Note: Read advanced chapters on joyread, Bravonovel and Inkitt.
Xue Yiran stood inside the crevice, waiting patiently for the arrival of the others. Beside her was Ian who was trying to catch his breath from the earlier rush.
"Are- are you okay?" Finally regaining his breath, Ian looked sideway at Xue Yiran and asked. Although she had said that she was fine, Ian was worried that she might have suffered from an internal injury; since she had spurt out blood due to the backlash of the Arcane bird's mental attack.
"I'm alright." Xue Yiran answered. She could still feel a slight throb in her consciousness, but it was nothing as compare to what she had face in her previous life.
"That's a relief." Ian then shifted his attention towards the opening of the crevice. He was keen to notice that something was off about their surroundings.
'Why is it so silent?'
The piercing cries from the furious Arcane bird elders seems to have vanished into thin air. What's even more bizarre is that it's been a minute already, yet Tyron and the other member figure couldn't be seen. From what he could recall, the area of span between them was just about a few inches. As a result, the fact that there was no one heading inside raises an alarm in Ian's mind.
"Where are the others? Why isn't anyone coming in? Don't tell me they are trying to hold off the Arcane birds by themselves." Ian expression was anxious as he said this.
Xue Yiran had also noticed the oddness about their environment. Her expression was just as indifferent as usual. However, if one look closer, one could see that there was a subtle frown on her face. She had spent so much time associating with the Tyron guild members, so how could she not worry. Even if she tries to deny it, Xue Yiran knew that she had developed a feeling of belonging with the Tyron guild. Most especially with Miley. There was an uncomfortable feeling in her heart as she thought of them being in danger.
"Let's go take a look." She withdraws Sky back into her consciousness.
The already weak beast king sprawl out lazily onto the floor when it felt that it had arrive at a safe place. As a B rank beast king, it was quite surprising that he could survive from the momentum of being chased by four SSS rank beast. That was such a huge feat. Just that there was no one he could brag his achievement to.
"Tha--" Ian wanted to remind that there were four SSS rank beast outside. With their puny strength, it is just the same as sending themselves into the beast mouth. But thinking that the others were fending against the beast while they hide here like a coward, he couldn't help but find it demeaning.
"What did you say?" Xue Yiran turned around and looked at him.
"Nothing." Ian shook his head.
Xue Yiran saw his earlier hesitation. However, she doesn't care. If Ian had said he wanted to stay back, she wouldn't refuse his request. She could guess the other party thought. But there was no way she would stay behind while the others were risking their lives for her. Hence, she steadily walked towards the entrance. Ian followed after her.
The moment the two took a step outside, they were both stunned by the sudden change in their environment. Instead of the rumbled down Arcane birds breeding lair they were familiar with, they were greeted by a vast green forest. Also, from the height they stood, it appears that they were both standing on the top of a cliff.
"Where are we?" Ian was puzzled by this sudden change. He looked behind him. The crevice which they had emerge from was nowhere to be found.
No. It was never there in the first place. It seems as if the two of them were instantly teleported here. However, the creation of a teleportation node wouldn't have been possible without the ability of a spatial beast.
Could there be a spatial beast nearby?
The probability of encountering of a spatial beast is just the same as coming across a talent fruits tree. Just like the talent fruits tree, spatial beasts are very tricky to catch since they're quite vast in using their ability to escape. Still, they were all sourced for everywhere as the materials on their body is one of the most important ingredients needed in the production of a storage ring.
"Where are we?" This time, Ian directed his question at Xue Yiran.
"There's a teleportation array set up at the entrance of the cave. That should be the reason why we split up with the others. Just like us, they should have been transported to a different place." Xue Yiran answered, her gaze sweeping over the forest below.
"Array?" How come he didn't notice anything.
[Host, why is this guy with you?] Susu annoyed voice sounded in Xue Yiran's consciousness.
'Well, we both ended up together while fleeing.' Xue Yiran explained.
The one who had told her about the existence of the array was Susu. Just when she was about to step out of the cave, Susu's voice sounded in her consciousness. The later had woken up from his short upgrade.
'Can the array teleportation knowledge be learned?' Xue Yiran could tell that this teleportation array was set up without using the ability of a spatial beast.
[I don't think that's possible. The information about it seems to have been lost in history. And if there is one, it should have been kept as a top classified secret which I'm not able to obtain due to my lower level. Sorry host.]
'It's okay. You don't have to feel sorry for me. You can take your time to level up. I'm actually not in need of it right now. I was just curious to see if the info about it can actually be extracted.'
[Host, since the information about the array teleportation is a lost knowledge. For it to be used here probably means that this place has something to do with the lost history. Also, I can tell that this place is an illusion set up by someone. I can't sense any beastly aura nearby, so it should be safe to explore.]
There was a load of information given to her at once. Hearing this, Xue Yiran turned around to look at Ian.
"Do you have a flying contract beast?" They were standing on the top of a cliff. The only way to get down was through rock climbing. However, there was no rock-climbing equipment in her space ring. And since Sky wasn't capable of flight, she could only ask Ian.
Ian knew what Xue Yiran means and instantly summoned out Huji. A bright golden light flashed behind him before materializing into a huge beast. The beast was long as a serpent. Below its lower body were four legs, each of them possessing a sharp claw. The scales covering its body were gold in color. They flicker with light golden hue under the bright light. Below its nose were two long whickers that fluttered according to the wind direction. And above its forehead was two small protruding horn.
'Blink' The eyelid of the beasts fluttered, revealing its gold vertical slit pupil.
Xue Yiran eyes was fixated on the humongous beast that had just materialized in front of her. Even without Susu detailed interface, she could still tell that the beast in front of her was a dragon. Excluding the fact that it had no wings on its back, it was indeed a fantasy dragon.
"This is my contract beast, Huji." Ian introduced.
'So, the shy contract beast he had mentioned in passing was this huge dragon.'
"Although Huji is a dragon, he's from a totally different species. He is a wind dragon. His ability lies in the manipulation of wind. However, since Huji is still in his childhood stage, his ability is a lot weaker as compare to other adult wind dragon." Ian explained.
Soon, Huji size began to shrink at an incredible rate, until it finally recedes to the size of a mount that could carry on two full grown humans.
Huji flew up and circled around Xue Yiran excitedly. Although she couldn't hear its inner thoughts, Ian who stood at the side was bombarded with the later excited voice inside his consciousness.
'Wow. This girl is so pretty.' Huji performed another encirclement, before landing in front of Xue Yiran. He then leaned his head forward. Seeing the beast action, Xue Yiran knew it wanted her to touch him on the head. Hence, she reaches out her hand and patted his head- No- nose lightly.
The young dragon let out a groan of content.
"He likes you." Ian said as he walks forward.
"It seems so." This time, Xue Yiran didn't dare to underestimate Ian strength. It is no wonder that the emperor would let his only son venture outside of the wilds without any worries. Despite being at the childhood stage, Huji was already a SS rank contract beast. Who knows what rank it will finally attain once it reaches the adult stage.
After stroking the dragon to satisfaction, they were finally able to go down off the cliff.
'Thud.' Huji descended at the bottom of the cliff. Surrounding them were tall humongous trees. Knowing that this was just an illusion, Xue Yiran wasn't worried that there would be some beasts hiding among the trees. However, there was something else which catches her interest.
In front of them was a huge metal door. The door spans several meters up to the sky. For a height comparation, they were just like an ant when standing in front of the huge door. Crafted on the metal door were several pattern designs. Since the door hadn't been cleaned for ages, it was all covered with black dust, preventing the pattern from being seen clearly.
Ian was also looking at the strange metal door with interest. He made an order in his mind. Huji body suddenly lifted and flew up in the direction of the huge door. Arriving at the door, his small tall move across the air before striking against the door.
'Bang.' Tons of dust fell off the door. However, the door remained unmoved. Huji hit the door several times, but the later stood still. His tail pulled against the huge metal knob on the door, but that doesn't seem to work either.
"It's looks like there's a mechanism needed to trigger the opening of the door." Xue Yiran analyzed.
"No wonder the door is not budging under Huji barrage." Ian also realizes this. "Huji, search around to see if there is anything out of place in the area." He ordered.
However, before Huji could carry out the order, Xue Yiran had already pointed out. "That small tree in the distance over there. All you have to do is uproot it."
"Wow. How did you find the location of the mechanism so fast."
"It was just a guess. If you take a closer look, the trees around us are all tall while this is the only short tree in the surrounding area. Isn't that quite strange. And besides, since it's much closer to the door, I guess it must be the mechanism."
"I see." Although he was also cautious of his surrounding, Ian hadn't noticed anything off about the trees. In fact, most people would have ignored the trees since there were thousands of them around. It was Susu who had informed Xue Yiran about this strange discovering.
At ordered, Huji flew towards the small tree Xue Yiran had pointed at. Swinging his tail, a huge gust of wind materializes before him and charges towards the standing tree. In an instant, the small tree was reduced to a pile under the huge momentum.
'Clang.' The two of them heard the sound and immediately turned their heads around. Behind them, the previously unmovable door was parting apart, revealing a dark passage.