Translator: AnubisTL
Though Li Qing had never forged a trigger-activated animal trap, he was certainly familiar with them.
These traps, specifically designed for hunting, weren't overly complex. After a brief study, Li Qing grasped their mechanism.
In roughly two days, he completed forging ten traps.
Just as Li Qing was testing their strength with an iron rod, Miao Qi, who had been gathering information, finally returned with news.
"Brother Li, I've learned that the Red Fish Merchant Guild recently received reliable reports of wolf tracks being spotted in the Mushroom Tree Forest south of Giant Rock City!"
Hearing this, Li Qing immediately set down the trap he was holding and listened intently.
"The Red Fish Merchant Guild has announced that anyone who captures a wolf will receive not only 300 Money Crystals but also a Vital Blood Pill!"
"The Money Crystals aren't a big deal, but the Vital Blood Pill... I heard from those people that Martial Artists who take it can significantly increase their Vital Energy!"
Vital Blood Pill? Increases a Martial Artist's Vital Energy?
Li Qing stroked his chin, lost in thought.
"How many factions in the city have started moving? Do you know?"
Miao Qi recalled for a moment before replying, "Quite a few. Gangs like the Sand Crocodile Gang and the Fist Mountain Gang have all mobilized!"
Li Qing nodded and said, "Take these bear traps to the Sand Crocodile Gang. Then keep an eye on the City Lord's Manor and the Red Fish Merchant Guild's activities over the next few days."
"Consider it done!" Miao Qi thumped his chest confidently.
After Miao Qi left, Li Qing closed his eyes, beginning to strategize.
First, there was the Mushroom Tree Forest to the south. During the Sunlight Era, it had been a dense forest.
But after the sun went out, the trees rotted and were replaced by Hetero-Mushroom Trees.
To his surprise, wolves still roamed the mushroom forest.
Predators meant a food chain existed there.
"Finding wolves isn't that strange, but the Red Fish Merchant Guild's Vital Blood Pills... that's interesting."
External Strength Martial Artists, also known as Tempered Body Realm Martial Artists, must forge their bodies to achieve a state of abundant Vital Energy and self-generating strength. Only then can they truly be considered to have entered the Outer Strength realm.
With diligent effort and a constant supply of meat, this realm is easily attainable.
However, the World of Eternal Night suffers from a severe food shortage, making it difficult even to eat one's fill. Without sufficient Vital Energy, Martial Artists struggle to advance to the Outer Strength level.
The Red Fish Merchant Guild's Vital Blood Pill, therefore, held immense allure for Martial Artists who had trained tirelessly but remained stuck at the threshold of Outer Strength.
"Cultivating exotic beasts and refining Vital Blood Pills... The Red Fish Merchant Guild is even more complex than I imagined!"
Li Qing, already in the Inner Strength realm, wasn't particularly interested in the Vital Blood Pill. However, he was deeply curious about who had refined it and what techniques they had used.
"There's definitely a extraordinary individual behind the Red Fish Merchant Guild!"
Having confirmed this fact, Li Qing grew even more wary of the Red Fish Merchant Guild.
Soon, under the guild's encouragement and allure, numerous gangs of all sizes within the city began flocking toward the mushroom forest to the south.
Catching a single wolf would earn them 300 Money Crystals and a Vital Blood Pill. Setting aside the pill's miraculous effects, even the 300 Money Crystals alone would be enough to tempt many.
In Giant Rock City, 300 Money Crystals could buy nearly two Armored Pigs. Even ordinary citizens were tempted.
During this period, Giant Rock City's south gate was bustling with activity.
Before long, the city itself became unusually empty and quiet. Without the chaotic mix of gangs, the streets felt eerily desolate.
Li Qing, however, remained patient. Like a monk detached from worldly desires, he never actively sought opportunities, instead passively waiting for the perfect moment.
Of course, he never neglected gathering information about Giant Rock City.
With Miao Qi's assistance and his own occasional outings to gauge the city's situation, he kept a close watch on developments.
Counting the days, nearly half a month had passed. Finally, some of the hunters who had gone out to hunt beyond the city walls returned!
And they were bringing back prey!
At the South City Gate, a group of people carried a gray wolf, bound tightly, directly toward the Red Fish Merchant Guild.
The news spread like wildfire through the city, causing quite a stir.
Many people gathered around, eager to see what this gray wolf looked like.
"Good heavens, so this is a wolf! It looks truly ferocious!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, I heard there's an even more terrifying beast called a tiger, but unfortunately, we can't see one now."
"Even after being wounded like this, it's still alive. That wolf's gaze... it's probably holding a grudge."
"..."
Many people born during the Dark Era had never actually seen a wolf. They had only heard about them in legends and couldn't conjure a clear image in their minds.
Once they got a good look, everyone marveled at how intimidating the beast was.
This gray wolf was a prize of the True Martial Gang, captured personally by their Gang Leader.
The Gang Leader of the True Martial Gang was a square-faced man with thick eyebrows and large eyes, giving off an air of loyalty and righteousness.
"Second Brother," he boomed, "since we got the Vital Blood Pill, you'll get to use it. Once you break through to the Outer Strength realm, the True Martial Gang will have two External Strength Experts! Who wouldn't give us face then?"
"Of course, all the brothers deserve credit this time. After we exchange our rewards with the Red Fish Merchant Guild, we'll buy an Armored Pig and feast on its meat together. The remaining Money Crystals will be distributed among the brothers!"
The Gang Leader's bold declaration immediately earned cheers and the unwavering loyalty of his gang members.
With the True Martial Gang's successful return, members of other gangs began to trickle back as well.
Some, like the True Martial Gang, had secured their own spoils and returned with their prey.
But many others returned empty-handed, and some even forged deep-seated grudges over stolen prey.
After all, outside the city walls, there was no order or morality. If you had the bigger fist, you simply took what you wanted.
If you didn't catch your own prey, no matter! As long as you could steal it, it was yours!
As a result, the wolf-hunting expedition had left many gangs simmering with tension.
If not for the City Lord's Manor's heavy-handed suppression, bloody conflicts would undoubtedly have erupted.
But even with the City Lord's Manor's fearsome reputation, some were still too impulsive to restrain themselves.
One gang that had stolen prey from others suffered a grim fate: three of its members were found dead in their homes, only discovered when the stench of decay became unbearable.
The city erupted in shock and outrage.
(End of the Chapter)
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