First Acquaintance

Soul Severing Ravine truly lived up to its reputation as the place separating the inner and outer regions of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range.

Here, Mo Tang had spotted traces of even Second-Order and Third-Order Demonic Beasts more than once.

However, now that he could fly, those Demonic Beasts posed no threat to him for the time being. Besides, even if they really fought, ordinary Third-Order Demonic Beasts might not necessarily be able to defeat Mo Tang.

As Mo Tang searched along the mountain ravine, an eagle's cry suddenly reached his ears, tinged with pain.

His heart stirred, and Mo Tang headed toward the sound.

After rounding a bend in the river, Mo Tang immediately saw a massive Blue Eagle lying prone atop a pile of rocks not far ahead, seemingly injured.

Beside the Blue Eagle, a figure in a white dress gently stroked its feathers, seemingly soothing it while treating its wounds...

Is that Xiao Yi Xian?

The girl before him was not extraordinarily beautiful. In terms of looks alone, she was only slightly prettier than Mo Linglin, and compared to girls like Nalan Yanran, she could only be called ordinary.

However, her face bore a faint, tranquil smile, radiating a fresh and ethereal aura. This unique temperament greatly enhanced her charm.

But what caught Mo Tang's eye at first glance was still the girl's slender willow waist...

The Four Great Beauties of Battle Through the Heavens: the Queen's allure, Ya Fei's seductiveness; Xiao Yu's long legs, Xiao Yi Xian's willow waist.

Although the latter two lost out a little in terms of appearance, their distinctive features added considerably to their appeal.

As for the other beauties, each naturally had their own merits... but there was no need to list them all here.

Mo Tang's gaze lingered uncontrollably on her waist, so slender it seemed it could be grasped in one hand, and a flash of amazement passed through his eyes.

With a light breeze, he folded away the wings behind his back and landed directly five meters from her.

Since she had her back to him, Xiao Yi Xian did not notice Mo Tang immediately. Only after the Blue Eagle on the ground let out a warning cry did she hurriedly turn around.

"Ah! Who are you?"

A living person had suddenly appeared behind her, and in a place like the Demonic Beast Mountain Range at that. Xiao Yi Xian was clearly startled.

Out of the corner of his eye, Mo Tang also noticed a paper packet clutched in the jade-like hand hidden within her sleeve...

Thinking of her talent for using poison, Mo Tang instantly guessed that it likely contained a highly toxic poison she had concocted for self-defense.

"Don't be afraid. I'm not a bad person."

Mo Tang revealed a warm, sunlit smile and comforted the frightened girl.

"My name is Mo Tang. Might I ask if you are Xiao Yi Xian?"

Xiao Yi Xian was slightly stunned, not expecting him to know who she was.

"Yes. May I ask where you came from, sir? And why were you looking for me?" Xiao Yi Xian asked, still on guard.

Mo Tang put on a relieved expression and smiled. "Good, it's you."

"Miss Xiao Yi Xian, you may not know this, but after you went missing, the entire herb-gathering party began searching for you. Someone even went to Qingshan Town to report it, and quite a few people came."

"Ah, so that's what happened!"

Xiao Yi Xian also cried out in surprise before saying, "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have run around. After escaping those Magic Wolves chasing me, I somehow ended up in this ravine. I couldn't find the way back, so I became trapped here..."

Mo Tang remained doubtful of her words.

However, he said nothing and merely looked at the Blue Eagle on the ground...

This Blue Eagle was only a First-Order Demonic Beast. It was not very strong, but it was quite large and could fly rather quickly. If it could be tamed, it would make a very good flying mount.

Seeing Mo Tang look at the Blue Eagle, Xiao Yi Xian hurriedly said, "This Blue Eagle was already injured when I found it. Since I happen to be a physician, I treated it."

Mo Tang nodded silently.

In the original story, Xiao Yi Xian indeed had a Blue Eagle as a companion. It seemed to have even saved her and Xiao Yan once while they were searching for treasure...

Presumably, it was because of this rescue that the Blue Eagle became her companion.

Even low-level Demonic Beasts possessed a certain degree of intelligence. When it came to repaying kindness, they understood it better than humans.

"Young Master Mo, this Blue Eagle's wing is injured. If it isn't treated, I'm afraid it will be difficult for it to survive. Once I heal it, may I take it somewhere safe?"

After all, he had come to save her, so Xiao Yi Xian could only plead softly.

Mo Tang nodded directly. "Of course."

"Thank you, sir!"

The girl's kind smile was incredibly infectious.

That smile struck Mo Tang's heart in an instant, making him unable to resist showing a gentle smile as well.

No wonder those usually fierce mercenaries became as docile as little lambs when facing her...

Mo Tang secretly shook his head with a smile, then stood nearby and watched this beautiful scene.

"Screech!"

About two hours later, a sharp eagle cry woke Mo Tang.

By then, the Blue Eagle's huge body had already risen to its feet, standing more than twice as tall as Xiao Yi Xian's delicate figure...

Its enormous head rubbed against the girl, drawing a burst of clear laughter from her.

It seemed the Blue Eagle and the girl were especially compatible. A single treatment had allowed this human and eagle to form a genuine friendship.

Mo Tang approached with a smile, but after taking only two steps, he saw the Blue Eagle, which had just seemed so obedient, suddenly raise its wings as if its feathers had exploded, issuing a threatening cry at Mo Tang...

It even shielded Xiao Yi Xian beneath its wings.

Mo Tang was instantly speechless.

Did it have to be this realistic?

Was it some kind of lustful eagle that only liked pretty girls?

Of course, that definitely was not the case.

The reason the Blue Eagle reacted so strongly to Mo Tang was because it sensed the aura of Gale Wings on him.

Don't forget, these wings had been made from wings cut from a Fourth-Order Demonic Beast, a Gale Eagle!

"Xiao Lan, don't!"

Xiao Yi Xian was startled as well. After realizing what was happening, she hurriedly stood in front of the Blue Eagle, her fair little hands constantly stroking its feathers to soothe it.

Seeing that the Blue Eagle still glared angrily at him, Mo Tang felt somewhat displeased and immediately stared directly into its eyes.

A flash of azure and silver light passed through his pupils.

As if it had received a tremendous fright, the Blue Eagle instantly folded its wings, crouched on the ground with its head tucked in, and continuously let out mournful cries of submission...

Seeing this, Xiao Yi Xian hurriedly turned toward Mo Tang, a trace of pleading appearing in her crystal-clear eyes...

"Young Master Mo, please don't... Xiao Lan didn't do it on purpose."

Seeing the Blue Eagle's cowardly appearance, Mo Tang smiled and withdrew his gaze. "Don't worry. I was only giving it a little lesson for you."

"Since everything is fine now, why don't we head out? Otherwise, who knows what kind of commotion there might be outside."

"Alright, thank you, sir."

Mo Tang said, "Hey~, calling me sir is too distant. Just call me Brother Mo!"

Xiao Yi Xian: "...!"