Sense of Danger

Ye Tong did not give chase. He even secretly felt fortunate. At that moment, the Book of Life and Death had drained every last drop of essence from his body. Never mind pursuing Tong Kaishan—if Tong Kaishan had been just a little braver and attacked him despite his severe injuries, Ye Tong likely would not have been able to withstand it.

His cultivation was too low, his combat strength too poor.

This world where the strong devoured the weak was far too cruel.

After this battle, Ye Tong's desire to become stronger grew ever fiercer. He casually tucked the Book of Life and Death into his robes before storing it in his sea of consciousness, then turned his gaze back to the four unconscious Tong Family servants.

This time—

He had severed one of Tong Kaishan's arms, so he was bound to have forged a grudge with the Tong Family.

The reason Tong Kaishan could swagger through Cold Mountain City, stir up trouble, and remain safe and sound for so many years was precisely because his elders doted on him greatly. Once Tong Kaishan returned to the Tong Family, his elders would surely fly into a towering rage and seek revenge for him.

Cold Mountain City... he could not return there for the time being!

Ye Tong gazed in the direction Tong Kaishan had fled, waiting for Medicine Slave's arrival. Earlier, he had sent Medicine Slave to purchase more jade stones. Thinking back on it now, he truly regretted it. If Medicine Slave had been at his side, then even if Tong Kaishan were a Qi Refining Sixth Level expert, escaping would have been utterly impossible.

After a while.

Medicine Slave hurried over with a basket on his back. When he saw the four unconscious Tong Family servants outside the pavilion, as well as the severed arm amid the bloodstains, his face immediately showed astonishment. Confused, he asked, "Young Master, what happened?"

"The Tong Family. Tong Kaishan."

Ye Tong's face was utterly indifferent as he rose and said, "I cut off one of his arms. We have likely become enemies with the Tong Family. Let us enter the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range first. We can discuss our grudge with the Tong Family after we return."

The Tong Family?

Medicine Slave curled his lip, a flash of disdain passing through his eyes. "I once followed Master to the Tong Family. The current Tong Family head acted like a grandson before Master. Though Master has gone missing, that cowardly Tong Family head probably would not dare offend people from our Precious Medicine Workshop so easily."

Ye Tong nodded.

He had entertained the same thought. Over the past year, many experts who had learned that Poison Demon Huo Lanqiu had disappeared had come to the Precious Medicine Workshop looking for trouble, yet none had dared kill him or Medicine Slave. Such intimidation could not be called anything but formidable.

However, hatred could blind many people's eyes.

There were also many ways to take revenge.

For instance, even if the Tong Family head did not dare use the Tong Family's power to retaliate against him, he could completely hire adventurers in secret to strike him down. Cold Mountain City lacked everything except desperadoes.

"Medicine Slave, a cautious sailor sails for ten thousand years," Ye Tong said casually. Then he picked up a long saber from the ground and, after leaving the pavilion, headed toward the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range.

Yet not long after Ye Tong and Medicine Slave entered the mountains, they were spotted by four adventurers hiding among the low shrubs. One of them, a young man with a pointed mouth and monkey-like cheeks, had his eyes light up at once.

"Big Brother, there's a fat sheep."

Yasen revealed a hint of greed and pointed at Ye Tong through a gap in the branches and leaves.

Calon's eyes narrowed into slits as he asked in a low voice, "Do you know where they came from? Are they carrying a lot of blue silver?"

Yasen licked his lips. "Yesterday, I went into Cold Mountain City to handle some business and caught that fine show of a challenge match. That kid was the final winner I told you about yesterday. He has at least fourteen hundred taels' worth of blue silver notes on him, plus his own blue silver... he's very fat."

Calon and the other two men's eyes began to gleam.

Yasen continued, "As for that old fellow, I have not seen him before. But he looks like a candle flickering in the wind at the end of its life. Even if he is a cultivator, he probably is not very formidable. The only thing we need to watch for is that kid surnamed Ye. He is skilled at using poison."

Calon raised a hand to stroke his chin and chuckled. "What a coincidence. I bought two antidote pills a few days ago. Even poison poses no real threat to us."

Yasen immediately laid on the flattery. "Big Brother, you truly had the foresight. Only by following you can we eat well, drink well, and grow stronger and stronger! When do we make our move?"

Calon greatly enjoyed the praise and chuckled. "No rush. They are heading into the mountains, so they are bound to encounter Fierce Beasts inside. We only need to follow behind them. Once they are badly wounded by the Fierce Beasts, it will not be too late for us to kill them. All of you, remember this: what we do is tie our heads to our belts. Brute force can never compare to using one's brain. Only by striking ruthlessly when the target has no guard up can we live longer."

"Understood!"

Yasen and the other three nodded heavily, offering their undisguised admiration without reservation.

The Golden Phoenix Mountain Range had many entrances, but some paths had been opened up by adventurers. Since people frequently traveled them, they were somewhat safer. Ye Tong and Medicine Slave took one such mountain path.

Half a day passed.

The two crossed the first mountain and entered a valley. Here, green waters and verdant mountains complemented birdsong and fragrant blossoms. A babbling stream, clear enough to reveal its bottom, wound onward like a ribbon. From the memories he had merged with, Ye Tong knew this world held many strange beasts, yet the bizarrely shaped and vividly colored animals he saw along the way still felt fresh and novel to him.

However.

In the outermost reaches of the mountain range, there were rarely beasts with strong aggression. As for Fierce Beasts that had developed intelligence, he had not seen even one.

"Medicine Slave."

Ye Tong stood before a flower half the height of a man. As he looked at its delicate, dripping beauty and its eye-piercing red petals, a faint Sense of Danger rose within him, as though some dangerous creature had fixed its gaze upon him.

Medicine Slave asked, "What are your orders, Young Master?"

Ye Tong said, "Stay alert. I feel that we may run into trouble."

Medicine Slave froze. He turned and looked around, finding the surroundings peaceful and calm, without anything unusual. Even so, he followed Ye Tong's order and became more cautious.

"Squeak, squeak..."

Suddenly, an Eight-Clawed Poisonous Insect shot out from the flower's pistil and lunged straight at Ye Tong's face.

Ye Tong's expression changed slightly as he instantly stepped back. With a flip of his hand, he drew a sharp dagger. The blade flashed, and the three-inch Eight-Clawed Poisonous Insect was immediately cut in half. Yet even split into two pieces, the front half of the Eight-Clawed Poisonous Insect still sprang toward Ye Tong's chest, its sharp claws tearing open a wound two inches below his throat.

"Damn it."

The dagger tip moved like lightning, instantly sending the front half of the Eight-Clawed Poisonous Insect flying.

When Medicine Slave saw the wound on Ye Tong's neck, he immediately took out a porcelain bottle. As he pulled out the stopper, he said, "Every claw of an Eight-Clawed Poisonous Insect carries deadly poison. Quickly drink the antidote..."

His words abruptly stopped.

As the saying went, concern bred confusion.

Only then did he suddenly remember that Ye Tong feared everything except deadly poison. To Ye Tong now, poison was not only harmless, but beneficial.

Ye Tong took out a handkerchief and wiped away the blood seeping from the wound. Muttering to himself, he said, "The more beautiful the exterior, the more killing intent it conceals. We have only just reached the outskirts of the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range, and I have already drawn blood. How much killing intent lies hidden in the depths of these mountains? How strong must one be to barely protect oneself?"

Medicine Slave said, "This old servant has entered the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range dozens of times, and on two occasions, I even ventured deep into its heartland. The outskirts are not too bad, but deeper inside, dangers lurk at every step. Those two times, I only barely escaped alive after brushing past death nine times. Young Master, with your current strength, we can cross at most ten mountains and hunt in the outer region. Otherwise, should we encounter danger, even if this old servant risked his life to protect you, I would not be completely certain of keeping you safe."

Ye Tong asked, "What realm are you in now?"

Medicine Slave smiled. "This old servant's aptitude is dull. Though I followed Master for decades, I only barely broke through to the Innate Triple Stage."

Ye Tong said, "As I understand it, Fierce Beasts are divided into nine levels. Level One Fierce Beasts are the weakest, while Level Nine Fierce Beasts are the strongest. Cultivators in the Houtian Realm roughly correspond to Level One Fierce Beasts and Level Two Fierce Beasts. Those in the Qi Refining and Innate Realm correspond to Level Three Fierce Beasts and Level Four Fierce Beasts. The Foundation Establishment Realm corresponds to Level Five Fierce Beasts and Level Six Fierce Beasts. The Core Formation Realm corresponds to Level Seven Fierce Beasts and Level Eight Fierce Beasts. As for Level Nine Fierce Beasts, it seems that only legendary Nascent Soul experts can handle them."

"That is correct."

Medicine Slave nodded seriously.

Ye Tong said, "According to what you said, after crossing ten mountains, you will no longer be able to guarantee my safety. In other words, beyond ten mountains, we may encounter Level Three Fierce Beasts or Level Four Fierce Beasts?"

"Yes, that is indeed the case." Medicine Slave nodded. "It is said that more than a decade ago, a Level Five Fierce Beast even appeared beyond the tenth mountain."

Ye Tong asked, "If we encounter a Level Three Fierce Beast, you should still have the strength to fight it. But if we encounter a Level Four Fierce Beast, you likely will not be its match. Then if we meet a Level Four Fierce Beast, are you confident you can escape with me?"

Medicine Slave thought for a moment. "If it is not a Level Four Fierce Beast skilled in speed, then I am confident I can bring you out alive, Young Master."

"I understand. But wealth and honor are sought amid danger. Since we entered the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range to seek adventure, we should give it our all. Let us get moving! I want to see the sights beyond the tenth mountain." Ye Tong's face was full of resolve.

"This..."

Medicine Slave opened his mouth, but when he saw Ye Tong's resolute expression, he swallowed the words of persuasion. He understood his young master's temperament. Once Ye Tong made up his mind, it was difficult to change it again.

By the time the two crossed the second mountain, evening was already drawing near.

The crimson clouds were like fire, setting the western sky ablaze.

Ye Tong stood beside a shimmering lake, gazing at the green mountains, emerald waters, and crimson clouds. A row of enormous birds flew neatly across the sky, and he felt as though he were viewing a magnificent landscape painting.

Yet, just as Ye Tong had said earlier, beneath the more beautiful exterior lay more hidden killing intent. Two Sabertooth Wolves, their bodies covered in silver fur and standing nearly two meters tall, entered their sight.

"Awooo..."

The wolf howl echoed as sharp, gleaming fangs were bared.

The two Sabertooth Wolves seemed to have discovered prey as they approached Ye Tong and Medicine Slave step by step.

Medicine Slave revealed a surprised expression. "Sabertooth Wolves are no longer ordinary beasts. They possess a trace of intelligence and are classified as Level One Fierce Beasts. But this is strange. Why are they here? Logically, even places where Level One Fierce Beasts appear should be beyond the fourth mountain, shouldn't they?"