Chapter 17

The roots of the vine were deeply embedded in the earth, and the part coiling around the tree trunk was like a giant python, as thick as a child's arm, with some parts even growing sharp spines. The vine entangled the mountain goblin, continuing to grow, climb, and wrap around it. No matter how the mountain goblin struggled, it was utterly ineffective. In terms of strength, the mountain goblin was one or two levels below the vine.

The vine effortlessly "grabbed" the mountain goblin from the tree branch. The mountain goblin struggled and roared in vain, like a giant arm swinging in the air, slow but unstoppable.

Suddenly, the vine swung rapidly, flinging the mountain goblin toward another tree over ten zhang away.

Debris flew everywhere as a tree as thick as a person's embrace crashed to the ground. Bu Li had been watching the vine the whole time. Even with such a violent impact, the vine wrapped around the mountain goblin seemed completely unharmed. Indeed, this creature was the toughest, Bu Li thought to himself. One of the reasons he wanted the vine as his marking beast was this very consideration.

The vine continued to strike, carrying the mountain goblin and repeatedly slamming it into the surrounding trees. Soon, amidst the chaos, the mountain goblin's roars turned to panic, then to screams, and finally to a silent, bloody mess, dead.

The vine "released" the bloody mess, which fell to the ground. The vine then stood tall before Bu Li, like a giant python, as if it wanted to do something. Da Hei, who had transformed into a rock, suddenly moved, quickly hiding beside Bu Li. The black bear didn't know what had changed in Bu Li to summon such a powerful being while he was out enjoying himself.

The black bear clearly knew that if he were caught by it, he wouldn't fare much better than the mountain goblin. Even with his thick skin, the blunt impacts would have shattered his internal organs a hundred times over.

Who knew why the vine stood before Bu Li? What if Bu Li hadn't fully tamed it? After killing the mountain goblin, the vine might turn on its master. Even if it didn't, the black bear had no connection to the vine. If he died here, it would be a huge loss.

Just as he moved, the black bear suddenly felt the vine "look" at him like a living thing. A faint, cold killing intent enveloped his entire body. The black bear truly felt that if he moved again, the vine would pounce, flinging him into a bloody mess.

The black bear remained still, leaning against Bu Li, trying to appear friendly.

Bu Li also sensed the vine's hostility, gently stroking the yellow-green vine to calm this unexpectedly aggressive marking beast.

"Pretty impressive, right?" Bu Li chuckled, turning to look at the black bear. Da Hei, the black bear, stared at the bloodied and mangled mountain goblin on the ground, his eyes wide and his fur standing on end. If he hadn't hidden behind Bu Li, he would have already fled in terror.

Seeing Da Hei's stunned expression, Bu Li found it amusing. He patted Da Hei's head, feeling the thick fat, which gave a satisfying sensation.

"Let's go."

"Bro, where to?" Cai Xiaoxian, hearing Bu Li, opened her sleepy eyes on Bu Li's back, speaking drowsily.

Bu Li held his longbow and pointed in the direction of Bai Ling Town, saying, "To break their legs."

This time, Bai Liang came with a grudge, unlike the usual playful fights with the children of Bai Ling Town. If it weren't for the "Heritage Trial," he would have killed Bu Li on the mountain. Initially, Bu Li hadn't realized this and was somewhat careless. Even though Hu Wu had arranged it, Bu Li couldn't let Bai Liang off. While Bu Li was broad-minded, it didn't mean he was lenient with enemies or those who wanted to harm him.

When dealing with enemies, Bu Li was never petty; he was ruthless.

Da Hei followed Bu Li, adapting to his speed. After becoming a marking hunter, Bu Li had undergone a complete transformation, with significant improvements in both strength and agility.

The mountain path was rugged, but Bu Li and Da Hei ran as if on flat ground, exuding vitality. Bu Li's every step was wide, radiating a masculine aura, strong and intense, appearing on the horizon with the rising sun, running through the wilderness, feeling thoroughly invigorated.

Bai Ling Town appeared in Bu Li's field of vision, gradually growing larger and clearer. The morning mist and smoke created a lively scene. Bu Li wasn't particularly angry, but he wasn't sentimentally reminiscing about the peaceful view either. He just needed to find Bai Liang and break his legs.

The atmosphere in Bai Ling Town was extremely tense, making it hard to breathe. Countless people had been sent to find Bu Li, but in the vast mountains, finding one person was like looking for a needle in a haystack, purely a matter of luck. Unfortunately, with bad luck or Bu Li's intentional evasion, they couldn't find him.

One hour, two hours, three hours, the days passed, and the Heritage Trial drew closer. Bai Xu, the leader of the Bai Ling Clan, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. The clan's talents were dwindling, and they couldn't select a suitable person to participate in the Heritage Trial. The mortality rate was extremely high, and in the eyes of ordinary clan members, participating in the Heritage Trial was a death sentence. They had finally decided on Bu Li, an orphan, to participate, but Bai Liang, that little brat, had gone to provoke Bu Li, and now Bu Li's fate was unknown, leaving Bai Xu at a loss.

As for the rumor that the Hate Mountain Sect was looking for Cai Xiaoxian, it was just a rumor. They would deal with it later. For now, they had to focus on the immediate problem.

Finally, it was time to set out. After a sleepless night, they still couldn't find Bu Li's whereabouts. Bai Xu rubbed his hands, feeling extremely anxious. The Bai Ling Clan's status among the hundreds of clans in the Western Mountains was already very low. The clan hadn't produced a third-level or higher marking warrior or hunter in over a hundred years. If they couldn't send anyone to participate in the Heritage Trial, they would face the strongest marking warriors from other clans in five years... The thought of this outcome made Bai Xu feel hopeless.

The clan had already lacked a guardian totem, making it weaker than other clans...

The entire clan had placed great hopes on Bai Liang, waiting for him to stand out in five years, win the Heritage Trial, and give the Bai Ling Clan the chance to leave the mountains, explore the outside world, learn more powerful soul techniques, and make the entire clan prosperous.

But, how could Bai Liang be so unambitious! Bai Xu sighed heavily. There was no choice but to give up on this year's Heritage Trial. As for the next one? What more could they expect from a marking warrior who could be severely injured by an ordinary person?