Although Li Qing had never crafted a Triggered Beast Trap before, he was certainly not unfamiliar with it. This type of trap, specifically designed for hunting, was not particularly difficult to make. After a brief study, Li Qing quickly grasped the principles behind it.
After spending about two days, he successfully forged ten Beast Traps. Just as Li Qing was testing the strength of the traps with an iron rod, Miao Qi, who was responsible for gathering information, finally brought back news.
“Brother Li, I’ve found out that the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce recently received reliable information that several wolves have been spotted in the Mushroom Forest south of Great Rock City!”
Upon hearing Miao Qi's words, Li Qing immediately set down the Beast Trap in his hands and listened intently.
“The Red Fish Chamber of Commerce has publicly declared that anyone who can capture a wolf will not only receive three hundred Money Crystals but also a type of medicine called Blood Growth Pill!”
“Three hundred Money Crystals isn’t much, but this Blood Growth Pill… I’ve heard people say that as long as a martial artist consumes it, they can significantly increase their qi and blood!”
Blood Growth Pill? Increase a martial artist's qi and blood?
Li Qing stroked his chin, deep in thought.
“How many forces in the city have started to take action? Do you know?”
Miao Qi recalled briefly and replied, “Quite a few. Gator Gang, Fist Mountain Gang, and other factions have all begun to move!”
Li Qing nodded at this and said, “Take these Beast Traps to the Gator Gang, and then help me keep an eye on the movements of the City Lord's Mansion and the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce during this time.”
“Leave it to me!” Miao Qi confidently patted his chest.
After Miao Qi left, Li Qing closed his eyes and began to contemplate.
First, there was the Mushroom Forest to the south, which had once been a dense forest during the Age of Sunlight. Later, as the sun extinguished, the trees decayed, replaced entirely by strange mushroom trees.
What surprised him was that wolves still existed within this mushroom forest.
The presence of predators indicated that there was a food chain in this mushroom forest.
“Finding a wolf pack isn’t too surprising, but the Blood Growth Pill from the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce is quite intriguing.”
External Strength martial artists, also known as Body Refinement martial artists, must temper their bodies to reach a state where their qi and blood are abundant, allowing their strength to grow naturally, in order to be considered at the External Strength level.
This realm can be easily attained with hard work and a steady diet of meat.
However, in the Eternal Night World, food was scarce, and simply getting enough to eat had become quite difficult. Without sufficient qi and blood, martial artists naturally found it hard to advance to the External Strength level.
Yet the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce offered such a Blood Growth Pill, which was immensely tempting for those who diligently practiced martial arts but struggled to reach the threshold of External Strength.
“Cultivating exotic beasts and refining Blood Growth Pills, the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce seems to be more formidable than I had anticipated!”
In contrast, Li Qing, who had already entered the Internal Strength level, was not particularly interested in the Blood Growth Pill. However, he was very curious about who had refined this pill and what methods were used.
“There must be extraordinary individuals behind the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce!”
With this realization, Li Qing grew even more wary of the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce.
Soon, under the instigation of the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce, many factions, large and small, in the city rushed toward the Mushroom Forest to the south.
Capturing a wolf could exchange for three hundred Money Crystals and a Blood Growth Pill. Setting aside the miraculous effects of the Blood Growth Pill, even just the three hundred Money Crystals would entice many. In Great Rock City, three hundred Money Crystals could almost buy two armored pigs, and even many common citizens were stirred by the prospect.
During this time, the southern city gate of Great Rock City was bustling with activity.
Before long, the city became unusually empty and quiet, lacking the usual chaotic presence of various factions.
Yet Li Qing remained patient, like a desireless ascetic, never proactively creating opportunities but passively waiting for the most suitable moment.
Of course, he never neglected gathering information about the various happenings in Great Rock City.
With Miao Qi's help, and Li Qing occasionally venturing out to gather intelligence on the city’s situation, nearly half a month passed. Finally, the group that had gone out to hunt returned!
And they returned with prey!
At the southern city gate, a group of people carried a bound gray wolf, heading straight for the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce.
This news caused quite a stir in the city.
Many people gathered around, eager to see what this gray wolf looked like.
“Wow, so this is a wolf? It looks really fierce!”
“Tsk tsk tsk, I heard there’s an even more terrifying beast than a wolf called a tiger, but unfortunately, we can’t see one now.”
“Even in this state, it’s still alive. That wolf’s gaze must hold a grudge.”
Many born during the Dark Era had never seen a wolf, only hearing about them in tales, and could not form a concrete image in their minds.
Once they saw it clearly, everyone gasped at how intimidating this beast was.
This gray wolf was the trophy of a faction in the city called the True Martial Gang, captured personally by their leader.
The leader of the True Martial Gang was a man with a square face and thick eyebrows, looking very loyal and righteous.
“Brother, once we exchange this for the Blood Growth Pill, it’s yours! As long as you reach the External Strength level, our True Martial Gang will have two External Strength experts, and who wouldn’t give us face!”
“Of course, all the brothers contributed this time. After we exchange for the reward from the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce, we’ll buy an armored pig and feast together, and the remaining Money Crystals will be shared among the brothers!”
The leader of the True Martial Gang shouted boldly, instantly winning the cheers and loyalty of his gang members.
With the successful return of the True Martial Gang, other factions began to return one after another.
Some, like the True Martial Gang, successfully captured trophies and returned with prey.
Of course, there were also many who returned empty-handed, and some even developed deep grudges due to poaching each other's prey.
After all, outside the city, there was no order or morality; as long as one had the strength, they could directly seize what they desired.
It didn’t matter if they failed to catch prey; as long as they could snatch it, it was theirs!
Thus, this wolf hunting expedition added a lot of tension among the factions.
If it weren’t for the City Lord's Mansion suppressing them from above, bloody incidents would surely have been frequent!
However, even though the City Lord's Mansion had a formidable reputation, there would always be some who acted impulsively.
In a certain faction that had robbed others' prey, three members were found dead in their homes, only discovered when the stench became unbearable!
The city was thrown into an uproar!
(End of Chapter)