Imperial Scepter

The four men worked up a sweat, their shovels flying as dirt and decaying leaves rolled down their sides.

They first dug a trap on the east side, about ten feet square and six feet deep, just enough to trap the cubs.

The thick layer of decaying leaves in the forest, like a dark velvet carpet, was carefully laid back on the surface of the traps, the leaves interlocking and blending seamlessly with the surrounding ground.

Unless one bends down to investigate closely, it would be extremely difficult to detect the hidden danger below, and the seven little pigs would certainly have no chance of escape.

Immediately afterwards, the four moved to the west and dug out an even larger and deeper trap.

The pit was as tall as two people, with steep and smooth walls and a layer of gravel at the bottom, specially designed for that robust adult sow.

With the trap set, the four hid in the bushes and discussed their plan in secret.

"Daoqiu, you lead the sow, be careful, your side is crucial." Gao Chun's gaze was serious as he took the lead in issuing the order.

Li Daoqiu patted his chest confidently: "Don't worry, if we really encounter danger, I have a backup plan."

After saying that, he took out a talisman with a bluish glow from his storage bag. The patterns on the talisman were flowing, and it was a second-grade Wind Travel Talisman.

Gao Chun gazed at the Wind Rune, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes.

During this training trip to the Southern Wilderness, Old Man Gao didn't give him a single Xuanqi pill, let alone any Xuan artifacts or talismans.

He couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth, wondering to himself: Am I really his biological son?

Wang Hu's gaze was also fixed on the Wind Rune, his eyes filled with envy and a hint of determination.

His parents died tragically when they went to the Southern Wilderness to hunt mythical beasts in their early years, leaving only him and his elder brother to depend on each other for survival.

His inherent pride wouldn't allow him to become despondent: he was self-reliant and determined to carve out his own path.

Gao Chengzhi stood aside like a transparent person, still with that lazy look, not saying a word or expressing any opinion.

Gao Chun regained his composure and turned to Wang Hu and Gao Chengzhi: "After Daoqiu leads the sow away, you must follow my instructions, adapt to the situation, and make no mistakes."

Having confirmed that everything was in place, Gao Chun's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he barked, "Make your move!"

Li Daoqiu moved like an arrow, suddenly darting out from his hiding place and rushing straight at the pigs, throwing out the water ball talisman in his hand.

With a flick of his fingertips, the water sphere instantly expanded to the size of a head, hurtling towards the pigs with a whooshing sound.

With a muffled "bang," the water balloon exploded, and water sprayed down, soaking the sow and her seven piglets completely.

Amidst the splashing water, the piglets jumped around in fright, squealing loudly.

The sow suddenly raised her head, her large, copper-bell-like eyes instantly locking onto Li Daoqiu. Heavy white breaths billowed from her nostrils, and she chased after him with the force of thunder, her four hooves pounding the ground.

Li Daoqiu dared not linger in battle and turned to run wildly toward the large trap to the west.

Just as the four had predicted, the seven piglets did not follow their mother away, but remained within the territory marked by her.

They paced anxiously in place, their short legs rustling as they stepped on the decaying leaves, scanning their surroundings warily.

"I'll lure them out!" Wang Hu clenched his fists, volunteered, and moved slightly to rush out. "As the team's second assassin, it's my duty to lure and wear down the enemy."

"Wait." Gao Chun reached out to stop him, her eyes resolute.

"It's not that simple. You see, although they're frantic, they still refuse to cross the boundary. Simple enticement will definitely not work. I'll go instead."

Wang Hu frowned, a hint of resentment flashing across his face.

Why should you be able to do it when you can't?

But then he thought that Gao Chun was the team captain and he should obey orders, so he had to suppress his resentment.

Gao Chun crouched low, darting out of the bushes like a raccoon dog, deliberately making soft footsteps.

The piglets immediately perked up their ears, turned their heads in unison, and their round eyes were full of hostility.

Their mouths parted, revealing small but sharp fangs, and they bared their teeth at Gao Chun, making low growling sounds in their throats, like small ferocious beasts poised to pounce.

Despite Gao Chun's provocations, including throwing stones at them, the piglets remained steadfast in their place, refusing to budge an inch from the boundary.

Gao Chun understood: it must have been the sow's repeated instructions that made them stay so obediently in place, which gave the sow the confidence to chase after Li Daoqiu.

However, all of this was already within his expectations.

With a thought, he activated the purple attribute of his Dao Seed, and pale purple profound energy instantly enveloped his feet.

Its body suddenly accelerated, rushing towards the piglets like a streak of purple light.

Using his exquisite movements and astonishing speed, he nimbly moved among the piglets, targeting their eyes to deliberately provoke them.

During the entanglement, he constantly switched the attributes of his Dao: pale red Xuan power was injected into his fist, making the fist wind fierce; pale yellow Xuan power protected his vital points, forming a thin protective shield.

He stood outside the boundary line, dealing with the seven piglets, because he knew they wouldn't cross the line.

However, being outnumbered by one and outmatched by seven, and with his cultivation still shallow, Gao Chun quickly fell into a disadvantageous position, with many bruises and swellings on his body, causing him to feel a dull pain.

He was filled with a restless desire to break the seal and unleash his true cultivation at the fourth level of the Bronze Realm.

However, Wang Hu and Gao Chengzhi were not far away. Once exposed, the speed at which he advanced to the fourth star of the Bronze Realm in three years was something that a four-colored Dao Seed could not achieve. They would inevitably guess that he might possess a five-colored Dao Seed.

At that time, death will follow, and it may even implicate the entire Gaojia Village and all relatives.

Thinking of the terrible consequences and recalling Old Man Gao's instructions, Gao Chun finally suppressed the idea of ​​releasing the seal.

He withstood the piglets' charge and bites, each blow landing squarely, never backing down.

After several rounds of fighting, the piglets still didn't come out on top.

Two of them were struck in the eyes by his pale red attack energy, instantly enraging them and causing them to completely lose their minds.

They recklessly crossed the boundary line and rushed towards the high-purity area like madmen.

Although Gao Chun was in pain, he was overjoyed: he had finally succeeded! His efforts had not been in vain.

He immediately channeled his pale purple profound energy into the soles of his feet, instantly increasing his speed. He then turned and sprinted toward the trap to the east.

The two little pigs were surprisingly fast, chasing after him relentlessly and biting his heels tightly.

As Gao Chun fled, he secretly worried about Li Daoqiu.

Even with the Wind Travel Talisman, he was facing a second-grade adult sow, no one to be trifled with.

In the blink of an eye, Gao Chun had successfully crossed the trap to the east.

The two crazed piglets were so focused on the chase that they didn't notice anything unusual under their feet.

With two "plop" sounds, they both fell into the trap.

"roar--!"

A heart-wrenching scream emanated from the trap, echoing throughout the valley.

The sound reached the ears of the sow chasing Li Daoqiu.

The sow suddenly stopped in her tracks, her eyes instantly turning bloodshot as she completely lost her mind.

It stopped chasing Li Daoqiu, turned around, and charged toward Gao Chun with a furious rage that could destroy the heavens and the earth.

At this moment, Gao Chun and his two companions were unaware of the impending danger. They were surrounding the trap, watching the two piglets struggling inside, their faces filled with ecstatic joy.

Gao Chengzhi and Wang Hu also arrived, their mouths agape in happy smiles.

Although the two piglets had not died, they were already in our grasp.

One piglet is worth 50 Xuan Crystals, so two piglets would be worth 100 Xuan Crystals!

The three of them smiled broadly, their bright white teeth gleaming in the sunlight.

This was the first time they had earned Xuanjing with their own hands, and the sense of accomplishment and happiness made all their fatigue disappear.

But at that moment, a deafening roar suddenly rang out.

With red eyes, the sow charged straight at the three of them like a runaway chariot.

The five piglets beside the trap, summoned by their mother, crossed the line and frantically followed.

Gao Chun and the other two's expressions changed drastically, and they were shocked.

It no longer cared about the piglets trapped in the snare and turned to flee.

At this moment, life is the most important thing!

But the crazed sow was incredibly fast. Even though all three possessed purple Dao seeds and had the speed boost of assassins, they were still being chased closer and closer.

The sound of the sow's hooves thundered behind them, and a foul stench, carrying a menacing aura, pressed closer and closer.

The three of them ran as fast as they could, their figures darting through the forest.

Gao Chun was the fastest, rushing to the front, followed by Gao Chengzhi, while Wang Hu lagged behind, his breathing already somewhat disordered.

If this continues, with no one covering the rear, the sow will catch up sooner or later.

No one will be able to escape then; they will all perish here!

Alarm bells rang loudly in Gao Chun's mind.

As the team captain, he carries not only his own life on his shoulders, but also the safety of his two teammates.

From formulating the hunting plan, surveying the terrain, and setting traps, to the division of labor and coordination just now, he was extremely cautious at every step. He could not let everyone's hard work be ruined, and he could not let his brothers pay the price with their lives for this experience.

The thought flashed through his mind, and Gao Chun clenched his teeth instantly, his cheek veins bulging.

He had already made up his mind, without the slightest hesitation.

He abruptly stopped, his body stiffened, and he turned around to face the charging sow.

There was no fear in his eyes, only unwavering determination and the sense of responsibility and commitment of a captain.

"I'll cover your retreat, you all run!"

A loud roar echoed through the forest, carrying an undeniable determination and power.

This is both an order to his comrades and a silent oath as captain.

Even if it puts him in danger, he will fight for his brothers' survival.

Before he finished speaking, he activated his pale yellow defensive energy, and a faint halo appeared around him, forcefully blocking the sow's path.

Gao Chengzhi and Wang Hu were running frantically, completely unaware that Gao Chun would suddenly stop.

When they turned around and looked back, they saw the sow crash headfirst into Gao Chun.

A loud "bang" was heard.

Gao Chun flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

At this critical moment, the five little pigs rushed to the scene.

The sow and piglets opened their gaping maws, revealing their cold tusks, and lunged at Gao Chun, who had fallen to the ground.

Gao Chun was seriously injured and collapsed to the ground, his life hanging by a thread.

Wang Hu's eyes instantly turned red.

He couldn't just stand by and watch the village's genius, the captain he had just wholeheartedly recognized, die in front of him!

He suddenly turned around and charged towards the sow without regard for anything else.

He rammed his body hard into the sow's open mouth.

With a muffled thud, the sow's head was knocked to the side, and she missed biting Gao Chun.

However, Wang Hu was also thrown away by the enormous recoil, suffering serious injuries and bleeding profusely from the corner of his mouth.

This blow thoroughly enraged the sow.

Its eyes were red, and it turned to Wang Hu like a madman, pouncing on him again.

At the critical moment, Gao Chengzhi also turned back and threw out the earthen wall talisman in his hand.

During this training, his mother, Gao Xuemei, gave him quite a few talismans, though they were only of the first or second rank, they were better than nothing.

The earthen wall talisman was activated upon landing, and an earthen wall suddenly rose up, blocking Wang Hu's path.

With a crisp "crack," the mud wall was smashed by the sow's head.

But it also bought everyone a brief respite, barely saving Wang Hu's life.

Just then, Li Daoqiu also returned.

He and Gao Chengzhi threw out several talismans in succession, temporarily restraining the sow and piglets.

The two then worked together to pull up the injured Gao Chun and Wang Hu, and ran wildly into the depths of the dense forest.

They ran for several miles and, after confirming that the sow was not chasing them, the three of them collapsed to the ground.

He was panting heavily, feeling completely exhausted.

Li Daoqiu looked at Wang Hu with complicated emotions. He never imagined that this seemingly arrogant young man would risk his life to save him at the critical moment.

Gao Chengzhi also abandoned his usual laziness, staring at Wang Hu with a serious expression, his heart filled with shock.

In such a perilous situation, where a slight misstep could have meant certain death, Wang Hu still went without hesitation.

The most difficult thing to calm one's emotions is something as pure as high purity.

He stared at Wang Hu's pale profile, a storm raging in his heart.

"Wang Hu!" His voice was hoarse, his eyes wide with rage.

He never imagined that this person who had a grudge against him would step forward at the critical moment of life and death and pave the way for him with his own life.

He had considered that Li Daoqiu might risk his life to save him, or perhaps his nephew Gao Chengzhi, but he never imagined it would be Wang Hu.

Guilt, gratitude, and shock intertwined, causing him to momentarily forget his injuries and struggle to get up.

Wang Hu's face was ashen, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, yet he forced a smile: "I...I finally...saved you..."

"Why..." Gao Chun asked in a low voice, his voice choked with emotion.

Wang Hu turned his head, avoiding his gaze, his tone still carrying a hint of arrogance, yet unable to conceal his weakness: "Nonsense... we're in this together... we can't just watch you die..."

Li Daoqiu sat to the side, watching the two of them, his eyes filled with emotion.

Although the hunt failed, with no pigs caught and Wang Hu seriously injured, the bond between the three of them became even stronger during this life-or-death crisis.

Gao Chun gazed at Wang Hu's pale profile, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

All the previous estrangement and resentment vanished in that moment, leaving only deep gratitude and remorse.

He knew that this failure might be the beginning of something else.