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--- Chapter 266 ---
Han Yuan reached the open area at a leisurely pace and noticed Hu Ying managing a group of people, surrounded by a pile of gigantic Magical Beasts lying on the ground.
Queen Medusa, Hai Bodong, and Yafei had returned from their activities and froze at the sight of these Magical Beasts with a disbelieving look on their faces.
"Damn, these Magical Beasts were at least Rank 6," Hai Bodong exclaimed in shock. "Most of them are at my level of strength..."
Queen Medusa narrowed her charming yet observant eyes. "No, two of them were at least Rank 7. Look at that boar and crab."
Hearing this, Yafei's gaze naturally fell upon the gold-furred giant boar that filled her entire view, and she felt a suffocating pressure emanating from it. The air felt dry, and her hair stood on end.
She then shifted her attention to another remnant. A massive crab that was noticeably smaller than the giant boar but still ten times bigger than herself, encased in a natural silver armor-like carapace, with one oversized claw capable of snapping anything in half.
"That boar is stronger than the Old Demon Tiger when it was alive," Hai Bodong commented, walking to the boar and pinching its tough hide with his fingers.
He glanced at Hu Ying. "How did you kill it exactly?"
"It's not just a matter of strength. Even for me, it would take time to freeze this giant boar's hide and injure it."
"And that crab… just looking at that massive claw makes me feel threatened." He shivered a little.
Hu Ying smiled and replied. "I slaughtered, oops, I mean neutralized these Magical Beasts under the order of the Young Master."
"And how did you do that? With what?" Queen Medusa asked. "I don't mean to offend you, but you don't possess the power to kill even a Rank 6 Magical Beast."
"Of course, with Zing!" Hu Ying announced while pointing at the back.
"Zing?" Queen Medusa, Hai Bodong, and Yafei tilted their heads in confusion.
At that moment, the Mysterious Demon Puppet slowly emerged from the shadows, making its first appearance.
"This..." Queen Medusa narrowed her eyes. "A puppet?"
Hai Bodong gasped, feeling a deathly aura radiating from the Mysterious Demon Puppet. "You've got to be kidding me. A puppet actually makes me feel nervous."
Zing, as the Mysterious Demon Puppet, lacked the natural presence of a living being, which gave off an unsettling feeling for those in its presence, and it did not emit Dou Qi, making its sudden appearance feel eerie, as if it emerged from nowhere.
Just gazing into its hollow purple eyes made Queen Medusa and Hai Bodong feel as though they were staring into a deathly abyss, ready to consume them.
"Zing is a puppet refined by the Young Master using the remains of the Old Demon Tiger and a few other special materials," Hu Ying explained, purposely keeping some details to herself.
She understood that Queen Medusa and Hai Bodong were already part of the Martial Union, but sometimes, knowing less about Han Yuan was better.
She thought it would be better not to give them the existential crisis she had experienced herself. She doubted her life earlier.
Although Hu Ying had worked hard over the years and had finally reached the Dou King Realm, she really couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness compared to the puppet her Young Master refined in less than an hour.
It made Hu Ying feel worthless. Nonetheless, she persisted and followed Han Yuan's orders without complaints, slaughtering the "noisy" Magical Beasts in the Black Abyss Forest with Zing's assistance, leaving only those willing to submit to the Earth Tiger Sect.
In total, Hu Ying decimated thirty-two nests, twenty-nine Rank 6 Magical Beasts, one peak Rank 6 Magical Beast, and finally, two Rank 7 Magical Beasts.
Honestly, Hu Ying felt thrilled every time she ordered Zing to beat these arrogant Magical Beasts up. All she needed to do was point a finger and say, 'Beat that guy up,' and not even a minute later, the Magical Beast had perished.
While the Earth Tiger Sect has settled in the Black Abyss Forest, they are not the sole rulers of this forest. If not for the defensive root systems and illusion Han Yuan placed, the Earth Tiger Sect wouldn't be able to stand properly in this place, as the other rulers, such as high-ranking Magical Beasts, love to cause trouble.
So, cleaning them not only cemented Earth Tiger Sect's dominion in the Black Abyss Forest, but also protected its future interests.
"Young Master, you're here!" Hu Ying finally noticed Han Yuan standing in the corridor.
"Yeah," Han Yuan walked in with a smile.
"Kid, you actually succeeded in refining the Mysterious Demon Puppet you talked about already?" Hai Bodong immediately rushed toward Han Yuan and asked with a serious yet excited expression.
"What do you mean by that? Do you think I'd fail?" Han Yuan rolled his eyes.
Cough!
Hai Bodong cleared his throat, "I don't mean it that way."
Queen Medusa pushed Hai Bodong away and asked, "Hu Ying girl said that you used Old Demon Tiger as the material, then could you make an even stronger puppet if you used the Dou Ancestor I fought, or even the expert from the Hall of Souls?"
"Han Yuan, if you can really do it, can you make one puppet for my snake-people?"
"My people need a guardian."
Han Yuan raised his eyebrow slightly as he understood the implication behind this sudden request, "Are you finally deciding to leave them for me, Medusa?"
Queen Medusa's eyes turned crescent as she replied with a giggle, "Heh, you left me with no choice. You're too charming for your own good, Han Yuan."
"But as expected, I can't bear to leave them unprotected."
"I am still the queen of my people. I can't let them down."
Although Queen Medusa wished to reach a higher realm of cultivation and fulfil her own dream, she knew being 'Queen Medusa' was not just bearing a name, as she possessed a duty as the queen of the snake people.
If Han Yuan could refine another Mysterious Demon Puppet like Zing, she would be more confident in leaving her people.
Han Yuan shook his head helplessly, "Actually, you don't have to be too nervous about this."
"Since you joined the Martial Union, it is natural that we protect your people."
"Of course, your subject only. I can't protect some snake people, as you probably know."
Queen Medusa nodded thoughtfully, recalling Qing Lin's situation, and then smiled, "That is more than enough, thanks, Han Yuan."
Han Yuan smiled back, "Good, now let's have a feast."
"Hu Ying, store 1/3 of the things you hunt in the vault of Earth Tiger Sect and use them to nourish your disciple. As for the rest, I will share with other branches."
"As for the boar and crab, let's eat them right away."
"We are eating well tonight!"
Hu Ying nodded, "I will prepare the feast as quickly as possible, Young Master."
"Wooo! Young Master is the best!"
"Long Live Young Master!"
"Long Live Young Master!"
The Earth Tiger Sect's disciples excitedly roared. After all, no one would reject eating Rank 7 Magical Beasts' meat, which not only nourishes but will also help them greatly in cultivation.
"Heh, then this old man won't hold back." Hai Bodong rubbed his hands excitedly.
"Hmph, a feast after a big victory is normal." Queen Medusa commented while crossing her arms.
Yafei giggled, "Tonight is indeed joyful."
With that, everyone had a feast and a share of the Rank 7 Magical Beasts' meat. Unfortunately, even feasting on it, they couldn't eat the whole boar and crab in one sitting. Surprisingly enough, Han Yuan and Queen Medusa were the ones who ate the most at this feast.
---
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The next morning, Hu Ying bowed to Han Yuan.
"Thank you for leaving Zing with us, Young Master," She said respectfully and determinedly. "I promise I will take over Black Corner Region until your next visit."
Han Yuan waved his hand, "Get up, Hu Ying."
"I leave the Black Corner Region to you, but don't pressure yourself too much."
"Also, keep watch over the Black Corner Region. Even though you have Zing, a faction like Hall of Souls can easily defeat it."
"Just play it safe."
"I will listen to your advice." Hu Ying said solemnly.
Han Yuan patted Hu Ying's shoulder and then said, "Well, I will leave then."
"I will probably be back when Jia Nan Academy recruits new students."
"By then, I hope you are safe and well."
"Yes, Young Master." Hu Ying felt touched by his words and nodded with a faint smile.
A massive Rank 6 flying Magical Beast, which was Skyterror Bat, landed near Han Yuan and others as they jumped onto its back. The bat let out a timid shriek as it brought them away from the Black Abyss Forest.
The Skyterror Bat cut through the morning light as it reached superspeed and flew toward the Jia Ma Empire quickly.