Chapter 1267: Hunting the Blood-Spine Beast

Three days later, Imperial City Spaceport.

A massive Imperial vessel was docked at the berth; the hull was pitch black and covered in golden ornamentation, even more magnificent than the one Kesi had taken when returning.

This was Keluoke Ershisi Shi's private flagship, the "Imperial Scepter."

Kesi boarded the ship with three attendants and, led by a steward, entered the rest area inside the vessel.

There were already people in the rest area.

The First Prince, Kelake, stood by the window, looking outside with a calm expression.

Two Kraken warriors stood beside him.

The Second Prince, Kesuosi, sat on a sofa holding a glass of red beverage; seeing Kesi enter, a meaningful smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

"Third brother, you've arrived? How was this month of confinement?"

Kesi looked at him with a cold expression.

"It was fine."

Kesuosi's smile deepened.

"Fine? That means it wasn't good. But then again, no one would feel good after being confined for a month."

Kesi did not respond and walked over to sit on the sofa on the other side.

The Fourth Prince, Keweinuosi, entered last.

His gaze lingered on Kesi for a moment, then shifted away to look at the starry sky outside the window.

Kesi noticed that Keweinuosi's gaze swept over the three attendants, lingering longer than it had on Kesi.

This Fourth Prince was indeed keeping an eye on her people.

At this moment, the ship started up, slowly ascended, and then accelerated.

Twelve hours later, the ship arrived at Suoerka Xing.

This was a primitive planet, its surface covered in dense jungles and steep mountain ranges.

Viewed from orbit, the entire planet presented a strange, dark red color.

The ship landed on an open area on the planet's surface.

The hatch opened, and Keluoke Ershisi Shi walked down first.

Kesi followed behind, stepping onto this unfamiliar land.

The air was filled with a heavy, fishy stench and the scent of soil.

In the distance, low roars echoed from the jungle.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi turned around to face his four sons.

"This is Suoerka Xing. The oldest Hunting Ground of the Keluoke Imperium."

His four eyes swept over everyone.

"The prey here is not ordinary wild beasts. It is the 'Blood-Spine Beast.' You should have heard of them."

Blood-Spine Beast.

Kesi had read about this creature in the data.

A top-tier predator unique to Suoerka Xing, larger than three armored vehicles, with thick skin and flesh, astonishing speed, and extreme aggression.

A row of sharp bone spurs grew on their spines, which could be fired like darts, piercing through three-meter-thick armor plating.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi continued.

"Today, the four of you must each hunt one Blood-Spine Beast. You may bring guards, but not too many. Each person may bring at most three attendants."

He paused.

"Those who succeed in the hunt may stay and attend tonight's banquet. Those who fail..."

He did not continue, but everyone understood what that meant.

Kesi's pupils contracted slightly.

Hunting a Blood-Spine Beast. This was the "test."

Kelake was the first to speak.

"Father Emperor, this son accepts the order."

Kesuosi also stood up.

"This son also accepts the order."

Keweinuosi did not speak, merely nodding.

Kesi bowed.

"This son accepts the order."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi nodded with satisfaction.

"Good. Prepare yourselves. We depart in three hours."

Kesi led the three attendants to a relatively open area and began checking the equipment.

One attendant pulled up the Data Pad they carried, which contained detailed information on the Blood-Spine Beast.

"Blood-Spine Beast, body length fifteen to twenty meters, weight thirty to fifty tons. The entire body is covered in hard scales, making it difficult for ordinary Energy Weapons to penetrate. Extremely fast, a hundred-meter sprint takes only one second. They have three main attack methods: charging, Bite, and spine shooting."

Kesi looked at the data carefully.

"What about weaknesses?"

"The eyes. Their eyes are the only part not covered by scales. Also, there is a gap in the abdomen, a part that is only exposed when they mate; it is very difficult to hit under normal circumstances."

Kesi nodded.

"Understood."

"You three, stay close to me when the time comes. I need you to act as bait. I cannot deal with the Blood-Spine Beast and the people watching me at the same time alone. Kelake, Kesuosi, and Keweinuosi—they will all send people to keep an eye on me."

"I need you to create some commotion to draw their attention, giving me a chance to make my move."

"Understood."

Three hours later, the hunt began.

Kesi entered the jungle with three followers.

All around were giant trees blocking out the sky, and the rotting leaves underfoot made a rustling sound.

"His Highness, there is movement."

Kesi stopped and pricked up his ears.

Heavy footsteps came from the distance, and the ground trembled slightly.

"Blood-Spine Beast. At least one, maybe more."

Kesi nodded.

"Spread out. Proceed according to the plan."

The three followers quickly disappeared into the jungle.

Kesi stood alone in place, gripping an energy sword in his hand; this sword was of decent quality, but far inferior to the Star God Phase Sword he was accustomed to.

The footsteps drew closer and closer.

Then, the jungle parted, and a massive creature appeared before her.

A Blood-Spine Beast.

The thing was even more terrifying than described in the data.

It was at least twenty meters long and over five meters tall, its entire body covered in dark red scales.

On its back, a row of sharp bone spurs stood erect.

Its head bore three pairs of blood-red eyes, each one staring at Kesi.

Kesi tightened his grip on the energy sword and whispered.

"Come on."

The Blood-Spine Beast let out a roar and charged over fiercely.

Kesi's body instantly entered combat mode.

Her speed far exceeded that of an ordinary Keloke person; she dodged the Blood-Spine Beast's first charge to the side, while her energy sword slashed across its flank.

The blade left a shallow mark on the scales without piercing through.

The Blood-Spine Beast felt the pain, roared in anger, and turned to pounce again.

Its speed was too fast, so fast that Kesi barely had time to react.

He narrowly dodged, but the Blood-Spine Beast's tail swept across and struck her shoulder.

The immense force sent him flying, crashing into a giant tree.

The trunk snapped, and Kesi fell to the ground.

The Blood-Spine Beast roared as it charged toward her, the bone spurs on its back beginning to vibrate, ready to be fired at any moment.

Kesi flipped and stood up.

At that very instant, explosions rang out from three directions simultaneously.

Firelight flashed in the jungle, and the massive noise distracted the Blood-Spine Beast for a split second.

That was the moment.

Kesi rushed out, dashed in front of the Blood-Spine Beast, and leaped violently.

The energy sword stabbed into one of its eyes.

The Blood-Spine Beast let out a heaven-shaking roar and struggled frantically.

Kesi held onto the hilt for dear life, being tossed about by it, but refused to let go.

The other three followers also rushed out quickly at this time, attacking the weak point of the Blood-Spine Beast's belly, which was exposed due to its struggling.

Finally, the Blood-Spine Beast's movements grew slower and slower, and it eventually collapsed to the ground with a boom.

Kesi stood before it, panting heavily.

Her body was covered in wounds and blood, but she was still alive.

When they returned with the carcass of the Blood-Spine Beast, sparse applause came from the camp.

Kesi saw Keluoke Ershisi Shi standing not far away, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his four eyes.

Behind him, Kelake, Kesuosi, and Keweinuosi had also completed their own hunts.