Li Xiaonuan flew out, her palms filled with her strongest power, and let out a tender low shout. The force within her palms fiercely rushed towards the demonic beast of the Earth Rank that had discovered her.
Li Xiaonuan gathered her strength and quickly smashed her profound energy onto the Earth Rank demonic beast. The heavy palm force made the demonic beast's head tilt and stagger a few steps.
"Hey! Fool, your power is just a little bit insufficient. Being soft on your enemies is indirectly killing yourself. When dealing with demonic beasts, you have to be ruthless, accurate, and fast. Can't you understand the meaning behind it?" Su Qi shouted angrily, his face full of frustration, as he emerged from the bushes.
But in Li Xiaonuan's eyes, if this palm had hit an ordinary adult man, even a normal adult would either be dead or seriously injured. However, in Su Qi's eyes, the strength was not fierce enough, not ruthless enough, not accurate enough.
Upon hearing this, Li Xiaonuan bit her lip once again and struck with all her might. However, the demonic beast could understand human speech. Just when Su Qi spoke, it became aware of the opponent's strength and easily dodged Li Xiaonuan's attack.
Seeing her attack being evaded by the demonic beast again, Li Xiaonuan became furious. Cute bloodshot eyes filled her gaze, and then a burst of anger erupted in her heart. She continuously launched palm attacks at the Earth Rank demonic beast. After dozens of moves, Li Xiaonuan still hadn't hit the vital point of the demonic beast. She herself was exhausted, her small body falling to the ground. She pressed her hands against her knees, bent over, panting heavily, glaring at the Earth Rank demonic beast with anger. She refused to believe that she couldn't kill this beast today.
But how could the Earth Rank demonic beast give Li Xiaonuan time to catch her breath? It stared at her, sensing that her strength seemed to have been depleted.
The Earth Rank demonic beast gathered its strength and charged fiercely at Li Xiaonuan. Li Xiaonuan stumbled back a few steps and had to leap into the air to evade. At this moment, she really didn't have much strength left.
Su Qi, seeing this, showed a trace of anger in his eyes and immediately scolded, "Li Xiaonuan, all you know is to dodge? Are you only at the second stage of the Profound Realm? Stand up and fight the demonic beast head-on, stop dodging and rolling around. Don't waste my time."
Hearing his words, Li Xiaonuan felt wronged. She seemed like she wanted to cry. She really had no strength left. This was her first time fighting a demonic beast, and she was doing it alone.
But she couldn't give up like this. She must kill this Earth Rank demonic beast and make the young master take notice of her. Li Xiaonuan wiped the sweat off her forehead.
With determination, she said, "Young Master, Xiaonuan will definitely kill this demonic beast."
As soon as she finished speaking, Li Xiaonuan rushed out again and instantly appeared in front of the Earth Rank demonic beast. She mercilessly struck its eyes with a palm. Boom! A terrifying howl immediately resounded. The demonic beast writhed in pain, its massive body rolling on the ground.
Li Xiaonuan flew back and landed on the ground several meters away, pale-faced.
In the span of a breath, the situation had instantly changed. The demonic beast that Li Xiaonuan had been fiercely attacking earlier was now defeated by her single blow, and it had no chance to fight back. Su Qi had wanted Li Xiaonuan's explosive power, the refusal to accept defeat.
"Well done, Li Xiaonuan! Kill the demonic beast and retrieve its demon crystal. You will advance by one level. As a reward, I will give you a divine-grade third-tier advancement pill," Su Qi said generously.
Li Xiaonuan listened to his words and saw the joyful expression on his face, feeling relieved.
"Thank you, Young Master!" Li Xiaonuan turned around, glanced coldly at the Earth Rank demonic beast, and once again flew to attack the demonic beast.
After extracting the demonic beast's demon crystal, Li Xiaonuan successfully advanced by one level.
"Qier, let me out. The meat of the Earth Rank demonic beast is tender, we can't waste it here," the voice of Huoyin entered Su Qi's ears.
"Huoyin, you're really disgusting. Can't you tell the difference between male and female Earth Rank demonic beast meat?" Su Qi looked at the bloody, pitch-black lump on the ground, feeling a little dumbfounded. After Huoyin ate it, would he feel nauseous at the sight of Huoyin?
"Qier, why hesitate? We, the Huoyin Serpents, only eat twice a year. The meat of this Earth Rank demonic beast is truly tender and delicious. Don't your human taverns sell it? Let me out; otherwise, you'll have to take me to the No Return Mountain in search of food in the future."
"Alright!" Su Qi quickly agreed. Going to the No Return Mountain was worse than staying here!
"Besides, my mother's tavern doesn't sell demonic beast meat, and I have never eaten the meat of an Earth Rank demonic beast," Su Qi muttered softly. However, he still released Huoyin the serpent.
In the No Return Mountain, Yue Tongzi and Su Li, working together, also killed a Divine Beast Rank fifth-tier Blood Moon Demon Wolf. Yue Tongzi's face was grim as she used her profound energy to open the wolf's belly and retrieve the demon crystal. She absorbed the crystal's power into her own dantian, assisting her own advancement.
"Excellent! Tongzi, you've reached the fifth-tier of the Heaven Profound Realm. Your cultivation speed has improved rapidly," Su Li said with a smile as he walked towards her.
Yue Tongzi also revealed a grateful smile.
"These are all thanks to the blessings of the Young Master of the Villa. Otherwise, Tongzi would still be a beggar with nothing..."
"Tongzi, let's not bring up the past. If it only brings you sadness, then let's forget about it. The future will only get better," Su Li consoled Yue Tongzi. After spending several months together, their relationship had grown, and Su Li found himself speaking more when he was around her.
"Yes!" Yue Tongzi nodded, agreeing with the Young Master's words. The future will indeed be better. Once he avenges his parents, things will truly improve. Thinking of Ji Hong, a hint of resentment flashed in Yue Tongzi's eyes.
But Su Li noticed that fleeting resentment. He understood the feeling of hating someone and empathized with Yue Tongzi's emotions.
"Let's form a contract with the Ink Qilin! It seems to have a strong connection with you. It has been observing you all this time," Su Li suggested.
"Yes, Young Master," Yue Tongzi obediently replied. She believed that things would only get better in the future. Once she formed a contract with the Ink Qilin, she would never be bullied again.
Su Li looked at the Ink Qilin, a small creature the size of a cat with ink-like fur, pitifully gazing at them. This Ink Qilin must have sneaked out of the mountain and was discovered by the Blood Moon Demon Wolf.
Yue Tongzi bent down and gently picked up the Ink Qilin.
"Now you can rest assured. You will never be mistreated again," Yue Tongzi said, and a drop of blood dripped from her finger onto the Ink Qilin's forehead. Instantly, a small red light appeared and disappeared between its brows.
Yue Tongzi smiled at the Ink Qilin. It was her first contracted divine beast.
"Don't worry, from now on, I will treat you like family." Yue Tongzi stroked the head of the Ink Qilin, and the contracted creature nestled in her arms, feeling at ease.
Only after experiencing destitution can one truly know who cares for them the most. Time does not necessarily bring affection, but it reveals true intentions. Yue Tongzi would remember the kindness of the Moonlight Villa and the Young Master for the rest of her life.
"Let's go back now!" Su Li checked the time; it was getting late, and he didn't want his mother to worry.
"Yes, Young Master." Yue Tongzi retracted the Ink Qilin into her dantian. Today had undoubtedly been the most fulfilling day for her.
As they were about to leave, they heard some commotion up ahead.
The two exchanged a glance and quickly took cover behind a densely leafed tree.
"Your Highness, we cannot trust the words of Su Zimo. Those who enter the Guishan rarely return, and we have searched for so long without finding the Illusory Silence. Su Zimo must be deceiving you, leading you into a dangerous adventure," one of Yu Wang's guards expressed angrily. They were a group of more than ten people, and three of their comrades had already died. If they were to encounter a Divine Beast or a Period Monster Beast, they might not be able to handle it.
"Your Highness, look, someone has killed a Period Monster Beast here," one of the guards exclaimed.
Everyone gasped in shock as they witnessed the fate of the monster beast. It had met a gruesome end.
Muran Ze Yu, looking disheveled, stared at the dead monster beast before him. His dangerous eyes squinted, followed by a calm expression. Yes, for the sake of Su Zimo's words, he was willing to risk his life and venture into the Guishan. He wouldn't miss even the slightest opportunity. However, what he didn't expect was that the Guishan in Haoyue Kingdom would be even more difficult to navigate than he had imagined. Along the way, they encountered numerous monsters, big and small, and fought tirelessly. Yet, he refused to give up.
As they looked at the bloodied monster beast, each person had different thoughts running through their minds, but fear was evident on everyone's face.
"The monster beast's wounds are still bleeding, indicating that it was killed not long ago," Muran Ze Yu said calmly.
Upon hearing his words, his subordinates behind him stared intently at his back. Whoever could kill a Period Monster Beast must be extraordinary.
"Your Highness, we shouldn't proceed any further," Yi Yun advised. He knew that although the Prince was reluctant, the deeper they went into Guishan, the more dangerous it became.
"What Su Zimo said may not necessarily be false. Illusory Silence must be in Guishan, and Su Zimo wouldn't deceive me with false information just to divert my attention. I can be sure that Illusory Silence is here in Guishan," Muran Ze Yu said with a determined expression. He felt unwilling to listen to Yi Yun's advice, although he understood what Yi Yun meant. After all, they had finally reached the territory of the Divine Beast. It would be hard to accept leaving without exploring further.
Muran Ze Yu closed his eyes for a moment and suddenly snapped them open, his gaze sharp.
He roared angrily, "Who's over there? Show yourself!"
Su Li and Yue Tongzi glanced at each other, realizing that they hadn't been discovered yet. There were still others around them.