After using cheats, I became the strongest Beast Tamer

Ming Junting emerged from the cave, still carrying the lingering scent of blood on his body.

His gaze was sharp, his presence overbearing.

"From here on, I hope everyone can join hands with me. Since our mission is the same, we should cooperate," he said.

"Of course," agreed Han Zhaolong with a pleased nod.

Chen Xing also nodded, "Not sure about the details of the cooperation..."

"However, we should also prepare for what's to come. A legion commander has died, and it shouldn't take long for Fentian Giant City to send someone else."

Han Zhaolong spoke seriously, "Will the one who comes be stronger than the one you killed?"

Ming Junting pondered for a moment before shaking his head, "Not certain, but their ability to protect themselves will definitely not be weak."

Hearing this, Han Zhaolong couldn't help but burst into laughter, "Haha, you slaughtered their legion commander in front of a crowd. It's been many years since such big news has come out."

Ming Junting humbly said, "It was luck, and no one saved him. If it had been near the Giant City, there wouldn't have been a chance."

Ming Junting understood that yesterday's event was difficult to replicate. They had let him kill that legion commander because he had broken the rules.

Upon his arrival, the legion commander immediately launched a long-distance raid to kill the leader of the Ashen Fox and then returned to the outskirts of Jiu Chi City, staying in the military camp without leaving or attending banquets, adopting an attitude of seclusion and indifference to affairs.

The smart ones knew that the five major Mercenary Corps were backed by Great Xia, and their leaders were from Great Xia.

But Great Xia had not declared it openly, and other forces did not expose it, playing along with this act.

There was an unspoken understanding between Great Xia and Jiu Chi City. The Chi Family was well aware that it was just a group of mercenary corps harassing them.

If they uncovered the veil, who knew when a group of mysterious men in masks might stage a night attack on the Chi family's ancestral home?

The Chi family asked the Fentian Giant City to station troops there in hopes the presence of the Giant City Guard Army might intimidate the mercenaries into retreating—a favorable outcome indeed.

Though it might be costly, it would avert disaster.

Yet the newly arrived legion commander of the Giant City Guard Army intensified the conflict and then began his seclusion???

Fine, fine, if that's how you want to play it.

Furthermore, the news spread was that the legion commander, in collaboration with Jiu Chi City's Chi Family, had slain the leader of the Ashen Fox.

The Chi family was in trouble.

They had to forcefully drag the Fentian Giant City into the mire.

The legion commander was a high and transcendental being; for ordinary people, it was not easy to kill a legion commander under the protection of a formidable army. Those who had the desire did not have the strength, and those who had the strength did not have the opportunity.

Therefore, it had been many years since a legion commander had been slain in such a manner before the public.

Ming Junting was aware that his actions of the previous day were undeniably akin to a heavy slap across the face of Fentian Giant City.

But it didn't matter, he had already cleared things with his superiors before coming.

Just the thing to use the legion commander's head to help him on his path to "Ascension" in Beast Taming.

Besides, according to his intelligence, the current internal situation of the Fentian Giant City... was not as glossy as it appeared to the outside world; their Ascendants likely couldn't spare the effort.

As long as they weren't Ascendants, nothing else mattered.

Chen Xing asked, "Will an Ascendant come?"

Ming Junting, who was thinking along those lines, replied with a smile, "No, Ascendants are incredibly rare. The Fentian Giant City has no more than a handful of them.

Those Ascendants have more important matters at hand now and cannot spare the effort.

Moreover, our own Ascendants are keeping an eye on theirs, so there's no need to worry."

Chen Xing thought of Old Master Qiu, a true Ascendant powerhouse.

Representing the current pinnacle among active competitors.

But he seemed to be quite leisurely every day, apparently not on any mission.

"What is it?" Ming Junting noticed Chen Xing's distraction.

"Nothing," Chen Xing shook his head.

Although he wasn't sure if Ming Junting knew about Qiu Shangqing's strength, Old Master Qiu had instructed him to keep it secret.

Subsequently, Ming Junting discussed the details of the cooperation with Chen Xing and Han Zhaolong.

The general direction was to share intelligence and coordinate tactics.

For instance, if Chen Xing were to attack a Resource Point like he did the last time, Ming Junting and Han Zhaolong would also coordinate actions to distract the enemy for Chen Xing's group. Of course, conversely, when Ming Junting and his group were in action, Chen Xing would need to cooperate in return.

Having decided on the general direction for cooperation, there were still many details to be fleshed out slowly.

...

Qin Zhou and Chen Xing returned to Stone City.

The two arrived back at their base and then began to sort out what they had gained from the trip.

Qin Zhou summoned his Wind-calling Pouch, releasing a vast amount of Storage Ornaments.

With a push of his hand, he divided them into two equal shares.

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"Half for you, half for me. With so many ornaments, it would take forever to count them all."

Chen Xing thought about it and agreed.

Then he took out the Storage Ornament of the legion commander, "This belonged to the legion commander. The items inside are not of the same value as the other ornaments. I'll take out the things inside, and if there's anything you need, say so; otherwise, we'll split the value equally."

"No need, you keep it." Qin Zhou shook his head.

However, Chen Xing insisted, and he shook out everything from the Storage Ornament.

A mountainous pile accumulated in the backyard.

Qin Zhou glanced at it and then shook his head, "There's nothing I need."

Ultimately, unable to refuse outright, he took some Spirit Gold and Secret Treasures.

Days passed, and the story of the legion commander being slain in the military camp had spread far and wide.

This was with the help of various forces stirring the waters.

Even the news reached Jiuzhou University.

"Have you heard? Fentian Giant City issued a statement saying that the message was fake. The legion commander who died wasn't in the barracks at that time, but was ambushed while out on a mission."

"Sounds like quite a few people died over in Stone City."

"Some say they saw a mercenary corps in the desert picking up one of Great Xia's Beast Taming creatures."

"Holy shit, really? Did it come with a Chinese instruction manual?"

News from Stone City spread,

real and fake news circulated within the school.

The girl seated by the window was startled, Stone City? Could it be where her brother went?

Hearing her classmates' discussions, a flicker of worry flashed through Chen Lingya's eyes.

When Fentian Giant City's statement filtered into Stone City,

Qin Zhou uncharacteristically drank a cup of wine, sighing, "I never expected the Giant City Guard Army of Fentian Giant City to have decayed to this extent."

As an elder who lived for hundreds of years, and who had personally witnessed the heyday of Fentian Giant City, Qin Zhou couldn't help but feel a surreal illusion about the current performance of the Guard Army.

Was this still the once overwhelmingly dominant territorial overlord?

Since when did Fentian Giant City start to offer explanations?

Seeing that Chen Xing's face didn't show much expression, Qin Zhou knew that Chen Xing was born in an era when Great Xia was already powerful; he didn't know the past disparity in strength between the two powers.

Back then, if Fentian Giant City said it would invade, it would invade. It didn't matter if just a legion commander had died, even if it was only a mid-level military officer; they'd turn the enemy's city upside down.

There used to be a city in the Fentian Domain that, just because it had offended a legion commander, was directly punished on some trumped-up charges.

The city was nearly reduced to ruins.

That period left a profound impression of Fentian Giant City in the minds of his generation.

In many people's eyes, Fentian Giant City was synonymous with tyranny.

In the hearts of countless cities within the Fentian Domain, Fentian Giant City was like a god hanging high above in the sky!

When Fentian Giant City started to explain, it no longer mattered where the legion commander had died.

To face provocative rumors, is it a god's strategy to argue?

In the past, they'd simply have suppressed such defiance with force, slaughtering all who dared to spread rumors. Fentian Giant City practicing self-restraint and resorted to arguing.

A god cannot bleed, for once a god begins to bleed, it is no longer a god.

When everyone sees the health bar of a god exposed, it no longer seems untouchable.

Qin Zhou suddenly felt envious, "Ah, if only it had been I who killed that legion commander that day. Even if I died, it would've been worth it."

Chen Xing couldn't help but sigh, "Indeed, the death of a legion commander isn't that earth-shattering. On the battlefield, it is accepted that people die, but for them to deny it... that's the biggest blow."

Saying this, Chen Xing's expression turned subtle.

What if someone had recorded a video that day, and released it now? Wouldn't that be an even bigger slap in the face?

Just then, footsteps approached from outside.

"Haha, Brother Chen, I've got an important issue I'd like to consult with you about," the laughter of Ming Junting came from outside.

Chen Xing and Qin Zhou exchanged glances, both puzzled as to why Ming Junting would come at this particular time.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Ming Junting, clad in a pale blue robe, stepped over the threshold and walked into the courtyard.

"There's an opportunity to show your face; I wonder if you two would be willing to be on camera once," Ming Junting said with a smile.

Chen Xing's heart skipped a beat.

He seemed to have guessed something.

Surprise showed on Qin Zhou's face as he stood up, "Could it be that you recorded a video that day?"

"Indeed!" Ming Junting replied decisively, his sharp eyes fixed on the two, "Professional habit, so I took some footage, ready to release it, but once it's out, the one's who are identified will be seen as thorns in the side of Fentian Giant City. Naturally, I wouldn't drag you two down without consent. If either of you is unwilling, I can blur out your figure."

Qin Zhou set his wine cup down, speaking seriously, "Make sure to shoot me clearly!"

Chen Xing had not expected Ming Junting to have such... an excellent professional habit.

He sighed sincerely, then said earnestly, "Could you please give me a few close-ups?"

"Hahahaha," Ming Junting couldn't help but burst into laughter, tears brimming in the corners of his eyes, "I knew you two would be kindred spirits with me. Rest assured, close-ups you shall have! In 4K high resolution."

After completing his statement, Ming Junting's expression became serious, "However, once the video is released, there's no turning back. Please consider your decision carefully and let me know."

Concerned that his decision could affect Chen Xing, Qin Zhou first looked to him, giving the younger man the opportunity to speak first.

Chen Xing thought for a moment, "My only concern is for my parents and sister. I wouldn't want to see them suffer harm because of me."

"You can rest assured on that point. As the family of a hero, coupled with your identity, your parents' residence has Ascension protection, and your sister can also go to the family area. If she's unwilling to go there, we can also forge a new identity for her internally," said Ming Junting.

"Then I have no problem," replied Chen Xing.

"Nor do I," Qin Zhou asserted, patting his chest.

"Good, that takes care of the most important thing for today. Now, the second matter, let's make another big move, shall we?" said Ming Junting.

Chen Xing's expression became solemn, "I am all ears."

"Fentian Giant City has just dispatched two legions, each ten thousand strong, and they have also provided a new commander for the previous ten-thousand-man legion."

"That is to say, Fentian Giant City now has three legion commanders."

Ming Junting continued, "And, according to intelligence, a High Priest of the Fentian Temple is also hiding among their troops."

Chen Xing was surprised. To have intelligence on such secret information?

The undercover's status must be high.

"You must have heard about the eruption of Earth Fire at Lake of Fire. The violent Earth Fire serves as a fitting burial ground for these thirty thousand troops."

"But how would they fall for it?" Qin Zhou shook his head.

"They will, provided the bait is enticing enough. Once the video spreads, we four will inevitably become the prime targets for Fentian Giant City. Add to that the presence of all the mercenaries from our two families, and they're sure to be tempted," Ming Junting's eyes narrowed, like a cold, venomous snake.