As soon as these words were spoken, all eyes focused on Liu Yonghao, filled with skepticism and envy. "Liu Yonghao, what makes you think this Mountain-Swallowing Python was hunted by your family?" Liua Ruolei criticized angrily, "From such a distance, can you really recognize your own people?" "Miss Ruolei has a point." Some traveling merchants chimed in, "The distance is too great; only by comparing the snake head with the carriage can we barely tell it’s the head of the Mountain-Swallowing Python. What basis do you have to assert it was slain by the Liu Family?" These words naturally sparked a slew of gossip, ridiculing Liu Yonghao’s boastful claims. Though Liu Yonghao is the legitimate son of the Liu Family, his reputation is poor due to being soundly defeated by an eleven-year-old girl at the Wang Family’s doorstep a few months ago! "You know nothing." Liu Yonghao shouted in anger, face flushed, "Even at a distance, you can see two horizontal rods sticking out of the carriage top. These were modifications made by my father himself to the carriage, specifically to carry more goods. This is something no other family has done before." Upon hearing this, those with keen eyesight indeed spotted the horizontal bars on the carriage and exclaimed in surprise: "Just as Young Master Liu said, it must be the Liu Family’s carriage." The youths of the Liu and Zhao Clans cheered loudly, as their families were often close allies or, in their words, "intertwined branches." Since the leading carriage belonged to the Liu Family. Such a large caravan was surely a joint convoy of the Liu and Zhao Clans. They had waited so long, finally seeing their family caravan return. "Young Master Liu, your family is going to prosper." Some well-traveled merchants began to flatter, "The head alone of that Peak Tier Three Mountain-Swallowing Python is worth a fortune." The flesh and blood of a Tier Three Fierce Beast are very expensive, often fetching around a pound per Qian Gold. Moreover, most Tier Three Fierce Beasts are quite large, sometimes weighing thousands of pounds or more. The Mountain-Swallowing Python ranks among the longer and heavier Fierce Beasts. A Peak Tier Three Heaven-Devouring Python could weigh at least five or six thousand pounds, with its price higher than ordinary Tier Three. Besides the flesh, many materials from the Mountain-Swallowing Python are quite valuable, such as the giant python gallbladder, which makes excellent material for Tier Three Pills, and python skin, ideal for crafting premium Leather Armor. Apart from flesh, the most expensive might be the horn, inadequate for crafting Spiritual Artifacts but usable for manufacturing some Divine Weapons fit for the Qi Refining Realm. Though not quite Spiritual Artifact-level, tools effective for the Qi Refining Realm are often called Little Spirit Treasures. Wang Shouzhe’s Concealing Breath Jade Pendant is considered a rather ordinary Little Spirit Treasure. Thus, a Peak Tier Three Mountain-Swallowing Python could be worth tens of thousands of Qian Gold. It sounds very valuable. Yet ordinary Ancestors facing such a Fierce Python would be lucky merely to escape alive, let alone hunt it. A string of flatteries engulfed Liu Yonghao, as the traveling merchants sought to curry favor, hoping for discounts on what might be considered leftovers. Liu Yonghao relished this praise yet felt something amiss. As Young Clan Leader, he knew his father’s mission in the Outer Domain was mainly aimed at the Wang Family, not hunting. Could it be that things went too smoothly, and the Ancestors and their allies got carried away, bagging extra prey for additional profit? The more he pondered, the more plausible it seemed, filling Liu Yonghao with excitement and unease. The excitement among the young of the Liu and Zhao Clans grew. Liua Ruolei grew more worried, her face pale. "Ruolei, everything’s fine." Liua Yuanrui comforted, "Brother Shouzhe is a fortunate man, probably just delayed on the road." People gathered increasingly on the city wall, drawn by the news for the spectacle. Another carriage arrived within Weng City, from which emerged Gongsun Hui, Wang Luoyi, and Wang Luomiao of the Wang Family. They had been coming daily to see if they could meet Wang Shouzhe and his party. Upon leaving their car, they heard the bustling discussions and headed swiftly to the city wall. "Lady Gongsun, Luoyi, Miaomiao," Liua Ruolei greeted with a troubled expression, "They say it’s the caravan of the Liu and Zhao Clans." Read full story at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝙣𝙚𝙩 "Ruolei, trust in Shouzhe." Gongsun Hui, familiar with the family’s affairs and Shouzhe’s capabilities, expressed calm assurance. "It’s snowing, it’s snowing." Sure enough, the sky was starting to fill with specks of snow, which fluttered as the wind blew, obscuring the view, making the caravan’s shape more indistinct. The faces of those from the Wang Family grew serious. This snow seemed heavy; if Shouzhe and the others were further delayed, they might face complications from a snow-blocked route. In contrast, pride swelled among the youths of the Liu and Zhao Clans, giving rise to various rumors and gossip. Someone shouted: "The Garrison Commander is coming for inspection." Lei Yangqiu, the Garrison Commander!? He was a prominent figure in Ping’an Town, a prestigious member of the Celestial Human Family, far above the young of the Liu and Zhao Clans in status.