Huoling Mountain

Despite an unpleasant interlude, the celebratory and lively atmosphere at the City Lord's Mansion today was not affected.

After the final selection of the Yanhuang Academy concluded, Li Yanfeng warmly hosted his guests, and the new City Lord's Madam was exceptionally poised.

The banquet was grand and elegant, and Li Yanfeng's hospitality was enough to make people forget that his eldest son had almost ruined his joyous occasion earlier that day.

In the blink of an eye, it was late into the night.

In the "Liming Pavilion" deep within the City Lord's Mansion, Li Yanfeng was dressed in his groom's red attire. Though not young, he possessed a powerful presence and formidable cultivation.

Such a prominent figure paired with a peerless beauty like Liu Qing indeed felt like a perfect match.

The two sat opposite each other. Now that the night was deep and quiet, the guests had all departed, and it was finally time to rest after a busy day.

A wedding night, **an hour is worth a thousand gold.

Li Yanfeng held a wine cup, while Liu Qing poured wine for him. They drank a few cups, creating a rather romantic atmosphere.

After drinking, Liu Qing's face flushed, resembling a ripe peach, so sweet it seemed about to ooze juice. Coupled with her alluring gaze and captivating red lips, she was truly peerless in beauty. Even the breeze blowing in from the window seemed to grow warmer.

But unfortunately, Li Yanfeng sat upright and dignified, exuding an air of unyielding integrity.

"Brother Feng, I'll be entrusting Qianyang's matters to you from now on. I'll toast you, little sister."

Liu Qing poured wine again. Her slender fingers held a stemmed wine glass decorated with blue and white porcelain, which she brought to her red lips and drained in one gulp. Her long, fair, jade-like neck was exceptionally captivating in the flickering candlelight.

"No problem. With my relationship with the Thunder Venerable Mansion, Qianyang's matters are my matters. Don't worry, little sister," Li Yanfeng replied, drinking with her.

"It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that the competition is quite fierce, and... things like 'Divine Source' can promote the evolution of a Companion Beast's tier. They are truly precious. You and I both know what the evolution of a Companion Beast's tier signifies," Liu Qing sighed.

"Indeed, they are very precious. A Companion Beast's tier almost determines any Beast Master's talent and cultivation limit. Qianyang's Companion Beast is a Fifth-Tier Companion Beast, which is top-tier in Lihuo City, but if he goes to the Yanhuang Academy later, it will only be considered the very bottom."

"If it can evolve into a Sixth-Tier Companion Beast, it will be enough for him to have a chance to contend for a 'Heavenly Mansion' in the future. Your family's status in the Thunder Venerable Mansion will also greatly improve."

Li Yanfeng nodded seriously, looking at the wine cup in his hand and playing with it as he spoke.

"Since ancient times, every time a Divine Source is born between heaven and earth, it is almost always fiercely contested. Although this Divine Source is the most basic, it is still priceless."

"Brother Feng, it being born on 'Huoling Mountain' is our good fortune. Huoling Mountain surrounds Lihuo City and is your territory. You know the terrain of Huoling Mountain like the back of your hand. Only you can help Qianyang find this rare Divine Source and allow Qianyang's Lightning Leopard to evolve."

Liu Qing refilled Li Yanfeng's cup again, blinking her eyes, her alluring gaze filled with charm.

"Huoling Mountain is too vast, filled with dense forests, deep valleys, and abysses. Too many ferocious beasts lurk within. Those who can survive in Huoling Mountain are all ferocious beasts, each possessing troublesome 'awakened divine abilities.' It would indeed be dangerous for Qianyang to enter by himself."

"The Thunder Venerable Mansion uses this method to let the younger generation compete, allowing them to grow through tempering. No wonder geniuses emerge in endless streams."

Li Yanfeng narrowed his eyes and sighed.

"Indeed, this competition is incredibly fierce. There are a total of seven disciples from the clan who are eligible. Fortunately, Qianyang's strength holds a certain advantage among them. Plus, with your help on our side, our chances are much greater than others," Liu Qing said, her eyes like silk.

"When will the other disciples of the same age from the Thunder Venerable Mansion arrive? They will be accompanied by the powerhouses of the Thunder Venerable Mansion, right?" Li Yanfeng asked.

"They will arrive in the next two days. I was allowed to come early because of my marriage to you. Those children are also protected by powerhouses, but once they enter Huoling Mountain, their actions will be restricted by the Thunder Venerable Mansion. At that time, it will truly be the children's abilities that are tested. However, your familiarity with Huoling Mountain will definitely be a great help."

"So, after three days, you and I will officially enter Huoling Mountain with Qianyang?"

"Yes, at that time, everyone will enter simultaneously."

Li Yanfeng nodded.

"Divine Sources come in four types: Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow. The most basic Yellow-grade Divine Source born between heaven and earth can allow a Companion Beast to evolve to the Seventh-Tier! Divine Sources are so mysterious that no one has been able to explain their origin to this day. They can only be considered gifts from 'Supreme Gods'," he mused.

"Top-tier Divine Sources are incredibly rare. This Divine Source is just an ordinary one, not even a Yellow-grade Divine Source, but it will basically be fought over as soon as it appears. Fortunately, our Thunder Venerable Mansion has swift intelligence, allowing us to come so quickly." Speaking of the Thunder Venerable Mansion, Liu Qing's eyes were naturally filled with pride.

Li Yanfeng knew that even after marrying him, she would always be a member of the Thunder Venerable Mansion, not Lihuo City.

But it didn't matter, because he was now also a member of the Thunder Venerable Mansion.

"Oh, right, I suddenly remembered something. Don't you think your eldest son's little chicken Companion Beast is a bit too outrageously strong? I mean, the limit for a First-Tier Companion Beast might be at this level?" Liu Qing suddenly asked.

"Judging by its appearance, this chicken doesn't even qualify as a First-Tier Companion Beast, but he did have some talent before. I estimate it's barely achieving this effect. However, I haven't carefully examined the stars in this little chicken's eyes. It might have two, or even three." Li Yanfeng replied.

"Yes, if it were a Second-Tier Companion Beast, or a Third-Tier Companion Beast, it would be reasonable," Liu Qing mused thoughtfully.

"Let's not talk about him. Let him fend for himself," Li Yanfeng said finally.

"That's right. Three years ago, Brother Feng was almost recognized by the Thunder Venerable Mansion. If it weren't for this son causing trouble, Brother Feng would definitely have a higher status than he does now," Liu Qing walked over and sat on Li Yanfeng's lap, her alluring curves fully displayed.

"Mmm," Li Yanfeng grunted.

When Li Tianming returned from the City Lord's Mansion, the previously clear sky began to rain.

Back in the courtyard, the rain fell heavily, and the grass and trees in his old home grew deep.

"Mother." He had worried his mother might be waiting in the rain, but he was overthinking. When he returned, he saw his mother had already gone back inside and was sleeping soundly.

"She has such a good mindset." He couldn't help but laugh and cry. He was fighting for his dignity outside, and she was actually asleep.

He sat by the bed and waited until nightfall when his mother finally woke up.

Seeing Li Tianming sitting by the bed unharmed, she smiled a little sheepishly and then asked, "Where's the Yanhuang Token? Isn't it time for us to leave?"

Hearing this, Li Tianming felt depressed. She had too much confidence in him.

"I already beat up Zi Feng, but something unexpected happened, and I didn't get the Yanhuang Token," Li Tianming said frankly.

"What happened?"

Li Tianming recounted the events concerning Liu Qinyang.

"I still have to wait a month? Mother can't wait that long. Lihuo City is too hot, I want to go live in the north," she mumbled, like a child.

"It might not be a month. I still can't beat that guy," Li Tianming said.

"I don't care, half a month at most," she said with a sly smile.

"Alright, alright, let's see who's bragging. If I lose, and Little Yellow Chicken gets eaten as a snack, you'll know the cruelty of reality," Li Tianming chuckled.

"Bullshit! You think that big cat wants to eat me? I'll fucking destroy it," Little Yellow Chicken jumped up, saying arrogantly.

"Stop bluffing. Who was it that was scared like a mouse today?" Li Tianming said disdainfully.

"What? You must have seen wrong. It wasn't me. I was just about to kill it when you shamelessly dragged me away and told me to spare it. I saw how sincere you were and was deeply moved, so I decided to let that big cat live for another month," Little Yellow Chicken said with a straight face.

"That's right, I believe Little Chicken. It's very capable," Wei Jing looked at Little Yellow Chicken with eyes full of tenderness.

"As expected of Mother, she has good taste. Unlike you, Li Tianming, who judges people by their appearance," Little Yellow Chicken hopped into Wei Jing's arms, looking triumphantly at Li Tianming.

"Get lost! This is my mother, not yours. My mother wouldn't give birth to a little chick like you," Li Tianming said, torn between laughter and tears. This guy was really too familiar.

"You're talking nonsense. I came out of your companion space. You were born, I was born. If I wasn't born from Mother, then you gave birth to me, right?" Little Yellow Chicken said smugly.

Come to think of it, it did make sense. After all, Li Tianming, like most Beast Masters, regarded their companion beasts as true siblings.

Even more so than siblings, they shared a bond of fighting side-by-side and cultivating together.

He used to cherish Jin Yu more than his own life. Now, although he had only been with this Little Yellow Chicken for a little over ten days, their bloodlines were connected, and they already had a life-and-death friendship.

"Hey, since you've acknowledged Mother, let Mother give you a name. You don't like being called Little Chicken all the time," Li Tianming suddenly thought.

"A name? I am the Eternal Purgatory Phoenix," Little Yellow Chicken said proudly.

"The name is too long, it sounds like you're just trying to fill space. Let's give you a nickname, Mother, you choose," Li Tianming said.

It had to be said, Wei Jing was a cultured person, and the names she chose were always good. Li Tianming's domineering name was also chosen by her, meaning "Heaven's Mandate."

"Me?" Wei Jing held Little Yellow Chicken up, thought for a while, and then said with a smile, "Tianming walked in darkness for three years. It was your appearance that brought him into the light. Your body is small, and you are still fragile now, but you shine with a brilliant light, like a 'firefly' in the dark night. So, I'll name you 'Ying Huo,' how about it?"

"The 'Ying' in Ying Huo uses the character 'fire' as its base," Wei Jing added.

"My name, Ying Huo?" Little Yellow Chicken was stunned. Perhaps it already felt a special connection to this name.

"This isn't flashy enough, nor is it cheeky enough. It doesn't fit its image," Li Tianming said with a smile.

"Get lost! I want this name!" Little Yellow Chicken said anxiously, wishing it could peck Li Tianming to death.

"Hahaha..."

From then on, it was decided that the Eternal Purgatory Phoenix would be named "Ying Huo."

Li Tianming wasn't entirely successful today; he hadn't made Li Yanfeng bow his head. He thought the night would be difficult. But he didn't expect his mother to be so relaxed and Little Yellow Chicken so cheerful, and he, too, was enveloped in happiness.

Perhaps, at this moment, he understood what home felt like even more!

It was a mother who deeply cherished him, who pretended to be carefree to avoid making him sad, a mother full of confidence in her child.

It was a brother with whom he could laugh and bicker, yet who was deeply affectionate and shared life and death together.

He would likely have more brothers and sisters in the future. There were still nine eggs in his companion space, and one of them was showing signs of activity. Li Tianming eagerly anticipated the arrival of this new member.

His only regret was that his mother looked even more aged under the candlelight. Li Tianming was terrified, as he didn't know when he would lose her.

That would be more painful than dying himself!

"The Pure Spirit Grass is gone. This is the only thing that can make Mother more comfortable," Li Tianming mused late at night.

"I'll put aside the matters of Liu Qinyang and the Yanhuang Token for now. I'll go to 'Huoling Mountain' again to see if I can still pick some Pure Spirit Grass."

"Before my cultivation recovered, every trip to the outer areas of 'Huoling Mountain' was a near-death experience. Mother didn't want me to go. Now that my cultivation has recovered considerably, she probably won't object."

Pure Spirit Grass wasn't a particularly precious herb, but it was extremely rare and useless to most people, making it difficult to buy on the market. The only option was to try his luck at Huoling Mountain.

In the next day or two, Li Tianming prepared the daily necessities for his mother for the upcoming period. Although her companion beast was also sick, it should be able to help her at a critical moment.

"It's okay if you can't find it, just remember to come back early," Wei Jing said reluctantly as he left.

She knew her time was running out. In the remaining time, what she wanted most was for Li Tianming to be by her side.

"I will."

With those two words, Li Tianming set off again!