Sovereign Of The Three Realms Chapter 191-200

         

Sovereign Of The Three Realms

(SOTR)

Chapter 191: Must You Really Throw Your Weight Around?

The plain-clothed man revealed a trace of a smile when he saw Tang Long admit to his identity. “Mm, that means I’ve found the right man. I’m here on someone else’s orders to take you somewhere.”

Tang Long looked at Yu Dui and his men, then back at his home again.

The plain-clothed man smiled, “If it’s inconvenient, you can bring your family as well.”

Tang Long was overjoyed, “Yes, yes. I’ll come with you right away.”

He didn’t know this man and didn’t know where they were going, but he wouldn’t hesitate even if they were heading for a chasm of dragons or tiger lair right now. If he didn’t leave but stayed instead, then these border guards would take all their lives. Xiaoqing would surely even be taken away and violated until she died.

“I say, aren’t you getting something wrong here?” Baldy Yu Dui said sinisterly.

“What am I getting wrong?” The plain-clothed man smiled faintly.

“Our border guard is arresting a traitor right now, who the hell do you think you are to swagger in here? Do you believe that I’ll chop you in half with a single slash of my sword?” A swarthy shorty jeered from behind Baldy Yu Dui.

The plainsclothes man chuckled. “I don’t really believe you, and don’t you try to fool me either. The border guard doesn’t come to the capital in order to handle their cases. Only the Dragonteeth Guard has the right to inquire about cases here. Even if the border guard were to arrest someone, they’d have to go through the Dragonteeth Guard.”

“Whatever. This is a special case! Who the f*ck are you? If you’re not going away when we tell you to, then you won’t leave either!” The swarthy shorty waved the executioner’s blade in his hands and roared out angrily.

“What, you want to resort to violence?” A shadow of a smile hung on the plain-clothed man’s lips.

Baldy Yu Dui stared at this nondescript man. “Just who are you? We have a bone to pick with this Tang Long, if you want him for something, you’ll have to wait your turn, don’t you think?”

“I say, why do you guys have so much nonsense to say? This isn’t the border, it’s the capital. If you want to investigate a case, then go to the border. Stop spouting bullshit, I don’t have that kind of time to waste on you.”

“How arrogant!” A vicious glint dawned in Baldy Yu Dui’s eyes. “You’re so arrogant as to not even give us border guards the respect we deserve. Don’t you even think of leaving either!”

With a wave of his hand the four of them formed a line, thoroughly blocking off the doorway.

The plain-clotheds man had maintained an aloof expression all along and didn’t lose his temper. When the four of them set up their formation, his face finally darkened, “So you do want to make use of your advantage in numbers to bully the minority?”

“That’s exactly what we’re doing, what are you going to do about it?”

“You have no backup and want to shove your nose in here. You’re looking for death!”

“If you have the ability to, then call more people here and display your influence for us to see! Yeah we’re making use of our superior numbers to bully people, people like you!”

The nondescript man laughed in his anger. “Good. Good. Good!”

He suddenly flourished his sleeves and a cloud of red flames flew into the air like a rocket, sending out a fog of smoke.

“This is bad, he’s calling for backup!”

“Kill them, make it a quick battle!”

Tang Long stood in front of the casually dressed man, “Sir, I’ll stall for a bit, you go inside first.”

The man chuckled, “No rush, don’t worry, a good show will take place shortly.”

Baldy Yu Dui’s face suddenly changed drastically, “Just who are you?”

The man laughed carefreely, not even bothering to look at the balding commander. He leisurely raised his head to look at the sky, “Won’t you find out who I am very soon?”

Baldy Yu Dui was greatly shocked to see this man was neither panicked nor frantic. A scary, foreboding feeling suddenly rushed to the forefront.

Whoosh!

Ear-piercing bird cries suddenly sounded in the sky.

Then, chirp, chirp, chirp…

Countless more ear-piercing bird cries rang across the air.

Yu Dui felt chills all over his back and he hastily turned his head around. What greeted his eyes were silhouettes shooting across the azure sky, surging forth from all directions.

“Yellow Winged Lesser Dragons?”

“You… You’re from the Dragonteeth Guard?”

Within the span of a few breaths, hundreds of Yellow Winged Lesser Dragons had arrived. They all had a fierce momentum and exuded a strong killing intent as they hovered in midair.

“Commander Gu, you summoned us?”

“This subordinate greets Commander Gu!”

“Everyone from the eleventh team accounted for and reporting in!”

The Dragonteeth Guard all made downward salutes to their commander.

The casually dressed man nodded slightly, “These four men are from the border guard. They’ve overstepped their jurisdiction and threatened me, saying that they’re going to leverage their strength in numbers to bully the weak. What do you make of this?”

“The border guard? Why are they not on the border and are throwing their weight around in the capital?”

“And they dare threaten our great Commander Gu?”

“Commander Gu, there’s nothing more to say. Arrest and execute them!”

The four border guard members were stupefied and trembling from head to toe at this moment, completely reduced to a gibbering mess. Even Baldy Yu Dui’s whole body was shivering at this moment, his face ashen-colored.

“Com… Comman... Commander Gu… this is a misunderstanding, absolutely a misunderstanding. We’re actually not here for a case, just joking around with brother Tang Long.” This baldy was someone adaptable to the circumstances. Although he was nervous and afraid, he still strived to defend himself.

“Misunderstanding? So you threatening me just now was a misunderstanding?”

“Yes, truly a misunderstanding. Us border guards admire the Dragonteeth Guard the most. Great Commander Gu, we are all colleagues. This is an internal conflict, we hope that you lift your hand in mercy and don’t blow this up into a greater matter.”

“Don’t blow this up? If I hadn’t called in my men, would you have blown this matter up? If my men hadn’t come, your weapons would likely be using me for target practice by now? Was it you guys who want to make this a big deal or is it me? I’ve come to look for someone, but you want to kill me along with them. The border guard truly is something alright.”

Commander Gu was no pushover. He was here on behalf Vice General Tian Shao’s orders this time, to find someone called Tang Long and recruit him for the Dragonteeth Guard.

Although Commander Gu didn’t know who Tang Long was, Vice General Tian Shao himself had given the orders and emphasized that this person was young master Chen’s friend!

Who was young master Chen? He was someone who dared offend even first prince Ye Dai himself, someone whom even honored Tutor Ye wanted to take as a disciple, a person of great abilities who held the Skylaurel Kingdom Medallion!

How would Commander Gu make light of an affair having to do with his friend? Therefore, when he’d gotten off work and received Tian Shao’s orders, he’d changed into ordinary clothes and searched for Tang Long straightaway. He was wearing casual clothing because he didn’t want to make too big of a deal.

Who’d knew that him keeping a low profile would result in these borders guards running rampant. They’d snorted in front of and glared at him, a commander of the Dragonteeth Guard, saying that they were going to use their superior numbers to bully the minority.

Trying to force a showdown of power and numbers with a commander of the Dragonteeth Guard in the capital, these fellows were looking to humiliate themselves!

“Great Commander Gu, we were wrong, it was our fault. We’re willing to offer gifts in apology and a recompensation…. As long as the great Commander Gu calms his anger, we’re absolutely willing to pay.”

“Money? Do you think the Dragonteeth Guard lacks money?” Commander Gu’s face darkened. “Do you think I lust after money?”

“Lay down the weapons in your hands if you recognize the situation you’re in. Prepare to be arrested and offer no resistance, or you’ll be killed without exception!”

As a commander in the Dragonteeth Guard, Commander Gu commanded ten thousand Dragonteeth Guard. He was someone who was rather influential in the capital.

Some border guards raising a hue and cry in front of him were indeed courting death!

Baldy Yu Dui fell to his knees with a thump, begging in a trembling voice, “Great Commander Gu, please spare us, spare us. We surrender, surrender! Do anything you want as long as you don’t kill us!”

The fellows that had been ruthlessly domineering just now were all on their knees on the ground now, kowtowing like chicks pecking rice and wailing in their anguish.

Commander Gu was blind and deaf to it all as he turned around, “Tang Long, I’m here on orders from Vice General Tian Shao of the third Dragonteeth Guard army to invite you to join the Dragonteeth Guard and join my team. Are you interested?”

Tang Long was still floundering in the midst of confusion at this moment.

The great rises and falls of the scenes just now had occurred far too quickly. The feedback to his brain couldn’t quite keep up with what was happening.

It had been Baldy Yu Dui and his men, with malice written all over their faces, who had been about to turn to violence and kill people just now. How had this Dragonteeth Guard commander suddenly emerged?

And, he’d brought with him so many Dragonteeth Guard who were as fierce as wolves and tigers.

Yu Dui and the others had been throwing their weight around just now, but were now begging on the ground like dead dogs and kept asking for mercy.

This change was too much of a shock to Tang Long.

“This… this is influence, this is power.” Tang Long sighed with emotion in his heart and looked at the cowering figures of Yu Dui’s group. He felt damn good at heart, and so he hadn’t reacted yet to Commander Gu’s invitation.

“Brother, brother, Commander Gu is asking you a question!” It was Tang Zhong inside the house who first recovered his wits.

“Ah? What?” Tang Long suddenly came to and scratched his head. “Commander Gu, I was too worked up just now. Were you asking me to join the Dragonteeth Guard?”

“Yes.” Commander Gu had a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Think about it.”

“No need to think about it, I’m definitely saying yes! I, I must say yes!” Tang Long could barely keep his enthusiasm in.

What else was there to think about?

Just how awesome was the Dragonteeth Guard? All had been displayed just now.

Besides, he’d been fired by the border guard and was unemployed now. He thought he was dreaming to be chosen by the Dragonteeth Guard.

This was leaping from hell to heaven in an instant!

Although he didn’t know why he’d been suddenly recruited by the Dragonteeth Guard, somewhere deep in his subconsciousness, he felt it likely had something to do with his great benefactor, Jiang Chen.

“Tang Long, you’re very lucky.” Commander Gu laughed and patted his shoulder, passing a medallion over. “Start off as a sixth rank Dragonteeth Guard.”

The Dragonteeth Guard had interns, followed by the ninth rank, eighth rank, seventh rank, sixth rank… proceeding forth level by level until a first rank Dragonteeth Guard. Only then would one have the right to be a captain, lieutenant, commander and from there on finally being eligible for vice general!

There weren’t many rookies that started off as a sixth rank Dragonteeth Guard. It wasn’t unheard of, but it was very rare. Such fortuitous things belonged to those noble sons with an exceedingly strong background or those with connections.

Tang Long becoming a sixth rank Dragonteeth Guard as an ordinary commoner was absolutely a miracle that defied the heavens.

No wonder even Commander Gu said he was lucky. He was indeed lucky. A nobody like Tang Long would’ve become a corpse long ago thanks to those border guards if he hadn’t been lucky.

“Commander Gu, I’d like to ask, why…” Tang Long still wanted to get to the bottom of things, despite guessing that it was likely due to Jiang Chen.

“Tang Long, I’m rather curious, what’s your relationship with young master Chen? Such a personage as young master Chen actually personally reminded our General Tian to look after you and bring you into the Dragonteeth Guard. He also said that you’re a reliable and dependable person. It seems like young master Chen was right.”

Commander Gu rather admired Tang Long. When those border guards had intended to do something just now, Tang Long had stepped in front of him. He was truly someone who could be relied on to stand his ground under such circumstances!

Chapter 192: Tang Long Becomes a New Person

Young master Chen!

Tang Long had thoroughly confirmed his suspicions now, it was indeed that great benefactor again!

Tang Long was touched. He’d never thought that a person he’d randomly met whilst patrolling the border would become the great harbinger of luck in his life. Jiang Chen had helped him time and time again, with this time’s tantamount to sending coal during when stuck in snow.

“I… young master Chen, young master Chen, he’s… my great benefactor.” Tang Long was deeply moved and finally regurgitated the words “great benefactor” after building up to this delivery.

Commander Gu was actually also quite curious, and when he saw Tang Long speak thus, he thought that Tang Long and young master Chen’s relationship was indeed quite deep. He’d have to take good care of Tang Long in the future.

If I displeased General Tian, how would I continue to be a commander? Commander Gui was also rather grateful to Tian Shao.

It was because of Tian Shao being promoted to a vice general that the position of commander had been freed up and Tian Shao’s superiors had asked him to recommend someone to fill the position of commander.

Tian Shao could’ve absolutely recommended the original vice commander, but he hadn’t and had instead promoted him all the way from the position of lieutenant.

A lieutenant directly promoted to commander. It was therefore apparent the depths of Commander Gu’s gratitude towards Tian Shao. Therefore, he would bring forth his greatest efforts in tackling what Tian Shao asked him to do.

It was precisely this series of promotions that had resulted in the timely appearance of Commander Gu, finally helping Tang Long escape disaster and change his life forever.

“Tang Long, how should we handle these fellows? Do you have any suggestions?” Commander Gu simply decided to give Tang Long as much face as possible.

“I get to decide?”

Commander Gu smiled. “You’re the person at the heart of all this. They intended to commit murder. As the intended victim, you absolutely have the right to inquire after this. Intention to commit murder and robbery within the capital are all crimes that are served with the death penalty.”

Commander Gu was hinting at Tang Long that he could pursue this to their death and give these guys the death sentence to prevent trouble in the future.

Baldy Yu Dui and the others were all old hats, how would they not understand these connotations? They knew that this was Commander Yu hinting at Tang Long to put them to death, and they hastened to throw themselves onto the ground.

“Tang Long, old brother Tang… I, old Yu, was wrong. I had eyes but failed to see, thus offending you. Seeing that we were colleagues before, please let us go this once. We’re… we’re willing to be your dogs!”

“Big brother Tang, we were wrong! Our minds were in an idiotic haze and we offended you. Do you remember? I once gave you a bun to eat when you were starving.”

“Big brother Tang, don’t kill me. I have a younger sister, I’m willing to give her to you as your concubine.”

“I have a younger sister too, and she’s a twin! Big brother Tang, you’re now part of the Dragonteeth Guard, a sixth rank guardsman. You have a noble’s identity, it’s a customary for you to have multiple wives!”

Tang Long smiled coldly. He knew these fellows all too well. They were chameleons. They were afraid of death now and begged for mercy, but once they were freed, they would become poisonous vipers with a quick change of heart.

They were well-versed with such tactics.

“Commander Gu, these people trespassed on private property and wanted to beat and kill me. They wanted to make off with my wife as well, a thousand deaths wouldn’t atone for their crimes! I want to lodge an accusation against them and inform on them!”

“Alright, trespassing private property, intent to kill, and attempting to steal another’s wife. Any of these are worth a death sentence. Come, arrest them and take them back to be executed!”

When these fellows heard this order, they swooned with fright and attempted to resist. However, resistance in the face of several hundred Dragonteeth Guard only undoubtedly increased the rate of their own suicide.

They’d just hefted their blades and swords in preparation of advancing on Commander Gu when they were shot to death by countless sharp arrows, turning them into porcupines.

“Clean up the area and take the bodies back to report in.”

Commander Gu killed a few people as if he were killing a few chickens, paying them not the slightest bit of attention. He turned and spoke to Tang Long, “Tang Long, I’m giving you three days of respite. Report to the Dragonteeth Guard headquarters in three days! Remember, don’t be late. When you enter the Dragonteeth Guard, you follow the Guard’s rules!”

“Understood!” Tang Long drew his body up and made the gesture of a soldier, snapping off a military salute.

“Alright, we’ll leave first for now. You take care of matters at home.” Commander Gu waved his hand and a group of Dragonteeth Guard left like the wind, along with the bodies.

The momentum of a myriad of Yellow Winged Lesser Dragons all taking off together was enough to cover the sky and blot out the sun. It was a mighty and wonderful panorama, enough for emotions to surge and roil in Tang Long’s chest, greatly agitating him.

He’d be able to join in a team like this in mere days and become one of them. He could live proudly just like them!

“Brother, that was too cool just now!” Tang Zhong pushed himself forward on his wheelchair with great excitement, wishing dearly that he could stand up.

Tang Long also smiled ruefully, “That was cool alright, but let’s not have a repeat of what happened just now. I’d almost thought that we were done for earlier and was prepared to throw everything to the wind and fight them to the death.”

“Brother, you’re part of the Dragonteeth Guard, a sixth rank guardsman. Let’s see who dares bully us in the future!” There was deep pride in Tang Zhong’s voice. He was almost ready to take flight and soar to the sky in his excitement.

Tang Long also felt as if he was dreaming. If it weren’t for the traces of blood on the ground, he’d almost suspect that he had been dreaming just now.

“Xiaoqing, you’ve suffered a fright, haven’t you?”

Tang Long turned and looked at his wife, frightened like a little deer, feeling somewhat apologetic.

Xiaoqing shook her head, “Brother Tang Long, I’m fine. I’m not afraid as long as you’re here.”

Tang Long smiled, “Don’t you worry. Our family will be fine in the future. Go buy some fish Xiaoqing, I’ll get some water and clean our doorway. These blood trails don’t look good.”

“Alright.”

Although Xiaoqing had been a bit frightened, a child from the slums would have often seen scenes filled with blood and gore. She wasn’t frightened to the point of being unable to venture forth from her door.

She was about to set out when she noticed that many heads were poking out of the houses in the alleyway. All these people had long since crammed the little alleyway full of people.

“Yo, Xiaoqing, where are you going?”

“Don’t go out, our house has just cleaned up half a sheep, take a sheep leg with you.”

“Xiaoqing, look, here’s some fish that your Uncle Zhang caught earlier this morning. It’s quite fresh. Here, take two back to eat, don’t look down on them now.”

“Xiaoqing, our house doesn’t have much, just a few chickens. I’ll catch a hen for you and make a stew out of it for you. It’s more nutritious that way.”

“Xiaoqing, our house only has an old hen that we can’t bear to slaughter. It lays an egg everyday. Auntie has brought a basket of eggs for you. Look at you, your face is a bit pale and you don’t look too good. You need to take in more nutrients.”

Xiaoqing was at a bit of a loss. These neighbors usually weren’t this enthusiastic and warm hearted! Why did their passion burn so fiercely all of a sudden?

Although Xiaoqing was introverted, she didn’t like taking advantage of others either. She kept turning them down and attempted to push through the alleyway to go to the market streets.

“Xiaoqing, don’t be such a stranger. Look, it’s so dark already. When will dinner be served if you go out to the markets just now?”

“Not to mention that maybe the vendors have long since packed up. It’s late in the afternoon and the fish won’t be fresh either. Don’t go, don’t go.”

“Tang Long, don’t you know that you should treat your wife well? Come come, tell Xiaoqing to come home and accept all these items. Don’t be strangers. Us uncles and aunts have all watched both of you grow up. Isn’t it natural for us to help you?”

Tang Long smiled. These neighbors had all suddenly appeared to offer their affection and love. This was absolutely impossible normally.

Them acting so out of the ordinary today was naturally because of the Dragonteeth Guard!

That shocking scene just now had enabled him, Tang Long, to advance like a carp leaping over the dragon’s gate, and become a sixth rank Dragonteeth guardsman.

A sixth rank Dragonteeth guardsman was equivalent to receiving the position of a sixth rank noble. The family of his would thus cast off the identity of commoners and become nobles.

Although it was only a sixth rank position, within the slums, particularly this alleyway, this was definitely the first and possibly the last!

“Xiaoqing, since the uncles are so enthusiastic, then accept their items. We’ll reimburse them some money later and save making a trip.”

Tang Long smiled and cupped his hands. “The matters of just now must have frightened everyone just now.”

“No, not at all. Tang Long, you’ve gone up in the world now. You’ll be leaving us before long, right? Remember to come visit us often in the future.”

“Yes, don’t forget these poor streets in the future.”

“I knew that kid Tang Long would do something great when he was small. Dragonteeth Guard, tsk tsk, you’ll be flying to and fro across the sky in the future. Glorious indeed!”

“Little Six, do you see that? Stop being up to no good in the future and learn more from your brother Tang Long. If you can enter the Dragonteeth Guard, even as an intern, I, your father, will die happy.”

Dinner that night in Tang Long’s house was as sumptuous as it’d never been before. He didn’t invite the neighbors to join in. There were too many for him to extend invites to.

He could only give them all some money later on.

“Brother, I salute you with this cup of wine. You’ve really shot into the sky with one impressive feat this time. Our Tang family in the future will count as nobles as well.”

Tang Long too felt a multitude of emotions. “Come, us brothers should drink to our deceased parents. Xiaoqing, you as well.”

After a few cups, Tang Zhong spoke again, “Brother, they’re always talking about young master Chen. Do they mean Jiang Chen? I think we should probably go thank him?”

“Yes, there is a need for this. When I report in to the Dragonteeth Guard, I’ll ask around for where young master Chen lives, otherwise I won’t even know where to go to thank him.”

…

At this moment, Jiang Chen had no idea of Tang Long’s fate and that such a thorough twist had happened in a short two hours. He’d only felt that Tang Long was not a bad person and that he’d been fired from the border guard. That’s why he’d happened to say something to Tian Shao and asked him to pay some attention to Tang Long.

Jiang Chen held on persistently over the next couple of days, inducing the five dragons of qi to form the spirit ocean, forge the spirit ocean, and increase his strength.

The Maze Realm Autumn Hunt neared as the days went on.

Dan Fei approached in a stately manner on this day.

However, Gouyu was already behind closed door cultivation this time and was assailing the spirit realm. The two women didn’t meet in an unavoidable confrontation this time.

“Jiang Chen, why have I heard that you seem a bit unwilling to form a team with me?” Dan Fei’s smile held hint of mischievousness in it.

“Sister Dan Fei, did you come all this way just to ask me this?”

Dan Fei lifted her chin as she opened her palm, a simple and unsophisticated ring appearing in her hand. “This is a storage ring and can be viewed as my payment to you, so that you brat, can stop nagging all day, as if you’re that unwilling to form a team with me. Now will you stop running your mouth?”

A storage ring?

Jiang Chen had been incredibly busy since he’d arrived in this life that he really hadn’t had time to consider items like storage rings. He only just recalled that such things existed in this world when he saw Dan Fei take one out.

Chapter 193: Dan Fei’s Sincerity

This storage ring was indeed a good item. With a flick of Dan Fei’s slender fingers, Jiang Chen caught it in his hands and accepted it unceremoniously.

In his past life, it had been a common occurrence for him to play with such items. Such a crude and simplistic storage ring like this one naturally proved to be easy for him to manipulate.

He played with it for a bit and looked it over. There wasn’t much storage space but it would be sufficient.

“Darned brat, you accepted it with a thick skin and you don’t even thank me?” Dan Fei was slightly surprised to see that Jiang Chen understood how to use the storage ring with no pointers, and in fact, seemed quite adept at it.

Jiang Chen chuckled, “Didn’t you say that this was payment? Since it’s payment and not a gift, why do I have to thank you?”

“Are all men this shameless?” Dan Fei was a bit speechless.

“I don’t know about others, but I value my face. Sister Dan Fei, I’ve heard that you’ve always participated in the Autumn Hunt solo. Why would you want to form a team this time?”

Dan Fei rolled her eyes at Jiang Chen, “Do you simply want to imply that you possess boundless charisma?”

“Heh heh, isn’t that the case?” Jiang Chen chuckled merrily.

“Stop flattering yourself. All men are the same in my eyes. Alright, I don’t have time to chatter meaninglessly with you. Since we’re forming a team, there are some things I don’t want to keep from you.”

“Are we finally getting down to business?” Jiang Chen still carried on in that heartless bent.

“Jiang Chen, would it kill you to be serious?” Dan Fei’s gorgeous eyebrows flicked upwards. “This time, I only have one goal in participating in the Autumn Hunt, and that is to catch a baby spirit animal of the spirit rank.”

“A baby spirit animal?” Jiang Chen was a bit surprised, “Is there anything special about that?”

“Yes, it is quite important.” A very grave expression appeared on Dan Fei’s jade-like face. “I’ve failed the first two times and hence, I must succeed this time.”

“Why?”

Although a baby spirit animal was quite precious, it wasn’t to the point of catching it being a must, was it? Not to mention that although a baby spirit animal was rare, it wasn’t as if it was something that could only be found in the maze realm, wasn’t it?

Dan Fei’s charming eyes focused on Jiang Chen, “Jiang Chen, you can’t breathe a word of what I tell you today, do you understand?”

“Then don’t tell me.”

“Jiang Chen!” Dan Fei was a bit infuriated. “Can’t you display the dependability of a man!”

Jiang Chen smiled, “Would I lack the proper grasp of what can and cannot be spoken? Why do you feel the need to emphasize this again?”

“Alright.” Dan Fei’s lips moved. “I was wrong then. You must surely be thinking that a baby spirit animal can be obtained in the outside world, so why go into the maze realm? This is obviously a superfluous move, right?”

“Is it not?” Jiang Chen truly did think so.

“If it was just to keep it as a pet, there is indeed no difference. But, these baby spirit animals are different. The lordmaster wants to study them.”

“Study them?” Jiang Chen was baffled. What was there to study about a spirit animal?

“Yes, study. Actually, the lordmaster has had some results already, but because this matter holds great weight, the lordmaster has never announced it to the public.”

“Just what’s going on here? Can’t you tell me everything in one go?”

“Results of studies show that the baby spirit animals in the outside world basically remain at the spirit rank when they’re mature, even if they were born into the spirit rank. They don’t have much potential to evolve. Although their strength did increase, there wasn’t much evolution in their bloodline. Spirit animals from the maze realm however, are different. Their strength increases at a rapid pace, and their bloodlines actually automatically evolve!”

“This is to say that the Phoenix-Dragon was most likely obtained from the maze realm? Did you enter the maze realm thirty years ago? Or did the honored tutor enter it?”

Dan Fei’s white jade-like cheeks darkened. “Jiang Chen, am I that old? I wasn’t even born thirty years ago! The lordmaster was already a spirit king thirty years ago, how could he enter? The Maze Realm Autumn Hunt is barred to all practitioners past the small spirit realm stage.”

The spirit realm had a total of nine levels. Levels one to three were called the small spirit realm.

Levels four to six were of the earth spirit realm.

Up to level nine was the sky spirit realm.

Past the ninth level was the peak of the spirit realm which is also hailed as spirit king. A practitioner at this level was at the peak of realm and could set foot into the next realm at any moment.

“The Maze Realm Autumn Hunt would actually exclude practitioners above the small spirit realm?” Jiang Chen felt vaguely curious. A strange dimension like this was rather uncommon.

In this regard, this maze realm wasn’t just typically odd.

Ordinarily speaking, secret realms were just an independent space, one created by a super strong art or ability. Restrictions for minimum allowed strength often existed.

However, restrictions for a maximum amount of strength were relatively fewer.

“Yes, therefore, the strongest who can enter the Autumn Hunt this time are those of the third level spirit realm. Those stronger will be unable to make it inside.” Dan Fei explained. “The Phoenix-Dragon was a baby that someone obtained from the inside thirty years ago and gifted to the lordmaster.”

“The lordmaster has raised this Phoenix-Dragon for thirty years. He’s discovered that when the Phoenix-Dragon was a baby, it was considered to be in the first level spirit realm at most, perhaps a half step spirit realm even, because apart from having a spirit ocean and a consciousness, it was practically a blank piece of paper. However, thirty years later, the current Phoenix-Dragon has strength equivalent to fifth level spirit realm and can be placed on par with a human earth spirit realm practitioner.”

When Dan Fei mentioned the Phoenix-Dragon, a trace of desire also flashed through her limpid eyes.

“The Phoenix-Dragon is of an ancient bloodline and thus innately possesses the ability to evolve. What’s so strange about that?” Jiang Chen actually felt there was nothing to uncommon about this either.

“The lordmaster has received more than just the Phoenix-Dragon from the maze realm in his current age. All of them have the ability to evolve their bloodlines. This is something that our local spirit animals don’t possess at all. Although the increase in strength and speed are similar between the two types, the evolution of bloodlines means that their potential will increase in the future. This is completely different. Jiang Chen, do you understand what I mean?”

Jiang Chen found it privately laughable. Would he not understand? Old tutor Ye Chonglou may not understand all that he understands.

“Sister Dan Fei, what do you think the final potential of that Phoenix-Dragon will be in the end?”

“According to the lordmaster’s estimations, its potential could even surpass the lordmaster’s accomplishments. The lordmaster is at the peak of the sky spirit realm right now, respectfully hailed as a spirit king by others. However, the lordmaster postulates that this Five Winged Phoenix-Dragon has a certain potential to advance to the saint rank. A saint rank spirit animal is equivalent to a venerated origin realm human practitioner.”

When her words traveled here, Dan Fei’s tone was suffused with yearning. From her mouth, the words of “venerated origin realm practitioner” seemed to be words to address gods that shouldn’t be blasphemed as she voiced them carefully and piously.

Except, when Dan Fei saw Jiang Chen’s diffident expression, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “Jiang Chen, do you understand or not?”

“I do.”

“If you do, then why don’t you have any reaction at all?” Dan Fei said ill temperedly.

“It’s because I understand that I have no reaction. What kind of reaction do you think I should have? Must I yell and holler exaggeratedly and have an unimaginably queer expression on my face? And then should I display unlimited yearning like you? Am I only able to understand if I react like that?” Jiang Chen felt this was hilarious.

“Isn’t that the case?” Dan Fei thought this was all rather matter-of-fact.

“Bullshit. That’s called pretending to understand when you don’t. You don’t truly understand. The Five Winged Phoenix-Dragon is an ancient bloodline at the very least, does it only have that little bit of potential in your eyes? Just a spirit creature who can breakthrough to the saint rank? It looks like you truly don’t understand the true potential of an ancient bloodline.”

“What… what do you mean?” Surprise flickered across Dan Fei’s elegant face.

“You still don’t understand what I’m saying? Don’t make such unreasonable comparisons for an ancient bloodline. Although the Five Winged Phoenix-Dragon is an ordinary ancient bloodline, just about any ancient bloodline has greater potential than an ordinary spirit animal, and more than just a little!”

“Jiang Chen, you’re always talking about ancient bloodlines, and you also mentioned the matter of bloodlines evolving last time. This is why the lordmaster wanted us to form a team. Jiang Chen, since you also understand these things, why don’t you help me? We can team up and research this together. If our studies produce a saint rank spirit creature, then the martial dao situation of the neighboring sixteen kingdoms will be utterly changed!”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Chen had discovered that the changes in topic in this conversation with Dan Fei whipped along with lightning fast speeds. They’d just been talking about spirit creatures and had suddenly leapt to the martial dao layout of the sixteen kingdoms.

“Don’t you understand? The strongest in the sixteen kingdoms are the four hidden sects, the Precious Tree Sect, Purple Sun Sect, Flowing Wind Sect, and Myriad Spirit Sect. The four great sects have a similar level of strength and each have their own areas of focus. However, the strongest practitioners amongst the four great sects are only of the minor origin realm. If we can continuously raise saint rank spirit creatures that are on par with origin realm practitioners, wouldn’t that be enough to change the martial dao layout of the alliance of the sixteen kingdoms?”

Dan Fei became more and more agitated as she spoke. She felt extraordinarily accomplished when she thought of that wondrous future. When she thought of that great future and of the fact that she was one of its creators, she knew her name was sure to go down in the annals of history of the sixteen kingdoms.

Dan Fei felt that Jiang Chen had no reason to turn down from being part of such a glorious matter.

“Well? Jiang Chen, don’t you feel a sense of duty in matters like these?” Confidence brimmed in Dan Fei’s beautiful eyes.

Jiang Chen rubbed his nose and smiled ruefully, “Changing the martial dao layout of the sixteen kingdoms?”

“Yes.” Dan Fei nodded.

“What does this have to do with me? Whether or not the martial dao layout of the sixteen kingdoms changes or not doesn’t seem to have much to do with me.” Jiang Chen couldn’t help but say so.

“You…” A layer of frost immediately covered Dan Fei’s beautiful features. She stood up huffily. “Jiang Chen, do you have any sense of responsibility at all? Are you even a disciple of the sixteen kingdoms?!”

“I… of course I am. But is it really that important to change the layout of martial dao?” Jiang Chen found it a bit incomprehensible.

Dan Fei was truly exasperated at Jiang Chen’s failure to measure up to her expectations. Her graceful figure trembled a bit in her anger. “Jiang Chen, can you not disappoint me this much?”

“Alright.” Jiang Chen was at a loss for words. “I’ll try my best due to the storage ring, anyhow. However, I’ll be frank, you aren’t allowed to interfere with what I do in the maze realm after we enter, and you aren’t allowed to question me either.”

The sun immediately parted the clouds on Dan Fei’s face when she heard Jiang Chen agree to help. She spoke with a happy smile, “Alright, then it’s settled! As you help me catch a baby spirit animal, you can do whatever you want!”

Dan Fei immediately discovered that Jiang Chen had a few hints of a meaningful smile on his face when she said the last four words and immediately knew that she seemed to have spoken in error. Like the autumn moon, her face immediately flushed bright red.

Chapter 194: The Maze Realm Autumn Hunt Begins

With the advent of the Autumn Hunt, the atmosphere within the capital grew fervent again. Sons of dukes who owned various territories all arrived in the capital before making their way to the outskirts of the Precious Tree Sect to enter the maze realm.

This time, there were almost five thousand people who had signed up.

Therefore, there seemed to be insufficient spots to go around as some of the spots were even being sold for up to a million silver.

“The Precious Tree Sect knows how to earn money alright. All they’re doing is opening up the maze realm but they’re taking twenty thousand silver as a signup fee for each entry.”

Five thousand spots with twenty thousand silver paid by each person, just this revenue alone was quite impressive.

This didn’t include the fact that half of all gains obtained from the Autumn Hunt had to be turned over to the Precious Tree Sect.

“This Precious Tree Sect is earning money without putting forth any effort at all.” Jiang Chen sighed.

“Young master Chen, this is your first time participating in the Autumn Hunt, so you need to be careful. In particular, you need to keep an eye on the time and remember it in pursuit of accomplishment. Otherwise, if you stay inside without exiting the place, things will be gravely serious for you.” Tian Shao chuckled.

Jiang Chen privately thought that even if he himself wasn’t afraid of death, that incredibly motivated woman Dan Fei would surely be afraid.

“Old Tian, why aren’t you joining this time?”

Tian Shao smiled, “We military folk can’t participate. Not just me, but people like Xin Wudao and Lu Wuji as well.”

Ye Rong nodded, “Those with military appointments can’t attend. Otherwise, if all the military experts leave, won’t things be thrown into disarray if something changes in the country?”

Jiang Chen pushed Xue Tong to the forefront and smiled, “Fourth prince, Xue Tong is my prized assistant who has just ascended to eleven meridians true qi master. I’m putting him in your hands this time!”

“Greetings to the fourth prince.” Xue Tong’s tone was quite mature as he made a respectful bow.

“Heh heh, it is indeed true that there are no weak troops beneath a capable general. Jiang Chen, your follower is likely a bit younger than you? It’s really quite rare for one to have this level of training at such a young age.”

Jiang Chen smiled, “As strong as his training is, he still must cast off the mundane and enter the spirit realm. Otherwise, all is empty talk. The other reason why I’ve given him this chance to go through this trial is because it is an opportunity to train.”

The group of people chatted and laughed until another group suddenly approached them. The person in the lead was first prince Ye Dai.

Eyes blaze with hatred when enemies come face to face.

Storm clouds immediately floated to the surface of Ye Dai’s previously slightly smiling face.

Rather, it was Ye Rong who chuckled and called out, “Big brother, you’re here too.”

“Are you the only one who is allowed to come?” Ye Dai asked expressionlessly in return.

Ye Rong smiled, “I thought big brother wouldn’t be participating because of how priceless your body is.”

“Number four, you seemed to have grown rather proud lately. I hope you have a successful Autumn Hunt.” Ye Dai waved his hand with a supercilious smile and brushed past them with his group of followers.

Jiang Chen seemed to be deep in thought as he looked upon the backs of Ye Dai and his group. Then, he spoke up in reminder, “Fourth prince, it looks like this Autumn Hunt won’t be that peaceful.”

Ye Rong’s expression was grave. “The Autumn Hunt has never been peaceful. No matter what, I have no way to retreat this time.”

“What do you mean?”

The muscles on Ye Rong’s face twitched slightly as he spoke gravely, “There’s news from the imperial harem that our royal father has decided to name a Crown Prince in the first month of the next year.”

“It’s late autumn now, which means that there’s only three to four months left.”

“That’s right. This intelligence has come rather suddenly and now all the princes are looking for all opportunities to show themselves off in front of our royal father.” Ye Rong’s tone was solemn. “Ye Dai’s mother’s side has great power and influence. They’ve already formed a power at court, advocating and building up momentum to advance Ye Dai’s interests. If I don’t demonstrate enough charisma during this time’s Autumn Hunt, it will be very difficult for me to make a play for the position of Crown Prince.”

Tian Shao sighed. “It’s a pity that younger brother Jiang Chen’s aid has been co-opted by Miss Dan Fei. If younger brother Jiang Chen was helping the fourth prince, then this Autumn Hunt would surely be quite exciting.”

Ye Rong chuckled. There was nothing that could be done with regards to Dan Fei requesting Jiang Chen. No matter what, there was no way that Ye Rong would turn down Dan Fei.

And thinking about it, given that Dan Fei had repurposed Jiang Chen, she would surely feel that she owed him a favor. If Dan Fei could speak a few words on his behalf in front of the honored tutor, that would make up for the possibility of a loss here.

Jiang Chen smiled but didn’t say anything.

He wasn’t that interested in the struggles between the princes and who ended up becoming Crown Prince. However, he was still a guest of Ye Rong in name after all, and so emotionally speaking, he still wished that Ye Rong could inherit the land and seize the position of the Crown Prince.

At least, with Ye Rong as Crown Prince, his people would have an easier time in the Skylaurel Kingdom.

If Ye Dai was Crown Prince, then a ton of crappy, irritating matters would surely crop up in the future.

“Jiang Chen!”

Just as everyone was chatting, a light, ethereal voice traveled in from the distance. Dan Fei had arrived.

Dan Fei’s outfit today was a stark contrast to her usual simple and elegant style. A clean cut practitioner’s leather robe was accompanied by leather shorts that covered half of her thighs.

Two slender calves beneath her knees were wrapped with specially crafted ties and she wore a pair of leather boots on her feet. Carrying a bamboo basket on her back, her entire demeanor was quite different from usual.

When she saw the pairs of eyes staring right at her, Dan Fei smiled leisurely, “And what are you all looking at? Haven’t you ever seen a beautiful woman before?”

Ye Rong smiled wryly, “Sister Dan Fei, you truly have a multitude of shifting styles. You comported yourself with a graceful and refined style before, and now with a mere shake of your body, you possess a heroic martial spirit.”

“Stop sucking up to me. What are you all doing here staring off into the distance? It’s almost time to set out.” One could see that Dan Fei was in an exceedingly good mood today.

Everyone chatted and laughed as they convened and set out together.

They left the capital and walked roughly three, four hundred li before arriving at the mountain range on the outskirts of the Precious Tree Sect.

The Precious Tree Sect was one of the hidden sects partially because its territory wasn’t as simplistic as how the outside world perceived it. There was actually another opening within the mountain range on the outskirts their territory. No outsiders were able to enter the true world of the sect without the sect’s unique coordinates.

A Precious Tree Sect elder was in charge of the Autumn Hunt. On the Skylaurel Kingdom’s side, they’d actually asked lordmaster Ye Chonglou to be the one in charge.

Looking at how the elder from the Precious Tree Sect was greatly deferential to lordmaster Ye Chonglou, it could be subtly seen that the real master of the Autumn Hunt was still Ye Chonglou.

Jiang Chen was faintly surprised by this.

Dan Fei however, had a faint smile on her face. She’d obviously known all this in advance.

“The lordmaster has always greatly valued the Autumn Hunt. In reality, the Precious Tree Sect is only providing a backdrop. The true power still lies with the lordmaster.” Since she was in a good mood, Dan Fei explained a bit to Jiang Chen when she saw the surprise on his face.

“Heh heh, since the lordmaster is in charge, can we cheat?” Jiang Chen smiled and asked.

“What do you fill your head with?” When Dan Fei was unhappy, her delicate brows knit slightly. “You’re my teammate now, how can you have such thoughts that don’t strive towards progress?”

Jiang Chen shrugged. He knew that verbally sparring with women was the most boring thing in the world. He would never win.

“Once you enter the maze realm, you’re completely cut off from the outside world. You won’t be able to exit before the time’s up. There’s no way for you to cheat even if you wanted to.”

Dan Fei couldn’t help but say angrily when she saw Jiang Chen’s distracted demeanor, “Jiang Chen, I’m beginning to wonder if forming a team with you was the right decision. Can’t you be a bit more serious?”

“Heh heh, does Miss Dan Fei want to fire me?”

Dan Fei rolled her beautiful eyes and bit out, “You want me to fire you? I won’t!”

The two of them bickered on and off until the Precious Tree Sect elder walked on stage and lightly pressed downwards with his hands a few times.

“Order, order. The maze realm is about to open. Each team will enter one by one according to the order you have been given. There’s a transportation matrix within the coordinates of this entrance. No one knows where you’ll be transported to once you set foot inside, so you must prepare yourself mentally and emotionally.”

“The rules are as usual. The Precious Tree Sect will take half of your gains and you can keep the other half. In addition, the Autumn Hunt will also be ranking the top three as well this time. When you emerge from the transportation matrix, you can look up how the rankings are calculated and what the rules are. The more you hunt, the higher your ranking will be. Those in the top three will receive additional rewards.”

“Additional rewards? Is the Precious Tree Sect taking money out from their own coffers?” Jiang Chen hadn’t known that those in the top three would have additional rewards.

“You think too much. The Precious Tree Sect will only sit there and rake in money without earning it. How could they take any of it out?” Dan Fei’s tone seemed to disapprove of the Precious Tree Sect’s style.

“Then where are these rewards coming from?” Jiang Chen was curious.

“There can be no wool without a sheep. The benefit comes from the price paid. All teams need to hand over half of their haul. Out of that half, ten percent will be taken out as a reward for the team in first place. Another ten will be taken out to reward second and third place. Second place will receive sixty percent of that ten, and third place forty percent of that ten.”

Jiang Chen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when he heard those words. “This Precious Tree Sect are certainly as mean as misers. They’re earning half of all the gains without doing anything and taking twenty percent of that out as a reward. So they’ll just pocket the remaining eighty percent?”

“Why do you think sects are so strong? Because they’re drowning in money? They rely on miserly methods like these and only take in resources without paying any out.”

Jiang Chen smiled and thought this to be rather sensible. A sect had to concentrate their spending of resources on the elites if it wanted to be strong.

It was mostly ordinary commoners who participated in the Maze Realm Autumn Hunt. They were destined to be unable to become sect disciples. It was obviously impossible for the sect to take out its own resources as a reward.

“Let this old fellow say a few words.” The voice of honored tutor Ye Chonglou rang out at this time. “The Maze Realm Autumn Hunt is a momentous occasion for the Skylaurel Kingdom, and a rare trial for all of you. This old fellow doesn’t have much to ask of you, except these words of advice. The theme of the Autumn Hunt lies in hunting prey. You best not bring your personal grudges inside. In principle, the Autumn Hunt forbids bloodshed between teams and resolution of personal grudges. Of course, these taboos are not strongly entrenched and are tough to enforce. However, I’d like to emphasize that unless you conceal it well or do so flawlessly, once someone informs me of your actions and you have been investigated, killing someone else in the midst of the fighting inside the maze will bear the same crimes and penalties as killing someone in the outside world.”

It was difficult to forbid manslaughter, but it would carry the same risks as it did in the outside world. Once someone was found out, they would bear the same punishments as they would’ve in the outside world.

Chapter 195: A Bizarre Combination Running into Bizarre Matters

In contrast to other small teams, Dan Fei’s only had two members. This was rather unique. However, although they were only two, they were also the ones who drew the most eyeballs and most attention.

There was no reason other than Dan Fei’s outfit. For those noble sons and disciples used to seeing Dan Fei’s elegant and refined clothing, her primal and revealing side made the testosterone within their bodies rapidly increase uncontrollably.

“That’s odd, I thought Miss Dan Fei always acts independently? Why does she have a companion this time? Who’s this brat? How can he form a team with Dan Fei?”

“What the hell? Are the manners and morals of this world changing? Even the Dan Fei who comes and goes freely has started to form teams. Oh heavens, my goddess is forming a team with another man by herself. Damn it, damn it!”

“Just who is that fellow? I need to find out more about him later. Could it be that Dan Fei, who holds such high standards actually has a sweetheart?”

“Ai, if I could form a team with Miss Dan Fei, I’d be willing to pay any price.”

If the countless men’s nagging mutterings and all of their whining complaints towards Jiang Chen had all transformed into spittle, it would’ve been enough to drown Jiang Chen eight to ten times over.

Jiang Chen was quite at ease as he stood there. He maintained a distance of half an arm’s length away from Dan Fei while completely ignoring all the envy and hate from the others.

A vicious gaze descended upon Jiang Chen from a distance. The owner of that gaze was the first prince Ye Dai.

“Jiang Chen, what rights do you have to be forming a team with Dan Fei? Has number four also fallen beneath Dan Fei’s skirts? Otherwise, how could he bear to let Jiang Chen form a team with someone else?” Ye Dai’s internal emotions were quite distorted and he was itching to stomp Jiang Chen into the ground with one foot and then occupy his spot.

It wasn’t that Jiang Chen was pretending that he was all that. He also knew that forming a team with Dan Fei was a matter that held extreme risk and would form lots of grudges for him.

Since he couldn’t change this fact, he could only shut off his five senses and simply get into meditation. Otherwise, staring back at all those vengeful and mournful looks from others for too long would only bring bad luck.

After roughly an hour, Dan Fei’s elegant hands viciously pinched Jiang Chen’s waist, “Stop playing dead, it’s our turn to go in.”

“Eh?” Jiang Chen felt a wave of pain as he followed Dan Fei into the transportation matrix in a haze of befuddlement. White light seared his vision as they entered the transportation matrix.

When his vision had returned to normal, in the next instant, they’d already arrived in the world of the maze realm.

There was an enormous lake in front of them, and its surface was as clear as a bright mirror as it reflected the white clouds and blue sky. It was so beautiful that with a mere glance, their breathing quickened.

They’d landed on the banks of a lake.

As Dan Fei looked at this scene that was as pretty as a picture, she was in a good mood and couldn’t help but sigh, “This is so beautiful. This is the prettiest landing spot I’ve encountered in the three times I’ve participated in the maze realm trials.”

Right after her words were spoken, a ripple occurred without forewarning on the surface of the water. An arrow of water directly shot towards them as a fierce copperhead crocodile that was enclosed within the arrow of water aimed to bite down directly on Dan Fei’s beautiful neck.

Jiang Chen’s reaction was exceedingly swift as he sent a punch crashing over, “Damned animal, get lost!”

This punch was both accurate and swift as it viciously thudded into the pouncing copperhead crocodile’s chin when it was just a meter away from Dan Fei.

The copperhead crocodile released a ghastly wail as its entire chin was completely pulverized, turning into a bloody mess. The body of the copperhead crocodile once again fell into the water along with its ghastly scream.

Although Dan Fei was still relatively calm after having been met with an ambush, her spirits had more or less been dampened.

Her beautiful eyes looked at Jiang Chen as she faintly smiled. “And I thought you didn’t know how to cherish the fairer sex.”

Jiang Chen chuckled, “Don’t think too much of it. I was afraid that the honored tutor would rip me apart after I returned if something happens to you.”

“Heh heh, don’t explain yourself. I don’t like to listen to an explanation like that.”

Her slender legs were already moving up the shore of the lake as she spoke, walking towards the grassy field in the distance, leaving Jiang Chen who was behind a back that was both alluring and filled with untamed wildness.

Jiang Chen had to admit that this woman truly did have the right to be proud of her body.

“Sister Dan Fei, nice focus.” Jiang Chen quickly caught up and said with a smile.

“What nice focus?” Dan Fei’s cherry blossom lips twitched. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Nice acting skills as well. I’m rather curious, if I hadn’t sent that creature flying just now, when would you have dodged?”

Dan Fei chuckled but didn’t respond, she moved quickly towards the front with light footsteps.

“Jiang Chen, you’re my bodyguard along the way. I won’t make a move unless I have to!”

Dan Fei’s curvaceous and toned body created an exceedingly beautiful sight in the midst of this vast expanse.

Jiang Chen was resigned. He knew that in terms of schemes and bad tempers, this woman was more adept at both of them. He sighed lightly. He decided to go along with the flow since he was already along for the ride.

Jiang Chen actually wouldn’t mind if she doesn’t make a move. He truly hadn’t planned on hunting that much prey this time anyways, he’d rather train instead.

Placing himself in an unfamiliar environment that could result in danger or lethal threats at any time, such an environment was the greatest allure of the trial.

Dan Fei’s speed wasn’t slow along the way, but she also wasn’t wandering absentmindedly. She would occasionally stoop by the side of the road and take a look here, take a sniff there, looking for something in all directions.

They’d walked about twenty to thirty li and had been harassed seven or eight times.

Except, up until now, the harassment had come from mortal rank spirit creatures, which was equivalent to the human true qi realm. Although their battle strength was similar to premier human true qi masters, they were still inconsequential in front of Jiang Chen.

There were two that were particularly violent and fierce that were directly pounded to death with a few punches and kicks from Jiang Chen.

There were another two that took the long way around and ran away with their tails between their legs as soon as they saw Jiang Chen. It was unknown if he’d used some particular skills to scare them off.

This matter was extremely bizarre in Dan Fei’s eyes.

Likewise, Jiang Chen also found Dan Fei’s actions incredibly baffling.

The two of them seemed to be feeling wronged and acting out of spite as neither paid attention to the other. This bizarre combination walked roughly seventy to eighty li before Dan Fei could no longer bear it and broke the silence first.

“Hey, Jiang Chen, are you a man or not? Will it kill you to say something?”

Jiang Chen started. “What do you want me to say? Aren’t you looking for a baby spirit animal? I was afraid I’d interrupt your concentration if I talked to you.”

It was an impressive sounding excuse that resulted in another eye roll from Dan Fei.

“Why are you such a good-for-nothing? Didn’t I give you a storage ring? Why aren’t you collecting the cores of those violent beasts?”

“What’s the point in collecting trash? A waste of time and energy.” Jiang Chen shrugged his shoulders. He really wasn’t putting on airs. Those beasts were of the mortal rank and they wouldn’t fetch much money, no matter how many he collected. They’d also take up space within the storage ring as well.

“Trash? Jiang Chen, do you think you have a lot of money? Don’t you know that beast cores can be sold? We spent twenty thousand each in sign up fees for us to get in here, do you understand that?”

“I’m not the one paying.” Jiang Chen beamed.

“I’m the one paying!” Dan Fei’s beautiful face darkened, appearing like someone slightly infatuated with money. “Don’t forget, I hired you. If you don’t collect the creatures’ cores, you’re ruining my wealth! Not to mention the hunting gains will be ranked after we exit.”

“Rankings? Not interested.”

Dan Fei’s cherry lips opened as she wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Jiang Chen. “I say, are you here to earn money or to find a baby spirit animal? I think I know why you failed the previous two times that you entered. Sister Dan Fei, I’m not admonishing you, but really, don’t be blinded by your love for money!”

Dan Fei nearly puked blood in her anger. She was the one who paid the entrance fee, while this brat was acting high and mighty. Not only was he not picking up beast cores, but he was even self-righteously lecturing her being mad about money.

Damn it, this was simply too loathsome.

“Don’t you dare refuse to accept the fact that we’re not here to earn money! It’s easy enough to earn money in the outside world. Why spend so much time and effort to enter the maze realm to earn money? Anyways, I’m not picking up the beast cores. You pick them up if you want to!”

Jiang Chen spoke with a complete ruffian’s tone. I’m just not going to pick them up.

Emotions flickered over Dan Fei’s beautiful cheeks, and she seemed to think something through for a while. She exhaled lightly as her tone changed.

“Alright Jiang Chen, let’s just say you’re right. Let’s keep going.”

Dan Fei had never been lectured like this by someone before, and she’d truly felt a bit aggrieved in the beginning. However, she was an incredibly intelligent woman and felt that Jiang Chen made a great deal of sense after thinking about it.

They only had a month’s worth of time. If she squandered it here and there, the time would be up quite quickly.

Although the beast cores were worth a reasonable amount of money, they couldn’t be compared to the main mission of this trip. And, if she wished to make money, there were innumerable opportunities in the outside world like Jiang Chen had said. What need did she have to come here and suffer through all this?

When she thought through this logic, Dan Fei’s ruffled emotions smoothed themselves. However, the pride of a woman made her unable to reconcile with Jiang Chen with laughter and chatter immediately.

It was a bit odd that as the two traveled on, the various mortal rank creatures that they encountered didn’t harass them at all. It was as if they were wary of something. The creatures took a spin around ten meters from the two and would then walk away without the slightest intention to attack.

Dan Fei thought that these creatures were intelligent and knew that they couldn’t afford to provoke the two. However, things became odder and odder the more she thought about it.

How could mortal rank beasts have such high intelligence?

Her beautiful eyes covertly observed Jiang Chen with a few traces of surprise, but she could glean no hints from him. There was nothing from Jiang Chen’s face that served as evidence that connected him to this matter.

“Bizarre. I’ve already participated in the Autumn Hunt twice. In my previous experiences, I had to spend the majority of my time fending off the harassment by these violent creatures. This trip is truly odd.” Dan Fei didn’t understand what was happening, but her intuition told her that this surely had something to do with Jiang Chen.

However, based on Dan Fei’s understanding of the nature of these beasts, she felt that this was impossible!

Dan Fei’s emotions were quite complicated as she took these questions down the road with her. She wanted to ask Jiang Chen, but was worried that he’d fob her off with some excuse if she’d asked.

She pretty much guessed that even if this had something to do with Jiang Chen, this fellow would never admit it.

At this step, Dan Fei also firmly believed in the lordmaster’s judgement of Jiang Chen. There was definitely a unique mysteriousness about him.

Everything that happened around him, and every single one of those events, were full of baffling connotations.

Just as Dan Fei was letting her thoughts run wild, Jiang Chen who was ahead of her suddenly halted, his entire being was like a bowstring that had been pulled taut and full of poised momentum.

Chapter 196: Let’s Talk About the Split in Profits Before We Cooperate

“What’s wrong?” Dan Fei was slightly surprised to see Jiang Chen’s sudden out-of-character performance.

Jiang Chen said in a low voice, “There’s a spirit rank spirit animal ahead, and more than one.”

“Is that true?” A look of surprise shot out of Dan Fei’s eyes when she heard Jiang Chen’s words. She hastened to ask, “You can sense them? How far away are they? Are their young with them?”

Jiang Chen furrowed his brow in contemplation and smoothed it out slightly after a long while, “They’re already gone. No young, all adult spirit rank creatures.”

“Oh, no young? What a pity.” Disappointment flashed across Dan Fei’s beautiful features.

“I think you’ve gone crazy in your desire for a baby spirit animal? Even if there was one, how would you steal it? Do you want to be attacked by a crowd of spirit animals?”

Dan Fei stuck out her tongue as she chuckled, “How can one get the tiger’s cubs besides going into the tiger’s caves?” Some risk has to be taken in order to obtain the baby spirit animal.”

Whenever this woman spoke of a baby spirit animal, her limpid eyes would shine with a fervent ardent light that was definitely not present normally.

This expression was as though a landlord or an old moneybag was looking at a pile of gold, silver, and jewelry with shining eyes.

“This woman is normally refined and demure but she’s actually this frightening when she goes mad.” Jiang Chen solemnly warned himself that he’d have to control this woman’s impulses. Otherwise, if she lost control and barged into a spirit creature’s abode without second thoughts, she really could might very well cause both of them to lose their lives.

A spirit rank spirit creature had a pure bloodline.

Sometimes, the rules of the world were wondrous. Whether it was human practitioners or in spirit animals, the purer a bloodline was, the more powerful their strength, but the weaker their reproductive abilities

For spirit creatures with pure bloodlines, their shortest reproductive cycle was ten or twenty years. Those with longer cycles could reach thirty to fifty years. There were even some spirit creatures who could only have a chance to progenate once every hundred years.

Therefore, in the spirit creature world, if you touched the young of a spirit creature that was in its reproductive cycle or feeding its young, that would be worse than making a move against the creature itself.

Once a spirit creature discovered that its young had been stolen, the vehemence of its revenge would be on quite an insane level.

It was because of this consideration that Jiang Chen kept warning himself that he must carefully control Dan Fei’s impulses.

After they walked for a day, they saw that night was slowly falling. There happened to be a patch of boulders up ahead. The enormous rocks were naturally embedded into the gentle slope, forming a unique scene.

“Let’s spend the night here. It’s a rough and jagged mountain area up ahead. The unending mountain ranges will likely greatly complicate the situation.” Jiang Chen raised a suggestion.

Truthfully, he was already mentally prepared for Dan Fei’s refusal. What he hadn’t thought that was Dan Fei actually nodded, “Then let’s rest here for the night.”

This maze realm was odd indeed. Temperatures were high during the day, but there was quite a nip in the air when the mountain wind blew at night.

Jiang Chen was alright since his clothing could fend off a bit of the cold. Dan Fei’s outfit had absolutely no coverings for the section between her thighs and calves. She wrapped her arms around her legs as she curled up, burying her head between her legs and trying her best to ward off this bone piercing cold air.

Who knew that this cold air would become worse as the night went on?

Towards the end, even Jiang Chen couldn’t help but circulate the spirit power within his body to warm himself. He took a look at Dan Fei only to see her quailing in the wind, her body starting to shiver and shudder.

However, Dan Fei had a stiff upper lip. She didn’t make a sound although it was very cold.

Jiang Chen suddenly seemed to remember that there was some equipment in the storage ring that had been prepared by Gouyu. He’d paid no attention to it at the time and just thrown it all inside.

He opened it to see that Gouyu had been quite thorough with her preparations. There was even a wool blanket inside!

Jiang Chen took out the blanket and walked in front of Dan Fei, throwing it around her with an easy wave of his hand. “Cover yourself up. Speak up if you’re cold, you’re almost turning into a quail with all your shivering.”

Jiang Chen shook his head and returned to where he had been sitting. He dug out a long robe and wore it backwards in front of him. He leaned against a large rock and slowly sank into meditation again.

The night wasn’t actually that peaceful. Jiang Chen sensed spirit creatures pass by several times while he was meditating, sometimes close by, sometimes far away.

The ones that were close flew past them a mere five hundred meters away.

Jiang Chen almost wanted to wake Dan Fei up a few times and leave this place where trouble was apt to find them. However, he restrained himself in the end. If these spirit creatures appeared so commonly, then one of them would find them sooner or later.

However, these spirit creatures never tarried when they passed by. They were obviously completely uninterested in human flesh and blood.

“Just what’s going on to cause these spirit creatures to appear so frequently?” Jiang Chen couldn’t understand it, but he didn’t dare to relax his guard.

The night finally passed. When the morning rays shone on the hillside, the cold air of the night was immediately dispelled and it returned to a comfortable temperature.

Jiang Chen opened his eyes to see that Dan Fei had already prepared breakfast.

The woman had obviously come prepared, she’d prepared a sumptuous feast. Jiang Chen walked over and helped himself unceremoniously.

Dan Fei handed over a cup of juice from an unknown fruit and said softly, “Thank you for your blanket.”

“Then I should thank you for your breakfast?” Jiang Chen smiled lazily and gulped down the juice in one swallow. “We head west today. Perhaps, we can really find you a baby spirit animal if we’re lucky!”

Jiang Chen wasn’t joking. There had been at least seven or eight spirit rank beasts coming from the northwest direction in the last day and night, quickly heading south.

Although he didn’t know what was happening in the south, there must be a reason for all these spirit beasts leaving their homes. Their rear would surely be weakly defended if they had all left.

Perhaps, the two of them could truly take advantage of this opportunity to swoop in when the spirit creatures’ homes were empty.

However, this opportunity had to be grasped at the right time. Otherwise, they’d be in for a world of trouble when the spirit beasts returned.

Of course, it was an unknown factor whether or not there were any young spirit beasts that those spirit creatures that had left.

When Dan Fei heard the words baby spirit animal, her eyes lit up, “Jiang Chen, do you have any suggestions?”

“Seven or eight spirit creatures moved swiftly towards the south in the last day and night. I speculate that something must have surely happened in the south, or is about to happen. These beasts came from the northwestern direction, and so I’m guessing that their homes should be in that area. If we are careful and travel towards the northwest, perhaps we really will run into a spirit animal home with cubs in it if we’re lucky?”

Dan Fei’s eyes gleamed, “Jiang Chen, this is a good idea. Were there really seven or eight spirit creatures that passed by yesterday?”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t sense them.”

“I only sensed two of them.” Dan Fei responded honestly, the light of delight shining out from her beautiful eyes. “Jiang Chen, to think that your consciousness is this strong and this sensitive. It looks like I’ve asked the right person when I recruited you!”

“Stop kissing up to me. We agreed that if there really are baby spirit animals, it’s yours if there’s only one. If there are extras, the rest are all mine.” Jiang Chen brought up his conditions.

Dan Fei started, “What do you want with baby spirit animals?”

Jiang Chen laughed easily, “Why can’t I want them since you guys want them? If I recall correctly, my knowledge of spirit animals should be stronger than both of yours.”

Dan Fei was at a loss for words.

She thought momentarily and then nodded, “How about this? The first one is mine, the second is yours. If there’s a third, it’s still yours. The fourth is mine and so on and so forth. Apart from the first one, all the odd numbered ones are yours and even numbered ones are mine. How about that?”

Dan Fei didn’t want to suffer losses, and so, she emphasized a certain sentence after making her proposal, “Don’t haggle if you’re a man. Don’t forget, I was the one who paid for your entrance fee!”

Jiang Chen was speechless. This woman really was unwilling to come up short in anything.

Although Jiang Chen had accepted Dan Fei’s invitation for the Autumn Hunt, he also had a certain goal in this trip.

His goal was a spirit rank creature.

Whether it was alive or dead, they were all Jiang Chen’s targets.

Having entered the spirit realm, he was well aware of how important the cores of a spirit rank spirit creature were. The ones of mortal ranks creatures were worthless, but the ones of spirit rank creatures couldn’t be mentioned in the same breath.

The cores of a spirit rank creature embodied rich spirit power. They were the nutritious supplements that all practitioners most yearned for. The cores were some of the best items to help shape the spirit ocean and raise spirit power.

However, Jiang Chen still possessed a bit of a gentlemanly demeanor and he couldn’t contest every inch of land when he saw that Dan Fei was so serious. He could only take one step back. “Remember, I’ll hold you to your words. Otherwise, if it comes down to it, you won’t obtain even one baby spirit animal.”

Dan Fei giggled, “You brat, am I someone to turn hostile like that?”

“Perhaps you’re not, but you change into a completely different person when you mention baby spirit animals, like you’ve gone crazy. We should specify terms clearly at first and use a great deal of courtesy later in making this agreement.”

Dan Fei’s fair and clear jade hands plucked at a few strands of hair that the wind had blown into disarray, but she wasn’t the slightest bit infuriated by Jiang Chen’s words.

The two of them ate breakfast, packed up and set off on their way again.

“Jiang Chen, I have a method of observing baby spirit animals. Add to that your extraordinary sensing skills, that makes our cooperation flawless without a trace.” Dan Fei was in high spirits.

However, Jiang Chen wasn’t as optimistic as her. Putting aside the matter of whether or not the spirit creatures who’d left had babies, wouldn’t they have companions guarding their homes if they did?

Although these spirit animals were at the initial or even mid spirit rank, their battle strength was quite astonishing.

Particularly when they were protecting their young, their strong battle strength would increase explosively.

Therefore, ordinary adventurers would rather fight humans of equal strength rather than face an enraged spirit creature.

The two of them actually did find two spirit creature homes using the method that Dan Fei had mentioned. However, there were no babies in their homes.

Although there were some good items in their lairs, some spirit rank flowers, grass, and medicine, Dan Fei was heartily disinterested in all of them since there were no baby spirit animals.

Although Jiang Chen was thoroughly disinterested in the mortal rank cores, he took everything that was in the spirit rank, even if it was just flowers and grass.

“Heh heh, Jiang Chen, I thought you viewed money like dirt.” Dan Fei finally found an opportunity to make a dig at Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen rolled his eyes. “Sister Dan Fei, the level of your venomous tongue is simply too inferior. If you want to make me feel the bite of sarcasm, you’ll have to work on your skills.”

Dan Fei was immediately struck dumb. She discovered that this man was invincible when he wanted to be shameless.

Chapter 197: Dan Fei Goes Crazy Too

Another three days passed. During these three days, Jiang Chen sensed at least twenty to thirty spirit creatures making their way south in a great hurry.

These were only the ones that he could sense and didn’t even include those far off in the distance.

“Something huge must have happened in the south. However, our chances increase as these spirit creatures leave. According to my judgement, there are definitely female spirit creatures in the suckling period amongst them. If I’m sensing this correctly, there’s are definitely baby spirit animals ahead. All that remains to be seen is when this woman can find them!”

Jiang Chen wasn’t as optimistic as Dan Fei. No matter how she urged him on, he neither quickened nor slowed his pace, journeying onwards by his own tempo.

On the afternoon of the sixth day, Dan Fei finally made a discovery.

“Jiang Chen, I’m willing to bet that there are baby spirit animals in the valley ahead.”

“Are you sure?”

Dan Fei’s tone was a bit agitated, “I'm sure. I've conducted many years of research in this area. I know how to determine if there are baby spirit animals present.”

Jiang Chen’s nose twitched slightly as he nodded, “There are indeed a few traces of the scent unique to suckling young in the air. However, how do you know if it isn't a spirit animal who happens to be feeding her young passing by here?”

“There's a difference between simply passing by and long term residence.”

“If a spirit animal is passing by, then there will only be one scent trail. However, long term residence will result in a more even distribution. This is only one of the points. Look at the surrounding spirit herbs and these flowers and grass, they all bear the teeth marks of young spirit animals who have nibbled on them.”

“In addition, baby spirit animals have a unique scent. This is also different from a mother’s scent.”

Dan Fei lightly clenched her feminine fist, saying excitedly, “Jiang Chen, I can guarantee that there is a baby spirit animal here. I finally see the hope of success this time!”

“Don't have your head turned with success!” Jiang Chen doused her with a timely bucket of metaphorical cold water. “Even if there are baby spirit animals here, how can you ascertain that their mother has left? How can you promise that there are no other companions here protecting them?”

“Remember, the violent nature that explodes out of any spirit animal when it discovers that its young is being threatened is incredibly difficult to contend with. We need to win through intelligence and not through fighting fire with fire.”

Finally, the two of them discussed briefly and decided that Jiang Chen should go scout ahead first, fix onto the baby spirit animal’s general location and then steal it afterwards.

The Psychic’s Head divine art that Jiang Chen was practicing naturally had a way to withdraw a body’s aura into the seven senses and then send it outwards.

There was another cave within the mountain valley.

Grotesque rocks dotted the somewhat steep terrain around the outside of the cave. However, this was no great problem for practitioners.

After Jiang Chen observed the scene for a while, he used Psychic’s Head to sense things. A slight solemness crept into his heart.

“There are indeed baby spirit animals present, and there's four of them!”

Jiang Chen’s heartbeat sped up involuntarily as immediately afterwards, he then felt another strong presence.

“This is bad, there really is a guardian there. I knew that it couldn't be that easy to steal baby spirit animals.” Jiang Chen muttered inwardly but was in no hurry to make his move.

He returned to where Dan Fei was waiting and outlined the situation for her.

“Four babies? That many?” Dan Fei’s eyes lit up.

“Don't be happy just yet. Apart from the four baby animals, there's still another spirit animal that's the equivalent of a human third level spirit realm practitioner. Do you think you can handle it?”

“Well…” Dan Fei’s slender eyebrows knit together slightly. This was a thorny problem. “Since the other spirit creatures have gone to the south, why hasn’t this one?”

“You’re asking me, but who should I ask?”

Dan Fei was silent for a moment, “This sort of situation is also within the scope of my plans. Given the protection of an adult spirit creature, we need to find a way to draw it out. We’ll lure the tiger out of the mountains, or in other words, we’ll entice it to leave its vantage point and then steal the baby spirit animals.”

“Luring the enemy out is something that’s easier said than done.” Jiang Chen smiled. “If we don’t execute it properly, we could very well pay the price with our lives.”

“Don’t talk about such unlucky nonsense!” Dan Fei hectored lightly. “Jiang Chen, I have a medicine which the lordmaster himself put together that can make spirit animals fall asleep and lose their attacking abilities for a short amount of time. If we can make the guardian spirit animal sleep for a short period of time, we won’t be without a chance.”

“How long can this be maintained?” Jiang Chen asked.

“Roughly fifteen minutes!” Dan Fei thought briefly before replying.

“Fifteen minutes? That’s way too short. We won’t have gotten far in fifteen minutes. The spirit creature will easily find us by sensing and following the presence of the babies.”

Dan Fei smiled. “Don’t you worry, I have a way to conceal the presence of the baby spirit creatures if we get them, so that the adult one won’t be able to follow us through their presence.”

Jiang Chen still shook his head. He understood that old tutor Ye Chonglou might have the ability to do so, but there were no absolutes in the affairs of the world. Sure, one could cover the presence of the baby spirit animals, but how far away could they get in fifteen minutes? Once the spirit animals utilized the strength around them and all embarked instantly to engage in a carpet bombing style search, it’d still be very easy to find the two.

Although fifteen minutes wasn’t a short amount of time, but they really may not be able to make it out.

“Jiang Chen, are you a man or not? Don’t you men say that wealth comes from danger and risk? We’re just taking a larger risk to obtain four spirit animals. If we can do that, no matter how much prey all of the rest of them have hunted, we’re still first place for sure after we leave.”

Piles and mountains of ordinary creature cores were still less convincing than a core of a spirit creature.

Ten spirit creature cores were still less valuable than one living spirit creature.

This was reality. A mortal rank was less than a spirit rank, and of the spirit rank, a live spirit animal was preferable to a dead one.

Who would know if you were the one who’d killed it if the spirit creature was dead? Who knew if it wasn’t the spirit rank creature which had died of natural causes at the end of a long life?

It was different if it was alive. As everyone knew, it may not be that difficult to kill a spirit creature, but it would be greatly difficult to capture one alive.

“No need to blather on. Your plan is too risky, I’m not agreeing to it. Unless you destroy me, I’m absolutely not agreeing to this plan.”

“Then do you have a better plan?” Dan Fei laughed coldly. “Jiang Chen, although you know a little bit of the way of spirit animals, but the lordmaster and I have conducted research for many years in this area. We’re definitely much more professional and knowledgeable than you are. Don’t forget that you’re the assistant I hired. I’m the one who should be calling the shots!”

“Heh heh, I’m not agreeing to this even if you say a thousand or ten thousand words. You will have no way of executing this risky plan if I don’t nod my head.”

Jiang Chen was truly a man of his word. Although Dan Fei was a bit of a distance away from him, he would get up and follow her as soon as her body left his vision.

Dan Fei was so mad that she stomped her feet. “Jiang Chen, if… if you’re so afraid, then you go back first.”

“It’s a bit late to tell me to leave now, isn’t it? At any rate, the lordmaster will rip me apart if anything happens to you.”

Dan Fei’s delicate brows knit together with an audible click and she could only sulk by herself.

With the advent of night, Dan Fei’s anger didn’t show any sign of dissipating. Jiang Chen paid no attention to her small temper tantrum and sat cross legged, entering a meditative state.

Ever since he had entered the world of the maze realm, Jiang Chen had passed every day in a state of high alert. As he perceived the mysteriousness of the maze realm, the strength of his heart increased quickly.

In particular, with this general situation, the secret art of the Psychic’s Heart had advanced to the third level.

Dan Fei wrapped herself in her blanket as if she’d already fallen asleep but after two hours, her eyes that were as bright as the stars suddenly opened slightly. Her lashes fluttered slightly as she looked in Jiang Chen’s direction.

Her jade hand below the blanket was holding a small jade bottle. She lightly uncapped it and dumped out a continuous stream of white powder.

This white powder slowly spread with the scent of some ordinary flowers and grass.

After a while, Dan Fei squirmed out from the blanket and strode in front of Jiang Chen, pushing his head lightly twice. A proud smile was revealed in the curve of her lips. “Damned brat, let’s see how you’ll stop me now? You’re still a bit far off from contending with your sister.”

She flung the blanket onto Jiang Chen, “When I come back, maybe you’ll still be deep in the throes of sleep!”

Dan Fei was more than a little proud of herself as her slender legs strode forward, making for the direction of the cave.

After taking two steps, a mischievous notion suddenly traveled through her mind. She smiled strangely and returned to where Jiang Chen was. Grabbing a piece of charcoal that had been partially burnt, she drew a stroke left and right of Jiang Chen’s lips, giving him a mustache.

“Heh heh, the look isn’t complete just yet.” She added another three strokes across and one stroke down as she muttered to herself, writing a large 王 character (The first character of the phrase of 王八, which can be translated to "son of a b*tch".).

After that, she threw the piece of charcoal away randomly and dusted off her jade hands. “Alright Jiang Chen, you’ll see how your sister gets the baby spirit animals! Save yourself the effort of puffing yourself up in front of me and acting like you’re all that!”

Dan Fei was just as Jiang Chen had said. When it came to baby spirit animals -- she would turn into a complete madwoman.

One had to say, although Dan Fei was a woman, she had some guts. Although she hadn’t succeeded in capturing a baby spirit animal in the two times that she’d experienced the trials of the maze realm, it had cultivated a side of her that was full of courage.

She quickly came to the edge of that cave.

A long, thin bamboo pipe appeared in her hand like magic. There was a slot on the top of the bamboo pipe -- a mechanism that could be manually triggered.

Dan Fei poured a bottle of “Mind Enchantment Powder” into the bamboo pipe. She then took out another bottle and poured it in as well, as if deathly afraid that it wouldn’t be enough.

She closed the slot again after pouring in the powder. Pulling on the pipe with her right hand, she extended it by a few centimeters. All of the powder was now evenly dispersed in the front of the pipe.

Dan Fei put the pipe up to her mouth and snuck into the cave step by step.

She also knew that even if the guardian was asleep, its spirit energy wouldn’t be completely retracted. It’d certainly still be relatively alert.

Therefore, she was quite cautious and didn’t dare let up her guard in the slightest.

The bamboo pipe dangled out of her cherry lips as she crept, step by step, into the cave.

“Roar!!” A violent roar suddenly resounded in the cave before a wind of blood and gore assaulted her directly. It was the adult spirit creature bounding out of the cave.

Whoosh.

Dan Fei’s small mouth exhaled as a breath infused with the scent of orchids sent the powder spraying out of the bamboo pipe. It formed a powdery arc as it shot towards the spirit creature pouncing on her.

As she made this dangerous and risky move, Dan Fei’s body rolled, burrowing into lower ground on the side and avoiding this furious blow from the spirit creature.

Bam!

The spirit creature’s claws had gouged out a deep pit where she had been standing.

The spirit creature was about to pounce downwards as it roared, but the medicinal effects of the powder took effect in that moment. The spirit creature wavered as it couldn’t keep its footing and then fell down.

Chapter 198: Thank Goodness for Jiang Chen

Hoo!

Dan Fei breathed out a long sigh of relief from her low vantage point. That was truly dangerous. The spirit beast had been so close to jumping down and attacking her.

She didn’t think that she could fend off a furious below from this spirit beast in such confined quarters.

“It’s a good thing that the lordmaster’s Mind Enchantment Powder is strong enough. However, that was also good luck just now. If it hadn’t been leaping towards me, and if I hadn’t used double the usual amount, perhaps it wouldn’t have fallen so quickly if the medicine hadn’t been as strong. I would’ve been the one suffering from bad luck had it been that little bit slower.”

Dan Fei was still in a state of shock when she jumped up, she wanted to kill the spirit creature while she was at it. However, she also knew that the spirit creature had a tough pelt and thick flesh. It’d take some effort to kill it.

“Forget it, let’s grab the babies first and assess the situation later.”

Dan Fei’s flitted forward on lotus steps and swept into the cave. She saw four babies with their heads back, their stomachs gurgling as they called out.

They were furry and fuzzy, obviously having just been born.

Dan Fei had no time to determine what spirit animals they were, she put all four in the bamboo basket on her back. She closed the lid tightly and didn’t linger for another second, dashing outside.

She didn’t even glance at the various spirit herbs, grasses, and fruits within the cave.

“Humph. If it was Jiang Chen, that addict to wealth, he definitely wouldn’t pass these things up. It’s apparent from this that my focus is much stronger than his.”

In the instant that she swept past the spirit creature again, Dan Fei had the momentary notion to kill the beast and be done with it once and for all.

However, she was still cognizant in terms of understanding her level of martial proficiency. Her true strength was at but the first level of the spirit realm. Killing the spirit beast that lay here would likely take quite a bit of time.

What if this spirit creature had companions that happened to come back at this time, wouldn’t that be awful?

Dan Fei decided to not be greedy and left the cave first.

After fleeing from the cave and breathing in the air from the outside world, Dan Fei felt completely at ease. The success of obtaining baby spirit animals made her feel incomparably happy.

She only wanted to hurry back to where Jiang Chen was and thoroughly show off of him, making him admit that he was inferior!

Just as her thoughts traveled down this path, Dan Fei’s suddenly changed drastically because a tragic cry of sorrow came from the cave, transforming into a long howl afterwards!

This voice shook the heavens, seeming to want to collapse the entire cave.

“This is bad, the Mind Enchantment Powder has lost its effectiveness this quickly. That spirit beast is much stronger than I’d imagined.”

Sweat instantly beaded on her forehead.

She hadn’t made it far from the cave at all. If the spirit creature was fast, it could catch up to her in the span of a few breaths.

Having never known what fear was, Dan Fei’s heart was now in a panicked mess as her frantic emotions showed on her face. Her legs churned and ate up the distance, exerting every last drop of strength in her bones.

Bam bam bam.

An earth shattering tremble came from the direction of the cave, approaching her with extreme speed. Its momentum was as if it would bring down the entire mountain valley.

“Oh no, it’s coming!” Dan Fei was shocked senseless in that moment.

She hadn’t thought that the spirit animal would awaken so quickly, and that it would be so fast in chasing her.

Her speed wasn’t slow, but it was blatantly obvious that the spirit creature was even faster.

It had closed the gap to within a thousand meters in a few breaths.

“Can it be that I, Dan Fei, will lose my life here today? Jiang Chen… Jiang Chen, hurry up and wake up. Flee!” Dan Fei felt a bit of regret in this moment.

Why didn’t she listen to Jiang Chen? Why had she acted arbitrarily?

But it seemed a bit too late for regrets at the moment. Dan Fei could feel the pressure of the third or fourth level spirit realm beast behind her. It came thundering towards her with a dominant force. Its aura made her two legs almost unable to move.

“Idiotic woman, get down!”

A low shout suddenly cut across the night at this crucial moment.

Three sounds broke through the air in succession afterwards, as three arrows ripped through the air like shooting stars, flying brilliantly at the spirit animal in hot pursuit behind her.

The enormous spirit animal was actually a giant ape. Its silvery fur appeared even more translucent and gleaming beneath the splendor of the moon.

When the giant ape saw the arrow attack, it gave another long whistle.

Its arms spread out as it punched, punched, and punched for a third time. It actually used the strength of its punches to blast those arrows to bits!

“Awrooo!” The giant ape roared again after punching the arrows away and it rushed forward.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Another three arrows shot forward unceremoniously.

The giant ape followed the same set pattern as the aura from its boxing punches once again smashed the arrows to bits.

Although the two rounds of arrow attacks hadn’t harmed the giant ape, they noticeably dogged its footsteps and reduced its forward momentum.

“Idiot woman! Why haven’t you left yet?”

The voice naturally came from Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen had only been entranced by the Mind Enchantment Powder for a short while before recovering his wits. He used the divine art of Psychic’s Head to expel the remaining poison from the powder and he immediately guessed that Dan Fei had made a reckless move.

This Mind Enchantment Powder couldn’t even keep him, a practitioner of the first level spirit realm, under for that long. It’d likely be even less effective when used on that adult spirit creature.

When his thoughts travelled there, Jiang Chen also became greatly anxious. He rushed in this direction with the fastest speed possible, just so happening to run into Dan Fei when the giant ape was about five hundred meters from Dan Fei.

If he’d been even a bit slower, that crazy woman would’ve definitely been slapped into meat paste by the giant ape that was like a small mountain.

Dan Fei had no spare attention and effort to argue with Jiang Chen now, she knew that her presence was extraneous. She picked up her pace to make for the outside perimeter.

“Jiang Chen, don’t linger in battle, go!”

This woman wasn’t without loyalty after all, she didn’t voice heartless words that wanted Jiang Chen to distract that spirit creature.

However, if Jiang Chen extracted himself and left at this time, both of them would most likely be unable to make it out with the speed of the giant ape.

To engage in a contest of speed, endurance, and environment in someone else’s home turf, they were at an disadvantage in all aspects.

Judging from the punching method that the giant ape used in demolishing the arrows, it likely had a style that was more crude and forceful, a representative of those that did wild and fierce battle.

If it wasn’t for this giant ape’s level of strength at a solid fourth level spirit realm, Jiang Chen actually felt an itch to do battle and almost wanted to deploy the Divine Aeons Fist to box with it.

Jiang Chen actually really wanted to experience the physical kind of fight in which fists were meeting fists.

However, it was obviously not a good opportunity at the moment. The giant ape’s strength was much greater than his. Facing off against it in a boxing match, even though Jiang Chen had the mysteries of the Divine Aeons Fist, he wouldn’t make it past ten blows from the giant ape.

It was a good thing that the Da Yu bow was a four times refined spirit weapon. When Jiang Chen entered the spirit realm, his skill in the use of spirit weapons had once again risen noticeably.

It was absolutely incomparable to when he was in the realm of true qi.

Even this giant ape with the tough skin and thick flesh seemed to know the might of these arrows. It only dared to use its fists to smash into the arrows and didn’t dare use its tough skin to block it.

However, when it used its fists to break the arrows apart, its forward momentum was naturally affected.

Jiang Chen remained unmoved no matter how it roared in a threatening manner. The Da Yu bow in his hand pinned the giant ape down with unerring accuracy.

The giant ape was beside itself with anxiety but it could do nothing. If it wanted to move forward, it could have ignored the attacks from the arrows, but the giant ape knew full well that as strong as its body was, it couldn’t ignore the attacks from these arrows and use its body to withstand the attacks from the arrows.

It roared continuously in its anxiety and punched out with increasing speed, the aura of its punches becoming fiercer and fiercer.

The boulders around it were continuously demolished and shattered as it punched out.

Jiang Chen also found it tough to bear up beneath the onslaught. Although the Da Yu bow could pin down the giant ape, it had a limited number of arrows.

If he continued using them like this, he’d run out of arrows in a short while.

He was using the original arrows that were a set with the Da Yu bow this time, and not the lower quality arrows that he’d bought afterwards.

If those arrows had been used, they wouldn’t have had any effect on the giant ape.

“There’s still twelve more arrows, I can hold it off for another fifteen minutes. I hope that idiot woman hasn’t been too dumb and isn’t waiting for me in an place not far away. Otherwise, these delaying tactics will have been in vain.”

Jiang Chen only prayed that Dan Fei was far away.

As long as Dan Fei had cleared the area, Jiang Chen didn’t mind engaging this giant ape in a little game of tag.

Although the giant ape was fast, it had a large body after all. Jiang Chen had a spirit ocean that had been formed by the Five Dragons Opening Heavens Pill, what he lacked least was boundless spirit power.

This was the advantage of a superior spirit ocean. He was able to store a lot more spirit power than ordinary practitioners.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Another round of arrow attacks, but the giant ape seemed to have gained a full understanding of Jiang Chen’s attacking method now. It could actually slowly advance forward as it used its fists to demolish the arrows at the same time.

“Damn it, who the hell said spirit creatures were dumb? The giant ape is obviously familiar with my tactics now. This is bad. If this continues, it will quickly draw close to me, unless I increase the concentration of my attack. I have no chance of winning at all in close combat!”

Jiang Chen’s grasp of the battle situation was also exceedingly sensitive.

Increase the concentration of his attacks? When he saw that there were only nine arrows left in his quiver, Jiang Chen couldn’t help but smile ruefully. There were only nine arrows left. There was a limit to how much he could increase the concentration of his attacks.

Once he shot off these nine arrows, the Da Yu bow would be worthless. He, Jiang Chen, would be akin to having crippled one of his arms.

When he calculated the time, it’d be fifteen minutes since Dan Fei left. If she ran at full speed, she should’ve gone far from here.

When Jiang Chen’s thoughts traveled here, he didn’t linger in battle and turned and ran.

“Ai, if only I could bring a Goldwing Swordbird into this trial. How would I be so bedraggled now?” Jiang Chen started missing the Goldwing Swordbirds at this time.

Although the giant ape was strong, it wasn’t a flying type in the end. If Jiang Chen could take to the skies, even a mid spirit ranked creature would be able to do nothing to him.

However, thinking of the Goldwing Swordbirds now was to just console himself with false hopes. It wouldn’t solve his problem at all.

His mind elsewhere, Jiang Chen brought his greatest speed to bear and began to retreat. When the giant ape saw Jiang Chen running, it started chasing him with great, thudding steps, hot on his heels.

Jiang Chen knew that the giant ape’s speed was still a bit faster than his when he heard the rhythm of these footsteps.

He deployed the God’s Eye and looked ahead, planning on finding the best escape route.

When he looked around, he almost spat out a mouthful of his ancient blood.

Dan Fei, that idiotic woman, was standing not too far away, waiting for him!

Chapter 199: Victory from the Jaws of Extreme Danger

Jiang Chen didn’t know whether to curse at her or feel touched at this moment. She wasn’t a cold-hearted, vicious woman after all. She hadn’t left him behind to make good on her own escape.

Dan Fei was like one of those orchid flowers blooming in the night that were spoken of but never seen. Her slender body stood atop a large tree as she gazed anxiously in Jiang Chen’s direction. Deep anxiety was written all over her incomparably beautiful face. The surge of stubborness that was usually flittering deep around the corners of her eyes was now fully displayed.

“This crazy woman…” Jiang Chen knew that it was pointless to curse at her now as he prepared to stop and once again engage the enemy.

“Jiang Chen, take three steps to your left to avoid an area of 100 meters, then take another three steps right to avoid an area of sixty meters and finally, fly over an area of 30 meters without coming in contact with the ground!” Dan Fei’s deeply worried voice rang through the night sky like the startled calls of a nightingale.

Mm?

Jiang Chen had planned on slowing down his footsteps when a thought struck him as he listened to these words. Had this crazy woman not made it far because she was laying traps here?

He was a resolute man and didn’t hesitate under these circumstances. He took a turn to the left, then to the right, and finally abruptly kicked off the ground at the thirty meter section according to the route pointed out by Dan Fei. His body flew just like a giant bird gliding through the air.

After entering the spirit realm, although he couldn’t yet fly, soaring through the air was no problem at all. Add to the fact that there were two big trees on the side that he could push off from, Jiang Chen landed on a branch next to Dan Fei after a few rises and falls.

“Why didn’t you escape when I told you to flee?”

Dan Fei’s sexy lips pursed as her feminine face displayed stubborn look. “Am I so disloyal in your eyes as to leave a comrade behind and flee?”

Jiang Chen had wanted to say that she’d wrecked his original plans, but thought that there was absolutely no point in bringing that up now. He rolled his eyes and grabbed Dan Fei’s hand, taking her on a glide through the air.

“Jiang Chen, this entire area’s been planted with Mind Enchantment Powder. I don’t believe that that big thing won’t fall victim to it again!”

Dan Fei’s body quivered slightly when her small hand was grabbed by Jiang Chen. A strange feeling like she’d been electrocuted spread throughout her body, but she still spoke calmly.

“What bloody use is that? The spirit creature’s fallen victim to it once and will surely be on its guard against it.”

The giant ape had tracked them to within the hundred meter area as they were speaking and actually used a large hand to cover its nose, making its way to Jiang Chen and Dan Fei with large strides.

“Do you see that?” Jiang Chen flung Dan Fei onto a nearby tree with a large swing, roaring, “Don’t tarry this time, go! I’ll catch up to you!”

Dan Fei was depressed to see her carefully laid out trap being seen through with a single glance from the giant ape. She hadn’t imagined that although the giant ape looked like all brawn and no brains, it actually had very sharp mind!

Jiang Chen grabbed the Da Yu bow as he couldn’t afford the luxury to pay attention to the fact that there weren’t that many arrows left. He had to make a final gamble. If he won the bet, perhaps they’d be able to break free.

If he didn’t win the gamble, they’d be in a great deal of trouble!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Three arrows in succession flew towards the giant ape. The giant ape’s speed was exceedingly fast, but the arrows could still slow it down.

Plus, one of its hands had to cover its nose, so it only had one giant hand left to freely move around.

Bam, bam!

Two punches fended off two arrows, but another remained right in front of it. The giant ape had no choice but to remove the hand covering its nose and throw out a punch.

Bam! The arrow close at hand was also brought down.

Jiang Chen took out all of the remaining six arrows at this moment, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Six arrows in succession locked onto the giant ape with the fastest speed and greatest strength Jiang Chen could bring to bear from six different angles, speeding towards it mercilessly.

The power and intensity of the six successive arrows forced the giant ape to halt its footsteps. The giant ape had just entered into the thirty meter area at this time.

Jiang Chen had fired the six arrows in unison precisely for this exact moment.

This area was certain to be where Dan Fei had set up most of the powder, which is why she had him travel through the air.

The attack from the six arrows arrived at the same time. The giant ape would either have to not use its boxing skills and use its body to block the arrows instead, or it’d have to throw its full strength into punching out the arrows.

If it used its full strength in boxing moves however, it would naturally have to use spirit power. When the spirit power circulated, the Mind Enchantment Powder in the surroundings would also circulate at greater speed. It’d be difficult for the giant ape to not take any of it in while it fought!

It would take in the powder whenever it breathed!

This kind of calculation was precise down to the most minute details, exact to the point of its execution being defined in the closest meter.

When Jiang Chen had thrown Dan Fei onto the branch, her heart had kept pounding. Even though Jiang Chen had once again told her to run, it was as if her feet had taken root and she couldn’t move, no matter how much she wanted to.

“Awroooo!”

The giant ape was also quite fierce and it seemed to know that there was Mind Enchantment Powder in this area. Its entire body suddenly sped up as its thick legs stomped fiercely onto the ground. Its enormous body shot through the air like a round, silver ball.

Bam, bam!

The giant ape actually used its body to take the hits from two arrows.

The strength of this bound was extraordinary as the ape shot towards the big tree that Dan Fei was on.

When Jiang Chen saw this sudden development, a nameless anger grew in his heart. That idiotic woman hadn’t left yet!

Quicker than words could tell, Dan Fei’s heart leapt in fright when she saw the giant ape bound up and come careening towards her. She knew that this was because the giant ape had sensed the presence of the baby spirit animals and was rushing towards her without regard of its own life.

“Dodge!”

Jiang Chen was a bit far from Dan Fei at this time. If he rushed to save her and used his body against the giant ape’s in a contest of force, he would, without a doubt, be grounded into meat paste.

A blow at the peak of anger from a mid spirit rank beast, even though injured, was still a very frightening blow. Being hit with that blow through the air would likely result in immediate death after spitting out blood, not to mention being body-slammed by it.

In that critical moment, Jiang Chen’s hands raised slightly, the sun in one hand and the moon in another. His two arms were like two great trees as the shape that his hand was formed in shifted slightly, forming the concept of a cycle of blooming and wilting.

Two throwing daggers had also appeared in his hands at this time.

“Moonshatter Flying Daggers, I hope you don’t fail me this time!” Jiang Chen’s thoughts churned swiftly. He was finally going to use the throwing dagger technique that he’d trained arduously before the trials, the one that he combined with the concept of the Divine Aeons Fist. He was deploying the Flying Eagle Form with one hand and the Pouncing Tiger Form with the other.

Two completely different great techniques were being melded into one, using the true meaning of the Divine Aeons Fist.

Whoosh!

The throwing dagger in his right hand first gave rise to a wave of qi as fierce as fire, transforming into the momentum of a ferocious tiger descending down a mountain and pouncing towards that furiously charging giant ape.

The throwing dagger in his left hand shout out at almost the same time, as if a clear breeze in the night sky, stealthily moving through the air --

Flying Eagle Form!

Pouncing Tiger Form in his right hand, Flying Eagle Form in his left.

The two vastly different dagger-throwing techniques formed two completely distinct forces and auras in this moment through the philosophy of life and death behind the Divine Aeons Fist. It was as if the radiance of the sun and splendor of the moon intersected in the sky!

The fur on the giant ape was like steel needles, and it suddenly stood on end. With the level of training the giant ape had, it could naturally discern the boundless killing intent shooting towards it from the side.

This killing intent was absolutely enough to threaten its life.

However, it didn’t have the ability to think of so much at this moment!

It only had one thought right now, and that was to take back the babies and slap this damned human female to death!

Dan Fei was still a woman who had seen great occasions after all. After starting slightly, she knew that there was no way she could withstand the giant ape’s momentum when she saw it heading towards her. She dodged into the air and used all the strength in her body to shift upwards and to the side.

The giant ape clawed viciously and connected with the big tree that Dan Fei had been standing on!

Bam!

The big tree fell down with a thud as its entire trunk had been blown to smithereens and countless wooden splinters. The branches and leaves scattered every which way. Innumerable leaves were sucked into the air from the spirit power and then fell back onto the ground, pouring down like a rain of leaves.

The giant ape’s ruthless blow was still a bit too slow.

Dan Fei’s body had left the big tree and her face was filled with panic as she landed on a patch of empty ground more than two meters out.

Jiang Chen’s Moonshatter Flying Daggers attack also arrived at the same time.

The giant ape had completely overextended itself with this punch and repeated his move one too many times. It lacked stability as its body hung in the air.

Pfft, pfft!

The throwing daggers entered its body. One landed within its waist and the other into its head.

The strong force almost shot them straight through the giant ape’s body!

“Awrooo!”

The giant ape couldn’t remain in the air after taking the hits from the throwing daggers. It roared in extreme fury after landing on the ground.

Suddenly --

The giant ape’s entire body suddenly started expanding like a balloon with a astonishing speed.

The giant ape’s body had expanded to the size of a huge balloon as all the steel needles of its fur stood on end, as if spikes stuck onto its surface. It appeared quite eerie and frightening beneath the moonlight.

Jiang Chen knew that something was wrong when he saw this strange sight and roared, “Dodge it!”

Bam!

The surface of the giant ape’s body suddenly exploded as a tremendous force sent its skin, blood, and flesh flying in all directions.

Countless numbers of steel needle spikes also shot forth from its body due to the force of the explosion!

Danger!

Although Jiang Chen was further away, he didn’t dare lower his guard as he instinctively crouched and covered his head with his hands.

Psst, psst, psst, psst!

Countless numbers of ape fur-spikes landed on the ground like steel nails.

Jiang Chen opened his eyes to discover that he’d been rather lucky to not get hit by any of these spikes.

After the giant ape’s suicidal blow, its entire body was a bloody, gory mess. It was like it’d lost a great deal of weight as its external skin and fur were completely gone. It looked like it’d been scalped alive as even starkly white bones could be seen.

Bam!

After using its life in this final blow, the giant ape finally collapsed.

Jiang Chen didn’t have time to breathe out in relief yet as he hastily ran over to Dan Fei. Dan Fei was curled up sideways on the ground, more than ten ape fur-spikes nailed onto her body.

Arms, ribs, chest, and thighs.

“Doesn’t this idiot woman know to face upwards with her back?” Jiang Chen was quite speechless, but quickly figured out that she was curled up on the crowd instead of crouched because she didn’t want the baby spirit animals on her back to take the hits instead of her.

Jiang Chen really didn’t know whether to curse her for being idiotic or for being a fool right now.

Under these circumstances, if she crouched on the ground, the bamboo basket and baby spirit animals would’ve surely blocked most of the attacks.

At most, only her thighs would’ve been pierced.

However, she’d chosen such a position because she didn’t want the baby spirit animals to get hit. This resulted in more than ten places of her body being hit.

It was a good thing that none of them were fatal wounds when inflicted from such a distance. Jiang Chen helped her up. Even her butt had ape fur spikes on it, and so she couldn’t sit down. She could only lean against the side of a tree.

“Jiang Chen, are the baby spirit animals alright? Hurry and take a look for me.”

Jiang Chen paid no attention to her and plucked out some ape fur-spikes. His face suddenly changed, “Stop, don’t circulate spirit qi to heal your wounds. Stop circulating!”

Dan Fei was frightened by his sudden change in tone. “What? Aren’t they just some superficial wounds?”

Jiang Chen’s face was ghastly white, “These spikes are poisonous.”

Dan Fei’s body wavered as her face was drained of all color, “Poisonous?”

Chapter 200: Jiang Chen, Can You Help Me?

Jiang Chen’s expression was quite grave as he picked up another few ape fur-spikes and inspected them carefully. He nodded his head with great certainty. “They’re poisoned alright. Look at these spikes. They’re starkly white, an obvious sign that they embody a strong poison. It’s a good thing that your level of training is within the spirit realm. If you were within the true qi realm, you’d probably be a corpse by now.”

Even though Dan Fei was usually calm when anything cropped up, she was still a woman and so when she heard there was a deadly poison, her charming face was also aghast as a sense of panicked fear was evident in her beautiful eyes, something that would’ve usually never been visible.

“Jiang Chen, will… will I die?” Dan Fei bit her lip lightly, her voice was coated with some tragic tones.

Jiang Chen really wanted to sweet talk her, but everything had happened so quickly that he too was uncertain whether or not any hope remained for Dan Fei.

“Don’t talk for now and sit cross legged. It’s best if you meditate and keep calm. Remember, don’t circulate true qi and give pressure to your spirit ocean. Otherwise, once the poison attacks and breaks through the spirit ocean, you’ll be dead without a doubt.”

Jiang Chen warned her severely.

Dan Fei was like a docile little bride at this moment as she nodded with aggrievance. There was none of her usual resplendence as a strong woman in her beautiful eyes. What emanated now was the frightened panic and grievance of an injured lamb.

Jiang Chen was a great master of pills in his previous life and had made great study in the dao of poison.

He took out a small pill cauldron and put the fur-spike from the giant ape in it to study.

He did that a few times, then got up and walked up to the body of the giant ape. Jiang Chen took out a knife and cut open the giant ape’s flesh, putting some into the pill cauldron for further study.

His motions were crisp and precise, and he completed all this with extreme speed. Finally, Jiang Chen stood up again, his gaze returning back to Dan Fei.

Although the time had been short, it felt like decades for Dan Fei. A thick sense of expectation shot out from her beautiful eyes, but a few traces of anxiety could also found within it. It was obvious that she was afraid of Jiang Chen coming to a tragic conclusion.

“Hmm? Didn’t I tell you to sit cross legged and meditate? Why are you still standing?” Jiang Chen’s face was full of confusion.

“I…” Dan Fei’s charming face reddened, and the color of sunset burned her neck and the back of her ears. “I… I’m not at liberty to sit.”

Jiang Chen started, and then remembered that Dan Fei’s butt seemed to have taken a hit as well. He really wanted to laugh, but it didn’t seem appropriate in this kind of situation.

“Alright then, remain standing and don’t think random thoughts.”

When Dan Fei saw Jiang Chen’s reaction, she naturally knew that Jiang Chen had understood what she meant. She was both embarrassed and angry. In the end, she couldn’t help but ask, “Jiang Chen, is there an antidote for this poison?”

“This poison is only one from the surface, from the skin and hair. The flesh and blood of the giant ape don’t have any poison in them. This is the good news, but also the bad news.”

“How can it be both good and bad news?” Dan Fei was a bit anxious. “Jiang Chen, just how bad does it look? Can you speak candidly? Am I really about to die…”

Dan Fei’s eyes grew red. As gracious and ethereal as she was, when faced with her own death at the age of twenty some years old, she still displayed the side of a girl.

“The good news is that a poison not of the flesh and blood will take longer to take effect. However, the bad news is that because it’s not a poison of the flesh and blood, its flesh and blood can’t be used to fight poison with poison. This poison from its skin and hair is quite bizarre. Items corresponding to the poison need to be found before the poison can be cured. This is a very headache-inducing problem.”

If he could find the items that would contain the poison, Jiang Chen had a great deal of assurance that he could cure this poison. However, it wasn’t an easy thing to find the items that would be the cure in this vast maze realm beneath the night sky.

“This is to say that there really is no hope for me?” Dan Fei was on the verge of tears as boundless sorrow welled up in her eyes. It suddenly turned into a clear resolution in the blink of an eye. “Jiang Chen, If I die, cremate me and bring my ashes back to the lordmaster. And, you must bring these baby spirit animals to the lordmaster too, alright?”

Did this count as a dying wish?

Jiang Chen sighed softly in his heart and comforted her, “Don’t be so pessimistic. A poison from the skin and hair doesn’t take effect that quickly. I’ll keep searching, perhaps I’ll be able to find the items to counter it?”

“Heh heh.” Dan Fei smiled indifferently as her previous fear and panic were swept away after thinking things through. “Jiang Chen, you don’t need to comfort me. I, Dan Fei, have been without parents since I was little. The lordmaster raised me. You must think me stupid for caring so much about the baby spirit animals. However, you don’t understand the kindness that the lordmaster has shown me…”

“Forget it, there’s no point in talking like this right now. You rest and I’ll go search. The giant ape lived in this area and the poison from its skin and hair couldn’t have formed spontaneously. It must have something to do with its surroundings. Perhaps I can really find the corresponding items to cure this poison.”

Dan Fei suddenly paused, “Jiang Chen, what do you mean by corresponding items for the poison?”

“All things beneath the heavens have what mutually reinforce and neutralize each other. It’s possible that the poison of the giant ape’s skin and hair was formed by the environment around it. Since there are items that can form this poison, there will be items to counteract it. Otherwise, without a balance, the poison would’ve long since seeped into the giant ape’s flesh and blood. How could it possibly exist only on its hair and skin?” Jiang Chen thus analyzed.

Dan Fei suddenly thought of something as a gleam of light flashed through her charming eyes. “Jiang Chen, I remember. There were a lot of spirit herbs and grasses within the giant ape’s cave. I was in a hurry then and didn’t have time to pick them up. Could it be…”

“What did you say?” Jiang Chen’s eyes lit up. “There were lots of spirit grasses and herbs within the cave?”

“Yes!” Dan Fei was also excited. She seemed to find a strand of hope within Jiang Chen’s eyes.

“Stay here and don’t move, I’ll go take a look. Remember, don’t draw upon your spirit ocean. Wait for me to return; even if you run into enemies, try to drag out the encounter as long as possible!”

It was a good thing that the cave wasn’t that far away. Jiang Chen retrieved the arrows and throwing daggers on the ground as he sped along the way.

He retrieved the arrows whenever he came to places where they’d crossed paths.

The arrows were the accompanying items of the Da Yu bow, tempered into steel. Although they’d been blasted away by the giant ape’s fists, they hadn’t been damaged in the slightest and naturally ought to be retrieved.

Jiang Chen arrived at the cave very quickly.

The cave was cold and deserted. When he swept into the cave, his eyes set on a patch of ground where spirit grass and herbs were growing, as well as some spirit rank trees.

“Hmm? This many?” Jiang Chen’s eyes quickly fell on a fey purple flower. “This… this is the Purple Moon Demon Flower?”

Jiang Chen had instantly uncovered that the giant ape’s poison had come from the Purple Moon Demon Flower.

The Purple Moon Demon Flower complemented and neutralized the Jade-Faced Buddha Grass.

“There’s indeed Jade-Faced Buddha Grass in here! I’ve struck gold this time!” Jiang Chen was overjoyed and didn’t have much time to consider things. He turned the cave inside out and put everything away into his storage ring.

With the Jade-Faced Buddha Grass, Jiang Chen knew that he had a ninety percent chance to save Dan Fei.

He packed everything up and didn’t linger, speeding back with the fastest speed possible.

Dan Fei was desolated. She couldn’t quite stand and couldn’t quite sit. It felt like the world had abandoned her in that moment as she appeared quite helpless.

As strong as she was, she only had one notion in her mind right now, and that was for Jiang Chen to return, to hurry and return.

She wore her eyes out as she gazed anxiously, looking fervently in the direction that Jiang Chen would return from.

Under the night sky, Jiang Chen’s figure glided as if on the moon, moving exceptionally swiftly.

Dan Fei’s desolate feeling was like an empty bottle that had been filled with water all of a sudden. She felt settled as a bizarre sense of reassurement made her firmly believe that Jiang Chen could save her.

“You’re lucky, I’ve already found the origin of the poison and the item to neutralize it.” Jiang Chen smiled. “It was a good thing that you remembered to observe your surroundings when you were stealing the babies. If you hadn’t reminded me, I probably wouldn’t have known that there were spirit herbs that complemented and neutralized each other’s poison.”

Dan Fei’s face reddened as she felt a little awkward. Her expression was very natural, but her gaze avoided Jiang Chen as she felt vaguely ashamed of herself.

She’d greatly criticized Jiang Chen in her heart when she saw those spirit grasses and herbs back then, thinking that Jiang Chen, an addict of money, would surely pick up all the spirit herbs and grasses. She’d even indulged in self-glorification, thinking that her focus was actually much stronger than Jiang Chen’s.

She’d suddenly thought of the spirit herbs in the cave earlier because she remembered her thoughts in the cave more deeply, was all.

When she heard Jiang Chen mention the matter of the cave, Dan Fei naturally felt her face burn.

With the item to neutralize the poison, what followed next was much easier. Jiang Chen refined the Jade-Faced Buddha Grass and mixed some spirit medicine to heal wounds within it, refining a spirit liquid as an antidote in a short amount of time.

Jiang Chen put the liquid in front of Dan Fei and smiled, “Treat yourself, I’ll take a look around.”

As headstrong as Dan Fei was, she was quite touched at this moment. When she looked at Jiang Chen’s hugely charcoal-marked-up face, she felt a bit of self-accusation. She had to admit that although Jiang Chen was cocky, he still had some reliability and manliness at critical moments.

When she thought of her own willfulness and her prank, Dan Fei felt a bit uneasy.

“Jiang Chen, go wash your face.”

“Wash my face?” Jiang Chen was baffled. A woman’s heart was strange alright. I’m giving you the antidote and you want me to go wash my face?

“Don’t ask me why. Find a place with water and don’t look, just wash your face thoroughly.” Dan Fei’s heart raced at this moment. She was also worried that if Jiang Chen discovered her prank on his face, he would become angry and leave her behind without a thought.

Jiang Chen was speechless and didn’t know what farce this woman was going through now. He carelessly waved his hand. “Hurry and treat your poison. If this poison is left for long periods of time, it’ll ruin your looks.”

There were no words more threatening or had more destructive power than those. Dan Fei hastily tightened her grasp around the antidote.

When she looked at Jiang Chen again, he’d long since cleared a large distance.

“This jerk, have the grace of a man!” Dan Fei also knew that Jiang Chen had walked so far away as to make things convenient for her and let her apply the antidote.

After all, she was injured in more than one place, and even delicate areas such as her ribs and chest had injuries. She’d have to take off her clothes in order to apply the antidote.

If she took off her clothes, her more sensitive body parts would be more or less revealed. Jiang Chen had naturally walked away to avoid making her feel awkward.

Jiang Chen walked a few hundred meters away. He still felt extremely tense when he thought of the battle just now. That battle had absolutely been fought in the jaws of danger.

However, coming back to things, if it hadn’t been for Dan Fei’s Mind Enchantment Powder that more or less constrained that giant ape, Jiang Chen’s attacks likely wouldn’t have been enough for the giant ape to take heavy injuries and allow him to give that last, fatal blow.

Dan Fei’s voice traveled to him from a distance just as he was lost in his thoughts, “Jiang Chen, come here for a second.”

Jiang Chen started and thought that something was wrong as he hastily dashed back.

Dan Fei had applied the antidote to most of her injuries by now. Her expression was a bit awkward as her pearly-white teeth bit down lightly on her lips. A red blush flew wildly through her beautiful face as she spoke with a voice as low as a mosquito’s buzz, “Jiang Chen, I… I can’t reach the injuries there. Can you… can you help me?”

Of all the positions on her body, the place that she couldn’t reach was naturally her buttocks.

This injury wasn’t like any of the others. It wasn’t easy to tend to it if one couldn’t see it. And if one didn’t apply the antidote to it and get rid of the poison, it would cause them trouble to no end.

When Dan Fei heard that this poison could destroy her features, this was what she was most afraid of. So as she hemmed and hawed, but in the end, the fear of destroying her looks still triumphed over her embarrassment.

Jiang Chen’s mouth opened wide. He hadn’t anticipated that Dan Fei would request his help for such a manner!