Chapter 17 – The Final Hunt

Six months passed in a silent blur. Autumn crimson bled into winter's white as Dragon Tale City shifted under cold morning mists and lantern-lit nights. For Jian Tian, however, time was measured not by seasons or calendar dates, but by blood spilled, beasts slain, and the slow, arduous forging of his fragile will into tempered steel.

He exhaled softly, his breath forming a faint mist in the cold dawn. His boots crunched across frozen undergrowth as he approached his quarry's lair: a wide ravine shrouded in moss-draped pines. Icy winds howled through its jagged stone cliffs, echoing like ghostly wails.

He had been hunting beasts for half a year now, completing mission after mission under Ren Moxi's orders. This was his tenth mission, and by far the most dangerous.

The Final Target – Crimson Horned Saber Boar

According to the quest scroll clenched in his trembling hand, his target today was a Tier 2 peak-rank beast:

[Target: Crimson Horned Saber Boar

Rank: Peak Tier 2

Reward: 35 low-grade spirit stones

Requester: Iron Gate Mining Caravan]

The drawing on the scroll depicted a massive boar the size of a warhorse, covered in shaggy crimson fur with black streaks running down its flanks. Its tusks curved outward like twin scimitars, and from its forehead jutted a single serrated horn gleaming with cold steel luster.

"Its horn… sells for nearly twenty low-grade spirit stones alone…"

Jian Tian swallowed thickly, eyes locked on fresh clawed-up earth and tree bark gouged with savage force. Even from afar, he could smell the reek of blood and urine marking its territory.

His trembling hand tightened around the Dragon Blood Sword. Though only partially repaired, it hummed faintly with a resonant vibration under his grip. He exhaled again, stabilizing his qi flow through the Dragon Pulse Strengthening Sutra. Warmth filled his dantian, and the faint crimson aura coiled around his limbs, increasing his confidence.

The Hunt Begins

He advanced step by step through the frosted grass, eyes narrowed and senses spread wide. Birds scattered suddenly from the pines ahead with shrill cries. A thunderous crashing echoed through the ravine.

And then he saw it.

The Crimson Horned Saber Boar emerged from behind a broken boulder, snout dripping with fresh blood from an unfortunate wild hare it had crushed moments earlier. Its fiery red eyes locked onto Jian Tian instantly.

A bestial roar tore from its throat, shaking loose snow from branches above. It scraped its serrated horn against a rock, sending up sparks.

"HERE IT COMES–!"

The boar charged.

Like a demonic battering ram it lunged forward, hooves gouging up icy earth, horn lowered directly at Jian Tian's chest. He flared his qi desperately, leaping sideways just as the beast thundered past, missing him by a hair's breadth.

But the backdraft of its massive body sent him tumbling across frozen soil. He coughed, rolling to his feet, the world spinning around him. The boar was already skidding to a halt, eyes wild with fury, steam blasting from its nostrils.

First Clash – Dragon Severing First Form

Jian Tian gathered his qi, feeling it rush through his meridians with a heated ache. He planted his feet firmly and raised his blade high.

"Dragon Severing First Form – Falling Dragon Slash!"

He swung downward with explosive force just as the boar lunged again. His blade struck its armored forehead, deflecting off its horn with a shrill clang that rattled his teeth.

"It didn't cut…?!"

The boar roared in his face, hot spittle flecking his cheek. Its massive head slammed into his chest, sending him flying back with bone-jarring force. He smashed into a tree trunk so hard the bark split open. Agony lanced through his ribs, but he forced himself to stand again, eyes fierce.

Second Clash – Dragon Severing Second Form

Blood dripped from his mouth as he spat to clear it.

"Again!"

This time he stepped sideways as the boar lunged, spinning in place.

"Dragon Severing Second Form – Wyrm Tail Sweep!"

His blade flashed in a sweeping arc, striking the boar's flank. Sparks erupted as his sword scraped against its armored hide, carving a shallow gash. Blood sprayed onto snow. The boar squealed in rage and whirled, its tusks nearly slicing off his arm as he ducked under them.

Its serrated horn slashed sideways. Jian Tian blocked desperately with his sword, the force sending him skidding backward, his boots tearing up frozen soil.

Third Clash – Dragon Severing Third Form

His arms trembled under the impact, but he clenched his jaw and roared.

"Dragon Severing Third Form – Azure Draconic Pierce!"

With a burst of qi-enhanced speed, he lunged forward, thrusting his blade at its throat. The boar reared up, and his sword plunged deep into its lower jaw, blood spraying hot against his hands.

The beast thrashed violently, lifting him off the ground as he clung desperately to his sword embedded in its flesh. With a savage twist of its head, it flung him aside like a ragdoll.

He smashed into another tree, coughing up blood. His vision dimmed around the edges. His arms felt like shattered wood.

"I… can't… give up…"

The boar stumbled back, blood gushing from its lower jaw wound. It roared again, stomping and scraping the ground in fury, preparing for another charge.

Final Clash – Dragon Severing Fourth Form

Jian Tian wiped blood from his eyes. He forced his legs to stand. His entire body trembled violently. He shifted into the wide horse stance, feeling qi swirl around his blade.

"Dragon Severing Fourth Form…"

He remembered Master Ren Moxi's cold instructions:

"Your stance is wrong. Again."

"Your grip is weak. Again."

"Your killing intent is laughable. AGAIN."

Again and again… until his knees buckled and his sweat dried into salt crusts.

He roared, raising his blade upward into the stormy sky, qi bursting around him like a crimson dragon coiling in anger.

"Tyrant Dragon Breaker!"

As the boar charged with earth-shaking force, he stepped forward, slashing upward with all his strength and qi. His blade cut into its armored chin, splitting flesh and cracking bone, slicing upward through its skull. Its horn snapped with a shrill CRACK as the blade tore through its brain.

The boar collapsed mid-charge, sliding past him in a spray of blood and torn earth. It let out a final death squeal before falling silent.

Aftermath

Jian Tian stood trembling, breathing raggedly, his arms heavy as lead. He dropped to his knees beside the massive corpse, clutching his Dragon Blood Sword tightly.

Tears mingled with blood on his cheeks. He laughed softly, a wet and broken laugh, staring at the fallen beast.

"I… did it…"

The scent of blood mixed with pine needles and cold winter air. He sat there for a long time until the sun rose fully, bathing the ravine in a bleak gray light.

Closing the Mission

By dusk, Jian Tian staggered into the Mercenary Guild Hall, dragging the Crimson Horned Saber Boar's horn and tusks behind him. The hall bustled with warriors and merchants, but all fell silent as they watched his blood-soaked figure enter.

At the reception counter, the guild clerk's eyes widened.

"You… You actually killed it?!"

Jian Tian smiled weakly, slapping the quest scroll down onto the counter.

"Mission… complete…"

Within moments, his reward was processed. Thirty-five low-grade spirit stones clinked onto the table before him. He bowed slightly in gratitude, pocketed them carefully, and turned away.

His body ached with every step. All he could think about was going home.

Emotional Return

By the time he reached their courtyard residence, the moon had risen into a cloudless sky. He pushed the wooden gate open and stepped inside, the scent of sweet tea and grilled river fish filling his nose.

Ren Moxi sat under the pavilion, sipping tea calmly. Bing Yue knelt beside him, grinding medicinal herbs with an iron mortar.

As Jian Tian stepped forward, Bing Yue looked up. Her cultivation aura pulsed steadily at mid Foundation Establishment, glowing with cold frosty light.

Jian Tian lowered his gaze instinctively, feeling like a child again. Compared to her graceful presence and powerful aura, his own late Qi Refining cultivation felt like a faint candle against her moonlit glow.

Ren Moxi glanced at him casually.

"You've returned. Late Qi Refining stage… took you long enough."

Jian Tian flushed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Ahaha… Master, I… I completed the ten missions you ordered…"

Ren Moxi raised an eyebrow faintly.

"Only ten Tier 2 beasts in six months? Truly the weakest."

Jian Tian winced, his shoulders drooping.

"Haha… yes, Master… the weakest…"

Bing Yue covered her lips with a pale hand, trying not to giggle at his defeated expression.

Ren Moxi sipped his tea and gestured with his other hand.

"Sit. Eat. Then bathe. You smell like rotten boar intestines."

Jian Tian chuckled weakly, bowing deeply.

"Yes, Master!"

Despite the mockery, his chest felt warm. Each insult was simply his master's way of acknowledging his survival.

Closing Scene

He sat down to eat beside Bing Yue, wolfing down rice and fish with tears streaming down his face at each delicious bite. Bing Yue refilled his tea cup quietly, her cold eyes soft with hidden concern.

As he chewed on a pickled plum, he glanced up at Ren Moxi and smiled tiredly.

"Master… next time… I'll become strong enough… that you won't have to call me the weakest…"

Ren Moxi only sipped his tea, his golden eyes reflecting the moonlight. A faint smile flickered across his lips, gone in an instant.

Outside, winter winds rustled the bamboo, carrying the faint promise of battles yet to come.