Bai Hao picked up the scattered dead branches and put them together. Some of the branches that were too long were chopped into pieces about one meter long with a wood-chopping knife. Then he neatly put them together and tied them with rope.
Zhao Lin, on the other hand, picked up all the shorter, smaller pieces of wood that couldn't be tied together and put them into a wooden basket, which she then carried on her back.
The two then divided the work and cooperated accordingly.
Bai Hao quickly bundled four bundles of firewood and placed them aside, while Zhao Lin had only collected one basket of wood.
"Senior sister, I'll carry these firewood back first. You can continue collecting wood here." After securing the last bundle of wood, Bai Hao said to Zhao Lin.
"Okay, be careful on your way." Zhao Lin nodded and said gently.
"Um."
Having finally come out, it wasn't time to just return with one bundle of firewood. The round trip would only take the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and Bai Hao quickly carried all four bundles of firewood back.
Meanwhile, Zhao Lin had already collected two baskets of wood.
Looking at the darkening sky, Zhao Lin said, "Let's call it a day and go back."
Autumn evenings are starting to arrive a little early; any later and monsters will appear in these deep mountains, so we can't stay too long.
"Okay." Nodding, Bai Hao stepped forward and carried a wooden basket full of wood on his back.
Just as the two were about to return, a deep whistling sound came, echoing through the mountains and forests.
On a hilltop not far away, a huge figure suddenly appeared—a massive tiger!
"A monster?!"
Upon seeing the enormous figure on the hillside, both of their expressions changed.
"Bai Hao, you go first."
Zhao Lin's pretty face hardened, and she whispered to Bai Hao, while she herself turned to face the tiger that was slowly approaching.
She knew very well that she couldn't just run away in this situation, otherwise the tiger would catch up with her.
The way to deal with danger is to face it bravely.
Although the tiger looked terrifying, this wasn't the first time Zhao Lin had encountered a monster. She had met several before, including some with bodies as strong as this tiger.
It's not that we can't deal with it.
"No, I can't leave. I'll hide to the side; maybe I can help you in a pinch, Senior Sister." Bai Hao said, then hid behind a big tree to make sure Zhao Lin wouldn't be distracted.
Zhao Lin couldn't say anything about it, because the tiger on the hillside had already charged down!
That was a second-tier demonic beast, with strength comparable to a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.
However, Zhao Lin was in the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Although there was a significant difference in their physiques, she did not panic. Instead, she slowly assumed a fighting stance and began circulating her internal energy.
"roar!"
When the tiger was still three zhang away from Zhao Lin, it leaped and pounced!
Seeing the tiger pounce on her, Zhao Lin's eyes narrowed, and she nimbly turned her body, bending her waist backward. The tiger's sharp claws almost grazed her face.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhao Lin clenched her fist, wrapped it with true energy, and turned to punch the tiger. It looked like an ordinary punch, but the moment it landed on the tiger, the sword energy contained in her fist burst out, carrying a spinning force that directly spun the tiger's entire body and sent it flying backward.
"boom!"
The tiger's body crashed into four or five thick trees before finally stopping in front of the sixth large tree.
Struck by this heavy blow, the tiger fell to the ground, its body twitching but unable to get up.
With just one punch, he collapsed to the ground, unable to get up!
This is the power of Xuanquan.
"Senior sister is so amazing..."
Seeing Zhao Lin defeat the second-tier demon beast with a single punch, Bai Hao emerged from behind the tree and couldn't help but applaud in praise.
"Luckily, it didn't have any companions, so we can still handle it. It delivered itself to our doorstep, so let's take it back with us. Such a big monster should be enough for us to eat for a few days," Zhao Lin said softly, without much excitement on her face.
It seems that this kind of thing is very ordinary to her, nothing to be happy about.
"Alright, let's take it back too." Bai Hao took out the wood-chopping knife from the wooden basket and walked towards the limp tiger, ready to end its life.
At this moment, Zhao Lin couldn't bear to watch anymore, so she turned around and let Bai Hao handle it.
Bai Hao knew that Zhao Lin was kind-hearted, but they also needed to survive. Such a large demon beast was enough to feed the entire Shenxuan Sect for two or three days, so they couldn't waste it.
After quickly dealing with the monster, Bai Hao didn't go ahead. Instead, he said to Zhao Lin, "Senior Sister, you go first. This monster is a bit bloody, so you shouldn't watch it."
"Mm." Zhao Lin nodded and walked ahead towards the sect. She didn't look back at Bai Hao once during the whole process because she was afraid of seeing a bloody scene.
Upon returning to the sect, Chen Xuan and the others were initially surprised to see that Bai Hao had carried back such a large demonic beast, but their surprise quickly turned into delight.
"I didn't expect you to bring back such a big tiger! Perfect, let's smoke its meat and save it for winter!" Chen Xuan's face was full of joy.
The other disciples also wore happy expressions.
They don't lack food now, so they can store it for winter, which is the best approach.
As is customary in previous years, in another month, Chen Xuan will lead his men into the mountains to hunt down some demonic beasts and bring back their meat to store for the winter.
Now that Bai Hao and his group have brought back such a large demonic beast, they can start preparing in advance.
"Bai Hao, you've worked hard today. We'll take care of the rest of the work. You and Zhao Lin can go back and rest. You don't need to help with dinner." Chen Xuan said with a smile.
"It's okay, I'm not tired, I can help," Bai Hao insisted.
Chen Xuan nodded. "Alright, then you and Xiao Qi can boil a pot of water and pluck the feathers first."
Xiao Qi was a tall, thin young man with a somewhat gaunt face. He was Chen Xuan's primary assistant and second-in-command in charge of cooking. He was also often in charge of the sect's meals. Although he wasn't good with words, he was a kind person and often helped out quietly. Many people in the sect liked him.
"You just need to tend the fire," Xiao Qi said to Bai Hao as she placed a large pot on the stove.
"good."
Nodding, Bai Hao sat down in front of the stove and started a fire.
This is also part of his daily work.
Chen Xuan and his two other disciples began preparing the ingredients for the smoked meat, dividing the work among themselves.
This monster weighs at least 500 jin (250 kg), and after removing its fur, internal organs, and other parts, it still weighs at least 400 jin (200 kg).
Chen Xuan marinated and smoked most of the meat, but left some for tonight's meal.
Everyone was busy in the kitchen, with happy smiles on their faces.
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