Chapter 475 - 234: What Is That?
The internet allowed people to participate in events from afar, creating a powerful sense of connection and excitement.
Most of the world had either fallen and become a paradise for Exotic Beasts or been carved up by the Gui Xu Great Merchant and the Great Zhou. Only a handful of powerful nations remained.
International communication naturally dwindled. With the populace in a constant state of panic, even domestic demand was weak.
People began seeking psychological comfort or fleeting thrills.
This led to the sport of Beast Hunting taking on a pivotal role in the public consciousness.
And Beast Hunting lived up to the hype. It not only grew with incredible speed but also spurred the development of a whole series of related industries.
It was a powerful shot in the arm for a populace that had been spiraling into despondency and despair.
It was hard to say there wasn’t tacit government approval in all this. Amid the chaos, something was needed to divert the public’s attention.
Young Master Muyang’s Beast Hunting endeavor triggered a frenzy of celebrity worship.
Tens of thousands of spectators flocked to the event venue on the East Sea Coast.
Hundreds of millions more watched the live stream online.
The whole affair was even more sensational than the Spring Festival Gala.
Before the final Beast Hunting operation, Young Master Muyang gave an interview to television stations and major media outlets.
A forest of microphones, like an arsenal of rifles and cannons, was aimed at the man before them. He had handsome features and, despite being over forty, looked as though he were still in the prime of his youth.
"We’ve heard this Eight-Clawed Beast is the king of the coastal waters. Five Dharma Masters tried to besiege it before, but it escaped and even managed to injure several of them. Young Master, what are your thoughts on this beast?" a reporter asked.
"Exotic Beasts are Innate creatures, blessed by heaven and earth. They are nourished by True Qi for decades, even centuries. It goes without saying that they are immensely powerful."
"So, are you saying you’re not certain of victory, Young Master?" a pot-stirring reporter retorted.
"That’s what I was getting to. Humanity is the pinnacle of creation. Even with only a few decades of Cultivation, I have the confidence to stand proudly against these High-tier Beasts. Just you wait and see!"
With that, True Monarch Muyang turned and walked into the lounge.
The reporters scrambled to face their cameras, each offering their take on the matter.
"Sister Ying, here you go. Candied hawthorn."
Outside the main venue, a lively market had sprung up, with many spectators strolling around and shopping.
Just then, a handsome young man carrying a bag of candied hawthorn hurried over to a young woman, eagerly offering her a stick.
The woman accepted it with a gentle smile, then held it to his lips for him to take the first bite.
"Damn it, that’s enough, Zhao Ke!"
Beside them, another man with thick eyebrows and long hair spat on the ground and grumbled.
"Address me as Second Brother, Zhao Xin!"
The young man, Zhao Ke, chuckled smugly.
As their names suggested, they were none other than Zhao Rui’s younger brother, Zhao Ke, and his cousin, Zhao Xin.
"Shit. Fight me one-on-one if you’ve got the guts."
"You? You’re not worthy. If you want to fight me, you’ll have to beat Sister Ying first."
"Holy shit! I’ve never seen anyone so shameless."
"Can’t be helped. That’s the deal. Go ask our big brother for a bodyguard if you’re so great."
"Heh. Or maybe, just maybe, our big brother thinks you’re too damn useless!"
"..."
Zhao Ke’s face flushed red, and he threw a punch, starting a scuffle with Zhao Xin.
"That’s enough, you two."
The woman beside them, Sister Ying—the Female Grandmaster Cao Yingcai, whom Zhao Rui had brought from Gui Xu—quickly stepped in and pulled them apart.
The two knew when to quit. With a couple of huffs, they turned away from each other.
"I must have been an idiot to ask you to come," Zhao Ke muttered unhappily, turning his head away.
"Fine, let’s go our separate ways. Who’d want to hang out with you anyway?"
Zhao Xin shot back, not to be outdone.
’Cao Yingcai watched them, a headache blooming. They weren’t that much younger than Zhao Rui, but the gap in maturity between them and him was astronomical.’
’They were still acting like children.’
At the thought, Cao Yingcai couldn’t help but shake her head.
"Come on. Let’s go get a good spot, or we’ll miss seeing the ships head out to sea."
Seeing them sulk, Cao Yingcai grabbed them both and pulled them toward a viewing platform by the shore.
A massive screen was set up there, broadcasting a live feed of the hunt far out at sea.
Of course, if you had enough money or power, you could also rent a large, armed yacht and follow them for a closer view.
However, you did so at your own risk. The organizers offered no guarantee of safety.
Nor could they.
In a showdown between a High-tier Level 4 Exotic Beast and a paramount master of the Evil Dao, who could possibly guarantee anyone’s safety?
The risks were enormous, but the world was never short of people who were either brave or powerful.
No fewer than thirty armed yachts followed the ship carrying Young Master Muyang out into the open sea.
"I’m so jealous they get to watch the fight up close. A battle like this is a rare sight... Hey, do you think Big Brother could beat Young Master Muyang?" Zhao Ke asked, a sudden thought occurring to him.
"When I was in Gui Xu, the seniors in my sect mentioned Young Master Muyang. They said he’s a paramount master in the Dharma Realm, incredibly strong. Mr. Zhao... he shouldn’t be any weaker, I suppose," Cao Yingcai said, hesitating slightly.
’She wasn’t really sure. After all, she had never seen either of them fight with their full strength.’
’But subconsciously, she felt Zhao Rui had the better odds. He was just so mature and composed for his age.’
’Those bright eyes of his were like a deep pool—unfathomable.’
"I think my big bro would win, too!" Zhao Ke said with a grin.
"Big words. And who’s your brother? Let’s hear this name. Bragging that he could beat Young Master Muyang, what a joke."