Chapter 64

Just thinking of Elder Huhuo, Yuan Ming felt a surge of anger.

This person, despite being an official of the Bi Luo Cave, had colluded with Kuntu for some undisclosed reasons to harm a furred beast slave, which was truly despicable.

"Over here!" As he was thinking, a sudden shout came from above.

Yuan Ming looked up and saw a black shadow circling high in the sky through the gaps in the dense forest. A figure stood on it, holding a cylindrical magical artifact to his eye, looking down at him.

"Huhuo!" Yuan Ming gritted his teeth and cursed, quickly leaping down from the tree trunk and diving into the bushes, continuing to run deeper into the mountains.

This time, he didn't even have time to leave any marks, with no intention of returning, fleeing like a headless fly, wherever he could go.

After running for a while, the shouting from above finally faded away.

But before he could relax, the branches above suddenly snapped, and a huge shadow swooped down from the sky, heading straight for him.

Yuan Ming quickly used the Shadowless Step, his body tilting as he darted away.

Before he could steady himself, he saw a majestic eagle falcon crash through the trees and land on the ground.

Elder Huhuo leaped down and coldly shouted at Yuan Ming, "Stop struggling, you can't escape."

As soon as he finished speaking, sounds came from the forest behind and to the side, and Kuntu and the one-eyed woman soon appeared.

"Spit! I didn't expect a mere beast slave to waste so much of our effort," Kuntu spat, riding on a blue wolf, speaking with hatred.

The three of them formed a triangular formation, surrounding Yuan Ming in the center.

"Don't worry, he won't escape this time. However, let's agree in advance, his head belongs to you, but everything on his body belongs to me," Elder Huhuo said.

Hearing their conversation, Yuan Ming felt angry but had no way to respond.

Facing the three of them, he knew he was no match, and even if he tried to escape, it would be very difficult.

"Fine, I just want his life. But if everything goes to you, you can't hold back. Show your true strength and finish him off quickly," Kuntu said with a cold laugh.

"Of course," Elder Huhuo nodded and said.

With that, he patted his waist, and a small red triangular flag appeared in his palm, embroidered with a golden three-legged toad and intricate runes.

"Yuan Ming, don't blame me, blame yourself for growing too fast. You actually managed to gather the blood offerings in such a short time. I really want to see what secrets you hide. Don't worry, I'll make your death quick," Elder Huhuo pinched the thin flagpole with two fingers and gently waved it at Yuan Ming.

"Whoosh"

The golden toad on the flag seemed to come to life, opening its mouth and spitting out a stream of golden-red flames, surging toward Yuan Ming with intense heat.

Yuan Ming quickly tilted his body to dodge.

But just as he did, a gust of wind blew from the side, disrupting his Shadowless Step and forcing him back to face the intense flames.

"Oh no," Yuan Ming thought, trying to dodge again, but it was too late.

The scorching heat was already upon him, about to engulf him.

At that moment, a slender shadow suddenly darted out from the forest, standing in front of Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming thought it was the silver cat coming to his rescue, but he saw a slender, fiery red creature, resembling a fox, standing before him—a fire marten.

The fire marten leaped into the air, its eyes gleaming with no fear, seemingly intrigued by the approaching flames.

Its abdomen contracted, and it suddenly opened its mouth, generating an incredibly powerful suction.

The flames, like rolling clouds, were drawn into its mouth, disappearing in an instant.

Yuan Ming watched as the small creature's belly swelled, becoming round and plump, its body floating lightly to the ground, his eyes filled with surprise.

"Burp..."

After landing, the fire marten, as if satisfied, let out a contented burp.

Then, its belly quickly deflated.

This sudden scene stunned everyone, including Yuan Ming, who had no idea where this little creature came from.

"What is that?" Elder Huhuo frowned.

"I don't know," the one-eyed woman shook her head.

Kuntu, however, looked thoughtful, vaguely remembering something but unable to recall what it was.

"It seems quite extraordinary. No matter what it is, let's capture it first," Elder Huhuo said.

The one-eyed woman nodded and waved her hand, sending a crude black wooden hairpin flying out, glowing with a dark purple light, spiraling toward the small creature on the ground.

The fire marten, seemingly full, either didn't notice or didn't care, making no attempt to dodge the hairpin as it approached.

At that moment, Kuntu suddenly remembered something and shouted, "Stop, don't hit it..."

His voice broke, trailing off in a hoarse tone, startling the one-eyed woman.

By the time she reacted and tried to recall her magical artifact, it was too late.

As the black wooden hairpin was about to hit the fire marten, a figure darted past, grabbing the fire marten and protecting it in his arms.

Despite not knowing why the fire marten had saved him, Yuan Ming still acted to protect it.

Without waiting for the fire marten to react, Yuan Ming threw it far into the forest.

Seeing an opportunity, Kuntu immediately struck out at Yuan Ming with a punch.

A shadow of a fist flew through the air, striking Yuan Ming's back, sending him flying.

After rolling on the ground and spitting out blood, Yuan Ming stood up, holding his sword in front of him, ready to defend.

Kuntu and the others quickly caught up, surrounding him again.

Now, Yuan Ming was like a turtle in a jar, with no chance of escape.

"It's time for you to go."

Just as they were about to make their move, a red light suddenly darted from the distance, accompanied by a powerful wave of heat.

"Fire Elemental Technique," Kuntu was startled.

Before they could react, a beautiful woman in a red soft armor appeared before them.

She looked to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a slender figure, slightly plump, delicate features, and a gentle demeanor, exuding a mature beauty.

Her sudden appearance stunned everyone.

The one-eyed woman even showed a hint of jealousy in her eyes.

"Kuntu, disciple of Elder Mengshan of the Beast Taming Hall, greets the Third Cave Lord," Kuntu bowed and saluted.

Elder Huhuo's expression changed, and he quickly bowed as well.

He had been managing the furred beast slaves for many years and rarely saw the Third Cave Lord, who was known for her obsession with alchemy and the Fire Refining Hall.

The one-eyed woman was even more startled, immediately kneeling down.

Yuan Ming, not recognizing her, remained in a defensive stance.

The mature and graceful Third Cave Lord scanned the group and calmly asked, "Have you seen a fire marten?"

She seemed uninterested in their current confrontation and had no intention of inquiring further.

Hearing this, Kuntu and the others tensed up.

No wonder the fire marten looked familiar; the Third Cave Lord kept a fire marten that could consume flames and contained a strange fire, though not yet fully grown, it was her most cherished treasure.

The fire marten that had accidentally saved Yuan Ming was likely the same one.

"Earlier, we did encounter one, but it was injured by that lowly furred beast slave and thrown away, and we lost track of it," Kuntu quickly fabricated a lie.

The Third Cave Lord then turned her gaze to Yuan Ming.

Her eyebrows furrowed slightly as her eyes fell on the bronze longsword in Yuan Ming's hand.

After a brief pause, she asked, "Did you injure my fire marten?"

Yuan Ming shook his head, not offering any explanation.

"You don't have the ability to do so. Where did you get the Green Fish Sword?" the Third Cave Lord asked again.

"You recognize this sword?" Yuan Ming was surprised.

"Answer my question," the Third Cave Lord's voice was gentle but carried an authoritative tone.

Yuan Ming hesitated for a moment and then briefly explained how he obtained the Green Fish Sword.

Kuntu and the others, seeing this, felt a sense of unease.

"Third Cave Lord, don't be deceived by his smooth talk. This person is bloodthirsty, disobedient, and has killed many of his fellow furred beast slaves. He is a true villain," Kuntu quickly interjected.

"Third Cave Lord, I am the elder in charge of the furred beast slaves in this area. Kuntu is right; this person is a heinous criminal. I asked Kuntu to help enforce the family law," Elder Huhuo added.

"Shameless!"

Yuan Ming sighed, knowing it was futile to argue and remained silent.

"Give me the Green Fish Sword," the Third Cave Lord said calmly, her expression unchanged.

Kuntu and the others immediately showed signs of joy.

Yuan Ming's eyebrows furrowed, but he made no move, still holding his sword in a defensive stance.

His tense muscles revealed his nervousness.

But after a moment, the Third Cave Lord did not make a move. Kuntu glanced around and said, "Don't let this scoundrel taint the Third Cave Lord's eyes. We will kill him now."

With that, he quickly signaled to the others.

The one-eyed woman was the first to attack, her black wooden hairpin spinning rapidly and thrusting toward Yuan Ming's back.