Youth must be seized early; one cannot remain forever young. Chapter 122: The Beast Attacks

The Thorn Centipede lay motionless on the ground, completely dead. From its severed head oozed a large pool of black poisonous blood, filling the surrounding air with a nauseating stench. Both Bai Qingzhou and Wei Jun couldn’t help but furrow their brows slightly.

Bai Qingzhou understood that the foul smell was caused by the poison seeping into the air, so he immediately cast the “Spirit Wind Charm,” summoning a refreshing breeze that dispersed the putrid odor.

“Brother Bai, are you going to cut the centipede’s flesh too?” Wei Jun pinched his nose and stared curiously at the corpse.

“No,” Bai Qingzhou shook his head, taking out a long sword from his Storage Pouch. “The meat of the Thorn Centipede isn’t good, and no one buys it in the market. But its shell can be used to refine pills and forge weapons—it’s quite sought after!”

“How sought after?” Wei Jun inquired, stepping closer.

Bai Qingzhou picked up the Supreme Clarity Sword and began to painstakingly cut through the centipede’s back shell. “Just this set of shells might be worth seven to eight spirit stones!”

“Seven to eight spirit stones!?” Wei Jun’s mouth dropped open in shock. “Really that much?”

“Yeah. As far as I know, the shell can be made into armor or ground into powder for pill-making. It’s very popular in the market,” Bai Qingzhou said with a smile.

Wei Jun clicked his tongue in amazement. “I didn’t expect a single beast like this to be worth seven or eight spirit stones...”

“What about you?” Bai Qingzhou looked up. “Brother Wei, have you never hunted beasts before?”

“No, I rarely come to the monster forest. I usually earn spirit stones by doing odd jobs for friends...” Wei Jun replied.

“Haha, then you should come more often. We can share the spirit stones together.”

Wei Jun’s eyes brightened as he agreed, “Alright! Sounds like a plan!”

Clearly attracted by the profits from hunting beasts, he promised to come more frequently. Perhaps then his financial situation wouldn’t be so tight.

Before long, Bai Qingzhou had cut off a dozen or so hard shells, each several feet long, and carefully stored them in his Storage Pouch.

Satisfied, Bai Qingzhou stood up, put away the Supreme Clarity Sword, and said to Wei Jun, “Brother Wei, let’s go. We still need to find the Plum Moon Deer.”

“Of course!” Wei Jun nodded.

The two resumed their journey.

Since they had entered the territory of the monsters, they dared not run at full speed. Instead, they cautiously observed their surroundings, wary of danger, and proceeded slowly.

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As their pace slowed, so did their search.

There was no other choice. Bai Qingzhou was unfamiliar with the monster forest here. If they rushed and encountered a level-two beast, the two would surely die with regret.

The forest was dense with branches that blocked most of the sunlight, allowing only sparse beams to filter through like a shimmering canopy, adding a unique charm to the primeval woods.

Time passed gently in this way.

Two hours flew by.

“Whoosh!”

Bai Qingzhou casually slashed his sword a few times, and two wild wolves instantly fell apart, completely dismembered.

On the way forward, occasionally some reckless beasts charged at them.

Now deep in the forest, even level-two beasts appeared. Fortunately, one such beast was known for its docile temperament and did not detect Bai Qingzhou and Wei Jun. To avoid alerting it, the two took a detour.

“Brother Bai, let’s rest for a while and restore our spiritual energy,” Wei Jun suggested, panting.

Bai Qingzhou nodded and pointed to a nearby stream. “Alright, let’s rest by the river.”

After several hours of high-tension vigilance, even cultivators could not endure without proper rest. Only by pausing could they travel further.

The two slowly reached the river, filled their water flasks with mountain spring water, and drank. Then each found a clean spot and sat cross-legged.

Bai Qingzhou took out a Recovery Pill and handed it to Wei Jun. “Brother Wei, take this pill. It will restore your spiritual energy faster.”

“Thank you, Brother Bai,” Wei Jun said gratefully, taking the pill. “You’re really experienced—carrying talismans and many pills, unlike me, who only brought a sword...”

“Heh, in the forest, your life is the most important. Pills, artifacts, talismans—none can be lacking!”

“True enough,” Wei Jun agreed wholeheartedly. Then after a pause, he asked, “But I wonder, where exactly is that Plum Moon Deer?”

Bai Qingzhou glanced to the true north. “Let’s search further north and see if we can find it. For now, let’s rest a bit more.”

“Alright.”

With that, Bai Qingzhou took out another pill from his Storage Pouch and swallowed it.

(End of chapter—please turn the page)

The two began meditating by the river to restore their spiritual energy.

With the aid of the pills, their energy quickly replenished. It didn’t take long before they were fully restored.

After a short while, feeling nearly rested, Bai Qingzhou stood and stretched comfortably. “Let’s go!”

“Wait—”

Just as Wei Jun opened his mouth to reply—

In an instant—

Bai Qingzhou’s body hairs stood on end!

A strong scent of blood filled the air!

Bai Qingzhou quickly turned his head and saw a black shadow rushing toward him!

A monster!

Without hesitation, relying on his reflexes, Bai Qingzhou dodged swiftly to the right, narrowly avoiding the beast’s gaping jaws!

Wei Jun, less experienced in battle, failed to react. With a “bang,” he was slammed by the beast’s body and sent flying!

“Brother Wei!” Bai Qingzhou shouted in alarm.

He hurriedly turned to face the ferocious beast.

The creature stood on four legs, tall and imposing, with smooth pale yellow fur that looked incredibly valuable. Two sturdy sharp horns on its head emitted a faint spiritual aura. It was clearly a high-level first-stage beast.

Bai Qingzhou’s eyes flashed with fierce determination.

It was the Plum Moon Deer!

“Swish!”

Bai Qingzhou drew his long sword immediately, pointing at the Plum Moon Deer, his entire body entering combat mode.

“Brother Wei! Are you alright!?” Bai Qingzhou shouted.

Fortunately, Wei Jun had not been seriously injured by the impact. Hearing Bai Qingzhou’s call, he hurriedly got up.

“Pah!” Wei Jun spat out a mouthful of blood and wiped his hand. “I’m fine!”

Bai Qingzhou moved slowly to block the Plum Moon Deer’s escape route, forming a pincer attack with Wei Jun.

“This came too easily! This stupid beast actually dared to charge us!” Bai Qingzhou said fiercely. “Brother Wei, let’s attack together!”

“Alright!”

The moment the words left their mouths, the two charged forward, weapons in hand.

The battle was about to begin.

(End of chapter)