C15 Entering the Great Desolate Mountain

Among the dozen or so desperadoes, Guu Tianyi only feared Number 10.

His level was that of a Martial Master. The gap between a Martial Cultivator and a Martial Master was vast, akin to the difference between heaven and earth.

A Martial Cultivator at this stage would focus on cultivating the Dantian, storing Genuine Qi within it. Upon reaching the peak of Level Nine, the Dantian would be perfected. To break through to the next level involved a harrowing process: shattering the Dantian and forming the Martial Meridian.

Once the first Martial Meridian was fully formed, one would officially enter the Martial Master Stage.

The Genuine Qi within the Martial Meridian was more concentrated and of a much higher quality than that within the Dantian.

"Purple Polar Heavenly Flame Dragon!"

Guu Tianyi summoned the dragon, intending to flee, but at that moment, a golden light struck his back.

Despite activating his Martial Soul, he found himself unable to fly.

"That golden light was a No-fly Talisman!"

Guu Tianyi quickly realized. Without hesitation, he employed the Flame Dragon Transformation, scooped up Guu Linger, and bolted out the door.

He was well aware that his previous advantage at the Purple Flame House came from Number 10's underestimation of him. The desperado hadn't even used his Martial Skill before Guu Tianyi disabled his hand.

Yet, he wasn't gravely wounded. If he fought with full force, Guu Tianyi stood no chance.

And now, Guu Tianyi had Guu Linger to protect, while facing over ten highly skilled Level Nine Martial Cultivator desperadoes.

"Number 10, the kid's left the city. Do we report to the Master?" Number 35 arrived with reinforcements.

Their group now numbered eleven.

"Number 35, did you forget the Master's command? We must eliminate Guu Tianyi and Guu Linger at any cost. They could flee to the ends of the earth, but we won't cease the hunt until we see their bodies!"

In the pre-dawn darkness, Guu Tianyi blazed like a purple flame, darting across the landscape at breakneck speed.

Guu Linger clung to his neck, the wind roaring in her ears, yet she felt an unparalleled sense of security in his arms.

"Brother Tianyi, where are we headed?" Guu Linger inquired, gazing at the transformed Guu Tianyi.

"To the Great Desolate Mountain!"

Her body shivered at the mention.

The Great Desolate Mountain lived up to its name, a vast expanse of desolation stretching for miles. It was a haven for Demon Beasts and the sole refuge for fugitives from the Azure Nether Country.

The surrounding cities dreaded it. Without dire need, not even a Martial Ancestor Expert would willingly venture there.

"Brother Tianyi, are you suggesting we lay low in the Great Desolate Mountain for now? So the men in black won't dare follow us? Once they've gone, we could find a chance to return to Heavenly Fire City for assistance?" Guu Linger proposed.

Guu Tianyi flashed a toothy smile, his teeth sharpened by the Flame Dragon Transformation, and replied, "Silly girl, they're desperadoes, fearlessly courting death. They have Martial Master experts and over ten Level Nine powerhouses among them. Right now, I'm no match for them."

"We need to make our way into the Great Desolate Mountain; its complex terrain is our only chance to stand a fight against them. Linger, I'm sorry for dragging you into this peril with me."

Guu Linger raised her hand, silencing Guu Tianyi with a gentle press to his lips. Her eyes, large and brimming with resolve, met his as she spoke, "Brother Tianyi, you shouldn't talk like that. If it weren't for your need to protect me, they wouldn't have been able to capture you at all. I'm the one who's been a burden. So, please, no more talk like that in the future. Otherwise, it's as if you're resenting me!"

"Okay, Linger, we'll drop the subject. But I promise you, if danger comes our way, I'll be the first to lay down my life."

Ahead loomed the Great Desolate Mountain, resembling a colossal beast sprawled across the land, its myriad gaping maws ready to devour any creature that dared to venture within.

Not far off, the eleven shadowy figures in black continued their relentless pursuit of Guu Tianyi and Guu Linger, their eyes gleaming with a murderous thirst for blood.

For Guu Tianyi and Guu Linger, entering the Great Desolate Mountain meant stepping into a maelstrom of danger; to retreat was to face certain death.

"Number 10, that fool is seeking his own demise by plunging into the Great Desolate Mountain!"

The men in black watched as Guu Tianyi's silhouette vanished into the mountain's dense forest, inhaling sharply in disbelief. Even a Martial Ancestor would think twice before entering such a place. Guu Tianyi, a Level Seven Martial Cultivator, and Guu Linger, a mere mortal, were surely marching to their doom.

"Let's go!" commanded Number 10, his gaze steely with resolve. To these desperados, their master's command was sacrosanct.

Once inside the Great Desolate Mountain, Guu Tianyi canceled his Flame Dragon Transformation to avoid alerting any nearby Demon Beasts with the dragon's potent aura.

Guu Linger, who had spent her life sheltered within the walls of Guu Mansion, was now on edge, her nerves taut as bowstrings. Her small hands clung to Guu Tianyi, her gaze darting frantically, her face a canvas of terror.

Suddenly, a sinister hiss echoed from an ancient, gnarled tree. Guu Tianyi looked up to see a massive black python bearing down on them, its maw wide and hungry.

Even Guu Tianyi felt a surge of fear, and Guu Linger's scream tore through the silence.

"Fire Palm!" Guu Tianyi bellowed. With one arm, he secured Guu Linger's waist and retreated, while his other hand channeled Genuine Qi into a dark purple inferno that he hurled at the python.

Incredibly, the python swallowed the fiery assault whole, belching out plumes of green poison in response. Guu Tianyi's attack had done nothing to harm the beast.

"Damn it, our luck couldn't be worse. Right off the bat, we've stumbled upon a Rank Two Ferocious Beast, the Black Rock Python," Guu Tianyi cursed under his breath, shielding Guu Linger with his body.

All beings possess a spirit. Humans become martial cultivators through their practices, while other creatures that embark on the path of cultivation are known as Ferocious Beasts.

These Ferocious Beasts are categorized by their power. A Rank One Ferocious Beast matches the strength of a human Martial Cultivator from Level One to Seven. A Rank Two Ferocious Beast, on the other hand, is on par with a Martial Cultivator of Level Eight up to a Level Two Martial Master.

The Black Rock Python confronting Guu Tianyi was at the level of an early-stage Martial Master, slightly less formidable than Number 10, who was in hot pursuit of him.

Guu Tianyi stood a fighting chance if he was willing to battle to his last breath.

Yet, his greatest concern was the relentless group of pursuers on their trail.

"Brother Tianyi, we need to get out of here," pleaded Guu Linger, her lifelong fear of snakes causing her voice to quiver as she faced the Rank Two Ferocious Beast.

"Linger, we're on the outskirts of the Great Desolate Mountain's ancient forest. That creature's speed outmatches ours by far. Besides, this place is teeming with Demon Beasts. If we run into anything stronger, it's over for us," Tianyi cautioned.

"Relax. I can take down this Black Rock Python," he assured her.

"Purple Polar Heavenly Flame Dragon!"

The Purple Fire blazed to life. The dragon, now ten feet in size, exuded an emerging aura of might.

With a commanding gesture from Guu Tianyi, the Purple Polar Heavenly Flame Dragon soared toward Guu Linger and wrapped protectively around her. In the lawless Great Desolate Mountain, teeming with wild Demon Beasts, abandoning Linger meant certain death at the claws of even a Rank One Ferocious Beast.

The python's vertical pupils glinted with a brutal desire to kill. Its colossal form thrashed wildly, its scarlet tongue flicking in and out. The ancient trees, too thick for several men to encircle, would topple upon impact with its massive body.

"I don't need the Flame Dragon Transformation to defeat you. Purple Fire Dragon Seal!"

Channeling his Genuine Qi into his legs, Guu Tianyi leapt into the air and cast his spell mid-flight.

The roar of a dragon echoed as a Divine Dragon, forged entirely of purple flames, plummeted from the heavens. A thunderous crash followed, the python screamed, and dust billowed everywhere.

But before Guu Tianyi could touch the ground, a tail as sinewy as a withered vine swept viciously toward him.