Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!

Chapter 421 - 413: On the Hunt

Any force entering outside the border cannot just run around like a headless fly. Their route of action, battle plans, and the materials they need to bring must be precisely calculated, repeatedly discussed, and then executed.

The terrain here is quite flat, but there are also many weeds that need to be cleared.

Immediately, the disciples began to work in their respective roles: clearing weeds, collecting firewood, setting up tents, fetching water. Each task was carried out in an orderly manner.

Bonfires were lit, and everyone took out small pots from the camping supplies to boil hot water, roasting the dry food they carried with them. Some rice flour was added to the boiling water, stirring it into a paste, and with the crispy and flavorful roasted pancakes, they all started munching with satisfaction.

Naturally, there was no shortage of idle chatter, mixed with all kinds of bawdy jokes, which broadened Cheng Xiaoxiao’s horizons.

However, she quietly shrank into an inconspicuous spot among the crowd, listening silently, occasionally showing a slight smile.

As she nibbled on her meat pie in small bites, she felt a vague gaze studying her.

She did not look up to find the source of the gaze, trying to minimize her presence.

Now she had to keep as low a profile as possible, fearing that someone would realize something was amiss and expose her identity.

Even so, someone still noticed her, truly... she didn’t know what to say.

But who was so cunning?

The person labeled as cunning had actually noticed her since she started chopping the hedgehog.

The owner of this gaze was clearly Mo Shang.

From the beginning, he felt that this person’s behavior was quite strange, not like a disciple of their sect.

Although the person hid it well, he still discovered it. The reason he didn’t expose her on the spot was that he wanted to see what this person’s ultimate purpose was.

He feared that if the person was sent to harm him again, he would remain inactive, cautiously on guard, and collect evidence of any inappropriate behavior to catch her red-handed.

If Cheng Xiaoxiao knew this elder brother’s thoughts, she would surely scoff, thinking he was overthinking it. "I’m just a nobody, not worth your scheming," she’d say.

The next morning.

Packing up their simple bundles, the whole team sped up a bit.

The road ahead would only get tougher.

Because the paths they previously traveled would over time become overgrown with weeds or flooded with water, destroying the original road, making it necessary to clear away fallen stones and plants.

In the past, hunting seasons were set at late autumn or early winter.

This naturally encompassed the accumulated experiences of generations of ancestors. From spring to early summer, it was easy to encounter continuous rainy seasons, possibly causing flash floods and various dangers.

Even without flash floods, frequent rain could turn dirt roads muddy and difficult to walk on if too much rain fell.

Summer was too hot; both wild and fierce beasts were less active, making it equally unfavorable for disciples to travel and hunt under such temperatures and conditions.

After autumn, the climate became dry, and the vines and vegetation withered. Some wild fruits and seed plants bore fruit.

The abundance of ripe food attracted many animals to eat, hoard fat, and food, entering a wintering state, while some wild and fierce beasts entered active hunting phases.

Therefore, hunting during this relatively dangerous period was unsuitable.

However, this time the situation was special, and they had no choice but to proceed.

They swayed as they moved without stopping.

The road was tough.

With the sound of insects and birds, the greenery shielded off the sun. Besides some flying birds, they hadn’t encountered a real beast or fierce beast.

Occasionally, small animals emerged, not even enough to fill the gaps between everyone’s teeth.

At noon, by a shallow stream, they plucked all the feathers from the captured unknown birds and small beasts, roasting them. At this moment, the oil sizzled, and the aroma was strong.

"Senior brother, how much longer do you think it will be before we encounter a fierce beast?" A young man with handsome phoenix eyes, his eyebrows were full of spirit.

"Junior fourth, you’re too anxious. How far have we come anyway? It’s still early."

Mo Shang did not respond; it was second senior brother Han Yuan who replied.

Han Yuan had a cheerful personality, a straightforward nature, with a baby face and dimples when he smiled—a sunny young man. He was not only well-liked within the team but also had high prestige.

As for Mo Shang, people in the team respected and admired him, interacting with him more cautiously than with Han Yuan, who was friendly with everyone like a friend.

Fourth junior, named Zhong Yong, was a lively character, a chatterbox in the team. Even at the back of the team, Cheng Xiaoxiao could hear his loud voice.

Beside him sat third senior brother and sixth senior brother, who were both quiet personalities, having said very little along the way.

The fifth senior brother was a straightforward, no-nonsense guy. He spoke and acted directly, carrying a large axe, at least 1.98 meters tall. Beneath his thick clothes, the taut muscles were evident, a bona fide muscleman, very intimidating.

"Previously, I went ahead scouting and found large beasts’ droppings nearby. Although dry, it proves that large fierce animals used to roam this area."

Zhong Yong argued earnestly.

"You know it’s dry, which means it was left in spring. It’s been a long time since winter arrived. Are you silly?"

"Fifth junior, how can you say that? Don’t think that just because you’re big, I won’t dare to hit you."

Who would tear someone down like that? Really not cute at all.

"Fourth senior, I’m just telling the truth."

Despite being close to two meters tall, his words exhibited a shy demeanor of a young bride, causing Cheng Xiaoxiao to shiver slightly and shudder.

"Alright, it’s not time to mess around. Save your energy, there’s an opportunity to show your worth."

Mo Shang concluded decisively, and the others dared not continue speaking.

This group was a unit, excelling in both cultivation and prestige within the team.

To put it bluntly, these individuals were the main output for this hunting expedition.

Each of them also had two or three dozen followers.

Neither the seventh nor the eighth senior brothers were seen in the team.

She had no hobby of investigating.

Starting from the ninth to the twenty-seventh senior brothers, all were formally apprenticed with teachers, naturally holding higher status than the others.

The remaining were servant disciples doing chores under each Hall Master.

In the Tianyuan Sect, the disciples in each peak were divided into official disciples and servant disciples, taught and instructed by each Hall Master in cultivation techniques and martial arts.

Those favored by each Peak Master were accepted as direct disciples.

As for treatment, it was like a pyramid, decreasing layer by layer, all depending on opportunities, abilities, and personal fortune.