Ya, hey guys! Hows life? I forgot to update this chapter on friday so I am doing it today. This one is pretty short. Nothing really happens in this chapter but the next one will have something happening. I will come out with it today so be patient! XDXD. Enjoy!
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The group of mercenaries, which had obviously shortened with the loss of a commander and several others, trudged on and on across the mountains with less difficulty than before. Most of them had perceived it as having passed the true trial and that from now on, mostly everything would be easier. Feng Yun could guess the reason behind this change. Dai Tian had most likely told all of the other beasts to steer clear of the group else they would be murdered by him. Otherwise, how could the journey across such a perilous mountain range be this easy?
Dong Fuzhen had shot him looks of admiration from time to time. Usually, this was when they had finally crossed a mountain. Everyone would rejoice and some of the mercenaries would take out some alcohol to drink. The reason behind the gaze was simple. Feng Yun was the main reason why the whole group was still intact and without too much severe losses. He had obtained the help of two Tyrant realm beasts that were each individually strong. Dong Fuzhen viewed Feng Yun in a lot of veneration compared to when he first began noticing him. With the loss of a commander, Dong Fuzhen naturally had to make a replacement. He hosted a selection and a middle aged man stepped up to the seat. The man's cultivation was of the sixth layer of the Xiantian realm and he was relatively strong. However, he lacked a lot of combat experience and was still quite immature.
Feng Yun did not pay attention to such matters anyway. He had wholeheartedly focused on cultivation and gaining knowledge into his techniques. Although the progress he made could not be considered substantial, it was definitely not small either. He had improved upon the first two techniques of the Dragon Inheritance Manual, the Raiding Thunder Palm and the Twin Dragons Harmony Torrent, such that they were now both comparable to Mid Sage level skills. They possessed a very destructive power and could obliterate most opponents of the same cultivation level as Feng Yun. If taken by a cultivator of the sixth layer peak or even the seventh layer of the Xiantian realm, they could probably dish out some good deal of damage. If Feng Yun were to fight Zhou Yanling once more, it would be even easier to defeat her.
Xia Qing had done the same and possessed the same desire as Feng Yun, to raise her strength. Although she maintained a very productive lifestyle, she still found lots of time to talk to Feng Yun and their relationship grew deeper. They were true friends who would do anything for each other at this point.
The rest of the journey was a cakewalk and the number of mountains that the entourage had to travel over decreased significantly. Soon enough, the group could sense the familiar feeling of base ground. They all rushed over as fast as they could and were met with a brilliant and unobstructed light from the sun that shone upon them. Every one of them had brilliant smiles on their faces. The hills had begun to grow smaller and smaller and it was obvious they had reached the end of the perilous mountain range. Everyone let out a breath of relief and thankfulness. They had undergone no small trial to pass through this major obstacle. Although there were still six months on their journey, passing this mountain range could be said to have already won a large portion of the journey. The rest of the journey should be easier compared to before.
As they drew near the ground level, the morale of the group rose significantly. They all felt a large sense of accomplishment. They felt as if they could take on anything now that they had completely passed this horrible tribulation. But it was Feng Yun who was the most thankful towards the mountains. He had gained a lot and he was very happy. Despite the troubles that he had to go through, he felt it was all worth it. He had witnessed a large scale battle between multiple higher realms beasts. What was most important however was that...
"I gained a master!"
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
With the assistance of Dai Tian, Feng Yun would be able to cultivate and grow stronger much easier. He believed strongly that he had gained a very powerful master. Someone who was powerful enough to be called the Divine Beast Exterminator was surely not to be trifled with. Furthermore, the beast had stated himself that he held six Emperor level skills! It was likely that he would lend a few to Feng Yun. With so much opportunity, he would definitely grow stronger. But the most important point about his new master was that he had gained Feng Yun's admiration. Even though he had spent such a short time with Dai Tian, Feng Yun had come to understand some of his character.
Dai Tian was someone who had stopped focusing on worldly affairs and he only cares about his cultivation. Despite this however, Feng Yun could see that he treats his disciples with care. This was particularly evident with the Bei Luo. The two were on very close terms. Dai Tian was much like Feng Yun himself in many ways. They both had a very cold and ruthless side but they only showed it to their enemies. Feng Yun felt he would get along with his master quite well.
They reached the ground level after a few hours and rested for a bit. Feng Yun walked over to Dong Fuzhen and asked him,
"We have reached the end of the mountain. What do you plan to do next?"
"Hm, since we have just accomplished this trial and the whole group is tired, I think it is necessary for us to rest. Up ahead maybe about just forty or fifty miles is a Second Class City called Twin Viper city. It is relatively neutral and should be able to house our less than fifty mercenaries. We ill rest there for a few days and then once again embark on the journey." Feng Yun nodded his head with satisfaction towards this decision. The group indeed needed rest. If they went on further without a break, progress would only decline.
"Indeed. The group morale will rise higher if we rest for a bit before setting out once more. However, does this line up with your schedule?"
"I had originally thought that we would take a far longer time to overcome the Kaidu Mountain Range, but it seems that I was wrong. It was only a month so we are on the right track. If we continue at this pace, even if we rest, we will make it in time. This is all thanks to that senior. By the way, what did that senior tell you when you went there?" Dong Fuzhen was naturally curious but because Feng Yun was still healing from his injuries at the time, he hadn't wished to disturb him. Now however, his curiosity once again rose and he asked the question everyone had wanted to ask Feng Yun when he had came back.
"A mere fortuitous encounter." Feng Yun smiled, still remaining secretive. Dong Fuzhen sighed and said,
"Kid you already said that. If that truly is going to be your answer, then so be it. That's your business." Dong Fuzhen waved his hands at Feng Yun in an attempt to shoo him away. Feng Yun laughed and walked off back to his own group.
The group was very excited to know that they would be resting at a location nearby. They had all been exhausted from the dangerous encounters on the mountain and required some time to take off. If they rested, their strength would recover and the progress on the trip would be better than before. The group moved on with a lot more energy knowing that they would have time to rest later.
With the group's high morale and cultivations, traversing forty or fifty miles wasn't hard at all. By afternoon, they could see the familiar outline of city gates. The gates were constructed out of Spiritual Jadestone and gleamed with a greenish light. To the group still five or so miles from it, the city was incomparably close because of this light. As they drew closer, they could see clearly two statues made of Spiritual Jadestone at the front of the gate, guarding it like a deity. The statues were relatively large, much higher than the humans below them. They statues were that of snakes rising up and hissing at whoever entered. They emanated fierceness and power to those who gazed upon it. The snakes were of the same jade color as the walls. The quality of the city's exterior seemed similar to that of Sky Wind City, except slightly more impressive with the addition if the statues.
"So this is Twin Viper City"
"So this is Twin Viper City."