Volume 1 Chapter 4: Fire Crystal Stone

  "Right across is Wolf's Ferry..." Gao Huan said, pointing at the empty riverbank on the opposite side of the river.

  A large river in front of everyone comes from the northwest around the mountain, due to the terrain, the big river turns left and right, forming a large beach under a mountain. The beach is south, a rolling hill.

  Peng Xiu looked at the situation on the other side and asked: "When will the Iron-backed Gray Wolf appear?"

  Gao Huan said: "Under normal circumstances, the Iron-backed Gray Wolves will come over to drink water at night. If this pack of wolves hasn't been wiped out yet, we can wait for them here."

  "Alright, let's set up camp here and wait for a few days." Peng Xiu thought for a moment before making the decision. He then turned to Fei Xue and asked: "Fei Xue, do you have any opinions?"

  With a flick of her snowy eyelashes, Bai Xiu rolled her eyes at Peng Shu and said, "You've already said everything, what opinion can I still have?"

  "But I have a mission, and I dare not decline." Peng Xiu's smile made his white teeth gleam, adding a few more points of purity to his already handsome face. His eyes shone like morning stars, filled with deep emotions, truly a jade tree in the wind, a fluttering young man.

  Peng Xiu is beautiful, Fei Xue is charming, and the two are also similar in appearance, extremely like a pair made in heaven. Peng Xiu invites Fei Xue to hunt and kill demonic beasts, which is also an opportunity to establish a closer relationship with Fei Xue. This kind of low-key courtesy is rare for Peng Xiu.

  Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, her pink lips curled up slightly, forming a small arc, as if she was smiling yet also seeming to pout, and she muttered under her breath: "Selling cuteness!"

  Peng Xiu's smile faltered, although she didn't understand what "selling cute" meant, but Fei Xue's disdain was all too obvious. Clearly, Fei Xue wasn't buying it.

  Zhou Ping and Zhao He on the side also felt a bit awkward, hastily turning their heads to look around, pretending they hadn't heard Peng Xiu and Fei Xue's conversation at all.

  Only Gao Huan's expression was calm and serene, as if he were completely unaware of the awkward situation in front of him.

  Peng Xiu ate a nail that was neither soft nor hard, and he was also secretly angry. Although his face flashed with anger for a moment, revealing a few hints of rage. After all, he was just a fifteen-year-old boy. Although he had some cunning, he couldn't hide the emotions on his face.

  After a moment of silence, Peng Xiu didn't dare to turn against them, and forced a smile: "Everyone set up camp, we'll be staying here for several more days. The Ironbacked Wolf's pelt is very valuable, not to mention the Demon Cores. We should try to kill as many as possible."

  Zhou Ping and Zhao He hastily pulled Gao Huan to prepare for camping. Peng Xiu nodded at Fei Xue and said, "I'll go take a look at the terrain on the other side..."

  After exchanging a sentence, Peng Xiu's figure suddenly expanded, and with a light touch of his foot in the center of the river, he floated across the six or seven zhang wide river surface. The whole process was smooth and effortless, revealing Peng Xiu's extraordinary qinggong skills.

  Fei Xue's eyes narrowed into a crescent shape, and she was secretly surprised. "Peng Xiu's Gale Sword Technique is indeed not to be underestimated!" Although Fei Xue wasn't afraid of Peng Xiu, the rejection earlier had made Peng Xiu lose face greatly, and this guy had a narrow heart, so Fei Xue couldn't help but be extra cautious.

  A round moon rises in the sky, illuminating a vast expanse of clarity on the riverbank.

  With Peng Xiu and others' eyesight, they could clearly see the situation hundreds of feet away. After waiting for two days, they still didn't see any sign of the Iron-backed Gray Wolf. Peng Xiu and several others were getting a bit anxious. The time for autumn hunting in the mountains was only one month. They had already been out for nine days and still hadn't gotten anything. If they couldn't wait for the Iron-backed Gray Wolf today, they would have to consider changing locations.

  Gao Huanxin secretly laughed in his heart, this place is called Langtan, every year countless people come here to hunt and kill the iron-backed gray wolf, within a few hundred miles all the wolves have been killed. It's unlikely that a few people can wait for it, that would be like seeing a ghost! He brought Peng Xiu and others here, but he had another purpose.

  Until the sun rises in the east, there is no shadow of the iron-backed wolf. Many wild beasts come to drink water by the riverbank, but not a single third-tier demon beast appears.

  After waiting for two days, Peng Xiu's patience was also exhausted. Her gaze at Gao Huan also became colder. "Wu Kong, what is going on?" Peng Xiu didn't have the mood to pretend anymore and asked in a stern tone.

  Gao Huan calmly said: "As I said before, although this place is called Lang Tang, it still requires luck to encounter the Iron-backed Gray Wolf."

  Peng Xiuhans face sank, "If you can't find any prey, what's the point of bringing you along!"

  Zhao He and Zhou Ping also looked unpleasant, staring fiercely at Gao Huan. They were just waiting for a word from Peng Xiu to take action and teach Gao Huan a lesson.

  "Snowflakes fluttered down like a smile that wasn't a smile, and said languidly: 'Trash is trash, you can't treat it as treasure. Are you satisfied now?'"

  Being sarcastically rebuked by Fei Xue, Peng Xiu became even angrier. His face changed color as he thought about whether to take this opportunity to get rid of Gao Huan and vent his anger.

  Gao Huan also sensed that something was amiss and hastily said: "I know of a secret cave, inside there is a four-stage Fire Bear!"

  Zhao He's triangular eyes glared, and he said harshly: "You want to get us killed, what nonsense are you talking about with a fourth-stage demon beast!" Zhao He drew his long knife, ready to take action.

  The fourth-order demon beast is equivalent to the fourth-order warrior. The fourth stage of martial arts is Tongli. So-called Tongli refers to the yuanqi flowing through the eighteen holes in the body, and the yuanqi and internal force are connected as one, no longer distinguishing between each other, which is called Tongli.

  The holes of the martial artists who have achieved a breakthrough are different, and their powers change accordingly. However, one thing is certain: fourth-stage martial artists are several times stronger than third-stage martial artists.

  Two third-class warriors and three second-class warriors went to besiege a fourth-class demon beast, which was tantamount to seeking death.

  "There are many fire crystals inside the cave." Gao Huan's words stunned Zhao He, and everyone else was also shocked.

  Peng Xiu asked eagerly: "Is it really a fire crystal? Are there many?"

  "It's fire crystal stone, at least over a hundred catties."

  As soon as this was said, everyone showed an unbelievable expression. Huo Jing Shi is a precious material, it is the material used by practitioners to cast spells, and can also be refined into magical instruments. According to its rank, even the worst Huo Jing Shi has four ranks.

  Hundreds of kilograms of fire crystal, if it can be obtained, is worth more than hundreds of iron-backed wolves. The fourth-order fire bear may be formidable, but under the temptation of huge profits, it's nothing to worry about.

  Inside the Honglian Temple, even true disciples can only enjoy limited resources. To get enough medicine, weapons, and even secrets, a lot of money is needed. If they can get this batch of fire crystals, it's enough to support several people's expenses for ten years.

  "Even if we can't get it, at least knowing the location is good. We can just kill all these people to silence them." Peng Xiu thought for a moment and made up her mind. She said to Fei Xue: "Let's go take a look at the situation first, then decide what to do."

  Fei Xue couldn't resist the temptation of great benefits either. She nodded after a moment's consideration, "Alright, it can't be too dangerous."

  The two strongest made a decision, and Zhou Ping and Zhao He also did not dare to have any other opinions. The group followed Gao Huan's lead, walking downstream along the river. This time they sped up, and after another half-day's journey, they arrived in front of a cave.

  The cave is only about two feet high, with dry wisteria vines tangled randomly at the entrance. A tributary of the river flows directly into the entrance, and the rushing water almost blocks the entrance. At dusk, the inside of the cave is pitch black, and it's unknown how deep it is.

  Peng Xiu's face turned iron-green. "Wu Kong, you tell me, this cave is so small and it's all water, how can Huo Jiao stay inside?"

  Gao Huan helplessly said: "How dare I deceive you! Inside here is a complex underground river, and following the river course for a very long distance, can one reach the huge underground cave where Huo Xiong lives. Huo Xiong certainly won't enter or exit from here."

  Peng Xiu stared into Gao Huan's eyes, only to see a calm and clear gaze like still water. "Alright, I'll trust you one more time. If you deceive me, I'll cut you into a thousand pieces." Peng Xiu threatened in a cold tone.

  Gao Huan remained unmoved, pointing at the cave entrance and saying: "Go in and take a look."

  "Zhao He, you go in with Wu Kong." Peng Xiu ordered. Zhao He, although unwilling, did not dare disobey Peng Xiu and followed Gao Huan into the cave.

  After Jingwei entered, Feixue suddenly stretched out her hand to stop Pengxiu: "We'd better clarify things first, so as not to have everyone turn against each other later and make a mess." She paused for a moment before continuing: "I want 50%."

  Peng Xiu hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "Alright, fifty-fifty. Also, these people must be taken care of cleanly, to prevent any leaks."

  Fei Xue burst out laughing, "You're really enjoying this! Don't kill them all off, leave one strong backpack behind."

  Peng Xiuyi gave a thumbs up and praised: "Great."

  "Haha......" "Hehe......" Fei Xue and Peng Xiu looked at each other and smiled, both extremely pleased.

  "Whoosh......" In the dark, cramped and winding mountain cave, a group of people walked with their heads bowed, wading through the water. At the forefront, Gao Huan's head floated with a fist-sized white light ball, emitting a faint white glow that guided everyone on the road.

  The bright light emitted by the flying snow has a satisfactory illuminating effect, but it is better that it does not need to be deliberately taken care of, which also saves a lot of trouble. Of course, being in an unpredictable underground cave with a ball of light on top is not a good life.

  After walking in the darkness for an unknown period of time, Peng Xiu was about to interrogate Gao Huan when he suddenly felt a wave of sweltering heat rushing towards him. Turning around a narrow bend, he vaguely saw a layer of dark red light in the distance.

  Peng Xiu couldn't help but feel a thrill, the dark red glow was unmistakably fire rock, and only in fire rock could one find fire crystal stones. Although he knew that Gao Huan wouldn't dare to deceive him, seeing it all with his own eyes made Peng Xiu's excitement hard to conceal.

  Gao Huan stopped in his tracks, pointing at the dark light in front of him and said in a low voice: "Moving forward is the Fire Rock Cave, after turning two corners, you can see a wide stone cave over a hundred feet square, and the fire bear will be lying on a pile of fire crystal stones inside the cave, sleeping."

  Peng Xiu personally followed Gao Huan in to take a look, and indeed, the situation was exactly as Gao Huan had said. He felt both joy and shock in his heart. The joy came from the fact that there were indeed many fire crystals, at least over a hundred kilograms. The shock came from the deep and powerful aura of the Fire Bear, which was likely to be a four-stage mid-grade or higher powerful demon beast. At least, it was extremely powerful for their small team.

  According to records, Huo Xiong is ferocious and violent in nature, with thick skin and flesh, fond of heat and afraid of cold. It can spew out fierce flames, and after becoming enraged, its strength and speed will greatly increase, making it extremely dangerous. A tuft of white fur on the chest area that resembles a new moon shape is its weakness.

  Fei Xue was a skilled mage who knew some of the habits and characteristics of the Fire Bears. Although they were extremely powerful, most demonic beasts below the sixth rank had low intelligence. The Fire Bear may have been stronger than anyone else, but with the right method, it wasn't impossible to kill it either.

  "My Frostbite Rain Arrows should be able to restrict the Fire Bear's power, and I can also set up a Mystic Ice Seal Array outside the cave," said Fei Xue.

  Zhou Ping also said: "I have a black wooden bow on my back, I can shoot it from a distance first. There are also seven long ropes here, which can be set up as a simple trap to limit the activity range of the fire bear."

  Zhao Hedao said: "I have poisonous feather needles."

  Peng Xiufang furrowed her brow, "No way, the toxicity of your poisonous needles is too weak. If you can't even hit its eyes, it's useless. I have some Ling Hun powder here that not only confuses its mind but also blocks its five senses." After thinking for a moment, she continued: "The terrain inside the cave is vast, we'll make our move first in the mountain cave. Wu Kong and Zhou Ping will be responsible for holding off the Fire Bear, Fei Xue will use her magic to restrain it, and I'll work with Zhao He to fight it. When things get dangerous, we'll retreat from the cave and use the narrow terrain outside to trap the Fire Bear..."