"Yuan Ming, Wu Bao, step forward," Elder Hu Huo commanded without hesitation.

Wu Bao was the first to leave the row, with a proud expression on his face.

Yuan Ming, however, frowned and followed a step behind, displaying a noticeably different attitude.

The rest of the Fur Beast Slaves, seeing this, were full of envy and lamented amongst themselves.

"You have been chosen; set off immediately," Elder Hu Huo instructed.

"Thank you," Chen Wan, the lady in red, said with a fist salute in gratitude.

The other three also bid farewell and then led Yuan Ming and Wu Bao off in the direction of the Ten Thousand Mountains.

"During this time, you must continue to hunt, and if you encounter a Registered Disciple, you are not to resist their call. Those who disobey the order... I trust you will not disobey," Elder Hu Huo added before dismissing everyone.

...

The several Registered Disciples walked ahead briskly, with Yuan Ming and Wu Bao following hurriedly behind, more like attendants than guides.

However, once the group passed through the gorge and officially entered the territory where Fierce Beasts roamed, they stopped.

Chen Wan took out a Beast Skin map from her bosom, spread it on a rock, and summoned Yuan Ming and Wu Bao. She asked, "Which one of you has been to this place?"

Her slender, fair fingers were pointing to a basin deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains.

After looking carefully for a moment, a confused expression appeared in Wu Bao's eyes.

These Fur Beast Slaves simply wandered wherever they were taken, only remembering enough to make their way back, so maps were of little use to them.

It was Yuan Ming who was frowning deeply, scrutinizing the map with a thoughtful look.

"Do you understand it?" Chen Wan inquired.

Wu Bao looked embarrassed and could only shake his head, but seeing Yuan Ming's demeanor, he cursed inwardly, "What are you trying to play at?"

"Chen Wan, I brought them just to fulfill a task. You really expect them to be of any help?" Kun Tu said with a self-satisfied smile, shaking his head.

"We are currently at the entrance of the gorge, which is here. The farthest I've been is the Purple Bamboo Forest, which is at least a two-day walk from the place you're asking about." No sooner had he finished speaking than Yuan Ming's voice rang out.

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Upon hearing this, Chen Wan, who had lost hope, lit up and continued, "How long would it take to get to the Purple Bamboo Forest from here?"

"If we avoid most of the Fierce Beasts and try not to delay the journey by fighting, we can get there in five days," Yuan Ming said.

As he spoke, he looked up and averted his gaze, only to see the Refining Furnace Hall Disciple named Ba Da, stealing glances at Chen Wan's shapely legs.

While appearing shy, this fellow was far from honest.

Despite Yuan Ming's contempt, he chose not to meddle by exposing him.

"If we ride Spirit Beasts, it won't take five days," Kun Tu interjected.

After that, he patted the Spiritual Beast Bag at his waist, and a beam of green light flew out, landing nearby, materializing into a giant Green Wolf two zhang in length.

This wolf, with its muscular body and eyes glinting with a faint dark red hue, had a tuft of white fur in the center of its forehead. Its protruding snout bore two long and sharp fangs, exuding both ferocity and might.

"Chen Wan, my Green Wolf is a First-level Upper Stage Fierce Beast, not only fast but also comfortable and steady to ride. Why don't you ride with me?" Kun Tu, with a smiling face, offered the invitation.

Hearing this, Yang Chan from the Beast Taming Hall furrowed her brow immediately, clearly displeased with Kun Tu's overt advances.

"Thank you for your kindness, Elder Brother, but it's not necessary. I have my own Spirit Beast," Chen Wan declined calmly and indifferently.

She then patted her own Spiritual Beast Bag, and a beam of green light shot out, transforming into a Green-skinned Rhinoceros about one zhang and two chi long.

Compared to Kun Tu's Green Wolf, this rhinoceros was smaller in size, but its head and neck were fitted with metallic armor. Its back carried a saddle made of leather that looked quite comfortable.

"It seems I have been presumptuous, assuming your Spirit Beast wasn't well equipped. I apologize for the inconvenience, Elder Sister," Kun Tu said, unaffected by her refusal and promptly excusing himself.

Immediately afterwards, Yang Chan also patted her Spiritual Beast Bag and summoned a seven zhang-long fiery red python. She leapt onto it and relaxed against the python's coiled body.

The python raised its head, accommodating her graceful figure.

Ba Da likewise called forth his Spirit Beast—an enormous boar covered in black fur. Although its stature was unimpressive compared to the previous beasts, the two snow-white tusks protruding sharply like lances made it clear that it was no ordinary creature.

"Elder Brother Kun Tu, we two women cannot take them with us. How about you and Brother Ba Da each take one?" Chen Wan looked at Yuan Ming and Wu Bao as she spoke.

Upon hearing this, Kun Tu frowned, and Ba Da too lifted his head, showing blatant reluctance.

"Elder Sister, they are merely lowly Fur Beast Slaves; they are not worthy of riding our Elder Brother's Spirit Beasts," Yang Chan said in indignation.

"We need them to guide us. Without the Spirit Beasts to carry them, we would be much slower, which would be counterproductive," Chen Wan replied calmly.

"You are right, Elder. Such mounts as Spirit Beasts are beyond us," Wu Bao quickly agreed, his face filled with feigned terror.

Then, Ba Da spoke up, "Elder Sister Chen Wan, they are Fur Beast Slaves, having employed the Fur Cloak Technique, they should be nearly as fast as Spirit Beasts. Don't worry too much."

Hearing this, Chen Wan gave up the idea and turned to Yuan Ming, asking, "Can you keep up?"

Not wanting to delay any further, Yuan Ming simply nodded.

Although he was somewhat envious of the Spirit Beasts owned by the registered disciples, what concerned him more was how to complete the mission to obtain as many Blood Food rewards as possible.

"Alright then, let's not delay any further and set off immediately," Chen Wan said.

Yuan Ming, taking the lead as the guide, executed the Fur Cloak Technique and transformed into a White Ape, bounding forward and heading deep into the mountain forest.

"I'll cover our rear to prevent any accidents," Kun Tu said after glancing at the others.

Without hesitation, Chen Wan immediately spurred her Green-skinned Rhinoceros to catch up, with Ba Da following closely behind and Yang Chan swiftly keeping pace as well.

Only after the group had run out of sight did Kun Tu, riding his Green Wolf, turn his gaze towards Wu Bao.

"This Yuan Ming doesn't seem like a simpleton. Can we recruit him into our ranks?" Kun Tu asked.

Upon hearing this, Wu Bao felt a tremor in his heart and hastened to say, "Master, this fellow is quite obstinate and doesn't take well to being under others. I've tried to recruit him before, but not only did he refuse, he also killed quite a few of our men."

"Enough of that, he's just a mere Beast Slave. If we want one, there are plenty. I will help you eliminate him this time, but afterwards, the tribute you provide each month needs to be increased by ten percent," Kun Tu said, his brows furrowing, then continued.

"Thank you, Master," Wu Bao immediately said.

"I cultivated the Green Wolf Gang and Hyena Hall for you to do my bidding, not to cause me trouble. This should not become a precedent. If it happens again, you and Jin Kun can step down and let others take your place," Kun Tu declared, then rode his Green Wolf and sped away.

Wu Bao nodded repeatedly, his back already soaked with cold sweat. He too quickly employed the Fur Cloak Technique, transforming into a Green-Furred Wolf Man and chased after them at full speed.

...

It was deep into the autumn season, at night.

A raging bonfire burned in the mountain forest while Kun Tu and his three companions sat around it, feasting on freshly roasted meat.

Four Spirit Beasts each lay coiled behind their respective masters, forming a protective circle around them at the center.

Yuan Ming and Wu Bao, the two Fur Beast Slaves, naturally did not qualify to mingle with them and were stationed far out on the perimeter to keep watch.

The night breeze was gentle, and Yuan Ming sat alone atop an old tree, his eyes shut in meditation, cultivating in a cross-legged position.

He was very familiar with this area, previously home to a Green-Scaled Lizard, which he had slain last month. Therefore, it was unlikely for other Fierce Beasts to settle here for the time being.

Given the presence of those four Spirit Beasts guarding, they really didn't need him to keep watch.

Just then, Yuan Ming's ears twitched suddenly, and he immediately opened his eyes, scanning the dark forest before him. He quickly spotted a dark figure dashing through a bush.

He flipped off the tree and pursued in the direction of the shadow.

However, before he had gone many steps, he saw the dark figure ahead suddenly stop and turn its head toward him.

Yuan Ming was taken aback and immediately came to a halt, facing off against it.

In front of him stood a creature nearly eight feet tall, humanoid in shape, covered in hair all over its body—even its face not exempt—resembling an upright, white-haired old ape.

But its eyes were a blood-red hue, reflecting a murderous glint in the darkness that sent a chill down Yuan Ming's spine.

At that moment, Yuan Ming also heard a commotion coming from behind him.

"Damn it, I've been ambushed," Yuan Ming's heart went cold, sensing an unfavorable situation.

"Over there," came a woman's shout at that moment.

Soon after, several figures rushed out from the back, arriving next to Yuan Ming; it was Chen Wan and the others.

Yuan Ming breathed a sigh of relief. When he turned back to look at the creature, however, he found the space in front of him empty, with the monster nowhere in sight.

"Why are you out here?" Chen Wan immediately asked upon seeing Yuan Ming.

"I was keeping watch outside and encountered a long-haired humanoid monster, so I followed it here," Yuan Ming honestly replied.

"Where's the monster?" At this, Kun Tu's fear turned to excitement, and he eagerly asked.

Chen Wan and Yang Chan's eyes also lit up, their gazes focusing on Yuan Ming with a hint of surprise.

"It ran off. It was right there a moment ago, but when you all came chasing, it disappeared," Yuan Ming blinked and said.

"Which way did it go?" Kun Tu immediately asked.

Yuan Ming hadn't noticed which direction the monster ultimately fled, but he casually pointed and said, "I think it went that way."

Kun Tu didn't hesitate and chased after it.

His Spirit Beast, the Green Wolf, leaped over the heads of the crowd, pursuing in that direction as well.

Yang Chan also quickly followed suit.

"Chasing after a Human Demon without using the Fur Cloak Technique, are you seeking death?" Chen Wan scolded Yuan Ming, and she too chased after them immediately.

Ba Da, riding a black-haired wild boar, sneered at Yuan Ming before bringing up the rear.

"Human Demon? What's that?"

Yuan Ming ignored Chen Wan's scolding, his interest sparked by the term 'Human Demon' she had mentioned.