C8 Black Wind Ridge(2)

After a full day of relentless travel, I was utterly spent. I lay back on the grass, arms cushioning my head, gazing up at the celestial tapestry above. This was my first night exposed to the elements, alone in the wild, and a twinge of trepidation mingled with a hint of unease in my heart.

As the moon traced its arc and the stars wheeled overhead, the night deepened.

A crisp mountain breeze swept through, banishing the day's lingering heat and leaving a refreshing coolness in its wake. Ding Yue lay amidst the soft grass, his breathing even and deep, seemingly lost in slumber.

Amidst the mountain folds, the chorus of insects and the scurry of rodents filled the air, while the leaves whispered secrets to the gentle rustle of the nearby river—peace reigned supreme.

When the moon reached its zenith, Ding Yue, who appeared sound asleep, abruptly opened his eyes and sat up. A wry smile played across his lips as he surveyed the shadowy depths of the forest around him.

He called out boldly, "Master Tiger King, show yourself if you're here."

A long silence followed, then from a thicket dense with grass and stone, a large tiger emerged, its wings tucked close to its sides.

The tiger approached, halting three meters from Ding Yue. It cocked its head, its massive tiger eyes fixed on him in astonishment. "You knew I was tracking you?" it asked.

"The allure of an Earth-rank martial skill is irresistible to many," Ding Yue replied with a taunt. "Judging by Old Man Guan Huang's reaction, the River of Turbid Water has never seen a fourth-level Fellbeast before. That odd fish must be your doing, brought from the Black Water domain."

The tiger nodded, conceding, "Indeed. The first-level Sword Fang Fish in the River of Turbid Water pose little threat to humans. But a fourth-level Fish Demon is another story."

"So, it was you who orchestrated the stone bridge collapse?" Ding Yue inquired.

"Of course," Hu Li affirmed. "That bridge, once fortified by the magic of a Foundation Building cultivator, couldn't withstand a fourth-level creature like the tiger-headed fish."

"All this elaborate setup—was it just to lead me here?" Ding Yue pressed.

"Exactly," Hu Li boasted. "Black Wind Ridge is notoriously treacherous for miles around. An accident here wouldn't be traced back to me."

He stepped forward, pride evident in his voice, "Even the Demon King would think twice before crossing a sixth-level Miraculous Pill Master. Hence, Black Wind Ridge is the perfect place to kill without a trace."

Hu Li surveyed the moonlit mountains with a look of pride on his face.

Ding Yue's mouth twitched into a smirk. "I carry a voice transmission talisman from my master. Besides, killing me won't grant you access to any martial techniques."

There was a clear note of disdain in Ding Yue's voice.

Hu Li huffed, "Before Liu Wuya can get here, I'll have turned you into a bloody corpse and devoured your Soulspark. Then I'll know all your secrets."

"Haha!" Ding Yue laughed. "Tiger King, if you were an eighth level Fellbeast, I might believe you. But Soul Refining is beyond even your Realm King, let alone you, a mere fifth level Fellbeast."

"You..." Hu Li was momentarily choked with rage. His gaze flickered as he pondered, "This kid is barely in his teens, with only a Foundation Building cultivation. How does he know so much? He's incredibly shrewd."

Little did Hu Li realize that Aunt Zhang had recently shared a wealth of knowledge about the Boneroses and cultivators, not to mention the teachings from Taoist Little Wood.

Noticing Hu Li's contemplative state, Ding Yue spoke up, "After your Demon King appeared outside the Black Water Forest, my master, Liu Wuya, showed up as well. He might even be nearby."

Hu Li's body shook, and his eyes shifted nervously.

"Hehe, Tiger King, no need to fret. I'm just pulling your leg."

Just as Hu Li was about to lose his temper, Ding Yue's next words caught him off guard. "I can teach you boxing techniques."

Hu Li was momentarily taken aback, then a surge of covert delight washed over him. But he quickly furrowed his brow and questioned, "What's the catch? Just so you know, I refuse to stoop to being your mount."

Ding Yue gestured dismissively, "I wouldn't presume to suggest it. If you carry me over Black Wind Ridge, I'll teach you the boxing techniques. Whether you can grasp them, that's up to your wit."

Ding Yue added, "It's a simple transaction. I have no intention of treating you as a mount, Tiger King. We're old acquaintances, after all. Let's consider it a partnership, shall we?"

"Hmph, we each have our own needs," Hu Li said with a roll of his eyes. "But, my memory isn't the best. I'll need to hear it five times."

"This! Fine," Ding Yue sighed, a look of resignation on his face. "When you're in a rush, what choice do you have? Five times it is."

He said this, but inside he was secretly delighted, thinking, "Foolish tiger, you wouldn't learn it even if I repeated it five hundred times."

"Don't get any clever ideas, or else..." Hu Li warned, licking his lips with a fierce tone, "Human essence and flesh are quite nourishing for a Fellbeast."

Ding Yue nodded, his face a picture of woe. "How could I dare? For the Tiger King, taking my life would be effortless."

"Boom!" In the midst of their conversation, a series of muffled thunderclaps erupted, and a fierce wind began to howl.

Suddenly, the previously clear night sky was shrouded in darkness, blanketed by thick clouds.

Lightning bolts zigzagged across the sky like chaotic silver serpents.

"The storm's upon us; we need to make haste. If this rain persists, crossing Black Wind Ridge tomorrow will be even more treacherous."

Hu Li, without a word, crouched and unfurled his wings.

Ding Yue climbed onto the tiger's back, and as Hu Li rose to his feet, he issued a stern reminder, "Boy, I trust you won't deceive me. Remember, Black Wind Ridge is an ideal place for murder without a trace."

"How could I, and why would I? Rest assured, Tiger King." Ding Yue replied, casting a glance at the unicorn horse that had cowered and shivered at Hu Li's arrival. He smiled and said, "My steed, you are free now."

Amidst the howling wind and pouring rain, lightning flashed and thunder roared. Hu Li vibrated his wings, soaring through the sky.

Ding Yue leaned forward on his back, shielding his eyes with a hand, squinting through the lightning's glow to survey the surrounding mountains. The rain lashed his cheeks painfully.

Unable to resist, he shouted, "Tiger King, with your power, why not create a Yuan Qi shield around us to keep the storm at bay?" Hu Li simply grunted in response, offering no reply.

Ding Yue couldn't help but shout again, "I'm completely soaked! You're not messing with me on purpose, are you?"

"Achoo! I'm getting sick, and if I do, I won't have the energy to teach you martial arts."

Hu Li shook his massive head, clearly annoyed. "You noisy kid, you don't understand a thing. Black Wind Ridge is home to a peculiar insect that feeds on Origin Qi and Soulspark. They're tiny, like ants, and hide within the mist. If I let out my aura, they'll swarm to us, and we'll both be done for."

At this revelation, Ding Yue was taken aback, his eyes sparkling with newfound understanding.

"Tiger King, please forgive him. The kid truly didn't know," Ding Yue said with an apologetic grin. He paused before asking, "Are there any other Fellbeasts in Black Wind Ridge?"

"Indeed, there's a black bear whose strength rivals mine."

"And there's a kind of ghost; the Demon King himself has said they're quite peculiar, feasting on the brains of humans and animals. They can also take over the corpses of the dead, granting them a twisted form of resurrection."

Ding Yue could distinctly feel a slight shiver run through Hu Li's body as they rode.

"In short, even the Demon King is extremely cautious around these ghosts."

With that, Hu Li fell silent. Man and beast shared a moment of quiet contemplation.