Dangerous Moment!

Mu Chen shook his head slightly. No matter what, this was a good thing.

There were quite a few mercenaries in town who had reached the Dou Zhe level, so the team was recruited quickly. Before long, a party of fifty had been assembled.

The most dangerous things in the Magic Beast Mountains were naturally the elusive magic beasts. Even in the outer regions, second-tier magic beasts comparable to Dou Masters often appeared. Thus, traveling together and relying on strength in numbers was the best choice.

In the quiet forest, towering trees stood densely packed together. Their lush canopies even blocked out the sun overhead. Thick green vines hung from the trees to the ground, and the air was filled with the scent of rotting leaves. Occasionally, the cries of unknown birds and beasts rang out, yet not a trace of them could be seen.

Rustle...

Within the dim forest, the large band of mercenaries moved across the soft earth in absolute silence. Every one of them was on high alert, their sharp gazes constantly sweeping through gaps between the trees and across the bushes. Their weapons were gripped tightly, ready for any sudden danger.

Mu Chen followed the others near the center of the group, his gaze falling upon Xiao Yi Xian ahead, who was surrounded like the moon among stars.

At that moment, she was using a silk handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her fair forehead. After traveling so far, Xiao Yi Xian was breathing a little heavily, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. She appeared especially frail, making anyone who saw her unable to resist feeling pity.

Yet despite her waning strength, Xiao Yi Xian still smiled and politely declined those who wished to help her, including the rather handsome Mu Li.

Mu Li showed no anger after being rejected by Xiao Yi Xian. Her response had not been unexpected, and he had long grown used to it. However, when his gaze swept across Xiao Yi Xian's slender willow-like waist, a lewd glint flashed covertly through his eyes.

He had coveted Xiao Yi Xian for far more than a day or two. Nearly all the mercenaries on this expedition understood his intentions and had received his secret warnings. Thus, aside from Wanyao Pavilion's guards, no other mercenaries dared approach Xiao Yi Xian.

Perhaps feeling humiliated by the beauty, Mu Li waved his large hand and shouted, "Wolf Head members, stay alert! We're about to enter the Magic Beast Mountains. Don't let the boat capsize in a gutter."

"Yes, Young Leader."

Watching Mu Li's satisfied expression, Mu Chen curled his lips inwardly. He then stopped paying attention to him and looked past the crowd into the dense woods where shadows overlapped.

They had begun entering the mountains. The magic beasts should appear soon, then.

Without any warning, three small snakes suddenly shot out from the crown of a large tree. The three burly mercenaries passing beneath it were caught off guard and bitten viciously on the arms.

These snakes were called Scarlet Ice Snakes, first-tier magic beasts commonly found in the outer regions of the mountains. They preferred cool, shaded places and would actively attack prey passing through their hiding spots.

Although their bodies were entirely crimson, these snakes were genuine Ice Attribute magic beasts, and they carried a troublesome frost poison. Those bitten would become rigid and unable to move. Within less than half a day, they would die on the spot.

The three bitten mercenaries turned deathly pale. They did not even manage to cry out before collapsing stiffly onto the ground.

Before the Scarlet Ice Snakes could continue causing trouble, however, the mercenaries rushed forward while swinging their weapons. Many of them had green glints in their eyes as their broadswords came crashing down. In mere moments, the three Scarlet Ice Snakes had been chopped into pulp.

Unfortunately, there were no Magic Cores among them as expected, causing the mercenaries who had hoped to make a small fortune to sigh endlessly.

The three mercenaries afflicted by the frost poison were carried by their companions to the herb-gathering party at the rear, and Xiao Yi Xian personally treated them.

Scarlet Ice Snakes were common magic beasts. Although their frost poison was somewhat troublesome, it was not enough to stump the experienced Xiao Yi Xian.

Mu Chen stood nearby and quietly watched Xiao Yi Xian work with full concentration. At that moment, she radiated a holy beauty, like pure crystal—sacred and untouchable. All she lacked was a halo above her head and white wings on her back.

Before long, Xiao Yi Xian stood up, wiping the sweat streaming down her cheeks with a silk handkerchief. She smiled faintly and said, "All right. However, it will take some time for the medicine's effects to fully take hold, so the three of you uncles mustn't fight for a while."

Mu Chen sighed inwardly. What a pure and kind girl. Unfortunately, fate loved playing tricks on people, burdening her with a terrifying constitution feared by all.

The mercenaries might be friendly toward Xiao Yi Xian now, but if they learned how terrifying she truly was, they would probably all turn against her.

A trace of determination flashed through Mu Chen's eyes. Since Heaven allowed me to cross through time and space and come here to meet you, I will never let you lose this kindness.

Woeful Poison Body! Poison Attribute? I happen to be able to restrain it.

Mu Chen suppressed his thoughts. Xiao Yi Xian and he were still practically strangers who had met only a few times. Approaching her rashly would likely backfire.

Fine, then I'll wait until we descend into the cliffside cave together. That foolish girl still doesn't know she has already fallen into Mu Li's scheme.

Mu Chen himself possessed the strength of a Six-Star Dou Zhe and had mastered a mid-level Profound Tier Dou Technique. With the help of the Xuan Huang Flame, he could still escape with Xiao Yi Xian if he fought at full strength.

After the treatment was complete, the group set out again. But just then, an unexpected change occurred.

Rustle!

A black beastly figure suddenly burst from a dense patch of bushes. It let out a low roar, then transformed into a black shadow, nimbly bounding off the trees and scattering several decayed leaves as it launched a swift assault toward the center of the group like a bolt of black lightning.

Mu Chen's pupils contracted sharply, because the black shadow's target was none other than the terrified and helpless Xiao Yi Xian.

Her body had completely stiffened. Intimidated by the fierce aura of the unseen magic beast, Xiao Yi Xian felt as though her legs had been filled with lead, too heavy to move even an inch.

Everyone had an instinct to survive. After her initial terror passed, Xiao Yi Xian realized she had to do something, or she might very well die beneath this magic beast's attack.

She tightly clutched a packet of medicinal powder in her palm. Her own strength had not even reached the Dou Zhe level, so Xiao Yi Xian could only rely on her methods as an alchemist.

The moment the black shadow sprang forth, the mercenaries had also discovered the magic beast. An experienced old mercenary recognized the blurry creature at a glance and cried out, "It's a first-tier magic beast, a Snake-Tail Leopard! This magic beast possesses the Wind Attribute, and when it runs, it moves as fast as the wind. Its strength is also extremely formidable. It's very dangerous."

Upon hearing the name Snake-Tail Leopard, several mercenaries who had been prepared to act froze. As mercenaries who lived with their lives on the line, how could they not know the Snake-Tail Leopard's ferocity?

Among the magic beasts in the outer mountain regions, the Snake-Tail Leopard was definitely one of the hardest to deal with. An adult Snake-Tail Leopard was at least comparable to a Three-Star Dou Zhe, while this one, judging by its speed, possessed the strength of at least a Five-Star Dou Zhe.

While they hesitated over whether to risk their lives to save Xiao Yi Xian, the Snake-Tail Leopard had already closed to within less than ten meters of her.

Mu Li, who had originally been standing not far from Xiao Yi Xian, wore an ashen expression. His strength was only that of a Six-Star Dou Zhe. If he wanted to save Xiao Yi Xian under these circumstances, he would have to clash head-on with the Snake-Tail Leopard!

Facing a Snake-Tail Leopard with the strength of a Five-Star Dou Zhe or higher head-on, even an Eight-Star Dou Zhe would find it difficult to withstand its terrifying attack power.

In the end, Mu Li looked regretfully at the pale-faced Xiao Yi Xian and chose to retreat.

Without looking at the reactions of those around her, Xiao Yi Xian pressed her cherry lips tightly together. The packet of medicinal powder in her palm had already been soaked through with sweat. Her beautiful eyes reflected the Snake-Tail Leopard as it extended its claws, opened its gaping maw, and revealed its savage fangs.

Five meters!

Several mercenaries closed their eyes with sighs, unable to bear watching Xiao Yi Xian perish.

But at that moment, a figure shot out from the side at an astonishing speed and blocked the pale-faced Xiao Yi Xian. It was Mu Chen, his eyes icy cold.

"Get lost!"

Mu Chen activated the Dou Qi within his body, wrapping it around his fist. There was no time to use a Dou Technique. He let out a low roar, then, beneath countless astonished gazes, slammed his fist fiercely against the Snake-Tail Leopard's outstretched claw.