with people, their cheers thundering like an ovation.

At the foot of the city walls stood a wide, elevated platform, upon which fifteen figures were seated.

The City Lord, the Hall Master of the Martial Palace, the Hall Master of the Elixir Palace, and the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion—the four leading figures of Black Bear City—sat in the front row.

Behind them sat the Family Heads of Black Bear City’s various prominent families, led by the Mu, Jiang, and Ling Families.

On either side of the platform, a dozen or so guards clad in iron armor stood as straight as flagpoles, their sharp gazes sweeping across the surroundings to maintain order.

Below the platform, numerous young men and women stood in neat lines, all energetic and in high spirits. These were the promising members of Black Bear City’s younger generation. Among them were disciples from the prominent families and children from ordinary households; however, without exception, all were Martial Artists.

Although the hunting competition didn’t restrict ordinary people from participating, its location, Black Bear Mountain, teemed with ferocious beasts and wild animals. Any ordinary person who entered would undoubtedly die, so no one ordinary would be foolish enough to court death there.

After leaving the city, Qin Feiyang hid in a large, distant tree, using its dense foliage to conceal himself as he quietly observed the scene.

Suddenly, a guard bellowed, "The City Lord has an announcement! Everyone, please be quiet!"

The entire assembly immediately fell silent.

A middle-aged man from the front row stood up and walked to the edge of the platform. Qin Feiyang observed him. The man was over seven feet tall and wore splendid attire. He moved with a commanding gait, his eyes like torches, exuding an air of imposing authority.

"The annual hunting competition has begun once more.

"I know you’re all excited! Are you eager to set off for Black Bear Mountain immediately?

"But please, calm yourselves and listen to what I, your City Lord, have to say. For this year, the rewards are more generous than any previous year!

"After discussions among myself, the Hall Master of the Martial Palace, the Hall Master of the Elixir Palace, and the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, we have decided that the first-place winner will receive 1,000,000 Gold Coins.

"The second-place winner will receive 500,000 Gold Coins!

"The third-place winner will receive 200,000 Gold Coins!

"Those placing fourth through tenth will each receive 50,000 Gold Coins!

"Furthermore... the first-place winner will also receive an additional prize: a type of Elixir Fire!"

Before the City Lord could even finish, the crowd below erupted with excitement. Even Qin Feiyang felt his own heart ignite with fervor.

An Elixir Fire!

One million Gold Coins!

What did he need most right now?

Undoubtedly, it was Gold Coins and an Elixir Fire!

Although he currently had 200,000 Gold Coins saved, he would need far more in the future.

The Counter Curse Manual was the most demanding.

If the cost increased fourfold with each subsequent stroke, the fourth stroke alone would require 32,000 Qi Gathering Pills, let alone the fifth and sixth strokes!

All of this required money!

His mere 200,000 Gold Coins were nowhere near enough.

As for Elixir Fire, it was an essential component for pill refining.

Every type of Elixir Fire was extremely precious.

Even the most common kind was highly sought after.

However, Elixir Fire was primarily controlled by the Elixir Palace. Without joining them, acquiring an Elixir Fire was harder than scaling the heavens.

Moreover, whenever an Elixir Fire appeared, powerful experts would fight madly for it. With his current strength, how could he possibly compete against them?

Therefore, he absolutely had to participate in this hunting competition!

He had to get that Elixir Fire!

After the City Lord finished speaking, he returned to his seat and began a quiet discussion with the three other major leaders beside him.

The guard who had spoken earlier addressed the crowd loudly again, "The City Lord has announced the rewards. Now, I ask once more: is there anyone else who wishes to participate in the hunting competition? If so, please come forward quickly to register!"

"I want to participate!" Qin Feiyang shouted without hesitation, leaping down from the tree and running straight for the platform.

"It’s Jian Haotian!"

"He really is still in Black Bear City!"

In an instant, all eyes landed on Qin Feiyang.

Someone in the crowd roared, "He’s worth 100,000 Gold Coins! Everyone, surround him! Don’t let him escape again!"

Thousands of people, as if on stimulants, rushed to surround Qin Feiyang.

Seeing this onslaught, Qin Feiyang couldn’t help but curse aloud, "Damn it!" He quickly turned and bolted.

The Elixir Fire and Gold Coins were important, but these people were far more terrifying.

If he were surrounded, he would likely be torn limb from limb!

Just then, a commanding voice declared, "The bounty is now canceled! Everyone, halt!"

Luo Xiong rose to his feet, his powerful aura flaring out to envelop the entire area. Anyone enveloped by this aura felt as if they had been plunged into a ten-thousand-year icehouse, a chill seizing their bodies and forcing them to instinctively halt.

Qin Feiyang glanced back at Luo Xiong, considered for a moment, then turned and headed towards the platform. The crowd automatically parted for him. The numerous suspicious gazes made him very uncomfortable.

As he walked past Mu Fei, a cold glint flashed in Mu Fei’s eyes. He murmured, "Jian Haotian, you actually dare to show your face! Once we’re on Black Bear Mountain, I’ll be the first to cripple you!"

Qin Feiyang ignored him.

As he passed Jiang Wei, Jiang Wei also remarked meaningfully, "A lot can change in a month. This time, you’re dead for sure."

Qin Feiyang still paid him no mind.

As he walked past a youth in purple robes, these words reached his ears: "Jian Haotian, your reputation precedes you, but meeting you in person reveals you’re truly unique. However, the hunting competition isn’t child’s play; you could lose your life at any moment. You’d better be careful."

Qin Feiyang paused briefly and looked at the purple-robed youth. The youth was about fifteen or sixteen, with delicate features, snow-white skin, and sky-blue eyes and long hair. Overall, he had a strikingly unusual, almost fey appearance. One might say he was even more beautiful than many attractive women. If not for his Adam’s apple, many would have mistaken him for a woman at first glance. However, in those sky-blue eyes, Qin Feiyang detected a glint of shrewdness. This was enough to show that the youth was not effeminate.

"Thank you for the reminder, friend." Qin Feiyang smiled, then turned and walked to the foot of the platform. He cupped his hands respectfully and said, "Junior Jian Haotian greets all seniors."

The dozen or so figures on the platform curiously sized him up.

Suddenly, Luo Xiong’s lips quirked into a smirk. A playful, triumphant look in his eyes, he said, "Well, kid, you finally decided to show yourself!"

Qin Feiyang frowned.

He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he seemed to detect an undercurrent of conspiracy in Luo Xiong’s words.

Luo Xiong didn’t waste any more words. Returning to his seat, he instructed the guards beside him to distribute the tokens.

A dozen or so guards took out their Qiankun Bags and poured out a large pile of tokens, stacking them at the edge of the platform.

"One token per person, no snatching!" one of the guards declared emotionlessly.

Standing at the very front, Qin Feiyang was the first to receive a token and began to study it carefully.

But suddenly, two hands shot out and shoved him hard. Caught off guard, Qin Feiyang stumbled and crashed towards the platform, his nose instantly gushing blood from the impact.

"Haven’t you ever heard the saying, ’A good dog doesn’t block the path’?"

"Since you have your token, scram! Don’t block everyone’s way."

Simultaneously, two taunting voices reached his ears.

Instantly, a raging fury surged in Qin Feiyang’s heart. He spun around to see Mu Fei and Jiang Wei, arms crossed, looking at him mockingly.

"What, you got a problem with that?"

"Are you trying to provoke public anger? Will you only be satisfied then?"

The two of them sneered openly.

"Jian Haotian, if you don’t get out of the way, don’t blame us for throwing you out."

The group of youths behind them also glared at Qin Feiyang with displeasure.

Qin Feiyang swept his gaze over them and silently stepped aside.

However, deep within his eyes, a chilling, murderous glint flashed!

Once, twice, for Lo Qingzhu’s sake, he could endure it.

But a third or fourth time? Then they shouldn’t blame him for being ruthless!

Nearby, the fey youth in purple robes glanced at Qin Feiyang, then swept his gaze over Jiang Wei and the others. A flicker of ridicule crossed his eyes as he muttered, "Truly a bunch of idiots."

Less than an hour later, all participants had received a token.

The dozen or so guards conferred for a moment. Then, one of them approached the four leading figures, bowed, and reported, "The total number of participants for this event is three thousand two hundred. We await your orders, sirs!"

"Let it begin!" Luo Xiong said with a smile.

The guard turned, scanned the assembled participants, and bellowed, "Same rules as always! Ten-day limit! Depart immediately!"

"Go!" The crowd instantly scattered, surging towards the mountain range behind them.

Qin Feiyang also turned and blended into the crowd heading for the mountains, his gaze remaining fixed on the token. The token was palm-sized and entirely black, with no writing or discernible patterns. It looked quite ordinary.

But this token surely held some meaning.

What could it be?

Just then, the fey youth in purple robes noticed Qin Feiyang’s preoccupation. A keen light flashed in his eyes as he approached Qin Feiyang and said, "You don’t even know the token’s purpose? You must not be from Black Bear City, and this must be your first time in the hunting competition, am I right?"