Chapter 423: Plotting a Kidnapping

In just a few seconds, the originally lively and splendid flow of light across the sky fell silent all at once.

The two sides locked in fierce combat abruptly ceased their struggle.

Only the nine speechless people remained, along with several corpses on the sandy ground below.

Judging by their clothing, they were all left by the besiegers.

Not far away, Lin Feng and Xiao Yixian's eyes widened sharply upon hearing the four words "Demon Fire Cloud Fox".

At that moment, both recalled the eighth‑level Demon Fire Cloud Fox that had previously tricked them.

Lin Feng then began to recall the information he had gathered while collecting data in some small towns earlier.

The information he had obtained about the Demon Fire Cloud Fox.

According to what he knew, among the fire‑fox clan there seemed to be two eighth‑level powerhouses.

One of them was their Grand Elder.

This beast rarely leaves its home.

Therefore, its last appearance was still several decades ago.

At that time, it seemed to already be around the level of a four‑star Fighting Venerable.

The other eighth‑level powerhouse was their former clan chief.

His fighting spirit was said to be around the level of a three‑star Fighting Venerable.

However, this person's shamelessness

is notorious throughout the southern part of the Great Western Desert.

Consequently, he and his family attract especially much attention.

"Hmph, with just this strength you still dare to ambush Miss?"

Seeing the panicked fugitives, the girl let out a cute snort; her clear voice was filled with blatant contempt.

But then she furrowed her fine brows and said helplessly, "It's all my great‑grandfather's fault—relying on his three‑star Fighting Venerable strength, he extorts everywhere in the Great Western Desert every day. Otherwise, I wouldn't be ambushed every time I go out."

"Miss, don't blame the old clan chief too much. After all, he's doing this to obtain more cultivation resources for our Demon Fire Cloud Fox clan, and he dotes on you deeply; worried for your safety, he specially sent us to protect you. These petty thieves can't possibly harm you."

Upon hearing the girl's words, an eight‑star Fighting Sect stepped forward, smiling lightly as he comforted her.

"Yes, although our clan's casualty rate has risen a lot these years, relying on the plundered cultivation resources, our Demon Fire Cloud Fox clan's strength has indeed improved considerably—far stronger than when we survived by selling Beast Fire."

Another eight‑star Fighting Sect also stepped forward to defend their old clan chief.

These beasts, which contain fire attributes internally, can split out Beast Fire Seeds from within and sell them for money to exchange for cultivation resources.

But each time they split off a Beast Fire, to them it feels like suffering a heavy blow.

Recovering from that takes at least several decades.

Yet the beasts' cultivation itself consumes enormous resources.

A single beast can still manage by busying itself a little.

But if it is a beast family, merely selling the heavenly materials and earthly treasures from its own territory cannot possibly sustain the consumption of such a large group.

Therefore, these beast families that possess Beast Fire

often can only harm low‑level clan members, ordering the lower ranks to hand over their Beast Fire Seeds.

Then the higher‑ups within the clan sell those seeds to obtain vast amounts of cultivation resources.

Afterward, the clan funnels all those resources to the exceptionally gifted members, enabling them to grow.

Thus, back when their clan had only a single initial‑stage Fighting Venerable,

there was no way they could be as carefree as they are now, having amassed large quantities of pills, various heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and combat techniques through robbery.

"Hmph~"

Seeing that her guards were all speaking up for her great‑grandfather, the girl let out a cute snort from her throat.

With her hands on her slender waist, she ordered, "You always speak for that old man; every time I'm ambushed I'm about to go crazy. Quickly clean up the battlefield so we can return to the clan as soon as possible."

"Yes."

Seeing that their miss didn't want to say more, the people quickly dispersed to search the victims' storage rings.

"Demon Fire Cloud Fox clan, and her great‑grandfather is a three‑star Fighting Venerable. It looks like that girl might be the junior of that Fighting Venerable who previously stole my pills. And those earlier Fighting Sects were probably in a similar situation to mine—except they may have learned from somewhere that this Fighting Venerable's junior was heading out, and thus waited here especially."

"They might be thinking, 'I can't beat you, but I can retaliate against your junior,' and thus ambushed this girl. They didn't expect the opponent to be so strong; even though they had the numerical advantage earlier, they were still defeated badly."

Lin Feng combined the information he had found with what he had just witnessed, and an answer instantly formed in his mind.

Then, while analyzing the matter in his mind, Lin Feng suddenly thought of something.

From the girl's tone just now, it seemed that the eighth‑level beast doted on her greatly.

Immediately, a bold idea sprang up in his mind.

If successful, the Fire Venerable's strength after his resurrection would increase greatly.

That would give him the confidence to walk about in the Profound Western Wasteland Region.

Afterwards, he glanced at the few Demon Fire Cloud Fox clansmen who were about to clean up the battlefield.

He then extended a finger and flicked the white storage ring on his hand lightly.

"What's wrong?"

The storage ring was tapped, and the Heavenly Fire Venerable's voice sounded again in Lin Feng's mind.

"Hehe, Yao Lao, do you want the essence blood of an eighth‑level beast?"

Lin Feng's mouth twitched into a grin as he said,

"Why wouldn't I? Do you have a way to get it, kid?"

Hearing that, the Heavenly Fire Venerable instantly became energetic and immediately pressed further.

Lin Feng raised his chin, pointing with his jaw at the lovely girl, and said, "If my guess is correct, that woman should be the offspring of an eighth‑level beast and deeply favored by it. If we kidnap her, we could then hold the woman to command a Fighting Venerable—hehe"

"You kid, you really dare to do anything!"

Hearing the former's idea, Venerable Tianhuo's eyes widened instantly, and he tugged at the corner of his mouth and said.

Hearing that, Lin Feng said unhappily: "It's not just because after you revive, your strength can become a bit stronger; just say whether you'll do it or not."

"That level Beast, what specific level is its strength?"

Hearing that, Venerable Tianhuo asked somewhat uneasily.

Hearing that, Lin Feng directly said the information he had previously gathered: "As far as I know, it's around a three-star Dou Zun."

"A three-star Dou Zun?"

Hearing those words, Venerable Tianhuo's heart began to think rapidly.