Qin Ming sensed something and glanced toward the mountains from which the Violet Lightning Beast had charged, but he had no intention of investigating. Getting on his way mattered most right now.
Deep in the mountains, a man of thirty-seven or thirty-eight stood on a cliff, his blue robes whipping in the wind as he gazed into the distance.
Across from him, white mist swirled around a towering mountain. Hazy clouds covered more than half its peak, and a Higher Lifeform appeared within the mist.
"The new lord of Red Haze City. Why have you come here instead of taking up your post?"
"I was passing through and came especially to meet the mountain lord."
After a dozen or so miles, the Violet Lightning Beast grew restless again. Purple Mist flowed through its fur, and its gallop became so jarring that the ride was no longer steady.
At times, it even slowed without warning. Anyone else would have lost his seat long ago, perhaps even fallen off.
Seeing it act up again, Qin Ming pressed the Phoenix Pattern Long Saber against its neck. A tuft of faintly glowing purple mane fell away, and blood began to flow from a cut on its neck.
"If you won't give me a ride, I'll send you on your way!" Qin Ming had never intended to subdue it completely.
Nor did he feel guilty. The Violet Lightning Beast had kicked him first; an ordinary person's skull would have been crushed.
"Keep this up, and you're as good as dead!" Qin Ming pressed the blade down again. This time, the Violet Lightning Beast was truly frightened. Blood had soaked through the mane around its neck.
After that, it fell silent and became fairly obedient. The rest of the journey went smoothly, leaving only a