Congyun Mountains, south.
As a vast mountain range spanning two prefectures, about 2/3 of its area is within Tiannan Prefecture.
Furthermore, the people of Tiannan Prefecture are fierce, with many beast hunters and herb gatherers.
Even though there are countless strange beasts and venomous insects in the mountains, a large number of profit-seekers still pour into it.
South of the jungle, outside a dense miasma.
Several brightly colored strange lizard beasts, carrying half a human body, were gnawing on it in the trees, occasionally making sounds of bones breaking. Their brownish-yellow eyes were devoid of any emotion.
Suddenly. The strange lizard beasts seemed to sense something, turning their eyes towards the miasma not far away.
Within the miasma, several figures quickly emerged.
“This miasma seems much denser than before, and its toxicity appears to have increased slightly. It can even corrode protective energy. Fortunately, we brought plenty of antidote pills, otherwise, it would be quite troublesome.”
The figures were tall and wore beast hides. Their features were rough, and their skin was dark, making them look like savages. However, the Aura emanating from each person was quite impressive; they were all masters of the Bone Transformation Realm.
“Don't forget, Old Seven, this time of year is the miasma rising period in the Congyun Mountains every year. Now is not when the miasma is at its most potent; it will be truly formidable in another half month.”
One of them grinned, showing yellowed teeth, and said with a smile.
The Red Mountain Seven Ghosts are considered quite renowned beast hunters, or perhaps herb gatherers, in Tiannan Prefecture. In short, they do everything related to hunting beasts and gathering herbs.
Although the seven were unkempt, their strength was considerable. They were seven Bone Transportation Warriors, and the strongest, the Leader, was even at the fifth level of Bone Transformation. Moreover, the seven had special Physiques, born with immense strength and robust bodies. Ordinary Martial Artists of the same level were no match for them.
Such strength was almost comparable to that of some ordinary medium-sized forces.
“Alright, after this trip, we'll rest for a while and enter the mountains again after the rising period passes.”
The Leader among the seven ghosts, whose face was smeared with red and yellow paint, glanced at the strange lizard beasts not far away and spoke calmly.
With just that one glance, the strange lizard beasts seemed startled. Ignoring the food in their grasp, they fled in panic, disappearing into the bushes.
“Let's go. The Shadow Mane Finch is quite injured for some unknown reason. This is the best opportunity to catch it. Otherwise, with its speed, there would be no chance to catch it normally.”
“Okay, but Leader, the Shadow Mane Finch has caused quite a stir. Many people must be eyeing this piece of fat meat.”
“That's perfect. The more word gets out, the more people will come, and we can earn even more...”
The Leader's face revealed a cold smile. He twitched his nostrils and walked forward.
Seeing this, the other six exchanged glances and also revealed a smile. They quickly followed. Although their main activities were hunting beasts and gathering herbs, those who made a living in the Congyun Mountains didn't just do these two things.
Killing and seizing goods was as common as eating and drinking, and they were also among the best at it. In fact, many times their abundant gains were obtained through such means.
...
Congyun Mountains, White Pine Forest.
It is named as such because there are many giant white pines in the area.
Several figures in casual clothes entered the White Pine Forest nimbly.
“According to the intelligence, the Shadow Mane Finch should be in the White Pine Forest. We'll first determine the approximate location, and then act after support arrives.”
Feng Yu walked at the front, paying attention to the surroundings while also instructing the people behind him.
“Okay, Senior Brother Feng, but I heard that many beast hunters are eyeing this Shadow Mane Finch, including quite a few experts. Can we handle them?!”
During these days in the Congyun Mountains, they had indeed witnessed the ruthless methods of these beast hunters and herb gatherers.
It can be said that humans accounted for a considerable proportion of the dangers in the Congyun Mountains.
Even more so than those fierce beasts and venomous insects.
“Don't worry. Once support arrives, it should be stable. After all, no matter how good the Shadow Mane Finch is, it's just an Elementary Level Spirit Beast. Most of those attracted will only be Blood Transportation Warriors. Even if there is a force, at most it will be in the Early Stage of Bone Transformation. Once support arrives, we will be able to handle it.”
Feng Yu said without turning his head.
As the first direct Disciple of Jin Yuan Yard, he was also one of the top three experts among the younger generation of the Seven Forms Sect. He had now even stepped into the second level of Bone Transformation, only slightly inferior to Xie Qingyun.
Moreover, his Bloodline potential was extraordinary, and it highly matched Jin Yuan Yard's Leopard Transformation Three Absolute Legs. His combat strength was considerable, and his true combat strength should not be much different from Xie Qingyun's.
Now, he could be said to be the undisputed foremost among the younger Disciples of the Seven Forms Sect.
Soon, the several people began searching in the forest.
They had already investigated a lot of information about the Shadow Mane Finch and were quite knowledgeable about this avian Spirit Beast.
As they walked, Feng Yu had already taken out a fist-sized gourd from his bosom, opened the lid, and soon a completely black moth emerged from inside.
This was a Black-Blue Moth he had bought from several herb gatherers for a considerable sum. It was a type of moth favored by many avian Spirit Beasts.
At the same time, this type of moth had excellent sensing ability towards avian predators. As long as there was a powerful avian nearby, it would have a strong reaction.
After the Black-Blue Moth flew out of the gourd, it circled outside a few times, and soon streaks of white patterns appeared on its body, constantly flashing.
Seeing this scene, a look of joy appeared on Feng Yu's face.
“Indeed, the Shadow Mane Finch is in this White Pine Forest. Master, move a bit faster and determine its location as soon as possible. If we're lucky and find it first, we can capture it without waiting for support...”
“Okay...”
The several people immediately quickened their pace by a few points, constantly moving through the White Pine Forest in search.
Meanwhile, on the other side, at the foot of the Congyun Mountains, a strange cry came from the sky.
At an altitude of a thousand meters, a large black bird with a wingspan of five to six meters flew directly towards the Congyun Mountains.
This large black bird's eyes were like black gemstones; it was precisely the Black Eyed Ghost Crow.
At this moment, a figure was sitting cross-legged on the back of the Black Eyed Ghost Crow. Who else could it be but Lin Sheng?
“Have we arrived?”
Lin Sheng opened his eyes and glanced at the dense mountain forest below.
In less than two days, he had already traveled from Luoshui County to the location of the Congyun Mountains, spanning tens of thousands of miles.
This speed was not much slower than his full-speed running.
This was the advantage of avian Spirit Beasts.
As long as one could tame an avian Spirit Beast, they could use it as a mount to fly in the air, which was obviously much more convenient than traveling on two legs. This was also one of the reasons he chose to keep the Black Eyed Ghost Crow.
He took out a map of the Congyun Mountains from his bosom, glanced at it twice, and then pointed in a direction. The Black Eyed Ghost Crow immediately turned into a black shadow and plunged into the Congyun Mountains.
He wasn't worried about encountering any attacks in the air. If any ignorant Spirit Beast were to collide with him, it would just be absorbed into his body.
Using an avian Spirit Beast as a means of transportation to enter the Congyun Mountains greatly shortened the travel time.
There was no need to worry about the various fierce beasts, venomous insects, swamps, toxic miasma, etc., in the mountains.
In just half a day, looking at the pine forest appearing below, he patted the Black Eyed Ghost Crow.
The latter immediately descended downwards.
“This is the White Pine Forest.”
Looking at the tree bodies as white as snow, Lin Sheng put away the map.
According to the intelligence information transmitted by Feng Yu and the others, the Shadow Mane Finch was most likely in this forest.
*
Deep within the White Pine Forest, the Black-Blue Moth seemed to have lost its sense of direction. As it circled in mid-air, the white patterns appearing around its body became more and more numerous. Eventually, it directly fell to the ground, unable to move.
Upon seeing this scene, Feng Yu and the others were not surprised but rather delighted.
For the Black-Blue Moth to have such a strong reaction, it indicated that they were now very close to that powerful avian Spirit Beast.
“Let's go, let's check ahead. We should be close to finding the Shadow Mane Finch.”
Feng Yu put away the Black-Blue Moth and led the several people to rush forward quickly.
Caw—
Before they had gone far, a clear and resonant bird cry came from the dense mountain forest ahead.
“This sound, it's definitely the Shadow Mane Finch. Quick, let's go!”
With surprise and joy in their hearts, Feng Yu and the others quickened their pace even more.
Soon, a giant pine tree, significantly larger than the other white pine trees, appeared before their eyes.
The other white pine trees in the White Pine Forest required two or three people to embrace, while this white pine tree in front of them was four or five times larger.
Its branches were dense, and its crown was huge, making it quite spectacular.
Many of the green leaves on the tree crown were stained with traces of blood and some blackish-purple feathers.
Evidently, the Shadow Mane Finch was within this giant white pine.
However, to their surprise, there were already quite a few people beneath this white pine tree at this moment.
A rough count revealed over twenty people.
Moreover, most of these people were at the Blood Transportation Realm, but there were also five or six genuine Bone Transformation Warriors. From their Aura, they seemed slightly stronger than themselves.
Seeing this, a look of surprise appeared on Feng Yu's face, and he furrowed his brows.
“Damn it, how can there be so many people here!?”
“Senior Brother Feng, what should we do now?”
The other Disciples also realized the situation was a bit troublesome upon seeing so many people.
The Shadow Mane Finch was right before them, but with so many people, they clearly had no advantage. However, if they just ignored it, this Shadow Mane Finch would likely fall into the hands of others.
A look of hesitation appeared on Feng Yu's face, but in the end, he gritted his teeth.
“Let's go over. These people are clearly not together, so we might not be without a chance.”
The arrival of their group was naturally discovered by the crowd beneath the giant pine tree.
They stared at Feng Yu and the others with vigilant eyes.
These over 20 people were divided into two factions, confronting each other. Feng Yu's group was the third faction.
“This Shadow Mane Finch was first discovered by our Medicine Gang. If you grant our Medicine Gang this favor, our Medicine Gang will certainly remember it in the future, and you will surely benefit after we leave...”
A group of men in plain clothes carrying herb baskets on their backs spoke first.
“Old Herb Head, it's better not to speak such nonsense. Where is the logic that whoever discovers it first gets it? If word gets out, wouldn't people laugh their heads off? Let me tell you, our Wind Cloud Gang is taking this Shadow Mane Finch. If you retreat obediently, it's fine, otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless.”
Before the man with the herb basket finished speaking, a burly man among the group in black clothes on the other side directly interrupted him and spoke coldly without politeness.
Although these people were fewer in number than the former, each of them was not weak in strength, especially the burly man leading them. He was even at the fourth level of Bone Transformation, and the Aura emanating from his body at this moment carried quite a bit of power.
“Gang Leader Sun, don't speak too boastfully. Everyone knows the value of this Shadow Mane Finch is not as simple as an ordinary Shadow Mane Finch. Your Wind Cloud Gang is strong, but our Medicine Gang is not made of mud either...”
The man with the herb basket's expression also turned cold at this moment; clearly, he did not intend to give up.
Feng Yu looked at the two sides, whose swords were drawn and bows were strung.
From the conversations between the two sides, he also learned the identities of these people.
The Medicine Gang and the Wind Cloud Gang were two groups that made a living by gathering herbs and hunting in the Congyun Mountains.
Such forces were quite common in Tiannan Prefecture, and both of these were forces with quite a reputation among them.
It was just that how did these people find this place, and even before them?
Just as he was thinking, several tall figures slowly emerged from the jungle on the other side of the giant pine tree.
These seven people were all dressed in beast hides, looking like savages. Their skin was dark, and their features were peculiar. They were either people from foreign races or mixed-bloods.
Looking at the attire and appearance of these seven people, Feng Yu felt a sense of familiarity, but for a moment, he couldn't guess who they were.
“Haha, Brother, it has to be you. You deliberately spread the news, and it really attracted some fat fish.”
“Alright, it's almost time to cast the net. If it takes too long, attracting some experts might be troublesome.”
The eyes of the seven fell upon the crowd, carrying unconcealed greed.
“Red Mountain Seven Ghosts!! Why are you here?”
The appearance of the seven quickly attracted everyone's attention. After clearly seeing the appearance of the other party, the man with the herb basket's expression changed, and he couldn't help but exclaim.
As if understanding something, the man with the herb basket's expression changed uncertainly, but soon he forced out a smile.
“Our Medicine Gang won't get involved with this Shadow Mane Finch anymore. It's yours...”
After speaking, he winked at the gang members behind him and wanted to retreat towards the jungle behind.
However, before he could make a move, a man in beast hide had already blocked the way.
“Since you've already come, why are you in a hurry to leave?”
The seven ghosts blocked each side, cutting off everyone's retreat.
“Red Mountain Seven Ghosts, what is the meaning of this?”
The people from the Wind Cloud Gang on the side also realized something was wrong at this moment and spoke in a deep voice with an unpleasant expression.
“Red Mountain Seven Ghosts!?”
After stating the identities of the seven, Feng Yu's expression also changed drastically.
These seven were quite notorious in the circle of the Congyun Mountains. It was said that the seven were born of the same mother. Although they were ugly in appearance, their strength was extremely formidable, and their methods were cruel and ruthless.
Thinking of what the several people had just said, how could Feng Yu not understand that this so-called Shadow Mane Finch was probably a trap set by the other party?
Seeing the panicked expressions of the crowd, the Red Mountain Seven Ghosts laughed in unison.
The Leader, whose face was smeared with red and yellow oil paint, waved his hand towards his several brothers.
“Let's start. Kill them all, strip them clean, and then leave with the Shadow Mane Finch.”
“Okay, Brother.”
The several people responded in unison, and the next moment, they swiftly charged forward.
“Fight them to the death!”
Seeing this, neither the Medicine Gang nor the Wind Cloud Gang could care about anything else. They grabbed their weapons and charged forward in unison to meet them.
They all knew the Red Mountain Seven Ghosts' way of doing things. Fighting desperately offered a sliver of hope, but other than that, there was absolutely no way to survive.