The Four Great Fierce Beasts

Time flew by, and before long, another stretch of days had passed. Flames soared into the sky across the Great Wilderness, and the sounds of battle rang out everywhere. Mountains shattered, spewing lava and threatening Stone Village.

Jun Moxiao knew this was the battle between the Four Great Fierce Beasts-Zhu Yan, Vermilion Bird, Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow, and Qiongqi-over the Mountain Treasure. This was a spectacle he had to find a way to see for himself. While he was at it, he could obtain the inheritance left behind by the Supreme Hall. Shi Hao would be cultivating it later anyway, so he could leave Shi Hao to repay the karmic debt.

He contacted the system. "Meng Die! I want to seize the Mountain Treasure, but my opponents are four fierce beasts at the peak of the Venerable Realm. Do I have any trump cards that could let me fight above my realm?"

System: Master, you do have a trump card. When you broke a seal earlier, you obtained a divine ability called Summon Future Self. You can summon your future self and merge with it for fifteen minutes. At your current age of four, with your Blood Moving Mirror physical strength of 180,000 jin, the most you can withstand is Divine Fire Realm cultivation. There is a slight side effect, however: the backlash will leave you weak, or even unconscious, for a while. But with the Creation Green Lotus protecting you, your foundations will not be harmed. At worst, you will sleep deeply for some time. The main issue is that your physical body is only four years old and cannot withstand too much power.

Jun Moxiao thought it over. At worst, I'll be unconscious for a while. With Willow Deity protecting me, what is there to fear? Let's do it!

Willow Deity examined the surrounding area and realized that four fierce beasts at the peak of the Venerable Realm were fighting. She hurriedly transmitted her voice to everyone in Stone Village. "Fierce beasts are fighting in the Great Wilderness. The disaster will soon reach Stone Village. Gather everyone quickly. I will move the entire village away."

Shi Yunfeng immediately gathered everyone and began preparing to pack their belongings.

Jun Moxiao told Willow Deity, "Willow Deity, I'm going to seize the Mountain Treasure. It will be a great help to Shi Hao."

"Xiaoxiao, you're only at the extreme limit of the Blood Moving Realm. How are you going to seize it? Those Four Great Fierce Beasts are all Venerable Realm cultivators. Going there would be throwing your life away. Even I wouldn't be able to save you in time."

Willow Deity had spent several years with the little fellow, and Jun Moxiao had already raised her affection for him to its maximum. She now regarded him as her own child and could not bear to let him suffer even the slightest harm.

Jun Moxiao told her, "Sister Willow Deity, I have a divine ability called Summon Future Self. I can summon my future self to fight. With my current cultivation, I can summon myself at the Divine Fire Realm, so you don't need to worry about that."

Under Willow Deity's incredulous gaze, Jun Moxiao unleashed his divine ability.

Three lotus platforms suddenly appeared, each bearing a figure whose features resembled Jun Moxiao's. They were what he would look like when he grew up, and they were stunningly handsome-peerless heartthrobs!

Even Willow Deity stared in a daze. The little fellow was already adorable, with features prettier than a girl's. She had never imagined he would become so handsome when he grew up.

Willow Deity, you're not obsessed with looks! What are you staring at?

Jun Moxiao stepped onto the lotus platforms and walked toward his future selves. Each figure he merged with raised his strength by two levels. Once he had merged with all three, his strength reached the Divine Fire Realm.

Jun Moxiao told Willow Deity, "Sister Willow Deity, I'm heading out. I'll find Stone Village afterward."

Oh, good grief! Why do I still sound like a four-year-old?

Jun Moxiao grumbled about it.

System: Master, you are merely controlling your future body. Your future self is equivalent to a puppet body.

Watching Jun Moxiao's unbelievable feat, Willow Deity murmured to herself, "Just who is Xiaoxiao? Where did he come from?"

Willow Deity decided to use a divine ability to divine Jun Moxiao's future and see what lay ahead for him.

The next moment, she saw a world as beautiful as a poem or a painting. Jun Moxiao was its master, and she stood by his side. She did not know what sort of world that future held, only that it was wonderful.

Willow Deity was stunned. This is unbelievable! How is this possible? Is this my future? No wonder I kept feeling such warmth and familiarity when I found him. So that was why! How laughable that I once considered taking his good fortune for myself. I nearly destroyed my own future.

Remembering how she had once thought of seizing the little fellow's good fortune, Willow Deity was overwhelmed with guilt. At the same time, she felt even greater affection for this little fellow who would bring her such tremendous fortune. She resolved to protect him and let him grow up safe and sound.

She also thought the life shown in that future vision was beautiful. She had been fighting ever since the Immortal Ancient Era. In truth, she was weary at heart, and most importantly, she could see no future.

The next moment, Willow Deity thought, In that case, I've been raising my own future by my side since childhood.

The thought amused her.

Since that's how it is, I'll protect him well for now. Watching him grow up isn't bad either. Perhaps he'll be able to end the darkness someday.

Meanwhile, Jun Moxiao received a system notification.

Master! Willow Deity is divining your future.

Jun Moxiao asked, "Meng Die! She won't discover that I'm a transmigrator, will she? What do I do? Can you handle it?"

Meng Die replied, "Don't worry, Master! I've arranged everything for you. I even gave her a surprise."

Jun Moxiao asked, "What surprise?"

Meng Die replied, "You'll find out later, Master. It's a good thing, anyway."

Jun Moxiao could only give a dry chuckle. A surprise? More like a fright.

The Four Great Fierce Beasts were locked in a fierce battle, and many villages had been destroyed. Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow and Qiongqi were especially savage and delighted in slaughter. It was said that Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow had once swallowed an entire nation's living beings alive. Qiongqi was every bit as vicious.

Zhu Yan and Vermilion Bird were comparatively kindhearted. Vermilion Bird was also the Fire Kingdom Sacrificial Spirit, guarding its hundreds of millions of subjects.

Seeing Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow and Qiongqi slaughtering indiscriminately, Vermilion Bird shouted, "Stop! Aren't you afraid of heavenly retribution for wreaking such havoc on living beings?"

Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow laughed wildly. "These lowly creatures should consider it an honor to die at my hands."

Qiongqi also declared that those ants were better off dead, unleashing wave after wave of attacks in every direction.

Just then, the earth split open, and a treasure box erupted from below.

"The Mountain Treasure has emerged! It's mine!"

The Four Great Fierce Beasts cried out and rushed to seize it. Zhu Yan got it first, only to be sent flying by Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow. The fierce beasts traded blows as they bulldozed across the land, leaving not a blade of grass standing in their wake and plunging all living things into misery.

All Four Great Fierce Beasts were wounded. Vermilion Bird and Zhu Yan had suffered the worst injuries, both having been ambushed by Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow and Qiongqi.

Jun Moxiao flew down from the sky. Seeing the scene, he thought, Well, well! Keep fighting! Once you're all wounded, I'll be the fisherman who reaps the spoils.

He hurriedly put on his damage-reflecting divine armor. This was excellent gear for catching people off guard.

Jun Moxiao called out a greeting. "Hello, everyone!"

Jun Moxiao struck with lightning speed, snatching the treasure box before unleashing the Phoenix Treasure Art against Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow. He severely wounded the bird with a single move, then landed a vicious kick on Qiongqi's head, sending the beast reeling and flying several kilometers away. The entire sequence happened in an instant.

Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow's avian face was utterly bewildered. When had someone this formidable appeared? Upon regaining his senses, he immediately fled.

Jun Moxiao looked at Vermilion Bird and Zhu Yan and told them, "You two can come find me at Stone Village later. A great opportunity awaits you."

Then he flew away under the two beasts' astonished gazes.

He came without a shadow and left without a trace.

Ding! You have encountered the Four Great Fierce Beasts and broken another seal. Obtained: one jar of Heavenly Horned Ant Blood, the Vermilion Bird Four Strikes Art, and one Heavenly God Weapon Cleaver. Master's strength has recovered to three Cave Heavens.

Jun Moxiao exclaimed, "Precious blood from the Heavenly Horned Ant, one of the Ten Fiends! That's incredibly valuable! A Heavenly God Weapon kitchen cleaver? Meng Die, are you serious?"

Meng Die laughed mischievously. "Master! Don't worry about it. As the saying goes, no matter how great your martial arts, you still fear a kitchen cleaver. This is a devastating weapon!"

Jun Moxiao could only chuckle. It had been a good haul.

Jun Moxiao had told Zhu Yan and Vermilion Bird about Stone Village because those two were bound to meet Shi Hao. He was simply greeting them ahead of time.

Jun Moxiao sensed Willow Deity's location and flew toward Stone Village.

The old Stone Village had already been destroyed, and the surrounding land was scorched black. Willow Deity had packed up the entire patch of land containing the village and moved it away, leaving only a deep pit behind.

Jun Moxiao flew above the new Stone Village and spotted Willow Deity.

The next moment, the system warned him.

The duration of your fusion with your future self has ended!

While Jun Moxiao was still in midair, pain suddenly tore through his entire body as though knives were slicing into him. Blood seeped from all over him, and he spat out a mouthful. It hurt terribly.

Jun Moxiao shouted for help. "Sister Willow Deity, catch me!"

Then he dropped straight down from the sky.

Willow Deity caught him with her branches. Seeing blood pouring from his body, she cried out, "Xiaoxiao, what happened to you?"

Shi Hao was startled by Jun Moxiao's condition and hurried over to ask, "Why is Xiaoxiao so badly hurt? Willow Deity, do you know who injured him? I'll avenge him."

This fellow really was loyal. Jun Moxiao was touched.

Willow Deity told Shi Hao, "He seized the Mountain Treasure for everyone. Shi Hao, remember this: it carries a great karmic debt. You must shoulder that debt in the future."

Well, there it was. Willow Deity had directly handed the Supreme Hall's karmic debt to Shi Hao.

Shi Hao was moved and hurriedly said, "Xiaoxiao...!" He poured out a stream of heartfelt words.

He thought that he had to grow stronger in the future and avenge Jun Moxiao.

Jun Moxiao disliked such sentimental scenes. He waved his hand with difficulty and said, "It's fine. This is nothing. Don't worry about it."

Jun Moxiao took out the Mountain Treasure and handed it to Willow Deity. He figured he would have to lie in bed for several months before his injuries healed. It hurt so damn much.

"Sister Willow Deity, I got the Mountain Treasure. I'm tired. I need to rest for a while."

With blood pouring from his entire body, he looked as miserable as could be. Everyone's heart clenched at the sight.

As soon as he finished speaking, he fell unconscious. The Creation Green Lotus protected him, wrapping him up. Willow Deity immediately took the little fellow into her Divine Kingdom Space. He is my future, after all. I'd better take care of him myself!

Seeing Jun Moxiao fall unconscious, everyone in Stone Village hurriedly cried out, "Xiaoxiao!"

Willow Deity sternly warned the villagers, "Everyone must keep Xiaoxiao's seizure of the Mountain Treasure a secret. Otherwise, it will bring a devastating disaster upon Stone Village."

Everyone hurriedly nodded. Some villagers were still grieving the loss of Stone Village.

The Old Clan Chief, Shi Yunfeng, displayed his bearing as their spiritual leader and told everyone, "Stone Village may be gone, but all of us are still together, safe and sound. As long as its people remain, Stone Village remains. Wherever we go, that place is Stone Village. This new site Willow Deity found for us has abundant water and grass, and even a river. Its surroundings are better than those of our Old Stone Village. Let's get moving and make our home here."

After that hearty serving of chicken soup for the soul, the villagers immediately sprang back to life and threw themselves into building the new Stone Village.

Once Stone Village had settled in, Shi Hao told Shi Yunfeng, "Grandpa Chief, I want to go back and look at the old Stone Village."

Shi Yunfeng sighed. "Little One, there's no need to go."

"I want to go back and leave a mark. What if Mom and Dad come back and can't find me?"

As Shi Hao slowly grew older, he remembered hazy images of his parents. Whenever he asked the Old Clan Chief where they had gone, the Old Clan Chief could only say, "Your mom and dad went somewhere far away. They'll come back to see you someday."

Shi Hao rode the Green-Scaled Eagle to the old Stone Village. Afterward, he met Huo Ling'er, the love of his life, as well as Vermilion Bird, the Fire Kingdom Sacrificial Spirit, and the badly wounded Zhu Yan. Shi Hao simply called Vermilion Bird Little Red and Zhu Yan Furball, and even brought Furball back to Stone Village.

Upon learning about Stone Village, Vermilion Bird recalled the expert who had seized the Mountain Treasure and asked about the village. Shi Hao said to visit Stone Village later and ask Willow Deity.

Meanwhile, Huo Ling'er grew curious about the little brat, Shi Hao.

After returning to Stone Village with Furball, Shi Hao continued cultivating diligently on his path to becoming stronger. Willow Deity had previously taught him the Phoenix Nirvana Technique. His strength in the Blood Moving Realm had likely reached 80,000 jin.