Lin Xiu didn't wait too long. After about a week, Xiao Yan sent word that the team was ready and they could depart. Thus, Lin Xiu led Zi Yan, Lin Xiu Ya, Yan Hao, and others out of the inner courtyard.
They agreed to meet in Feng City. Upon arrival, apart from Xiao Yan and Xiao Li, Lin Yan and others were also present. Several people warmly greeted Lin Xiu upon seeing him.
Among the large group, three individuals stood out with particularly strong auras, distinct from the others. They were a middle-aged man with a furious lion embroidered on his chest, a seductive beauty dressed provocatively, and a thin, white-haired old man.
"Wild Lion Gang's Tie Wu..."
"Luo Sha Gate's Su Mei..."
"Dark Sky Sect's Old Yin Gu..."
They came before Lin Xiu, introducing themselves proactively and offering greetings. Xiao Yan introduced them to Lin Xiu as helpers he had enlisted.
Lin Xiu was somewhat surprised. He regained his composure, smiled, and nodded in response to the three, exchanging greetings. Observing this, the surrounding people whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with surprise.
After some preparations, Lin Xiu finished chatting with the three and the group boarded flying Magic Beasts, heading towards Jia Ma Empire in a grand procession.
After a long journey, a majestic pass came into view ahead. The city walls were towering, bearing the marks of ages.
"Zhen Gui Pass..."
A hint of reminiscence flashed in Lin Xiu's eyes as he recalled the scene when he had departed from here with the team in the past.
At that time, he wasn't even considered a Dou Practitioner.
Lin Xiu turned and waved towards another flying Magic Beast. Soon, a figure with purple wings spread flew over.
"Senior Brother."
As he landed on the back of the Magic Beast, Xiao Yan's eyes showed a puzzled expression.
"I need to handle some matters. I won't be traveling with you from here on. Let's meet at Misty Cloud Mountain later."
Lin Xiu's cultivation of Origin Return still hadn't replaced the Rank 6 Magic Cores. Previously near the Academy, it wasn't that he couldn't find Magic Beasts, but he was concerned that excessive killing might provoke them to band together.
Sixth Rank Magic Beasts were not only powerful but also had intelligence close to that of adults.
Therefore, Lin Xiu planned to take advantage of this trip to Jia Ma Empire to also resolve matters in the Magic Beast Mountains. Here, no one knew him, so if Magic Beasts did band together, they wouldn't know where to seek revenge.
"Need any help? Senior Brother."
Xiao Yan showed no signs of anger at Lin Xiu's sudden decision to leave. He had invited Senior Brother to provide support, not to lead the charge. As long as Senior Brother could arrive at Misty Cloud Sect before the battle began, it would suffice.
Facing Xiao Yan's goodwill, Lin Xiu smiled and declined, intending only to take Zi Yan with him.
After a brief explanation, Lin Xiu and Zi Yan departed from the Magic Beast.
Others were somewhat surprised to see this, but upon noticing Xiao Yan calmly returning to his previous Magic Beast without questioning, they didn't press further.
Flying past Zhen Gui Pass, not far ahead, a mountain range came into view—this was the edge of the Magic Beast Mountains.
"How many spirit herbs we can find depends entirely on your skills," Lin Xiu said, lowering his head slightly and patting Zi Yan's head.
"Are you sure you're not afraid of Seventh Rank Magic Beasts?"
Zi Yan was somewhat worried and asked again. Seeing Lin Xiu nod, she stopped worrying.
Both of them were exceptionally strong, so entering the Magic Beast Mountains was no different from going home.
In just three days, Lin Xiu had collected seven Rank 6 magic cores, each representing the power of a Dou Emperor.
"Now I'm almost at my strongest state," Lin Xiu said, feeling the abundant power in his body as he clenched his fist and exhaled.
At that moment, a small figure in the distance rapidly approached, followed by a huge Magic Beast.
Without waiting for Zi Yan to speak, Lin Xiu rushed forward, meeting them head-on.
His right hand clenched into a fist, his body like a taut bow.
Boom!
The air rippled with immense force as he collided with the Magic Beast.
The next moment, the huge Magic Beast exploded directly.
Lin Xiu extended his hand, catching a magic core that fell into his palm. A scorching heat surged from his body, evaporating the blood mist almost instantly.
Apart from the echoing roar reverberating through the mountains, there was no visible trace of a Sixth Rank Magic Beast's death.
"You really aren't a Magic Beast?" Zi Yan walked up to Lin Xiu and poked him with a finger, a question she had asked countless times over the past three days.
Zi Yan had never imagined that a human body could be so powerful, capable of defeating a Sixth Rank Magic Beast head-on with physical strength alone. It seemed even stronger than her own power.
"Let's go. We've collected enough medicinal herbs. Next, I'll get the formula for a Transformation Pill, and then I can help you refine it," Lin Xiu said without answering her directly, instead tousling Zi Yan's purple hair.
At the mention of the Transformation Pill, Zi Yan's attention immediately shifted.
"The Transformation Pill is a Seventh Grade Pill. Can you really refine it, Lin Xiu?"
She was somewhat excited. Ever since she had consumed the Transformation Grass, her appearance had remained that of a child, unable to revert to her original form. To achieve transformation, there were only two methods: one was to take the Transformation Pill, and the other was to advance to the rank of Dou Emperor.
Over the years, she had consumed various precious medicines, but unfortunately, her strength had still grown very slowly.
"Of course," Lin Xiu replied casually, nodding.
"Do you know where we can get the formula?" Zi Yan trusted Lin Xiu greatly, so upon his affirmation, she asked about another matter.
"It should be available at Misty Cloud Sect," Lin Xiu answered.
Pill King Gu He had long been renowned as a Sixth Grade Alchemist, holding a high position in the Jia Ma Empire. It was likely that he possessed the formula for the Seventh Grade Pill. Of course, if the formula wasn't available, it wouldn't matter. With the resources of Misty Cloud Sect at their disposal, Lin Xiu could certainly refine some pills to accelerate her breakthrough to Rank 6.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Zi Yan grabbed Lin Xiu's hand, wishing they could instantly teleport to Misty Cloud Mountain.
Exiting the forest, they first arrived at a nearby city to gather information. Xiao Yan's return had caused quite a stir, especially with so many people in tow—it was hard not to attract attention.
They hardly needed to ask actively; news came pouring in.
"Two years ago, Xiao Yan ascended to Misty Cloud Sect, defeated Junior Sect Master Nalan Yanran, and was subsequently hunted by Misty Cloud Sect. Now he returns strong; it seems a showdown with Misty Cloud Sect is imminent."
"Misty Cloud Sect's nationwide pursuit of the Xiao Family is widely known. Xiao Yan bringing back so many people is definitely not just for show."
"I heard Xiao Yan has already reached Dou King level. He killed a Misty Cloud Sect elder with one move at Zhen Gui Pass. His progress in just two years is terrifying. If Yun Shan gets wind of this, he might regret it deeply."
"Yun Shan? Just a madman. He first targeted the Xiao Family, then clashed with the Imperial Family, and recently made a move against the Snake People Tribe. Now Misty Cloud Sect is surrounded on all sides; if he weren't a Dou Ancestor, Misty Cloud Sect would have been gone long ago."
"He's truly impatient. The Snake People Tribe's Queen broke through to Dou Ancestor level, and he's needlessly stirring up powerful enemies for himself."
Every word reached Lin Xiu's ears without much change in his expression, except for a fleeting hint of surprise.
Why would Misty Cloud Sect target the Snake People Tribe?
Could it be that Yun Shan has truly lost his mind?
Perhaps Yun Shan became a Dou Ancestor earlier than Medusa, but comparing a human to a Magic Beast is completely unreasonable.
Moreover, the desert is harsh and offers little profit.
After Zi Yan finished eating, Lin Xiu took her hand and led her out of the tavern.
"Wait, Lin Xiu, this is not the way to Misty Cloud Mountain."
After leaving the city, Zi Yan looked at a stretch of yellow sand.
---
Check out my Patreon for up to 50 Advanced Chapters.
Link : patreon.com/AlbertTL