Magic Beast Mountain

The Magic Beast Mountain Range.

As a massive mountain range spanning several nations, its branches stretched across important regions throughout those lands.

For example, Misty Cloud Mountain, occupied by the Misty Cloud Sect in the Jia Ma Empire, had been chosen as the sect's stronghold many years ago by its founding ancestor during his travels.

Wutan City, where the Xiao Clan was located, lay at the southwestern entrance to the main branch of the Magic Beast Mountain Range, while Qingshan Town, home to the three major mercenary groups, sat at a strategic point on the range's southern foothills.

That was why Xiao Ling had failed to find that cave when he entered the Magic Beast Mountain Range from Wutan City a year ago.

Not only had he failed to find the opportunity that awaited him, he had nearly gotten lost as well.

If he hadn't happened to run into Kagang's team while they were out on a mission, he might really have lost his way in the Magic Beast Mountain Range.

As he walked along the leaf-covered forest path, all sorts of thoughts flitted through Xiao Ling's mind. Just then, his ear twitched. A green shadow leaped down from a nearby tree and pounced on a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy at the back of the group.

Xiao Ling didn't intervene. He wanted to see whether these people were worth taking in. He had no intention of recruiting a bunch of dead weight.

So on this trip into the Magic Beast Mountain Range, aside from secretly observing the cave in the cliff face, he really was only there to watch over them, just as Kagang had said. He trusted that Kagang understood that, too.

Kagang, who had also sensed the disturbance, glanced discreetly at the White-robed Youth among the group. He didn't intervene either, because he trusted his teammates.

Faced with the sudden attack, the youth in green was only briefly flustered before regaining his composure. He dodged the pounce with a sidestep, then quickly drew his blade and slashed down.

"Shhk..."

Hot blood sprayed into the air, and two pieces of a body fell into the grass. The group looked closely and saw a green-striped snake, about as thick as a thumb and a meter long, writhing in two severed halves.

"Not bad, Mo Yang. You reacted very quickly this time, but you still weren't calm enough. Otherwise, you could've dodged the green-striped snake's attack even faster."

Kagang offered his assessment in a quiet voice.

The group then set off again. Throughout the journey, the team maintained a shield formation with Xiao Ling and Qingxin at its center.

Kagang and another teammate led the way, while two teammates on either side, each wielding a long blade, kept watch in alternating shifts. Behind them, Mo Yang and another teammate watched the group's blind spots.

As they ventured deeper, they encountered several attacks from magical beasts. Xiao Ling made no move to intervene, leaving the attacked teammates to handle things on their own.

At one point, the team was attacked by five first-tier Gale Wolves and a second-tier wolf king at the same time. In the end, Kagang and the others had to join forces to finally take down all six Gale Wolves.

As luck would have it, they obtained a second-tier wind-element Magic Core, which Kagang took charge of.

The group finally reached the outskirts of a small, gourd-shaped valley around noon. They crouched behind a thicket, watching the second-tier Purple Sables darting in and out of the area outside the valley.

Kagang lowered his voice. "Once we enter the valley, Xiaofeng will draw the Purple Sables' attention. Remember, no more than two at a time. Mo Yang and I will handle the main attack, while the rest of you support us. Understand?"

"Understood."

The group answered in hushed voices.

Kagang then looked toward the White-robed Youth. He saw him whispering with Qingxin and addressed him solemnly.

"Brother Ling Xiao, we'll be counting on you to watch over us."

"All right."

Xiao Ling answered without turning his head.

A short, slight figure darted out. After a few quick flashes, he was nearing the outskirts of the valley. Only then did Kagang and Mo Yang follow, one after the other.

As they approached, the Purple Sables patrolling the outskirts spotted them. A shrill cry rang through the small valley, followed by a string of answering cries from all around.

Kagang's group didn't react to the sudden change; they had clearly expected it. The slight figure known as Xiaofeng moved like an afterimage in the wind, sneaking up beside a Purple Sable just as its cry ended.

He suddenly struck like a nimble leopard, holding a short sword. He drove it into one of the Purple Sable's legs, crippling its speed and cutting off any chance of escape.

Mo Yang immediately followed up, passing Xiaofeng as he struck. With one slash, he cut the Purple Sable's throat, extinguishing its last hope.

With the team working together precisely, they hunted more and more Purple Sables. In just half an hour, they had taken six, leaving only four more to reach their target. Their confidence soared.

But just as they were preparing to continue, the aura of a Da Dou Shi suddenly surged out from inside the valley, followed by a piercing cry.

The cry held a strange energy that formed an invisible ripple. In an instant, it struck the chests of those who couldn't dodge in time. Several people stumbled back more than a dozen steps, spitting blood.

Kagang had no time to wipe the blood from his mouth before a purple shadow flashed out of the valley and charged straight at him. Deep hatred gleamed in its tiny eyes as it let out mournful cries.

"Brother Kagang..."

The teammates cried out in alarm and hurried toward him, but there was no way they could make it in time. Even if they did, they'd only be throwing themselves into danger.

Against a third-tier magical beast on the level of a human Da Dou Shi, this team didn't even have a Dou Master. It would be a disaster for them.

Looking at the claws now right in front of him, Kagang gave a bitter smile. He knew he was done for this time. At this distance, even Ling Xiao, a Da Dou Shi, wouldn't have time to intervene, would he?

But he didn't simply surrender. Instead, he raised the greatsword in his hand and swung at the beast. From the moment he'd become a mercenary, he'd known that sooner or later, this day would come.

"Beast, how dare you!"

A small pellet shot forward at incredible speed, overtaking the greatsword just as it was about to meet the claws and striking the Purple Sable King in the chest. The sound of bones cracking rang out. The Purple Sable King let out a shrill scream and was sent flying backward.

"Boom!"

Dust billowed in the distance. Kagang took a deep breath, grateful to still be alive, and looked toward the White-robed Youth hurrying over from the valley entrance.

"Brother Ling Xiao, I'll never forget what you've done for me. If you ever need anything from me, Kagang, just say the word."

"Brother Kagang, you're too kind. I agreed to watch over you, so of course I wouldn't let anything happen to you."

Xiao Ling stepped closer and waved a hand. His dark eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the Purple Sable King, whose shape was gradually coming into view in the distance. Excitement glimmered in his eyes.

"Good! Excellent! I didn't expect such an unexpected bonus on this trip."

"A magical beast at the Da Dou Shi level?"

"This should be worth a fair bit of lifespan, right?"