Chapter Forty-Three: Announcement of the Rules (Part One)

Wang Li successfully ignited the fury of the Pure Sun disciples. The captains of each squad hurriedly offered strategies and suggestions, preparing to retaliate against the Earthhowl beasts in the city.

At present, the greatest threat among the Earthhowl beasts was the unseen leader; since its level remained unknown, nearly all plans revolved around hunting it. Yet the flames of hatred had not clouded the Pure Sun disciples’ judgment. The saying “revenge must not wait for daybreak” was merely an irrational expression, not one that would sway their reason.

After all, everyone could distinguish between avenging themselves against the Earthhowl beasts and blindly rushing forth to feed the slaughter; no one would charge in recklessly on a whim.

When it came to understanding ferocious beasts, even ten thousand Pure Sun disciples could not match the expertise of the Beast Taming Sect’s disciples.

After their discussion, the Beast Taming Sect disciples unanimously agreed: based on the number of Earthhowl beasts and their command structure witnessed in the city, the leaders among them were unlikely to be of high rank—at most, no more than fifth tier, roughly equivalent to a fourth-stage Golden Core cultivator. However, there was more than one leader.

Representing the Beast Taming Sect, Qingyu explained, “Generally, an Earthhowl leader at the fourth tier can command up to three thousand followers. A fifth-tier leader can control no more than five thousand.”

“The number of Earthhowl beasts appearing in the city is at least twelve thousand. We believe they are not a single tribe, but three or more tribes gathered together. Among them, there should be three or four leaders at the fourth or fifth tier. If we hope to clear the city, our first step must be to eliminate these leaders.”

Everyone furrowed their brows as they listened.

According to Qingyu, wiping out the Earthhowl beasts in the city would not be easy. Even setting aside the lesser beasts, just the leaders posed a formidable challenge. Even without a fifth-tier leader, they would still face beasts more difficult than three or four Golden Core cultivators.

Earthhowl beasts possessed thick hides and immense strength and speed unmatched by cultivators of the same realm. In Vengeance City, there was only Luo Heng, a Golden Core expert. Even if they included two more Golden Core experts from Suppressing Immortals City, they could not be certain of handling three or four Earthhowl leaders at once.

Furthermore, the experts from Suppressing Immortals City might not be willing to risk themselves hunting the leaders proactively.

Wang Li’s mind raced, quickly clarifying the critical points.

However, he had a question that needed answering before he would let his fellow disciples provoke the Earthhowl beasts.

“Qingyu, how can you be sure there are no Earthhowl beasts above the fifth tier among them?”

Wang Li spoke gravely, “This is crucial—it concerns the safety of many. I hope you are not withholding anything.”

Qingyu replied, “We dare not. We are confident there are none above the fifth tier for two reasons. First, a sixth-tier Earthhowl beast’s strength rivals that of a Nascent Soul cultivator. If a sixth-tier leader were in command, its power and intelligence would never allow us the chance to withdraw or set up camp.”

“Indeed, if the Earthhowl leader were far stronger than us, it would not have been frightened off by Junior Brother Ling Xiao’s ultimate move.”

“Yes, that makes sense. I’ve heard that a sixth-tier beast’s intelligence is not inferior to a young teenager’s. It would surely recognize that we lack a Nascent Soul expert among us.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Qingyu continued, “Our second reason is that several Beast Taming Sect disciples have discerned, from the commands issued during the Earthhowl beasts’ advance and retreat, at least three distinct leader roars.”

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“That is something you may not know: every Earthhowl beast’s cry is unique. Beast Taming Sect disciples are trained from childhood to distinguish the calls of spiritual beasts, even between individuals of the same species.”

After hearing this explanation, Wang Li and the others felt much of their anxiety dissipate.

“As long as there are no beasts at Nascent Soul strength, I can arrange the next steps with confidence,” Wang Li said, turning to Luo Heng. “Earthhowl beasts are formidable in defense. Are you confident you can handle them?”

Luo Heng pondered, “I cultivate fire-based techniques. The Earthhowl’s defense relies on its hide, so my attacks struggle to harm one of equal rank externally. But if we can breach its defenses with a suitable spiritual weapon, I can direct my attacks inside; their internal organs are their weakness.”

He paused, a bit embarrassed. “I originally possessed a low-grade Xuan-tier flying sword, but sent it to the Spirit Weapon Pavilion in Divine Weapon Valley for an upgrade. The situation arose so suddenly that I didn’t retrieve it in time, so…”

Wang Li asked, “Qingyu, do fourth- and fifth-tier Earthhowl beasts require a Xuan-tier spiritual weapon to break their defense?”

Qingyu answered, “Not necessarily. A large enough gap in cultivation or strength can overcome their defenses. But when fighting beasts of equal rank, we must rely on spiritual weapons. Ordinary Huang-tier weapons can’t withstand a Golden Core cultivator’s full-force attacks. To deal with an Earthhowl leader, it’s best to use Xuan-tier or higher.”

Another Beast Taming Sect disciple interjected, “Of course, if someone specializes in spiritual attacks, it’s much easier. Ferocious beasts have strong bodies but weak souls. Even fourth- and fifth-tier Earthhowl beasts’ souls are barely stronger than a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s. That’s probably why the leaders didn’t pursue us after Junior Brother Ling Xiao’s wide-range spiritual attack.”

“We can’t rule out that possibility,” Qingyu said. “If Ling Xiao assists nearby, our offensive would be even more effective.”

“I see!” Wang Li’s fingers fiddled in his sleeve as he asked, “Has anyone seen Jiang Yue?”

Everyone was stunned.

Wasn’t that a bit abrupt?

Why would he look for a young girl? Could she handle an Earthhowl leader?

Under their puzzled gazes, Wang Li said to Luo Heng, “Jiang Yue has a Xuan-tier short sword. You can borrow it for now.”

“The girl has a Xuan-tier weapon too?”

Thinking of those two top-grade Di-tier weapons, Huang Tao felt bitter inside.

The little girl was always an unpredictable presence; just as Wang Li was about to ask for her weapon, she hurried in—teetering and wobbling atop a hammer as she flew in.

Wang Li exclaimed, “You’ve learned to fly so quickly?”

How much time had passed?

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Less than a day, and she could already fly—though shakily, but what a prodigy she was!

Wang Li recalled how he had practiced battlefield simulations thousands of times before barely mastering sword flight, and now he doubted his own judgment.

“Is this girl truly a cultivation prodigy, and not simply accelerated by the sect leader’s intervention?”

He began to lose confidence.

“Of course! You should see who this princess is!” Jiang Yue crowed, head held high, eager for praise.

But no one seemed in the mood to coddle a child; she was met with silence, making the scene a tad awkward.

Seeing everyone looking at her strangely, Jiang Yue felt a bit guilty. “You all know?”

Wang Li said with annoyance, “You’re trembling as you fly—we’re not blind!”

Jiang Yue pouted, “That’s not what I meant…”

Jiang Yu laughed, “Little Yue, we’re discussing something important right now, don’t make trouble.”

“I have something important to say too!” Jiang Yue protested. “Do you know the rules of the Chosen? Do you know what this place is? Do you know how to leave?”

“This princess does!”

“What nonsense!” Wang Li snapped, “Leave your short sword and your rainbow blade, and go cool off somewhere else!”

“You meanie, Wang Li, you’re bullying me!”

Jiang Yue’s face turned from sunny to stormy in an instant. “Boohoo, I wanted to tell you the rules of the Chosen, but you dared to bully me. I’ll take everyone else away and leave you here all alone, boohoo…”

Wang Li hated when women cried; it made his scalp tingle.

“All right, all right! If you have something to say, say it quickly and stop crying—it’s so annoying!”

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