Also, thanks to all the big shots for the gifts these past few days.
Thanks to: Long Santian, Xin Zhi Suo Qi, User 10901112, Never-ending Journey, Ning Mo Martial Emperor who loves gluten soup, Zhi Jiu, Yuan Feng who likes to open daily, mk Cat-worm, Meng Han Yao who loves celery milk, Just a Baka, User 10960347, Wei Junzi 2333, Brother Luo who loves white fungus and lean meat soup, and Ai Ya Fish Soup. Thanks to everyone for the Update Reminder Talismans, Inspiration Capsules, and Boba Milk Tea.
Thank you very much; I'm adding an extra chapter specifically for this.
The third day.
The sun was setting, and the golden afterglow spilled over the plain that was already soaked in blood.
Leo stood in the middle of the fence, surrounded by mountains of corpses.
The last Bicorne Ox-Horse collapsed before him with a heavy thud.
The tattoo on the back of his hand felt warm.
[Life Energy +0.8] [Level 71 (10%)]
Leo looked at the number and shook his head slightly.
After level seventy, the Life Energy required for each level increase was more than double what it was before.
He had originally thought the remaining five thousand six hundred-plus creatures would at least push him to level seventy-two.
Looking at it now, he was still quite far off.
But it was enough.
Going from level sixty-nine to seventy-one in three days was already very fast.
He raised his head and looked around.
Under the setting sun, this once vibrant plain had now turned into a massive slaughterhouse.
Corpses lay everywhere, the smell of blood so thick it wouldn't dissipate, attracting flocks of crows circling in the sky.
Leo looked away and pulled out his phone.
He dialed Dean's number. After two rings, the call was picked up.
"Mr. Leo."
Dean's voice came from the other end, respectful and steady.
"You can come over now."
Leo said.
"Understood. Be there soon."
The call ended. Leo put away his phone and took one last look at the plain.
Over ten minutes later, the sound of a car engine came from the distance.
A convoy appeared on the horizon and soon drove up to Leo.
The car door opened, and Dean stepped out quickly.
Dean's pupils constricted slightly. Compared to three days ago, Mr. Leo had grown taller and more imposing, accompanied by a terrifying killing intent that made him shudder.
"Mr. Leo."
Leo nodded and got into the car.
The convoy turned around and headed towards Tote City.
Inside the car, Leo leaned back against his seat and looked at Dean in the passenger seat.
"Sorry for the trouble these past few days."
Dean turned his head and said respectfully.
"It's only right."
Leo paused, then continued.
"Don't abandon those pens; continue the acquisitions. I'll provide the funds so it won't be difficult for you."
Dean nodded.
"Leader Vivian has already instructed us to follow all your arrangements."
He paused and added.
"As for the creatures, we've been tirelessly visiting farms and slaughterhouses in major cities since yesterday to continue the purchases. We'll be doing this across multiple cities on the continent simultaneously so as not to attract attention."
Leo nodded, very satisfied.
This Vivian was indeed thorough.
"As for the money..."
Dean glanced at Leo.
"Leader Vivian said there's no need for you to pay."
Leo's eyebrows quirked slightly.
Dean continued.
"However, the leader has a small request—she hopes that one day, in a time of crisis, you can lend the Colton Family a hand."
Leo was silent for a second, then he smiled slightly.
'It seems this Colton mob boss has her sights set on a seat among the Ten Dons.'
He calculated quickly in his mind.
The Colton Family's influence spanned three cities, making them a large gang in the surrounding region.
But if they wanted to go further and become underground emperors like the Ten Dons, they would inevitably face countless powerful enemies.
Vivian was investing in advance, using these creatures to secure a future promise from him.
Leo thought for a moment and spoke slowly.
"Since Vivian is being so sincere..."
He looked at Dean.
"I agree."
A flash of joy crossed Dean's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
"Thank you, Mr. Leo."
"Take me to the airport."
Leo said.
"I won't be going to the Colton Manor."
Dean nodded.
"Understood."
The convoy changed direction and headed towards the Tote City airport.
The next day arrived.
Ducona City.
A medium-sized city located in the east-central part of the continent.
Ashir walked out of the farm, his brows furrowed.
He wore a long white trench coat, was tall and thin, and had an ordinary face—the kind that would disappear in a crowd.
But his eyes were special—deep, calm, and possessing a steadiness that didn't match his appearance.
'What's going on?'
He muttered to himself.
'The farms in two consecutive cities have been bought out?'
He was under the Doctor's orders to secretly visit major cities to purchase creatures.
The styx stone required a large amount of Life Energy to drive, but the Doctor didn't want to alert those at the top, so he had him spread out the purchases in small, inconspicuous amounts.
But today... he had visited two cities, and the farms and slaughterhouses in both told him he was too late—someone had bought everything.
So far he had only collected ten thousand, far short of the target number.
Ashir sighed and rubbed his temples.
'What a headache.'
He took out his phone and opened the map.
'I have to go to the next city.'
His finger slid across the map, finally stopping on a name.
Pharos City, an important city on the eastern coast with a large population; the scale of the farms there should be quite large.
'I hope there are plenty of creatures there.'
Ashir thought silently.
'Let me finish this troublesome mission quickly.'
He booked a ticket to Pharos City, put away his phone, and walked towards the airport, his white trench coat fluttering gently in the wind.
At the same time, the Hunter Association Headquarters building.
The afternoon sun shone on the magnificent building, its metal and marble structure gleaming with a cold, hard luster.
Leo stepped out of the taxi and, just as he reached the main entrance, saw a familiar figure.
Kalluto stood on the steps by the entrance, arms crossed, his delicate face full of annoyance.
Seeing Leo appear, his eyes narrowed slightly; Leo seemed to have grown even taller.
"Didn't we agree on three days?"
His voice carried clear dissatisfaction.
"Why are you only back on the fourth day?"
Leo paused and rubbed his nose awkwardly.
"Sorry, I got busy and lost track of time."
Kalluto rolled his eyes at him, a look of dissatisfaction and complaint in his gaze.
But soon, his expression returned to calm.
"Forget it."
He turned his head away.
"I've had a lot of fun these past few days, so I won't hold it against you."
Leo looked at him, the corners of his mouth curling up. This kid was quite the tsundere.
"Mm."
He nodded.
"Then I'll have to trouble you to use your ability again, Kalluto."
Kalluto pulled a small paper doll from his robe.
"Here, I've had it ready for a while."
He handed the paper doll to Leo.
"Take it."
Leo took the paper doll. As it lay in his palm, he didn't hesitate and closed his eyes.
Nen slowly welled up from within his body, converging toward his palm like a stream and pouring into the tiny paper doll.
At the same time, various images began to surface in his mind—the person with the teleportation ability.
Layard, Brennan, experiment subject no. 2, the Doctor's island base, the Space-type ability user, and so on.
Every clue, every speculation, every suspicion—all were poured into the paper doll.
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds. The paper doll trembled slightly, greedily absorbing the Nen.
Four seconds. Five seconds... six minutes and thirty-seven seconds.
The Nen finally stopped flowing. Leo opened his eyes and looked down at the paper doll still lying quietly in his palm.
Kalluto, standing to the side, was completely stunned.
His eyes were wide, his mouth slightly agape, as if he had been hit by a freezing spell.
'Six minutes and thirty-seven seconds...'
He repeated the number in his mind, his brain a complete blank.
Last time it was five minutes; this time it was six minutes and thirty-seven seconds.
Only four days had passed. Four days!
This man... how did he get stronger again?!
Kalluto looked at Leo, his eyes filled with shock.
He had been trained as an assassin since childhood and had seen countless experts, but he had never seen a... a monster like this.
In four days, his Nen capacity had increased by nearly a third.
It was terrifying. Kalluto fell silent.
His young heart was profoundly shaken at this moment.
Leo didn't notice the change in his expression. The paper doll in his hand began to twitch slowly and then stood up.
The little paper doll turned around as if trying to identify a direction.
Then, it raised its hand and pointed east, remaining motionless in that position.
Leo looked at Kalluto, who took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.
He glanced at the direction the paper doll was pointing and explained.
"The person you're looking for isn't in this city."
His voice was slightly lower than usual.
"They are somewhere in the east of this continent."
Leo nodded, pulled out his phone, and opened the world map.
The Hunter Association Headquarters was located in the center of the continent.
East... his finger traced across the map, finally landing on a location.
Pharos City, the closest city to the Association.
It was an important city on the eastern coast.
Leo put away his phone and looked at Kalluto.
"Let's go. We'll head to Pharos City and take a look."
Kalluto nodded without a word, and the two turned to walk toward the airport.
The trajectories of fate were quietly converging.