Leaving the tavern, Ling Feng naturally did not go to any weapon shop to buy a sword but headed straight to the trading hall of the Hunter Union.
From what the proprietor Madame Tian Mi said, Ling Feng learned that those hunters entering the Heavenly Vein Forest to hunt demons would usually travel in groups. Hence, these loose cultivators had also temporarily formed an organization akin to a union, which was responsible for collecting the spoils of the hunters.
Upon arriving at the Hunter Union, Ling Feng happened to see a giant of a man who seemed to be recruiting teammates.
The giant swatted away a skinny martial artist, coldly saying, "Those without sufficient strength need not try to fish in troubled waters! This time, we are going to cross the perilous Sea and Sky Barrier to the Imperial City. Those without enough power are just courting death!"
"Going to the Imperial City?"
Ling Feng’s eyelids twitched, and a slight smile curved his lips. It was like finding something effortlessly after a long search!
"Big brother, may I join?" Ling Feng stepped forward and asked with a slight smile.
The giant turned his head and looked at the clean and neat youngster before him, "You say you want to join us?"
"Yes." Ling Feng nodded, "I have attained the Second Level of Magnetic Condensation Realm."
After speaking, Ling Feng even deliberately opened two meridians to verify it for the man.
"Hmm?" The giant frowned, clearly feeling that this young man before him only had the cultivation of the Late-stage Qi Condensation but was surprised that he could open two meridians. It seemed he must be one of those "lucky" fellows who had somewhat inflated realms of cultivation bolstered by elixirs.
However, being in the Magnetic Condensation Realm was still being in the Magnetic Condensation Realm; it was certainly much stronger than the Qi Condensation Realm.
The giant nodded, "Your cultivation seems fine, but we are in a hurry to get to the Imperial City and need to take the shortcut through the Sea and Sky Barrier. That is no easy place, and I can’t guarantee your safety."
"I happen to have urgent matters in the Imperial City and wanted to take that shortcut as well!" Ling Feng said with a nod and a smile.
"Good, then there’s no problem. From now on, you’re a temporary member of our Hunting Blade Team," the giant clapped Ling Feng on the shoulder, "My name is Chen Lei, you can call me Captain Lei. After we recruit the rest of our members, I’ll take you to meet the big captain."
"Thank you, Captain Lei," Ling Feng said with a smile.
Not long after, Chen Lei had also recruited a middle-aged man with the cultivation of the Fifth Level of Pulse Condensation Realm. Once everyone was gathered, Chen Lei didn’t say much and led Ling Feng and the other newcomer to the gates of the small town.
"Old Lei, that was quick!"
A middle-aged man dressed in soft leather armor approached at a brisk pace; this person was, in fact, the captain of the Hunting Blade Team, known by the nickname "Blood Python."
"How’s the caliber of those you’ve recruited this time?" Blood Python called out from a distance.
"One with two veins, one with five veins," Chen Lei replied succinctly.
"Hmm, not bad at all," Blood Python surveyed Ling Feng and the other newly recruited member. When his gaze fell upon Ling Feng’s clearly youthful face, his eyelids noticeably twitched: not even twenty and already at the Magnetic Condensation Realm, this kid must be a young master from a major family.
Blood Python had actually been a mountain bandit lord in his early years. But after committing too many atrocities, resulting in his wife and children being murdered by his enemies, he came to a realization. He left his previous life behind and came to the depths of the Heavenly Vein Forest to lead this dangerous and violent life.
"Heh, it’s lucky I’ve turned over a new leaf. Otherwise, seeing such a greenhorn young master, I would have definitely robbed him blind," Blood Python inwardly smirked to himself and smiled at Ling Feng and the other new member, "Welcome to the team, new comrades. I’m the captain of the Hunting Blade Team, Blood Python. You can call me Blood Team."
"Hello, Blood Team, my name is Ling Feng," Ling Feng nodded slightly towards Blood Python, his voice confident and level.
"This kid, he’s probably not simple!" Blood Python secretly nodded to himself. Having seen many people, he initially thought Ling Feng was a greenhorn, but now, seeing the look and composure in Ling Feng’s speech, he knew that Ling Feng was a dangerously formidable person.
His sword must have tasted lots of blood!
The other middle-aged man nodded and called out indifferently, "Blood Team, I’m Hu Sandao."
Blood Python nodded and brought Ling Feng and the others to join the rest of the team.