Chapter 16: Join Forces! Seizing the Cubs!
The two familiar faces belonged to Lei Li of the Lei family and Xie Yingying of the Xie family.
In the original story, Lin Dong only learned about the Fire Python Tiger through Wu Yun.
But now, Lin Fan had unexpectedly come across the scene of them already besieging the beast!
Watching as Lei Li and Xie Yingying continuously harassed the Fire Python Tiger, forcing its injuries to worsen, Lin Fan couldn't help but reflect quietly.
After observing for a moment, he noted that the Fire Python Tiger could still hold out for a while longer. He quickly descended from the tree and disappeared into the forest in a few flashes of movement.
His plan was to find Wu Yun and team up to snatch the Fire Python Tiger's cubs—a move both to hide his true strength and to further ally with the Mad Blade Martial Hall.
After all, of the three cubs, only one was mutated; the others would at most grow to the Heaven Origin Stage.
That might be impressive in Qingyang Town, but in the broader Great Yan Dynasty, let alone the Tianxuan Continent, it wasn't worth much.
Raising a Heaven Origin beast would be a waste of time for Lin Fan.
Fortunately, Wu Yun wasn't weak and had already ventured deep into the forest. It didn't take long for Lin Fan to find him.
He arrived just as Wu Yun finished defeating an opponent and was rummaging through their body for identity tokens.
Lin Fan jumped out from the woods and tapped Wu Yun on the shoulder.
[Ding! You touched Wu Yun and obtained 1,000 Yang Essence Stones!]
Better than nothing, Lin Fan thought, unfazed by the system notification, his face calm.
"Who's there?!"
Wu Yun's face changed as he quickly dodged to the side and threw a punch behind him.
Lin Fan casually blocked the strike and smiled. "No need to be so tense, Brother Wu. It's me."
Seeing it was Lin Fan, Wu Yun let out a breath and frowned slightly. "Brother Lin? What's going on?"
Glancing at the unconscious contestant on the ground, Lin Fan replied, "I just came to offer you a profitable opportunity. Let's talk as we walk."
With that, he headed in the direction of the Fire Python Tiger without waiting for a reply.
Wu Yun hesitated for a moment before following. "What kind of opportunity?"
"I found a wounded Fire Python Tiger deep in the forest. It just gave birth to cubs," Lin Fan explained. "But Lei Li and Xie Yingying are already there, fighting it. I came to get you so we could seize the cubs together."
Wu Yun's expression changed instantly. "Are you serious?"
He didn't have Lin Fan's broader knowledge and was extremely eager at the thought of raising a Heaven Origin beast.
If the Mad Blade Martial Hall could raise a Fire Python Tiger to that stage, their strength would skyrocket.
"I wouldn't joke about something like this," Lin Fan said flatly.
"Then let's do it! We can't let the Lei or Xie families get their hands on one of those cubs. It'd be bad for both the Mad Blade Hall and the Lin family," Wu Yun declared.
"Good. Let's move fast. That Fire Python Tiger won't last much longer," Lin Fan reminded.
Unsurprised by Wu Yun's agreement, he quickened his pace.
Wu Yun didn't hesitate and sped up alongside him.
Before long, the two arrived once more at the thicket near the Fire Python Tiger.
Wu Yun's eyes narrowed at the sight of the more than a dozen figures surrounding the beast.
"This could be tricky," Wu Yun muttered. "If it were just Lei Li and Xie Yingying, we'd have no problem. But with this many people..."
Lin Fan remained composed. "No problem. Once the beast goes down, I'll intercept Lei Li and the others. You grab the cubs and retreat to our meeting point."
"Can you handle them alone? Shouldn't we get backup?" Wu Yun asked, surprised.
Lin Fan shook his head and smiled. "There's no time. Besides—what kind of man says 'I can't'?"
Wu Yun was stunned for a moment, then gave Lin Fan a long look. "Alright. We'll do it your way."
"But if we can't succeed, we destroy the cubs. No matter what, they can't fall into Lei or Xie hands," he added, eyes flashing with ruthless intent.
"I understand," Lin Fan nodded solemnly.
With their plan set, they both focused fully on the battlefield ahead.
The Fire Python Tiger, despite its rage, could only stagger around in pain. It couldn't stray far from its cubs.
Under relentless attacks, blood gushed from its wounds—its intestines even started spilling out.
Roar!
Finally, with a desperate growl, the beast collapsed heavily to the ground.
Lei Li and Xie Yingying's eyes gleamed with joy as they darted toward the cubs.
"Go!" Lin Fan barked, bursting from the bushes and cutting off Lei Li and Xie Yingying in an instant.
Wu Yun seized the moment and rushed straight toward the cubs.
"Lin Fan, you're courting death!" Lei Li roared, stomping the ground and leaping into the air, a fierce punch aimed at Lin Fan's chest.
"Lin Fan-ge, watch out!" Wu Yun shouted while charging forward, worried as he saw the clash about to unfold.
But Lin Fan remained calm. He locked eyes with Lei Li and threw a punch of his own.
Boom!
The two fists collided with a thunderous impact.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Lei Li staggered backward seven or eight steps before finally stopping himself.
Lin Fan, on the other hand, only took two steps back.
The chaotic forest fell silent.
Everyone was stunned by what they had just seen.
"What are you all standing around for? Move!" Lin Fan barked, frowning as he shouted at Wu Yun.
Wu Yun snapped back to his senses and surged forward toward the cubs.
Xie Yingying's face changed drastically. "Brother Lei Li, they're trying to steal the cubs!"
"Damn it! You lot stop him! I'll finish Lin Fan and help you after!" Lei Li shouted, recovering and charging toward Lin Fan like an arrow.
As he ran, Lei Li summoned every ounce of his Yuan Power. His palms curled like eagle claws, slashing downward at Lin Fan.
Xie Yingying and the others moved to intercept Wu Yun.
But before they could act, Lin Fan had already slipped past Lei Li and appeared in front of Xie Yingying—forcing her back with a single punch!
Then, his hands shifted quickly into a complex series of seals as his Yuan Power surged into his palms.
Blue veins bulged on the backs of his hands like ancient roots. A green glow formed at his palms' center.
With a low shout, Lin Fan slammed the completed Five Element Seal into the trunk of a nearby one-meter-wide tree.
Boom!
The massive tree exploded and crashed down, blocking Xie Yingying's group and forcing them to dodge in disarray!
With Lei Li and Xie Yingying fully tied up, Wu Yun reached the Fire Python Tiger cubs. He pulled a black cloth from his robes and swiftly wrapped up all three.
"Lin Fan! Wu Yun! You dare?!"
Lei Li's eyes went bloodshot with fury as he watched them succeed, overwhelmed with rage!
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