Looking at Big Yellow, who was being held down obediently by him, Lin Sheng's eyes flickered, seemingly hesitating whether to possess Big Yellow.
Big Yellow also trembled constantly under Lin Sheng's gaze, looking at Lin Sheng with a wronged expression.
After a brief thought, Lin Sheng dismissed this idea.
Firstly, at this time, the danger behind them had not completely disappeared, and it was not a good time to possess.
He was currently possessing the Black Tiger Ape, which had a three-point agility boost that was more suitable for escaping. After all, Big Yellow's possession boost effect was only a bare perception point, with no assistance in other aspects.
Secondly, from the description, Big Yellow still had the possibility of improving again in the future. Although the chance seemed small, if it could improve again, the resulting boost attributes would likely be stronger, and possessing it then would undoubtedly be more suitable.
Moreover, he also wanted to test whether the same beast could be possessed multiple times.
The multiple possessions he referred to meant whether a beast could be possessed again at different stages and strengths, or whether the attributes would change after possession.
Just like the Silver-patterned Black Crocodile cub he possessed before, it was only a Spirit Beast cub after all. The actual possession attributes would undoubtedly differ compared to when it was an adult.
If that Spirit Beast cub hadn't died, but waited until it was an adult before being possessed, would the possession attributes also change accordingly?
Furthermore, a mere three points of perception wouldn't bring about any qualitative change for him now, so there was no rush.
After a short rest, he had no intention of delaying further. After all, he hadn't completely escaped the danger yet. If that black fog continued to spread outwards, there might still be trouble, so it was better to leave as soon as possible.
Just before leaving, he suddenly remembered something.
The description of Big Yellow on the mountain and sea scroll mentioned that its Listening dog Bloodline was fortunately activated due to frequently consuming Spirit Beast flesh and blood.
Speaking of which, how could this ordinary local dog come into contact with Spirit Beast flesh and blood? It was him who, after making the Silver-patterned Black Crocodile cub into jerky, would occasionally give it some scraps and leftovers.
But that was only a few times, definitely not frequent.
He soon remembered that the jerky he had been drying felt slightly different each time he returned during this period.
Thinking about it now, it was likely that this dog thing had gotten into it.
Given the intelligence Big Yellow displayed, the more Lin Sheng thought about it, the more likely it seemed. His gaze towards Big Yellow became somewhat unfriendly.
As if sensing something, Big Yellow, who had just stood up, immediately shrank back down onto the ground.
"Sigh..."
With a sigh, Lin Sheng also felt somewhat helpless.
"Fine, it wasn't eaten for nothing. At least it activated some Bloodline."
Saying this, he raised his leg and gave the feigning-death Big Yellow an exasperated kick.
"Let's go. If you don't go now, don't go at all."
After speaking, he stepped forward and walked in the direction of Tongzhi County.
Now that terrifying fiend beasts like the Phantom Demon Beast had appeared in Lin'an County, it was definitely not something ordinary forces could handle. It was likely that no one in the entire Lin'an County could stop such an existence.
Furthermore, terrifying fiend beasts like the Phantom Demon Beast definitely didn't appear out of nowhere. There was only one place where they were likely to appear.
Lin Sheng turned his head and glanced at the outline of the distant mountains.
Focusing his gaze, he could faintly see clusters of dark clouds above Yangping Mountain.
If it were before he encountered the black fog, he might have thought it was just simple overcast skies, but looking at it with his current perspective, he only felt a chill run down his spine.
The Phantom Demon Beast could even control Spirit Beasts. If it was truly deep within Yangping Mountain, then the Spirit Beasts in Yangping Mountain were probably already under its control.
He didn't know how many Spirit Beasts were in Yangping Mountain, because the Spirit Beasts recorded in the Hunting Beast Hall were only a part of them.
It was likely that the Phantom Demon Beast wouldn't even need to act. These Spirit Beasts alone could level the entire Lin'an County.
"I wonder if the higher-ups in Lin'an County have noticed anything."
As he walked, he pondered.
Judging by the conflict that erupted between Zhenshan Tower and the Black Wind Bandits, it was likely that Lin'an County hadn't noticed the abnormality here at all.
"This kind of thing isn't something I can manage. I just hope the people at the top aren't all useless."
Thinking this, he quickened his pace, and Big Yellow behind him also joyfully followed along quickly.
As he walked, he felt a bit hungry due to his previous exertion, so he took out a piece of Silver-patterned Black Crocodile jerky from the bag behind him and chewed it carefully.
The effect of Spirit Beast meat was quite extraordinary. Besides being greatly beneficial for martial arts cultivation and nourishing qi and blood, it also had an excellent effect on restoring energy.
After half a piece of beast meat, he already felt a warm current surging in his belly, and his original trace of fatigue quickly dissipated.
"Spirit Beast meat is really a good thing, no wonder the price is high."
Although he had experienced this feeling more than once, he still felt a little emotional at this moment.
At this moment, Big Yellow was already in front of Lin Sheng, with its head facing him, its four legs moving backward, its two beady eyes fixed on Lin Sheng, no, it should be on the half-piece of beast meat in his hand.
Lin Sheng didn't even look at it, quickly stuffing the remaining half of the jerky into his mouth. However, he still tore off a small piece of meat floss and threw it down.
Big Yellow was quick-eyed and quick-handed, leaping up nimbly, biting the meat floss in one go, and swallowing it directly without chewing. Its appearance was indescribably spirited.
Seeing Big Yellow like this, Lin Sheng really wanted to give it a kick.
"Clap clap clap..."
Just then, crisp clapping sounds came from behind him.
Lin Sheng immediately turned around and cautiously looked behind him. He saw a tall, thin figure walking towards him from the bushes over a hundred meters behind him.
A somewhat curved iron cudgel in his hand dragged on the ground, emitting dull thuds as it collided with the uneven surface.
"Tsk tsk, remarkable, actually using Spirit Beast meat to feed a dog."
The figure seemed to walk slowly, but each step covered several meters. In just a few breaths, he had walked out of the bushes, looking at him with an inexplicable smile on his face.
Who else could it be but Black Bear?
And Lin Sheng recognized this tall, thin middle-aged man at a glance. He was the Blood Transportation Warrior he had seen earlier in Yangping Town.
The moment he saw the other party, his heart sank slightly. When he heard the other party mention Spirit Beast meat, he was even more startled.
He was sure he had never seen the other party before and didn't know his identity, but since the other party had followed him, he probably didn't have good intentions.
Thinking this in his heart, he showed nothing on his face. He merely cupped his hands towards the other party with a respectful expression.
"May I ask who this Senior is, why are you following me, and what is the Spirit Beast meat you mentioned?"
Hearing Lin Sheng's words, Black Bear smiled. He rested the iron cudgel on his shoulder and looked at Lin Sheng, and Big Yellow who had shrunk back, with a half-smile.
"My name is Black Bear, I suppose you've heard of me. Are you from Zhenshan Tower? I've seen portraits of people with decent strength and status in Zhenshan Tower, but I haven't seen you."
Although he seemed to be asking a question, he didn't give Lin Sheng a chance to answer, and continued speaking.
"You don't know what I mean by Spirit Beast meat? Then you should know about the Silver-patterned Black Crocodile."
"Oh, right, not the Silver-patterned Black Crocodile, but the Silver-patterned Black Crocodile cub."
When he said this, the smile on Black Bear's face deepened. His gaze was fixed on the bag behind Lin Sheng, and his nostrils twitched.
"I really didn't expect this Silver-patterned Black Crocodile cub to fall into your hands. From the smell, you seem to be carrying a lot of Silver-patterned Black Crocodile meat. Could it be that you have the entire one?"
Black Bear rubbed his chin, seemingly thinking of something very interesting.
"With your strength, it seems unlikely that you could bring this down from Yangping Mountain. Even if you could, you wouldn't be able to keep it. Are you the illegitimate son of that old fellow Ouyang Shan?"
This was the only answer Black Bear could think of. It was only possible if the other party had a close relationship with Ouyang Shan, who would give the entire Silver-patterned Black Crocodile to this young man before him.
But soon, he felt something was wrong again.
"No... no, Spirit Beast flesh and blood can only maximize its effect when used in medicine or special preparations. That old fellow Ouyang Shan couldn't possibly not know this, nor would he let you waste this Spirit Beast flesh and blood so crudely."
Black Bear frowned tightly, seemingly unable to figure it out.
Anyone with some background would know this common sense about Spirit Beast flesh and blood. They wouldn't possibly waste it by making it into ordinary jerky.
Could it be that this kid really got lucky?
This thought couldn't help but pop into Black Bear's mind, but it just felt wrong. Moreover, ordinary people couldn't escape from Yangping Town, especially while bringing a dog.
So this kid had a secret.
Thinking of this, Black Bear narrowed his eyes, his gaze towards Lin Sheng flickering constantly, becoming increasingly interested.
He pointed the iron cudgel in his hand forward.
"Kid, tell me, how did you get this Silver-patterned Black Crocodile? If you tell me, maybe I'll consider sparing your life."
"Black Bear."
Lin Sheng's brows furrowed tightly, especially after hearing the other party's name and a series of guesses.
He hadn't expected that after finally escaping from Yangping Town with great difficulty, he would be targeted again.
As the leader of the Black Wind Bandits, he had no doubt about the brutality of the person before him.
After a slight hesitation, Lin Sheng's face showed a look of hesitation, fear, and struggle. He took off the black bag he was carrying on his back.
"Senior Black Bear, I don't know anything about the Silver-patterned Black Crocodile. The jerky in the bag is something I picked up by the roadside when I escaped from the town. If you want it, I'll give it to you now."
His attitude and tone were quite respectful, even carrying a hint of ingratiation.
"Alright, throw the bag over."
The smile on Black Bear's face remained unchanged, and he spoke lightly.
Lin Sheng immediately complied and threw the bag in his hand towards the other party.
Black Bear used his iron cudgel to pick it up, then grabbed it in his hand and tore it open, revealing pieces of dark red dried jerky wrapped intact inside.
He sniffed lightly, and a hint of greed appeared on his face.
In fact, Spirit Beast meat was also a rare good thing for him. There were dozens of pounds of jerky in the bag, which might barely be enough to refine a furnace of precious pills. It was just a pity that it had already been processed, and its medicinal properties would be reduced somewhat.
Besides these, he actually found stacks of banknotes under the bag.
He raised an eyebrow and immediately reached into the jerky to pull out the banknotes.
Only then did he discover that the banknotes were all large denominations of one thousand taels.
This scene made the corners of his mouth turn up, revealing a smile.
But soon he found something wrong.
"Hmm!?"
Black Bear's movement paused, and he noticed some colorful powdery substance on the banknotes below.
"This is... poison powder!!"
He was startled at first, but quickly reacted and immediately threw the banknotes aside.
Meanwhile, Lin Sheng on the other side had already turned and run.
"Very good."
Looking at Lin Sheng's rapidly fleeing back, Black Bear lowered his head and looked at the poison powder on his palm and the slight stinging sensation coming from it. There was no anger on his face at all, and even his smile hadn't changed.
"Cunning little fellow."
He opened his mouth and blew away the powder on his palm, then unhurriedly took out a small medicine bottle from his pocket, poured out a pill and threw it into his mouth, then slightly moved his neck and put the banknotes and bag on the ground onto his back.
The next moment, he shot towards Lin Sheng like an arrow released from a bowstring.
As for the poison powder on his hand, he didn't care at all. Once he reached the Blood Transportation Realm, the effect of ordinary potent poisons on them would be greatly reduced. Moreover, the antidote pill he swallowed was a High Grade one. Even if he had directly swallowed the potent poison, it could be neutralized, let alone just getting some on his skin.
He was already sure that this kid had a secret. Even if ordinary people obtained a Silver-patterned Black Crocodile, they wouldn't have the means to sell the Materials.
He had a premonition that if he could get this kid under his control, he might be able to uncover some very interesting secrets, so he absolutely couldn't let him run away.
Of course, he also didn't think the other party could escape from him.
His movements were extremely fast. A Martial Artist at the Blood Transportation Realm exerting full effort had a speed far beyond that of the Forging Tendons Realm.
Even with Lin Sheng currently possessing the Black Tiger Ape and having a three-point agility bonus, he still couldn't compare.
The distance between the two was constantly shrinking.
As for Big Yellow, it had already run off into the bushes on the side, hiding somewhere unknown.
The two, one chasing and one fleeing, had already run several miles in just over ten breaths.
"His speed is much faster than an ordinary Forging Tendons Early Stage, or even Forging Tendons Late Stage. This is getting more and more interesting."
Black Bear was somewhat surprised by the speed Lin Sheng displayed.
As a Blood Transportation Warrior, he could tell at a glance that Lin Sheng's martial arts Realm was only at the Forging Tendons Early Stage.
Being able to burst out with such speed was clearly abnormal.
This also made him increasingly want to dig out the secrets the other party was hiding.
After a few more breaths, the distance between the two had shortened to over ten meters.
At this moment, Lin Sheng didn't look back, and threw something out with a flick of his hand, shooting it towards his back.
But before it got close, Black Bear swept his iron cudgel horizontally, smashing the object. However, a burst of white mist erupted and enveloped him.
However, Black Bear's expression remained unchanged. He swiped out with his left palm, and a strong gust of wind blew, instantly dispersing the white mist.
And the momentum of his palm didn't decrease. He directly grabbed the two darts shooting towards him and crushed them into pieces.
"Lime, poison darts? Hmph, ridiculous."
He shook his head and let out a sneer.
At his Realm, these low-level tricks were already useless against him.
As his laughter faded, he took a step forward, his speed instantly increasing by thirty percent. He directly closed the distance to within two or three meters, and the iron cudgel in his hand extended to sweep at Lin Sheng's legs.
