"How could this happen, why can't I bring myself to do it?" Lan Ling sighed deeply, then sheathed her long sword and began to search around Li Lin's waist. She removed two spatial bags, having seen Li Lin hide the treasures in them.
"Whether you live or die depends on your luck. You saved me in the canyon, so I won't kill you now, considering it as repaying that debt. The Berserk Wolf Mercenary Group won’t catch up for now." Lan Ling took the two spatial bags, unable to inspect them immediately, and after one last complex look at Li Lin, she hurriedly left.
Time slowly passed, and Li Lin remained unconscious. Vaguely, he felt a warm sensation spreading inside him, bringing indescribable comfort and gradually restoring his immobilized Qi.
In a daze, Li Lin began to circulate his Qi, which fully recovered under the influence of this warm force. His stiff body also regained feeling.
When Li Lin opened his eyes, he felt a slight pain on the back of his hand. Getting up, he saw the little dragon biting his hand, realizing that the warm power came from the dragon.
"Chichichi."
Seeing Li Lin awake, the little dragon affectionately crawled into his palm, its small eyes looking at him with concern.
"I'm not dead? Where is that woman?" Li Lin immediately looked around, noticing that not much time seemed to have passed.
"This vengeance must be repaid. Remember this, one day, I will make you pay and sell you into servitude," Li Lin vowed fiercely, checking his waist only to find his spatial bags gone, no doubt taken by that woman.
"The little dragon, did you save me? Thank you." Li Lin held the little dragon in his palm, impressed by the creature's capabilities. Truly, a spirit emperor beast was extraordinary.
"Chichichi…"
The little dragon's eyes gleamed with pride and contentment.
"We need to leave this place." After gathering his things, Li Lin quickly left the area. His spatial bags only contained two remaining, unused treasure maps. Fortunately, he had been cautious enough to transfer the contents of the bags to an invisible storage ring on his hand.
"Serves her right, she'll be furious." Li Lin imagined Lan Ling's frustration upon opening the empty bags. His spatial bags were blood-bound, not easy to open without a powerful individual forcefully doing so and with great care, lest the bags and their contents be destroyed.
Thinking of Lan Ling's efforts resulting in two empty bags gave Li Lin a sense of satisfaction.
However, he dared not linger, knowing the Berserk Wolf Mercenary Group was nearby. He needed to find a safe place to settle down.
As he cautiously made his way, Li Lin vowed to remember everything. Having escaped the Berserk Wolf Mercenary Group once, he planned to seek them out next time. They were probably searching for him worldwide.
Contemplating all this, Li Lin decided not to leave the Misty Mountain Ranges immediately. Assuming the Berserk Wolf Mercenary Group was waiting outside, he chose to stay in the mountains. Not seeking revenge would be a disservice to himself.
"Berserk Wolf Mercenary Group, the day I come for you will be your doom," Li Lin's eyes flashed coldly.
Wanting revenge was one thing, but Li Lin knew he wasn't strong enough yet. The Berserk Wolf Mercenary Group's giant and the axe-wielding second-in-command were formidable, at least at the fifth or sixth level of martial mastery, comparable to Li Wushuang. Li Lin wasn't yet a match for them.
The mountains weren't safe, but as Uncle Jiang had said, strength is forged through trials. Li Lin considered the Misty Mountain Ranges as an opportunity for growth and training.
He wondered who among the new disciples in Yunyang Sect had become direct disciples. Even if he returned to Yunyang Sect now, he would lose the chance to become a direct disciple. So, he decided to train in the Misty Mountain Ranges - to become a dragon or die trying. He refused to believe he couldn't surpass Yunyang Sect's direct disciples without being there.
"I'll start my cultivation from these Misty Mountain Ranges," Li Lin resolved with unwavering determination.
Li Lin's figure disappeared into the mountains. As time passed, this area attracted numerous mercenary groups and small teams. The entire mountain shook, and the canyons collapsed, causing a quake-like rumble that echoed throughout the vast mountain range.
Unbeknownst to them, a rumor had spread that the White Wolf Mercenary Group's treasure was nearby, drawing even more bloodthirsty mercenaries, all rushing in like mad wolves.
In the ruins of a massive canyon, many mercenary groups were digging, searching for any remaining treasures. The giant man from the White Wolf Mercenary Group was particularly furious, having kept the news hidden, not wanting it to spread, yet somehow the information had leaked.
In a forest, under the dense canopy of a large tree, leaves blocked the sunlight, swaying gently in the breeze, occasionally a few drifting down with the wind.
"Big brother, we still haven't found those two. Now all the mercenary groups in the mountain range are converging here. What should we do?" The axe-wielding second-in-command of the White Wolf Mercenary Group asked the giant man.
"Keep searching," the giant man ordered, his face marked with a scar from the fiery hawk attack. "Surround the surrounding mountains and search inch by inch. I refuse to believe they can escape underground." Despite the fiery hawk being a beast with wings, he had no way to deal with it.
At dawn, in a forest, a figure in a blue robe stood under a towering tree, dewdrops sliding from his hair onto his cheeks.
"This kind of hard cultivation is not bad," Li Lin breathed deeply. Over the past few days, the Qi energy in his body had almost been completely refined. As he had estimated, his Qi had only strengthened to the peak of the sixth level of martial mastery and had not broken through to the seventh level.
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The people of the Berserk Wolf Mercenary Group were also at this martial level. Even now, refining that Qi energy didn’t help him break through, but reaching the peak of the sixth level was already satisfying for Li Lin. Normally, it would take at least three months for a cultivator at this level to enhance their strength by one level, but it had only taken him a few days.
"Little dragon, let's continue," Li Lin said, turning to the little dragon on his shoulder. Over these days, the two had traveled through the mountain range.
During this time, they had encountered two demonic beasts, both of which were first-level.
In the morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, illuminating the ground. At that moment, Li Lin was lying on a branch of a dense tree, his breath fully concealed, his eyes fixed on a Great Earth Howling Wolf below.
This Great Earth Howling Wolf wasn’t much different from the one he had seen outside the valley before, also a second-level demonic beast. However, Li Lin couldn't determine its exact level within the second tier.
Watching the Great Earth Howling Wolf below, Li Lin hesitated about whether to attack, knowing it would be a tough opponent.
"If I've decided to train, then what is there to fear?" Li Lin's expression hardened, determination in his eyes as Qi began to circulate inside him.
As the Great Earth Howling Wolf approached the tree, Li Lin's Qi vibrated instantly. He leaned back slightly to use the elasticity of the branch, launching himself like an arrow, his palm carrying a powerful force, smashing heavily towards the wolf’s abdomen.
"Mountain Breaking Palm."
The air rippled violently, and a sharp whooshing sound pierced through, as the powerful force surged out.
"Aoo Aoo…"
The Great Earth Howling Wolf instantly roared, noticing Li Lin's ambush. Its massive body glowed as it swiftly twisted, its front paws with sharp claws swiping at Li Lin, tearing through the air with a violent current.
"So fast," Li Lin didn’t expect the wolf to be this quick. He retreated rapidly while changing his hand signs, preparing to attack again.
"Sssss…"
A golden light streaked out like lightning, a ferocious aura filling the air. The little dragon, fast as lightning, pounced towards the Great Earth Howling Wolf.
"Ao…"
The Great Earth Howling Wolf roared, but its aura seemed endlessly suppressed. In panic, it leapt three meters high, its massive body and sharp front claws again tearing through the air towards the little dragon.
"Whoosh."
The little dragon opened its mouth, and a golden flame burst out, instantly raising the temperature around. Its body also emanated golden flames, which engulfed the wolf’s front paws.
Visible to the naked eye, under the golden flames, the wolf's front paws sizzled and burned, causing it to howl in pain and crash to the ground.
"Chichichi…"
At that moment, Li Lin surged forward, his fists engulfed in raging flames. The fiery punch, filled with powerful Qi, swept across and heavily struck the back of the Great Earth Howling Wolf.
"Bang bang…"
The powerful force caused the Great Earth Howling Wolf to roar and then its body flew back ten meters before stopping. The spot on its abdomen hit by Li Lin's punch had its thick black fur fallen off, and its forelimbs were charred black. The golden flames from the little dragon's mouth were truly terrifying.
"Hisss hisss…"
The little dragon swiftly approached the Great Earth Howling Wolf and bit into it. The wolf, known for its strong defense, could not withstand the little dragon's attack. After twitching a few times, its body slowly stopped moving. The little dragon feasted on its blood before leaving.
Witnessing all this, Li Lin was astonished. The little dragon's strength was truly fearsome, especially its golden flames, which carried a ferocious might. Li Lin's curiosity about the little dragon's identity as a spirit emperor beast grew.
Looking at the Great Earth Howling Wolf on the ground, Li Lin skinned it completely. The skin of the Great Earth Howling Wolf was valuable, and beast skins had many uses for spirit practitioners. The Heavenly Spirit Record also mentioned that many items required the refinement of beast skins.
After collecting the skin, Li Lin continued his training journey, with the little dragon happily circling his shoulder. Its round eyes were vigilantly scanning the forest.
With the little dragon by his side, Li Lin found it much safer in the Misty Mountain Ranges. The little dragon had first detected the Great Earth Howling Wolf, and any unusual movement or presence of demonic beasts nearby couldn't escape its detection.
As time passed, Li Lin and the little dragon experienced a new kind of life in the Misty Mountain Ranges, facing new challenges and potential dangers every day.
Half a month later, on an open hillside without trees, two giant black panthers, each about the height of a human and nearly two meters long, surrounded Li Lin. Their greedy eyes saw him as their prey.
Observing these two black panthers, Li Lin encountered them for the second time in the Misty Mountain Ranges. He had come across one a few days earlier. After his experiences in the ranges, he understood that these black panthers were early second-level wind elemental demonic beasts.
The strength of demonic beasts differed from that of humans. While martial and spirit practitioners' levels were divided into nine stages, demonic beasts' strength was divided into early, middle, and late stages for each level.
For example, a late second-level demonic beast would be extremely difficult to deal with. A late second-level beast could easily overpower a ninth-level martial practitioner. In terms of innate abilities, demonic beasts were much stronger than humans.
However, the universe is fair. While beasts have strong bodies, humans' intelligence and cultivation speed are far superior. Once a beast reaches the fourth level, it gains full intelligence and can even speak human language.
But in terms of cultivation, the human body is more suited. Both demonic beasts and spirit beasts aspire to transform into human forms for cultivation, which only seventh-level beasts can achieve. Seventh-level beasts are extremely rare on the Spirit Martial Continent, with very few sightings.
Now, Li Lin eyed the two black panthers on either side. Their fur was incredibly tough, and as wind elemental beasts, their speed was lightning-fast and challenging to deal with. Fortunately, they were not flying beasts, which would have been even more difficult.
"Little dragon, stay put. Only come out when I need help," Li Lin commanded, sensing the little dragon's eagerness in his sleeve. To truly train himself, he had to keep the little dragon hidden. With the little dragon around, scent-sensitive beasts dared not approach, and those that did were no match for it, fearing its aura.
Hearing Li Lin's words, the little dragon calmed down.
At that moment, the two black panthers circled Li Lin. Their entirely black fur, with only their red eyes and silver-white fangs shining, prepared to attack.
Suddenly, the black panther on the left lunged at Li Lin, releasing a white wind blade that cut through the air towards him at lightning speed.
Li Lin knew it was impossible to completely avoid it, especially with two panthers attacking. At that moment, he burst into action, his Qi surging out as he deployed his defensive martial skill, the Qingling Armor, instantly covering his body. Simultaneously, he leaped forward with incredible speed, miraculously dodging the wind blade.
"Whoosh…"
The wind blade hit a several-meter-high boulder on a hillside, shattering it into countless pieces.
Li Lin, mid-air, had Qi flowing around him, and the Qingling Armor emitted a pale yellow light. An aura similar to the little dragon's emanated from him, suppressing the black panthers.
The Qingling Armor, crafted with the little dragon's blood, contained some of its aura, which had a significant deterrent effect on
demonic beasts. Li Lin had discovered this feature of the armor during his time in the ranges. The stronger he became, the more potent the armor's aura.
With the Qingling Armor, Li Lin felt somewhat relieved against the black panthers' attacks. Both were early second-level wind elemental beasts, and he was capable of handling them.
Normally, demonic beasts were formidable, but his current strength as a sixth-level martial practitioner meant he could handle mid second-level beasts, though with difficulty.