Towering mountains, primordial vegetation, and countless unknown flowers exuded a refreshing fragrance. Even though it was already winter, the spiritual energy in the area was still abundant. The entire place was filled with vitality and greenery.
"This Verdant Mountain is indeed a blessed land for cultivation!"
After taking a look around, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but compliment.
The Mingshi Tang Empire was one of the main reasons why it was able to become a Tier-2 Empire. More importantly, it was because of its outstanding people.
Regardless of whether it was the Verdant Mountain or the Dragon-scaled River, both of them were filled with spiritual energy. Upon entering, one would feel refreshed, and one would be able to cultivate more swiftly.
"Let's return first!"
After recuperating for a moment, Zhang Xuan was just about to return to the capital when he suddenly heard a rustling sound. Following which, he saw a massive Scaled Beartiger creeping forward.
"Hmm?"
Zhang Xuan was taken aback.
The Scaled Beartiger was a Transcendent Mortal 5-dan spirit beast, and it was known as the overlord of the forest. Even a Transcendent Mortal 6-dan primary stage expert would find it hard to defeat it.
This fellow had always hunted openly, and no one dared to stand in its way. Why would it be so sneaky at this moment, as though a fox spirit beast?
More importantly, Zhang Xuan had already seen the other party. Given the other party's strength, it was normal for the other party to notice him. Yet, it actually chose to ignore him and leave.
"Let's see what that fellow is up to..."
In an instant, Zhang Xuan's curiosity was piqued. He leaped onto a tree branch and chased after the Scaled Beartiger.
Soon, he saw that massive fellow crouching on the ground as it slowly advanced with a wary look on its face.
Hu hu!
Not too far away from it was a massive Grandlion Spirit Beast.
Just like the Scaled Beartiger, the Grandlion Spirit Beast was also a Transcendent Mortal 5-dan spirit beast, and its strength was on par with that of the Scaled Beartiger. However, due to their similar prey, they had always been hostile toward one another.
"It seems like their natural predator has appeared. Both of them are intending to launch a sneak attack on one another!"
Zhang Xuan chuckled.
He was still wondering what was going on, but it turned out that both of them had discovered their natural predator and were intending to make use of this opportunity to launch a sneak attack on one another.
"This is a good opportunity to see how these two fellows fight. Perhaps, I might be able to see some battle techniques and create a battle technique or two!"
Upon seeing this sight, Zhang Xuan wasn't in a hurry to leave.
Anyway, everyone knew that he was taken away by the teacher, so there was no need to rush back.
Such a powerful battle between tigers and lions, if he were to watch it well, he might be able to create one or two sets of martial techniques.
In history, there were many people who created unique skills by watching spirit beasts fight.
Squatting on the tree branch, the Scaled Bear Tiger and the Grandlion Spirit Beast slowly approached. Soon, they bypassed the obstacles of the shrubs and saw each other.
Whoosh!
He thought that he would be able to see a fierce battle immediately, but in the end, the two big guys didn't fight as he imagined. Instead, they nodded and walked forward side by side.
"This …"
Zhang Xuan blinked.
When did these two big guys, who were natural enemies, become good friends?
And from the looks of it, they seemed to be working together to deal with something.
Filled with curiosity, Zhang Xuan quietly followed him. After walking for a short distance, he heard the sound of wind whistling in the air again. A huge flying spirit beast was descending from the sky.
"Transcendent Mortal 5-dan aerial spirit beast... Draconic Eagle Beast?"
His eyes widened.
This fellow was known as the overlord of the skies among Transcendent Mortal 5-dan spirit beasts. It was incomparably ferocious, and its pair of steel claws were capable of tearing apart even Spirit intermediate-tier weapons.
Even the three of them weren't a match for Yao Chen!
Could it be that … the two spirit beasts were going to deal with this flying spirit beast?
Surely that couldn't be! The overlords of the skies and the land had always minded their own business. Besides, if the other party couldn't defeat them, how could they possibly attack them if they couldn't fly?
This was similar to how tigers usually hunted rabbits, deer, and the like. It was rare for them to hunt sparrows and eagles.
The two were of different species, so there was no need for them to fight!
Huala!
Just as Zhang Xuan was perplexed, the Draconic Eagle Beast had already landed before the two spirit beasts. Just like before, it nodded its head, and the three of them continued forward silently.
"They … are working together as well?"
The more Zhang Xuan looked at the situation, the more astonished he became.
It was already weird enough for two mortal enemies of the forest to be working together. Now that a flying spirit beast had joined in as well, what in the world was going on?
What in the world was going on? What made them forget their differences and become friends with one another?
Tzzzzzzzz!
Continuing to follow the spirit beasts, Zhang Xuan saw a massive python, a ferocious ape, and a flying spirit beast … Soon, there were more than thirty of them gathered together.
These spirit beasts possessed the strength of a Transcendent Mortal 5-dan cultivator, and every single one of them possessed the strength to make Zhang Xuan shrink back in fear. Yet, with so many of them gathered together, even Zhang Xuan couldn't help but feel goosebumps rising all over his body.
"It will be difficult for me to escape from them!"
Hiding behind the spirit beasts, Zhang Xuan's palms began sweating.
With so many ferocious spirit beasts, even Zhang Xuan would find it difficult to escape from them.
There were flying spirit beasts, crawling spirit beasts, running spirit beasts … Every single one of them wielded strength that even a Transcendent Mortal 5-dan pinnacle cultivator would find difficult to deal with. With so many of them gathered together, even a Transcendent Mortal 7-dan cultivator would be doomed, let alone a Transcendent Mortal 6-dan cultivator.
"What in the world is it that could gather so many spirit beasts together to deal with it?"
The more dangerous it was, the more curious Zhang Xuan became.
For so many different species, many of whom were natural enemies, to abandon their former enmity and gather together, what in the world happened?
"Could it be … some kind of treasure?"
A thought surfaced in Zhang Xuan's mind.
It was said that the appearance of a treasure would attract countless spirit beasts, and in fact, it could even trigger a stampede. For so many of them to be gathered together, could it be that some kind of formidable treasure was about to appear?
"No, that can't be right. If it's a treasure, they should be fighting for it first …"
But soon, Zhang Xuan rejected this thought.
Everyone would want to obtain a treasure for themselves. If such a treasure were to appear, it wouldn't be an alliance. Instead, they would be fighting one another to the death.
"Regardless of what it is, I should take a look at what's going on first!"
Since he had already discovered the treasure, he naturally had to take a look at it. Thus, Zhang Xuan discreetly followed behind.
Hualala!
While Zhang Xuan was perplexed, a sound echoed from the bushes ahead, and another group of black silhouettes appeared.
"This …"
Upon seeing this group of black silhouettes, Zhang Xuan widened his eyes in shock.
Those that had appeared previously were spirit beasts, but this group … were actually humans!
There were seven to eight of them, and just like the spirit beasts, they were all Transcendent Mortal 5-dan cultivators. There was a crimson mark on their glabella, and with just a look, it was clear that their hands were stained with blood.
"They are … Beast hunters!"
A name popped up in Zhang Xuan's mind, and he felt as though he was going insane.
The skin, bones, blood, and inner core of spirit beasts were invaluable treasures to cultivators.
Since there was a market, there were people who specialized in this trade.
In order to earn sufficient profits, some people would hunt down spirit beasts and hunt them down, thus forming this bizarre occupation … Hunter!
Hunter was a type of occupation, but it wasn't a unique occupation. Just like herbologists, it wasn't recognized by the Mingshi Tang.
It wasn't because it was cruel, but because it didn't have a complete heritage.
Many people chose to become hunters in order to survive, but there were also many who were killed by spirit beasts and devoured on the spot, resulting in the loss of their heritage.
As the mortality rate was simply too high, most of the experiences they had were left behind. As such, hunters didn't have a fixed organization or guild, so naturally, they couldn't be considered as a 'unique occupation'.
There were quite a few such hunters, and Zhang Xuan had read about them in books. Just that … he didn't expect them to be together with so many spirit beasts!
No matter what, hunters and spirit beasts were mortal enemies. For them to actually be together … What in the world happened?
The hunters walked up to the spirit beasts, and just like the spirit beasts before them, they nodded their heads and moved forward once more.
The spirit beasts and hunters, who were supposed to be fighting one another, were actually acting as though they were old friends at this moment. This left Zhang Xuan baffled.
Seeing that the other party's group was growing larger and larger, in order to avoid detection, Zhang Xuan could only utilize the Red Dust Heaven Ascending Steps to fly through the lush forest.
After advancing for a while more, a waterfall appeared before his eyes. The waterfall fell three thousand chi, and the sound of water echoed throughout the Nine Heavens!
The rising water vapor nourished the surroundings, causing the surroundings to be filled with lush greenery.
"It's winter, so why would this place … be so lush?"
Zhang Xuan was perplexed.
Even though the Verdant Mountain wasn't as withered as other places due to the abundance of spiritual energy, it was still winter, and there was a hint of vitality amidst the greenery.
Yet, the place before him was filled with lush greenery, as though spring had arrived. This was truly perplexing.
Could there be something wrong with this waterfall?
Hualala!
At the bottom of the waterfall was a massive lake. The sound of flowing water echoed, and a white furry spirit beast was swimming in it.
This fellow was only the size of a watermelon, and its eyes were bright and adorable.
"This is … a Snow Fox. Furthermore, it seems to have just been born not too long ago!"
Zhang Xuan recognized it.
Snow Fox was an extremely rare spirit beast. It didn't possess any offensive prowess, but its inner core was extremely valuable. It was said that it harnessed a unique power that could allow both cultivators and spirit beasts to advance unconditionally by an entire realm!
This wasn't as simple as advancing from primary stage to intermediate stage or intermediate stage to advanced stage, but an entire realm … In other words, it could allow one to advance from Clarifying Turbidity realm straight to Consonant Spirit realm!
This was definitely a heaven-defying treasure!
"But … it's just a small Snow Fox. Surely, there's no need for so many of them to gang up on it!"
Snow Foxes were valuable, but they didn't possess powerful offensive prowess. Any single one of the Scaled Beartiger or Grandlion Spirit Beasts would be able to tear them apart easily.
Furthermore, this was just a small Snow Fox that had just been born not too long ago. There was no need for them to be so wary of it, right?
"No, that's not right. What they are dealing with is …"
Perplexed, Zhang Xuan turned his gaze toward the direction where the gazes of the spirit beasts and hunters were, and what he saw left him stunned.
By the side of the lake stood a white-robed figure. She stood quietly amidst the scenery, reminiscent of a tranquil painting.
It was so quiet that even with the resilience of his soul, he didn't notice her presence at all!
Turning his gaze over, Zhang Xuan happened to see the white-robed figure turning her head over. Her beautiful features seemed to have blended in with nature. With just a single glance, Zhang Xuan felt his heart skipping a beat.
Huala! Ever since he arrived in this world, his tranquil state of mind had suddenly opened up.
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