Chapter 28 Hunter Rank, King of Exotic Beasts

Most towns have at least one tavern that specializes in exotic beast hunter business. This is the main gathering place for hunters in the area, serving not only the basic function of drinking, but also intelligence exchange, bounty posting, and team recruitment.

For a hunter arriving in a new town, the hunter's tavern is a must-go place if they want to quickly integrate into the local hunter circle. The tavern keeps a record of long-term active hunters in the area. Recording one's name here lets the lord and fellow hunters know there's a new face in town when they inquire.

White Plains Town's hunter tavern is located on the edge of town and is inconspicuous, rarely frequented by ordinary residents.

When Zhou Jing and Barron arrived at the hunter tavern, it was quite deserted, with only four or five hunters quietly drinking.

Noticing Zhou Jing and his party enter, the hunters in the tavern all turned to look.

"Hey, isn't that Barron? Where's your axe?"

"How long has it been? I thought you'd become exotic beast dung."

"Two new faces, new hunters?"

Many people greeted Barron.

The hunters in the tavern were mostly active around White Plains Town for long periods, and everyone knew each other more or less.

Wes was also in the tavern and greeted the two.

Barron casually responded a few times, then led Zhou Jing to the bar, rapping twice on the solid wooden table.

The owner behind the bar, who had been looking down at his ledger, heard the sound and looked up at the three.

"Barron, long time no see. If you hadn't come back, I was going to cross your name off the list."

"I was healing injuries during this time, and training a good seedling in the process."

Barron chuckled, pointed at Zhou Jing, and said, "Get the registry out, let him write his name on it."

"A new hunter?"

The owner looked at Zhou Jing, then at the dozens of names on the bar, some of which were crossed out.

Zhou Jing glanced down and saw Barron and Wes's names.

Barron explained on the side, "This is the registry of local hunters. Those who are active near White Plains Town for a long time will write their names here, and the names of hunters who die in battle or go missing for a long time will be crossed out. Didn't I tell you before that there are still more than thirty hunters active around White Plains Town? That's how they're counted."

Zhou Jing: "The workshop should have a similar record, right?"

"They do, but they mainly keep track of hunting trips... that is, the number of times they submit prey. It's not as detailed as this." Barron explained.

Zhou Jing nodded, noticing that each name had a small black dot marked next to it, some with one, some with two.

"What are these little black dots?"

Before Barron could answer, someone interjected:

"That's the number of times each hunter has been strengthened."

Zhou Jing turned to look and saw that the hunters in the tavern had all gathered around him with their drinks.

Hearing the group chatting, the hunters all came over to curiously size up Zhou Jing's new face, and it was Wes who had interjected.

Barron added, "That's right. The number of black dots represents the number of times they've been strengthened. That way, when the lord summons people or other hunters look for teammates, they won't misjudge the team's strength."

'It seems that, given the simple values of this world, few people would hide their true strength in this regard...'

Zhou Jing pondered secretly, looking through the list from the beginning, discovering that the highest record among the hunters around White Plains Town was only two strengthenings, with only three people.

'It seems that a second strengthening is already quite rare. I wonder if it's because White Plains Town is remote?'

Zhou Jing's thoughts turned, and he pretended to ask casually:

"Speaking of which, is the number of strengthenings enough to represent a hunter's level? What counts as a veteran hunter?"

He hadn't forgotten that one of this Star Realm Apostle's [Life Goals] was to "become a veteran exotic beast hunter."

What needed to be clarified was how this "veteran" status was certified.

Wes, who was cheerful and a bit of a chatterbox, explained with a smile:

"Haha, after the empire was established, they created an evaluation system for both exotic beasts and hunters, to make it easier to visually assess their levels. Although we free hunters aren't as particular as imperial hunters, this system is actually quite useful."

Zhou Jing looked over: "What's it like specifically?"

Wes took a sip of wine and casually said, "You should know the four danger levels of exotic beasts, right? Ranked according to the threat to hunters, they are Low Threat, Medium Threat, High Threat, and Deadly Threat."

"I know that." Zhou Jing nodded; Barron had explained this point before.

Another [Life Goal] of the Star Realm Apostle was to hunt a "High Threat exotic beast."

Wes spoke eloquently: "Like the exotic beast danger levels, the Terra Empire divides hunters into corresponding four levels: Formal Hunter, Veteran Hunter, Elite Hunter, and Legendary Hunter.

The standards are also clear, corresponding exactly to the exotic beast danger levels... A Formal Hunter is someone who has undergone one strengthening and completed one successful hunt. If they've completed a strengthening but haven't successfully hunted, they're just a simple exotic blood warrior.

A Veteran Hunter is someone who has undergone two strengthenings and killed a Medium Threat exotic beast.

An Elite Hunter needs three strengthenings and has a record of killing a High Threat exotic beast... As for Legendary Hunters, they need four strengthenings and have killed a Deadly Threat exotic beast."

Zhou Jing's heart stirred.

'Oh, it seems that this apostle's [Life Goals] aren't that difficult.'

The three goals were "Become a Veteran Exotic Beast Hunter," "Complete a Second Exotic Blood Strengthening," and "Hunt a High Threat Exotic Beast." As long as he completed the latter two, the first one would be solved naturally, saving energy.

'This is quite comfortable.' Zhou Jing perked up.

He couldn't help but think of when he used to play games and always liked to take on a large number of overlapping tasks so that he could save time and effort, achieving twice the result with half the effort, completing one task while simultaneously fulfilling the requirements of several other tasks.

This Star Realm Apostle's [Life Goals] seemed to have the same effect.

With the path suddenly clear, Zhou Jing felt enlightened.

At this moment, Barron couldn't help but interrupt Wes, saying:

"It's enough to know this kind of thing in your heart. Having fewer strengthenings doesn't mean you can't kill stronger exotic beasts. We're all hunters, fighting against exotic beasts together, there's no distinction between high and low."

"Yeah, I know." Zhou Jing came back to his senses and nodded.

He remembered that Barron had killed Medium Threat exotic beasts with his level.

This classification wasn't officially certified by any official organization; most of the time, it was just a system of honor, which gained more respect from others, unlike the main world, where superhumans were paid according to their grade.

Then Zhou Jing asked curiously:

"So, the maximum number of exotic blood strengthenings is four?"

Wes seemed to be in high spirits and continued, "That's not the case. No one knows what the upper limit of strengthenings is, but the more strengthenings you have, the lower the success rate. After having a certain amount of power, there's no need to risk accepting a new round of strengthening; instead, you should study how to make good use of your existing abilities to fight against exotic beasts. That's the choice most hunters make."

Zhou Jing nodded, understanding completely.

Hunters could accept dying in battle, but they couldn't accept a worthless death. The stronger the hunter, the stronger this idea should be.

Hearing this, the other hunters also talked about it casually, with some sighs.

"Alas, that's why I don't dare to undergo a second strengthening. Rather than taking that risk, I might as well practice my breathing technique more."

"Two hunters I knew died from a second strengthening. It's more dangerous than the first strengthening by more than a little bit. The way they died was so miserable that I still get scared when I think about it."

"Speaking of which, what's the level of the chief hunter currently conferred by the empire? It seems like he's strengthened five times?"

The crowd discussed animatedly.

Zhou Jing secretly noted it down and suddenly asked curiously, "Then what is the highest number of strengthenings in history? How many times did he strengthen?"

As soon as he spoke, the expressions of the crowd turned solemn, and they all became serious.

Wes also stopped joking, took a deep breath, and slowly said with undisguised reverence:

"That was in the distant tribal era. At that time, a legendary hunter appeared. His name was Revantaen, the strongest hunter in history, a 'hero' of human history!"

"Historical records say that Revantaen underwent eight exotic blood strengthenings and hunted more than two thousand exotic beasts in his lifetime. He united scattered tribes and led them to live and multiply in the crisis-ridden Azure Wilderness, protecting them for decades. The threat from exotic beasts was greatly reduced... It was because of Revantaen that mankind emerged from the long darkness and truly rose on this land. Most of the tribes that established the Terra Empire today can trace their ancestry back to his protection!"

"The current rulers of the Terra Empire are blood relatives of the Taen lineage... and Revantaen is their ancestor!"

Wes's tone was serious, and none of the other hunters interrupted his narration, filling the air with a pilgrimage-like atmosphere.

Clearly, this "hero" Revantaen had a very high status in the hearts of the hunters.

Zhou Jing blinked.

He roughly understood how the Terra Empire, established by a coalition of multiple tribes, had persuaded each other to choose a royal family that everyone recognized.

They were comparing ancestors!

As for whether this "hero" Revantaen had been glorified by the rulers, he didn't know and reserved his opinion.

After all, he wasn't a true resident of the exotic beast world and couldn't empathize immediately, but he wouldn't directly question it.

However, the record of eight exotic blood strengthenings, if true, would reach what level?

"Eight exotic blood strengthenings... how did he die?" Zhou Jing continued to ask.

Hearing this, the crowd sighed.

Wes said with regret: "Revantaen went to challenge the King of Exotic Beasts, and almost succeeded, but unfortunately, he died in the end."

"King of Exotic Beasts?"

Zhou Jing heard this term for the first time and turned to look at Barron, who hadn't mentioned it.

Barron shook his head and said helplessly:

"I told you before that exotic beasts are divided into four danger levels, but the King of Exotic Beasts is a more dangerous monster, a special existence that is not included in this evaluation system. They are at the level of 'impossible to hunt', no hunter can kill them.

To date, we have only discovered three Kings of Exotic Beasts in our history. Fortunately, two of them did not threaten the survival of the tribes. And the only one that threatened humans was the one that Revantaen faced. Revantaen used his life as the price to severely injure that King of Exotic Beasts, which allowed it to retreat and the tribes to escape a disaster of extinction.

And Revantaen is also the only hunter in history who almost killed a King of Exotic Beasts."

Hearing this explanation, Zhou Jing couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

What kind of monster was the King of Exotic Beasts that even eight strengthenings couldn't defeat?

Seeming to see Zhou Jing's confusion, Wes said in a deep voice:

"The King of Exotic Beasts that Revantaen faced is historically known as Azure Wings, a dragon-type exotic beast soaring in the sky. It is said that its wingspan exceeded two hundred meters, it could spew frost and lightning, and its scales were harder than any known metal. Even the fortresses established by the empire would probably be vulnerable in front of it."

"That's indeed a terrifying monster."

Zhou Jing was slightly surprised.

Given the level of development of the exotic beast world, such a monster was indeed an "unsolvable" existence.

If thrown into any colony star in the main world, it could also cause a little trouble. At least before the army was dispatched, this monster could cause some damage to ordinary cities... as long as it didn't unluckyly encounter a superhuman on vacation.

Although Zhou Jing remembered to do as the Romans do, he ultimately had the knowledge of the main world and was used to seeing various world-destroying superhumans, so he wasn't afraid. What he was mainly thinking about at this time was another thing.

—Exotic blood warriors, this pure physical enhancement type, could fight such monsters and even severely injure them. The known limit of the enhancement level seemed pretty good. According to the evaluation standards of the main world, they should be able to be classified as third-level superhumans.

"Where are these Kings of Exotic Beasts now?"

"No one knows." Wes shook his head: "Outside the Terra Empire, there is still too much unexplored land."

'I see, you guys need a great geographical discovery...'

Zhou Jing secretly slandered.

The owner interrupted the crowd at this time and said helplessly, "Everyone, if you want to chat, you can drink while chatting. Now, let this new hunter write his name in the registry first."

"Haha, we were chatting so happily that I almost forgot." Wes said cheerfully. Giving newcomers information was a kind of joy for him.

Zhou Jing took the pen and wrote his name in the blank space of the registry, and then put a small black dot behind it to represent the number of times he had been strengthened.

He had told Barron before that after becoming an exotic beast hunter, he would also be active near White Plains Town, so Barron had directly brought him over, and he had no objection.

The owner took back the registry, glanced at it, and nodded: "Jason Wood... welcome to White Plains Town."

Barron knocked on the table and laughed: "Don't forget the tradition. Every time a new hunter stays, you have to buy a round of Northern Flames. Hurry up."

"How could I forget?" The owner said grumpily.

He put the registry back in the cabinet, then took out a few wooden wine glasses, lined them up on the bar, and then opened the wine barrel behind him, scooping out the wine and filling all the glasses.

The wine was a bit cloudy, pale white, and seemed to have some sediment.

Zhou Jing picked up a glass and took a sip. The rough but wild taste exploded, as if a line of fire went down his throat, extremely strong.

He smacked his lips. It was a bit astringent, but it had some punch.

On the other side, Barron couldn't wait to pick up a glass and gulp it down, the overflowing wine splashing on his beard and dripping on the leather armor on his chest. He took a comfortable breath and pulled the owner, who was full of disgust, to refill his glass.

The hunters in the room smiled and clinked glasses.

Zhou Jing briefly introduced himself to them, memorizing everyone's names.

The crowd got familiar with the new face and then dispersed back to their seats, while Zhou Jing also sat down at a table with Barron and Wes.

After sitting down, Barron stroked his beard, wiped off the wine stains, and said:

"You've successfully strengthened your exotic blood, but you haven't completed a hunt yet, so you're not a proper exotic beast hunter. I have two options here, and I want to ask for your opinion."

"Which two?" Zhou Jing took a sip of wine and asked casually.

"I'll go back and teach you the rest of that breathing technique. After you're familiar with your strengthened body, are you planning to hunt exotic beasts first, or deal with the Earth Bone Man nest?"

Hearing this, Zhou Jing's eyes moved.

The image he had built for Barron was that he stayed in Frostwood Village partly to take revenge, which Barron greatly agreed with.

Barron said in a muffled voice, "No matter which you choose, I'll act with you. Whether it's Earth Bone Men or hunting exotic beasts, it's all my duty."

Zhou Jing nodded, knowing in his heart that although his physique had surprised Barron, hunting still depended on experience, and Barron still felt the need to take care of him as a newbie.

"I have to think about this..." Zhou Jing pondered.

Wes interrupted with a smile, "If you're going to hunt exotic beasts, take me with you. My spear is fast and accurate, very useful."

"That's true, you don't miss any eggs."

Barron thought it was very true.

Just as the three were drinking and chatting, the tavern door was suddenly kicked open.

Bang!

The drinking movements of all the hunters stopped, and they all looked over.

They saw a guard rushing in, his face full of panic:

"There's a situation! The sentry discovered two High Threat exotic beasts heading towards White Plains Town. Lord has issued a bounty, summoning all hunters to jointly suppress them!"

Rumble!

In the next moment, the hunters in the tavern all stood up.