Five days later, ten hunters had been killed, averaging two a day . The huge loss infuriated Can Bao, King of the Hunters . The ten hunters who died, in addition to more than a dozen men who had died previously, amounted to nearly thirty hunters lost . To lose a third of the hunters was a greatly unantic.i.p.ated catastrophe .

“Da ge, this can't continue! We have to change our methods . That Qin Yu is completely unpredictable and difficult to handle . If things continue at this rate, how are we going to account to Prince Qi in the future?” At the highest level of the paG.o.da, s.h.i.+ Yan spoke furiously as he stood behind Can Bao . “That b.a.s.t.a.r.d Qin Yu is way too cunning, attacking our men when they're alone . Furthermore, it's doesn't seem to be him alone . There should be at least four others .

“Only four people are necessary to bring us to this pathetic state . Don't you find that embarra.s.sing?” Can Bao's scarred face darkened .

s.h.i.+ Yan was depressed as well . “Da ge, I'm useless . Please punish me . ”

“And how would that be useful?” Can Bao chided, turning around .

“Erm… Da ge, I have a plan to overturn our situation and regain control . ” Three Eyes rolled his eyes and approached them . “There are around a thousand people left within the Illusory Battlefield . Why don't we use them to make up for the lack of manpower on our side? We can still pit them against each other; it'll be a win-win situation . ”

“Elaborate on your plan . ” Can Bao's spirit lifted slightly, and he looked toward Three Eyes with hope .

“Da ge, we can split our forces: Some of us will spread the news that Qin Yu has found a Spirit Weapon, and the rest will offer a reward for Qin Yu's head for murdering the guard in the tower . The reward will be five Black Grade Pills . ” Hearing the plan, everyone's eyes lit up . This was, indeed, a perfect solution! Either the Spirit Weapon or the five Black Grade Promotion Pills were sufficient incentive to have cultivators go crazy for them .

“Three Eyes, this is a good plan; but, where do we get the five Black Grade Pills?” s.h.i.+ Yan asked with a frown .

“Hehe,” Three Eyes snickered . “Do you really think that we'll give them the Promotion Pills?”

“How evil!” Everyone was impressed .

“Okay, do it now,” ordered Can Bao .

“Wait, Da ge, let me add,” s.h.i.+ Yan interrupted quickly . “The three men who we captured know Qin Yu . We can release them and have them help us with our plan . ”

“Sure, the both of you will go personally . This time around, I do not wish to hear of any of our men dying . ” Can Bao's eyes cast a cold glare upon the both of them .

With chilled hearts, s.h.i.+ Yan and Three Eyes replied in unison, “Yes . ”

……

At this time, Qin Yu and the rest had no idea their opponents were changing tactics; instead, the group had found something unusual: The hunters around them were decreasing gradually . They either vanished or formed groups of four or five . Hunters no longer operated in pairs or alone as they had before . “Master Qin, do you think they've given up on catching us now that they're afraid?” Ruo Feng asked excitedly . Qin Yu and Ruo Feng were hiding in a bush, watching the hunters retreat from a distance .

Qin Yu shook his head immediately . “Don't be too happy . Something's strange . ”

“Then, what's going on?” Ruo Feng asked doubtfully . He lifted his head from the gra.s.s and looked at the silhouettes vanis.h.i.+ng from sight . Qin Yu did the same and felt something was wrong . Unable to wrap his head around what the hunters were doing, Qin Yu had a bad premonition . He told Ruo Feng, “I'm going to check . Go back to Xiao Yu and Qing Yun and tell them that the ambush is canceled . ”

“Then, what's going on?” Ruo Feng asked doubtfully . He lifted his head from the gra.s.s and looked at the silhouettes vanis.h.i.+ng from sight . Qin Yu did the same and felt something was wrong . Unable to wrap his head around what the hunters were doing, Qin Yu had a bad premonition . He told Ruo Feng, “I'm going to check . Go back to Xiao Yu and Qing Yun and tell them that the ambush is canceled . ”

“Okay . ” Ruo Feng cautiously backed out of the bushes, and he ran to where Mu Rongyue and Qing Yun were hiding . Qin Yu had changed out of his tattered gray clothes and was now clad in the clothes he had peeled off a hunter . If people were to see him from the back, they would mistake him for a hunter as well .

The sky grew dark . Mu Rongyue, Qing Yun, and Ruo Feng waited for Qin Yu under a tree as they'd agreed upon before . “Ruo Feng, why is Qin Da ge not here yet?” Mu Rongyue, staring at the black sky, asked with worry . She was afraid Qin Yu would encounter trouble .

“Miss, I'm not sure about this either . However, with Master Qin's strengths, he'll be fine; rest a.s.sured . ” Ruo Feng comforted her .

“I'll take a look . The rest of you wait here,” Qing Yun suddenly declared after remaining quiet for some time . She turned to leave; yet, unusual sounds came from nearby . “Who is it?!” Qing Yun questioned the figure hidden in the dark and gripped her Qing Feng Sword .

“It's me . ” Qin Yu's familiar voice calmed all of their hearts . He walked past the trees and reached them, his face grave .

“Da ge, how was it? Why have they retreated?”

Qin Yu shook his head . “I wanted to catch someone for questioning, but the hunters were extremely guarded . Four or five of them would gather together, sometimes even more than ten of them . I couldn't find a chance to attack . ”

“This means we have no idea what they plan to do,” Qing Yun interrupted .

“Yes . ” Qin Yu nodded . “We better be careful these next few days and keep an eye out . ”

“Hm, this is all we can do . ” The group was silent a moment and settled into their respective places to rest . They planned to pa.s.s the night before anything .

“Hm, this is all we can do . ” The group was silent a moment and settled into their respective places to rest . They planned to pa.s.s the night before anything .

Qin Yu leaned against a tree, his hands folded behind his head . He lifted his head and looked at the starry night through the gaps between leaves . His parents' figures floated into his mind . After being away for so long, Qin Yu missed home and wondered how his parents were doing . He had entered the Illusory Battlefield straight after leaving the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain, so his family was probably still worried .

“Da ge . ” At this point, Mu Rongyue made her way over silently and squatted beside Qin Yu .

Sitting up, Qin Yu stared at Mu Rongyue with curiosity . “What? Can't sleep?”

“I-I have some things to say to you . ” When Mu Rongyue spoke, she attracted the notice of Qing Yun, who lay on the other side . The other woman didn't move an inch, but her ears perked up to full attention as she listened in on the conversation . She even began to feel anxious; was Mu Rongyue going to confess her feelings to Qin Yu? However, even if Mu Rongyue were to confess, why should Qing Yun be anxious? It wasn't her problem anyway . Nonetheless, she was still worried that Qin Yu might agree if Mu Rongyue confessed . It was still none of Qing Yun's business even if Qin Yu agreed; but, she could not control her feelings .

“Speak your mind . ” Qin Yu sat up attentively .

“It's about your parents . ” Mu Rongyue's words shocked Qin Yu . However, Qing Yun relaxed a little; it wasn't a confession .

“What about my parents?” Qin Yu's voice abruptly rose, and he looked at Mu Rongyue with a bad feeling in his gut .

“Da ge, I'm sorry . I should've told you about this earlier; but, these days…” Mu Rongyue felt guilty .

“Oh, Xiao Yue, I don't blame you . Please, tell me quickly,” Qin Yu urged her solemnly .

“Before I entered the Illusory Battlefield, I heard Master Tie Shou say your father created chaos within the Qin Family after hearing that you were forced into the Forbidden Area by Qin Chong . Not only did he set fire to the family lands, he broke the taboo of the Elder . Thus, your parents were ordered to be thrown into jail,” Mu Rongyue explained the situation plainly .

“Oh, Xiao Yue, I don't blame you . Please, tell me quickly,” Qin Yu urged her solemnly .

“Before I entered the Illusory Battlefield, I heard Master Tie Shou say your father created chaos within the Qin Family after hearing that you were forced into the Forbidden Area by Qin Chong . Not only did he set fire to the family lands, he broke the taboo of the Elder . Thus, your parents were ordered to be thrown into jail,” Mu Rongyue explained the situation plainly .

“What? They threw my parents in jail? b.a.s.t.a.r.ds!” Qin Yu was livid . “Qin Chong, I'll make you pay the price!”

“Da ge, please, don't be impulsive . Qin Chong is protected by the Elder Qin Yuandao; you can't fight him . I heard that he's an old monster already beyond the Transformation Realm . ”

“Hmph, so what if he's in the Spirit Realm?! Whoever dares to lay a finger on my parents, be it the Jade Emperor himself, I will skin him!” Qin Yu released a cold and icy aura that threatened to freeze the air around him . “The day I leave this array will be the day when they pay the price . Qin Chong, we'll recount all of our past grudges at that time . ” Qin Yu gritted his teeth in a murderous manner .

“Da ge, you must calm down,” Mu Rongyue advised him . She had dared not inform him of these happenings because she was afraid that he would respond rashly . She knew Qin Yu was strong, but he would never be a match for old, monstrous Qin Yuandao . Qin Yu needed time to surpa.s.s him . “Da ge, I won't allow you to do stupid things!” Mu Rongyue grabbed Qin Yu's hand and pleaded . “With your talent, you won't need long to surpa.s.s Qin Yuandao . You can go back then to deal with them . ”

Qin Yu was stunned . He looked at Mu Rongyue's worried expression and gradually quashed his cold and murderous aura . He stretched out his hand to grip hers, and a smile emerged on his face . “Xiao Yue, don't worry . I wouldn't do something stupid . ” Mu Rongyue stared at her hand in Qin Yu's and blushed slightly . She lowered her head shyly with happiness in her heart .

“That's good then, Da ge,” Mu Rongyue responded in a warm tone; but, she suddenly remembered something . “By the way, that day when you left us and entered the central area alone, we met Lu Wushuang, Qin Zhao, and the three men following them . Ruo Feng and I fought the five of them!”

“Lu Wushuang and Qin Zhao, they're back together?” Qin Yu looked puzzled .

“En . ” Mu Rongyue nodded . “I don't know what's going on between them either . ”

“Hmph, she's a b.i.t.c.h indeed . But, I've got to acknowledge how lucky she is . She won't continue to be so fortunate though . ” Qin Yu snickered in disdain, a murderous glint flas.h.i.+ng across his eyes . Lu Wushuang had escaped Qin Yu twice and had been remarkably fortunate .

“How did that fight go?” Qin Yu then asked . Two versus five, Mu Rongyue had definitely been at a disadvantage when it came to the number of people . However, Mu Rongyue was safe and sound; so, Qin Yu was very curious about what had happened in that fight and if Lu Wushung and Qin Zhao were alive .

Five days later, ten hunters had been killed, averaging two a day . The huge loss infuriated Can Bao, King of the Hunters . The ten hunters who died, in addition to more than a dozen men who had died previously, amounted to nearly thirty hunters lost . To lose a third of the hunters was a greatly unantic.i.p.ated catastrophe . “Da ge, this can't continue! We have to change our methods . That Qin Yu is completely unpredictable and difficult to handle . If things continue at this rate, how are we going to account to Prince Qi in the future?” At the highest level of the paG.o.da, s.h.i.+ Yan spoke furiously as he stood behind Can Bao . “That b.a.s.t.a.r.d Qin Yu is way too cunning, attacking our men when they're alone . Furthermore, it's doesn't seem to be him alone . There should be at least four others . “Only four people are necessary to bring us to this pathetic state . Don't you find that embarra.s.sing?” Can Bao's scarred face darkened . s.h.i.+ Yan was depressed as well . “Da ge, I'm useless . Please punish me . ” “And how would that be useful?” Can Bao chided, turning around . “Erm… Da ge, I have a plan to overturn our situation and regain control . ” Three Eyes rolled his eyes and approached them . “There are around a thousand people left within the Illusory Battlefield . Why don't we use them to make up for the lack of manpower on our side? We can still pit them against each other; it'll be a win-win situation . ” “Elaborate on your plan . ” Can Bao's spirit lifted slightly, and he looked toward Three Eyes with hope . “Da ge, we can split our forces: Some of us will spread the news that Qin Yu has found a Spirit Weapon, and the rest will offer a reward for Qin Yu's head for murdering the guard in the tower . The reward will be five Black Grade Pills . ” Hearing the plan, everyone's eyes lit up . This was, indeed, a perfect solution! Either the Spirit Weapon or the five Black Grade Promotion Pills were sufficient incentive to have cultivators go crazy for them . “Three Eyes, this is a good plan; but, where do we get the five Black Grade Pills?” s.h.i.+ Yan asked with a frown . “Hehe,” Three Eyes snickered . “Do you really think that we'll give them the Promotion Pills?” “How evil!” Everyone was impressed . “Okay, do it now,” ordered Can Bao . “Wait, Da ge, let me add,” s.h.i.+ Yan interrupted quickly . “The three men who we captured know Qin Yu . We can release them and have them help us with our plan . ” “Sure, the both of you will go personally . This time around, I do not wish to hear of any of our men dying . ” Can Bao's eyes cast a cold glare upon the both of them . With chilled hearts, s.h.i.+ Yan and Three Eyes replied in unison, “Yes . ” …… At this time, Qin Yu and the rest had no idea their opponents were changing tactics; instead, the group had found something unusual: The hunters around them were decreasing gradually . They either vanished or formed groups of four or five . Hunters no longer operated in pairs or alone as they had before . “Master Qin, do you think they've given up on catching us now that they're afraid?” Ruo Feng asked excitedly . Qin Yu and Ruo Feng were hiding in a bush, watching the hunters retreat from a distance . Qin Yu shook his head immediately . “Don't be too happy . Something's strange . ” “Then, what's going on?” Ruo Feng asked doubtfully . He lifted his head from the gra.s.s and looked at the silhouettes vanis.h.i.+ng from sight . Qin Yu did the same and felt something was wrong . Unable to wrap his head around what the hunters were doing, Qin Yu had a bad premonition . He told Ruo Feng, “I'm going to check . Go back to Xiao Yu and Qing Yun and tell them that the ambush is canceled . ” “Okay . ” Ruo Feng cautiously backed out of the bushes, and he ran to where Mu Rongyue and Qing Yun were hiding . Qin Yu had changed out of his tattered gray clothes and was now clad in the clothes he had peeled off a hunter . If people were to see him from the back, they would mistake him for a hunter as well . The sky grew dark . Mu Rongyue, Qing Yun, and Ruo Feng waited for Qin Yu under a tree as they'd agreed upon before . “Ruo Feng, why is Qin Da ge not here yet?” Mu Rongyue, staring at the black sky, asked with worry . She was afraid Qin Yu would encounter trouble . “Miss, I'm not sure about this either . However, with Master Qin's strengths, he'll be fine; rest a.s.sured . ” Ruo Feng comforted her . “I'll take a look . The rest of you wait here,” Qing Yun suddenly declared after remaining quiet for some time . She turned to leave; yet, unusual sounds came from nearby . “Who is it?!” Qing Yun questioned the figure hidden in the dark and gripped her Qing Feng Sword . “It's me . ” Qin Yu's familiar voice calmed all of their hearts . He walked past the trees and reached them, his face grave . “Da ge, how was it? Why have they retreated?” Qin Yu shook his head . “I wanted to catch someone for questioning, but the hunters were extremely guarded . Four or five of them would gather together, sometimes even more than ten of them . I couldn't find a chance to attack . ” “This means we have no idea what they plan to do,” Qing Yun interrupted . “Yes . ” Qin Yu nodded . “We better be careful these next few days and keep an eye out . ” “Hm, this is all we can do . ” The group was silent a moment and settled into their respective places to rest . They planned to pa.s.s the night before anything . Qin Yu leaned against a tree, his hands folded behind his head . He lifted his head and looked at the starry night through the gaps between leaves . His parents' figures floated into his mind . After being away for so long, Qin Yu missed home and wondered how his parents were doing . He had entered the Illusory Battlefield straight after leaving the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain, so his family was probably still worried . “Da ge . ” At this point, Mu Rongyue made her way over silently and squatted beside Qin Yu . Sitting up, Qin Yu stared at Mu Rongyue with curiosity . “What? Can't sleep?” “I-I have some things to say to you . ” When Mu Rongyue spoke, she attracted the notice of Qing Yun, who lay on the other side . The other woman didn't move an inch, but her ears perked up to full attention as she listened in on the conversation . She even began to feel anxious; was Mu Rongyue going to confess her feelings to Qin Yu? However, even if Mu Rongyue were to confess, why should Qing Yun be anxious? It wasn't her problem anyway . Nonetheless, she was still worried that Qin Yu might agree if Mu Rongyue confessed . It was still none of Qing Yun's business even if Qin Yu agreed; but, she could not control her feelings . “Speak your mind . ” Qin Yu sat up attentively . “It's about your parents . ” Mu Rongyue's words shocked Qin Yu . However, Qing Yun relaxed a little; it wasn't a confession . “What about my parents?” Qin Yu's voice abruptly rose, and he looked at Mu Rongyue with a bad feeling in his gut . “Da ge, I'm sorry . I should've told you about this earlier; but, these days…” Mu Rongyue felt guilty . “Oh, Xiao Yue, I don't blame you . Please, tell me quickly,” Qin Yu urged her solemnly . “Before I entered the Illusory Battlefield, I heard Master Tie Shou say your father created chaos within the Qin Family after hearing that you were forced into the Forbidden Area by Qin Chong . Not only did he set fire to the family lands, he broke the taboo of the Elder . Thus, your parents were ordered to be thrown into jail,” Mu Rongyue explained the situation plainly . “What? They threw my parents in jail? b.a.s.t.a.r.ds!” Qin Yu was livid . “Qin Chong, I'll make you pay the price!” “Da ge, please, don't be impulsive . Qin Chong is protected by the Elder Qin Yuandao; you can't fight him . I heard that he's an old monster already beyond the Transformation Realm . ” “Hmph, so what if he's in the Spirit Realm?! Whoever dares to lay a finger on my parents, be it the Jade Emperor himself, I will skin him!” Qin Yu released a cold and icy aura that threatened to freeze the air around him . “The day I leave this array will be the day when they pay the price . Qin Chong, we'll recount all of our past grudges at that time . ” Qin Yu gritted his teeth in a murderous manner . “Da ge, you must calm down,” Mu Rongyue advised him . She had dared not inform him of these happenings because she was afraid that he would respond rashly . She knew Qin Yu was strong, but he would never be a match for old, monstrous Qin Yuandao . Qin Yu needed time to surpa.s.s him . “Da ge, I won't allow you to do stupid things!” Mu Rongyue grabbed Qin Yu's hand and pleaded . “With your talent, you won't need long to surpa.s.s Qin Yuandao . You can go back then to deal with them . ” Qin Yu was stunned . He looked at Mu Rongyue's worried expression and gradually quashed his cold and murderous aura . He stretched out his hand to grip hers, and a smile emerged on his face . “Xiao Yue, don't worry . I wouldn't do something stupid . ” Mu Rongyue stared at her hand in Qin Yu's and blushed slightly . She lowered her head shyly with happiness in her heart . “That's good then, Da ge,” Mu Rongyue responded in a warm tone; but, she suddenly remembered something . “By the way, that day when you left us and entered the central area alone, we met Lu Wushuang, Qin Zhao, and the three men following them . Ruo Feng and I fought the five of them!” “Lu Wushuang and Qin Zhao, they're back together?” Qin Yu looked puzzled . “En . ” Mu Rongyue nodded . “I don't know what's going on between them either . ” “Hmph, she's a b.i.t.c.h indeed . But, I've got to acknowledge how lucky she is . She won't continue to be so fortunate though . ” Qin Yu snickered in disdain, a murderous glint flas.h.i.+ng across his eyes . Lu Wushuang had escaped Qin Yu twice and had been remarkably fortunate . “How did that fight go?” Qin Yu then asked . Two versus five, Mu Rongyue had definitely been at a disadvantage when it came to the number of people . However, Mu Rongyue was safe and sound; so, Qin Yu was very curious about what had happened in that fight and if Lu Wushung and Qin Zhao were alive .