As they exited Yaoguang Mountain, a fifth-tier warrior was already waiting—likely arranged by Barbara in advance.

"Allow me to introduce, this is Zhao Tiejun, also a fifth-tier warrior of the Yaoguang family."

"Brother Zhao, pleased to meet you. I’m Dick, this is my first time participating in a hunt, so I’m counting on you to guide me," Dick said, sizing up Zhao Tiejun. He wasn't a bloodline warrior who trained on Yaoguang Mountain, but Dick, being a novice hunter, knew to keep a humble demeanor—it never hurts.

"Dick! No need for formalities. You are a core disciple of the family, just call me Tiejun," Zhao Tiejun said, his strength clearly formidable if he was working alongside Barbara. Yet even so, he wouldn't dare act arrogantly in front of a core bloodline disciple. Rumor had it this Dick had grasped the powerful water-elemental force, his combat prowess quite impressive.

In this world, words are wind without power—without strength, who would bother with you?

Of course, a lack of pure bloodline doesn't mean a warrior cannot be powerful. Zhao Tiejun must have his merits.

"I insist. Your cultivation surpasses mine, and you’re older too. Not calling you senior brother just feels wrong," Dick responded.

"Alright then," Zhao Tiejun relented, not accustomed to Dick’s easy-going style. But it was only a title, no need to quibble over it.

"Barbara, you finally decided to show up?" A woman descended from a large ostrich-like beast, clearly familiar with Barbara.

The woman greeted Zhao Tiejun briefly, showing they had worked together before.

"And you must be Dick?" she said, her eyes sweeping over him.

"Yes. And this senior sister is from which family? May I have your name?" Dick replied, seeing no need to be self-conscious in front of another fifth-tier warrior.

"Xue Mei from the Yuheng family," the beautiful woman introduced herself. "Dick, you're quite the rising star now, the leading figure of the younger generation in the Yaoguang family."

"Am I? Sister Xue Mei, please don’t joke. I’ve just advanced to fifth-tier, and I've lost eleven consecutive matches in the family’s trial grounds. How could I be a leader? Do you believe that?" Dick said, downplaying his status. Being a fifth-tier warrior and claiming to lead the younger generation seemed too presumptuous. What about the sixth-tier warriors of the family?

"Barbara, your cousin is certainly a cunning one," Xue Mei remarked with a smile.

"Xue Mei, Dick has only recently advanced to the fifth-tier, so let’s not spread unnecessary rumors," Barbara said, understanding Dick’s desire to keep a low profile.

The four of them mounted Xue Mei’s ostrich beast. The women sat at the front, while Zhao Tiejun and Dick sat in the back.

"Um... Brother Zhao, just the four of us?" Dick asked.

"Yes."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Aren’t sea monsters supposed to be bigger and fiercer?"

"They are, but our target is only a fourth-tier sea beast."

"I see." If Zhao Tiejun said so, then four of them should be able to handle a fourth-tier sea beast.

"Monsters are stronger than warriors of the same tier, so fifth-tier warriors like us can only hunt fourth-tier sea beasts," Zhao Tiejun explained, knowing it was Dick's first time hunting mid-tier beasts.

"Brother Zhao, are there many sea monsters? If we keep hunting them, won't we wipe them out?"

"No chance. The Eastern Sea is vast. In fact, the Eastern Sea is just a term for the coastal region near our area. The true name of the sea is the Pacific Sea. The Eastern Sea is just a small part of it, close to the Great Yan Kingdom. The Pacific Sea is so boundless that no one has ever reached its farthest shores.

"Besides, the deeper into the Pacific Sea you go, the more powerful the monsters become, including Saint-tier beasts. We only hunt mid-tier beasts near the coast. Even here in the Eastern Sea, sea beasts reproduce quickly, and there are plenty of lower-tier ones.

"And there aren’t many teams capable of hunting mid-tier sea beasts, which is why their value remains high."

Dick remembered a fourth-tier magic core was worth only a dozen mid-tier magic golds. Sigh, cultivation really wasn’t easy—gathering resources was so difficult.

"The real value lies in the islands where mid-tier sea beasts live. Most of them have small magic gold mines. Once we take down a beast and claim its lair, there’s a good chance we’ll find some magic gold."

Now that sounded much more worthwhile. If all they got was a sea beast, the loot, although substantial, would have to be split four ways. As the newcomer, Dick couldn’t expect to claim too much.

"Are there many magic gold mines in this sea region?" Dick asked.

"Of course. Without enough cultivation resources, the Seven Star Fortress would have collapsed long ago."

"That makes sense!"

"This sea region is vast, and its resources are constantly being explored by disciples of various powers. Of course, the islands where sea beasts live are small, and their magic gold mines are insignificant to the family. That’s why we get to keep them. Dick..."

"What do you mean?" Dick noticed Zhao Tiejun’s hesitation and quickly asked.

"Sometimes, there’s competition. It’s not just among the hunting teams of the Seven Star Fortress—if we run into warriors from the Hongfan Domain, it’s a fight to the death. So, hunting isn't always the most important thing."

"I understand! When the time comes, I won’t hesitate. I’ll kill them and take their loot!" Dick declared confidently.

Zhao Tiejun rolled his eyes, realizing his worries were unnecessary. This seemingly harmless young man was no ordinary warrior. For the family to recognize Dick as a leader of the younger generation, he couldn’t be weak.

"Um… Sister Xue Mei, why are you staring at me?" Dick asked, noticing her gaze.

"Brat, if you're useless, you won't get a single share," Xue Mei snapped.

"How am I useless? You’re just a fifth-tier warrior like me. For Barbara’s sake, I’ll let your rudeness slide." Dick was polite to those who respected him, but this woman? He wasn’t going to be pushed around by her.

"You little brat, who do you think you are?" Xue Mei fumed.

"Enough, Xue Mei. We’re working together, no need for this," Barbara interjected, not wanting the situation to escalate.

In truth, Dick’s strength couldn’t be underestimated. His dual identity as a fifth-tier warrior and a fourth-tier mage made him formidable. Xue Mei’s harsh tone wasn’t appropriate. After all, in a hunting team, strength is what matters most, regardless of background. Barbara had worked with Xue Mei for years and knew her strength, but Dick wasn’t the same young warrior he once was. He deserved respect.

The more Barbara tried to mediate, the more heated the argument between Dick and Xue Mei became, leaving her with a growing headache.

"Bastard! If you’ve got the guts, let’s fight!" Xue Mei shouted.

"Why would I be afraid? I’m a proud bloodline warrior of the Yaoguang family. You want to fight? My appearance fee is quite high. How about we bet two fourth-tier magic cores?"

"You said it! A bet it is. Don’t cry foul later, saying I, Xue Mei from Yuheng, bullied you." At around thirty years old, Xue Mei was angered by Dick's youthful face and audacious words.

Xue Mei came from a prominent family and was a battle-hardened genius herself—being disrespected like this? Not beating Dick into submission would leave her thoroughly unsatisfied.

With a whoosh, her ostrich beast landed on a desolate island.