Swish—!
A sword flash severed the Blackvine Serpent's head mid-lunge.
Lin Feng dashed to Xiao Qiu's side, voice tight:
"Xiao Qiu! Are you hurt?!"
Panic flickered in his chest. He'd only meant to test the creature's strength—not send it flying like a ragdoll.
Kyuu…
A disgruntled chirp answered him. Xiao Qiu shook off dirt, fixing Lin Feng with accusatory eyes.
"…"
Relief washed over Lin Feng, followed by laughter.
"You scared me half to death! Since when does a Tier 2 beast lose to a mid-stage Tier 1? Where's your legendary 100,000 Volts? Hmm?"
Kyuu! Kyuu!
Xiao Qiu waved tiny claws indignantly: You threw me! Since when do I shoot lightning?!
Lin Feng's eyebrow twitched. The creature's expressiveness unnerved him. Could it be… another soul trapped in a beast's body? Like me?
KYUU!
With a huff, Xiao Qiu scampered off to retrieve its half-eaten spirit stone.
"Alright, alright," Lin Feng coaxed, offering a fresh stone. "My bad. Feast all you want—my treat."
Kyuu.
Xiao Qiu snatched the stone, tail curling possessively. Forgiven. For now.
"Let's move," Lin Feng chuckled, settling the creature on his shoulder. Rest called louder than exploring the Crimson Crag cave. Two days of near-death encounters in Seven Peaks Forest had drained him. A hot spirit-meal in Azurecloud City first, he decided, quickening his pace.
——
An hour later, a thunderous roar shattered the forest calm.
ROOOAR—!!
Screams and crashing echoed from the next ridge.
Cultivators battling a beast? Lin Feng hurried toward the noise. Intel on Azurecloud's current chaos would be invaluable.
But the scene below stunned him:
"A… caravan?"
Seven cargo wagons formed a defensive ring. Mortal merchants huddled behind them, faces ashen. At the center, four cultivators danced around a mountain of fur—a Tier 2, Stage 3 Earthrend Grizzly.
A silver-speared youth in white (Foundation Establishment Stage 2) led the assault, drawing the beast's fury. A brawny man (Late Qi Refining) hacked with a broadblade, while two weaker companions (Mid Qi Refining) darted ineffectively. The bear's hide deflected even the spear's thrusts.
Lin Feng didn't hesitate. A Tier 2 Chain Purple Lightning Talisman flared in his hand.
CRACKLE-BOOM!
Four arm-thick bolts slammed into the grizzly's flank.
The beast whirled, unharmed but enraged. It charged Lin Feng, a living landslide closing fifty yards in seconds. Jaws gaped. Claws like scythes swept down—
"LOOK OUT!" the spearman cried.
Lin Feng's left palm glowed. A solid-gold barrier materialized.
THOOM!
The grizzly crashed into light, stunned. In that breath, silver flashed.
Lin Feng's sword pierced its throat and erupted from its skull.
The beast collapsed. One tremor. Silence.
Lin Feng stored the corpse in his storage ring before the onlookers could blink.
As he approached the caravan, a rat-faced youth gasped:
"Boss! It's… him!"
The brawny leader paled, recognition dawning:
"Him?!"
Lin Feng paused, studying the trio. A slow smile curved his lips:
"Well now… You?"