Chapter 18
C18 – Shock the World
Hu Wang died instantly as his Spiritual Energy completely collapsed!
“Stop—!”
It was only then that a belated roar of fury echoed from a distance, coming from another enraged Demonic Pet Master of the Hu Family.
The Hu Family, a small clan with a few hundred members, boasted more than just one Demonic Pet Master. In fact, they had three. One of them, exceptionally gifted, had been accepted into the Primary Demonic Pet Academy in Flame City at a young age and later served there upon gaining formidable power.
The Hu Family’s defense was left to Hu Wang and another cousin. Hu Wang had pinned his hopes on his son becoming a Demonic Pet Master before turning sixteen, which would qualify him for a recommendation to the Primary Demonic Pet Academy in Green-mount Town. But before he could revel in this prospect, he was slain by Chen Wu.
Now, due to his own hubris and hatred, he met the same fate as Lee Wang, with both father and son falling to Chen Wu.
The cry from the Hu Family’s Demonic Pet Master came too late; the academy had swiftly dealt with the Venomous Thorn Vine, and with it, Hu Wang’s life was extinguished.
The entire crowd, having witnessed the fight, was utterly dumbfounded, and a hush fell over them.
“Damn you!”
The Hu Family’s Demonic Pet Master, seeing Hu Wang dead with eyes wide open, was so consumed with rage he nearly lost his mind. His strength was inferior to Hu Wang’s, and with Hu Wang’s death, the Hu Family’s decline was inevitable. Their fortunes would dwindle, and they would face oppression from other small families.
Hu Wang had made many enemies with his arrogance, and those Demonic Pet Masters, should they choose to kick the family while it was down, would make the Hu Family’s future bleak.
The Demonic Pet Master of the Hu Family, met with Chen Wu’s cold and murderous gaze, recoiled in terror. As a mere Grade 2 Demonic Pet Master with a Grade 2 Demonic Pet, he knew Chen Wu, who had slain two Bronze Grade 3 Demon Pets in front of everyone, could easily kill him too.
Thus, the once-renowned Demonic Pet Master of the Hu Family was cowed by the gaze of Chen Wu, a mere commoner, and hastily withdrew from the crowd.
The old Demonic Pet Master serving as the referee was also taken aback. He gave Chen Wu a few meaningful glances before announcing loudly, “I declare that in this voluntary Life And Death Battle between Demonic Pet Masters Chen Wu and Hu Wang, with Hu Wang’s death, the victor is Chen Wu. He shall not face any imperial legal repercussions for this outcome!”
“Next, the family of the deceased may reclaim the bodies of their loved one and the Demonic Pet.”
The Hu Family’s servants, who had been anxiously waiting, hurried forward to carry away the bodies of their master and the two pets. As they passed by Chen Wu, they shook uncontrollably, their faces ashen with fear. Many of them had been the very servants who had followed Hu Wang with fierce determination to commit murder just the day before. Now, they were reduced to retrieving the corpses of their own masters, terrified that Chen Wu might turn on them next!
In that moment, Chen Wu felt an overwhelming surge of excitement. The long-suppressed hatred and darkness in his heart were wiped clean, leaving him feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
He had triumphed, unequivocally ending the lives of Hu Wang and his son.
Moreover, this marked the first time Chen Wu had honorably defeated a Demonic Pet Master and the first time he had taken a life.
Yet, Chen Wu harbored no fear or confusion in his heart, for he had slain those who were less than beasts!
Hu Wang was merely the first stepping stone on Chen Wu’s path of cultivation. He was no longer the orphan ridiculed by others!
All his newfound glory stemmed from his status as a Demonic Pet Master and his Demonic Pet, Blood Rain.
As Chen Wu caressed the bloodstained back of Blood Rain, the creature, having just emerged victorious from a fierce battle, let out a resounding and exuberant cry that echoed throughout the area.
A radiant white light began to emanate from its body as a whirlwind of strange energy converged upon it from every direction, healing its wounds in plain sight. Feathers regrew, and Blood Rain’s stature increased to a formidable one and a half meters tall, its Iron Claws gleaming with a silver metallic sheen.
Through its own determination, Blood Rain had ascended to become a Bronze Grade 3 Demonic Beast!
[Creature]: Iron-feather Eagle
[Skills]: The Hawk Strike Force, Iron Claw, Feather Arrow, Eagle Eye
[Potential]: High-grade Bronze
Bloodline: None
Level: Bronze Grade 3
Status: Healthy
“Ding! Host’s obsessions have been eliminated. You have completed the hidden mission ‘Revenge’ and have received a reward: one top-grade Beauty Cultivation Pill.”
The Beauty Cultivation Pill is a special type of pill that only a top-grade alchemist has a chance of refining. It can be consumed only once in a lifetime. After consumption, one will obtain ‘Jade Bone Ice Skin,’ which adjusts one’s appearance to the most perfect state within the range of their genes. It increases charisma by 100, brings one closer to nature, and may slightly enhance one’s demeanor, with a chance of attracting kind-hearted Demonic Pets.
Upon seeing this reward, Chen Wu was at a loss for words. I’ve been reborn, not given a makeover. Of all the rewards, a Beauty Cultivation Pill!
Chen Wu’s Demonic Pet killed Hu Wang in an instant and ascended in rank, leaving all the Demonic Pet Masters present in a state of shock and disbelief. Hu Wang was dead, and rising in his stead was a young Demonic Pet Master, brimming with youth and vigor, envied by many Demonic Pet Masters who were still at Grade 3 or 4 in their thirties and forties.
Decades of arduous cultivation, and yet they were no match for a youngster who had just embarked on the path of a Demonic Pet Master!
What incredible potential he possessed!
Almost all the Demonic Pet Masters immediately considered befriending this young and promising Demonic Pet Master. Indeed, at that moment, they all regarded the young man, who surveyed the crowd with a calm gaze, as their equal.
And Hu Wang? His death was of no concern to them; they didn’t even have time to revel in secret glee. Although Hu Wang’s strength was not exceptional, ranking him mid-tier among the Demonic Pet Masters of Green-mount Town, his overbearing nature and lack of restraint, backed by a powerful brother who commanded respect even from the mayor, had made him act without fear. Little did he know, there’s always a bigger fish. These people feared his brother, but a strong, young upstart like Chen Wu was fearless, ready to strike down anyone who crossed him.
This is a classic case of reaping what one sows. They were preoccupied with having their underlings or the supporting families seize the assets of the Hu Family.
Loong Yang and Hui Wenyao remained captivated by the memory of Chen Wu’s indifferent command to the Iron-feather Eagle to slay the Venomous Thorn Vine. It took a while, but eventually, they saw mutual admiration, joy, and awe in each other’s eyes!
”I won. As a consequence, your Grade 3 Wind-type Demonic Core is now mine!” Loong Yang gleefully snatched the Crystal Core from Hui Wenyao’s hand, his face beaming with delight.
Hui Wenyao ignored him completely, his gaze fixed on the direction Chen Wu had departed, lost in thought.
The Zhifazhe, clad in black, finally spoke up, “He’s an impressive prospect. It’s been years since I’ve encountered a youth with such a blend of talent and temperament. Next to him, many so-called geniuses from Flame City seem to lack something essential.”
Mayor Shan Yuanxu also watched Chen Wu’s retreating figure, his experienced eyes discerning even more potential. A knowing smile slowly formed on his lips.
The death of Hu Wang was inconsequential, but the emergence of such a talent in Green-mount Town was a boon. If they could recruit him, especially given his status as an independent with no family ties, it would be advantageous. By investing resources and bringing him into the Xue Family, they might elevate him to a silver ring warrior. Even if he didn’t excel in the future, he could still contribute to their prosperity for another century!
Shan Liyuan echoed the Zhifazhe’s sentiments with respect, “Indeed, it’s not often our town produces such a promising individual. I will certainly cultivate his abilities to bolster the empire’s strength!”
The Zhifazhe offered a faint smile and added, “Let’s move on. We have important matters to attend to.”
Their opulent carriage, pulled by two Grade 1 Demonic Beasts, the Black-scaled Horses, also began to slowly make its way into the distance.