Chapter 86: The Perfect Trap

Actually, this was an excellent opportunity to escape.

Unfortunately, Ryan was in no condition to take advantage of it.

He had suffered severe internal injuries, was physically exhausted, and had sustained extensive burns. Most importantly, his Origin Energy had been almost completely depleted.

There was no way he could escape by relying on his own strength.

All he could do was take advantage of the chaos.

Ryan frantically absorbed the Origin Energy contained within the Origin Stones in his hands, replenishing himself as quickly as possible while simultaneously swallowing injury-healing pills to repair his battered body.

As for the rare Black Flame Leopard, Ryan had learned some information about it from illustrated records and precious scrolls documenting Exotic Beasts.

[Black Flame Leopard, Second-Order Peak Double Bloodline Exotic Beast.

Possesses the Lifeform-Type D-Grade Top-Tier Bloodline, Black Leopard.

Possesses the Transformation-Type C-Grade Top-Tier Mutated Bloodline, Abyssal Black Flame.

The Black Leopard Bloodline greatly enhances the host’s overall physical abilities, with the greatest enhancements being to speed and movement techniques. When it leaps, it becomes like a black streak, possessing speed comparable to a meteor. Its body is robust, its movements agile, and its physical strength astonishing.

It occasionally appears in the depths of forests.

The Abyssal Black Flame Bloodline allows the host to convert Origin Energy within its body into Abyssal Black Flame to attack enemies.

The flame possesses an exceptionally high temperature. Upon contact, it releases neurotoxins that cause the target’s movements to become sluggish and rigid. Once the toxins accumulate to a certain degree, they can even produce Abyssal Illusions, causing the target to injure itself or attack its companions.

According to legend, this Bloodline possesses immense potential. It evolved from the S-Grade Top-Tier Bloodline, Abyssal Demonic Flame, and was formed from the residual embers of an ancient demonic flame.

However, most of its toxins can be countered by fire-lightning attributes, greatly reducing their effectiveness against opponents possessing such attributes.

The Black Flame Leopard is cunning and cautious by nature. It prefers to plan before acting and enjoys slowly torturing its prey to death.

Its numbers are extremely low, making it a relatively rare Exotic Beast. Its market price has always remained exceptionally high, and many Bloodline Fighters seek to capture and cultivate it as their lifebound beast.]

Although Gareth was extremely wary of the Black Flame Leopard, a trace of fervent greed still appeared in his eyes.

He truly wanted to capture it.

The Black Flame Leopard was simply too rare and too valuable.

The Exotic Beasts inhabiting the regions surrounding different cities were almost completely different.

Among the Exotic Beasts found around Ashfall City, the Black Flame Leopard had consistently occupied a spot within the top three of Ashfall City’s Most Popular Beast Taming Ranking.

Sometimes, in the quarterly or year-end rankings, it even claimed the top spot.

The Ashfall City’s Most Popular Beast Taming Ranking was the result of cooperation between the major commercial forces within the city. It was compiled based on statistical records of Bloodline Fighter demand and purchase volumes for various Exotic Beasts.

The ranking was updated monthly, with comprehensive quarterly and year-end rankings released as well.

Because numerous major forces participated in its compilation, the ranking was relatively authentic and authoritative within Ashfall City.

However, the original purpose behind continuously updating the ranking was far less noble.

It had simply been created to stimulate consumption and encourage competition among Bloodline Fighters, thereby generating greater profits for the businesses involved.

Unexpectedly, the ranking became an instant sensation after its launch.

Bloodline Fighters took a keen interest in it, and it gradually became a popular topic of conversation.

Over time, the ranking became a tradition and was completely preserved.

Later, similar rankings began appearing everywhere.

There were rankings for the Most Popular Bloodline Essence, Combat Skill Secret Arts, Combat Weapon Secret Treasures, and countless other rare resources.

These rankings temporarily triggered a city-wide consumption frenzy and greatly encouraged mid-to-high-end spending.

Various high-quality treasures from the Treasure Pavilion were even sold out.

As demand continued to rise, mid-to-high-end treasures gradually increased in price, becoming highly sought-after commodities that were often difficult to obtain.

Eventually, the ranking system was recorded in history and regarded as a classic marketing case.

Other regions began following Ashfall City’s example, creating their own versions and replicating the phenomenon.

But putting that aside...

Wild Exotic Beasts were generally exceptionally gifted.

Although their intelligence was inferior to that of humans, most possessed terrifying physical strength and extraordinary natural abilities.

And this Second-Order Peak Black Flame Leopard possessed two Bloodlines.

It was far stronger than ordinary Second-Order Exotic Beasts.

Its talent could only be described as outstanding, and its potential was immense.

Once a Bloodline Fighter reached the Origin Ascendant Realm, possessing such a creature as a lifebound beast would undoubtedly be an enormous advantage.

The Black Flame Leopard was so popular that Bloodline Fighters from neighboring cities frequently traveled to Ashfall City in search of it.

Its population had already been extremely small.

After years of excessive hunting, its numbers had fallen even further, pushing the species dangerously close to extinction.

A Black Flame Leopard that had yet to recognize a master could potentially be worth more than the combined net worth of Gareth, a collateral Elder of the Sterling Family.

Typically, a C-Grade Ordinary Bloodline Essence Drop was worth around thirty thousand Lower-Grade Origin Stones.

A C-Grade Excellent Bloodline Essence Drop was worth approximately one hundred thousand.

And a C-Grade Top-Tier Bloodline Essence Drop could reach three hundred thousand Lower-Grade Origin Stones.

If a living creature possessed a single C-Grade Top-Tier Bloodline and demonstrated immense potential, its value would be slightly higher than that of a complete C-Grade Top-Tier Bloodline Essence Drop.

Its minimum starting bid alone would be around three hundred thousand Lower-Grade Origin Stones.

And if this incredibly rare Double Bloodline Black Flame Leopard could be captured alive, its minimum starting bid could easily reach four to five hundred thousand Lower-Grade Origin Stones.

The value was self-evident.

If someone encountered one and successfully captured it alive, they could truly become rich overnight.

Unfortunately, with Gareth’s current strength at the peak of the Origin Spirit Realm, escaping from the Black Flame Leopard’s grasp was already an achievement.

Trying to capture it was nothing short of a pipe dream.

It was arguably more difficult than ascending to heaven.

The Black Flame Leopard was naturally cautious and cunning. Combined with its terrifying movement speed, even many Origin Ascendant Realm beast-hunting mercenary groups found it extremely difficult to capture one alive.

It was simply too slippery.

And if it was pushed too far, like many other rare Exotic Beasts, it would rather self-detonate its beast core than submit.

Although capturing one alive was extremely difficult, killing it was comparatively easy for an Origin Ascendant Realm mercenary group.

However, once killed, its value would plummet.

Without its living body and Bloodline, it would be no different from the corpse of an ordinary Exotic Beast.

Therefore, anyone who understood its true value would never kill it unless absolutely necessary.

Gareth was no exception.

He wanted the Black Flame Leopard badly.

But he also knew very well that wanting it and actually obtaining it were two completely different things.

Just as Gareth was feeling both surprise and greed at the sudden appearance of the Black Flame Leopard, dense, rain-like noises suddenly erupted from the depths of the Ashfall Forest.

ROAR!

A series of furious roars and strange howls suddenly rang out.

They were deafening.

The sounds rose and fell throughout the vast Ashfall Forest, echoing endlessly among the trees.

RUMBLE!

The ground beneath their feet began trembling violently.

Countless branches and leaves shook along with it, producing continuous rustling sounds.

Then, one after another, terrifying Exotic Beast auras surged from the depths of the forest.

Some were weak.

Some were powerful.

But together, they formed an overwhelming tide that seemed to be sweeping across the entire forest.

"This is... what’s happening?!"

Gareth’s expression changed drastically.

He had just been preparing to escape.

But when he noticed the Black Flame Leopard’s predatory gaze still fixed upon him, he immediately suppressed the urge to move recklessly.

His heart tightened.

His mind raced as he desperately searched for a way out.

He knew very well that he couldn’t outrun this Black Flame Leopard.

If he moved first and attracted its attention, the creature might relentlessly pursue him.

Once that happened, escaping would become even more difficult.

He needed a better opportunity.

"Haha..."

Suddenly, a laugh came from nearby.

"It finally worked."

Ryan’s eyes lit up.

"The effect of an entire bottle of Hundred Mile Fragrance truly lives up to its reputation."

Instead of being frightened by the approaching horde of Exotic Beasts, Ryan was delighted.

Looking at Gareth’s horrified expression in the distance, a cold smile slowly appeared at the corner of his mouth.

At this moment, countless beastly figures were surging through the forest.

More and more Exotic Beasts were frantically rushing out from the depths of the Ashfall Forest.

They were still some distance away, but they were rapidly approaching.

From the direction they were coming from, it even seemed as though they were gradually forming a pincer attack around Ryan and Gareth.

Looking into the distance, Ryan could faintly make out the silhouettes of countless Exotic Beasts.

Great Strength Brute Ox.

Soaring Green Python.

Mammoth Elephant.

Gale Wolf.

Crimson Flame Tiger.

Sunflower Water Crocodile.

Steel Needle Hedgehog.

Fierce Poison Grass.

Flowing Light Butterfly.

Flying Powder Moth.

Giant Fiery Ant...

First- and Second-Order Exotic Beasts were everywhere.

There was practically everything one could imagine.

Even several Third-Order Exotic Beasts with powerful auras were mixed among them, continuously rushing over from the depths of the forest.

"Damn it!"

"Run!!!"

Gareth’s pupils constricted.

His heart was instantly filled with alarm.

He possessed Mental Awareness capable of leaving his body, so he could sense the situation much more clearly than Ryan.

The densely packed Exotic Beasts gathering in the distance were like a swarm of maddened ants.

The sight alone made his scalp tingle.

More and more Exotic Beasts were rushing toward them.

If he didn’t leave immediately, he might never get the chance again.

Gareth could no longer afford to hesitate.

Regardless of whether the Black Flame Leopard would chase him, he had to take the gamble.

SWISH!

The next moment, his figure suddenly blurred.

He shot toward Ashfall City like an arrow released from a bowstring.

As he fled, Gareth was still filled with confusion and fear.

It wasn’t even late at night yet.

Why had so many powerful Exotic Beasts suddenly gathered?

Could someone have disturbed a terrifying beast nest deep within the Ashfall Forest?

He didn’t know.

And he didn’t have time to find out.

At least...

He was still relatively young.

He still had plenty of time to pursue greater strength.

There were still countless things he hadn’t experienced.

He absolutely did not want to die here.

At this moment, Gareth even felt that it no longer mattered whether he could personally kill Ryan.

Ryan was already heavily injured and surrounded by Exotic Beasts.

As long as Gareth escaped, Ryan would undoubtedly die.

The blood covering Ryan’s body was especially attractive to Exotic Beasts.

All Gareth needed to do was run.

Sooner or later, the beasts would tear Ryan apart for him.

Thinking of this, Gareth finally felt a trace of relief.

But just as he was fleeing with all his might—

SWISH!

A black streak suddenly flashed before him.

Its speed was so terrifying that Gareth barely had time to react.

BOOM!

The black figure slammed directly into his chest.

Gareth’s body was sent flying backward.

In an instant, he was knocked back toward his original position.

Meanwhile, where the Black Flame Leopard had stood, only a fading black afterimage remained.

Its speed was simply too fast.

"Damn it..."

Gareth’s body spun through the air.

A sharp pain erupted from the center of his chest.

He was momentarily stunned.

Then, uncontrollable rage surged through him.

"This stupid leopard!"

Gareth steadied himself and glared at the Black Flame Leopard.

"Why are you always targeting me?!"

His expression twisted with anger.

"Go deal with Ryan!"

He pointed toward Ryan in the distance.

"I didn’t even want to kill you! But you insist on courting death, huh?"

Gareth’s eyes turned cold.

"Fine!"

"Then I’ll send you on your way!"

As his voice fell, Gareth flipped twice in midair before landing steadily on the ground.

SWISH!

He immediately reached into his spatial ring and pulled out the Titan Giant Shield.

A crack ran across the shield’s surface, but it remained sturdy enough to use.

The instant it appeared, scarlet flames erupted around Gareth’s body.

His figure transformed into a man engulfed in crimson fire.

Then—

BOOM!

He charged directly toward the Black Flame Leopard.

The Black Flame Leopard wasn’t frightened in the slightest.

Its body flickered.

In the next instant, it transformed into a black shadow and shot forward at astonishing speed, meeting Gareth’s attack head-on.

BOOM!

The collision between man and beast erupted in the forest.

Ryan watched the scene from a distance.

"Haha..." Ryan couldn’t help but smile at Gareth’s predicament. "Gareth, let’s see how you’re going to run now."

He had originally been worried about escaping.

Now, however, he didn’t need to do anything.

He simply had to watch.

While frantically absorbing the Origin Energy within the Origin Stones and swallowing healing pills to recover his injuries, Ryan watched with great interest as Gareth struggled against the Black Flame Leopard.

His enemy had gone from desperately trying to escape to being forced into a life-and-death battle.

The situation couldn’t have been better.

Ryan found the scene surprisingly satisfying.

It was almost like watching a grand shadow play.

He didn’t have to waste his own strength.

He could simply sit back and watch his enemy struggle bitterly.

This kind of happiness was truly indescribable.