At this moment, the Xiao Clan's group arrived at the outskirts of the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Xiao Zhan looked around and said gravely, "Everyone, stay alert. We'll be passing through this stretch of the Magic Beast Mountain Range. We'll skirt along its outskirts, but ordinary Magical Beasts may attack us along the way. Keep your weapons ready and stay vigilant."
Xiao Zhan's voice echoed through the group, every word filled with sternness and warning.
He scanned the surroundings, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's, as though he could see through the mist-shrouded Magic Beast Mountain Range and foresee the hidden dangers.
The members of the group immediately sprang into action. They gripped their weapons tightly, their eyes resolute as they prepared for any sudden situation.
Xiao Zhan carefully checked the group's equipment and condition once more, ensuring that everyone was ready. He nodded, signaling that they could set off.
The group advanced slowly, each person maintaining the utmost vigilance. They carefully skirted around the outskirts of the Magic Beast Mountain Range, trying to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
However, just as Xiao Zhan had expected, they soon encountered their first Magical Beast attack.
A ferocious Magical Beast leaped out of the grass and attacked the group. Xiao Zhan reacted swiftly, clenching his fist as a faint azure aura covered it. His fist crashed down upon the Magical Beast like thunder, instantly killing it and leaving it sprawled on the ground.
His gaze was firm and cold, as though he had long grown accustomed to such struggles between life and death.
One or two Magical Beasts occasionally appeared along the way, but most were slain by the Xiao Clan guards. During the journey that followed, they encountered several more Magical Beast attacks.
Yet every time, they successfully drove those Magical Beasts back through excellent teamwork and formidable combat strength.
Just when Xiao Yao thought they were about to leave the outskirts of the Magic Beast Mountain Range without another Magical Beast ambush, a peak second-tier Crimson Flame Bear emerged from the forest.
The peak second-tier Crimson Flame Bear was enormous, its entire body wreathed in scorching flames. Its appearance turned the previously calm atmosphere tense.
Xiao Zhan swiftly directed the group to form defensive positions. He had the archers prepare ranged attacks while the melee fighters readied themselves to charge at any moment. Xiao Zhan circulated his azure battle qi, preparing for the sudden attack.
The Crimson Flame Bear let out a deafening roar. Its eyes gleamed fiercely as it stared fixedly at the Xiao Clan's group.
Then it suddenly charged at the nearest archer. The archer immediately retreated and fired an arrow at the same time.
The arrow sliced through the air and struck the Crimson Flame Bear's shoulder accurately, but it did not cause the beast much harm.
The Crimson Flame Bear roared angrily and swiped a claw at the archer. Fortunately, the archer reacted quickly and evaded the attack.
Seeing this, Xiao Zhan immediately covered his fist with battle qi and struck the Crimson Flame Bear squarely in the back. The bear was knocked forward by the sudden attack and crashed to the ground.
Just as Xiao Zhan was about to press his advantage, he suddenly felt an intense sense of danger. Turning around, he saw an enormous peak second-tier Magical Beast—the Blazing Flame Python—silently approaching them.
Everyone cried out when they saw it, "Look! A peak second-tier Magical Beast, a Blazing Flame Python! Th-this is bad! The Clan Head is tied up with the Crimson Flame Bear and can't break free to deal with this Magical Beast!"
The Blazing Flame Python was covered in flame-like scales, and its eyes flickered with an eerie, cold light. It was clearly an extremely dangerous Magical Beast.
Seeing the situation, Xiao Yao could only lure it away by himself. He turned to Xun'er and whispered, "Xun'er, go to Xiao Yan. It'll be safer there. I'll draw this Magical Beast away."
After hearing Xiao Yao's words, concern and reluctance flashed through Xun'er's eyes. She knew Xiao Yao was fairly strong, but luring away this Magical Beast was still extremely dangerous.
Xun'er said worriedly, "Be careful, Brother Xiao Yao." After saying that, she ran toward Xiao Yan in the center of the crowd.
Xiao Yao watched Xun'er's departing figure, then looked at the Blazing Flame Python and took a deep breath. It was his first time facing a Magical Beast, so he could not help feeling somewhat nervous.
Just then, the Blazing Flame Python noticed Xiao Yao standing not far away from the crowd. Perhaps it thought he would be easier to deal with alone, so it opened its huge maw and pounced toward him.
Xiao Yao immediately used the Traveling Secret to dodge with ease, appearing behind it. Seizing the opportunity, he covered his right foot in battle qi and kicked at the Blazing Flame Python's tail. The beast was sent flying by Xiao Yao's sudden attack and crashed into a large tree.
Xiao Yao shouted, "Father, deal with the Crimson Flame Bear first, then come find me! I'll lead this Blazing Flame Python away!"
"Yao'er, don't force yourself. Watch your safety. Your father will finish this Magical Beast soon and come find you."
At that moment, the Blazing Flame Python shot out again. If anyone looked closely, they would notice a deep scar on its tail.
The Blazing Flame Python stared fiercely at Xiao Yao and pounced at him once more. Xiao Yao kept changing positions with the Traveling Secret while drawing it farther away.
Xiao Yao stood on a branch high in a large tree, looking down at the Blazing Flame Python. They were already far from the Xiao Clan's group. A smile appeared in his heart as he thought, It's time to show my true strength. Do you really think I can't beat a Magical Beast that hasn't even reached the third tier?
Xiao Yao immediately released his cultivation, instantly reaching One-Star Battle Master. Just as he was about to counterattack, Xun'er suddenly ran over.
Xun'er's sudden appearance caught Xiao Yao off guard. He had not expected her to appear here at such a time.
At that moment, the Blazing Flame Python also noticed someone behind it. It opened its huge maw and lunged fiercely toward Xun'er.
Xun'er screamed in terror. She had not expected to become the Blazing Flame Python's target. Xiao Yao's heart tightened at the sight. He knew he had to make a decision quickly, or Xun'er would be in danger.
Xiao Yao leaped down from the tree. His figure streaked through the air as he landed beside Xun'er just as the Blazing Flame Python rushed before them.
Xiao Yao pulled Xun'er behind him, then swiftly turned to face the Blazing Flame Python. Battle qi covered his body, forming a golden Battle Qi Veil.
It opened its huge maw and bit down at Xiao Yao.
Xun'er opened her eyes and saw the Blazing Flame Python clamped tightly onto Brother Xiao Yao's shoulder. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face as her trembling hand clutched Xiao Yao's clothes. Choking back sobs, she asked, "Brother Xiao Yao... are you... all right?"
Xiao Yao looked at the Blazing Flame Python clamped tightly onto his shoulder, his brow furrowing. He covered both hands in battle qi, gripped its two fangs, and wrenched them apart with force. With a crack, the Blazing Flame Python's fangs were snapped off by him.
The Blazing Flame Python howled in pain and released Xiao Yao. Xiao Yao immediately gathered all his battle qi and threw a fierce punch at its head, sending it flying.
Xiao Yao took several steps back, widening the distance between himself and the Blazing Flame Python. He panted heavily, looking at the Blazing Flame Python's blood still staining his shoulder, and thought joyfully, This body's physique is really strong. Even this Blazing Flame Python couldn't bite through my skin.
Seeing that Brother Xiao Yao had successfully escaped the Blazing Flame Python's bite, Xun'er finally breathed a sigh of relief. She gently touched his shoulder and asked with concern, "Brother Xiao Yao, are you all right? Are you hurt?"
Xiao Yao shook his head and smiled reassuringly at Xun'er. "Don't worry, I'm fine. But this beast actually dared to attack you. That makes me very angry."
When Xiao Yao saw the Blazing Flame Python moving again, he hurriedly placed Xun'er on a branch high up in a towering tree. He said softly, "Xun'er, stay here and watch. Once I kill it, I'll come get you and take you back."
Xun'er looked at Xiao Yao's tall back and murmured in her heart, Brother Xiao Yao, if anyone ever hurts you, Xun'er will step forward to protect you! Even if you stand above the clouds one day, Xun'er will always stay by your side and protect you!
Before you continue