Sense of Crisis

Ye Tong didn't pursue, and in fact, he felt secretly fortunate. At this moment, his Vital Energy had been completely drained by the Book of Life and Death. Not only could he not chase Tong Kaishan, but if Tong Kaishan had been even slightly bolder and attacked him while heavily injured, he likely wouldn't have been able to resist.

His cultivation was too low, his combat power too weak.

This world of the strong preying on the weak was far too cruel.

After this battle, Ye Tong's desire to become stronger grew even more intense. He casually tucked the Book of Life and Death away, concealing it within his robes before drawing it into his Sea of Consciousness. His gaze then shifted back to the four unconscious Tong family servants.

This time.

He had severed Tong Kaishan's arm, inevitably creating enmity with the Tong family.

The reason Tong Kaishan could be so arrogant and cause trouble in Cold Mountain City, and remain unharmed for so many years, was precisely because his elders doted on him. Once Tong Kaishan returned to the Tong family, his elders would undoubtedly fly into a rage and seek revenge for him.

Cold Mountain City... he couldn't return there for now!

Ye Tong gazed in the direction Tong Kaishan had fled, waiting for the Medicine Slave to arrive. He now regretted arranging for the Medicine Slave to go buy more Jade. If the Medicine Slave had been by his side, even if Tong Kaishan was a powerful cultivator at the sixth stage of Qi Refining, escaping would have been impossible.

After a while.

The Medicine Slave arrived in a hurry, carrying his basket. When he saw the four unconscious Tong family servants outside the pavilion, and the severed arm amidst the bloodstains, his expression turned to shock, and he asked confusedly, "Young Master, what happened?"

"The Tong family, Tong Kaishan."

Ye Tong said with a placid expression as he stood up, "I cut off one of his arms, and I'm afraid we've made an enemy of the Tong family. Let's head into the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range first, and we can deal with the Tong family's grievances when we return."

The Tong family?

The Medicine Slave pouted, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. He said, "I accompanied my master to the Tong family before. The current head of the Tong family was like a grandson in front of my master. Although my master has gone missing, that coward of a Tong family head probably wouldn't dare to easily offend anyone from our Precious Medicine Workshop."

Ye Tong nodded.

He had a similar thought. After all, over the past year, many powerful individuals who heard of Poison Demon Huo Lanqiu's disappearance had come to the Precious Medicine Workshop to cause trouble, but none of them dared to kill him and the Medicine Slave. This deterrent was undeniably strong.

However, hatred could blind many people's eyes.

There were many ways to seek revenge.

For instance, the head of the Tong family might not dare to use the Tong family's power to retaliate against him, but he could easily find adventurers in secret to kill him. Cold Mountain City lacked many things, but it certainly didn't lack desperate individuals.

"Medicine Slave, caution is the mother of safety," Ye Tong said casually. Then, picking up a long saber from the ground, he left the pavilion and walked towards the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range.

However, shortly after Ye Tong and the Medicine Slave entered the mountain, they were spotted by four adventurers hiding in the low bushes. The eyes of one of them, a youth with a sharp mouth and monkey-like cheeks, lit up.

"Big brother, we've got some fat sheep."

Yasen showed a hint of greed, pointing at Ye Tong through the gaps in the leaves.

Calon narrowed his eyes into slits and asked in a low voice, "Do you know their background? And they're carrying a lot of Blue Silver?"

Yasen licked his lips and said, "I went into Cold Mountain City yesterday on business and saw the great show at the arena challenge. That kid is the final winner I told you about yesterday. He has at least one thousand four hundred taels of Blue Silver banknotes on him, plus his own Blue Silver... very plump."

Calon and the other two began to eye them greedily.

Yasen continued, "As for that old fellow, I haven't seen him before. But he looks like he's at the end of his life. Even if he's a cultivator, he probably won't be that strong, right? The only one we need to watch out for is that kid named Ye, he's skilled at poisoning."

Calon raised his hand and stroked his chin, chuckling. "What a coincidence, I bought two antidote potions a few days ago. Even if it's poison, it won't pose much of a threat to us."

Yasen flattered him, "Big brother, you truly have foresight. It's only by following you that we can eat well and drink heartily, and our strength grows stronger and stronger! When do we make our move?"

Calon enjoyed the flattery and chuckled, "No rush. They're heading into the mountains. Once inside, they'll definitely encounter fierce beasts. We just need to track them from behind. When they're heavily injured by the fierce beasts, then it won't be too late for us to move in and kill them. All of you remember this: we're doing a job where we tie our heads to our belts. Reckless action is never as good as using your brain. Only by striking when the target is caught off guard can we live longer."

"Understood!"

Yasen and the other two nodded heavily, their gazes of unreserved admiration offered without hesitation.

There were many entrances to the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range, but some paths opened by adventurers were safer due to frequent passage. Ye Tong and the Medicine Slave were taking one such mountain path.

Half a day passed.

The two crossed the first mountain and entered a valley. Here, there were green waters and blue mountains, birds singing and flowers fragrant. A babbling stream flowed clearly, winding like a ribbon. Based on the memories he had integrated, Ye Tong knew that there were many strange beasts in this world, but seeing the beasts with peculiar appearances and varied colors with his own eyes along the way still made him feel a sense of novelty.

However.

The outermost areas of this mountain range rarely had beasts with strong offensive capabilities. As for fierce beasts that had developed intelligence, he hadn't seen a single one.

"Medicine Slave."

Ye Tong stood in front of a flower that was half his height, looking at its alluring, eye-piercing red petals. A sense of crisis stirred within him, as if he were being watched by some dangerous creature.

The Medicine Slave asked, "Young Master, what are your orders?"

Ye Tong said, "Stay alert. I have a feeling we're going to be in trouble."

The Medicine Slave blinked, then turned to look around. He found the surroundings peaceful, with nothing out of the ordinary. However, he still followed Ye Tong's instructions and became cautious.

"Squeak squeak..."

Suddenly, an Eight-Clawed Poisonous Insect darted out from the flower's pistil, heading straight for Ye Tong's face.

Ye Tong's expression changed slightly. He instantly retreated, drawing a sharp dagger with a flip of his hand. A flash of blade light later, the three-inch-long Eight-Clawed Poisonous Insect was cut in half. However, even though it was severed into two pieces, the front half of the poisonous insect's body still lunged towards Ye Tong's chest. Its sharp claws tore a gash about two inches below Ye Tong's throat.

"Damn it."

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

The Medicine Slave clearly saw the wound on Ye Tong's neck. He immediately took out a porcelain bottle, and as he pulled off the stopper, he said, "Every claw of the Eight-Clawed Poisonous Insect is laced with potent venom. Quickly drink the antidote..."

His words abruptly stopped.

As the saying goes, anxiety can cloud judgment.

It was only then that he suddenly remembered Ye Tong feared nothing, especially not potent poisons. In fact, for Ye Tong, poisons were beneficial rather than harmful.

Ye Tong took out a handkerchief and wiped away the oozing blood, murmuring, "The more beautiful the appearance, the more hidden the killing intent. We've only just reached the outskirts of the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range, and I'm already injured. How much killing intent lies hidden in the depths of the mountain range? How much strength is needed to at least protect myself?"

The Medicine Slave said, "This old servant has entered the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range dozens of times, and twice I ventured deep into its heart. The outskirts are relatively manageable, but the depths are fraught with peril. Those two times, I barely escaped with my life. Young Master, with your current strength, we can at most cross ten mountains and hunt in the outer regions. If we encounter danger, even if this old servant sacrifices his life to protect you, I won't have absolute confidence in ensuring your safety."

Ye Tong inquired, "What is your current cultivation realm?"

The Medicine Slave chuckled, "This old servant's aptitude is dull. Despite following my master for decades, I've only managed to break through to the Innate Triple Stage."

Ye Tong said, "From what I understand, fierce beasts are divided into nine levels, with Level One being the weakest and Level Nine the strongest. Cultivators in the Houtian realm generally correspond to Level One and Level Two fierce beasts; those in the Qi Refining and Innate realms correspond to Level Three and Level Four fierce beasts; the Foundation Establishment realm corresponds to Level Five and Level Six fierce beasts; the Core Formation realm corresponds to Level Seven and Level Eight fierce beasts; as for Level Nine fierce beasts, it seems only legendary Nascent Soul realm powerhouses can deal with them."

"That's correct."

The Medicine Slave nodded earnestly.

Ye Tong said, "According to you, after crossing ten mountains, you can no longer guarantee my safety. This means that after crossing ten mountains, we might encounter Level Three or Level Four fierce beasts?"

"Yes, that's precisely it," the Medicine Slave nodded and said, "Rumor has it that over a decade ago, Level Five fierce beasts were sighted beyond the tenth mountain."

Ye Tong asked, "If we encounter a Level Three fierce beast, you should still have the strength to fight. If we encounter a Level Four fierce beast, you likely won't be a match. So, if we encounter a Level Four fierce beast, do you have the confidence to escape with me?"

The Medicine Slave thought for a moment and replied, "If we don't encounter a Level Four fierce beast that excels in speed, I am confident I can lead you to safety, Young Master."

"I understand. However, fortune favors the bold. Since we are venturing into the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range, we should give it our all. Let's move on! I want to see what lies beyond the tenth mountain," Ye Tong said with a resolute expression.

"This..."

The Medicine Slave opened his mouth, but seeing Ye Tong's determined face, he swallowed the words he intended to say. He understood the Young Master's personality; once a decision is made, it's very difficult to change it.

They crossed the second mountain, and it was already approaching evening.

The sunset glow was like fire, igniting the western sky.

Ye Tong stood by a shimmering lake, gazing at the green mountains, verdant foliage, and the red sunset. He watched a flock of giant birds fly past in formation, feeling as if he were witnessing a beautiful and picturesque scroll painting.

However, as Ye Tong had said earlier, the more beautiful the appearance, the more hidden the killing intent. Two Sabertooth Wolves, covered in silver fur and standing nearly two meters tall, came into their view.

"Roar..."

Wolf howls echoed, and their sharp, pointed teeth were bared.

The two Sabertooth Wolves, as if they had discovered prey, walked step by step towards Ye Tong and the Medicine Slave.

The Medicine Slave's expression turned surprised, and he said, "Sabertooth Wolves are no longer considered mere beasts; they possess a trace of intelligence and are classified as Level One fierce beasts. It's quite strange, why are they appearing here? Logically, even places where Level One fierce beasts appear should be found after the fourth mountain."