Chapter 492: Chapter 310: Hunting Three Beasts Alone, Crushing the Prodigies, White-faced Red Bow, Fame Spreads in Feilong (2)

Though it hit the snow ape, the attack lacked enough force, only breaking its skin. With minor injuries and pain, it could not prevent the snow ape from fleeing. Yue Kai and Zhou Shijie felt the difficulty and had already given up. Zhou Shijie remarked, "The Snow Beast is indeed extraordinary. This time we came unprepared, and the distance is too far. We can only let this beast live a while longer..."

Yue Kai sighed, "Trying to kill the Snow Beast with just archery is indeed extremely difficult. This snow ape is just like that, and the Snow Mountain spirit fox... I’m afraid..." acknowledging the difficulty of the task.

As they spoke, a faint "thud" was heard, as if a heavy object had fallen from above. Yue Kai and Zhou Shijie followed the sound, seeing the snow ape had already been shot down by someone, convulsing on the ground, dead.

The two exchanged glances, both shocked and puzzled, not knowing what had happened. When they approached to observe, they saw a white-faced red bow wielder standing beside the snow ape’s corpse. Zhou Shijie said, "Let’s chase them!"

The two quickly pursued together, but saw the white-faced red bow wielder twist and turn, moving farther away, carrying the snow ape, blending white fur into the snow scene. As the two focused intensely, their eyes suddenly stung. Hunting in the snow exerted a significant strain on their eyes, forcing them to stop and rub their eyes, making it difficult to continue pursuing.

Yue Kai and Zhou Shijie exchanged a look, feeling strange and mysterious, wondering among the many talented individuals they had met, could there be such a person.

...

Meanwhile,

Gu Nianjun and Mu Hongchou, feeling satisfied with their bounty, noticed it was late and prepared to head back to their promised meeting place. During the return, Mu Hongchou suddenly said, "Sister Gu, look!"

Gu Nianjun looked over to see a bear footprint in the snow. Mu Hongchou said, "This is a snow bear print!" Gu Nianjun said, "Oh? I’ve heard Snow Dragon Mountain has a unique terrain that breeds Snow Beasts, making it extremely difficult to hunt. During our family’s winter preparations in past years, when snow pressed on the mountains, we would often buy Snow Beast fur and drape it over other beasts."

"Whoever hunts this beast would be considered a great performer of the winter hunt, earning top honors and special favor. If there is truly a snow bear present, I would indeed like to meet it!"

Mu Hongchou said, "Sister Gu, to be honest, I arrived in Flying Dragon City earlier than you did. Not having known you then, I would often go hunting here when idle. I once encountered a snow bear, but unfortunately, I was careless and let it escape." Saying this, he felt deeply regretful, shaking his head and stamping his feet.

Gu Nianjun had seen Mu Hongchou’s archery skills, exceptional and impressive, and hearing that even she struggled to hunt the snow bear, she couldn’t help but feel strange: "Is this snow bear truly so formidable? Although I’ve vaguely heard of this beast, I’ve never paid much attention to it."

Mu Hongchou said, "The snow bear is cunning and skilled at camouflage. Its special snow fur is tough and slippery, capable of withstanding swords and arrows. Even the most powerful archery, if not with special bows and arrows, or complemented with martial arts, makes it extremely difficult to kill it in one shot. Even if martial arts are applied, the snow bear’s thick skin and strong vitality make it challenging to kill with a single arrow."

"Moreover, this snow bear is inherently very sensitive to murderous intent. Among the various Snow Beasts, it is one of the most difficult to deal with. Sometimes, as soon as murderous intent is revealed, it has already fled far away."

Gu Nianjun said, "I’ve heard of this. There is a martial art called [Bear Heart Skill], mainly training the heart. The heart... connects with heaven and earth, mysterious and profound. This skill includes a move called [Snow Bear Heart Forging Technique], which functions as a crisis premonition, avoiding disaster in advance. It seems to originate from the snow bear. Those wanting to practice this skill require a unique heart, such people are rare. But the snow bear is born with it."

Mu Hongchou said, "Hence the snow bear’s heart is extremely valuable and considered a common commodity."

She took out a sharp arrow from the quiver, pointing towards the snow bear footprint, saying, "This snow bear footprint is wide, very similar to the one I encountered that day. And Sister Gu, see, this print is lighter, while this print is heavier."

After looking at it, Gu Nianjun confirmed and asked, "Is its right foot injured?" Mu Hongchou replied, "That’s correct. When I encountered the snow bear that day, I employed the essence of [Non-action Swordsmanship], quietly approaching."

Gu Nianjun said, "[Non-action Swordsmanship]... Basic Martial Arts of the Sword Sect, aimed at concealing intentions without revealing a trace." Mu Hongchou nodded and said, "If I had revealed even the slightest intent to kill, the snow bear would have fled long ago."

Mu Hongchou said, "Even so, as I approached within three hundred zhang, the snow bear immediately sensed it and started to flee quickly."

"I anticipated that one arrow would not be enough to kill it, so I first wanted to shoot its right foot and then track and kill it. But even though I hit its right foot, its speed was astonishing, and I still lost it. When we meet again, Sister Gu... I had to try again no matter what."

Curious, Gu Nianjun said, "Alright, let’s follow the tracks and pursue. I indeed want to see the capabilities of this snow bear!" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The two women executed their lightweight skill, following the footprints. They found the prints organized, with the snow bear leisurely emerging from its den, heading towards a stream to drink water. Mu Hongchou joyfully said, "If it’s drinking, it’s the best opportunity! Sister Gu, follow me."

Their steps were light, their boots leaving no trace on the ground, both possessing superb lightweight skills. As they followed the trail, Mu Hongchou’s expression suddenly changed, saying gravely, "Something’s wrong."

Gu Nianjun said, "Someone has already been watching this bear beforehand." The two saw a faint footprint left on a tree. Though incredibly light, Gu Nianjun had already noticed it.

Mu Hongchou said, "Let’s follow and take another look." Following the footprints for several li, they saw the snow bear prints suddenly become chaotic, with steps growing larger and heavier.

Mu Hongchou stomped the ground and sighed, "It’s over, it’s over. That person chased and killed secretly until here, unable to hold back any longer, revealing their murderous intent. The snow bear, in panic, started to flee. With this, it will be impossible to find it again."

She felt deep sorrow, gazing into the distance, becoming extremely angry, saying, "Another three hundred zhang and they would reach the small river stream. If the snow bear had reached the stream to drink water, that would have been the perfect opportunity to kill it. This person is too reckless and foolish, disturbing the snow bear here, truly abominable."