Chapter 81: The mountain ridge

Long Tao was into various traditional missions. He kept the bounty list aside and decided to concentrate on the mission he decided to undertake for himself. The mission was ranging from multiple sections, starting from inspection to the resource collection. Hence, he set out for the first destination on his list, The Tengo range.

The range was quite famous within the Chu country for the various abnormal sightings sin this location. There was never a formal investigation of the whole range as the royal clan decided that it was just a waste of resources, but the villagers nearby sighted multiple monsters, beats, and even phantoms sometimes. This alienation has also resulted in the conversion of the Tengo range into a good Bandit stronghold. Now the tasks list was quite long for this location.

The first list of tasks included the collection of herbs which ranged from rank 1 to rank 3. Rank 3 was something that was involved in the creation of level 3 medicine, refined by a tier 3 alchemist. Getting them was quite rare. Long Tao accepted this mission because he was cultivating an herb garden of his own. He was trying to find multiple stalks which would help him get some sample too. This would help him get a personal supply for his future venture. Also, if he was really lucky, he might strike it rich and would be able to get multiple varieties of level 3 and even level 4 herbs, which would then be transported to the Crimson Lord world and he would then become a supplier. This was an easy way to get rich. The dream was a good one, but it requires a large amount of collection.

The first 10 herbs on the list were level 1 common herbs, which Long Tao managed to find soon enough after scouting the lower range for around a day. After the first et was complete came the second set. This included a list of second-level herbs to be found within the range. This required him to travel into the upper region of the mountain. The major risk here was the presence of beasts. Soon enough Long Tao's assumption came true as he was facing a level 2 boar. The fight lasted a short while after which Long Tao managed to kill it. Due to the blood, a lot of beasts began to get attracted to this region. This was good news. Unless it is a level 3 beats which were only found within the uppermost regions of the mountain, Long Tao could easily get a greater number of beats corpses to practice the tempering arts.

The next beast he had to face was an iron ox. The fight this time was a bit stretchy due to the oxen's naturally defensive body. The fight continued for a whole day. For the first time, Long Tao's normal attack strategy didn't work and he had to play out multiple varieties of attacks to penetrate its skin. The iron ox was lying on the ground covered in blood. Long Tao decided that he would use these beats to practice his set of arts and perfect them one by one. Each corpse was collected within the Crimson Lord world, where it was delivered to the avatar in the training of the tempering art.

Next came the horde of Night foxes, which attacked during the peak of nightfall. Long Tao was just about to sleep, but the attack arrived very swiftly and he even got injured due to the combined attack. A level 3 monster was actually able to hurt him. The massacre began. Soon enough painful howls of the wolves reverberated throughout the forests. The horde which attacks this time was quite generous from Long Tao's inventory. Just as he was about to leave, another figure appeared. Who could it be other than the Night wolf king? This beast was having a natural feeling of leader and imposing demeanor. This fight just got a lot crazier and exciting. Long Tao proceeds. He used the flame arts and some of the movement art which he stole from the royal library. After a long brawl, the night wolf king decided to use Long range attacks, while trying to recover. Giving him a proper distance would be a huge mistake and hence, Long Tao switch to flash-step and directly attacked, giving the final blow on his neck. The night wolf king was defeated.

Long Tao proceeded to do further bidding. He started to go into the deeper regions. He managed to collect some herbs required for tier-2 medicines, all of which he planted in the Crimson Lord world. The Hunt continued in it sown way too. The next in the line was a berserk tusker that Long Tao had to fight for another day to finally defeat. As his power grew Long Tao began to concentrate on his skill proficiency. He knew that in a desperate time, the skill can do what power can't, help take out an impossible opponent. The tricks that he managed to master began to rise in counts, and he continued to apply those skill's theories to create new skills. The dominator's punch was the first item in Long Tao's inventory that he created himself, he had managed to level it up substantially for 10 times until now. He recorded each theory and started building up his skillset. The lightning punches were also one of the theories he included. The beast was proving to be the best guinea pigs.

Long Tao had managed to complete around 15 of the mission since he arrived here. The only resource collection remaining now was the herbs that go into the making of tier three pills. Long Tao had only faced Qi master intermediate level beasts until now. The next destination would bring advanced level 3 beats even level 4 ones who reside in the deepest regions. Long Tao began to go into the deepest regions of the mountains. Soon enough he was confronted by powerful opponents.

The Tengo range was a residing place for the beats, and hence it was an incredible place for adventurers and robbers. There were multiple reports of robberies and the killing of high-rank adventurers. The robbers here were getting more and more active. Long Tao took upon the mission of handling the situation. The reward was quite big with not only a base amount but an additional amount corresponding to the cultivation of each head Long Tao brought. This is what made the job more lucrative. Long Tao was sure of wiping the stronghold as long as there were no Qi generals in the region. He went deeper and hence managed to meet a member on the way.

The bandit covered h Is face and carried a blood-red saber with him. Even though these were bandits, the composition was made of fugitives from the countries who had fled to this region and hid here. The guy in front was a master in saber arts, visible from the intent he was giving. Advance level saber intent in Qi master was thought to be good. Long Tao showed a relieved expression and asked with a pitiful tone "At last, I managed to find someone. Brother can you direct me in the right direction in which I could follow to trace the path back. I am an adventurer lurking here to kill the beast.". The man decided to test the waters first." Where are you from?". Long Tao was quite cheerful" I am an outer disciple for the Pill hall. I came here to gather herbs. What are you here for?".

The man let his guard down." I am here for hunting beast and collection of herbs too. I can help you get to the village below. My troop is stationed at some distance. Would you like to follow us on the return? We have needed the hunt too. We would be returning at day time." Long Tao agreed and both of them proceeded to the campsite. There were similar figures like the man in the group. The strongest among them was a one-eyed man named Nemek. The man introduced Long Tao to his group and then the meal was set. The people began to ask Long Tao about his adventures." I hope the visit to the mountain resulted in good gains for you brother.". "it did. I managed to come across hordes of herbs and even managed to kill some intermediate level 3 beasts. The gain was good." The conversation continued.

Soon the dinner ended and all of them went to sleep. Long Tao felt dizzy for a moment. So, they did mix something with the food given to me. Rather clever. The avatar got unconscious soon, Long Tao didn't have much of an exposure to poison and hence it took effect immediately. The rest of the avatars were still watching from the crimson lord world, waiting for the bandits to take him tot heir stronghold. The leader signaled the rest of the team and Long Tao's whole body along with the possessions were taken into the stronghold.