As the mountain hunt began, all the factions and families of Autumn Maple Town surged into Seven Star Mountain like a rain of arrows, with the Ye and Song families leading the charge as the spearheads.
Birds took to the skies in fright, animals howled with wild roars, and soon the entire mountain was filled with an air of excitement and tension.
Once all the participants had entered the mountain, Mayor Liu did something unusual. He hurried over to a secluded spot where a magnificent carriage stood, guarded by two massive horses—one white, one black—each twice the size of an ordinary steed.
"Your Grace, the mountain hunt has begun," Mayor Liu reported, his demeanor completely changed. Gone was his usual friendly face; his back was straight, and his aura sharp like a sword hidden in its sheath—cold and powerful.
Inside the carriage, hidden behind heavy curtains, a chilling presence emanated from the figure within. Even without seeing the person's face, the oppressive aura made it hard for anyone nearby to even breathe, let alone peek inside.
"Hmm." A low, lazy voice replied from the carriage.
Just then, a sudden gust of wind swept by. Mayor Liu felt a chill on his cheeks—and when he looked again, the person inside the carriage had vanished. Only the gently swaying curtain and the now-empty interior remained.
Meanwhile, inside Seven Star Mountain, Ye Saint and the other four Ye family youths were gathered near the foot of the slope, eyes shining with anticipation.
"The mountain hunt will last three days and three nights. Whichever side captures the most beasts wins. Last time, Sister Ye Liu Yun was away on apprenticeship, and the Song family used that opportunity to steal the northern mining slope from us. This time, we'll reclaim it—no matter what!" Ye Saint declared with passion.
"Ye family's win! We will win! Ye family's win! We will win!" Ling Yue and her cousins shouted in unison, boosting morale.
Suddenly, a distant howl of a hound echoed from behind, startling the Ye family group.
Awhoo—Awhoo—
The Song family had arrived, having dismounted their horses to continue on foot. Leading their group was a snow-white mastiff, its build and aura more like a wolf than a regular dog.
"Song Guang Zhi! You brought a Snow Mastiff?" Ye Saint's face turned grim.
Snow Mastiffs were low-class spirit beasts with exceptional senses, making them perfect for tracking prey. In the county capital, a single Snow Mastiff could fetch at least a thousand silver coins. The Song family's move clearly violated the spirit of the hunt.
"Who said we couldn't bring hounds? Didn't you guys also bring a dog?" Song Guang Zhi smirked, motioning toward Ling Yue and the yellow dog by her side.
Hey! That has nothing to do with me!
Ling Yue silently blamed Little Squeak for dragging Big Yellow into this. She could only offer a sheepish smile while hiding her annoyance.
Spotting Big Yellow, the Snow Mastiff let out a fierce howl.
Just then, a tiny paw emerged from Big Yellow's scruffy fur.
Still riding on his "mount," Little Squeak had been cranky the entire journey. Finally given a target to vent on, he roared.
"SQUEAKK~!!!"
Terrified, the Snow Mastiff leapt backward and hid behind Song Guang Zhi's legs.
"Useless mutt! Get out there!" Embarrassed, Song Guang Zhi kicked the cowering beast forward.
Song Han, now cleaned up but still swollen and bruised, sneered as he passed Ling Yue. "Ye Ling Yue, just wait. We'll see who wins in the end."
Despite the wide expanse of the mountain's southern slope, finding decent wild beasts was difficult.
"We'll head into the mountain as well," Ye Saint announced. Though angry about the Song family's tactics, he knew they had to keep moving. The five Ye family members moved in formation.
"Ling Yue, thanks for what you did earlier," Ye Ning said gratefully.
"No need to thank her," Ye Qing scoffed. "Even if she hadn't stepped in, I could've handled Song Han myself."
Ling Yue didn't bother arguing. "As members of the Ye family, what I did was no big deal. Just doing my part." She quickened her pace, catching up with Ye Saint.
"Big cousin," Ling Yue added, "the Song family has that Snow Mastiff, so they'll find beasts faster. I suggest we head to the mountain peak. We'll have a better chance at finding rare prey."
Ye Saint had already considered it. Beasts in the mountain were classified into low-class herbivores, mid-class carnivores, and high-class carnivores. A single high-class carnivore was worth as much as ten low-class ones. But those only appeared near the mountain's peak.
"Good idea. Let's head for the peak. But the path is rough, so stay close and don't wander off!" Ye Saint ordered.
As they climbed higher, the terrain grew harsher. Towering pine trees and thick thorny shrubs blocked the way.
ROARRR~!!!
Without warning, a Black Forest Panther burst from the bushes, fangs bared, leaping straight at Ye Saint.
This carnivorous beast had muscular limbs and razor-sharp teeth, and it radiated energy—like the Yuan energy of a martialist.
Boom!!
Ye Saint launched his Thunder Burst Fist, five powerful blows crashing into the panther's side. Its spine cracked with a sickening snap, and the beast collapsed before it even hit the ground, ribs jutting out grotesquely.
"The Black Forest Panther is fast and strong, but when it leaps, its belly is exposed. That's your chance to strike. Got it?" Ye Saint explained, using the kill to demonstrate the technique.
Just then, more howls echoed. The commotion had drawn out the rest of the pack.
Black panthers charged from all directions, surrounding the Ye family team.
Each member quickly engaged a beast.
Ye Saint was about to attack another when something caught his eye.
Ling Yue stood calmly, one hand outstretched toward a mother panther. In one clean, practiced move—like slicing jade—she crushed the panther's neck in a single strike.
Ye Saint blinked in surprise, then broke into a smile.
Maybe he didn't need to worry about their safety so much after all.