Outside Mang Mountain...
The clan leaders and elders of the three great families waited with bated breath.
"The sky is getting dark. They should be back soon. I wonder how the harvest was this time," said Zhang Feng, the Zhang Family Patriarch, as he gazed at the towering Mang Mountain.
"Heh, the hunt brings considerable gains every year. I'm sure this time will be no exception," Qin Hai said nonchalantly.
Among the Qin Family contingent, Qin Yuxiang stared at the mountain range, a flicker of worry crossing her face. Seeing this, a nearby elder couldn't help but mock her.
"Sixth Elder, you're worried about Qin Ya, aren't you?"
"It's Qin Ya's first time participating in the Mang Mountain hunt. It's only natural for me to be a little worried."
Qin Yuxiang said with a nod.
"Right. The Mang Mountain hunt is no trivial matter. With his meager skills, he's probably long dead in the jaws of a Fierce Beast by now." The elder's indifferent tone was laced with ridicule.
Qin Yuxiang's delicate brows furrowed. Suppressing her anger, she said, "Fifth Elder, watch your words. Xiaoya is not as pathetic as you make him out to be."
"Sixth Elder, Qin Ya may have been in the limelight recently, but it's just a petty person's fleeting success. Ultimately, he'll never amount to anything," the Fifth Elder sneered.
"That's enough. Say another word, and don't blame me for being impolite."
Qin Yuxiang's face was grim and her tone was ice-cold. A faint yet mountain-heavy pressure emanated from her, enveloping the Fifth Elder.
Faced with such might, the Fifth Elder was both terrified and incredulous.
'How did Qin Yuxiang's cultivation become so formidable?'
This Fifth Elder had always been at odds with Qin Yuxiang. His cultivation was by no means weak; he was at the Profound Origin Seventh Grade, a full grade higher than Qin Yuxiang had been. Yet now, he was completely suppressed by her aura alone. One could only imagine his shock.
In a fit of rage, Qin Yuxiang had suppressed him with her aura alone!
"Enough! Both of you, stop!"
Qin Hai's cold voice cut in. He looked at Qin Yuxiang and the Fifth Elder with displeasure.
'The three great families are all here. Aren't you just making us a laughingstock? Where am I supposed to put my face as the Clan Leader?'
"Yes, Clan Leader!"
Qin Yuxiang retracted her aura and stood down. The Fifth Elder's expression was ugly; he just snorted coldly and said no more.
Seeing this, the clan leaders of the other two families exchanged a glance and chuckled to themselves.
Qin Hai shot Qin Yuxiang a meaningful look. 'This Sixth Elder is usually so low-key, yet her cultivation has progressed so quickly and quietly.'
"Look, they're coming out."
At that moment, figures began to emerge from Mang Mountain one after another. The disciples of the three families were returning.
Nearly all of the disciples were stained with blood, carrying the spoils of their expedition: jackals, wolves, tigers, leopards, snakes, scorpions, and birds of prey...
"Look, that's a Black Armor Rhinoceros, a Fierce Beast!"
"That's a Human Element Seventh Grade Fierce Beast. This junior is quite impressive."
"Mm, and that's an Eighth Grade Human Element Striped Poison Scorpion. Not bad, not bad at all!"
The blood-soaked disciples of the three families walked out of the mountains, sizing up each other's catches. They held their heads high and chests out, a clear sense of competition in the air.
"Damn, that's a Swift Shadow Leopard, a Human Element Realm Ninth Grade beast!"
Suddenly, a cry of astonishment rang out. Zhang You of the Zhang Family emerged, shouldering a black leopard. He no longer had his usual gentle and refined demeanor; his clothes were tattered, revealing iron-like muscles, and his expression was one of pure arrogance.
"Heh heh, that kid Zhang You is not bad at all."
A flash of gratification appeared in the eyes of Zhang Feng, the Zhang Family Patriarch, at this sight.
Just as Zhang Feng finished speaking, another cry of shock was heard.
"Th-This is a Profound Origin Realm Fierce Beast... a Golden Pattern Wild Bull!"
Li Peiyi was seen dragging a bull-like Fierce Beast with her delicate, jade-like hands, a creature whose size was completely at odds with her own, drawing gasps of amazement from the crowd.
The Fierce Beast was more than three times Li Peiyi's size. It resembled a bull, with golden stripes running down its back, and its body was covered in bloodstains and sword marks.
Even in death, the Fierce Beast radiated a wild, savage aura.
This time, it wasn't just the disciples who were stunned—even the elders of the three families were shaken. A Profound Origin Realm Fierce Beast! The Golden Pattern Wild Bull was one of the strongest Fierce Beasts in all of Mang Mountain. In past hunts, it was rare for anyone to successfully kill one.
"Incredible. I remember in the last Mang Mountain hunt, she only managed to kill a Human Element Ninth Grade Snow Lion. To think she can now hunt a Profound Origin Realm Fierce Beast."
"This Golden Pattern Wild Bull is equivalent to a Profound Origin Third Grade. That means Li Peiyi's strength has reached at least that level, if not higher."
The members of the Li Family were immensely proud, especially Li Heyu, who was beaming with delight.
As for the other two families, it was a different story. Their faces were all grim, and the elders in particular looked worried. The stronger the Li Family's younger generation, the deeper their foundation would be in the future.
"Heh heh, my daughter really brings me honor," Li Heyu laughed heartily.
"Now I just wonder what sort of prize Brother Qin's son has brought back."
Qin Hai snorted coldly, his eyes fixed on the mountain range with a look of anticipation.
'My son, you'd better not disappoint me!'
Li Peiyi listened to the exclamations around her, her expression placid and without a ripple of emotion. She gripped her longsword tightly and glanced around as if searching for someone, then sighed in disappointment and relaxed her fingers.
'Qin Ya, I will defeat you!'
She walked up to Li Heyu and the others and bowed. Li Heyu smiled. "Peiyi, well done. You truly haven't disappointed your father."
Zhang You, having changed into a fresh set of clothes, walked forward fanning himself with a jade fan. "Miss Li's strength is truly exceptional. I humbly admit my inferiority."
Li Peiyi gave a slight nod, remaining silent and aloof as her eyes gazed toward the mountain range.
Zhang You wasn't offended. He smiled faintly and added, "Among the younger generation of the three great families, you, Miss Li, myself, and Brother Qin are considered the leaders. Could it be that you are waiting for Brother Qin?"
"If you're talking about Qin Yuncheng, he's already dead."
Li Peiyi stated it indifferently, but her words struck like a clap of thunder!
"Li Peiyi, what did you say!"
Killing intent surged to the heavens. An enraged Qin Hai instantly appeared before Li Peiyi and roared. At the same time, Li Heyu also made his move, locking his aura onto Qin Hai.
The elders of the Li and Qin families unleashed their True Essence in almost the same instant, warily preparing for the other side to act. A standoff ensued. Seeing that things were going south, the Zhang Family hastily withdrew from the potential battle zone.
"Qin Hai, what is the meaning of this!"
Li Heyu and the others were a little resentful. 'Even if you killed Qin Yuncheng, there was no need to announce it so brazenly!'
The three families had never been on good terms, and only a handful of people were capable of killing Qin Yuncheng. Naturally, they interpreted Li Peiyi's words to mean that she was the one who had killed him.
Li Peiyi's mind was sharp; she instantly realized the mistake in her wording.
"I wasn't the one who killed Qin Yuncheng."
"Who was it!"
Qin Hai growled, his heart sinking to the depths. A wave of grief washed over him. Li Peiyi had no reason to lie about something like this. Her words meant that Qin Yuncheng had, in all likelihood, met with disaster.
At this moment, Qin Hai was like a ravenous beast, ready to pounce and devour someone. Beyond his grief, all that remained was a chilling killing intent, his rage erupting like a volcano.
"The Snow Wolf King."
Seeing Qin Hai's state, Li Peiyi recounted what she had witnessed.