Chapter 61: Gene Advancement Again (Seeking First Subscription)

Ten Thousand Beasts City is a mix of fish and dragons.

On the surface there are only three forces; the Brotherhood was originally founded by three sworn brothers, but two died, leaving only one to bear the main responsibility.

Yet it has grown ever stronger.

The Seven Sword Disciples consist of seven sword-wielding experts; if one dies, another joins, keeping the number at seven. All are Grandmaster-level experts, and the leader is a Supreme Grandmaster.

Many depend on it.

Heaven's Gate is also a sect, and now it is the strongest force.

There's also the Old Ghost Blacksmith Shop, the Old Tavern, Purple Aster Manor, Red Pleasure Pavilion, Ten Thousand Beasts Pavilion, and so on.

Yan Hongye said worriedly, "If we directly storm the Brotherhood, we'll surely draw the attention of the Seven Sword Disciples and Heaven's Gate; that would be alerting the enemy. At that point, if they all gang up on you, can you hold out? Better to plan long-term, follow the covert guidance within the city, advance step by step, picking them off one by one, or provoke their internal conflict."

Qin Feng's eyes flashed; he had already thought through his next move: "Too troublesome!" Qin Feng's eyes flashed, he had already thought through his next move: "You said the three forces are dissatisfied with each other; now that the Heaven's Gate sect leader has broken through and dominates, will the other two accept it? First go to the Brotherhood, trade, test, lure; if that fails, strike forcefully and sweep them away!"

Having said that, he walked forward.

He didn't plan to stay long.

He also prepared for the worst.

The city walls aren't tall, mottled and pitted everywhere, with traces of repairs and many dark brown stains giving off a faint foul smell.

A fight was taking place at the city gate.

A group of people besieged a convoy.

There were guards at the city gate, but they looked on indifferently.

"This robbery is too brazen!" Qin Feng exclaimed, "This is the city gate!"

"This is the norm." Yan Hongye wore a cold expression: "Prices inside the city are dozens of times higher than outside; once goods are brought in, one can strike it rich, so many caravans take the risk. But without overwhelming strength or an inside contact, eight or nine out of ten will be robbed. By comparison, caravans fare better, because after entering the gate and paying a hefty protection fee, they are relatively safe. As for us, whether inside or outside the city, we are always liable to be killed outright, assassinated, or hunted by any means possible. The strong are respected; the weak are food."

Qin Feng also noticed many martial artists watching, all indifferent, none intervening.

Moreover, their strength was formidable.

Most were seventh or eighth rank, even ninth-rank martial artists.

Basically they all carried a vicious, murderous aura, making it clear at a glance they were not to be trifled with.

"A ninth-rank daring to storm Ten Thousand Beasts City? Truly audacious!" Yan Hongye couldn't help shaking her head: "A caravan first entering Ten Thousand Beasts City needs a Grandmaster escort to be safe; otherwise it becomes someone else's target. This time the attackers were the Evil Wolf Gang, three ninth-rank members."

"A gang with three ninth-rank members?" Qin Feng clicked his tongue.

"That's why this place is the ultimate paradise of sin." Yan Hongye reminded: "Qin Brother, stay vigilant; if anyone with ill intent approaches, strike them down directly."

Qin Feng nodded.

The ambush ended quickly.

The corpses were swiftly hauled away, unknown what beast they were fed to.

The Evil Wolf Gang's disciples also quickly drove the wagons into the city; at that moment one of them looked over, and upon seeing Yan Hongye, he blinked, then his eyes lit up.

A lustful light shone.

He waved his hand, leading four or five people who flickered over here in an instant, very fast.

"Little lady, what should I call you?" the leading young man had two rows of big buckteeth, his teeth yellowed from who knows what.

His head was tied in a small braid, oily and shiny.

On his shoulder he bore a mountain‑cleaving saber.

He lecherously sized her up, full of aggression.

Pfft…

Yan Hongye said nothing, suddenly drew her waist‑worn soft sword, sliced off his head, then flicked her finger to behead the others.

The sword light flowed, leaving afterimages; she stormed into the Evil Wolf Gang and opened a slaughter.

No one could withstand a single exchange.

Even though they were the worst of the worst, possessing terrifying combat skills, against a Grandmaster like Yan Hongye they could only be slaughtered one‑sidedly.

In a short while, they were all slain.

"Do you know why I kill with a single strike?" Yan Hongye asked as Qin Feng approached.

Since we've provoked them, we kill; not killing shows our weakness and invites more covetousness. Kill one, and their gang will surely retaliate—better to strike first and annihilate them. Qin Feng said.

Sometimes I wonder if there's an old fox living inside you; your strong cultivation is just talent, but your wealth of experience in handling affairs far surpasses ordinary people. Yan Hongye sighed, then smiled and said: "Guess what I'll do next?"

Qin Feng gazed at the fifteen carts of goods, musing: "Those who deserved to die are dead; now the goods are yours, but you can't take them away—so sell them."

"Exactly!" Yan Hongye gave a thumbs‑up and cupped her hands to the crowd: "Does anyone want these goods? Bidding is open now."

Immediately many people gathered, inspecting the goods—premium medicinal herbs, refined iron, exquisite porcelain, table salt, and so on.

Some revealed ferocious looks, but upon seeing the corpses of the Evil Wolf Gang they forcibly suppressed them.

In the end they sold for thirty thousand taels of silver.

"Once brought into the city, they're worth at least one hundred thousand taels." Yan Hongye tucked the money into her bosom, chuckling: "Qin Brother, you're a big spender—don't quarrel with a lady over expenses. I'll cover your food and lodging."

"Then let's first reserve the Red Pleasure Pavilion!"

"Sure enough, men are never any good—not even you, a hair‑less brat."

Upon reaching the city gate, each paid ten taels of silver as the entry fee.

"This place really is a money‑sink!" Qin Feng couldn't help shaking his head.

Ten taels of silver would cover the expenses of a family of three.

Here it's merely the entry fee, with no guarantees whatsoever.

The interior of the city isn't lively.

Few pedestrians pass by.

Most passers‑by hurry along, eyes scanning six directions, ears pricked, highly vigilant.

A youth approached: "Sirs, I'm the city's All‑Knowing Guide—I know every street, tavern, residence, and underground beast‑fighting arena. Let me show you around for a tiny fee; just toss me a few silver coins."

"What's your name?" Qin Feng inquired, also sizing up the other party.

This young man was skinny and gaunt, yet his eyes were bright and full of spirit.

His eyeballs kept rolling, and at a glance one could tell his thoughts were not simple.

The smile on his face was also very fake.

Clad in tattered animal hides, he seemed to be living poorly.

"Kid, I'm Wu Sheng!" he said with a hearty laugh, "Big brother, wherever you want to go, I'll take you there right away. I guarantee the shortest and safest route, so you'll have a carefree journey."

"First, tell me what fun places there are in the city," Qin Feng said, becoming interested.

"As for the most fun places..." Wu Sheng paused, glanced at the cold-eyed Yan Hongye, then whispered, "Nothing beats the Beast Blood Boiling and the Wine Pool Meat Forest."

"Beast Blood Boiling? Wine Pool Meat Forest?" Qin Feng was baffled.

"Mm!" Wu Sheng nodded quickly, yet walked ahead, intentionally leading the way, and kept talking, "Let's talk about the Wine Pool Meat Forest first! It's a place of exquisite delight, where women's blood is brewed into wine, placed in a pool, guests can enter and drink heartily while appreciating the art of lingchi, also feasting on tender slices of raw meat, and enjoying the most beautiful, unobstructed dance of beauties."

Qin Feng's mouth twitched.

This is hardly a Wine Pool Meat Forest; it's clearly the depths of hell.

"Beast Blood Boiling is the best place to vent desires!" Wu Sheng gave a light laugh, "There, regardless of gender or age, everyone is stark naked. Watching men with men, women with women, humans with beasts, humans with demons, and all manner of exquisite movements. Listening to low hums and soft songs, enjoying the food, gazing upon any one..."

"Shut up!" Before Wu Sheng could continue, Yan Hongye snapped angrily.

She also released a hint of killing intent.

"Ten Thousand Beasts City, what a Ten Thousand Beasts City." Qin Feng had truly broadened his horizons.

There's nothing more filthy, only something even filthier.

From the moment he arrived here until entering the city, his curiosity had completely turned into disgust.

They also turned into an alley.

Two people appeared ahead, and two more came from behind, blocking the way forward and backward.

"Big brother, these are two lambs!" Wu Sheng quickly left Qin Feng's side, rushing toward the person in front, very excited.

His eyes also flashed with a ferocious light.

"Lambs? Why call them that?" Qin Feng asked, puzzled.

He showed not the slightest tension.

Yan Hongye merely showed a hint of coldness.

Wu Sheng, somewhat uncertain, still explained: "Lambs are newcomers who have just entered the city, the best targets; we can rob them of their money, strip them of their clothes, give the men to old women to enjoy, and the women can fetch a large sum. If they resist desperately, we kill them and make them into meat dishes."

"Stop the chatter, seize them first!" The man in front waved his hand, and immediately several heads popped out from the left and right walls, then lime powder and steel wire nets were scattered down.

Very cautious. Qin Feng waved his left hand, a fierce wind rose, sweeping away the lime powder cleanly, and even shaking the steel wire net away. He gripped his right hand, condensing qi into a sword thirty meters long, and with a horizontal sweep, he cut all the people before and after in half at the waist.

Even those on the wall tops were all struck down.

Wu Sheng was also severed into two pieces.

"Let's go!" Qin Feng turned around, his mood somewhat low.

"Why?" Yan Hongye asked, puzzled, "You already saw he had ill intentions, why did you still follow him?"

"I just wanted to hear about the city's situation." Qin Feng sighed, "I never imagined this place would be a huge den of demons, where everyone does evil and everyone is a demon."

"They were all evil-doers to begin with."

"What about their descendants?"

"Living here, who even has descendants? Day to day, it's kill or be killed, indulgence, then death. Even if they have offspring, in such an environment, how could they learn goodness?"

"That makes sense."

"Just like demons. Most are hostile to humans, taking humans as blood food; some demons appear benevolent toward humans, but what about their offspring? Living in such a demonic environment, eight or nine out of ten will be enemies of humans. And their offspring's offspring? So, whether a good demon or a good devil, upon seeing them, we kill."

"Those not of our kind must have different hearts!"

"Exactly! Those not of our kind, we slaughter them utterly, exterminate their line, leave none!"

"You're ruthless!"

"It's not that I'm ruthless, but the experience of countless generations before us. Dynasties, sects, families, etc., all regard slaying demons and devils as their duty. Those who consort with demons and devils, kill!"

Qin Feng remained silent.

They returned to the main street, also feeling the gazes from the shadows, mostly ill-intentioned.

"Have you noticed a problem?" Yan Hongyi whispered, "Life here is hard, yet there are no beggars."

Qin Feng nodded in understanding and uttered two words: "Meat dishes!"

"This is the best interpretation of the law of the jungle." Yan Hongye sighed inexplicably, "Sometimes I feel that some people are more ferocious than demons, more venomous than devils, more vicious than ghosts!"

A person appeared ahead, pointed into the distance, then swiftly vanished into the alley.

That was the Black Dragon Guard, already infiltrated here.

The two pretended not to have seen, strolling leisurely while chatting.

They also observed the situation here.

"Are there really no good people here?" Qin Feng asked, "Even in hell, there should be those who yearn for light."

Yan Hongye did not answer.

A huge manor appeared ahead.

Grand, magnificent.

Two guards stood before the manor gate, each surprisingly possessing eighth-rank cultivation.

Above the gate hung a gilded plaque bearing three large characters: Brothers' Society.

"Halt!" The guards immediately stepped forward, baring ferocious expressions, "Take another step and you die."

Boom...

Qin Feng released the aura of a master, forcing the two back, and said, "Go tell Zhao Qianzhi to come receive the guest."

His feet didn't stop; he continued forward.

"Please halt!" a guard had already rushed into the mansion; another, with a solemn expression, still tried to block him.

"Make another noise and you die!" Qin Feng suppressed his killing intent.

His aura rose again, sweeping over the Brotherhood's stronghold.

This also drew the attention of the experts inside.

Swish swish swish...

Figures flew in one after another, blocking the way ahead and cutting off the retreat.

Yet they couldn't stop Qin Feng's steps.

His aura surged heavenward, forming a vortex that placed him and Yan Hongye at the center, shaking back everyone around; some even vomited blood on the spot.

"Bold, daring to storm our Brotherhood!" Two men approached, both imposing and filled with murderous aura; the leader drew the saber at his back and slashed at Qin Feng.

The blade's qi shattered the sky, fierce and ruthless.

Pop...

Qin Feng raised his hand; true qi burst forth, blocking the falling blade.

He clenched his fist, shattering the blade's qi.

The force trembled, snapping the precious sword in two with a crack, then breaking it into two pieces.

"Impossible!" the man gasped, his face full of shock, also showing a smile as he cupped his hands: "I am Wang Dafu, Vice Chief of the Brotherhood. May I know your name, Brother, and your purpose?"

"Is this how the Brotherhood treats guests?" Qin Feng had his hands behind his back, gave a cold snort, and said, "My surname is Qin."

Just now his forceful move was meant as intimidation.

"Ah, it's Brother Qin, please!" Wang Dafu gestured invitingly.

Qin Feng swaggered over.

Wang Dafu's eyes narrowed; he wanted to explode and kill, but restrained himself.

Yan Hongye glanced at him coldly, her expression utterly indifferent.

In the parlor.

The maid served tea and laid out the food.

"Where's Zhao Qianzhi?" Qin Feng glanced, then lost interest.

Moreover, something had been added to the dishes.

"The Chief has gone to Heaven's Gate." Wang Dafu's eyes flickered, yet he lowered his stance: "Brother Qin, what brings you to our Brotherhood?"

"I want to make a deal with you." Qin Feng looked at him: "I heard you have a soul stone; I need it—name your price."

"Brother Qin, you must have misheard; our Brotherhood simply doesn't have such a rare item."

"Really none?"

"None!"

"I've come—how could you not have it!" Qin Feng shouted, suddenly exploding; despite Wang Dafu's guard, he was punched into the ground, then lifted by the throat.

He stared into the man's eyes, ice-cold, and asked: "I'll ask you one last time—do you have it or not?"

Outside, a crowd of Brotherhood disciples had rushed in; seeing the Vice Chief captured, none dared to act rashly.

Wang Dafu met Qin Feng's cold gaze and understood: if he dared say no, the other would hesitate not to beat him to death.

"Yes!" he could only reply.

"Come on, take me to it!" Qin Feng reversed his grip on the man's neck and walked out.

"That's the Chief's thing; I don't know where it's hidden!" Wang Dafu hurriedly said.

"If you can't find it, you die!" Qin Feng said indifferently, "Say another word and you die!"

Wang Dafu's face flushed red.

In his eyes flashed a frenzy of vicious malice.

Yet he had to lower his head.

He pointed.

Qin Feng hauled him along, soon arriving at the study and pushing the door open.

The interior was tastefully arranged.

Desk, brush, ink, paper, inkstone, bookshelves, landscape paintings, and so on.

There were also potted plants.

Qin Feng looked at the painting above the bed, pulled it down, revealing a niche in the wall that held a box.

Opening it, he first looked at a black stone.

"This is it!"

Qin Feng reached out, grabbed it, made a show of slipping it into his bosom, and it was sucked away by the system.

A notification tone also began to sound.

【All advanced materials have been absorbed; advancement conditions met. Proceed with advancement?】

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