chapter 4 Snatch food from tiger's mouth

Mount Sunset, spanning hundreds of miles, was perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist, creating an ethereal atmosphere where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth reaches its peak. Practicing here yielded results far beyond ordinary efforts.
However, it was much more perilous than one might imagine. The mountains were home to numerous soul beasts, many of which possessed formidable strength, even instilling fear in mighty warriors.
Yet, it was precisely because of this danger that the range became a haven for cultivators. Many entered to hunt these soul beasts and claim the Soul Crystals within them.
Soul Crystals are vital resources for cultivators on the Battle Soul Continent, containing potent soul energy that accelerates one's growth.
"Ha!" A resounding shout echoed in the Mount Sunset as Ethan Sigeweard charged forward like a tiger, his fist striking a large rock, shattering it into a cloud of dust.
In these secluded woods of the Mount Sunset, Ethan embarked on relentless training. Several days had passed, during which Ethan devoted himself tirelessly, almost recklessly, to his practice.
As a result of his efforts, Ethan had gradually ascended to the pinnacle of the Battle Spirit Realm.
"The power of the Second-grade Battle Skill, Wavebreaker Fist, is impressive. Its blend of strength and flexibility enables me to vanquish even Peak-stage Battle Spirit opponents without fully unleashing my Battle Soul's power. With my Battle Soul, I can now hold my own even against early-stage Battle Warriors," Ethan remarked, his satisfaction evident as he surveyed his hands.
These were ten Battle Skills he had honed in recent days — six of Second-grade and twelve of First-grade proficiency. If anyone were to learn of this, they'd likely find it hard to believe.
"Aren't there supposed to be soul beasts in the Mount Sunset? Why haven't I encountered any in these past few days?" Ethan furrowed his brow, pressing forward.
After a while, Ethan finally spotted a soul beast — a second-level fire bird, seemingly wounded. Ethan considered engaging it in combat, were it not for its aerial advantage.
Suddenly, Ethan halted, his senses heightened as he detected the sound of a skirmish — a clash between humans and soul beasts.
Cautiously, Ethan advanced towards the commotion, guided by the intensifying cacophony until several figures came into view.
Thirty to forty meters away stood a black tiger, its ebony fur glistening like jade. Its imposing stature exuded dominance and power.
"A Peak-stage Second-ranked Soul Beast, the Black Jade Tiger!" Ethan recognized the formidable creature immediately, knowing full well he stood no chance against it with his current strength.
Opposing the tiger were four figures — two men and two women — surrounding it from all sides. While individually their prowess wasn't exceptional, their coordinated efforts suggested extensive cooperation, likely honed through long-term collaboration.
"William Swanson from the Swansons, and James Leyton from the Leytons?" Ethan squinted, identifying the two young men among them.
William Swanson, a seventeen-year-old youth clad in black, wielded unmatched prowess, even without a weapon. James Leyton, on the other hand, brandished a hefty blade, forcing the Black Jade Tiger to retreat with each strike.
The Swanson and Leyton families, along with the Sigeweard family, comprised the three major families of Sigeweard City. Despite the Sigeweard family's superiority in strength, they harbored a degree of apprehension towards the unified might of the other two.
William Swanson and James Leyton, the scions of these families, alongside Liam Sigeweard of the Sigeweard family, were collectively known as the three prodigies of Sigeweard City. Their current display of prowess suggested mastery approaching the latter stages of the Battle Warrior realm.
As the Black Jade Tiger roared, its exhaustion evident, its once-menacing claws now posed little threat to them.
At the peak of the second stage, he was being suppressed by four humans, feeling extremely frustrated and wanting to escape, but the other party wouldn't give him a chance.
"Die!" William shouted angrily, his gaze like lightning as he leaped up like a roc and slammed his palm fiercely onto the Black Jade Tiger's skull, the force resembling a knife-like wind.
With a crack, the sound of bones shattering, the Black Jade Tiger howled in agony as its massive body was sent flying like a broken kite, its skull bursting open.
"Brother Swanson, you're so powerful. With your current strength, I doubt even Liam could match you," James smiled, but a hint of sinister light flashed in his eyes.
"Brother Leyton, you're being modest. I need this second-level Soul Crystal to break through to the Peak-stage Warrior. How about the next one belongs to you?" William said calmly, his tone firm.
"Brother Swanson, I also need it to reach the Peak-stage Warrior. How about this, I'll take this one. Once I breakthrough, I'll immediately accompany you to find the Peak-stage Second-ranked Soul Beast," James proposed, unwilling to fall behind. Obtaining the Peak-stage Second-ranked Soul Crystal had taken considerable effort, so it couldn't be easily relinquished.
Moreover, Peak-stage Second-ranked Soul Beasts were exceedingly rare. While they could be found in the depths of the Mount Sunset, encountering a Third-ranked Soul Beast was a risk.
With a ready-made Peak-stage Second-ranked Soul Crystal before them, only a fool would let it slip away.
"James, don't forget, I delivered the final blow to the Black Jade Tiger," William Swanson’s expression shifted, determined to obtain the Peak-stage Second-ranked Soul Crystal.
"Would you have been able to kill it without us?" James confronted him, ready to fight.
At that moment, a figure had silently approached the Black Jade Tiger's corpse from the nearby grass. Ethan, just meters away, initially startled, had turned to leave. However, he hadn't expected William and James to quarrel.
"Is this the tale of the clam fighting the fisherman for gain?" Ethan focused, trying to conceal his presence as he felt around the Black Jade Tiger's shattered skull.
After a moment, a fist-sized black crystal appeared in his hand. It was the Soul Crystal unique to soul beasts, containing immense soul power, immensely beneficial for soul cultivation.
"Excellent. With this Peak-stage Second-ranked Soul Crystal, I can break through to the Early-stage Warrior," Ethan's face lit up with joy as he silently retreated.
Crack! The sound of snapping branches alerted him. Sure enough, four pairs of cold eyes turned towards him, sending a shiver down his spine.
Ethan's expression changed, immediately employing the Phantom Steps and fleeing. Facing four late-stage Battle Warriors, he knew he stood no chance alone.
"A Peak-stage Battle Spirit Realm kid dares to snatch food from the tiger's mouth?" William sneered cruelly, his movement swift as a sword.
"Chase!" James wasted no time in pursuit. The Peak-stage Second-ranked Soul Crystal was too valuable to let slip away easily.