Chapter 3

Once again, it was the season of spring warmth and blooming flowers, with patches of green grass undulating with vitality.

The ancient, towering trees were lush and verdant, their branches and leaves intertwined, rustling in the gentle breeze, which carried a light, cool sensation, refreshing both body and mind.

A young man, dressed in a dark green linen robe, looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old. With a delicate face and long hair casually draped over his shoulders, he held a hollow reed in his mouth, appearing carefree and unrestrained. He lay lazily on a massive tree trunk, his hands behind his head, his face a picture of ease and contentment.

Suddenly, his ears twitched, and his eyes narrowed. In the distance, a loud tiger roar echoed through the forest, shaking the leaves and causing some withered, old leaves to fall.

"Master Wu Ming, save us! This ferocious tiger is too powerful, we can't hold it back!"

A group of black-clad men, armed with bows and weapons, tumbled out of the dense forest, running and panting. The tall, burly man with one eye was particularly disheveled, a bloody five-claw mark on his left cheek, still oozing blood, giving him a fierce appearance.

Amidst heavy breathing, Jun Shan looked around, and at the sound of another deafening roar, he shuddered. Without time to observe, he quickly called for the hunting party to flee to the edge of the forest.

"Uncle Shan, fall back!"

A streak of cold light shot out, like a blooming lotus, releasing a white mist. The figure landed, drawing a trail of cold light, revealing the young man.

"Master?" Jun Shan's face lit up, but a hint of worry flashed in his eyes. He was about to call out, but the young man waved him off, saying, "Uncle Shan, leave the rest to me!"

His expression was resolute, but a smile played at the corners of his mouth.

Jun Shan was taken aback, and with a slight bitter smile, he led the hunting party to the side.

"Uncle Shan, can Master Wu Ming hold off that ferocious tiger? It's almost a spirit beast, what if—"

Glancing at the anxious hunting team members, Jun Shan glared at the tall, thin black-clad youth.

"Jun Zheng, be careful what you say!"

Jun Zheng smiled sheepishly, his face serious as he glanced worriedly at the young man, tightening his grip on his hunting knife and staring intently at the nearby forest.

"Roar!"

A fierce wind swept by, lifting countless yellow leaves in a black whirlwind. A white-striped black tiger with a black forehead and a white tail emerged from the black wind, its deep roars shaking the heart. Its massive jaws opened, releasing a pungent odor that forced everyone to retreat.

Smirking, the young man said, "Do you think wearing your fur the wrong way makes you a bully?"

Upon closer inspection, the black tiger from the forest indeed had its fur the wrong way. Its massive body was surrounded by black wind, with only its tail covered in soft white fur, creating a fierce and majestic appearance.

Jun Shan, with a wry smile, explained, "Master, that's a Swift Black Tiger, born with a black body and a white tail. You must be careful of the immense strength in its tail!"

Jun Wu Ming chuckled, and with a burst of energy, his long sword was drawn, releasing a series of cold, white sword flowers.

He beckoned, "Come!"

The black tiger, with its remarkable intelligence, though not understanding Jun Wu Ming's intent, sensed a challenge to its status as the king of beasts and ruler of the forest.

Its eyes flashed with ferocity, and with a roar, it pounced, its black claws slicing through the air like a demonic blade.

The pressure was overwhelming, and even before the black tiger approached, a formidable force pressed down on Jun Wu Ming.

Jun Wu Ming's face darkened. This black tiger was indeed formidable, its mental pressure alone showing its exceptional nature. No wonder Uncle Shan and the others couldn't withstand its ferocity.

Without touching the ground, he leaped into the air, his movements blurring as he executed the "Inverted Heaven" technique, slashing nine times in a fluid motion.

The sword shadows turned into light, the cold air piercing.

"Clang, clang, clang," the sound of metal clashing echoed in the air like a storm.

The light faded, and Jun Wu Ming, holding a fine steel sword with several notches, looked at the black tiger, which was preparing to attack again, and smiled bitterly. "What a powerful tail!"

"Master, catch the sword!"

"No need!" Turning around, Jun Wu Ming smiled and waved.

"Be careful!"

"Watch out!"

"Bold!"

Suddenly, as Jun Wu Ming turned, the Swift Black Tiger seized the opportunity and pounced.

The black wind roared in his ears, and in an instant, the tiger was in front of him, its long, sharp claws gleaming, aiming for his chest. The crowd gasped in shock.

At that moment, a sly smile flashed across Jun Wu Ming's face. Remaining calm, he planted his feet firmly on the ground, his body twisting and bending like a flexible rubber, slipping under the tiger's belly.

Seizing the chance, Jun Wu Ming thrust his sword, the bright, cold light instantly piercing the tiger's white belly.

"Thud"

Steam rose, and blood splattered as the tiger's belly was sliced open, revealing its red insides.

"Fool, you fell for it!"

"Roar!"

Despite its severe injuries, the black tiger's ferocity remained. A deep growl rumbled in its throat, and a mysterious aura burst forth.

Its bloodshot eyes seemed to drip with blood, and a ball of wind slowly formed in its mouth.

Jun Wu Ming's face turned serious, and a blue light flashed in his eyes.

"Ice Seal!"

A finger pointed, and a blue, icy light shot out like lightning, instantly enveloping the black tiger. The wind spell in the tiger's mouth was frozen solid.

"This... Master knows magic?"

"Shut up, Master is a natural water element body, naturally skilled in water magic." Jun Shan looked at the stunned man behind him, a hint of concern in his single eye.

He then looked at Jun Wu Ming, shaking his head, a bit envious. Master Wu Ming not only had exceptional innate talent but was also born into a good family. Moreover, he was diligent, unlike the lazy young masters of the clan. He was likely already close to the second stage and would soon become a core cultivator of the clan.

Seeing Jun Shan and the others still in shock, Jun Wu Ming shrugged, exerted force in his palm, and walked a few steps, lifting the frozen tiger and heading towards the village.

Jun Wu Ming felt a slight excitement.

After being killed by an existence on Earth and sent to this world as a "pioneer," nearly ten years had passed.

From infancy to adolescence, Jun Wu Ming's mindset had become more relaxed and mature. Thinking of the irresponsible supreme being, he felt a bit helpless.

A book called "Divine Water Technique," the Rain Sword Technique, and the memories of three lifetimes were all the resources Jun Wu Ming had in this world.

However, this world, though ancient and wild, was vast. Mountains stretched for thousands of feet, and towering trees reached the sky. Endless rivers and vast oceans created a magnificent landscape that amazed Jun Wu Ming when he first arrived.

But this world was also filled with ferocious beasts and dangers. Thousand-year-old demonic trees and endless ferocious beasts were the greatest enemies of all living beings, even at home, there was the risk of unexpected danger.

Jun Wu Ming was fortunate to be born in one of the dominant regions, where the village had organized guards and was said to be protected by a powerful being who could suppress the stars, stabilizing the foundation.

The only regret was that his parents had died, leaving him an orphan. If not for his exceptional talent and adult mindset, life would have been difficult. After all, the ferocious beasts wouldn't listen to reason; strength was the truth.

As he pondered, he had already walked out of the forest. In the twilight, the large village came into view.

"What a huge tiger!"

Before Jun Wu Ming could enter the village gate, a middle-aged man in yellow, holding an iron spear, walked in, his face showing shock. He glanced at the young man in green under the tiger and nodded slowly.

Jun Wu Ming laughed and said, "Uncle Li, come give me a hand. We need to skin and butcher this tiger and share it with everyone!"

The middle-aged man in yellow, named Li Tongming, was a village guard, skilled in skinning and butchering ferocious beasts. Therefore, whenever Jun Wu Ming caught a beast, he would ask for his help.

"Master Wu Ming, rest assured, I'll take care of it. I'll make sure to preserve the tiger's skin intact!"

"However, Elder Qing seemed to be looking for you. He told us to inform you if we saw you."

"Elder Qing? My master has returned to the village?"