Nearly thirty Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) frantically charged the ropes, their terrifying force instantly pulling the ropes taut and beginning a struggle against the hunters.
"Brothers, put in more effort and take down these beasts."
Wang Sanyang yelled loudly, his voice hoarse.
"Yes, Chief!"
The hunters also responded loudly.
At this moment, Lin Sheng and Zhang Ding, along with a few others, were gripping a rope and pulling with all their might.
"Quickly scatter the medicinal powder!!"
Zhang Ding shouted towards the hunter behind him. His face was flushed, and cracking sounds continuously came from the large hands gripping the rope, clearly showing he was using every ounce of his strength.
Their small team was responsible for the north side of the spring. At this moment, there were a full ten Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) charging towards them. It was only because they had secured two ropes to an ancient tree nearby beforehand; otherwise, with ten Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) charging at once, these few people might not have been able to withstand it.
Even if they could barely withstand the charge of these beasts now, it would be difficult to secure this last rope quickly.
Following Zhang Ding's shout, an old hunter behind him had already taken a cloth bag from his Arms and fiercely threw it towards the Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) charging the net in front.
The cloth bag landed squarely on the head of a Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) with blood-red eyes, instantly bursting open and scattering a large amount of grayish-white powder.
These powders were mixed with a lot of anesthetic. Even strong beasts like Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) would inevitably be affected if they inhaled too much. As long as they held on for a while, it would be a done deal.
Squeak... squeak... chirp...
Just then, strange cries came from the bushes behind everyone.
Hearing this, Zhang Ding's expression changed slightly.
"Not good, those Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) that were let go before are back!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, several furry heads rushed out from behind, their eyes bloodshot, charging towards the hunters like they were insane.
However, most of the hunters' attention was on the Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) in the net, and these Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) were quite fast.
Before anyone could react, some Yangjiao Huan (ram-horger badger) had already rushed behind the hunters, opening their large mouths to reveal a mouthful of jagged teeth, biting down on several hunters and tearing frantically.
The situation, which had just stabilized, immediately became chaotic. The Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) in the net also seemed to be stimulated, charging even more frantically. The gaps in the net were being pulled open little by little.
On the north side where Lin Sheng and the others were, two Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) also charged over at this moment.
Even with Zhang Ding's warning, a hunter behind Lin Sheng couldn't react in time and was bitten on the shoulder by a Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger). A large amount of blood spurted from his shoulder, splashing onto Lin Sheng's face in front.
He didn't have time to wipe the blood from his face when a series of chirping sounds rapidly approached him.
Lin Sheng didn't hesitate at all. He immediately released the rope in his hand and sidestepped. A large mouth emitting a Fishy smell odor brushed past him.
Before the owner of the large mouth could make another move, Lin Sheng had already grabbed the iron rod on the ground, gathered his strength, and smashed it down fiercely.
Bang!
Amidst the muffled thud, the clear sound of bones shattering also rang out.
This Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) was directly smashed to the ground by a single blow. There was a deep indentation on its skull, yet it was still not completely dead and was grunting, trying to struggle up. However, it was hit fiercely by another rod, and this time it lay directly on the ground without a sound.
All of this happened too quickly. Behind him, the hunter's pained wails continued to echo.
He constantly hammered backward with his hands, but having his shoulder bitten by the Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger), he couldn't exert any strength. Not only did he fail to make the Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) let go, it bit down even harder instead.
Just as this hunter was in despair, there was a squelching sound.
The tearing pain constantly coming from his shoulder abruptly stopped.
As he turned around from the ground, he saw an iron rod had been plunged into the eye socket of the Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) on his shoulder.
As a dark cloth boot came down, the Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) was kicked off him.
At this time, the other few charging Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) were also quickly dealt with by the hunters who had reacted.
Although this sudden change occurred, fortunately, it did not allow the large number of Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) in the net to escape.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) in the net finally showed signs of fatigue, and the force of their charging weakened significantly. Seizing this opportunity, the hunters quickly secured the ropes in their hands.
After waiting a while longer, until the effect of the anesthetic fully took hold, only then did hunters wielding iron rods go in and knock these Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) unconscious one by one.
Subsequently, under Wang Sanyang's command, the hunters carried these Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) and walked down the mountain.
However, everyone's mood was somewhat low, and there wasn't much joy of a successful harvest.
Large patches of blood stained the grass. This time they had caught a full thirty-two Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger), which was definitely exceeding the mission's goal, and the subsequent rewards would definitely increase significantly.
However, due to the sudden attack by those Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger), they ultimately paid the price of three people injured and two dead.
The group descended the mountain very quickly. Although they had knocked out most of the Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger), they also left behind two dead badgers to divert other wild beasts that might be attracted by the scent of blood.
They had delayed for quite some time at the spring, and there was no guarantee that something unexpected wouldn't happen.
Fortunately, there were no accidents along the way. As they neared the foot of the mountain, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief, and their previously low spirits also improved considerably.
"Damn it, I didn't expect these Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) to suddenly go crazy this time, actually daring to launch a counterattack. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been any casualties this time."
Zhang Ding, carrying a flat long pole on his shoulder with a plump Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) tied to it, said somewhat resentfully.
"This time, it was thanks to Brother Lin's quick reaction. Otherwise, Xiao Shi's injury wouldn't have been this simple."
He looked at Lin Sheng and said.
"It was also because Xiao Shi first attracted the attention of those two beasts, otherwise I might have been in trouble."
Lin Sheng, however, shook his head slightly.
There were still many dried bloodstains on his face.
This incident was indeed dangerous. Although he knew that even without the hunter named Xiao Shi behind him, he wouldn't have ended up like Xiao Shi, he definitely wouldn't have dealt with these two beasts so easily either.
It would have inevitably been a struggle, and it was even possible he might have gotten injured in the haste.
"Anyway, you played a part in today's matter. After we get back, I'll mention it to Chief Wang."
Zhang Ding, however, said it without question.
Seeing this, Lin Sheng didn't say anything further, just nodded silently.
He knew that saying more would be a bit affected.
The few people didn't speak anymore. Lin Sheng's eyes were slightly unfocused, his attention already on the extra information in his mind.
【Beast Name: Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) (Mortal Grade)】
【A relatively common wild beast in the mountains and wilderness, round-bodied and thick-fleshed, mostly timid in nature... can be ranked among the Mortal Grade Middle Tier.】
【Assimilation Requirement: None】
【Assimilation Effect: Stamina Increase 1, Agility Increase 1.】
"I didn't expect this Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) to actually be a Mortal Grade Middle Tier Spirit Beast."
Feeling the information in his mind, Lin Sheng was slightly surprised, but upon careful thought, it was reasonable.
Although this thing is described as timid in nature, it has quite a bit of power when it goes crazy, especially its speed. Otherwise, it wouldn't have caught this group of old hunters from the Hunting Beast Hall off guard.
Coupled with its considerable biting force, it is indeed much stronger compared to Rock Sheep.
"Agility Increase 1." He noticed that in addition to the stamina increase effect, this Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger)'s assimilation effect had a new effect.
Agility Increase clearly affects speed.
No, it's not just pure speed; there is also a certain enhancement in reaction ability and flexibility.
The reason he was so clear was that he had already successfully assimilated this Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) at this moment.
When he killed the two Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger), the notification from the mountain and sea scroll appeared in his mind.
After a slight hesitation, he decided to assimilate the Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger).
After all, compared to the Iron Yak's strength increase, the Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger)'s agility increase undoubtedly offered stronger adaptability and survival ability in Yangping Mountain.
As for cultivating Raging Bull Fist later, he could just buy some yak blood and assimilate again.
Moreover, the effect of the agility increase was indeed quite significant.
Carrying the Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) behind him, he still felt his steps were very light.
Soon, he immersed his consciousness into the void space of the mountain and sea scroll again.
In the void space at this moment, the bloody mist still lingered before him.
In the bloody mist at the very front, a plump Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) was lifelike.
He didn't know if it was an illusion, but he felt that the bloody mist in this space seemed a little thicker than when he first entered.
Speaking of which, since he activated the mountain and sea scroll, he hadn't paid too much attention to this void space. His focus was more on the various physical attribute increases after assimilation.
Looking at the constantly rolling bloody mist in front of him, Lin Sheng had a thought. The mist seemed to respond and began to change.
A wisp of bloody mist rose up, forming a miniature little Rock Sheep in front of him.
At the same time, a string of information had popped up in his mind.
"Replace Spirit Beast Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger)?"
"Could it be..."
Looking at the miniature Rock Sheep in front of him, which was much smaller than the Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger), Lin Sheng seemed to have thought of something.
He immediately chose Yes.
The moment he confirmed, the Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) originally formed by the bloody mist turned back into bloody mist, while the miniature Rock Sheep was continuously filled with bloody mist, quickly turning into a lifelike, sturdy Rock Sheep.
And the original feeling of lightness and relaxation in his body quickly dissipated, and he clearly felt his steps become much heavier.
However, there was not a hint of disappointment on his face; instead, it was full of unconcealed surprise.
Soon, as his thoughts changed, the original Rock Sheep in the void space also shattered with a bang, and a fat and strong black yak full of power quickly gathered in the bloody mist. However, the increase effect belonging to the Iron Yak did not appear, and the image of this Iron Yak also seemed somewhat ethereal.
"This is..."
Seeing this change, Lin Sheng was startled, but he quickly reacted.
"It seems there's a cooldown time for switching assimilations with the mountain and sea scroll."
Thinking to himself, he waited quietly. It wasn't until about an hour later that the image of the Iron Yak in the void space became solid.
Lin Sheng also quickly felt the somewhat heavy weight on his shoulder immediately become much lighter. It was clear that the strength increase effect belonging to the Iron Yak had recovered.
"I didn't expect that the Spirit Beasts after assimilation didn't dissipate but were immersed in the bloody mist. This way, although I can't assimilate these Spirit Beasts simultaneously, I can selectively switch between them."
Lin Sheng couldn't help but think with pleasant surprise.
This discovery was a huge surprise for him.
The increase effects brought by assimilating different Spirit Beasts are not the same. Being able to switch naturally would undoubtedly allow him to cope with various environments more flexibly.
And it could also save the trouble of re-assimilating later.
For ordinary wild beasts like Iron Yak and Rock Sheep, it's naturally not difficult to collect blood again after being replaced. But for those rare Spirit Beasts, it's not so easy to collect them again. Now that the bloody mist in the void space can condense into assimilated wild beasts, it definitely saves a lot of trouble.
Having discovered another wonderful use of the mountain and sea scroll, Lin Sheng couldn't help but feel in a great mood.
After another half an hour, the group finally returned to the Hunting Beast Hall's station at the foot of the mountain.
By the time they finished dealing with these Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger), it was already evening.
Because everyone had spent a lot of energy dealing with these Yangjiao Huan (ram-horned badger) during the day, they all ate some food hastily and went to bed early.
Lin Sheng was no exception. After buying some daily necessities on the street, he returned to his residence, practiced Raging Bull Fist twice, and also went to bed early.
The sky gradually darkened. On the other side, in the East District of Lin'an County's outer city.
A slightly hunched woman, with her head covered by coarse cloth, carried a vegetable basket covered with gray cloth in her hand and slowly turned into a small alley.
After confirming that there was no one as she expected, she walked to the last residential house and gently knocked on the wooden door.
"Who is it?"
After a long while, a hoarse, low voice came from the courtyard.
"It's me."
Hearing the woman's voice, footsteps sounded in the courtyard, and then the wooden door was opened, revealing a tall man in the courtyard.
The woman quickly stepped into the courtyard, closed the door, and her originally hunched figure immediately straightened up.
She pulled off the coarse cloth headscarf from her head, then rubbed her face for a bit, revealing a face with a touch of allure.
"The Ya Gang has people staking out both city gates, and even the guards at the gates have increased significantly. It seems Liu Ergou's death this time has truly enraged Liu Yuanshan. It might be difficult for us to leave the city."
After the woman removed her disguise, she said in a deep voice.
"Chun Niang, you don't need to worry too much. I don't believe they can keep staking out forever. Bribing the yamen must cost a lot. As long as we keep a low profile and hide here, I don't believe they can actually search house by house. After all, this isn't the West District. It's the Axe Gang's territory, so it won't be that easy for the Ya Gang's scoundrels to do anything."
The tall man beside her, however, let out a cold snort and said dismissively.
His upper body was bare, and his shoulder was wrapped in thick white cloth, but there were still some bloodstains soaking through the cloth.
As he spoke, he suddenly started coughing, and his face also turned slightly pale.
"They indeed can't keep staking out forever, but your injury can't be dragged on either. The arrow that wounded you was poisoned. Although it's not a potent poison, it will be quite troublesome if not treated promptly."
The woman, Chun Niang, looked at the man's pale face, frowned slightly, and said.
"I checked the pharmacies on the street. The Ya Gang also has people staking them out. It won't be easy to find the medicinal herbs to treat you."
"Cough cough, don't worry, this little injury won't take my life. It's just that I can't stomach this. The person wasn't killed by us, yet we have to take the blame."
The tall man, Zhou Tong, had twisted flesh on his face, clearly enraged.
As the former deputy leader of the Fist Gang, when had he ever taken such blame for someone else or endured such indignity?
"If I find that person, I will definitely skin him alive and pull out his tendons."