A Land Without Gods - Volume 1
Lu Yan get two other leopards with his traps. Traps and arrows are actually do not count in their score when it kills a beast. However, Lu Yan’s traps are never meant to kill any, spikes to injure the leg and boulder with ropes to make sure they can’t run away fast.
He sure never kills the couple. He even helps them picking the potions they need and guard them while they recuperate. In the end Lu Yan sold his spear to them, so they have chances to escape the area at least. Of course, the spear sold for a huge amount, far more than its original price. It is what happen when a sole supply meets an urgent demand.
Lu Yan still have a “normal” dagger given by the God. With it he easily trims a branch of a strong tree. Make it smooth and straight. Then he attaches another dagger into it to make another simple spear. Such basic craft are what Lu Yan trained to do when he is young. Born in a poor family mean he has to be creative to get what he needs. This dagger however makes things fast and easy for him.
Lu Yan only need about 5 or 6 leopards to pass this test, but of course his bet with Yan Rui require him to perform far better. He is indeed, when he killed his 10th leopard the sun is at its highest point. It is equal the amount of points average inner sect disciple finishes this test.
This score surely makes quite an uproar outside. While those inside the valley are not supposed to know other contestant results, Lu Yan has a feeling Yan Rui will have a way to know about it. This mean it is time for him to leave the area.
If Yan Rui can’t get higher point than him, his only way to win is to stop Lu Yan getting more points. Yan Rui is arrogant and unlikely trying to gang up on him. However, Lu Yan better make sure. Even if he had the attention. Lu Yan need crowd to make sure Yan Rui will play fair.
Lu Yan choose a riverbank in the center of the region they allowed into. This place is a vast open area with many low lever demonic beasts lurking. It is not actually a good place to hunt, since there is no hiding place here. The prey can see the hunter right on and run.
Even then many contestants still choose this place to hunt. While it is not efficient to play chasing game with low level beasts, you still can past the test this way. Sure, it involves some luck, but at least it is a safe way to do that.
When you are doing some competition as Lu Yan does, this path is not the wisest decision he can choose. If Yan Rui is going to keep hunting in the spot he picks from the start, there is a chance he will be able to outrun him in the competition.
However, Lu Yan is confident that he knew his opponent very well. He has done research of him since the rumor start. With his character and habit, Yan Rui surely will choose to confront Lu Yan head on, then to actually compete in gaining more points.
As Lu Yan going to the river his mind goes to the deer he sees in the cave. He is not going to see that massive deer’s here. It is considered too dangerous for this region near the West Mountain. The most dangerous beast here are supposed to be Thorny Back Ape. Which Lu Yan just happen to see first time at this moment.
The huge ape stood as high as Lu Yan while it is not standing straight and its arms is as thick as his body. His bone shown on his back-making kind of a shell filled with bumps rather than thorn. As it is not sharp but rather round.
Lu Yan does not want to fight this ape and rather to avoid it. He knows he can win against it one on one, but this ape rarely wants to fight one on one. Lu Yan normal cloth also only good at resisting sharp things such as claws and blade. Bludgeoning attack that will come from this ape is his bane.
Luckily though this ape is not as vicious as the leopards. They tend to not attack blindly at their surroundings, of course except when they not get provoke or attacked first. Just like what happen at this instant.
Sure, enough it is Guo Feng. The only candidates insane enough to challenge those apes right on. What make Lu Yan surprised however is that Guo Feng use even less effort than Lu Yan while dealing with those leopards.
Lu Yan did use a spear which is the leopard’s weakness, while Guo Feng just stroll around flaunting his superiority at the apes. Using a standard sword for any outer sect disciples he moves gracefully slaughtering any apes that unlucky enough to be seen by him.
Swift and precise, there is no useless movement made at all. There might be flawed at the technique itself. But the way Guo Feng play it, everything is perfect.
Tall, slender and handsome this guy is truly the embodiment of perfection. At that moment Lu Yan can understand why a man might like another man. However, let’s get back on the main story right now, as for spoiler’s alert: it will never happen between the two of them.
For the leopards are rate as the third most dangerous beast in this area, the second one is supposedly a snake type of beast. The same snake that is waiting in patience to ambush Guo Feng once it gets near him. Lu Yan has read about it and know the danger of the snake sneak attack.
Seeing the snake swift movement just now, Lu Yan is trying to shout at Guo Feng to warn him. Yet he never needs to, as Guo Feng turn his hand to slice the snake instantly. He is doing that while still engaging two apes at the same time.
Lu Yan never intended to stop here in the first time. However, the beautiful fight in front at him had caught his attention. Watching Guo Feng slaying the beasts at ease and performing amazing techniques has make Lu Yan stay rooted at this place.
Guo Feng realized Lu Yan presence and actually greet him after he finish all the beast in the are “Brother Lu I already pick this place for my duel. You have to pick another place to have yours it will not be convenient otherwise.” Lu Yan never know that Guo Feng ever recognize him before, but he seems to notice from a long time. The power of that drama has reached even this inhuman fellow.
“No worries brother Guo, I just pass by this place. I planned to have mine at the riverside.” As Guo Feng greeted him politely, there is no reason for Lu Yan not to return the favor.
“Ah brother, I never know you are the person that like attention so much. However, isn’t it a little bit unwise to kill your opponent in front of many people?”
This shock Lu Yan a little bit, despite his hatred killing someone is still not that easy for him. He thinks about it often, but in the end always felt hesitated. Even now in his plan he didn’t include killing him as his main plan.
“I might not need to kill him. If he loses, he might realize he has done wrong all this time and stop causing me anymore problem.” Wishful thinking. Even Lu Yan himself realize this as he said the words.
“We both know it unlikely right. If you defeat him just over and over again then yes it might be. But why bother with someone like him. Just end him right away and move one, you will have other opponents you will need to worry about.”
“Well I ….” Lu Yan doesn’t sure how to rebuke Guo Feng’s words just now. Because he knows that not killing Yan Rui is not the best idea. This decision might come and bite him in the future.
“It is your life, so it is your decision to make. I just warn you because I feel we have many things in common. It is impossible for people like us to survive without spilling some blood. By now you have to be realized it already, it is either you kill or be killed. This is our fate, to start kill now or later will make little difference. However, for now let us walk our own path.” Guo Feng move swiftly ready to hunt more leaving Lu Yan dumbfounded at the moment.
Lu Yan move right away to the riverside, but the thought of Guo Feng never leave his mind. Guo Feng is so different than what he thought he is. Unlike Yan Rui who is so oblivious with others, Guo Feng is actually take attention for others. He knows what Lu Yan thinking and Yan Rui as well.
It seems perfect score at the theory test before is not come from him cheating anyway. This Guo Feng is not only talented in fighting but intelligent as well. He also come prepared in many circ.u.mstances despite for his love to make troubles everywhere he goes.