53- A treacherous hunting ground

"According to the book on the history of Thousand Beast Valley that I have read, the Qi Beast of the royal bloodline led an army of one thousand Qi Beasts to launch an attack," said Xiao Se.

"May I inquire about the level of cultivation of the Qi Beast?" asked Zhong Peng curiously.

He was intrigued to discover the cultivation level of the Qi Beast that had thrown the Zheng Great Kingdom and the Windcrest Empire into chaos.

"The book stated that nobody has seen the true form of the Qi Beast. Anyone who ventures deep into its lair never returns," recounted Xiao Se.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Peng was suddenly struck by shock.

However, his shock was quickly replaced by a sense of impending doom when he remembered that the hunting competition was to be held in such a perilous place.

He couldn't help but imagine how he would be crushed like an ant if he were to come across a creature as fearsome as the royal bloodline qi Beast.

As Zhong Peng was lost in his dreadful thoughts of the royal bloodline Qi Beast, Xiao Se interjected, "The Thousand Beast Valley is not as terrifying as it seems. As long as one starts from the outermost area and doesn't venture too deep into the valley, they're unlikely to encounter any strong qi Beasts.

The stronger qi Beasts reside in the innermost part of the valley, so one can survive by staying on the outer edges of the valley," explained Xiao Se.

"May I ask what is the strongest beast that can be found in the planimetry area of the Thousand Beast Valley?" inquired Zhong Peng curiously.

Xiao Se's reassurances didn't seem to alleviate the sense of dread that had taken hold of him.

"The Qi Beast with the highest cultivation level observed in the outermost area was at the Middle Nirvana Tribulation Dan cultivation level. However, this information is based on last year's report," replied Xiao Se.

Zhong Peng, curious, asked, "What do you mean by last year's report?"

"Every year, the Thousand Beast Sealing Formation is unsealed for a month. During this time, numerous individuals from the Zheng Great Kingdom and the Windcrest Empire venture forth to hunt Qi beasts and procure their qi cores, as well as search for treasures. Legend has it that the valley is replete with riches left behind by those who perished during the Battle of the Thousand Beast six decades Certain sects and clans also bring their disciples to the Thousand Beast Valley to gain combat experience. Last year, some people returned with news that they had encountered a serpent-like beast with a middle Nirvana Tribulation Dan cultivation level."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Peng was seized with a sense of unease. He then posed a query to Xiao Se with a voice filled with curiosity, "Has this information been authenticated?"

"No," Xiao Se replied, and then added, "but the information is probably true."

Upon hearing Xiao Se's words, Zhong Peng's mind began racing with a flurry of thoughts. He couldn't help wondering what Elder Zheng Wei and the others were thinking when they chose to hold the hunting stage in such a perilous location.

This was the pressing question that occupied Zhong Peng's mind.

Zhong Peng realized that he wouldn't be able to obtain the answer to his burning question anytime soon. Thus, he decided to wait patiently for Elder Zheng Wei to come forth and provide an explanation for why they chose to hold this year's hunting stage in the Thousand Beast Valley.

He had already resolved in his mind that he would withdraw from the competition if it involved anything that would jeopardize his life.

As he awaited the arrival of Elder Zheng Wei, his thoughts drifted back to the note he had found on his bed in the inn room upon his return yesterday.

Upon reading the note, he was certain that the individual who had left it was none other than Zhou Shun.

After perusing the note, he experienced an inexplicable sensation within himself, yet he couldn't quite discern the cause.

It wasn't until this morning, upon awakening, that he finally comprehended why he felt that way.

The person who wrote the note had claimed to have journeyed to the Windcrest Empire and awaited Zhong Peng's arrival there.

However, since Zhong Peng knows that it was Zhou Shun who wrote the note, he was convinced that Zhou Shun hadn't left and was keeping a watchful eye on him from some undisclosed location.

Having been acquainted with Zhou Shun for a considerable period, Zhong Peng was well aware that Zhou Shun was not the type to leave without obtaining the desired outcome.

Zhong Peng had personally witnessed this tendency on numerous occasions, such as when he departed from the third floor of the Golden Rose and Zhou Shun had followed him closely, curious to know if Duan Xue would extend an invitation to him. Another instance was when Zhou Shun sent a maidservant to invite Zhong Peng to partake in a tea session with him after delivering the first note.

After contemplating and deducing for some time, he decided to pen the phrase "I know you are watching" onto the note, hoping that his deductions were accurate.