NOVEL NEXT Chapter 408: Survival
Chapter 408: Survival
Xu Lian and the thirty-five Supreme Beings made their way toward the location of the two mountain deer.
As they walked, something felt off, and they all stopped simultaneously, exchanged glances, and fell into deep thought.
An army without a general is disorganized; a snake without a head cannot move. They realized an unavoidable problem – they lacked leadership!
If they encountered ferocious birds, savage beasts, or any other sudden crisis, it was obvious that the thirty-six of them would scatter like sand in the wind, utterly defenseless.
And why?
Because there was no leader among them!
They were all cunning individuals, and such a simple truth was not lost on them. At this moment, it was imperative for them to elect a suitable leader.
Dantai Wujie, the Supreme of Yin Dynasty, cleared his throat twice. “I believe that Little Xu is the most suitable candidate. Outside, he was the one who commanded the Thirty-Six Heavenly War God Battle Formation. Now that we are in this place, which appears to be the Primordial Era, we are old and frail, while he is young and strong. Of course, he should take the lead. Only then can we unite our efforts and work together toward the three goals.”
However, Heaven’s Treasury Supreme, who harbored enmity with the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands Faction, naturally opposed Xu Lian taking charge. He immediately objected: “I think he is unfit to lead!
Outside, when he commanded the Thirty-Six Heavenly War God Battle Formation, instead of focusing on the task at hand, he went off to Misty Ghost Mountain and Poison Dragon Pool to pursue his own affairs.
This shows that his thinking is erratic – he acts on impulse and could easily lead us into dangerous situations.
If it weren’t for him recklessly clashing the Thirty-Six Heavenly War God Battle Formation against the Qian Dynasty Hidden Foundation, we wouldn’t have ended up here!”
Xue Ranfu, the Supreme of the Blood Sea, who also had strained relations with the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands Faction, immediately chimed in to oppose this as well. “That’s right. Previously, the Shui family had unilaterally handed over control of the Thirty-Six Heavenly War God Battle Formation to him, and it has since proven that he is unfit to lead. It’s time for a change.
Dantai Wujie sneered coldly. “Ending up here might actually be the best outcome for us. If any of you had been in charge of the Thirty-Six Heavenly War God Battle Formation, you might have been killed by the Qian Dynasty Hidden Foundation by now. We owe our survival to Xiao Xu.”
Each side had their arguments, and they argued until their faces turned red, but neither could convince the other.
In truth, it did not matter if their arguments were valid. What mattered was the closeness or distance of their relationship. Even though everyone claimed that they shouldn’t bring their external rivalries into this situation and should unite, enmity was still enmity – it couldn’t just be put aside.
With his left-hand holy bone and divine skull, Xu Lian viewed these Supremes as a burden. He had no desire to take the lead.
He calmly said, “I’ll pass. Whoever wants to take the lead can do so.”
Dantai Wujie coldly snorted at Heaven’s Treasury Supreme and Blood Sea Supreme. “Since Little Xu has declined, go ahead and choose whoever you want. I’d like to see what kind of nonsense you come up with.”
Thus, the Supremes deliberated once more. In the end, they decided that Xue Ranfu, the Supreme of the Blood Sea, would take the lead, with the Supreme of Heaven’s Treasury serving as the “vice-leader.”
The Supremes had their own considerations. They were all “elderly apes”, while Xu Lian was the only “young ape” among them-strong and robust. If Xu Lian harbored any malicious intentions, he would pose a significant threat to them.
By choosing Xue Ranfu and Heaven’s Treasury Supreme, who were both at odds with Xu Lian, to lead them, they hoped to maintain a balance.
Balance was crucial.
In the chaotic world outside, balance was of the utmost importance. If any faction grew too powerful, others would target it to prevent one-sided dominance and maintain the equilibrium.
Even in this place, which seemed to be the Primordial Era, where they faced life-threatening dangers, balance was equally important.
After being appointed as the deputy leader, Heaven’s Treasury Supreme immediately issued orders. “Nine Heavens Divine Son Xu Lian, as the ‘young monkey’, is strong and fit. He should serve as a scout, responsible for clearing the way and making sure we don’t accidentally wander into the territory of wild birds or beasts and get wiped out.”
Dantai Wujie was furious. “You just told Little Xu not to target you, and now you’re targeting him?”
Heaven’s Treasury Supreme replied, “I’m not targeting Xu Lian. I’m just stating the facts. Besides him, we’re all old and frail. Who else is qualified to be the scout?”
Xue Ranfu added, “That’s right. From the perspective of the entire group, Xu Lian is indeed the most suitable choice for the role of scout.”
The Supremes all agreed. After all, this arrangement benefited them as well. With a scout leading the way, they could avoid potential dangers. And if danger arose, the scout would face it first-which was perfectly fine with them.
“Fine.”
Xu Lian moved to the front of the group, cutting through the grass and vines with his stone sickle as he forged a path forward.
The Supremes were satisfied with his cooperation. Following the path he had cleared allowed them to avoid danger.
And so one person led the way, while the others followed behind, cautiously making their way toward the two mountain deer.
When they reached the location of the two mountain deer, they discovered that their “romance” was over – or rather, temporarily over, for the time being.
At the moment, the two deer were leisurely grazing, replenishing their energy for their next bout of love.
Xue Ranfu, the Supreme of the Blood Sea, acted like an experienced general on the battlefield. He gestured for everyone to crouch down and hide in the tall grass.
He whispered, “Don’t act rashly yet. Wait until the two deer have finished mating and are exhausted. Then we’ll surround them from all sides. Once they’re trapped, Xu Lian will charge in and hunt them down”.
Xu Lian marveled at the strategy. Impressive… These guys really know what they’re doing.
The other Supremes exchanged calculating glances, patting their growling stomachs. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, dinner was secured for the night.
If this scene were to play out in the outside world, it would surely shock all cultivators. A group of Supreme Beings meticulously planning the hunt for two mountain deer? Anyone unfamiliar with the situation might mistake it for a hunt for heavenly deer.
The thirty-five Supreme Beings and Xu Lian crouched in the tall grass, silently waiting.
They didn’t even look directly at the two mountain deer. After all, everything in this world had a spirit. If they stared too long, the deer might sense their intention.
Experienced hunters knew this well: once they locked onto their prey, they would mentally mark its position and only glance at it occasionally. Only amateurs would stare continuously, causing the prey to panic.
This subtle, almost mystical intuition was something they couldn’t afford to ignore.
“Xu Lian, don’t stay crouched for too long, you might get numb legs. You’re the main hunter here, you need to maintain your explosive power. The rest of you should also be careful – when we surround the deer, don’t let your legs go numb.”
Blood Sea Supreme Xue Ranfu offered some guidance to Xu Lian.
Heh… Xu Lian had to admit that this old fox from Blood Sea had some tricks up his sleeve.
As if sensing Xu Lian’s thoughts, Xue Ranfu chuckled. “The outside world knows little about our Blood Sea Sacred Land. They think it’s just a vast sea of blood, but in reality, it’s a wondrous realm. I climbed my way up from the lowest depths of the Blood Sea. When I was younger, I spent a lot of time hunting in that world.
Once we’re out of here, if you’re interested, you can visit the Holy Land of the Blood Sea. We’ll treat you well.
In truth, there’s no deep-seated enmity between our Blood Sea Holy Land and your Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands. It’s just a series of minor conflicts that have accumulated over time, resulting in strained relations.
In these chaotic times, it’s better for both of our sects to seek peace. If you visit the Blood Sea Holy Land once, our relationship can be greatly improved.”
What a cunning old fox… Naturally, Xu Lian didn’t take his words at face value.
After waiting for about an hour, the two mountain deer finally gathered enough energy for love and began to mate again.
“Begin the hunt!”
Blood Sea Supreme Xue Ranfu, as the leader, gave the command and signaled to the other Supremes to encircle the deer.
The success of this hunt would directly determine whether Xue Ranfu could establish his authority and solidify his position as a leader, so he was extremely cautious.
Once the Supremes armed with stone axes and knives had surrounded the two deer, Xue Ranfu turned to Xu Lian and said, “It’s up to you now.”
Xu Lian, who was also hungry, wanted to get some deer to eat. Gripping his stone sickle, he charged out of the grass and slashed at the neck of the upper deer!
Thud!
The blow landed.
The upper deer collapsed to the ground, while the lower deer screamed and fled.
Xu Lian didn’t chase after it. Instead, he leapt forward and pinned the fallen deer to the ground, delivering several more slashes with his stone sickle.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Although the sickle wasn’t particularly sharp, it was sufficient. The deer’s neck and head were soon a bloody mess, and it quickly stopped moving.
Only then did Xu Lian turn to chase after the fleeing deer.
The other deer was surrounded by the Supremes, running back and forth frantically but unable to break through the encirclement.
The Supremes, wielding their crude weapons, shouted and hollered to frighten the deer, gradually tightening the circle around it.
In truth, these Supremes were all frail and weak – mere paper tigers. If the deer had dared to charge in one direction with full force, it could have easily knocked one of them over and escaped.
Unfortunately, the deer lacked both courage and intelligence, thus missing its best chance to flee. By the time Xu Lian, the young and robust ape-man, pounced on it, the deer’s fate was sealed.
Xu Lian tackled the deer to the ground and swung his stone sickle in a flurry of strikes. Soon, the second deer lay motionless as well.
The Supremes all smiled.
“Good! Dinner is safe.”
“Xue Ranfu has done well as our leader, ensuring the success of this hunt…”
Whether intentionally or not, the Supremes deliberately avoided mentioning Xu Lian, seemingly trying to stir up tension between him and Blood Sea Supreme Xue Ranfu.
Sure enough, Dantai Wujie, Supreme of the Yin Dynasty, expressed his dissatisfaction. “Xiao Xu deserves the most credit! Without his strength and vigor, how could the hunt have succeeded so easily?”
Only then did the Supremes reluctantly acknowledge Xu Lian’s contribution.
Xu Lian was fully aware of their scheming, of course, but paid it no mind. Grasping his stone sickle, he cut off one of the deer’s large hind legs. “I deserve the first pick of the spoils – it’s only fair, right?”
The Supremes hurriedly began dividing up the rest of the deer, fearing they’d miss out.
“This one’s mine! Don’t grab it!”
“Stop grabbing!”
Blood Sea Supreme Xue Ranfu and Heaven’s Treasury Supreme, as the two leaders, felt deeply awkward. If they joined the scuffle, the authority they had worked so hard to establish would crumble. Such was human nature. They exchanged glances, swallowed their pride, and picked up the remaining scraps. Fortunately, there was enough meat from the two deer to feed over thirty people.
By the time they finished dividing the deer, night had fallen.
Xu Lian gathered some dry grass and twigs. With no cultivation left and unwilling to use the divine essence in his left holy bone or skull, he resorted to the primitive method of starting a fire by rubbing sticks together.
Dantai Wujie, who had received a piece of venison, came over to roast it with Xu Lian. Smiling, he said, “Little Xu, the best part of the deer is the tenderloin. It’s fresh, tender and delicious.”
Xu Lian replied, “In this situation, I don’t care which part tastes the best, I just want something filling.”
Dantai Wujie nodded. “That’s right.”
The Supremes struggled to start a fire using the same primitive method, eventually giving up and coming over to borrow Xu Lian’s flame.
Once the venison was roasted, everyone eagerly devoured it, wolfing it down with great satisfaction.
But while they were eating, a sudden chill ran down their spines. From the pitch black grass around them, pairs of glowing green eyes emerged – wolves.
Not just a few wolves, but a whole pack.
Oh no!
The thirty-five Supremes’ faces turned pale as they immediately grabbed their stone axes and knives, forming a tight circle back to back. Their bodies tensed, and they kept shouting, hoping to scare the wolves away.
But these wolves were not like the timid mountain deer – they were not easily intimidated. Snarling fiercely, they charged at the group.
The thirty-five Supremes and Xu Lian immediately engaged in a desperate battle against the wolf pack.
Suddenly, a huge white-furred wolf bathed in moonlight slowly approached and let out a long, terrifying howl. At this moment, the Supremes realized their dire predicament – this was no ordinary wolf, but a ferocious beast they couldn’t hope to defeat. There was nothing left to do but scatter and flee, each hoping to save themselves.