C43 Wei Junyu

Wei Lulin chose to kill the Ding family Expert while sparing the Shu family expert because the feud between the Shu and Wei families was not particularly deep. He saw no reason not to let them go.

Furthermore, the Shu family expert was notably prudent. Lulin hoped to leverage his reputation to spread his own fame and bolster his influence in Yao Country.

The situation with the Ding family, however, was markedly different. They were staunch allies of the Jiaang family and served as their sharp blade against the Wei family. Should conflict arise in the future, the Ding family might well be at the forefront. Thus, Lulin could not afford to overlook them.

The slain Ding family Expert, Ding Wang, was a prominent figure among the younger generation of his family. Eliminating him effectively stunted the family's future prospects.

From Ding Wang, Lulin acquired six Jade Plates, adding to the four he had obtained from the Shu family, bringing his total to ten Jade Plates. This amount would likely secure him a spot in the top ten, but Lulin's ambitions reached higher. Aiming for the top three or even the championship, he knew he needed many more Jade Plates.

After securing the Jade Plates, Lulin did not rush off. Instead, he methodically gathered valuables from the fourteen fallen competitors.

The contestants in the Hunting Competition were typically the cream of the crop from their families, each carrying a considerable amount of wealth. Although money had lost much of its significance for Lulin, he did not pass up the opportunity to collect it.

Having experienced poverty both before and after his transmigration, Lulin had always strived to accumulate wealth, fostering a unique longing for riches that others might not understand.

Despite the Shu and Ding families not being as influential as the top three families, they were still renowned in Yao Country and their members carried many valuable items. In addition to tens of thousands in gold notes, Lulin found over 130 Grade Nine Low Rank Spirit Stones, 20 Grade Ten Low Rank Spirit Stones, and more than ten Qi Increasing Pills.

Among Ding Wang's possessions, Lulin unexpectedly discovered a low-grade Footwork Martial Skill. While it wasn't as valuable as the skills he currently practiced, it could still be traded for at least 50 Grade Ten Low Rank Spirit Stones back at his family's home.

Wei Lulin, urgently in need of Spirit Stones, would certainly not pass up the opportunity.

After securing his finds, he promptly departed from the area. The corpses strewn about posed no concern for him; soon enough, Magical Beasts would consume them.

As he continued on his way, encounters with Magical Beasts dwindled, while the number of contestants in the Hunting Competition increased. Scenes of carnage became more frequent, yet Wei Lulin rarely paused, choosing instead to circumvent the conflicts.

He would only engage in battle if the combatants possessed Jade Plates or bore a deep-seated enmity towards the Wei family.

Despite bypassing the majority of skirmishes, over the course of two days, he had launched four attacks, one of which was prompted by the presence of three Jade Plates in the midst of a fray.

The two clashing parties were minor forces from Yao Country, lacking significant ties to the four major families. Thus, with a mere display of his prowess, Wei Lulin easily intimidated them and effortlessly claimed the three Jade Plates.

His remaining interventions were out of necessity, as adversaries sought to seize the Jade Plates he carried.

Wei Lulin was no bloodthirsty killer; he avoided taking lives unless absolutely necessary. However, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate anyone who dared to challenge him.

Now in possession of thirteen Jade Plates, including the ten he initially acquired, he was well-positioned to climb the ranks.

Approaching the central area, he encountered an increasing number of contestants, typically scions of various families banding together. Lone warriors like Wei Lulin were rare.

Yet those solitary fighters who had made it this far were formidable. It was uncommon for anyone to provoke such skilled individuals. Consequently, Wei Lulin faced little provocation.

When he was less than ten miles from the central location, he was compelled to halt and draw his steel blade, ready to enter the fray.

Directly ahead, two factions were locked in fierce combat. The Wei's disciples were at a disadvantage, led by Wei Junyu, an expert at the peak of the Qi Refining Stage Level Six.

Wei Junyu, the third-ranked martial artist among the Wei family's younger generation, was only surpassed by Wei Luchong and Wei Tingxuan. Possessing a Low Level Grade Eight talent, he was known for his gentle nature and had become the most beloved member among his peers in the Wei family.

His popularity, however, had soured his relationship with Wei Luchong, which was a significant factor in his decision to leave with his followers.

At the moment, Wei Junyu was engaged in combat with several members of the royal family, led by Prince Yao Yagen.

Yao Yagen, the elder brother of Yao Yafeng, may not have matched his sibling's talent, but his prowess was formidable. Having reached the peak of the Qi Refining Stage Level Six, he had fought Wei Junyu to a standstill.

The Wei's disciples were at a disadvantage, not due to their numbers, but because among the royal family members was an expert of the Qi Refining Stage Level Six.

This expert was exceptionally skilled, single-handedly holding off three Wei family Qi Refining Stage Level Five experts.

Wei Lulin, as a Wei family disciple, knew the importance of internal competition and external solidarity. After observing the situation, he resolved to take action.

Channeling forty percent of his Spiritual Force, he executed his Footwork Martial Skill in tandem with his Basic Blade Technique. Wei Lulin targeted Yao Yagen as his opponent.

"Mr. Fanzhou, handle the other adversaries; Yao Yagen is mine," Wei Lulin called out as he deftly joined the fray between Wei Junyu and Yao Yagen. Employing the Coiling Style, he intercepted Yao Yagen's assault. He also found the opportunity to give Wei Junyu some quick advice.

"Who are you?" Wei Junyu asked, momentarily taken aback by the arrival of the ally.

The stranger, though clad in Wei family attire, seemed unfamiliar to Wei Junyu, yet his voice struck a chord of recognition.

But this was not the time for pondering such matters. Seeing that the newcomer could not only contend with Yao Yagen but also gain the upper hand, Wei Junyu's concerns were alleviated. With a fierce battle cry, he lifted his steel blade and charged at the royal family's other Qi Refining Stage Level Six expert.

"You're asking for it!" The expert had the upper hand and needed only a short while to take down Wei Junyu and his companions, which would have been a significant blow to the Wei family by stripping them of a prodigy. His actions would have earned him considerable merit.

Upon returning to the Jiaang family, he planned to leverage this achievement to acquire ample resources, aiming to advance to the Qi Refining Stage Level Seven.

But Wei Lulin's unexpected arrival thwarted his plans. Burning with rage, he swore and launched a full-force attack, hoping to quickly eliminate his adversary.