chapter 38. returning to the city

He then proceeded to collect the wolf carcasses and put them inside of the entropy for later use. He knew that he needed to stockpile enough food to last him throughout the competition.

He took the bodies of the wolves and continued on his hunt, his confidence and determination strengthened by his victory over the pack. As he moved deeper into the jungle, he knew that there would be more challenges ahead, but he was ready to face them head-on, confident in his skills and his newfound strength from cultivation.

Throughout his hunt, Xua Yan remained mindful of the need to conserve his energy and resources. He knew that he couldn't afford to waste any time or effort on frivolous pursuits, so he focused solely on the task at hand – finding and hunting as many level 9 energy-gathering beasts as possible.

Despite the physical and mental demands of his hunt, Xua Yan persevered. He was determined to do whatever it took to prepare himself for the martial arts competition, even if it meant pushing himself to his limits and beyond.

By the time he had finished his hunt, Xua Yan had managed to gather enough food to sustain himself throughout the entire competition. He felt a sense of pride and satisfaction in his accomplishment, knowing that he had pushed himself to new heights of strength and skill in order to achieve his goal.

As Xua Yan finished hunting down the last of the wolves, he glanced up at the sky to check the position of the sun. Its orange-red hue indicated that it was already late in the day, and that he had been hunting for hours without realizing it. He took a deep breath and looked around, taking in his surroundings. He was deep in the heart of the jungle, surrounded by trees, bushes, and vines. The air was thick and humid, and the sounds of the jungle creatures surrounded him, from the chirping of the birds to the croaking of the frogs.

Xua Yan, after a long day of hunting and fighting against various beasts, felt his hunger pangs intensifying. He knew it was time to find a safe spot to rest and cook his food. He searched for a suitable place that would protect him from any potential predators or other dangers lurking in the jungle.

After a few minutes of searching, he found a clearing that was surrounded by tall trees, which provided ample shade and protection. Xua Yan carefully surveyed the area, looking for any signs of danger or traps. Satisfied that the area was safe, he began gathering firewood and building a fire pit.

Once the fire was lit and burning brightly, Xua Yan retrieved the beasts he had hunted earlier and began to prepare them for cooking. He used his sword to skin and clean the beasts, taking care to remove any impurities or bacteria. After this was done, he cut the meat into small, manageable pieces and skewered them on wooden sticks.

Xua Yan then placed the skewers over the fire, rotating them carefully to ensure that the meat was cooked evenly on all sides. As the meat sizzled and cooked over the fire, the delicious aroma filled the air, making Xua Yan's mouth water in anticipation.

While the meat was cooking, Xua Yan took some time to rest and reflect on his journey so far. He thought about the various beasts he had hunted and fought against, and how he had used his skills and techniques to overcome them. He also considered the upcoming martial arts competition and the challenges he might face, both physically and mentally.

After a few minutes, Xua Yan checked on the meat to make sure it was fully cooked. Satisfied that it was, he removed the skewers from the fire and let them cool for a few minutes before digging in. The meat was tender and juicy, and Xua Yan savored every bite as he ate his fill. Feeling full and satisfied, Xua Yan cleaned up his campsite, making sure to extinguish the fire completely.

After finishing his meal, Xua Yan packed up his belongings and began his journey towards the Seven Hill city. The city was a significant distance from where he was in the jungle, so he knew it would take him some time to reach it. He made sure he had everything he needed for the journey, including his weapons, food, and water.

As he walked through the jungle, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. He had successfully hunted a variety of beasts, and he felt confident in his abilities to defend himself against any threats that may arise during his journey. The jungle was dense, and Xua Yan had to be careful not to lose his way. He followed a path that he had marked on his previous journey and made his way through the trees, jumping over obstacles and avoiding any dangerous creatures that crossed his path.

After several hours of walking, Xua Yan finally reached the outskirts of the Seven Hill city. He could see the city walls in the distance, and his heart began to race with excitement. He quickened his pace, eager to reach the city before nightfall. As he walked through the street that leads to the city gates, he felt a sense of anticipation. The martial arts competition was just one day away, and he knew he needed to prepare himself mentally and physically for the challenge ahead.

As Xua Yan walked along the road leading to the city gates, he observed numerous groups of people heading towards the Seven Hill city. The groups comprised of people of various ages - some young, some old, and some in-between. He also saw a variety of carriages and pet beasts accompanying them.

The first group that he encountered consisted of young disciples, probably from the same sect, who were discussing their strategies and martial arts techniques. They seemed to be in high spirits, anticipating the competition ahead. Their confidence was evident as they demonstrated their martial arts moves along the way.

Further down the road, Xua Yan saw another group of people consisting of middle-aged men and women. They were traveling on a carriage that was being pulled by two majestic-looking beasts. He could see the emblem of their sect on their clothes, indicating that people from their sect were also participants in the martial arts competition.

As he continued walking, Xua Yan noticed a group of elderly people slowly making their way towards the city. They were accompanied by their pet beasts, which were carrying their luggage and some other young people. They were probably from some famous family or people, going inside of the city in order to give opportunity for their decident to participate in this competition.

As he approached the city gates, the crowds grew thicker, and he could see that many more people were coming to participate in the competition. He also observed vendors selling food, souvenirs, and various martial arts equipment to the visitors. The excitement in the air was palpable.

In addition to the crowds, Xua Yan also saw many officials patrolling the area, ensuring that the participants followed the rules and regulations of the competition. He noticed that some of them were martial arts experts themselves, who were there to provide assistance if needed.

Finally, Xua Yan arrived at the gates of the Seven Hill city. He could see that the city was bustling with activity, and many participants were already present in the city, preparing for the competition. As he reached near the city gates, he felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. He knew that he was ready for the competition and was looking forward to what lay ahead.

Before he could enter the city, he had to pass through the city gates and pay a tax. As he approached the gates, he saw that there were many people already waiting in many lines to pay the tax and enter the city. It seemed like the competition had attracted many people from all over the region. Xua Yan patiently joined the line and waited for his turn to pay the tax. As he waited, he looked around and observed the people and things around him. He saw different groups of people, young and old, traveling towards the city for the competition. He also saw many types of carriages and pet beasts, which suggested that some of the visitors were quite wealthy.

The atmosphere was tense and busy, with people talking excitedly about the competition and discussing their strategies. Xua Yan listened in on some of these conversations, hoping to gain some insight into what he might be up against in the competition. As he waited in line, Xua Yan couldn't help but feel a little nervous. He had worked hard to prepare himself for the competition, but he knew that he would be facing many skilled opponents. He wondered if he was ready for the challenge. Despite his nerves, Xua Yan was determined to do his best in the competition. He knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase his skills and make a name for himself in the martial arts world. He was also motivated by the thought of winning the grand prize, which would provide him with resources and opportunities to further his cultivation.

Xua Yan grew impatient as he saw the long lines of people waiting to pay taxes in order to enter the Seven Hill city. His eagerness to participate in the martial arts competition urged him to find an alternative way to enter the city. He looked around and found a large tree beside the road. Xua Yan saw this as an opportunity to use his invisibility skill and enter the city by jumping the city walls.

He carefully observed his surroundings and made sure that no one was watching before he activated his invisibility skill. Invisibility skill allowed him to become invisible and move undetected for a limited time. He approached the tree and stood behind it. Then, he focused his energy and activated the skill. Gradually, he became transparent and vanished from sight.

Xua Yan cautiously approached the city walls, making sure that no one was around. Once he confirmed that there was no one watching him, he leaped onto the wall with great agility. He then pulled himself up with his hands and jumped to the other side. He landed safely on the ground and quickly made his way into the city.

Xua Yan felt relieved that he was able to enter the city without having to wait in line for hours. He continued his journey towards his rented house. As he walked through the bustling streets of the city, he saw many people, carriages, and pets moving around. Some of them were also participating in the martial arts competition, and he could see the excitement on their faces.

After arriving in the city and successfully evading the gate tax, Xua Yan was feeling exhausted and in need of rest. His body was tired from the long journey and the strenuous hunting he had been doing in the forest. He knew that getting enough rest was important to be able to perform his best in the upcoming martial arts competition.

Thus, Xua Yan started looking for a place to sleep. He had rented a house in the city earlier, so he decided to head there. As he walked through the streets, he could see that the city was bustling with activity. People were going about their business, shopping in the markets, and socializing with each other. However, Xua Yan was too tired to join in the festivities and just wanted to sleep.

Finally, he reached his rented house and entered inside. The house was small but cozy, with a bed in one corner and a few basic furnishings. Xua Yan went straight to the bed, removed his shoes, and laid down on it. The bed was soft and comfortable, and he felt himself sinking into it. He thought about his journey through the jungle and the challenges he faced while hunting beasts. He felt proud of himself for being able to overcome those challenges and obtain the beasts he needed to level up. Now, he was in the city, and he knew that the competition would be tough. He needed to be prepared for any situation. As he closed his eyes, he could feel his body relaxing, and he gradually drifted off to sleep.

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