Chapter 60: Hunt Beasts

"That isn't really a big problem. It'll pass after repeated hunting." Du Feng said casually.

"Ah, really, so did you have a similar problem?" After they came back from hunting the snake, Zhang Wuji announced that he no longer wanted to participate in their hunts.

Reason? The dying throes of the bull horn snake and the sight of all those corpses piled up on his guilty conscience from killing sixteen humans. The last fifteen were aiming to kill him so his killing was totally justified but who asked for humans to be emotional beings.

He was afraid that that guilt would lead to hesitation that might put the whole team in peril. He had already experienced that once with the javelin - morning star brothers. Had he killed them when he had the chance, he wouldn't have almost died in the hands of Tang Zhi.

"Not really." Du Feng checked his loot for the day and answered nonchalantly. "Also, you would only be drawing formations, far away from the blood. If you want, someone else can activate the formations for you."

"You are right but.." Zhang Wuji couldn't put it in words, he just didn't want to hunt. Every time he thought of it, he felt like someone was playing with his heart like a stress ball.

"Hmph that's the problem with your low level countries. In Poison Valley, little kids poison enemies as part of their training and watch them wriggle like a worm as they die." The big bearded man Jun Hei said.

"Isn't Poison Valley also a small country like ours? You speak as if it is an Empire level power." Zhang Wuji said with dissatisfaction. This wasn't the first time they added small and little to his country. Although he didn't have much attachment to it, he still felt annoyed each time.

Countries were divided into three levels depending on the strength of the strongest leading it. Kingdom with Nascent Soul Realm cultivators at the helm were the lowest and Zhang Wuji's Frost Swallow was among the weakest kingdoms with only one Nascent Soul Realm cultivator.

Above that was the Empire level, ruled by powerful cultivators in Dao Step which included Dao Seed and Dao Fruit. Till Nascent Soul was considered Mortal Step where the cultivator achieves the peak of mortal.

Lastly, above the Empires were Dynasties ruled by cultivators in the Deity Step. When Zhang Wuji learned of the Deity Transformation Realm that comes after Dao Fruit from Du Shui, his heart raced with a newfound and strong reason to cultivate. Du Shui himself didn't have much knowledge about the realm but what he knew was enough to garner such a reaction.

At Deity Transformation, a cultivator was almost immortal. With indestructible bodies and infinite lifespan, they established Dynasties lasting more than tens of thousands of years.

Jun Hei laughed triumphantly as if he had been waiting for this question and said proudly "Poison Valley IS an Empire level power. Poison Valley is unlike Golden Sun Empire. It doesn't have a single central power, just a bunch of strong and stronger branches. It occupies any poison rich land they come across and establish a branch. Depending on the level of the land, the branch is rated. Ours is only one of the two kingdom level branches in Golden Sun Empire. As a whole Poison Valley is much much powerful than Golden Sun."

Zhang Wuji was shocked only for a moment before snorting disdainfully "Only a kingdom level branch! Isn't that the same as Frost Swallow?"

"How can you compare the two! We have a rich heritage and-"

"Alright, alright stop. Big bro, I have an idea. While drawing formation, hunt small beasts. You can take Gold with you. That way even if you freeze, he'll protect you." Du Shui finished making his new batch of poison and joined the discussion.

"Why should I?!" Gold who had been enjoying his Poison Valley special snake barbeque spat it all out as he exclaimed. Grade one quality meat, wasted.

"Because you and big bro are similarly puss-, ahem, considerate to living beings. You vomited your guts out on your first kill remember? Ai, I really pity him, not only did he die in excruciating pain from the poison, he was also covered in puke. How cruel." Du Shui did a little prayer for the pitiful man and Jun Hei followed.

"Du Shui!! Let's go outside! You and me. We'll see who's more of a man."

"Xiao Shui, don't joke about this stuff. Also Gold, help brother Zhang a bit this time. What do you say brother Zhang?" Du Feng stepped in and brought them back on topic.

"I.. I can't just kill.."

"You're impatient, that is all. Not a good quality for cultivator or a mortal. It takes time for any change. you just need to patiently do what Du Feng said and wait and your fear of killing would disappear. Don't be ignorant enough to support your impatience by saying something like I can't kill innocent or something. I heard from Du Shui that you sneak attacked your first kill. You are just scared and impatient, don't sugarcoat it." Red who had been quietly sitting in a corner snapped at him.

Hearing that Zhang Wuji instantly wanted to defend himself. But he didn't know what to say. He then understood, she was right.

He made his decision and said "Thank you for your advice. I'll do as you said and start hunting with Gold."

He remembered something and added "Only if it's alright with brother Gold." Saying so he looked at Gold awaiting his answer. Although he felt uncomfortable even thinking of killing but it was something necessary in this world unless he hid in some remote corner away from civilization. Although, there'd be beasts waiting for him there too.

"...Alright." Gold initially wanted to decline but Zhang Wuji did make their hunting easier so he relented. Most importantly, he was familiar with what Zhang Wuji was feeling.

"It's settled then. You two discuss your plan for tomorrow. The day after, we will be hunting the steel toad." Du Feng looked excited about this next prey.

"Elder brother, we weren't even able to penetrate it's defense last time, can't we just let this one go?" The toad's ridiculous defense could be understood from the frustration in Du Shui's tone.

"This time's different. With brother Zhang's spikes formation that target it's soft abdomen, combined with linked tokens to deliver poison, we have a good chance at killing it." The more he spoke the more excited he got. The toad really annoyed him to no end last time.

"Right!" The whole team seemed to have a grudge against this toad.

"Brother Du Feng, is there a need to risk your life and hunt higher level beasts?" This point really bewildered Zhang Wuji.

"What do you mean?" All were puzzled. Wasn't it obvious?

"I mean uh, you are the heir to the Du faction. They will provide you with the required resources right? Isn't risking your life here unnecessary.. and stupid?"

"Are you serious? Forget the beast parts, these are grade two herbs we are talking about. It's totally worth it. How'd you learn formations? Were you too happy that you'll be able to hunt with the great me and went crazy?" Gold knocked on Zhang Wuji's head and said mockingly.

Zhang Wuji swatted his hand away and said "One direct hit from the toad will blow you to smithereens."

"Brother Zhang, there are many reasons to take the risk. The herbs found in this realm are more efficiently absorbed by humans given the blood sucking nature of the realm. There are some herbs that can only be cultivated in realms like this one. Other than that, the nature of competition requires us to increase our strength before the central district opens. We from Poison Valley collect poisonous herbs from all over the realm to make sure our safe return. Other's have their own methods." Du Feng was about to continue but his brother interrupted.

"The most important of all is that there is no risk whatsoever for the learned. Most grade one beasts are ridiculously predictable. Take that bull horn snake for example, I know what will happen if I were to hit it's tail, I know what will happen if I were to hit it's head obliquely, head on, at the back, with a sword, hammer, awl and I even know what would happen if I were to do Wan Hua dance in front of it. There is no risk for the knowledgeable." Saying so Du Shui took out a book from his bag and threw it to Zhang Wuji.

"What is it?" He curiously glanced at a random page in the book.

"It is a record of everything useful found in the realm. It is a result of hundreds of years of Poison Valley's experience with the realm. Pretty awesome right?"

"..Yeah." The more he read the more his eyes widened. Everything from beasts, herbs, weather to common grass everything was recorded. Just as he was about to immerse himself completely in it Du Shui snatched it away.

"Too bad, you are not from Poison Valley." He laughed exaggeratedly.

"Let me look at it again. Not for long, one hour is enough." He found interesting notes about some materials that would help increase his formations' formidability.

"Sure, beat me and take it. Can you though? Hahaha."

....