Chapter 24

"Hagon, the fur-covered slaves collect the essence of fierce beasts all over the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. I don't know exactly how many there are. I only recognize a few people in the nearby areas; I haven't had contact with those in more distant places." Hagon could tell that Yuan Ming had helped him just now and was trying to find out some information, so he didn't mind.

Yuan Ming nodded slowly and asked the other person a few more questions about the fur-covered slaves, all of which received fairly good answers.

"Hagon, I have one more question. I have been practicing the Fur Technique for several months, and a few days ago, when I used it, I suddenly felt a strong urge for bloodshed and killing, almost losing control of my will. Do you know what this is about?" Yuan Ming asked about what he was most concerned about.

"Very normal, it's the backlash from using the Fur Technique," Hagon said calmly.

"Backlash?" Yuan Ming's expression tightened as he immediately followed up.

"The Fur Technique is a unique secret technique of the Bi Luo Cave, which can fuse specially prepared animal skins with those who have just started on the path of cultivation, giving them the powerful strength to rival beasts. It is indeed a formidable spell, but this power is not something we cultivate ourselves, and it has strong side effects," Hagon sighed and said.

"Side effects, is that what you just called the backlash?" Yuan Ming hurriedly asked.

"The animal skins we have in our hands are made from the fur of fierce beasts in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, refined through secret methods. These skins contain the original demonic energy and malevolent aura of the beasts, which gradually erode our bodies. When it reaches a certain level, the backlash will occur, and our bodies will completely merge with the animal skins, turning us into mindless killing monsters," Hagon's voice carried a hint of bitterness.

"Is there any way to avoid the backlash of the Fur Technique?" Yuan Ming asked.

"No, as long as you use the Fur Technique, the malevolent energy in the animal skins will continue to erode our bodies. The more you use the Fur Technique, the greater the risk of backlash. In the end, you will completely become a bloodthirsty monster. It's a one-way path, and no one can escape it," a trace of pain flashed in Hagon's eyes.

"How long can we, the fur-covered slaves, usually last?" Yuan Ming's expression turned serious as he asked.

"If a slave only hunts five beasts a month and tries to avoid using the Fur Technique as much as possible, they can last four to five years or even longer. However, if they frequently use the Fur Technique, many will go completely mad within one or two years," Hagon said.

"Does the Bi Luo Cave just let it happen?" Yuan Ming's heart sank, and he remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"How would the Bi Luo Cave care about the lives of us fur-covered slaves? By the way, if you can collect a thousand portions of essence before going completely mad, you might be accepted as a named disciple, and then you can avoid using the Fur Technique," Hagon said with a hint of self-mockery.

"Did you accept this task?" Yuan Ming asked.

"Hehe, as long as you perform well in the first few months, the elders who manage us will secretly offer this task, making us collect as much essence as possible in a short time," Hagon chuckled and glanced at Yuan Ming.

"If what you said is true, the essence won't be collected in time, and the person will go mad first," Yuan Ming said with a bitter smile.

"Not necessarily. There are also those with exceptional talent. If they don't lose their sanity, it means they have a strong and resilient mind. The Bi Luo Cave would not refuse such people," Hagon replied ambiguously.

Yuan Ming nodded silently and was about to ask more questions when his eyebrows suddenly rose, and he looked back at the dense forest, simultaneously using the Fur Technique to transform into a white ape.

Hagon suddenly turned around, his body transforming into a green wolf.

Five figures darted out from the dense forest, all fur-covered slaves, forming a fan-shaped encirclement around Yuan Ming and Hagon, moving with great agility.

Almost as soon as Yuan Ming and Hagon completed the Fur Technique, the encirclement was already formed.

Yuan Ming's brows furrowed, not expecting that it was so difficult to find a fur-covered slave before, but now, after just a short time in the forest, he encountered six.

However, these five people clearly had malicious intentions.

"It's you!" Hagon said casually, clearly recognizing them.

"Hagon, we meet again. We just saw the corpse of a bloodline crocodile over there. Did you kill it? It seems your strength has improved. I admire you, I really do," a red tiger slave stepped forward, glanced at Yuan Ming, and smiled at Hagon.

This person was massive, even larger than Hagon's green wolf form, with bulging muscles, clearly the leader of the group.

"Zan Bai, you've become even more hypocritical since joining the Green Wolf Gang. Speak, what do you want?" Hagon snorted.

"Hagon, last time you stole my prey. This time, you'll pay tenfold!" another gray wolf slave glared at Hagon, gritting his teeth.

"Uli, that spotted leopard was discovered by both of us. If you couldn't kill it, why shouldn't others?" Hagon looked at the gray wolf slave and chuckled.

"Nonsense, you clearly stole my prey," the gray wolf slave Uli said angrily.

Zan Bai's eyes flashed coldly at Uli, seemingly scolding him for speaking out of turn.

Uli's heart sank, and he took two steps back, not daring to speak again.

"Hagon, let's be straightforward. You've provoked us several times. If we don't punish you, how will others see us? Considering we joined the Bi Luo Cave at the same time, hand over your blood storage bag, and I'll let you go," Zan Bai said calmly.

"Really?" Hagon seemed somewhat moved.

"Of course, you should know that the Black Wood Clan always keeps its promises," Zan Bai slapped his chest proudly.

"Fine, I admit defeat today. Catch it," Hagon took out the blood storage bag from his chest and threw it to Zan Bai.

Yuan Ming was slightly surprised. The bottom of this blood storage bag was stained with a bit of blood, not the one Hagon had used before. Could it be that he had killed a fur-covered slave and taken it?

Hagon seemed to notice Yuan Ming's gaze and looked over, his left hand behind his back, pointing to the left front.

Yuan Ming's face showed a thoughtful expression.

Zan Bai's expression was also surprised. He subconsciously caught the blood storage bag and suddenly felt something odd. The bottom of the bag had a small hole, and inside was a black ball.

He focused and saw that the black ball suddenly exploded, releasing a large cloud of black smoke that instantly engulfed the area around the lake.

"Go!" Hagon's body turned into a green shadow and darted to the left front.

Yuan Ming, though he couldn't see Hagon, immediately ran in that direction, easily escaping the encirclement of the red tiger slaves.

"Ha ha, Zan Bai, we'll meet again!" Hagon laughed and led Yuan Ming into the forest.

The moment Yuan Ming entered the forest, he quickly took two stones from his backpack and threw them to the left and right.

The two stones shot out and hit the forest on both sides, causing the leaves to rustle.

Figures moved in the black smoke, and Zan Bai and the others darted out, but the lake was already empty of Hagon and Yuan Ming. Only three areas of rustling leaves remained, making it impossible to determine which direction they had gone.

Zan Bai's eyes were full of anger, and he clenched his fists.

...

Yuan Ming followed Hagon, escaping for about seven to eight miles before stopping, seeing no one chasing them.

"Hagon, who were those guys?" Yuan Ming panted and asked.

"Those guys are from the Green Wolf Gang, just like us, they are fur-covered slaves. Their leader is Wu Bao, who leads a group of over ten people, specializing in robbing others," Hagon said, leaning against an old tree.

"Instead of hunting fierce beasts themselves, they target others. What's the difference from bandits?" Yuan Ming said disdainfully.

"Actually, there are not a few who form groups like them. Most choose to hunt beasts together, but a few engage in robbery. Yuan Ming, with your skills and courage, you might consider joining a group to make things easier," Hagon sighed and said.

"What about you, are you part of a group?" Yuan Ming raised an eyebrow and asked.

Hagon shook his head and said, "I used to be, but I left later."

"Why?" Yuan Ming asked curiously.

"Because we have different paths. Once a group is formed, there must be a leader and a hierarchy. When hunting beasts, it does have advantages and can reduce casualties. But when sharing the spoils, it's not so harmonious. The leader and his close associates naturally get more, while the rest... well, you get the idea," Hagon didn't finish his sentence, but Yuan Ming understood.

"In that case, it's better to act alone," Yuan Ming said with a smile.

"Regardless, surviving here is not easy. Let me give you a piece of advice: don't trust others too easily, and don't help others too easily. When things get desperate, people will do anything," Hagon's expression was complex as he said.

"I have my own principles," Yuan Ming nodded and smiled.

Hagon, hearing this, didn't say anything more.

After resting for a while, Yuan Ming suddenly spoke, "Hagon, what was that thing you threw out that released a lot of smoke?"

"That thing is called a smoke bomb, a device made by the named disciples of the Bi Luo Cave. It's very useful for escaping," Hagon answered.

"Smoke bomb? How did you get something made by the Bi Luo Cave named disciples?" Yuan Ming asked curiously.

"What, you haven't been to Toad Valley?" Hagon was somewhat surprised.

"No," Yuan Ming shook his head.

"Alright, I have nothing to do today, so I'll take you there. It's a place for bartering. You can use items from fierce beasts or blood food to exchange for things you need," Hagon smiled, got up from the ground, and patted the dirt off his pants.

"Isn't that just a market street? There's such a place here?" Yuan Ming's curiosity was piqued.

"It's set up by some Bi Luo Cave disciples. Sometimes they need things we risk our lives to get from fierce beasts. Let's go; it's not far, about half an hour's walk," Hagon grinned and said.