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Another night had passed, signifying the end of the third day.

As everyone sat on the ground and took out the little food they had left, furrowed brows were a common sight.

"We’re running low on food. We can’t make a fire right now; the woods here are very dry, and it would be a big problem if a fire broke out," said Yun Xiao seriously.

"Let’s make do with the dry food for now and conserve our strength.

Once we find a cave, then we can roast some game," suggested Gu Xiaoxi before looking around at everyone, "We’re relying on hunting with the military dog right now; this area is home to some large predators, and it seems like smaller prey like rabbits has already been picked clean.

We need to go and hunt a couple of deer. "

"I’ll go with Fairy Sister!" exclaimed Jing Haoran with a look of admiration.

"I’ll look for some wild fruit. There should be something to eat in a place like this," said Zhuang Xiaomeng, gazing at Baili Tao, "Let’s go together!"

Clearly, his friendship with Jing Haoran had capsized.

Baili Tao stood up; this was serious business, and he could just about cooperate with Zhuang Xiaomeng.

"Yun Xiao, rest here for a while, and keep an eye on the backpacks. Fu Xi, come with me, we need help hunting."

...

The trio entered the forest, with Gu Xiaoxi carefully sensing the direction of their prey.

"There’s a deer up ahead!"

She quickly led the team forward and, in a thicket, they found a sika deer lying on the ground. However, its round belly clearly indicated it was pregnant and about to give birth.

Gu Xiaoxi shook her head, "Never mind, let’s find another one."

Forest survival laws led to a gradual decrease in herbivorous animals.

Therefore, hunting was difficult, but that made it all the more important not to kill indiscriminately.

"It’s asleep! Look at it, so graceful. With such a big belly, it must have many little babies," Jing Haoran said, gazing wide-eyed at the resting doe, smiling.

Gu Xiaoxi grabbed his shoulder and pulled him away, speaking softly, "Let’s go! Have you never seen an animal sleep before? Next time I’ll have your dad take you to the zoo."

"He would never go there. Waste of time to accompany me," Jing Haoran muttered, following Gu Xiaoxi away.

But they hadn’t gone far when suddenly, a "bang" of a gunshot startled the silence of the forest.

Behind them, a sound echoed through the air: the wild, sorrowful cry of an animal, whining and sobbing.

Gu Xiaoxi turned back to look. In the faint moonlight, she could see the doe thrashing and screaming in the grass, and the stench of blood filled the air, s

hocking them all.

"Who fired the shot!" Gu Xiaoxi exclaimed angrily, certain that the sound that had just rung out was a live round.

"Bang!"

As Gu Xiaoxi finished speaking, another loud noise followed.

This time, the doe collapsed with a thud and lay motionless.

"Who’s there?" Gu Xiaoxi quickly led the two behind her to take cover behind some rocks.

At that moment, three more figures appeared in the forest.

"Idiots, passing up prey like that. What’s wrong with the doe? Just right—dig the babies out of its belly to replenish our dog!" a man’s arrogant voice rang out, which had a bloodthirsty tone in the darkness of the night.

The speaker was the leader of the three men who had emerged, followed by two others.

They were wearing military uniforms but exuded a dangerous aura. Especially his words and actions provoked Gu Xiaoxi’s ire.

If the doe had been killed without them knowing she was pregnant, it could be chalked up to a tragic accident. However, not only did they not offer an excuse, but they also expressed such cruel sentiments, which were infuriating to hear.

"Have the guts to say your names! I found the deer first. Whether I want it alive or dead is up to me. You took what’s mine and killed it. How do you account for this?" Gu Xiaoxi’s face was cold, her eyes icy as she stared at the people opposite her, her tone filled with murderous intent.

At this point, both Jing Haoran and Fu Xi were also flushed with anger.

"Women are women! Full of mercy, I get it. But we’re out in the wilderness; it doesn’t belong to anyone. If you don’t want it, naturally I do. What can you do to me?" the other man retorted, justifying himself arrogantly.

Gu Xiaoxi’s face darkened, her tone grim as she clenched her fist quietly and demanded furiously, "Tell me, what are your names."

"I’m not afraid to say it! I go by Ji Xinyu, hailed as the most handsome man in Division V. Look at these little soldiers, not even saluting their superior. It’s simply impolite," Ji Xinyu laughed heartily and then said to the men beside him, "Yi Chong, Pang Shu, bring our prey up here."

"Shameless!" Gu Xiaoxi casually snapped off a branch and flung it their way.

What looked like a casual toss was infused with a trace of Inner Strength, carrying vigor. The two men on the receiving end reacted swiftly, sensing the danger and ducking out of the way.

"What’s the deal, comrade? In these mountains, apart from those carnivorous animals, deer meat is the most delicious.

Are you trying to compete with us for it?

Let me tell you, it’s ours now. If you want it, you’ll have to get past me," Ji Xinyu said with a note of ruthlessness and mockery in his voice, not taking Gu Xiaoxi seriously.

After all, the three of them were strong, having fought their way here, even the animals feared them.

"How dare you lay a hand on what I’m protecting, prepare to kneel and repent!"

"Stinking wench, don’t know your place, who do you think you are!" Ji Xinyu raised the gun in his hand, aiming at Gu Xiaoxi, looking ready to shoot.

Gu Xiaoxi stood still, her silhouette straight, her aura cold and detached, "If you dare, then try shooting me."

"Shoot, I dare not, but do I need this to deal with the three of you?" With these words, Ji Xinyu tossed aside the weapon in his hand. He then looked at his teammates, his tone turning serious, "Since this woman won’t show respect, let’s teach her a lesson properly."

With that, he charged forward with his two comrades.

Gu Xiaoxi immediately said to Jing Haoran and Fu Xi behind her, "Prepare for battle!"

Shortly after, everyone engaged in combat.

After a few moves, Gu Xiaoxi was shocked by Ji Xinyu’s martial prowess.

His Inner Strength was profound, not losing out to her, and within his overflowing techniques, there was even a rich Spiritual Energy.

This was a highly domineering Spiritual Energy, unlike hers which was gentle in comparison. If her Spiritual Energy were like silk, soft and akin to a warm spring, which even carried a cozy and warm scent, then his was like coarse biscuits, dry and hard, even bearing a brutal vibe.

This guy was no simple matter, no wonder he was so arrogant!

Gu Xiaoxi immediately responded with severity, no longer holding back. Since he looked down on her, she would fight until he dared not act arrogantly anymore.

Ji Xinyu was equally shocked. If Gu Xiaoxi possessed Inner Strength, he could understand, for everyone who made it this far was extraordinary.

But she, not very tall, possessed not only excellent martial skills but also rapid and agile reactions, striking without hesitation and pressing with each move.

If it weren’t for his quick reflexes and strong capabilities, it wouldn’t have taken many moves for her to defeat him.

The two exchanged heavy blows, both retreating to dodge each other’s sharp edges.

Ji Xinyu looked at Gu Xiaoxi, rubbing his wrist with a sneer, "With just those moves, you think you can beat me. Your Spiritual Energy is not bad, I like it. It’s a perfect counterbalance to my lack of Spiritual Energy. If you would marry me, dual cultivation would be nice."

"Disgusting man, don’t you dare look in the mirror to see what kind of stuff you are!" Gu Xiaoxi suddenly leapt, her hands condensing thick Inner Strength. Around her palms, there was distorted space, edges as sharp as a blade’s.

She didn’t hesitate to rush forward, landing a palm on the man’s chest. She had not only Spiritual Energy but also Inner Strength, which, when bolstered by the Spiritual Energy, was simply unstoppable.

Ji Xinyu was caught off guard, sent flying by Gu Xiaoxi’s palm blow.

His back slammed harshly against a tree trunk, spewing blood instantly.

He had sustained severe internal injuries!

"Woman, aren’t you a little too cruel with your strikes! You’ve angered me," Ji Xinyu yelled, but the pain rendered him immobile.

Gu Xiaoxi didn’t give him the chance to rage, striding forward and stepping on his chest, her voice cold, "What can you do even if you’re angry? Having provoked me today, if you don’t apologize to my deer, don’t even think about leaving."

"Don’t dare question me with your pretentious piety. I’ve killed before, what can you do to me? I won’t apologize, why should I apologize to a deer." Ji Xinyu was so furious that veins throbbed on his forehead, yet he could not break free from Gu Xiaoxi’s foot.

His partners were engaged in battle and couldn’t help him at the moment.

Gu Xiaoxi grabbed his collar and proceeded to beat him brutally until his face was swollen and he truly became scared, only then did she let him go.

"Go and apologize to my deer."

"Woman, state your name. I’ll remember you," he said.

"Then make sure you remember it well. My name is Gu Xiaoxi, come find me if you dare to seek revenge!" Gu Xiaoxi said coldly.

Ji Xinyu spat blood in fury, having always been domineering and used to receiving respect even from the commander. The humiliation he suffered at the hands of a little woman was unbearable.

This vendetta, even if it takes ten years, must be avenged!