C6 Spirit Beast Mountain Range

Chen Bai wiped the sweat from his brow and caught his breath as he complained to Meier, who was floating beside him, "Phew! Phew! I finally caught up! Meier, couldn't you have waited for me? We must have covered at least a few hundred miles! Don't I even get a chance to rest?"

Meier giggled, covering her mouth, "You must be kidding! Do you realize how dangerous the Spirit Beast Mountain Range is? This little distance is nothing in comparison! I'm just helping you develop your escape skills early, so you don't end up as a snack for the Foundation Stage Spirit Beasts inside."

"You're great at making excuses. I bet you're just too thrilled about your first time out and about," Chen Bai retorted.

Observing Meier's wide-eyed excitement as she took in the surroundings, Chen Bai couldn't help but suspect that her sense of wonder had made her completely forget he was even there.

As they bantered, a town came into view.

Spirit Wind Town, situated on the western edge of the Low Level Spirit Beast Mountain Range, had become a hub for adventurers who hunted Spirit Beasts, leading to the formation of numerous Adventurer Groups. It also attracted merchants, contributing to the town's bustling atmosphere.

"Young Hero Adventurer Group is looking for cultivators above Level Five of the Qi Refining Stage!"

"Fierce Tiger Adventurer Group urgently requires an adventurer above Level Two of the Foundation Stage, with excellent benefits!"

"Flying Dragon Adventurer Group needs an adventurer skilled in medical Spirit Skills."

Upon entering the town, Chen Bai found himself drawn to the cacophony of recruitment calls from the various Adventurer Groups. He figured that joining a group would be more effective than going it alone, so he headed in their direction.

However, as Chen Bai made his move, Meier blocked his path.

"Chen Bai, I think it's better if you steer clear of these adventurer groups," she advised.

Chen Bai smiled reassuringly at Meier's earnest expression, "Don't worry, I'm just going to check things out. Don't see me as a kid; I'm well over twenty, you know."

With a smile, Meier stepped aside, no longer objecting.

Chen Bai made his way directly toward the Young Hero Adventurer Group.

Their banner featured an Earth Phoenix Bird, a Spirit Beast with 'Phoenix' in its name but too overweight to fly. At best, it was a super low-level Spirit Beast of the Qi Refining Stage, levels one or two, more often served as a dish in restaurants than revered for its abilities.

While it was dubbed an Adventurer Group, other groups typically boasted at least five or six strapping men bustling under their banners. Yet, at the Little Flying Brigands' camp, there was but a single member – an exceedingly plump individual who, amusingly enough, provided a stark contrast to the Earth Phoenix Bird.

Upon noticing someone approaching, the rotund man's features, previously scrunched together, broke into a sleazy grin as he eagerly stepped forward. "You're here looking for an adventure partner, aren't you, brother? The name's Feng Gu. 'Feng' as in wind, and 'Gu' as in ancient."

Chen Bai couldn't help but find the chubby man before him rather amusing. "So, Feng Gu, is it just you in this Adventurer Group? I've noticed other groups have several members. Why so lonesome here?"

Feng Gu, unfazed, simply chuckled in response. "Hehe, I'm indeed the sole member of my Adventurer Group. But don't underestimate me; I'm a formidable practitioner at the Eighth Level of the Foundation Stage~"

With that, Feng Gu's Spiritual Force vibrated, and a small, eight-tiered, black pagoda emerged from his body.

The appearance of the pagoda caused the surrounding Spiritual Force to grow tumultuous. Sensing this wild energy, onlookers turned their gaze, and those with a bit of knowledge narrowed their eyes in recognition.

"This little guy looks no more than fourteen or fifteen, yet he's already reached the Eighth Level of the Foundation Stage!"

"His Spiritual Force is dark as pitch – that's a Peerless Grade Earth Spirit Root!"

"Such formidable youth!"

Pleased with the crowd's assessments, Feng Gu nodded contently before turning to Chen Bai. "What do you think, brother? Impressive, right? Care to consider teaming up with me?"

Chen Bai was about to reply when, without any preamble, an elderly man with a crown of white hair materialized before them. He paid no mind to the onlookers, instead bowing to Feng Gu and saying, "Young Master, please return with me. The mistress is quite concerned about you."

At the sight of the elder, Feng Gu's face creased in annoyance. He grumbled, "Caught again. Seems I can't use my Spiritual Force openly anymore, or I'll keep getting caught. Alas, no more fun for me."

After finishing his thought, Feng Gu turned to Chen Bai with a smile and inquired, "By the way, I haven't asked for your name yet."

"Chen Bai."

"Brother Chen Bai, got it. I'll remember you. Actually, my name isn't Feng Gu; it's Guu Feng, 'Gu' as in ancient, 'Feng' as in maple leaf. If you ever find yourself in Great Wilderness City and someone gives you trouble, just drop my name. I've got to head out first."

With that, Guu Feng pulled a boat-shaped trinket from her pocket and tossed it into the distance, where it transformed into a massive ship that eclipsed the sun. She then boarded the vessel and departed with the elder.

After Guu Feng's departure, those left behind were momentarily stunned. Eventually, someone snapped out of it and exclaimed, "Guu Feng! Could she be the super genius from the Guu family of Great Wilderness City?"

This revelation sparked a wave of awe among the crowd. Many from the Adventurer Groups then turned their eager gazes to Chen Bai, reasoning that anyone noticed by a genius of the Guu family must be extraordinary. In no time, a throng of adventurers swarmed Chen Bai, each pitching their group and inviting him to join. The atmosphere was electric.

Chen Bai, faced with the commotion, reluctantly manifested his Spiritual Force. As the eight drops of milky-white Spiritual Force Liquid materialized, the crowd's excitement turned to astonishment, followed by a collective sneer as they dispersed.

"Psh, and here I thought we had a real prodigy. Turns out he's just at the eighth level of Qi Refining."

"Milky-white Spiritual Force, could it be a Peerless Grade Common Spirit Root?"

"Hahaha, that's hilarious. A Peerless Grade Common Spirit Root? Still, for a kid his age to be at the eighth level of Qi Refining, he's got to have some natural talent."

"What's the use? A Common Spirit Root won't amount to much."

Ignoring the murmurs, Chen Bai shook his head indifferently and continued his stroll through Spirit Wind Town.

Chen Bai had already purchased all the essentials he needed before setting out, so nothing else caught his eye. After making his rounds, he left Spirit Wind Town and made his way toward the Spirit Beast Mountain Range.

Chen Bai hadn't traveled far before he reached an entrance to the Spirit Beast Mountain Range. Without hesitation, he plunged into its depths. Unbeknownst to him, as he ventured in, several shadowy figures stealthily followed.

The outer regions of the Spirit Beast Mountain Range teemed with common wildlife and Low Level Spirit Beasts. Chen Bai effortlessly hunted down several of these creatures. But upon learning from Meier that they held little value, he discarded the carcasses into his storage and pressed on toward the heart of the range.

The deeper he ventured into the Spirit Beast Mountain Range, the more it resembled a dense forest. The foliage grew so thick that sunlight struggled to penetrate, leaving visibility quite poor. The air was heavy with the stench of decay, and the occasional rustling noises did little to disturb Chen Bai. He lit a torch and, guided by its faint glow, continued his journey.

Suddenly, a long howl pierced the silence, and a pair of green eyes flashed in the darkness around Chen Bai. A massive Silver Pattern Wolf emerged, standing two meters tall and stretching four meters in length. Its fur was pitch black, save for three distinctive silver stripes on its chest. Droplets of viscous saliva fell from its gaping maw. Before Chen Bai could react, Meier provided the creature's details.

"Silver Pattern Wolf, a Level Five Spirit Beast. When fully grown, it can attain a power equivalent to the human Foundation Stage. The silver patterns on its chest indicate its level of power. Three stripes signify that this Silver Pattern Wolf's power is on par with Foundation Stage Level Three. Its vulnerability lies in its exceedingly fragile waist."

Chen Bai, who had been ready to flee, found new resolve upon learning of the beast's weakness. With a mere thought, his Profound Iron Sword materialized in his hand. Emboldened, he prepared to make this Silver Pattern Wolf the first Spirit Beast he would ever slay.

"Awoo ~"

"Awoo ~"

Green eyes flickered to life all around him, and one by one, more giant wolves stepped into view. Chen Bai quickly counted—there were ten in total. He was unmistakably surrounded.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Silver Pattern Wolves are pack animals. They never act alone," Meier's teasing voice, dripping with languor, rang in Chen Bai's ears, making his teeth itch with annoyance.

Chen Bai wailed, "Hey, big sister, can we not joke around right now? We're dealing with a dozen Foundation Stage beasts here. You're not taking my life seriously at all!"

His howl was so pitiful that even the nearby Silver Pattern Wolves hesitated, retreating several steps. But then, as if realizing something, they growled angrily and prepared to charge at the foolhardy human to shred him to pieces.

With a thunderous "Awoo~," a commanding roar echoed through the air, startling the restless Silver Pattern Wolves. They scattered, tails tucked, and vanished in the blink of an eye.

Despite their disappearance, Chen Bai remained on high alert, scanning his surroundings. Whatever could instill such fear in Silver Pattern Wolves was certainly no friend.

Minutes ticked by as Chen Bai stood motionless, on guard, yet nothing appeared. Suddenly, Meier materialized silently behind him.

"Awoo~ I'm a big bad brain axe. Super fierce, huh~"

Her voice startled Chen Bai so much he nearly keeled over. He tumbled away, rolling over a dozen meters before looking up to see Meier shaking with laughter in the distance. He nearly coughed up blood in frustration.

"Very funny, Meier. You really dare to scare me like that. Looking for a spanking, are you?" he snapped.

Quickly, Meier's laughter ceased, and she adopted a woeful expression, pleading softly, "I know I was wrong. Please, Master, don't punish Meier, okay?"

Chen Bai, utterly disarmed by her pitiable look, swallowed hard. His earlier irritation evaporated into thin air.

Meier's antics had eased Chen Bai's tension. Smacking his forehead, he suddenly remembered he could ask her about the mysterious roar that had sent the wolves running.