Every time Yuan Ming thought of Elder Hu Huo, he could hardly contain his rage.
The man was, after all, an official representative of Biluo Cave, yet for some unspeakable reason, he colluded with Kun Tu in an attempt to harm a mere Fur Beast Slave, which was downright despicable.
"Over here!" As he was thinking, he suddenly heard a sharp call from above.
Yuan Ming looked up to see through the gaps in the dense forest canopy a black shadow circling high above, with a silhouette standing on it, holding a cylindrical magic artifact to its eye, looking down at him.
"Hu Huo!" Yuan Ming cursed under his breath, quickly leaping down from the tree trunk and plunging into the bushes, continuing his run deeper into the Ten Thousand Mountains.
This time, he didn't even have time to leave marks; he had given up on the idea of returning. He ran blindly, like a headless fly, with no clear destination in mind.
After running swiftly for a while, the shouting finally ceased from above Yuan Ming's head.
But before he could relax, the branches above him snapped, and a large shadow plunged from the sky towards him.
Yuan Ming hurriedly used the Shadowless Step, his figure darting to the side and rapidly sweeping towards the distance.
Before he could steady himself, he saw the majestic hawk falcon crash into a swath of trees, landing heavily on the ground.
Elder Hu Huo leaped down and coldly shouted at Yuan Ming, "Stop struggling, you can't escape."
As soon as his words fell, sounds came from the mountains to his rear and side, and before long, Kun Tu and the One-eyed Woman appeared.
"Pah! Can't believe that a mere Beast Slave has cost us so much effort," Kun Tu spat disdainfully while riding on a Green Wolf, speaking bitterly.
The three of them formed a triangle around Yuan Ming, enclosing him in the center.
"Don't worry, he won't escape this time. But let's make it clear beforehand, his head is yours, and everything on his body is mine," Elder Hu Huo spoke. Visit Мy Virtuаl Librаry Еmpirе (МV-LЕМР-YR) fоr mоrе.
Listening to their conversation, Yuan Ming was filled with rage but felt helpless.
Facing the siege of these three people, he knew he was certainly no match for them, and even escaping seemed difficult now.
"No problem, I just want his life. But if everything on him is mine, you can't slack off anymore. You need to show some real skill and quickly finish off this guy," Kun Tu said with a sneer.
"Of course," Elder Hu Huo nodded and responded.
With that, he slapped his waist with his hand, and a small red triangular flag appeared in his palm, embroidered with a golden three-legged frog image and numerous intricate runes.
"Yuan Ming, don't blame me. If anyone's to blame, it's your own rapid growth. You actually managed to gather the Blood Food in such a short time. I really want to see what secret you're hiding. Rest assured, I will grant you a swift death," Elder Hu Huo said, holding the small flagpole between two fingers and gently waving it towards Yuan Ming.
The golden frog on the triangular flag seemed to come alive, opening its mouth and spitting a breath at Yuan Ming.
In an instant, a surge of golden-red flames erupted, washing over Yuan Ming with scorching heat waves.
Yuan Ming hastily dodged to the side.
But just as he moved, a whirlwind blew from the side, abruptly interrupting his Shadowless Step and forcing him to face the intense flames head-on.
"Damn it." Yuan Ming inwardly cursed at the bad turn of events, and as he tried to dodge again, it was already too late.
The scorching heat was upon him, ready to engulf him.
But just then, a slim, small shadow suddenly leapt from the forest, landing in front of Yuan Ming.
As Yuan Ming thought the silver cat had come to his rescue, he realized the shadow in front of him was long and sleek with bright red fur, similar to a fox, and to his surprise, it was a Fire Mink.
The Fire Mink soared mid-air, its eyes gleaming fearlessly, seemingly interested rather than frightened of the incoming flames.
It contracted its belly and then suddenly opened its mouth wide, releasing a powerful suction force.
The swirling flames rolled back like clouds, sucked into its mouth, and in the blink of an eye, were swallowed completely clean.
Yuan Ming watched the small creature's belly swell up, becoming round and bloated, like an animal filled with air, before gently landing on the ground with a look full of surprise.
After landing, the Fire Mink burped contentedly as if its appetite had been sated.
Then, its belly deflated at a visible rate, settling back down.
This sudden appearance stunned everyone present, including Yuan Ming, who had no idea where this little one had sprung from.
"What is that thing?" Elder Hu Huo said with a frown.
"No idea," the One-eyed Woman shook her head.
Kun Tu, however, had a contemplative look as if he vaguely remembered something but could not recall what it was.
"It seems rather mystical, whatever it is, we should capture it first," Elder Hu Huo said.
The One-eyed Woman nodded, raised her hand, and cast off a rough-looking Black Wood Hairpin, which flew out glowing with a dark purple light, spiraling towards the little creature on the ground.
The Fire Mink, seemingly satiated and either not noticing or not caring about the incoming hairpin, made no move to dodge, letting it fly towards itself.
At that moment, Kun Tu seemed to suddenly realize something, urgently shouting, "Stop, you can't hit..."
His shout broke into a hoarse screech, stuttering on the last word, startling the One-eyed Woman.
By the time she reacted and tried to recall her magic artifact, it was too late.
Just as the Black Wood Hairpin was about to hit the Fire Mink, a figure almost grazed the ground as it swept past, stretching out a hand to scoop up the Fire Mink and protect it within their embrace.
Even though Yuan Ming didn't know why the Fire Mink had saved him just now, he still intervened to save it.
Without waiting for the Fire Mink to recover, Yuan Ming had already tossed it far away, throwing it with great force toward the distant woods.
Seeing an opportunity to take advantage, Kun Tu immediately raised his hand and struck out at Yuan Ming from afar.
A punch flew across the void and heavily smashed into Yuan Ming's back, sending him soaring into the air and tumbling into the distance.
After rolling on the ground twice, Yuan Ming spat out fresh blood and stood up again, sword in hand guarding himself, his eyes sharpened in defense.
Kun Tu and the others had already caught up, once again surrounding him in the center.
At this moment, Yuan Ming was trapped, with no chance of escape.
"It's time to leave this world."
As they were about to silence him permanently, a streak of red light suddenly flashed from afar, accompanied by a strong, scorching heat.
"Fire Element Technique," Kun Tu was startled internally.
Before they could react, a beautiful woman clad in fiery red soft armor appeared before them.
She appeared to be twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, slender, slightly full-bodied, with delicate features and a soft, mature beauty to her.
The moment this woman appeared, she astonished everyone present.
The One-eyed Woman's eyes even uncontrollably revealed a hint of envy upon seeing her.
"Kun Tu, a Disciple from under Elder Meng Shan of the Beast Taming Hall, greets the Three Cave Masters," Kun Tu said as soon as he recognized the newcomer, bowing respectfully with clasped hands.
Seeing this, Elder Hu Huo's expression changed slightly, and he too hurriedly paid his respects.
Having been banished to manage the Fur Beast Slaves for many years, he had hardly ever seen this Three Cave Master, who was rumored to be obsessed with Artifact Refining and in charge of the Fire Refining Hall.
The One-eyed Woman was even more startled, and she immediately knelt down.
However, Yuan Ming, who didn't recognize her, still maintained his defensive posture.
The mature Three Cave Master swept her gaze over the crowd and said indifferently, "Did you see a Fire Mink?"
She didn't seem interested in the current standoff, nor did she intend to inquire further.
Upon hearing this, Kun Tu and the others tensed up.
No wonder the Fire Mink looked familiar. This Three Cave Master had been raising a Fire Mink that could swallow flames and possessed Abnormal Fire. Although it was not yet mature, it was one of her most treasured pets.
The one that had inadvertently saved Yuan Ming was likely that very Fire Mink.
"There... there was one we encountered earlier, but it was injured by that despicable Fur Beast Slave and thrown out; its whereabouts are unknown," Kun Tu paused, then smoothly concocted a lie.
Only then did the Three Cave Master turn her gaze toward Yuan Ming.
At that glance, her brow furrowed slightly as her eyes landed on the bronze longsword in Yuan Ming's hands.
After a brief pause, she asked, "Did you hurt my Fire Mink?"
Yuan Ming shook his head but didn't argue.
"You wouldn't have the skill for it. Where did you obtain the Green Fish Sword in your hands?" the Three Cave Masters asked further.
"You recognize this sword?" Yuan Ming replied, somewhat surprised.
"Answer my question," the Three Cave Master's voice was gentle, yet carried an authoritative tone.
Yuan Ming hesitated briefly before succinctly recounting how he had acquired the Green Fish Sword.
Kun Tu and the others watched the scene, feeling an ominous foreboding.
"Three Cave Masters, do not be deceived by his glib tongue. This man is bloodthirsty by nature, refusing to obey rules, on top of killing his fellow Slaves—many Fur Beast Slaves have died at his hands. He is truly a villain to the core," Kun Tu hastily interjected.
"Three Cave Masters, I am the elder in charge of managing these Fur Beast Slaves in this area. Indeed, as Kun Tu said, he is an atrocious criminal. I was in fact enlisting Fellow Daoist Kun Tu's help to enforce clan punishment," Elder Hu Huo immediately testified.
"Shamelessly outrageous!"
Seeing this, Yuan Ming sighed in his heart, knowing he couldn't argue his way out, and thus he refrained from speaking.
"Hand over the Green Fish Sword," the Three Cave Master demanded indifferently, her expression unchanging.
Upon hearing this, Kun Tu and the others immediately showed delight.
Yuan Ming frowned but remained motionless, still in a defensive stance with the sword.
However, the tense muscles throughout his body revealed his anxious state.
After a brief wait, the Three Cave Master made no move to take action. Kun Tu shifted his gaze and said, "We should take care of such insignificant scoundrels for the Cave Master, so as not to tarnish her eyes."
As he finished speaking, he quickly exchanged glances with the other three.
The One-eyed Woman was the first to strike. The Black Wood Hairpin spun rapidly, thrusting viciously towards Yuan Ming's back.