The jagged peaks of the mountain rose before them, but Wu Zheng and Qing Rui ascended with ease, their cultivation allowing them to traverse the rough terrain as if it were a flat plain. Qing Rui led the way, her flowing robes catching the occasional gust of wind, while Wu Zheng followed behind with a watchful eye. The two guards trailed in silence, their presence more for formality than protection.
Wu Zheng broke the silence, his curiosity piqued. "You don't seem like you're from around here," he began, his voice casual but probing. "And with guards in the Golden Core realm, you must be from a powerful clan or sect. Which one is it?"
Qing Rui glanced back at him with a smirk. "We're not from this region, that much is true," she replied. "But I don't think you need to know the rest. All you need to worry about is that I'm a Golden Core cultivator. I'll handle the beast, and you'll get your reward." She flicked her hand dismissively, her tone light but decisive. "My guards? They're here for me, but I'll take care of the fight."
Wu Zheng nodded thoughtfully, not pressing further. She's not wrong, he mused. What she says is true.
The air grew tense as one of the guards spoke up, his voice cutting through the silence. "Young miss, why should he take credit for the beast? You'll be the one to kill it."
The second guard, his tone equally sharp, added, "Even if this is Wu clan territory, they wouldn't dare challenge us if we took the beast ourselves."
Wu Zheng heard their words clearly, but his expression remained unchanged. The guards' blatant disregard for him was apparent, but Wu Zheng wasn't one to rise to provocation. He merely walked in silence, his senses focused on their surroundings.
Qing Rui chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Why stir up trouble with the Wu clan over a mere beast?" she asked, her tone playful. "Besides, don't you think this little brother is cute?" She cast a quick glance at Wu Zheng, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "Wouldn't I look cool if I showed him how easily I could kill it? Maybe he'll praise me…"
She coughed, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I mean, he might remember our kindness."
Wu Zheng's eyebrow twitched in mild surprise, but he said nothing. Is this girl really that desperate for compliments? he wondered, suppressing a smirk.
Suddenly, a deep, bone-rattling roar echoed through the mountains. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the air became heavy with the presence of something powerful. Qing Rui's eyes widened with excitement, and without hesitation, she dashed toward the source of the sound, her guards close behind. Wu Zheng was not far behind them, his Spirit Lens activated as he scanned for any signs of danger.
They arrived at a clearing where the sound had originated, but the space was empty. The wind whispered through the trees, and the tension in the air was thick. Wu Zheng's gaze flicked to a large, ancient tree, its bark worn and scarred from years of survival in the harsh environment. He squinted, noticing a faint shimmer near the base.
"There," Wu Zheng said suddenly, pointing at the tree. "It's hiding."
The moment he spoke, a blur of movement shot out from the tree. The beast, a ferocious blur of fur and fangs, charged toward them, its speed incredible. It left afterimages in the air as it aimed straight for Qing Rui.
But just before the creature could land a blow, Qing Rui's sword flashed, meeting the beast's claw with a loud clash of metal against flesh. The impact threw both of them back, but neither lost their footing. Qing Rui's expression was focused, and her grip on her sword tightened as she faced the beast.
The creature was finally revealed. It was a terrifying sight—standing at about two meters tall, with the body of a powerful ape but the face of a snarling tiger. Its fur bristled with raw energy, and its claws scraped the ground with a sound that sent shivers through Wu Zheng's spine. Saliva dripped from its sharp fangs, its eyes glowing with a primal hunger.
"Careful," Wu Zheng warned, his voice calm but firm.
Qing Rui grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Don't worry. This will be fun."