I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1740 - 178: Grand Event of Yancang

Chapter 1740: Chapter 178: Grand Event of Yancang

The shift in identity can make some tasks that were previously difficult become simple, but it can also turn certain simple matters into complex ones.

For instance, a person living alone might be wary of the footsteps of strangers but wouldn’t be on guard against a cat meowing its heart out all night long.

In Fu Yuanshan and Lu Zhongyan’s prison break plan, the hardest step was escaping from Luyang City.

When this step was easily accomplished, the journey westward should have been smooth sailing.

But neither of them could have anticipated that, compared to the challenges they would face next, the so-called hardest part was entirely inconsequential.

For aristocratic families, heritage is never just about nurturing their own martial artists. Divine weapons, mystical armor, secret cultivation techniques, elixir treasures, and most importantly—battle beasts!

After a thousand years of martial arts flourishing, the Beast Taming Sect set up shops across Xiehe, naturally teaching aristocratic families the value of battle beasts.

Compared to warriors who might betray you at any moment, battle beasts controlled and tamed through beast seals were undeniably more reliable.

The busiest business in the Beast Taming Sect’s shops has always been the trade of spirit beasts, a clear testament to their importance.

Among the many types of spirit beasts, even those of the same rank can vary greatly in price. Some, known for their massive strength and ability to charge into formations armored, fetch higher prices. Agile beasts with specialized skills geared for one-on-one combat tend to be cheaper. Generally speaking, the larger the spirit beast’s size, the higher its price—this rule rarely proves wrong.

But exceptions exist. Some spirit beasts defy this rule entirely; even juvenile specimens, once displayed on auction shelves, would be snatched up instantly.

For instance, beasts with dragon or phoenix bloodlines, ancient demonic heritage, or even descendants of divine beast bloodlines.

Such spirit beasts are perpetually priceless and unavailable. Whenever they appear, intense contention inevitably follows, both overt and covert.

So when an apparently ownerless pair of dragon beasts suddenly appeared in Yancang, one can imagine how feverish the aristocratic families became.

All participants in the hunt were Yancang’s top-tier elites, with martial practitioners at least of Martial Ancestor Level leading teams. The reason the two dragon beasts managed to survive and continue breaking out was chiefly due to factions checking each other’s advances and their unanimous intent to capture the beasts alive.

The skies were filled with formidable pursuers, while every direction on the ground was waiting with battle formations. The two dragon beasts, burdened by old injuries now compounded by new ones, had completely lost their sense of direction.

To face a world that sees you as an enemy—truly a despairing reality.

...

On the summit of an unnamed high mountain in Yancang, Xiang Dongyou overlooked the pair of dragon beasts darting desperately through the encirclement, his expression full of calculated confidence.

Beside him, his lieutenant carefully observed his superior’s mood before softly reporting, "According to the Lord’s orders, the word has been spread, and now many factions are paying attention to these two dragon beasts. The aristocratic families across Yancang’s cities have sent martial practitioners, all aiming to claim their share."

"What about the Nong Family?"

"It seems the Nong Family is still observing, but among the groups currently joining the assault, several are secretly controlled by them. As you know, these merchants of medicine are stealthier and more ruthless than anyone, though on the surface, they pretend to be squeaky clean."

The lieutenant joked, "As usual, once the various factions fight to exhaustion, the Nong Family will step in to mediate, fairly distribute the profits, and then claim the lion’s share for themselves."

"That’s why the Nong Family always emerges as the guaranteed winner."

Xiang Dongyou replied coldly, "Unfortunately for them, they don’t know whose treasure this is, destined to result in an empty-handed chase."

"Understood, my Lord. Shall I go down and remind the groups to be careful and avoid harming the Warden’s prized dragon beasts?"

The lieutenant tentatively asked.

"No need. The more factions join, the less likely these beasts will suffer any real harm—perhaps only some flesh wounds."

Xiang Dongyou replied casually, "Thanks to the life force of dragon beasts, minor injuries like these amount to nothing. But after this event, they’ll be enough to teach these contenders who can truly be trusted and relied upon."

"Wise, my Lord!"

Explosions continued rumbling in the valley below as the two dragon beasts ran chaotically in search of freedom. Yet every attempted breakout met ambushes, their mounting wounds and waning strength sealing the fate of inevitable capture.

A suffocating sense of despair coiled in the hearts of Lu Zhongyan and Fu Yuanshan.

...

Yancang, Ningxiang Road

The interwoven thoroughfares across Xiehe were largely constructed by the Beast Taming Sect.

Even in places like Longzhou, where martial discipline reigns and bandit gangs thrive, no one dared to set up tolls or rob the sacred pathways built by the Beast Taming Sect.

Many were drawn to this security and moved to live beside these roads. In Longzhou, one often spotted a peculiar phenomenon—no matter how remote or desolate a spot chosen for an inn route, settlers quickly followed.

If water sources were nearby, travelers would soon gather, forming villages or towns, such as—Ningxiang Road.

This originally inconspicuous little town in Yancang shot to fame thanks to one individual’s presence.

People always remember the first. Especially one who created divine soul formations and could hold their own against renowned Martial Ancestors.

Young, skilled, and masterful in Boxing Intent, the head of Tiger and Leopard Hall transformed into a beast of legend, dominating the region with enough prowess to keep daring challengers at bay. This tiger-leopard leader soon earned the title of Ningxiang Road’s strongest warrior.

Disciples of Tiger and Leopard Hall expected that the return of their leader to Ningxiang Road would signal the rise of chaos and storms throughout Yancang.

Yet unexpectedly, since Feng Shixing returned, he remained silent. Even when Shi Sanke organized the peerless martial assembly and personally invited him to preside as chairman, he showed no inclination, keeping an astoundingly low profile.

Rumors whispered that Feng Shixing sustained severe injuries during a duel with Gong Huang City’s Chu Liang and was recovering in seclusion.

Disciples of Tiger and Leopard Hall scoffed at such claims, especially Feng Shixing’s eldest son, who fumed with bottled-up resentment.

"The He Family came by again today, saying several other families have agreed to mobilize us from Tiger and Leopard Hall to assist them with mountain clearing. I’ve scheduled a meeting to address this."

Feng Anmin arrived at his father’s secluded practice chamber, complaining bitterly, "They’re crossing the line—collecting quotas door-to-door supposedly to build cities. What city-building! It’s merely their sly attempt to test and eliminate opposition. Dad, they’re forcing your hand—why not just slaughter our way into the He Family and finish off that old man? That would surely make the other families back off!"

Feng Shixing paid no heed to his son’s reckless suggestion, merely withdrawing from his internal energy practice to calmly ask, "How’s your progress with practicing Tiger-Crane Dual Form?"

"Practiced it, practiced it! The crane perches gently to feed, graceful and solid; the tiger prowls ferociously through the forest, mighty and aggressive. Using both forms together, integrates hardness and softness."

Feng Anmin grumbled impatiently, "But what’s the point of practicing if I’m not allowed to fight anyone? Every day, it’s just sparring with my brothers behind closed doors—what good does that do?"

"A true cultivator must endure solitude. Achieving a small success and immediately wanting the entire world to witness it—what future can such a warrior have?"

Seeing his son’s defiant look, Feng Shixing reprimanded harshly, "In the past, there was no choice but to engage in reckless battles. But now that the Dean has preached in Red Cloud, giving every rogue cultivator the chance to break through, why don’t you focus on bitter cultivation to break through instead of constantly pursuing petty fights? Three months’ house arrest as punishment!"

"No, Father! Please!"

Feng Anmin cried miserably. At twenty-something, he was at an energetic, restless age; such punishment was unbearable. Hastily, he pleaded, "Father, I came here today to talk about something important, not to be punished!"

"Is it about city-building? I’ve already heard. Tell Young He that Tiger and Leopard Hall will assist within reasonable confines."

Feng Shixing replied indifferently.

"No, Father, it’s not that! This is even more important!"

Feng Anmin hurriedly exclaimed, "There’ve been sightings of two ownerless dragon beasts in Yancang, attracting many families to hunt them. But these two dragon beasts appear exceptionally clever, evading many traps set by the families. Now they’re headed toward Ningxiang Road!"

"Hmm!?"

A spark of brilliance flashed in Feng Shixing’s eyes as he gravely demanded, "Investigate this immediately—I must know precise details!"

The quickest way to bolster factional strength is undoubtedly by acquiring wilderness beasts. In some sense, securing these two beasts’ allegiance could steer a medium-sized faction’s trajectory for centuries.

In the past, Tiger and Leopard Hall wouldn’t dare vie for such high prizes. But now, everything had changed.

Previously refusing to act was merely due to lack of worthy challengers within Ningxiang Road.

Only a battlefield where wilderness beasts served as rewards and the factions of Yancang clashed daringly was fitting for the tiger’s bravery to be displayed.

Clenching his fists, Feng Shixing’s muscles and bones crackled like distant thunder. The boxing techniques he meticulously refined over the past years were ready to be showcased to the lords of Yancang!