Stronger from Earth-Chapter 48: On Killing
There are many shepherds living along the border of the White Frost Cold Plain region. They are truly just ordinary shepherds, although the cultivators who frequently come and go in the buffer zone have brought instability to their lives.
The landing site of the transport ship is in a large city three hundred miles beyond the border, with a population exceeding ten million, more than half of whom are not permanent residents. This ratio indicates that there are too many travelers in this city.
People from all regions of the Mother Star gather here, with no shortage of yellow, white, or black skin. The world has long been unified into a Federation, and while many internal conflicts still exist, it is relatively stable.
In Europe, Africa, West Asia, South Asia, America, and Asia, every region has Immortal Powerhouses; the trend of cultivation is very strong.
Cultivators venture to the White Frost Cold Plain to obtain resources from miles away, not to mention there are also quite a few who travel to other planets in the Solar System, or even to mission-carrying Affiliated Star Domains of the Mother Star.
"After appraisal, the estimated value of this item is eighteen million Star Yuan. Would you like to sell it?" The receptionist was a middle-aged man, obviously having worked here for many years.
In this Hunting City, Wang Xuan and Leng Feng processed the loot at the Celestial Dragon Team’s station, which yielded slightly higher returns than trading on other platforms. Besides, the Greedy Wolf Hunting Team was already affiliated with the Celestial Dragon Team.
Five or six fierce beasts valued at thirty million, that lynx, after identification, was confirmed to be a middle-level demon beast, equivalent to the level of an Innate Cultivator, valued at one hundred fifty million Star Yuan.
"Sell it." Wang Xuan and Leng Feng exchanged a glance and then nodded, which made the middle-aged man’s smile even broader. A transaction worth over a hundred million is considered quite the big deal.
After handling all this, Wang Xuan realized he had already earned a hundred twenty million Star Yuan, with a hundred million coming from the lynx demon beast, and Leng Feng only took the smaller portion.
Then he and Leng Feng each contributed five million to the public account of the Greedy Wolf Hunting Team, sharing the profits, which was a personal favor and not a requirement. Profits from hunting team activities belong to individuals.
"How’s Liu Hong’s injury?" Leng Feng asked Qin Hu.
"She’s fine, Zhou Minglun is relieved now. If he marries her, his child’s milk is assured; otherwise, they’ll have to resort to formula milk." Qin Hu was utterly unbothered by this risqué talk.
Liu Hong’s minor injury was really not an issue; it was like an ordinary person getting a cut. In a hospital, let alone a rib fracture, even if you’re just a head, they could save you.
Wang Xuan yawned. The journey here had been exhausting, with several fierce battles along the way. Even with his physique, he needed rest, conforming to natural human rhythms.
"Then I wish her a speedy recovery." Wang Xuan walked into his hotel room, needing a good night’s sleep.
"I’ll go have some fun too." Leng Feng had made some money and was naturally in high spirits, eager to live it up a bit and not hesitant about spending his earnings.
Qin Hu and Shen Yuan exchanged mischievous glances, jumped forward, and pinned Leng Feng’s arms: "Why, not taking us along? That’s not right, man."
The two were well aware of what Hunting City had to offer; it was likely just some amorous venue.
Leng Feng was in a good mood and decided to treat them all, willing to spend a little extra.
"Watch your health; depletion is bad for cultivation." Wang Xuan reminded.
The city throngs with traffic and is teeming with all sorts, where even Vajra Realm cultivators below Earth Immortals might appear, yet safety was largely guaranteed; few in the city dared to act brazenly.
Celestial Demon-created disasters inflicted quite a bit of turmoil on Hunting City. Besides the hunters killed by massive impacts, many benefitted from these disasters, as numerous demon and fierce beast carcasses emerged.
In the hotel, Wang Xuan drank a nutritional supplement, then lay in bed to sleep. Physical fatigue could be relieved with an accelerator, but mental exhaustion required recuperation; staying tense risked snapping like a stretched string.
He slept for five hours, resting fairly well. But he didn’t wake naturally; the accelerator’s alert tone woke him.
In his sleep, an energy appeared out of nowhere, descended over his head, and easily merged into his body.
"Exotic energy detected; convert and absorb as Source Power?"
Wang Xuan was puzzled. Where had this come from? He was completely baffled.
"Absorb."
"Ding! Source Power Value +1." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
Wang Xuan racked his brain, wondering if this opportunity could be actively sought, but was dismayed that it was just a single Source Power value, which was too meager.
He shook his head helplessly: "Well, a little Source Power value is still something, even if it’s like a mosquito leg."
Hours later, after waking and indulging in a hearty meal to replenish nutrients, Wang Xuan learned of new developments from the Celestial Demon Battlefield: numerous fierce beasts and demon beasts had driven away hunting teams, allegedly at the command of a Great Demon.
Generally, sacred human figures don’t arbitrarily enter demon beast domains, and those demon immortals cannot freely slaughter human cultivators either; it’s a mutual understanding.
Soon after, the Celestial Demon Battlefield reported another tremor; shockwaves devastated a region, suggesting another Celestial Demon battle, possibly involving those two from before.
Qin Hu, Shen Yuan, and Leng Feng, returning from their frivolous escapade, reeked of perfume, discussing Dark Hunting Group matters with the captain and others.
"Who would have thought we’d run into them here? We can’t miss this chance; we must find an opportunity to kill them all to avenge Liu Lan!"
Liu Lan was genuinely kind; whenever a team member got injured in the wild, she’d treat them and had excellent culinary skills. Being the youngest, she was adored by all.
"Wang Xuan, how strong are they?" Captain Yan Hua inquired.
"Same as before, same people, but they’ve added a sniper. I encountered them, injured two ordinary members, and lightly injured a deputy leader. They are likely resting in Hunting City as well." Wang Xuan stated.
Qin Hu and Shen Yuan gasped: "You injured that Blood Exchange Realm Golden Wolf? The leader of the Three Wolves?"
"Yes, my spear technique has indeed improved." Wang Xuan nodded.
"Don’t be fooled by his modesty; I tell you, this guy has actually broken through the Muscle Training Realm, and his cultivation level is skyrocketing to the point that even Qin Hu isn’t his match in terms of strength.
I saw him take down a weak fierce beast with three punches, a three-meter-tall red deer he pummeled till it bled from all seven orifices."
Leng Feng’s words widened their eyes as they scrutinized Wang Xuan. This was far beyond their understanding—was Wang Xuan still the same Wang Xuan?
The transformation was astounding!
"Unbelievable, simply unbelievable! Who would’ve thought, Wang Xuan, that you’d remain silent for three or four years and suddenly progress so dramatically? It’s truly like a one-time brilliant achievement!" Qin Hu nearly jumped out of his seat.
Shen Yuan chuckled: "Congratulations, but you’d better treat us to dinner, time to celebrate properly."
"Of course." Wang Xuan readily accepted, as these guys genuinely supported him.
Zou Ping and Zhou Minglun had an awkward expression; it was an embarrassing moment because they were usually the ones mocking Wang Xuan.
They’d always called him a lifetime Muscle Training Realm, a weakling the hunting team needed to protect—a burden.
But unexpectedly, Wang Xuan had broken through and greatly increased in strength, seemingly not inferior to them, and with a gun, he could seriously threaten those at the Bone Marrow Refining level.
It was truly humiliating, leaving them with no face.
"Wang Xuan, con—congratulations." Zou Ping’s words came out awkwardly, his face blushing slightly.
Wang Xuan nodded but didn’t hold it against them, as these guys never dared say much bad about him to his face, fearing he’d shoot them dead in the wild.
Captain Yan Hua was thrilled about Wang Xuan’s power growth: "This is excellent news, ensuring greater personal safety. However, we must prepare thoroughly to wipe out the Dark Hunting Group."
Everyone brainstormed, developing numerous plans and contributing ideas in their respective areas of expertise. At this time, even if it meant splurging on gear with money, they were willing.
Whether high-explosive munitions, Xingtian Shield Inner Armor, or drugs boosting combat power, they acquired them all.
"I have a few friends; when it’s go-time, I’ll have them help out. We must annihilate the Dark Hunting Group!" Yan Hua declared.
Liu Hong was still hospitalized, and everyone sharpened their swords as rumors about the Dark Hunting Group were gathered—knowing oneself and the enemy assures victory, even though they had prepared heavily before.
The next morning, waking bright and early, Wang Xuan received one more Source Power value, puzzling him as to where it came from.
For the following days, he continually received a single Source Power value every day, though the timing was erratic and the origin of the exotic energy remained elusive.
Could someone be plotting against him? Wang Xuan wondered.
Five days later, when Dark Hunting went out, Liu Hong’s injuries were almost healed. Her main function was as a poison specialist, not direct combat, which wasn’t her forte.
"Then let’s set out."
The Greedy Wolf Hunting Team departed, venturing into the primeval forest.
