Liu Yun's First Move

Outer region of the Monster Mountain Range.

Within the silent forest, Liu Yun and He Qingfeng walked side by side. He Qingfeng's gaze constantly swept over their surroundings, vigilantly studying the shadowy places obscured by trees. His right hand gripped the hilt of the saber at his waist, ready to handle any unexpected situation at any moment.

As a Nine-Star Great Dou Master, He Qingfeng would normally have disdained being so cautious in the outer mountains. But now, with Liu Yun—a Tenth Stage Dou Qi cultivator—beside him, he had no choice but to stay alert. He did not want Liu Yun to be injured because of his own negligence.

Liu Yun, on the other hand, appeared far more at ease. Since this was his first time in the Monster Mountain Range, he was curious about everything here.

Thick trees that required several people joining hands to encircle were everywhere, while the ground was densely covered in grass, with hardly any soil visible.

For a moment, Liu Yun even felt as though he had arrived in a primitive world.

Unlike Xiao Yan in the original work, who had entered the Monster Mountain Range from Qingshan Town because he intended to cross it and reach the Tagor Desert, Liu Yun had entered from near Wutan City to save time. They had set off in the morning, and by noon, they had already entered the outer region of the Monster Mountain Range.

Liu Yun held a sword at his side with a Third-tier Magic Core embedded in it. His grandfather, Teng Shan, had specially prepared it for him before he left.

Though Liu Yun looked casual at the moment, he was actually observing the surroundings carefully. He had noticed something move in a dark corner, so there was a good chance a Magical Beast was lurking there.

After walking for quite a while, He Qingfeng had not said a word, but Liu Yun could no longer hold back.

"Elder He, why aren't we making a move yet?" Liu Yun asked.

"No. Those Magical Beasts are hiding in the shadows, and they have already noticed the two of us. The moment we approach, they will flee at once. There is no point in alerting them," He Qingfeng explained.

It had to be said that He Qingfeng's response was extremely reasonable. From such details, it was clear that he was quite familiar with the Monster Mountain Range, greatly reducing the chance of wasting time on pointless efforts.

"Then when do we strike?" Liu Yun asked.

"When we encounter a Magical Beast that has not noticed us, one that you can approach immediately.

At that time, I will stay as far away as possible to avoid scaring it off.

But remember this: if you feel you cannot defeat it, shout for me at once. I will come save you immediately," He Qingfeng instructed him sternly.

"Understood, Elder He!" Liu Yun replied respectfully.

At that moment, Liu Yun felt a surge of respect for He Qingfeng. Elder He truly treated him well. From the very beginning, the man had complied with his every request, and now he was protecting him with all his effort. It had to be said that He Qingfeng was an exceptionally qualified guard.

Just then, the two of them suddenly heard a series of ape-like roars, along with a faint, barely audible moan. From that moan, they could tell it belonged to a human woman, and she seemed to be suffering unprecedented agony.

Liu Yun and He Qingfeng exchanged a glance before rushing toward the source of the sounds.

It was a low cliff. When the two arrived at the top and looked down from afar, both of their faces darkened with fury.

Below the cliff stood three ape-like Magical Beasts, each nearly two meters tall. They were taking turns violating a human woman they had seized. The woman was already barely recognizable, covered from head to toe in blood. She was clearly beyond saving.

"Bastards!" He Qingfeng flew into a rage and prepared to leap down and kill them, but Liu Yun stopped him.

"Uncle He, I'll do it. Keep watch over the surroundings. Don't let them escape," Liu Yun said in a chilling voice.

Then he leaped forward, dropping straight down the cliff, which was over ten meters high.

He Qingfeng was shocked. Even a Dou Master would not dare jump like that. Was this kid insane?

Yet when he looked again, Liu Yun had already landed below unscathed. Dense cracks spread beneath his feet, formed by the tremendous force of his impact.

"Good boy. His physical strength is actually comparable to that of a Dou Master," He Qingfeng said in surprise.

On the Dou Qi Continent, although Dou Qi was the main path, physical strength represented a person's potential. Judging by the talent Liu Yun had displayed, his future was absolutely boundless.

He Qingfeng had not held much hope for Liu Yun facing a First-order Peak Magical Beast. These past few days, he had constantly worried about Liu Yun's safety. But now, it seemed that with the little fellow's physique, even if he could not win, he would not lose his life. After all, he could take a beating!

With a loud bang, Liu Yun landed at the bottom of the cliff, kicking up a cloud of dust and making the three apes' bodies jolt violently.

From what Liu Yun knew, these three ape-like Magical Beasts were undoubtedly Union Apes, creatures with an extremely terrible reputation in the Monster Mountain Range. All three Union Apes were Tier 1 Magical Beasts.

Compared to other Magical Beasts, Union Apes were not particularly formidable in combat, but they were the nightmare of countless human women.

"I never expected my first test would be against disgusting things like you." Liu Yun looked at the human woman lying on the ground, long devoid of breath, his eyes seemingly about to spit fire.

The green sword embedded with a Third-tier Magic Core was clenched in his hand, while all of his Tenth Stage Dou Qi surged to its limit. A terrifying aura spread through the air.

The Union Apes seemed to sense the threat of death and turned to flee.

Liu Yun had not expected himself to be this strong either. But when his eyes flicked toward the green longsword in his hand, he immediately understood. He had drawn upon the power of the Third-tier Magic Core.

Then he saw the three Tier 1 Union Apes running away and sneered.

"Trying to run? It won't be that easy. I was going to use you for practice, but now I'll send you on your way!" Liu Yun said.

He raised the longsword with one hand. Green sword radiance surged from it as the blade trembled rapidly and shifted slightly. A sword shadow that seemed almost solid emerged.

"Mysterious Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique: Wind Spirit Fractal Sword!"

Then Liu Yun swung his longsword. The energy-formed sword tore through the air and shot toward the Union Apes like a meteor.

Boom!

A tremendous explosion resounded throughout the valley. The cliff seemed to tremble as grass clippings flew everywhere and damp soil sprayed in all directions, mixed with scarlet blood.

Once the explosion subsided, Liu Yun rushed over at once. What he saw were the corpses of the three Union Apes, missing limbs and long dead beyond doubt.

He Qingfeng arrived right after him. Seeing the miserable scene, he drew in a sharp breath. He had thought Liu Yun would need to fight a hard battle, but Liu Yun had taken them down in a single move.

Moreover, what had he just seen? The Dou Technique Liu Yun had used was actually the Mysterious Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique, Wind Spirit Fractal Sword, which only core disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect could learn.

He Qingfeng was completely bewildered. Could it be that the Young Clan Leader was also a core disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect? This was madness!

"Elder He, let's bury that poor girl," Liu Yun said.

"Alright!" He Qingfeng came back to his senses and answered.

The two then buried the girl's body. Since they did not know her name, they did not even erect a gravestone.

Through this battle, Liu Yun's strength earned He Qingfeng's recognition. The two set off once more without wasting any further time. Their goal was now clear: a First-order Peak Magical Beast, the Spirit Rock Leopard.