39: Chapter 39 An Unexpected Incident

Actually, over the past two years, not only have the prices of Talismans been climbing steadily, but within the territory of Huangfeng Prefecture, the prices of Medicinal Pills and Magical Artifacts have also shown a trend of crazy increases.

This drastic price fluctuation sweeping through the cultivation world's supply market is primarily driven by the following core factors:

First, there is a fundamental imbalance in supply and demand.

The arrival of a beast tide means large-scale Yao Beasts will attack human settlements. At such a life-or-death juncture, Cultivators and Martial Artists, in order to increase their survival probability and combat capability, have an explosive surge in demand for defensive and offensive Talismans, as well as healing and restorative Medicinal Pills.

Meanwhile, the risks in the wild during the beast tide have suddenly increased. Herb gatherers can no longer enter the depths of the mountain range as usual to collect Spiritual Plants, and Artifact Refiners and Talisman Makers also struggle to obtain necessary Yao Beast Materials, leading to a rupture or contraction in the supply chain of raw Materials, directly limiting the normal production of Talismans, Medicinal Pills, and Magical Artifacts.

The surge in demand and the sharp shrinkage in supply, these two forces acting together, have pushed market prices to a high level.

Second, panic hoarding and commercial speculation have exacerbated market tensions.

Faced with uncertainty regarding the scale and duration of the beast tide, many Cultivators, Families, and even cultivation forces tend to over-purchase and hoard various strategic Materials, attempting to gain a sense of security.

Furthermore, some profit-driven shops or forces have taken the opportunity to maliciously control shipment volumes, artificially creating an illusion of market scarcity in order to reap higher exorbitant profits.

This irrational hoarding mentality and commercial speculation have further widened the gap between supply and demand, causing prices to exhibit a crazy, rapid upward trend of "one price a day."

Finally, the priority of resource allocation has changed significantly.

Under the severe threat of the beast tide, large organizations such as Sects and Families often activate emergency plans, centrally purchasing strategic Materials and prioritizing them for core combat personnel or for building defensive systems.

This centralized, large-scale purchasing behavior has absorbed a large amount of inventory from the market in a short time, leading to a sharp decline in market supply originally intended for Loose Cultivators or small groups, thereby further raising retail purchase prices.

...

Deep within the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range, in a gloomy mountain forest, the Li Family's Yao Beast hunting team was moving quietly with high vigilance. Pairs of wary eyes constantly scanned the dark corners cast by the surrounding trees, searching for any possible danger.

It had already been over ten days since they first stepped into the hinterland of the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range. After successfully passing through the Poisonous Miasma Forest, they had carried out several thrilling hunting operations in the rugged areas of the mountain range.

During this time of tempering filled with blood and fire, Li Changqing's archery skills became increasingly proficient and precise. He deeply realized that only cruel practice is the sole standard for testing combat power.

The sunset's afterglow struggled to penetrate the thick, thin mist that shrouded the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range all year round, casting mottled and dim light and shadows.

Nine members of the Li Family were moving quickly along the rugged and steep mountain road. Their bodies were more or less stained with spots of blood and thick dust. Although their expressions revealed undisguised fatigue, they were also mixed with a brief relaxation after completing their mission. At this moment, they were carrying the hard-won Yao Beast Materials and precious Spiritual Plants, embarking on the long journey back to their Family.

"Pick up the pace. We must cross the Cloud Leopard Ridge ahead before dark. We will rest once we get there," Li Xuanzhou instructed everyone with a solemn expression.

"Finally, we're heading home. This trip was truly exhausting. I finally thoroughly understand why many clansmen don't want to execute dangerous Yao Beast hunting missions from the bottom of their hearts. It is just too tiring. Ninth Brother, at this speed, shouldn't we be able to walk out of the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range by this time tomorrow?"

Li Changle's heavy, gasping breaths sounded particularly clear and harsh in the quiet mountain forest.

Just as Li Changqing was about to open his mouth to answer Li Changle's question, a sudden change occurred. From deep in the mountain forest behind them, a dull and oppressive sound began to emerge—not distant thunder, but a sound like the beating of a giant heart, or perhaps the prelude to ten thousand feet treading on the ground, causing the ground beneath their feet to vibrate continuously.

The surrounding tree leaves swayed automatically in the windless situation, rustling, and the leaf tips pointed collectively in the direction of the mountain range's periphery.

A sharp, piercing shriek first broke the twilight's silence. The sound was like metal rubbing against rough stone, piercing enough to make people's eardrums ache and their scalps tingle.

Li Xuanzhou's face changed abruptly. He suddenly raised his hand to signal the entire team to stop immediately: "Be on guard! Beware, there are Yao Beasts. Everyone, immediately restrain your own Qi, move towards the rock wall in the southeast, and quickly activate the concealment Formation!" Li Xuanzhou's voice was urgent but orderly. Li Changqing and the others heard this and acted quickly according to orders, their movements uniform.

Everyone's hearts tightened, and they hid behind the rock wall one after another, looking up in horror. They saw dozens of rapidly expanding black shadows suddenly appear in the precious line of daylight above the canyon.

The sky seemed to be mercilessly torn apart by a moving shadow. It was not a natural dark cloud, but a terrifying hunting group composed of dozens of flying Yao Beasts of various sizes. The flying Yao Beast in the lead had a wingspan approaching five zhang, and every flap of its wings brought about a harsh piercing sound and finely jumping electric arcs.

"It's a Golden Thunder Eagle!" Li Xuanzhou's heart was instantly lifted to his throat, and a chill rushed straight down his spine.

However, this group of Golden Thunder Eagles did not seem to be coming for their tiny team.

They saw a huge, blood-bathed Crimson Demon Tiger with soaring Evil Qi rushing out of the dense forest in a sorry state. There was a hideous wound deep to the bone under its ribs, and its left hind leg obviously had a similarly deep laceration. It was stumbling as it moved, clearly having suffered a fatal, heavy injury.

This rare, majestic Early Stage Tier 2 tiger Yao Beast was now only thinking of fleeing for its life, its eyes full of terror.

Behind it in the low altitude, a group of Golden Thunder Eagles were diving and pursuing like meteors. Lightning flashed between their wing feathers, and every pounce brought forth violent wind and thunder power, easily tearing apart the trees blocking the way below. The pressure emitted by the Golden Thunder Eagle at the very front had clearly reached the terrifying cultivation of a Middle Stage Tier 2.

The Crimson Demon Tiger, panicked and without a path, ran straight towards the rock wall where the Li Family members were located!

"Not good! Scatter, find cover!" Li Xuanzhou shouted, his face changing greatly as he sensed a huge crisis.

The life-and-death struggle between Tier 2 Yao Beasts had a scope of influence far beyond the imagination of Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators. Especially since that Crimson Demon Tiger had clearly been forced into a desperate situation, any obstacle in its escape path would become a sacrifice it would crazily attack or use to block its pursuers.

Almost in the blink of an eye, the Crimson Demon Tiger, wrapped in a strong fishy wind and Evil Qi, crashed into the rock wall where the Li Family members had just been, directly shattering the concealment Formation they had painstakingly set up.

The closely pursuing Middle Stage Tier 2 Golden Thunder Eagle, perhaps eager to kill its prey, or perhaps simply ignoring the human Cultivators below who were as small as "ants," had a feather blade attack fully charged with thunder dodged by the Crimson Demon Tiger, but the residual thunder blades swept obliquely towards the rock wall area where the Li Family members were hiding like an out-of-control waterfall.

"Boom!"

Thunder light exploded, and the rock wall collapsed. Even just the aftermath of the battle had power far exceeding the tolerance limit of Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators. Two clansmen who reacted slightly slowly and had just withdrawn from the rock wall were sent flying while spitting blood, the light of their protective Magical Artifacts instantly dimming and shattering.

Li Changqing reacted quickly, instantly activating a Wind-Speed Talisman and sticking it on his legs, and using the Wind Control Spell to quickly take Li Changle away from the original position. However, he was still grazed by the scattered thunder power, and a violent numbness spread through his arm. The remaining clansman, who was more seriously injured, was also decisively carried away from the most dangerous core area by Li Xuanzhou using a Spell.

The Crimson Demon Tiger took advantage of this brief chaos and the obstruction caused by the shattered rocks to try to force a turn, but the sharp claws of several other Peak Tier 1 Golden Thunder Eagles had already reached down like lightning, fiercely grabbing at its scarred back.

The Crimson Demon Tiger let out a desperate roar, its body's Evil Qi surging. It no longer fled blindly but turned to fight to the death, tangling with the Golden Thunder Eagles. The center of the battlefield instantly turned into a vortex of death intertwined with wind, thunder, blood, and sharp claws.

The Li Family members were completely swept into this sudden and tragic Yao Beast slaughter.

They not only had to try their best to avoid the terrifying energy aftermath scattered during the battle between the Crimson Demon Tiger and the Golden Thunder Eagles, but they also had to be vigilant at all times against other bloodthirsty Yao Beasts that might be attracted by the battle's commotion, and even more worried about whether they had already been regarded as "rations" that were in the way by that high and mighty Middle Stage Tier 2 Golden Thunder Eagle King.