Chapter 221 - Arc 13: Wild Beast Plains | Chapter 221: Realm of Demonic Beasts
Translator: Lynn
Sponsored chapter (3/4)
After a considerable time, the mist finally dissipated, revealing a clear panorama.
Hand in hand, the two moved gracefully, seemingly floating above the ground. Despite their aerial movement, their hair remained unruffled, and their figures and steps exuded an extraordinary lightness.
Yun Lie’s potent aura was enshrouded in a wood-like essence. Although his entire demeanor remained exceptionally cold, in Xu Ziqing’s perception, it appeared considerably softer.
After some contemplation, Xu Ziqing spoke, “This is the deep plain, a gathering place for monsters. Presumably, Hu Xue’er’s mother and father, the Beast King lived here?” Hu Xue’er wrapped her tail around her the master’s shoulders, having nestled into the hollow of his shoulders during exercises. Now, upon hearing the mention of the “Beast King,” she seemed to tremble in fear. Being a celestial fox with a spirit, she retained memories from her birth.
Yun Lie pondered for a moment, stating, “I’ve been to the plain multiple times, but I’ve never ventured here.”
It wasn’t that he hadn’t encountered dense fog before, but lacking sufficient cultivation at the time, he naturally steered clear due to sensing danger. Now, with a significantly enhanced cultivation base and the aid of his junior’s concealment skills, he came to explore.
Xu Ziqing comprehended the situation and reached out to touch the white hair around his neck, asking with a smile, “Why did Xue’er guide us here? Are you seeking revenge for your mother, or are you searching for your father?” These were the two most likely possibilities he considered.
Hu Xue’er rubbed her cheek against him and pointed her tail forward.
Although Xu Ziqing had adopted her as a beast pet, he could only sense her emotions and not discern her specific thoughts. He sighed, “This time, it’s up to you. But remember, no noise, or you’ll spend ten or eight years alone in the beast card until you temper yourself, and then I’ll let you out.”
Despite not making a sound, Hu Xue’er expressed attachment by rubbing against him a few times and obediently complied.
Xu Ziqing comforted her, whispering, “Shixiong, shall we proceed?”
Yun Lie nodded, “Let’s go.”
The two emanated the same fragrance as the grass and trees, making it challenging for monsters to detect them easily. However, while their bodies were present, they had transformed into vegetation, making them inconspicuous as they moved among the grass and trees.
Yun Lie produced two talismans, their auras exceptionally potent, surpassing any Xu Ziqing had encountered before. The runes on them were unique, with lines he had never seen.
At this point, Xu Ziqing had a suspicion in his mind.
This object likely wasn’t a spiritual talisman but a treasure talisman!
If it indeed was a treasure talisman, every pattern on it would be compressed from countless high-grade spirit patterns. Though it might appear strange, it should be considered normal.
Yun Lie didn’t elaborate, fearing that one of the talismans might hit Xu Ziqing directly.
In an instant, a golden dark letter on his chest sank into Xu Ziqing’s body, causing the treasure talisman to vanish.
Upon the talisman entering his body, Xu Ziqing suddenly experienced an ethereal sensation, as if his entire being had lightened. When he tried to perceive it again, he realized his figure had vanished! Inhaling deeply, he looked up to see Yun Lie inserting another talisman into his body. In the next moment, Yun Lie disappeared as well.
When a familiar force patted his shoulder, Xu Ziqing suddenly understood. This treasure talisman must be a “concealment talisman,” also possessing the ability to conceal the body’s form. While it might not be as effective as the “Escape Wood Containing Breath Art,” it could conceal a person’s figure and shadow within the void’s crevices. If Xu Ziqing inadvertently broke through the formula’s realm, he could employ this talisman to compensate and return to that realm.
Always cautious, Xu Ziqing found it challenging to discern his Shixiong’s location. Fortunately, they had held hands before, and if they desired to use the breath-holding technique, they wouldn’t let go, reassuring him.
Prepared for their next steps, the two continued their journey.
The demonic aura in this area was exceptionally potent, with monsters visible at every step. Whether amidst the green grass or within the forest, numerous strange auras lay hidden.
Xu Ziqing cast a swift glance and spotted a fifth-order tiger-like monster with a single horn on its forehead, reclining on a patch of grass. Behind it, a group of fourth-order kin lazily guarded the periphery.
On the left, several bull beasts, resembling two-horned beasts, were, in fact, a group of fourth-order monsters, considerably mightier than the two-horned beasts.
Behind the bull beast, a pack of white-footed wolves trailed. The lead wolf was a fifth-level monster, with its followers all at the fourth level. Their expressions were hostile, and their eyes glowed scarlet—a clear indication of their predatory nature.
Simultaneously, various monsters of avian and bestial origins hovered on tree branches. Some had fleshy wings, others sported warts on their heads, and some even had meat whips on their tails. All possessed an exceptionally grotesque appearance, ranging between the fourth and fifth ranks.
Comparing them covertly with Chonghua, Xu Ziqing noted that despite Chonghua’s potential, he seemed somewhat less formidable than these wild monsters. Thankfully, he had stored Chonghua in the beast-monitoring card; otherwise, it could have been easily captured by this group of monsters.
Further away, numerous monster groups occupied distinct territories, either resting or tending to themselves without interaction. Each creature, massive in size, boasted formidable strength, collectively forming an exceedingly powerful force. There appeared to be a kind of tacit understanding among these monster groups, each adhering to its own rules and refraining from encroaching on others. It seemed that within this assembly of monster beasts, unity was not a given.
Relieved at this observation, Xu Ziqing mused that if all these monsters were truly unified, it would spell trouble for the world. Reflecting on this, he realized he was overly anxious and chided himself for such wild thoughts.
At that moment, Yun Lie transmitted a message, “There are eighth-level monsters here; be more cautious.”
Xu Ziqing’s heart trembled!
Eighth-order monsters? Aren’t they comparable to cultivators who have transcended into gods!
It explained why the group of monsters could claim a portion of the wild beast plain. There were more five-horned beasts here than Nascent Soul cultivators, making them even more powerless against beasts.
Regarding why the monsters couldn’t occupy the entire plain, it was similar to the cultivators’ situation—they couldn’t withstand the wild beasts’ peculiar reproductive and inexhaustible cultivation capabilities. Therefore, they opted for coexistence and used their methods to protect themselves.
Now that Xu Ziqing knew about eighth-order monsters, he became even more meticulous in executing the exercises.
Although the “Escape Wood Containing Breath Art” was highly miraculous, there could be no room for mishaps. At this point, he was responsible not only for his own life!
Hu Xueer’s long tail pointed toward a small peak in the west.
These small peaks, while not exceptionally tall, appeared quite steep, forming a miniature mountain range that deviated from the norm for an ordinary plain.
Upon closer inspection, numerous ravines were visible within, harboring ferocious beasts that seemed to emit a bloodthirsty aura constantly.
Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie moved away, perhaps because they were holding hands—every step was synchronized, carried out with seamless cooperation. The aura around them also blended seamlessly. Even if Yun Lie emanated sword qi, it was swiftly neutralized by the wood qi, rendering it harmless.
After walking like this for a brief period, the two’s every movement gradually became extraordinarily harmonious, evoking an extreme sense of coordination.
This feeling was truly delightful.
Although Xu Ziqing remained infinitely vigilant against the monsters everywhere, at this moment, he and his Shixiong were in sync, easing the tense atmosphere considerably.
Not long after, the two arrived at the foot of one of the small peaks.
This small peak emanated an immensely powerful coercion, as though it were not just a peak but an ancient malevolent beast, exuding ceaseless thoughts of devouring evil.
Such a formidable will had integrated the entire peak into one as if every inch of land and every piece of vegetation was manipulated by this will.
No need for further thought—there must be extremely potent monsters atop this small peak!
The two became suddenly more alert.
Xu Ziqing retrieved the Qingyun Needle, dispelled the supernatural power, and gently inserted it into the center of Hu Xueer’s eyebrows. He used the pure wood energy within to seal its monster energy, preventing it from escaping at all. Hu Xueer seemed to sense something and, instead of resisting, obediently allowed Xu Ziqing to proceed. In doing so, she became akin to a grass or tree.
Prepared for the task at hand, Xu Ziqing took a deep breath and ascended the mountain road step by step, accompanied by Yun Lie.
Uncertain about the types of monsters occupying this territory, fierce beasts lay on both sides of the road. However, most were of the first, second, and third ranks, with few belonging to the fourth and fifth ranks—contrasting the peak. Nevertheless, these monsters displayed agile expressions, refined bone structures, and engaged in conversations resembling human speech. Despite knowing he had not been noticed by them, Xu Ziqing felt an uncomfortable prickling sensation as if a thorn were embedded in his body.
After enduring this discomfort for an unspecified duration, they reached the midpoint of the mountain when a sudden change occurred.
While all the monsters encountered previously were in their natural forms, those ascending and descending and guarding the surroundings had now transformed into humanoid-animal hybrids. Examples included a human body with a tiger head, a human body with a lion head, or creatures with fox ears, and long tails resembling snakes or lizards, and some banshees using magic to assume a purely human appearance for aesthetic purposes. Much like Hu Xueer’s mother, these were merely illusions.
Initially finding it peculiar, Xu Ziqing later considered that these monsters, within their own domain, felt comfortable enough to indulge in such transformations without causing surprise.
Once again guided by Hu Xueer’s fox tail, pointing towards the summit, Xu Ziqing wasted no time. Together with Yun Lie, they soared straight upward along the ground like a swift breeze.
At the peak, a cave several feet high welcomed them. Wide enough for hundreds of people to enter simultaneously, the cave was deep and dark, with numerous monster soldiers stationed outside, each displaying unique forms. These monster soldiers emitted an overwhelming bloodlust as if they had consumed copious amounts of blood. When gathered, the malevolence practically reached the skies. Their power was exceptional, all belonging to the fifth level, with some resembling leaders possessing even greater strength at the sixth level!
Holding his breath and staying focused, Xu Ziqing dared not make a sound. Silently passing through the ranks of demon soldiers, he and Yun Lie entered the vast cave.
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