The man knelt trembling. "Fairy… Fairy, please speak."
Yun Jin narrowed her eyes. "You do not seem to be a Beastmaster. Why hunt spirit beasts?"
Spirit beasts were most needed by Beastmasters. Most poachers, naturally, were more likely to be Beastmasters. Previously, Yun Jin had suspected the attackers might be Beastmasters. Normally, a Beastmaster's specialty is spiritual power, which makes them stronger in that regard than other cultivators of the same rank.
When Yun Jin arrived, she quickly probed their spiritual power and found it mediocre, far below what would be required to be a Beastmaster. During the fight, they did not summon any spirit beasts. They were not from the Beastmaster path.
Yun Jin's suspicion grew, but she wanted to hear it from the man himself.
He trembled and spoke carefully. "We are indeed not Beastmasters. We hunt spirit beasts because… because…"
Yun Jin watched silently. Her silence carried an overwhelming pressure.
The man bit his lip. "It is for body refinement."
Yun Jin sneered. "I have heard of a forbidden body-refinement technique that relies on absorbing the blood of spirit beasts to advance. Such methods are cruel and limited in potential. Recently, the Heavenly Dao revealed a new body-refinement method, accessible to anyone. Isn't it far better than your perverse practice?"
Before Yun Jin had used the demon clan's secret methods to improve a human body-refinement technique, others had already been working toward body cultivation.
Back in Tianxing Sect, Long Yi secretly practiced this very method on Bati Peak.
After Long Yi's death, the Tianxing Sect investigated Bati Peak and discovered many spirit beasts imprisoned for blood extraction in secret chambers.
These beasts were rescued and now received proper care.
Even a medium-sized sect had someone secretly practicing such a method.
Other sects? Other regions?
This practice was likely more widespread than expected.
Long Yi had been closely connected with Zhao Wuji, a Blood dao disciple and an associate of the demon clan.
Yun Jin suspected that this perverse body-refinement technique was linked to the demon clan. She had assumed that after refining a method suitable for humans, the cruel technique would vanish. Yet someone was still practicing it openly in the spirit beast forest.
Yun Jin's brow furrowed deeply.
The spirit beast king of the forest had agreements with the leading Beastmasters. Spirit beasts could form contracts with Beastmasters, but they could not be forced; consent was required.
Any Beastmaster violating this principle would be executed by all Beastmasters. Since the agreement was signed, Beastmasters, led by the leading sect, strictly adhered to it. Many even voluntarily patrolled the forest. Protecting this haven ensured more spirit beasts could be born, allowing Beastmasters and spirit beasts to coexist and grow stronger.
Even if the spirit beast king could not watch the outskirts constantly, the patrolling Beastmasters should have noticed these poachers. Yet they hadn't. Something was wrong.
Yun Jin sensed a conspiracy.
Her gaze turned colder.
Seeing the man hesitate, she moved her hand slightly. A chilling aura invaded his body. He could not scream and curled up on the ground, drenched in cold sweat. He could only beg with his eyes.
Yun Jin waved her hand again, her voice cold. "Now can you speak?"
The man crawled up cautiously. "The technique is indeed effective, but it requires starting from scratch and talent in body refinement. We… we have already reached considerable strength through hunting spirit beasts. If we give it up now, it would be such a waste."
Waste?
All the spirit beasts glared at him with fury.
The Phantom Leopard roared in anger. "Damn it! All humans deserve to die!"
Yun Jin glanced at him.
The Phantom Leopard shrank back, quickly saying in a flattering tone, "Fairy, excluding you."
Yun Jin ignored him and turned back to the man. "As far as I know, Beastmasters have patrolled the forest for years. You hunt spirit beasts so recklessly—are you courting death?"
"Beastmasters? They long since—" he began.
Suddenly, his face contorted in pain.
"Bad!" Yun Jin leapt forward.
But it was too late.
In the next moment, the man was nothing but a pool of blood, his body completely gone. The method used was a curse.
Yun Jin's expression turned cold.
The man had been cursed remotely; someone had stolen his life.
"Damn it, dying like this is far too easy for humans!" the Phantom Leopard cursed, baring his teeth.
Yun Jin glanced at the Phantom Leopard.
The Phantom Leopard hesitated, then said cautiously, "Fairy, I meant nothing else."
"Phantom Leopard," Yun Jin said, frowning, "has anything unusual happened in the forest these past few days?"
She had been in the spirit beast forest for three days without incident. The forest was vast, spanning Qingxiao and Beastmaster regions. Even with the fastest flight, patrolling the entire perimeter could take months. If changes occurred elsewhere, it was normal she wouldn't detect them immediately.
The Phantom Leopard let out a low growl.
Yun Jin listened carefully.
"Fairy, originally only occasional poachers appeared. They never acted boldly. A few days ago, the disappearance rate of spirit beasts sharply increased. My brothers saw humans secretly capturing spirit beasts with their own eyes. That is why I was so cautious when I first saw you!"
Yun Jin's frown deepened.
Bold poaching had only begun after she entered the forest.
Could this be related to her?
Thinking of Lin Xiao's unfathomable demeanor, her expression grew icy.
"Master," Yun Mu arrived with a group of injured little beasts. "Following your orders, I searched for injured and fleeing little beasts and gave them basic treatment. They should be fine now."
The two groups of little beasts reunited, filling the forest with howls.
Yun Jin picked up the poacher's storage pouch, retrieved Spike Deer's antlers, and gently restored them. With her wood-element spiritual power, the antlers reattached quickly. Spike Deer expressed gratitude, calling out softly.
Yun Jin patted her head. "There may be other poachers in the forest. Stay alert. I have matters to attend to and will leave for now."
A cold light flickered in her eyes.
She issued a command to the system.
"System, locate the person who cast the curse."