Jinliu Village hadn't been this lively for a long time.

The last time was when Shen Wenyan got married.

All the villagers gathered in the clearing at the foot of the Black Water Pool mountain.

Shen Yuan, who hadn't appeared in front of the villagers for a long time, also came to the temporarily erected high platform.

As the eldest son of the Shen Family, the Young Master, Shen Wenxing was the first to come forward and announce the various rules and precautions of the hunting competition.

As for the rewards for the competition, Shen Yuan announced them.

With his hands behind his back, he came to the front of the high platform, looked at the villagers below, and began to speak.

"In addition to the previously announced prize, I've prepared a special reward."

"Any child who performs excellently in this competition will receive an Immortal Fate from me."

"This Immortal Fate isn't just one, every child has a chance, so make sure to perform well."

Hearing this, the common people present were first stunned, then erupted in joyous cheers.

With the immortals having descended for so many years and with the presence of the Shen Family, they were no longer as unfamiliar with the concept of "immortal" as they once were.

Most people knew that getting into the Martial Arts Hall was just the first step; there was still a long way to go from martial artist to immortal.

Many might never set foot on the Immortal Path even after a lifetime.

Yet now, Shen Yuan said that through this hunt, one could obtain an Immortal Fate.

This was enough to drive many villagers mad with excitement.

"All right, let the hunt begin."

Seeing everyone's enthusiasm ignited, Shen Yuan waved his hand.

Below, Zhao Shuan lifted a massive flag embroidered with the character "Shen," shouted loudly, and led the children who signed up for the hunting competition toward the distant Hidden Dragon Mountain.

"Is Ah Die planning to impart a cultivation method to the villagers?" Shen Wenxing came up and asked.

Shen Yuan nodded: "The Five Elements Breathing Technique was left by Xu Xiu. Though it's not perfect, it's still usable in the early Qi Cultivation stage."

In fact, neither Shen Yuan nor Xu Xiu knew that the Five Elements Breathing Technique was a cultivation technique that an elder immortal created on a whim for ordinary people with miscellaneous Five Elements spirit roots. It lacked the subsequent Fetal Breathing Technique, and even the initial Qi Cultivation Technique had many flaws.

Xu Xiu managed to cultivate to the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer with the Five Elements Breathing Technique not only because he had enough time to practice but also because he had a bit of luck.

After all, he wandered in the Yangnao Land for many years and encountered quite a few serendipitous opportunities.

"I've mastered the 'True Spirit Oath' secret skill bestowed by Immortal Wei. Let those who receive the Five Elements Breathing Technique make a True Spirit Oath."

Shen Wenxing's face lit up with joy.

Though the Five Elements Breathing Technique was incomplete and might not catch the eye of immortals, it was still a coveted cultivation method in the current Yangnao Land.

He was initially worried about the risks of the technique leaking.

Now with the "True Spirit Oath," it could be easily resolved.

"Ah Die, I'll go over there and take a look."

Looking toward the vast Hidden Dragon Mountain, Shen Wenxing hesitated for a moment before speaking.

Shen Yuan nodded.

This first hunting competition, the Shen Family should indeed send someone to watch.

"Go ahead."

Shen Wenxing cupped his hands, returned home, took up the long spear he got from the Dragon Tamer's Mansion, and leaped after the villagers.

In the depths of Hidden Dragon Mountain, heavy snow sealed the mountain, and all was silent.

Many beasts chose to hibernate in caves during winter.

Only some starving animals would venture out to forage, most of which were large carnivores.

Once the children participating in the hunting competition entered the mountains, they immediately scattered.

When Shen Wenxing arrived, Zhao Shuan was sitting on a large rock, chatting with some village elders.

Most of these people were Shen Yuan's contemporaries, accompanying their children and grandchildren to help carry large prey if needed.

"Young Master."

Seeing Shen Wenxing, everyone cupped their hands together.

After nodding, Shen Wenxing looked around and asked Zhao Shuan, "Did Brother Jinhu go too?"

Zhao Shuan laughed heartily: "I originally didn't want him to participate, but the young lad was insistent."

Shen Wenxing smiled.

Not to mention Zhao Jinhua; if it weren't for his status, even he would want to join in the fun.

Men naturally enjoy conquest and challenge, and this was the first hunting competition in Jinliu Village, so it was naturally popular.

"Young Master, can you tell us what the Immortal Fate that the Elder mentioned is?"

In the crowd, an elder with graying hair but still robust physique came up and asked.

This was Liu Jinquan, a famous hunter in the village in his youth.

Liu Jinquan had four sons, the youngest being Liu Fang, who was one or two years younger than Shen Wenxing.

During the Fengxian County battle, Liu Fang served in the Vanguard Army alongside Shen Wenxing and Zhao Jinhua, and after the battle, he earned some military merits.

Hearing his question, the other villagers pricked up their ears, eager to know what this Immortal Fate entailed.

Meeting their expectant gazes, Shen Wenxing smiled and said: "Would it still be called Immortal Fate if it could be told?"

Everyone felt a little disappointed, but it made sense.

Immortal Fate is meant for those with the potential to become immortals.

They were all ordinary people and weren't qualified to know.

However, thinking that their children and grandchildren not only had the chance to know but also to obtain the Immortal Fate, their hearts burned with desire!

Each fantasizing about their children and grandchildren becoming immortals through this Immortal Fate, allowing them to enjoy blessings.

Time flew by, and it was soon night.

With the motivation of the Immortal Fate, those participating in the hunt showed no signs of fatigue, employing all their skills to hunt as many creatures as possible.

Huang Qingzhou, along with Huang Qi and a few Martial Arts Hall instructors who had reached the Postnatal Realm, stood guard in various places, ready for any unforeseen circumstances.

Late at night, two figures crouched near a cave, seemingly waiting for something.

Amidst the snow, the light was still decent.

"Brother Jinhu, your family and the Shen Family are in-laws. You could just ask for the Immortal Fate instead of risking yourself here," said a scar-faced man with thick eyebrows and big eyes.

This was Liu Fang, and he had a reasonably good relationship with Zhao Jinhua from their time in the Vanguard Army.

Zhao Jinhua turned to glare at him: "I'm not here for the Immortal Fate; I just love the thrill of the hunt."

"The thrill, get it?"

Liu Fang couldn't help but laugh and nod: "I get it! I get it!"

"So did you figure out what the Immortal Fate the Elder mentioned is?" Liu Fang asked eagerly.

Zhao Jinhua glanced at him: "Want to know?"

Liu Fang nodded eagerly.

Seeing his eager expression, Zhao Jinhua grinned: "I want to know too."

"You..."

Liu Fang was just about to speak when suddenly a crisp "snap" sound came from the mountain cave ahead!

Immediately!

A painful beast's roar echoed through the night sky!

The two heard the sound and immediately gripped their bows and arrows and stood up!

"Judging by the sound, it's a bear!"

The two looked in the direction of the sound.

At the entrance of the mountain cave, there was a giant figure nearly two zhang tall struggling to tear off the beast trap from its leg.

*Gulp!*

Liu Fang couldn't help swallowing, his gaze horrified.

"Is that a bear?"

Zhao Jinhua also widened his eyes in astonishment and shook his head.

They had seen bears in the mountains before, the smaller ones were about the same height as a person, and the largest were only about one zhang.

But the guy in front of the distant mountain cave was nearly two zhang tall, exuding an intimidating presence!

For a moment, the two couldn't determine if that creature was really a bear.

"Brother Jinhu, should we go for it?"

Seeing that the creature was trapped by the beast trap and struggling fiercely, Liu Fang suppressed his fear and a hint of eagerness flashed in his eyes:

"If we can hunt this creature, we'll undoubtedly take first place in this hunting competition!"

The massive creature in the distance was estimated to weigh no less than three thousand jin. If the two could manage to kill it, even splitting the credit, it would secure them a top-three finish in the hunting competition.

Liu Fang very much desired an Immortal Fate.

At his age now, he had no extravagant hopes; the Immortal Fate was for his son to strive for.

As long as his son had the chance to obtain an Immortal Fate and become an Immortal, taking some risks would be worth it.

Zhao Jinhua was also tempted.

What Liu Fang said wasn't wrong. With their family's relationship with the Shen Family, if they asked, they might obtain a portion of the so-called Immortal Fate.

But if he could earn it through his ability, he naturally wouldn't want to rely on connections to ask for it.

No matter how close the relation, it wasn't truly one's own.

The Immortal Fate wasn't something he needed; it was also prepared for his son.

With this marital connection, the Zhao Family could still help the Shen Family with many things and be heavily relied upon.

But after his parents passed away, and he got old, what then?

When that time came, if the Shen Family became strong and his son remained just an ordinary person, how useful would he be to the Shen Family?

Having held prominent positions for many years, his vision was no longer as short-sighted as before.

"Let's take it down!"

Having made up his mind, Zhao Jinhua immediately drew an arrow from the quiver behind him, found a hidden spot, bent his bow, and aimed at the massive creature!

Liu Fang also took advantage of the creature's attempt to pry open the trap on its leg, got closer, and started firing!

*Whoosh!*

*Whoosh!*

Two arrows flew towards the giant bear's body.

The giant bear's frame was so large that the two didn't need to aim very precisely, simply bending the bows and shooting at random.

Their strategy was to use the arrows to inflict many wounds on it, letting it bleed to death rather than getting too close.

Arrow after arrow embedded into the giant bear's body, making Liu Fang very excited.

"Stop! Stop, stop!"

Zhao Jinhua suddenly, with a grimace, stopped Liu Fang from drawing his bow again, "Old Liu, look."

"Our arrows... they don't seem to be affecting that thing at all."

Upon hearing this, Liu Fang squinted his eyes and looked.

He saw the more than ten arrows they shot appeared to be stuck on the giant bear's body. But as the creature frantically twisted, some of the arrows wobbled and fell off.

Evidently, their arrows probably couldn't even penetrate its skin.

Liu Fang was taken aback.

The bows in their hands were made of rhinoceros horn, fully capable of piercing through a wild boar's hard skull at a distance of fifty zhang!

At such a close range, they couldn't even penetrate that creature's skin?

"This thing is not easy to handle, we need to retreat!"

Zhao Jinhua looked grimly as the massive creature had forcibly pried open the huge beast trap and was no longer restrained.

Liu Fang, a bit reluctant, drew a sharp short spear from behind him and held it in hand.

"One last try!"

The sharp short spear was made entirely of refined iron, and the skill was something he learned back in the army.

*Pooof!*

The short spear accurately hit the giant bear's left shoulder!

But before the two could celebrate, the short spear was pulled out by the creature and thrown back!

An angry roar erupted, and the two were instantly dazed, their heads spinning!

"Let's go!"

Zhao Jinhua bit his tongue, regained clarity, and immediately grabbed Liu Fang's arm, quickly fleeing into the distance!

The giant bear, injured and seemingly eager to vent its anger, lowered its body, set its limbs to ground, and chased after them!

Along the way, some tall trees and large rocks were smashed down, making a terrifying ruckus!

"Damn it! This beast is unbelievably strong!"

"We're done for; today we're going to meet our end here!"

Looking at the half-tree trunk flying overhead, large enough for a person to embrace, Liu Fang cried out as he dodged flying wood chips.

"Stop talking, we need to think of something."

Zhao Jinhua, running at full speed, glanced around, trying to find some useful terrain to limit the creature.

Meanwhile.

At the outskirts of the hunting area, Shen Wenxing, who was meditating, suddenly felt something, stood up abruptly, grabbed the spear by his side, and rushed out.

In the dense forest, another figure was also hastily approaching.

"What is that thing? It doesn't seem like an ordinary beast."

The approaching person was Huang Qingzhou.

When he first heard the beast's roar, he thought it was just hunters hunting a common man-bear.

But now, the commotion was too big to ignore, so he realized something was wrong.

Shen Wenxing sensed carefully and said, "It should be a demon beast."

"Father-in-law, we need to hurry, otherwise there might be trouble."

Huang Qingzhou nodded, and the two immediately channeled the spiritual power within them, rushing forward quickly.

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