C6 Burning Moon Forest

Lin Xi glanced at Lin Zhengyi and was astonished to realize that the young man had also reached the late Mortal Exuviating Stage.

"Meet at the city's eastern gate first thing tomorrow morning."

Lin Xi bowed respectfully, "Understood, Father."

With that, Lin Xi and Lin Zhengyi left together. Lin Xi turned to Lin Zhengyi with a smile, "Impressive, you've made it to the late Mortal Exuviating Stage. You might just break through to the Spirit Martial Stage in the Burning Moon Forest this time."

Lin Zhengyi looked at Lin Xi and responded, "Now that you've regained your strength, Mr. Lin Xi, it won't be long before I'm trying to catch up with you again."

...

The next day, Lin Xi and Lin Zhengyi arrived at the eastern gate of Celestial Azure City. Lin Xi was taken aback to see that the young heirs from all three of the royal family's noble houses had gathered.

From the Su family, Su Ziyu!

From the Jiang family, Jiang Yan and Jiang Yimeng!

From the Wang family, Wang Qimeng!

Lin Xi noticed two girls among the noble youths, both unfamiliar to him, yet he observed that the other nobles treated them with a peculiar reverence.

Something felt off to Lin Xi; there was certainly information he wasn't privy to.

Upon Lin Xi's arrival, the eyes of the aristocrats turned to him, aware that his cultivation had been restored.

Despite this, they still didn't regard Lin Xi as a threat, neither for his power nor his status.

Just then, Lin Xi sensed dozens of powerful spiritual force fluctuations from a distance. In an instant, dozens of formidable figures soared through the sky and landed atop the gatehouse of Celestial Azure City, under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

Confronted with these experts, Lin Xi felt a profound sense of gravity.

The least among them had reached the Spirit Martial Stage, as only those at this level could take to the skies.

Lin Xi was confident in her ability to take down a Spirit Martial Stage adversary alone and could even hold her own against someone at the early Black Tortoise Stage. Beyond that, however, she was uncertain of victory.

After the arrival of these formidable individuals, the onlookers quickly scattered.

Within the Celestial Azure Dynasty, the three great families wielded more power than anyone except the royal family itself. Each family had extensive influence and connections.

At that moment, a middle-aged man turned to Lin Xi and said, "Young Master Lin, your task is to scout ahead for the three noble families. Here's a sound transmitting talisman and a map from our scouts. You may depart now."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xi couldn't help but smirk inwardly. Just as he suspected, they had summoned him to brave the dangers ahead.

Nevertheless, Lin Xi had his own agenda and was undeterred. He accepted the items from the elder.

As he and Lin Zhengyi were about to set off, a voice called out from behind, "Young Master Lin, try not to die before we even enter."

The speaker was Su Ziyu, who had always harbored a strong dislike for Lin Xi.

Lin Xi turned, responding with a grin, "Su Ziyu, I'll be waiting for you inside."

With that, Lin Xi and Lin Zhengyi headed towards the Burning Moon Forest without looking back.

Su Ziyu seemed eager to retort, but Jiang Yan stopped him, whispering, "Once he's in the forest, he won't be able to talk back."

En route, Lin Zhengyi expressed his concern, "Mr. Lin Xi, those individuals are quite dangerous. They might target you once we're inside the Burning Moon Forest."

Unfazed, Lin Xi chuckled, "No worries. I'm looking forward to them trying; they'll just be walking into their own demise."

As they conversed, Lin Xi and Zhengyi reached the entrance to the vast Burning Moon Forest, which spanned tens of thousands of acres.

Due to its proximity to the Imperial City, the high-ranking Demonic Beasts within had long been eradicated. However, recent reports indicated that Spirit Rank Demonic Beasts were now wreaking havoc inside. This posed a dual concern: the safety of the Imperial City's citizens and the opportunity for cultivators to harvest these beasts as valuable resources.

Lin Xi unfolded the map given to him by the elder, which highlighted the general vicinity of the King Rank Demonic Beasts they were tasked with locating.

After determining the right direction, Lin Xi folded the map and declared, "Since you've brought me along to scout, I'll take the lead without hesitation. Zhengyi, let's go claim that Spirit Rank Demonic Beast for ourselves."

The pair then proceeded in silence, moving swiftly towards their goal.

As they neared their destination, Lin Xi's sharp senses picked up on the clash of two formidable Spirit Mights.

"Boom!"

A sudden explosion rang out. Lin Xi swiftly channeled her Spiritual Force and peered into the depths of the forest, where she spotted several low-level Demonic Beasts scattering in panic.

"It looks like the Demonic Beasts are fighting amongst themselves. Zhengyi, let's hurry over and see if we can take advantage of the chaos."

They picked up the pace, darting past the frantically fleeing beasts, which paid them no mind in their desperation to escape.

Another thunderous boom shook the ground beneath them.

That's when Lin Xi and Zhengyi spotted two massive Demonic Beasts locked in combat, viciously tearing at each other.

Lin Xi observed that both creatures were of Spirit Rank: one was the Flowing Bright Fire Spirit Elephant, and the other, the Hurricane Explosive Ape.

The Hurricane Explosive Ape was pounding its chest with its thick arms, issuing a deafening roar at the Flowing Bright Fire Spirit Elephant.

"Boom!"

Unyielding, the Flowing Bright Fire Spirit Elephant retaliated, thrashing its enormous trunk and charging with its sharp tusks.

Lin Xi turned to Zhengyi and inquired, "That ape—do you think we can take it down?"

Lin Zhengyi glanced at the towering ape, nodded confidently, and replied, "Absolutely certain."

Lin Xi's eyes gleamed with avarice as she surveyed the wounded Demonic Beasts nearby.

"Move out!"

No sooner had she spoken than Lin Xi and Lin Zhengyi vanished from their spot.

The Flowing Bright Fire Spirit Elephant had a chunk of flesh torn away by the Hurricane Explosive Ape, which also suffered, its chest bearing two gaping, blood-spurting wounds.

As the two Demonic Beasts paused to catch their breath, Lin Xi and Lin Zhengyi suddenly materialized before them.

Lin Xi clenched the Radiant Moon in her right hand, materializing before the Flowing Bright Fire Spirit Elephant only to vanish in the blink of an eye. The beast was instantly overwhelmed by a tidal wave of murderous intent.

It tried to brace itself, but it was a step behind. When Lin Xi reappeared, a dagger was embedded in the elephant's massive head.

The overwhelming sword intent that erupted from the dagger extinguished the life of the Flowing Bright Fire Spirit Elephant in an instant.

It collapsed to the ground.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhengyi faced the Hurricane Explosive Ape, bringing his hands together before unleashing a blade-like storm that engulfed the creature.

Blood and flesh were scattered in all directions, and within moments, the Hurricane Explosive Ape was devoid of life.

"Zhengyi, quickly gather the bodies. Someone's approaching. We need to move!" Lin Xi called out.

They acted swiftly, and the corpses vanished without a trace. Lin Xi then led Lin Zhengyi away from the scene.

Shortly after their departure, several individuals arrived at the site of the battle with the Demonic Beasts. Among them were the noble youths.

"Damn it, the Demonic Beasts have disappeared, and so has that kid Lin Xi!" Su Ziyu exclaimed, scanning the surroundings.

Jiang Yan remained composed, meticulously inspecting the battlefield. "It appears we've misjudged Lin Xi's capabilities. But taking on two Spirit Rank Demonic Beasts must have left her injured. She couldn't have gotten far. Let's pursue her."

"We cannot allow him to leave this place alive."