Magic Beast Mountain Range

Magic Beast Mountain Range.

As a massive mountain range radiating across multiple nations, its branches sprawl into the strategic heartlands of every country.

For instance, Yunlan Mountain, occupied by the Yunlan Sect of the Jia Ma Empire, was the vital mountain gate chosen by the sect's ancestor during his travels many years ago.

The Wutan City where the Xiao Clan resides is located at the southwestern entrance of the main range of the Magic Beast Mountain Range, while Qingshan Town, home to the three major mercenary groups, sits at the strategic southern foothills of the range.

This is the reason why Xiao Ling failed to find that specific cave when he entered the Magic Beast Mountain Range from Wutan City a year ago.

Not only did he fail to find his fortuitous encounter back then, but he also nearly got lost because of it.

If he hadn't happened to run into Kagang's squad while they were on a mission, he might truly have been lost within the Magic Beast Mountain Range.

Walking along a forest path covered in fallen leaves, various thoughts flashed through Xiao Ling's mind. Just then, his ears twitched, and he saw a green shadow pounce down from a nearby tree, lunging toward a fifteen or sixteen-year-old youth walking at the very back of the group.

Seeing this, Xiao Ling chose not to intervene; he intended to see if this group was worth recruiting, as he had no desire to take in a bunch of dead weight.

Therefore, this trip to the Magic Beast Mountain Range, aside from secretly observing the cliffs for the cave, was truly just to provide backup as Kagang had requested, and he believed Kagang understood this as well.

At this moment, Kagang, who had also sensed the movement, cast a subtle glance at the youth in white among the group and similarly chose not to intervene, for he trusted his team members.

Facing the sudden attack, the youth in green only panicked slightly before regaining his composure. He dodged the pounce with a quick sidestep and simultaneously swung his blade downward.

"Sshhh..."

Hot blood sprayed out, and the two halves of the carcass fell into the grass. Everyone looked closely to see a Green-Striped Snake, about an inch thick and a meter long, its two severed body segments still writhing incessantly.

"Not bad. Mo Yang, your reaction was swift, but you weren't calm enough. Otherwise, you could have dodged the Green-Striped Snake's attack even faster."

Kagang commented softly.

Afterward, the group set off again, maintaining a shield-shaped formation centered around Xiao Ling and Qingxin throughout the journey.

Kagang and another member took the lead, while two members holding long blades on each side crossed their paths to guard the surroundings, and Mo Yang and another member brought up the rear, guarding the group's blind spots.

As the group ventured deeper, they encountered multiple attacks from magic beasts, but Xiao Ling had no intention of intervening, leaving the attacked members to resolve the situations themselves.

In the most intense encounter, the squad was attacked simultaneously by five first-order Gale Wolves and one second-order wolf king. Ultimately, Kagang and the others fought together to completely eliminate the six Gale Wolves.

This time, they were lucky enough to obtain a second-order wind-attribute magic core, which was ultimately handed over to Kagang for safekeeping.

Just like that, the group arrived at the outskirts of a small, gourd-shaped valley at noon. The group crouched behind the bushes, watching the second-order Purple Sables darting in and out of the valley's perimeter.

Kagang lowered his voice and said, "After we enter the valley, Xiaofeng will attract the attention of the Purple Sables. Remember, you cannot lure more than two at a time. Then, Mo Yang and I will lead the attack, and the rest will assist from the side. Does everyone understand?"

"Understood."

The group replied in hushed tones.

Afterward, Kagang looked toward the youth in white on the side. Seeing him whispering quietly with Qingxin, he couldn't help but speak solemnly.

"Brother Ling Xiao, I'll have to trouble you to provide backup for us later."

"Fine."

Xiao Ling responded without turning his head.

Then, a thin, small figure darted out, approaching the valley's perimeter in a few blinks. Only then did Kagang and Mo Yang follow one after the other.

As they approached, they were discovered by the patrolling Purple Sables. A shrill, piercing cry echoed throughout the small valley, followed by a series of responses from all corners of the valley.

Regarding this sudden turn of events, Kagang's group showed no reaction, clearly having anticipated it. The thin figure named Xiaofeng, like a lingering shadow in the wind, lurked beside a Purple Sable just as its cry faded.

He struck suddenly, agile as a leopard, holding a short sword. With one strike, he pierced the leg of the Purple Sable, completely ruining its speed and cutting off any possibility of escape.

At this moment, Mo Yang struck instantly, crossing paths with Xiaofeng, and with a single slash to the throat, cut off the Purple Sable's last hope.

Under the precise coordination of the squad members, the number of Purple Sables they hunted grew. In just half an hour, they had harvested six Purple Sables, leaving them only four short of their mission goal, which greatly boosted everyone's confidence.

However, just as they were preparing to continue, a burst of Da Dou Shi aura suddenly erupted from within the valley, followed immediately by a piercing shriek.

It contained a certain energy that formed an invisible ripple, instantly sweeping across the chests of the group members who were too late to dodge. Several of them stumbled back a dozen steps, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

Before Kagang could wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, a purple shadow flashed out from the valley, rushing toward him at high speed. Deep hatred flickered in its tiny eyes as it let out bursts of mournful cries.

"Big Brother Kagang..."

The team members cried out in alarm and rushed toward him, but they were far too slow. Even if they had been in time, they would only have been throwing their lives away.

Facing a third-order magic beast equivalent to a human Da Dou Shi, this squad, which didn't even have a Dou Shi among them, was facing a catastrophe.

Looking at the claws closing in, Kagang wore a bitter smile. He knew he was done for this time. At this distance, even Ling Xiao, a Da Dou Shi, wouldn't be able to intervene in time, right?

Yet, he did not choose to surrender. Instead, he raised the heavy blade in his hand and swung it forward. From the moment he became a mercenary, he knew that this day would come sooner or later.

"You beast, how dare you!"

A marble flew at extreme speed, arriving before the blade and claws could make contact, striking the chest of the Purple Sable King. A crunching sound of shattering bones echoed out, and the Purple Sable King let out a shrill, miserable scream, flying backward.

"BOOM!"

Dust billowed in the distance. Kagang, having escaped death, took a deep breath and looked toward the youth in white who had arrived from the valley entrance, saying gratefully.

"Brother Ling Xiao, I cannot thank you enough for this great kindness. If you ever have need of me, Kagang, just say the word."

"Brother Kagang, you are too kind. Since I promised to provide backup, I naturally wouldn't let anything happen to you."

Xiao Ling walked up and waved his hand, his pair of pitch-black eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at the Purple Sable King, whose outline was gradually becoming clear in the distance, a glimmer of excitement flickering within them.

"Good! Very good! I didn't expect such an unexpected surprise this time."

"A Da Dou Shi level magic beast?"

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