C32 Onehorned Wolf

Han Feng was clearly baffled, but Han Rong simply shrugged and said, "They probably did it to set us up. The Han family must have slipped it to us at the last minute. Our Storage Belts are no different, right?"

A light bulb went off in Han Feng's head. "That's right, the Storage Belt!"

He retrieved Chang Tianyi's Storage Belt and spilled its contents.

"Twenty-three Level 1 Devil Beast heads, eleven Level 2. This guy had a decent haul."

"Besides that, there's a mix of gold, silver, and some medicine bottles."

In Renzhong City, a smaller city, gold and silver were the main currency. But in the larger cities, where Martial Cultivators were common, Spirit Stones were the currency of choice, making gold and silver as worthless as dirt.

Han Feng picked up a medicine bottle, uncorked it, and took a sniff. "Just as I thought, it's similar to the tiny granules on you. You probably lost a lot of it in the river, or else, even after we escaped, those giant poison bees would still be after us."

A shiver ran down Han Rong's spine.

Han Feng glanced at Han Rong and offered, "Finders keepers, so let's split these Devil Beast heads."

Han Rong hastily declined. "I can't accept that. You saved my life and defeated Chang Tianyi. I have no right to claim half."

Han Rong was aware that Han Feng was likely just being courteous. Accepting the offer might not cause any immediate issues, but it could create a rift in the close bond they had just begun to forge.

After a few polite exchanges, Han Feng decided to keep the loot, pleased with Han Rong's response.

They spoke briefly before Han Rong bowed respectfully and said, "I won't keep you any longer. I need to get back to hunting Devil Beasts. Let's meet tomorrow afternoon at the Jade Peak Mountain Range."

"Sure, take care," Han Feng replied, making no attempt to hold him back. With his own secrets to guard, he knew it was safer for Han Rong not to linger.

As the second day drew to a close and night fell, Han Feng ceased his pursuit of Devil Beasts. With a swift movement, he ascended to the space within the Nine Flames Heavenly Fire Tower, nestled in the trees by the river, to continue his cultivation.

Han Feng had successfully unlocked three Main Bloodlines, but to unlock a fourth would require an energy expenditure at least two to three times greater than before. It was no simple feat to achieve such a breakthrough.

Over the past couple of days, Han Feng had dedicated himself to intense cultivation, managing only to slightly advance the cultivation foundation of his third Main Bloodline. The peak of his power still lay at a considerable, yet not insurmountable, distance.

As dawn broke the following day, Han Feng resumed his hunting. By midday, he found himself grilling Devil Beasts by the riverside.

This particular Devil Beast was of the feline variety, far from your average house cat. This beast was as large as a fully-grown, ferocious wolf.

Out of the blue, a low growl echoed from nearby. Han Feng's face instantly turned grave, and he sprang to his feet.

The growl was close, alarmingly so, and he had only just noticed it.

Had the creature not roared...

"This Devil Beast has to be above Level 2; otherwise, I wouldn't have failed to detect it."

"I've been too complacent, only considering the risk of attracting Devil Beasts with a fire at night. I nearly overlooked the dangers present during daylight."

As the aroma of the meat drifted through the air, a thought flashed through Han Feng's mind. "Maybe the scent is also an issue. But aren't Level 3 Devil Beasts typically found deep within the Jade Peak Mountain Range? They're nocturnal, so what brings them out in broad daylight?"

"It appears that Instructor Lin's teachings weren't as exhaustive as I thought."

Soon after, a massive wolf came into view.

The wolf's fur shimmered in purplish-blue hues, its pupils a deep crimson, and its ears were unusually large compared to those of a regular wolf. A distinctive red and blue horn crowned its forehead.

Han Feng's pupils shrank in recognition. "Could this be the One-Horned Wolf that Instructor Lin spoke of—the dominant force of the Jade Peak Mountain Range?"

"A mature One-Horned Wolf is a Level 5 Devil Beast, and rumor has it that the one residing in the Jade Peak Mountain Range has reached Level 6. Such might is on par with a mid-stage Human Rank Martial Cultivator. I'm clearly outmatched."

Panic surged within Han Feng, yet he strove to maintain an outward semblance of calm.

Regaining his composure, Han Feng sensed something was off.

The One-Horned Wolf before him was nearly half the size of the one Instructor Lin had described, and its strength was merely that of a Level 3 Devil Beast.

It wasn't even among the upper echelon of Level 3 Devil Beasts.

"Could this be the offspring of that Level 6 One-Horned Wolf?"

Han Feng grew increasingly convinced.

This realization made him more cautious. Injuring this One-Horned Wolf might provoke its Level 6 parent.

Devil Beasts between Levels 5 and 8 were as intelligent as 14- or 15-year-old humans.

Those between Levels 9 and 12 were as smart as adult humans.

Earth-rank Devil Beasts could speak.

Heaven-rank Devil Beasts could even transform into humans if they chose to.

A complete transformation required an even higher level, but the Han family's knowledge was limited due to their short history; they were unclear about the specifics beyond Heaven-rank.

The One-Horned Wolf growled lowly, drool dripping from its jaws.

Han Feng instinctively stepped back, then ripped a leg from the roasted cat and tossed it to the beast.

The wolf sniffed, gulped it down, and when it spat it out, only bones remained.

Gritting his teeth, Han Feng threw the entire roasted cat. As the One-Horned Wolf feasted, he leaped back, thinking, "I can't linger here. Though this wolf is just a Level 3, its mother is a formidable Level 6. This cub's intelligence might be high, and its mother could be waiting in ambush."

After devouring the cat, the One-Horned Wolf's crimson pupils narrowed, it sniffed the air, and took off in pursuit of Han Feng.

Indeed, as Han Feng had predicted, the intelligence of this One-Horned Wolf far surpassed that of an ordinary Level 3 Devil Beast.

It wasn't because it boasted a Level 6 Devil Beast for a mother.

As it ran, the One-Horned Wolf let out several howls, prompting the nearby Devil Beasts to disperse in every direction.

This wasn't the heart of the Jade Peak Mountain Range, where mostly Level 2 Devil Beasts roamed. The presence of a Level 3 Devil Beast was enough to send shockwaves of fear through the lesser creatures.

Particularly because the One-Horned Wolf carried the scent of its formidable mother.

A Level 6 Devil Beast was undeniably the apex predator of the Jade Peak Mountain Range.

Along the way, no Devil Beast dared to cross its path.

Han Feng, sprinting ahead, was visibly panicked. "Damn it, isn't that One-Horned Wolf satisfied after devouring a cat? Does it really want to make a meal out of me?"

Little did Han Feng know, to a Devil Beast, humans were considered the ultimate delicacy, and the One-Horned Wolf had detected an extraordinary scent on Han Feng. This scent signaled to the beast that this human's flavor was superior to others.

Having not savored a tasty human in quite some time, the One-Horned Wolf wasn't about to pass up such a gourmet opportunity.

Hearing the howling drawing nearer, Han Feng eventually ceased his flight and turned, his expression darkening. "You beast, I've spared you only to avoid summoning your mother. But if you're so intent on eating me, then don't blame me for fighting back."

"I could leave the Jade Peak Mountain Range early. Instructor Lin is capable of handling a Level 6 Devil Beast. With the Devil Beast heads I've collected from my hunts, I'm confident I'll secure a spot in the top three!"