Chapter 42

### Warning: The author is already frozen, please rescue... Please rescue immediately...

The Fulong Mountains, stretching and extending for thousands of miles, run horizontally. The seven martial cities of Jin, Mu, Shui, Huo, Tu, Feng, and Lei are located under a segment of the Fulong Mountains, with relatively close distances between them.

For any martial artist seeking to hone their skills, the Fulong Mountains are the preferred and mandatory destination.

The Fulong Mountains are long and wide, but they are just a branch of the Hundred Beast Mountains. When Chen Zong learned this, he was greatly shocked.

If the Fulong Mountains are so vast and long, what about the Hundred Beast Mountains?

Within the Fulong Mountains, countless demonic beasts roam. The weakest are naturally lower-grade Level 1 demonic beasts. It is said that even Level 4 and higher demonic beasts appear, which only martial artists who have surpassed the Blood Qi Realm can combat.

Under the leadership of a steward from the Chen family, ten members of the clan left Fengwu City and quickly headed towards the Fulong Mountains on foot. Along the way, the steward also explained some of the conditions of the Fulong Mountains, with a focus on the Chen family's iron mine.

The Chen family's iron mine is located within the Fulong Mountains but not deep inside. The position is considered to be a bit further in than the outer area. It is said that the demonic beasts that appear are generally Level 1 and Level 2, with Level 3 demonic beasts occasionally appearing, but rarely.

"You ten will be divided into five groups, each guarding one of the five directions of the mine. Remember, always leave one person at the base; both cannot leave at the same time," the steward, Chen Shaojie, said solemnly. "Other rules are already clear from the task description."

The forest was everywhere, with lush and dense grass.

Despite the somewhat rugged path, it did not hinder the group, as they were all martial artists.

This was Chen Zong's first time entering the mountains, and it was even larger than the Fenghou Mountain outside Xiaohu Town. He felt an indescribable emotion.

It seemed to be excitement.

He couldn't get enough of the scenery around him. The experience of being there was wonderful, like suddenly stepping out of a cage, with vast skies and wide horizons, and his heart felt boundlessly expansive.

There was a vague sense of something being touched, yet nothing.

As they walked, the grass and trees gradually became sparse and eventually disappeared. The group knew they had reached the Chen family's mine.

The mine was an iron mine, producing pig iron and a small amount of heavy iron, both of which could be refined. After refinement, the pig iron would become crude iron, which could then be forged into ordinary iron blocks and refined iron blocks.

As for the heavy iron, although the quantity was small, its value was not high.

"Steward Shaojie, this time the task falls to you to lead," a group of ten people approached from the front, each wearing light iron armor and carrying a long sword. They all looked to be in their late twenties, with cold and serious expressions, and a killing aura emanated from them, putting Chen Zong and the others under an invisible pressure.

That was the aura of killing, which could only be cultivated through true life-and-death battles.

These ten people were the true guardians of the mine, known as the Chen family's Iron Guards. Each had at least reached the seventh layer of the Blood Qi Realm, and some were even higher.

The one who spoke was the leader of the ten, looking to be in his thirties, with a stern face. His smile seemed forced, as if he rarely smiled.

"Yes, Captain Tiesan, nothing much has happened at the mine recently," Steward Chen Shaojie responded with a smile.

"With us, the Chen family's Iron Guards, any trouble would be no trouble," Captain Tiesan's tone conveyed a sense of confidence.

"Indeed," Chen Shaojie's tone was not perfunctory but also conveyed a sense of confidence.

After a few more pleasantries, Captain Tiesan led his team to continue patrolling.

Steward Chen Shaojie took the opportunity to introduce the Chen family's Iron Guards to the group.

The Chen family's Iron Guards are the direct guards of the Chen family. Only those who have reached the seventh layer of the Blood Qi Realm are eligible to join. There are a total of 120 members, divided into twelve small teams, with three teams guarding the mine, rotating every year.

Thirty martial artists, each at least at the seventh layer of the Blood Qi Realm, are all elite martial artists who have experienced multiple life-and-death battles. Not only are they individually powerful, but they are also skilled in cooperation. With the presence of elders who have surpassed the Blood Qi Realm, guarding a mine is not a difficult task.

This is also the reason why, over the past few decades, the mine has experienced several changes but still belongs to the Chen family.

Involuntarily, Chen Zong and the others felt a sense of admiration for the Chen family's Iron Guards.

Leading Chen Zong and the ten others to the center of the mine, there were two rows of houses. One row was for the miners, and the other was for the elders and Iron Guards guarding the mine.

After meeting the family elders and the Iron Guards, the ten were assigned to their respective groups.

"Chen Zong, I'll give you one more chance, hand over the sword to me," Chen Kaiyue walked up to Chen Zong and said in a low voice. "The favor you owe me still counts, and you can be in my group. I can protect you and help you complete the task smoothly."

Chen Zong didn't even bother to speak, and directly walked over to Chen Zhong.

"Clan Brother Chen Zhong, I'll be in your group," Chen Zong said.

"Nothing better," Chen Zhong agreed. After all, they both came from Xiaohu Town and had a closer relationship.

Chen Kaiyue's face turned ashen, his teeth almost grinding to pieces. Chen Zong dared to treat him with such contempt.

"Chen Zhong, being in the same group as a fourth-layer Blood Qi Realm martial artist, are you not afraid of being dragged down?" Chen Waixiu sneered.

"You are also at the fourth layer of the Blood Qi Realm," Chen Zhong countered.

"Hehehe, your information is outdated. I am now at the fifth layer of the Blood Qi Realm," Chen Waixiu said with some pride.

"Alright, since you have already chosen your groups, each choose a direction, walk there, and you will see the houses. Stay there for three months. If you run out of food, you can come here to collect it. If you encounter any unsolvable problems, you can come here for help. Also, remember, if you encounter a demonic beast and are unsure of your ability to handle it, remember to send a signal for help," Steward Chen Shaojie clapped his hands, signaling the group to begin their task.

"Clan Brother, shall we choose this side?" Chen Zhong pointed to the west, but Chen Waixiu seemed to deliberately oppose him and led his group to the west.

Chen Zong and Chen Zhong were indifferent and chose the north.

...

A small courtyard was situated in the mountains, with sparse vegetation on one side and barren land on the other, as if it were a dividing line.

Chen Zong and Chen Zhong lived in the small courtyard, each with their own bedroom, and other rooms had different uses, such as the kitchen.

The air in the mountains was fresh, and the scenery was beautiful, but there was a slight metallic smell due to the mine's location.

After collecting enough food for ten days, Chen Zong and Chen Zhong settled down to live and practice. In their spare time, they would take turns patrolling the nearby area.

Today, it was Chen Zong's turn to patrol.

After circling around, he headed forward. Gradually, the vegetation became sparse and then more lush.

Chen Zong suddenly smelled a peculiar, increasingly strong, pungent odor. He immediately realized that something was approaching.

Suddenly, a vague sense of excitement surged within him.

"Perhaps, it's a demonic beast," Chen Zong thought, gripping his sword with his left hand more tightly.

Having practiced to become a martial artist and reaching the fifth layer of the Blood Qi Realm, Chen Zong had never experienced a real battle, aside from some sparring.

His father had once said that an excellent martial artist must go through life and death to truly grow.

Thinking of the Chen family's Iron Guards, Chen Zong didn't know about the others, but the ten he had seen in person all carried a killing aura, giving him a sense of extreme danger.

"Come on, demonic beast," he whispered, almost holding his breath, his eyes becoming incredibly sharp, focusing on the front as if trying to see through the dense vegetation.

As the pungent odor grew stronger, the vegetation in front began to sway, and the thing approached.

A red pattern appeared, becoming clearer.

On a dark yellow fur, red patterns dotted, looking like a giant mountain cat.

"Red-spotted Leopard," Chen Zong recognized the creature instantly, recalling the numerous notes he had read in the clan's martial arts library, identifying the creature and all its information.

The Red-spotted Leopard, generally about 1.5 meters long, is a lower-grade Level 1 demonic beast. It is fast, with strong explosive power, and its claws are extremely sharp, comparable to refined iron weapons.

Moreover, the Red-spotted Leopard has no significant weaknesses. If anything, its strength is not very strong, but it is still relatively powerful. It can easily slaughter those below the fourth layer of the Blood Qi Realm. Even a fourth-layer martial artist at full power might not be a match for it.

After all, demonic beasts are naturally strong and possess a certain level of intelligence, making them excellent hunters in the mountains.

The Red-spotted Leopard in front of him was about 1.6 meters long, definitely an adult.

The Red-spotted Leopard crouched low, like a drawn bow, its golden eyes locked on Chen Zong, cold and filled with savagery. Its claws lightly scratched the ground, leaving deep marks, and its body was brimming with power, ready to unleash a fatal attack at any moment.

The savage aura and cold, merciless eyes were enough to make a fourth-layer Blood Qi Realm martial artist who had never seen blood tremble, unable to fully utilize their strength. Even a fifth-layer martial artist would not fare much better.

Chen Zong's heart rate involuntarily accelerated, feeling a chill and tingling all over his body. He was startled, realizing that he had never experienced a life-and-death battle and was at a disadvantage when facing these demonic beasts that had survived countless killings.

He assumed the starting stance of the Hidden Sword Technique, his eyes tightly focused on the Red-spotted Leopard, not missing any of its subtle movements. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. The surroundings seemed to fade away, and only his heartbeat became clearer, like a drumbeat.

The mysterious sword tip trembled slightly, a silver dragon danced, and its light illuminated and permeated his entire body. Chen Zong's breathing became deep and steady, his mind highly concentrated, and his muscles and bones were relaxed but ready to burst with incredible power at any moment.

A standoff between man and beast!

Chen Zong was waiting for the Red-spotted Leopard to make the first move, while the Red-spotted Leopard was observing the human, looking for an opportunity. It was like an excellent hunter, patiently maintaining its position, not moving a muscle, and its savage eyes remained unchanged, as if it had turned into a statue.