The peacock’s toxins, born of miasma, were too concentrated or mutated. Even [Qi Devouring (Minor Mastery)] couldn’t neutralize them instantly.

  It was like overeating—his system couldn’t digest fast enough.

  The cunning beast seized the moment, wrenching free from his grip.

  Not bad for a spirit beast.

  Even injured, it was a nightmare to fight.

  Jiang Heng took a deep breath, undeterred.

  Tearing off a wing was a huge win.

  Now, the peacock hid, waiting for the poison to fell him.

  Smart move.

  But with [Qi Devouring] grinding away, the toxins were fully purged. Far from weakened, he felt fine.

  The only issue was his arm—severe pain and steady blood loss demanded speed.

  Spotting his chance, he lunged again.

  They cshed fiercely.

  The peacock soon realized it was outmatched and turned to flee.

  Despite losing a wing, it maniputed mist and leaped swiftly.

  But Jiang Heng was ready.

  Ignoring his arm’s agony, he nocked an arrow and fired in one fluid motion.

  Buzz!

  The arrow sang, piercing the air.

  A wretched screech followed.

  The peacock—a true spirit beast—fell, sin by Jiang Heng.

  Finally dead…

  Binding his arm, he examined the corpse.

  A familiar tremor stirred in his mind. The golden cauldron quaked, unleashing a golden beam.

  Under its light, the peacock’s body withered, its stored miasma turning to bck smoke, drifting to Jiang Heng’s brow.

  The cauldron absorbed it, feeding warm currents into his limbs, nourishing every inch of flesh and bone.

  Comfort and strength flooded him.

  The energy pooled in his legs, their muscles hardening, brimming with extraordinary power.

  [Fate Ability: Godspeed (Minor Mastery): Dash a thousand miles, tread without sound.]

  Tread without sound?

  At first, he didn’t get it.

  Taking a few steps, it clicked.

  The bamboo grove’s floor was littered with brittle leaves, crackling underfoot.

  Yet now, a hundred-plus-pound man stepped on them without a sound, light as a feather.

  And [Godspeed]’s silent steps were just a bonus.

  Its true power was explosive speed for closing gaps or escaping danger.

  Plus, his leg strength had surged. A casual kick now carried thirty percent more force.

  Legs were already the body’s strongest part. For a normal person, a kick was deadly.

  For Jiang Heng? He tested it, kicking a tree thick enough for one person to hug.

  Crack!

  It splintered, riddled with fractures.

  This is too good!

  The ability skyrocketed his strength.

  He estimated he could now face Sly Zhao without falling behind.

  But the haul didn’t end there.

  First, the spirit beast’s corpse.

  Though withered by the cauldron, it’d still fetch dozens of taels.

  Martial arts manual, here I come!

  Or… turn it in to change my status and become a true hunter?

  As a hunter, he’d shed his fugitive bel, no longer skulking in the wilds or fearing Great Qing’s warrants. He could negotiate with the Mountain Patrol Division for prime treatment.

  Selling the corpse for fifty taels was tempting, but with his treasure-hunting skills, he’d earn that eventually.

  A wounded spirit beast, though? Those were rare.

  Better to visit a county office and trade it for hunter status.

  Hunters enjoyed countless perks.

  Having fled the Division’s camp, they’d hunt him, but county offices might not.

  Rumor had it the counties and Division were at odds, feuding over power.

  Joining a county office could secure a post and protection.

  More importantly, counties had martial academies and estates that recruited hunters, offering chances to learn martial arts.

  In Great Qing, might ruled.

  Hunters were upper-css for their strength.

  Martial cultivators were stronger still.

  Every hunter dreamed of becoming one, earning noble status.

  Mulling his future, Jiang Heng packed the corpse and headed to the peacock’s nest.

  It held treasures.

  The nest’s branches, originally common willow, were infused with the peacock’s miasma and saliva, becoming rare herbs.

  Jiang Heng estimated the nest alone was worth two taels.

  Beyond that, the nest held stones—mostly colorful but ordinary.

  One, though, was a boar pearl, a medicinal gallstone worth five or six taels.

  Jackpot! One spirit beast’s worth more than days of treasure-hunting combined!

  He grinned, but knew such windfalls were rare.

  “Hm? Learning to cover your tracks? Too bad you’re up against me—a seasoned hunter.”

  In the miasma forest, Sly Zhao prowled, tracking Jiang Heng.

  Days ago, the Witch Cn had finished their soul banner, leaving rewards before departing.

  Zhao had then plunged into the mountains, hunting Jiang Heng, Tian, and other escapees.

  He’d made progress, finding several mountain folk—some dead, others tortured and killed.

  From their lips, he’d confirmed Jiang Heng had warned Tian.

  Now, he’d found Jiang Heng’s trail.

  In the vast, miasma-choked mountains, tracking one man was no small feat.

  But Zhao, a veteran hunter, had uncanny skill.

  As he followed the trail, a piercing horn bred from behind—the camp.

  The Mountain Patrol Division’s here? So soon? A few dead mountain folk wouldn’t warrant this. Something else happened.

  Zhao’s face darkened, and he hurried back.

  A mere mountain dweller like Jiang Heng paled next to Division business.

  At the camp, he found a major figure: a retainer of Ranger Lord Lord Shan.

  Ranger Lords outranked rangers like Zhao, holding true noble status.

  Zhao called himself “lord,” but as a clerk, he was still common-born.

  Ranger Lords, with martial cultivator strength, were another league.

  “Lord Zhao, hope you’re well. Lord Shan sent me to warn you—your little scheme’s exposed. Five days ago, Tian reached the county office and filed a compint. Within days, their martial instructor will come to investigate you personally.”

  “What? Tian hit the county office five days ago?”

  Zhao’s face twisted. He’d sent three trusted men to kill Tian, yet those fools let him live and reach the county.

  The county and Mountain Patrol Division were rivals. They’d leap at this chance to crush him.

  “Lord Shan suggests you clean up your tracks fast. He might still shield you. Act wisely.”

  The messenger flicked his sleeve and left.

  Damn it!

  Zhao cursed, his urge to kill Jiang Heng intensifying.

  He charged back into the miasma forest.

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