Entering the Magical Beast Mountain Range

Wutan City.

Ever since Xiao Yan had fallen from a genius to a good-for-nothing, he had endured every kind of humiliation.

But recently, his cultivation had begun to recover.

And during the second test, he had successfully returned to the seventh stage of Dou Qi, slapping the entire Xiao Clan in the face.

That former genius had returned!

Xiao Zhan had also shown a long-lost smile during this time. He had never felt as happy or as relaxed as he did now.

Previously, because Xiao Yan's cultivation could not recover, Xiao Zhan had faced tremendous pressure as the Xiao Clan's patriarch.

Fortunately, they had finally made it through!

"Yan'er, your cultivation has finally recovered. And you rose from the third stage of Dou Qi to the seventh stage so quickly. Wonderful!" Xiao Zhan was so happy that even the wrinkles on his face seemed noticeably fewer.

"Father, don't worry. My talent has returned. My cultivation will only grow stronger from now on, and I'll never let anyone mock me again," Xiao Yan said.

"Hahaha, good!" Xiao Zhan laughed without stopping.

"By the way, Father, I actually came to tell you something. I want to go out and gain experience. I don't want to stay in the clan managing shops and things like that," Xiao Yan said.

Through Old Yao, he had learned that this world was vast, with many clans and factions far surpassing Wutan City.

He wanted to travel and broaden his horizons.

"You want to go out and gain experience?" Xiao Zhan was somewhat surprised.

"Where do you want to go? And your cultivation is still insufficient. Wouldn't it be too dangerous for you to go out training?"

He was worried.

After all, Xiao Yan had not yet become a Dou Practitioner.

"I want to set out from Wutan City and travel as I train, going wherever the road takes me," Xiao Yan said.

Xiao Zhan pondered for a moment. "Yan'er, your cultivation is still somewhat low. Wait until you recover to the Dou Practitioner level before going out to train."

"And if you truly want to gain experience, you can go to Stone Desert City in the direction of the Tagore Desert. Your eldest and second brothers are there, and they've formed a mercenary group."

"Once you break through, you can go there and train with your eldest and second brothers."

He was still somewhat uneasy about letting Xiao Yan train outside alone.

"That works too. Then I'll go after I break through to Dou Practitioner," Xiao Yan agreed.

Although Old Yao had guaranteed that he could ensure Xiao Yan's safety while training outside.

Xiao Yan did not want to make his father worry in the face of his concern.

Then he might as well wait a little longer.

Once he broke through to Dou Practitioner, he would head straight to Stone Desert City to find his eldest and second brothers.

Above the forest, two figures flew swiftly forward.

They were Yun Yun and Wu Changqing, who had left the Misty Cloud Sect!

"Didn't you say there were many matters in the sect that needed handling? Why did you still come out with me?"

Wu Changqing had originally planned to come out alone first. Yet for some reason, Yun Yun had pushed aside all the sect's affairs and decided to accompany him.

This ruined Wu Changqing's plan to come out alone.

"There are so many matters in the sect. They can never all be dealt with."

"Besides, there are Yun Leng, Yun Lei, and the other elders. Wasn't the point of appointing them as elders to have them help share the burden?"

"Surely I can't personally handle every little matter?" Yun Yun said matter-of-factly.

Wu Changqing merely smiled.

"What are you smiling at? Don't you think I'm right?"

"Besides, didn't I put aside the sect's affairs so I would have time to accompany Senior Sword Spirit? Senior Sword Spirit doesn't understand my feelings at all..." Yun Yun muttered quietly.

"I know you wanted to accompany me, which is why I smiled."

The woman's cheeks flushed slightly before she said openly, "I said before that whenever there was an opportunity, I wanted to accompany Senior Sword Spirit and see the outside world."

"Although we've gone out many times before, this seems to be the first time we've come somewhere this far away," she said.

Compared to staying in the sect and handling affairs, Yun Yun preferred being with Wu Changqing.

"Yes, so we should enjoy the scenery along the way even more," Wu Changqing said.

"Mhm, mhm."

As they hurried toward the Magical Beast Mountain Range, they admired the scenery along the way.

Green Mountain Town.

This was a small town at the foot of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, so it was also known as Magical Beast Town.

As the saying went, those who lived by the mountain lived off the mountain. Most people here made their living by hunting magical beasts and gathering medicinal herbs, selling them elsewhere to keep the economy moving.

As a result, there were especially many mercenary groups and herb-gathering teams in this town.

Moreover, because it was close to the Magical Beast Mountain Range and was the only town near it.

Many people who came from elsewhere intending to enter the Magical Beast Mountain Range, as well as those who had already completed their training there, chose Green Mountain Town as a place to rest and replenish supplies.

Thus, although Green Mountain Town was not large, its economy was fairly decent, and several mercenary groups of varying sizes had emerged.

After traveling for the entire journey, Wu Changqing and Yun Yun arrived when the sky had already grown dim.

"Let's rest in the town ahead for the night. It isn't safe to enter the Magical Beast Mountain Range so late," Wu Changqing said.

"Mhm." Yun Yun nodded.

The two officially stepped into this blood-soaked town.

Their arrival drew the attention of quite a few people.

The man was handsome, and the woman was beautiful.

Yun Yun in particular had fair skin and exquisite features, like a uniquely beautiful sight.

Many mercenaries stared until their eyes went straight.

Yet Yun Yun exuded an aloof aura that made it obvious at a glance that she was no ordinary person.

Thus, no one foolishly came looking for trouble.

The two headed straight for the town inn.

"Owner, one superior room," Yun Yun said.

Several times when she had gone out with Wu Changqing, they had rented only one room.

Because Wu Changqing turned into a sword when he rested, there was no need to waste money renting another room.

"Right away!"

After taking their money, the owner efficiently led them to a room.

"If you two honored guests need anything, feel free to call for us at any time."

"Mhm, you may leave."

Though the room was simple, it was clean overall, with nothing worth criticizing.

Wu Changqing stood before the window, looking toward the Magical Beast Mountain Range outside.

"Tomorrow, we'll go in and trade with the Amethyst Winged Lion King for the Purple Spirit Crystal, right?"

"Mhm. Or does Senior Sword Spirit want to look around some more?"

"No need. We've spent a long time traveling and sightseeing already. Let's get down to business."

"That works."

The two rested in the room for the night.

Early the next morning, they were awakened by the mercenaries outside.

People here began entering the mountains very early, because many magical beasts were still asleep at dawn, making it less dangerous to enter then.

After getting up, Wu Changqing and Yun Yun briefly tidied themselves and washed up, then entered the Magical Beast Mountain Range alongside those mercenary groups and herb-gathering teams...