Beasts Take the Throne

"The Cloud Mist Marsh is up ahead. It's vast, and even we exotic beasts occupy only a corner of it."

Ah Yuan gazed at the Cloud Mist Marsh, his expression cautious.

"He must have fled into the Cloud Mist Marsh."

Putting the pieces together, Nangong Renshe must have panicked and fled without thinking, accidentally entering the Cloud Mist Marsh.

Looking at the distant Cloud Mist Marsh, Liu Chengfeng couldn't help thinking of that Ancient Domain, and of the Black Emperor.

"Brother, this place won't be easy for you to enter. The exotic beasts are at war right now. If you go in as a cultivator and get discovered, things will get ugly."

"Even if it won't be easy, I still have to go."

Liu Chengfeng was worried about Nangong Renshe and his safety.

Just then, a giant beast roared. Its beastly aura surged like a raging sea.

With a thunderous crash, an exotic beast a hundred meters tall, shaped like both a cat and a tiger, knocked a green Mang Bull Emperor to the ground.

The victorious beast's fur stood on end like ten thousand sharp swords. Its emerald eyes gleamed like enormous green lanterns.

"I am the emperor—"

The victorious beast roared, and every exotic beast on the battlefield fell to its knees.

"The Lynx Lion Emperor has won. A new Mountain Lord has risen in the Cloud Mist Marsh, and a new order has begun. Next, I'm afraid they'll bring Great Meng Mountain to heel."

Watching this scene, Ah Yuan couldn't help feeling a chill.

Sure enough, after the new Mountain Lord, the Lynx Lion Emperor, ascended the throne, horns sounded. He reorganized all the troops and began preparing for battle.

"He won't just bring Great Meng Mountain to heel. I'm afraid he'll attack Great Meng City, too. The new emperor has to establish his authority before he can win people's recognition."

Ah Yuan was startled.

"This is bad. Great Meng City is in danger."

Liu Chengfeng's expression changed. Nangong Renshe was lost in the Cloud Mist Marsh, while its army was preparing to attack Great Meng City.

If Great Meng City fell, the consequences would be unthinkable.

"I have to get back to Great Meng City."

Liu Chengfeng's heart tightened.

"Brother, if you go in, the Lynx Emperor will make you the first sacrifice to his banner. Leave the search for Sect Master Nangong to me. Things are urgent. Go back to Great Meng City."

"Fine. I'll return to Great Meng City. I'm counting on you to find the sect master."

Liu Chengfeng thought it over. Ah Yuan was an exotic beast; in the Cloud Mist Marsh, he'd be like a fish in water. If Liu Chengfeng went along, he'd only get in the way.

With Fourth Elder and the others' lives at stake, he had to return to the city.

"Get lost—" Just as Liu Chengfeng and Ah Yuan were discussing what to do, a roar shook the air. The Lynx Emperor was fighting someone; his furious bellow sent the earth trembling.

The Lynx Emperor smashed through a mountain peak as he charged and roared, setting the exotic beasts into a frenzy.

The Lynx Emperor hadn't even emerged from the Cloud Mist Marsh, yet his mighty beastly aura rolled toward Great Meng Mountain like a flood.

Birds and beasts fled in every direction, while the weaker exotic beasts trembled with fear.

"Brother, leave it to me."

Seeing the chaos in the Cloud Mist Marsh, Ah Yuan seized his chance and rushed inside.

Liu Chengfeng didn't linger either. He turned and raced toward Great Meng City.

He pushed his speed to the limit, covering ten thousand li a day as he raced over mountains and ridges.

The birds and beasts of Great Meng Mountain were so terrified of the Lynx Emperor that they fled in panic.

Those that flew through the sky and those that ran along the ground surged away like a tide, desperately fleeing from the Cloud Mist Marsh.

Among the fleeing birds and beasts, a fox ran alongside Liu Chengfeng.

Beasts panicked and birds scattered, trampling everything in their path. Liu Chengfeng's vital energy blazed like a rainbow, and he was as steady as a mountain's roots. Even when animals trampled toward him, he sent them flying.

The fox followed behind him, safe and quick.

Its fur was snow-white, and its bushy tail spread like an umbrella, its tip scarlet as flame. Blood stained its body, and it limped as it ran.

Several times, other animals nearly trampled it to death.

"You're having a rough time of it."

The fox could barely keep up. Whether from exhaustion or its injuries, it nearly got trampled to death.

Liu Chengfeng had a kind heart. He reached out, grabbed the fox, and continued running.

The fox bared its teeth at Liu Chengfeng, looking ferocious as it tried to bite him.

"Be good. I'm in a hurry."

Liu Chengfeng pressed down on its head, tucked it into his robes, and kept charging ahead.

The fox was badly injured and weak, so Liu Chengfeng had no choice but to hold it firmly against his chest. It was deeply unwilling.

Liu Chengfeng ignored it, intent on reaching Great Meng City as quickly as possible.

Tucked against Liu Chengfeng's chest, it no longer had to run for itself or worry about being trampled. It was certainly much safer, and the fox quieted down.

Liu Chengfeng raced over mountains and ridges, covering several thousand li in one breath. Great Meng City appeared in the distance.

Great Meng City had not fallen. Both sides had sounded the retreat.

The exotic beasts temporarily withdrew to Great Meng Mountain to prepare for their next assault, while the Great Meng City defenders reorganized their troops and prepared for another bloody battle.

Liu Chengfeng crossed a mountain ridge, but before he reached the city gates, someone blocked his way.

It was the Princess of the Wu Clan. She held the Colorful Dragon Sword in her arms, the silver leaf on her forehead gleaming coldly. Her expression was haughty, her gaze icy, and her killing intent chilling.

"I've been waiting for you."

Seeing Liu Chengfeng, the Princess of the Wu Clan let out a cold laugh.

After Liu Chengfeng and Ah Yuan fled into Great Meng Mountain, the Ascending Wu Clan had been certain Liu Chengfeng would return. They had split up to guard every road into the city, waiting for him like a rabbit at a stump.

Unless they killed Liu Chengfeng and took his head, the Ascending Wu Clan would have no way to answer to the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect, let alone the Ancient Li Royal Court.

Liu Chengfeng had to die. Everyone in the Wu Clan was resolved to see it done.

Seeing the Princess of the Wu Clan, Liu Chengfeng slowed down and took out his Thunder Sound Staff.

"How do you want to die? End your own life, or shall I cut off your head?"

The Princess of the Wu Clan was arrogant. She stared at Liu Chengfeng coldly, as if he were already dead.

The Princess of the Wu Clan was a genius, proud and haughty, and thought nothing of Liu Chengfeng.

She was at the fourth stage of Treasure Mountain. How hard could it be for her to kill Liu Chengfeng?

She didn't even need to call for help.

"I doubt you have what it takes."

Liu Chengfeng gave a cold laugh, but didn't dare underestimate her. At the fourth stage of Treasure Mountain, she was much stronger than Gu Yao.

The Princess of the Wu Clan slowly drew her sword. It rang out, its cold light sharp and chilling.

The two sides were on the brink of clashing when the sound of a carriage and horses approached. A luxurious procession appeared, with Su Youqian seated in a carriage and beautiful women attending him.

"Miss Wu, he's my brother. Go on back."

Su Youqian yawned and beckoned Liu Chengfeng into the carriage.

"Young Master Su—"

The Princess of the Wu Clan gave Su Youqian a cold glance, feeling somewhat disdainful.

To a genius like her, a hedonist like Su Youqian was nothing more than someone born into a good family.

But so what? Su Youqian was no weakling, and he had a whole troop of Iron Guards around him. Not one of them was weak.

Su Youqian was, after all, one of the heirs to the imperial throne, and Lady Chen's only beloved grandson. His status spoke for itself.

What could the Princess of the Wu Clan do to him? If he wanted to take Liu Chengfeng away, she couldn't stop him.

Just then, a rumble sounded. A troop suddenly swept through the sky, riding across the heavens before appearing in front of Su Youqian and the others.

The troop was steeped in a murderous aura, carrying the air of veterans who had seen years of battle.

Its imposing presence was completely different from Su Youqian's luxurious procession.

The vehicle before Su Youqian was a purple carriage with wooden panels, inlaid with gold and wrapped in silver, flanked by Iron Guard soldiers.

A beautiful woman sat inside. She wore a pale-yellow robe and a phoenix-embroidered cape draped over her shoulders. She had a full bosom and a slender waist; her eyes shimmered, and her red lips glistened.

This woman was powerful. Waves of scorching aura rolled off her, leaving everyone breathless.

Neither the Princess of the Wu Clan nor Su Youqian could match her presence.

"Princess Ye—"

Seeing the woman, the haughty Princess of the Wu Clan softened her expression and bowed respectfully.

The Princess of the Wu Clan had merely given herself that title. Princess Ye's title had been bestowed by the emperor of the Qiuchi Kingdom.

Ye Yiqing was the Grand Marshal's daughter and Ye Yitian's younger sister.

"Su Youqian, go and refuse."

Ye Yiqing disliked Su Youqian and looked at him coldly.

The Princess of the Wu Clan was a genius, but only within her clan. Ye Yiqing was a genius across the entire Qiuchi Kingdom.

They were of similar age, yet Ye Yiqing had already reached the Reception Divine Treasury.

It was no wonder Ye Yiqing looked down on Su Youqian. He was weaker than her and lived a dissolute life. Why would she marry him?

"Your father was the one who came to propose. What's that got to do with me? It's not like I want to marry you."

Su Youqian disliked Ye Yiqing just as much. He wasn't some stud animal; he hated this kind of arranged marriage.

"You—"

Ye Yiqing's face changed. Her eyes blazed with fury, and flames burned so fiercely that even the plants around them caught fire.

"I know you're powerful, but you can't burn me to death. If you've got the nerve, then burn me to death."

Su Youqian looked utterly shameless. He wasn't as strong as Ye Yiqing, but she couldn't actually kill him.

Ye Yiqing had a distinguished status as the Grand Marshal's daughter, but Su Youqian's was even more exalted: he was one of the heirs to the imperial throne.

"All right, I'm going for a drink with my brother. You two can forget it."

Su Youqian ignored Ye Yiqing and enjoyed the women's attention as he took Liu Chengfeng into the city.

Ye Yiqing's expression darkened with anger.

"Your Highness, calm down. There'll be a way." Before Ye Yiqing, the haughty Princess of the Wu Clan was just like a maid. She, too, wanted to cultivate a connection with Ye Yiqing.

"Miss Wu, you can join our Grandmaster Mansion."

"Really?"

"I'll recommend you to my elder brother."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The Princess of the Wu Clan was overjoyed. The Ascending Wu Clan already had the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect as their backer. If she joined the Grandmaster Mansion as well, their position would be even more secure.

"I need to see the Old Matriarch. The Exotic Beast Emperor is coming."

In the carriage, Liu Chengfeng told Su Youqian how serious the situation was.

"Brother, I can pass the message along for you, but it'll take time. It's not up to me."

Liu Chengfeng knew the Old Matriarch was undoubtedly fighting She Tian and couldn't get away.

"But there's one thing I can decide. I'll take you to the Sage Scroll technique."

"Really?" One of Liu Chengfeng's main reasons for coming to Great Meng City was to practice the Sage Scroll technique.

"I wasted your time last time, so forget the examination. I'll take you to study a technique."

Su Youqian was a loyal friend. He took Liu Chengfeng deeper into the city, but not to Tiger Mound. Instead, they went to an old shrine in the southern corner of the city.

"Brother, let me tell you. This was once where one of our Su Family ancestors practiced."

"Back then, our ancestor created a Flying Sword Technique here, a top-grade Sage Scroll. He carved the technique right here. Whoever comprehends it can claim it."

"Top-grade Sage Scroll?" "That's right, a top-grade Sage Scroll from Treasure Mountain Divine Treasury. No one in our Su Family has ever managed to comprehend it." Top-grade Sage Scroll techniques from Treasure Mountain Divine Treasury were exceedingly rare. Even powers at the level of an Ancient Kingdom could hardly find one.

The Qiuchi Kingdom was only a Grandmaster-level power, so this was already an earth-shattering technique.

Yet no one in the Su Family had ever managed to comprehend it.

"Brother, since you're a genius, we'll guard the place for you for three days. If you can comprehend it in that time, the technique is yours."

"Time is pressing, and the exotic beasts are attacking the city. Brother, this is all I can do for you. In three days, I might have to evacuate Great Meng City, too." Su Youqian stationed his Iron Guards outside the Ancient Shrine to stand guard over Liu Chengfeng.

Su Youqian was a man of great loyalty. He had already bought Liu Chengfeng more than enough time.

Liu Chengfeng stood in the Ancient Shrine, looking at the six stone pillars before him.

The pillars were tall and rough, covered in crisscrossing sword marks.

Even after ten thousand years, every sword mark still radiated Sword Qi.

The Flying Sword Technique was hidden within those sword marks.