Zhang Xiaohou was already half an expert on the Qinling Mountains. He had spent most of his time dealing with the demon creatures of the Qinling Mountains since he joined the army.
Zhang Xiaohou volunteered to be his guide when he heard that Mofan was heading to the Qinling Mountains to look for the Totem Beasts.
"This town is meant to be used as a precaution against the demon creatures of the Qinling Mountains. As a matter of fact, you have done me a great favor by coming here. I've always wanted to investigate the deeper regions of the Qinling Mountains, but we are short on manpower. I'm afraid we won't be able to go deep into the Qinling Mountains without sufficient strength," Zhang Xiaohou said.
"You're in charge of this town?" Mofan asked.
"Mm, my rank is currently the highest in the military town. I'm in charge of commanding and guarding the place. This mountain pass is very close to the Qinling Mountains, and it's very easy for powerful demon creatures to hide in it. If we don't guard the place well, the Ancient Capital will be seriously affected if we head north. A few key cities will be in danger if we head west. On the other hand, if we head south, the demon creatures might team up with the White Magic Falcons in the West Ridge to invade Jiangsu," Zhang Xiaohou said.
Zhang Xiaohou had been busy dealing with the demon creatures of the Qinling Mountains before they came to Beijiang. The military of the Central Plains had given Zhang Xiaohou full authority to deal with the demon creatures of the Qinling Mountains. It was quite a heavy responsibility for him.
"The demon creatures of the Qinling Mountains originated from Kunlun. The demon creatures of Kunlun usually live deep in the mountains and forests, so they rarely affect the cities in the inland and the west. However, the Qinling Mountains are different. It happens to be located between a few important cities. It's basically the boundary between the north and the south. The undead used to roam and rule the north of the Qinling Mountains, but the demon creatures of the Qinling Mountains have started to stir up trouble …" Bai Hongfei said.
Bai Hongfei had spent some time in the west of the Qinling Mountains, so he was quite familiar with the situation there.
"Let's head straight to the mountains," Mofan said.
Mofan was eager to achieve the Super Level. He did not want to waste any more time.
"We can't go into the mountains now," Zhang Xiaohou said.
"Why is that?" Mofan was confused.
Could it be that they had to choose an auspicious day to enter the Qinling Mountains? It couldn't be that strange, right?
"Every year, a demonic wind blows in the Qinling Mountains at different times. It's fine if we're walking in the mountains with dense forests, but if we pass through some barren valleys without any vegetation or some high mountains with rocks, we'll be eroded by the demonic wind. Unless we maintain a layer of defense all the time, it won't be long before we'll be eroded by the wind until only bones are left. People in our area call this kind of Qinling Demonic Wind the Whirling Wind, "Zhang Xiaohou said.
"What a strong wind! The Qinling Mountains are indeed a strange place," Zhao Manyan said.
"We have to wait until the wind is at its strongest before we enter the mountain. Otherwise, we won't be able to walk for many kilometers," Zhang Xiaohou explained.
"Can you figure out the pattern of the Wind of Sorrow?" Ling Ling asked.
Ling Ling had already made some preparations before coming here. She knew the Wind of Sorrow was a terrifying wind in the mountains. She had no idea how it was formed, but it was difficult for humans to stay in a place like this for a long time.
"I can't, I've been in the Qinling Mountains for quite some time, yet I still don't know when the Wind of Sorrow will appear. It feels like it's completely random," Zhang Xiaohou said.
It was extremely difficult to enter the Qinling Mountains. Zhang Xiaohou had entered the Qinling Mountains many times during his years in the army, but many of the Battlemages who had joined the army with him had died in the Qinling Mountains. Zhang Xiaohou was quite lucky.
"The Qinling Mountains are indeed a demonic mountain range. It's really hard to figure out its temperament. Many Hunters like to settle down in a place because it's a lot safer once you familiarize yourself with the environment, patterns, and changes of the place. You can also reap some benefits from it, but the Qinling Mountains are different. I've never heard of any Hunter that likes to search for treasure in the Qinling Mountains. Perhaps only the military is able to guard the mountain range, "Bai Hongfei said.
"Is it really that bad?" Zhao Manyan said.
"The Wind of Sorrow has been blowing in the Qinling Mountains for the past few days. We will have to hide under the trees if we go inside. Why don't we take a rest in the town? We'll head into the mountains after the Wind of Sorrow subsides," Zhang Xiaohou said.
"If the Wind of Sorrow doesn't have any pattern, won't we run into it at any time? If it only blows for a while, we might be able to hold on for a while, but if it doesn't stop, won't we end up as a pile of bones? Is it really necessary to go into the mountains!? "Zhao Manyan said.
"There must be a way to deal with it, right?" Mo Fan looked at Zhang Xiaohou.
"Yeah, there is a way, but there's no need for us to face it head-on. A few more days won't make any difference. Brother Fan, I'll show you around," Zhang Xiaohou said.
"Alright, we'll stay for a few days."
…
The town was exceptionally quiet at night.
Mo Fan walked along the street alone. He did not see a single place that sold supper.
As a matter of fact, the lights in the town were switched off before nine o 'clock. Apart from the sentries and the patrol towers, the whole town was pitch black.
"Woo woo woo woo ~"
The Qinling Mountains were right in front of Mo Fan. They were different from the mountains in the south. The mountains in the south were like cones of different sizes scattered across the ground. When he flew into the sky, he could easily see the mountains below him.
The Qinling Mountains were obviously more continuous. An obvious dividing line was right in front of him, blocking his view. He had to raise his head to see the night sky.
The Qinling Mountains that Mo Fan was looking at were exactly the same. The town at the foot of the mountains looked like it was leaning against a wall …
The wind kept blowing, and the sound was coming from the sky. Mo Fan knew the wind was unusual even without experiencing it himself.
Mo Fan remembered that the wind in Kunlun was extremely savage. He did not expect the Qinling Mountains to have its own wind too. It made the journey even more difficult.
…
…
Three days later, the howling Wind of Sorrow finally calmed down.
Just as everyone was about to pack their bags and head to the mountains, a group of Magicians wearing military uniforms suddenly appeared outside the town. From the badges on their shoulders, it was clear that they were a group of high-ranking Battlemages.
The leader of the group was a special commander. His uniform was slightly different from the one that Zhang Xiaohou and the others were wearing. The man was riding a brownish-golden Earth Dragon. Its muscular body gave off a boundless aura. Its imperious aura immediately attracted everyone's attention when it set foot in the town.
"A Great Earth Yaron?" Zhao Manyan blurted out in astonishment when he recognized the beast at first glance.
"Are you sure it's a Yaron?" Mo Fan stared at the beast, too. As a matter of fact, it was quite imperious to be riding such a powerful beast. Even the Flying Creek Snow Wolf felt a few levels lower compared to it!
Dragons had a long lifespan, but their reproductive ability was extremely poor, especially those with noble lineages like them. The number of true dragons in the world was fixed, and would not increase or decrease.
Dragons were actually very perverted. If they couldn't find a companion to ride on, they would often use other species that were more similar to them as substitutes. One of the creatures that were most often ridden by dragons was the Giant Lizard.
As such, there were many dragons with mixed lineages in the world. If they were classified according to their lineage, those that were slightly related to dragons were called mixed-blood dragons.
There were many mixed-blood dragons, whose strength ranged from the Warrior-level to the Commander-level. Their flesh was quite tough too.
Those with purer lineages were called pseudo-dragons.
Pseudo-Dragons were relatively powerful creatures. Even the weakest among them was a Commander-rank, while the strongest could reach the Ruler-rank. Pseudo-Dragons possessed the powerful vitality and brute strength of giant dragons. Their blood also contained some of the power of giant dragons!
Above the pseudo-dragons, there was a species that was closest to a real dragon. It was called the Yaron.
Yarons were very strong. Yarons were ranked quite high in the demon creatures list. There were more Yarons than real dragons. Almost every adult Yaron was at the Ruler-level. Not only did they have dragon scales and dragon strength, they could also breathe out dragon breaths similar to real dragons.
In Europe, having a Yaron as a Contracted Beast was considered a great honor.
He had no idea who the Battlemage was, but he was riding an Earthen Yaron. Even though the Yaron had yet to reach adulthood, it was already emitting the wild and imperious aura of a king of beasts.
As a matter of fact, Mo Fan would have liked to get a Yaron if he could get a Yaron. It would be so cool if he could ride a Yaron on a certain occasion!
"Who's the commander here?" the owner of the Yaron asked the Battlemages in front of him, "Who's the commander here?"
The soldiers were already intimidated by this aura. They didn't even have the firmness that soldiers should have when they spoke. They looked towards Zhang Xiaohou's direction.
"I am," Zhang Xiaohou took a step forward. He glanced at the man and realized he was not saluting.
Soldiers, regardless of their rank, had to salute. If the man had barged into the military town under his jurisdiction without any prior notice, shouldn't he at least salute him before explaining the purpose of his visit?
"We are heading to the Qinling Mountains to rescue an important person. You will lead the team and pick some elites to accompany us. You have half an hour to prepare," the man on the Yaron said in an authoritative tone.
"Do you have an order?" Zhang Xiaohou asked.
"My words are the order," the Yaron's owner said.
Zhang Xiaohou furrowed his brows.
Zhang Xiaohou had noticed the rank on the man's shoulder. The problem was, the man's rank was the same as his.
It was fine if the man's rank was higher than his, but why did he have to act so high and mighty when his rank was the same?
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