Storm Fierce Tiger

As he ventured deeper into the Tianyan Mountain Range, the towering trees grew increasingly massive, casting a gloom that seemed to darken the very sky, while the number of demonic beasts lurking within multiplied.

Vague, incessant roars echoed in his ears, causing Lin Yiqing's heart to grow increasingly heavy.

He used his spiritual energy to constantly scan his surroundings, not daring to lower his guard for even a second; he knew that deep within the Tianyan Mountain Range, he had entered the territory of beasts belonging to the Creation Three Realms.

The slightest carelessness could invite a fatal ambush.

Soon, Lin Yiqing arrived at the perimeter of the mountain hollow indicated on the map. Upon reaching this point, he ceased his advance to guard against unknown dangers.

Finding a tall, concealed tree trunk, Lin Yiqing sat cross-legged atop it. After confirming the area was secure, the spiritual energy within his Mud Pill Palace surged, spreading out stealthily to cover the surroundings.

Before he could even conduct a detailed search, an intensely violent and ferocious aura erupted from the hollow. Lin Yiqing's heart tightened, and he immediately suppressed his own presence to the absolute limit.

The aura was exceptionally savage, and a faint, pungent scent of blood drifted toward him; it was undoubtedly a fierce and ruthless high-level demonic beast.

"A Form-Shaping Realm beast!"

Lin Yiqing's heart jolted. From the gloomy hollow, a cyan-black tiger, roughly a dozen zhang in size, suddenly soared into the air. Its terrifying presence blanketed the area, startling the creatures of the dense forest into a frantic flight.

The beast's pair of fangs protruded past its lips, radiating a chilling glint, and its entire body looked as if it were forged from refined steel. One could easily imagine that if it were to strike, its power would be earth-shattering.

Most strangely, a pair of black wings sprouted from its back, and with every breath it took, blades of wind manifested around it.

It clearly possessed ancient bloodlines and heritage.

"Hiss, it's actually a Storm Fierce Tiger. I never expected to find one here."

Lin Yiqing drew a sharp breath. Although the Storm Fierce Tiger did not possess the most elite bloodline among the tiger clans, it was still a notoriously formidable demonic beast.

An adult Storm Fierce Tiger was capable of rivaling a powerhouse at the Small Perfection of the Qi-Shaping Realm!

However, observing its physique closely, it seemed to be a step away from adulthood, and its cultivation had not yet reached its peak.

"It seems this hollow is truly not simple! I just wonder what exactly is inside."

Watching the Storm Fierce Tiger fly into the distance, Lin Yiqing couldn't help but ponder with a grave expression.

Nevertheless, he did not recklessly sneak into the hollow, choosing instead to cautiously survey the surrounding terrain.

"If I were to sneak in and run into an adult Storm Fierce Tiger, that would be a disaster."

Over the next two days, he lingered in the area around the hollow, observing the Storm Fierce Tiger's daily hunting patterns and the various escape routes.

Finally, taking advantage of the beast's departure for another hunt, Lin Yiqing made up his mind to investigate the secrets of the hollow.

Tiger-type beasts possessed the keenest sense of smell, so Lin Yiqing coated himself in medicinal herbs to mask his scent.

Then, spiritual energy surged from his Mud Pill Palace, allowing him to grasp the environment within several hundred meters. Covering his feet with Origin Qi to dampen any sound, he crept into the hollow with light steps.

Due to the Storm Fierce Tiger's dominance, no other large beasts existed within its territory, save for its prey.

Consequently, Lin Yiqing reached the edge of the hollow quite smoothly. Along the way, the ground was littered with corpses, and the bones of various large beasts gradually accumulated, eventually forming a veritable sea of bones.

Yet, the doubts in Lin Yiqing's heart only grew, for no matter how he looked at it, this place did not resemble the site of any ancient cave dwelling or ruin.

"This distance should be enough."

Seeing the Storm Fierce Tiger's nest begin to come into view, he flashed behind a massive boulder. With a thought, he activated his Origin Qi Vision to scan the distribution of Origin Qi several hundred zhang away.

"Hiss! There really is another tiger!" Lin Yiqing felt a secret sense of relief.

He was fortunate that he hadn't rushed in blindly, or he would have likely served as the beast's next meal.

Under the observation of his Origin Qi Vision, a massive amount of heaven and earth Origin Qi gathered within the nest, and the condensed form was unmistakably that of a Storm Fierce Tiger.

"One mountain cannot hold two tigers, unless one is male and one is female, right?" Lin Yiqing muttered to himself.

Just then, he noticed a cluster of exceptionally bright wood-attribute Origin Qi gathered behind the Storm Fierce Tiger's form—the brightest he had ever seen.

"So that's how it is!"

Lin Yiqing's gaze sharpened, and he slowly retreated from the hollow. There was no ancient dwelling here; it was clear that someone had set their sights on the spirit medicine guarded by these two Storm Fierce Tigers!

Unless one possessed the strength of the Creation Three Realms, the difficulty of eliminating these two Form-Shaping Realm beasts was akin to ascending to heaven.

One had to realize that demonic beasts with such cultivation were already sentient, their intelligence far surpassing that of ordinary beasts.

Therefore, the person coveting this spirit medicine had created the animal-skin scroll in his possession, hoping to use the hands of others to distract the Storm Fierce Tigers, thereby achieving their goal of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

"What a sinister scheme."

Lin Yiqing had initially thought it was the work of the chubby youth, but upon reflection, he realized that wasn't right; the kid was clearly the one being played.

The aging technique used on the animal-skin scroll was extremely sophisticated; even Lin Yiqing had almost been deceived, let alone someone with less discerning methods.

Had the youth not encountered Lin Yiqing and the subsequent series of events, he likely would have found others to enter the mountains to hunt for treasure.

With his Small Perfection of the Origin Pellet Realm strength, coupled with his innate talent and even a spiritual treasure for protection, the youth's overinflated confidence would have truly made him a pawn for someone else.

"Interesting, there is actually a hidden force at play!"

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Lin Yiqing's face. Such a high-grade spirit medicine was not to be missed. Since the other party wanted to be the oriole behind, they shouldn't blame him for muddying the waters further.

"Snap."

At that moment, an extremely faint sound drifted from the forest. Lin Yiqing flashed behind a tree trunk, his spiritual energy surging as he stealthily scanned the source of the noise.

"It's actually him!"

Lin Yiqing wore a strange expression; he had not expected this little fatty to have snuck all the way here alone.

"Bastard, scoundrel, dog thief, hitting me with a sap and stealing my spiritual treasure!"

Listening to the other party's whispered curses, Lin Yiqing nearly burst out laughing. He took a quick look and realized the boy must have come straight here after climbing out of the dry well.

His clothes were still stained with dirt, and his aura was somewhat erratic.

This kid probably hasn't been here since he got the animal skin scroll. He must not know there are two Storm Fierce Tigers in this place, otherwise he wouldn't be so reckless.

Following far behind the little fatty and observing his behavior, Lin Yiqing reached a conclusion.

However, he did not intend to reveal himself; there was no guarantee that someone else wasn't tailing the boy.

"ROAR!"

Just then, a beast's roar that shook the mountain forest erupted from afar. This deafening sound belonged to none other than the Storm Fierce Tiger returning from its hunt!

Lin Yiqing's pupils constricted. He stopped watching and retreated directly into the woods to the side.

Staying any longer would invite too many variables. If the little fatty caused a scene, it would be difficult to clean up the mess. It was better to withdraw first and plot slowly.

In any case, the spiritual herbs weren't going anywhere. From here on out, it would depend on whose methods were superior.