Chapter 25: The Hunter and the Prey
The autumn wind blew desolately, dyeing the mountains in vibrant hues.
Bathed in golden sunlight, the entire forested mountain seemed draped in a veil of gold.
Yao Yan walked leisurely through it, Ling'er perched on his shoulder. His gaze followed the drifting leaves carried by the wind, his mind inevitably wandering to the past. It had been nearly a year since he came to the Shennong Mountains. Ever since taking Soul Void as his master, time seemed to accelerate.
More than three years had passed in the blink of an eye.
Indeed, as the saying goes: In cultivation, one loses track of time.
Rustle rustle...
A chilly autumn breeze swept through, stirring the fallen leaves across the forest floor like the opening notes to a murderous ballad.
Yao Yan halted, drawing his gaze away from the scenic surroundings and calmly settling it on the six figures blocking his path. He was genuinely surprised—someone in Shennong City actually dared target him? Did the Yao Clan's name no longer hold weight?
That was one of the top clans on the entire Dou Qi Continent.
"Ying ying!"
Ling'er widened her bright green eyes warily, scanning the strangers. She instantly sensed their hostility. With nimble movements, she leapt from Yao Yan's shoulder to a nearby tree branch, her fluffy tail swaying as she retreated to safety.
She ran... just like that?
Yao Yan twitched at the sight.
So the little brat really just saw him as her personal food dispenser—lazy and always running at the first sign of danger. All that feeding, for what?
Not that he expected her to help.
Turning his eyes to the six strangers, Yao Yan spoke with polite curiosity, "Can I help you gentlemen?"
The leader smiled with cupped fists. "Young friend, you're from the Yao Clan, yes?"
Yao Yan nodded slightly, waiting for the next part.
The man took a deep breath and straightened up, putting on a sincere tone. "We six brothers noticed you entering the Shennong Mountains alone. Fearing you might face danger, we've come to offer our help. If you need mercenaries, we'd be honored. Together, we're more than capable of taking on even a Dou King."
Nice excuse... Yao Yan mentally took notes, outwardly replying with calm courtesy, "No need. But thank you."
"…Could it be you have escorts already? If so, it seems we were overly concerned."
The man's smile stiffened, his tone darker now.
"You tell me," Yao Yan said casually, flipping the question around.
That single, playful line instantly drained the tension. The lead man's façade cracked. He had intended this play-acting to gauge Yao Yan's defenses—but Yao Yan's composure had shaken their confidence.
"If you've got no further business, I'll be on my way."
Yao Yan took a calm step forward.
Crunch, crunch.
His footfalls on dry leaves echoed in the tense silence, each step pressing down on the hearts of the six men.
Finally…
One of them—the tallest and burliest—snapped. Fierce light filled his eyes. "He's figured us out already, and you think he'll let us go if we walk away?!"
"Exactly, he's bluffing! Almost fell for it."
With a vicious grin, the leader unleashed his Dou Qi. The power of a peak nine-star Dou Spirit surged, and with a roar, he launched his fist at Yao Yan's head, wrapped in earthy yellow Dou Qi.
No holding back—this was his strongest blow.
He could already imagine the kid's head bursting open—
Boom!
The punch hit, shaking the air itself, sending leaves flying.
But something felt wrong…
The man's face twisted in shock. That wasn't a head. It felt like solid rock!
As the dust cleared, what emerged was a stunningly handsome face and a pair of abyssal black eyes staring right back at him.
"…What?!"
The others were equally stunned.
Yao Yan had caught that punch with one hand.
He hadn't even flinched.
This isn't right!
Before the leader could react, a terrifying force traveled up his arm. Yao Yan's fist slammed into his chest—no Dou Qi, just a punch.
But that punch shattered his Dou Qi shield instantly.
Crack!
With a muffled thud, the leader's chest caved in. His back exploded open, and his body was hurled backward like a ragdoll.
Yao Yan casually let the corpse fall at his feet, picked up his fallen hat, and adjusted it over his face.
He waved to Ling'er, completely ignoring the five frozen attackers. "Let's go."
"Ying?"
Ling'er tilted her head, confused. Why so quick? Usually, she'd toy with her pursuers for a while. This was too efficient.
Then again, she didn't dwell on it. A few hops brought her back to Yao Yan's shoulder.
Her big green eyes sparkled as she looked at the five men, frozen like statues.
When Yao Yan passed by them, he paused and said lightly, "Each of you, cut off an arm. A little price for attempted robbery."
Silence.
Then, the feminine-looking young man grit his teeth, raised his weapon, and severed his left arm in one stroke. Trembling in pain, he still bowed. "Thank you… for sparing us."
The others hesitated—then followed suit, each slicing off their left arm.
"Thank you, sir, for sparing us!"
Yao Yan watched them in silence… then added coldly, "What if I'd said the right arm instead?"
The five paled, at a loss.
Finally, the feminine youth said bitterly, "Then… death would be our only option."
Losing one arm, they might barely survive. But both? They'd be prey for every grudge they'd ever earned.
"Good luck, then~"
Yao Yan chuckled, glancing meaningfully into the forest before turning to leave.
The five watched him go, relief flooding their eyes. They never expected to survive.
"He never saw us as a threat," one muttered with a bitter smile.
"I thought he was just a Dou Practitioner! That was a Dou Practitioner?!"
Their faces were grim. Clearly, their intel was horribly off.
Then…
"You failed, huh?"
A chilling voice echoed through the woods. A gaunt man with cruel eyes emerged from the shadows, six armed men behind him.
"Vulture?! You were targeting him too?!" the feminine man blurted out.
Vulture smirked as he crouched beside the corpse, rifling through it.
"A lot of people are watching that fat lamb. You lot just moved first—and paid for it."
He held up the dead leader's storage ring, eyeing the injured five.
Years of raiding the Shennong Mountains had made those rings fat with loot.
And now? Their arms were gone, their strength halved. Easy prey.
"I'll ask again," said the big man coldly, "You think you can take us?"
But the feminine man stopped him, voice grave. "Even if they attack, it won't be easy. If we fight hard, someone else might swoop in and take everything."
"That's why… I brought backup."
Vulture clapped. Another group appeared—more men, more killers.
The two groups surrounded them like wolves around injured deer.
Knowing resistance was futile, the five triggered their Dou Qi anyway, blazing with fire and fury.
The three parties clashed violently.
From a treetop not far off…
Yao Yan munched on snacks, watching the battle calmly.
He'd sensed the tailing parties long ago.
Rather than scare them off, he left bait—the five wounded men.
Hook, line, and sinker.
"Real Dou Techniques sure are pretty. Way flashier than riding Dou Qi horses," he remarked with a smirk, eyes glittering as the chaos unfolded.
(END CHAPTER)
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