C18 Swift White Tiger

"Roar!"

As the Nether Wolf's teeth neared Qin Feng's face, a sudden roar erupted from behind the creature.

Sensing imminent danger, the Nether Wolf whirled around, fixing a ferocious gaze on the Giant Beast behind it. But its ferocity faded in an instant.

Before it stood a white tiger, larger than the Nether Wolf itself, with black stripes sharp as blades, and blue pupils emitting a chilling light. A white flame flickered on its tail. It bore an uncanny resemblance to Little Flowing Blade—no, it was identical.

Could this white tiger be Little Flowing Blade?

"Host, based on the body shape and compatibility, this white tiger and Flowing Blade share a 94.7% match. This white tiger is likely Little Flowing Blade," came the confirmation.

Qin Feng gaped at the white tiger, incredulous. He could hardly believe that the Little Tiger Cub he often cradled was in fact this colossal Giant Beast.

The Nether Wolf, inexplicably terrified of Flowing Blade, began to back away slowly.

Seizing the opportunity, Qin Feng hoisted the Glazed Night Sword and plunged it into the Nether Wolf's back. Black blood spattered across his face.

A pained howl from the wolf pierced the heavens.

In that moment, Qin Feng stumbled and tumbled off the cliff's edge.

Expecting to meet his end, a gust of wind rushed by his ear. Glancing sideways, he saw Flowing Blade leap after him, sprouting wings from its back and catching him mid-air, soaring upward.

"Roar ~"

In just an instant, the Giant Beast transformed back into Little Flowing Blade, emitting a soft cry.

Qin Feng now grasped the truth in Xuli's words: despite their adorable and harmless exteriors, Spirit Beasts possessed formidable powers.

Upon returning to the scene with Little Flowing Blade, Qin Feng found Aming and Fu Ye gone, along with the carriage, leaving behind only blood-stained dry grass.

A sense of urgency gripped Qin Feng. Had they encountered some disaster?

With this thought, Qin Feng extended his hand and traced a spell. A swirl of dark blue Profound Power condensed into a sphere and he thrust it forward.

Upon receiving another Feather Letter, Qin Feng was relieved to learn that Fu Ye, Aming, and the others were unharmed. They had managed to fend off some of the persistent masked men in black, but the assailants were relentless. For their safety, Fu Ye and his group had to find a place to hide.

Fu Ye and Aming were thrilled to hear that Qin Feng was safe, but their own security was precarious. They had no choice but to inform Qin Feng that they needed to part ways and planned to reunite in the Imperial Capital in a month's time.

Left with no other option, Qin Feng set out on foot, making his way to a small town near Sanskrit Sound City, a necessary stop on the route to the Imperial Capital.

"Buns! Freshly steamed buns!"

The town was bustling with vendors peddling an assortment of goods and enticing food that filled the air with inviting aromas.

Qin Feng's eyes were drawn to the pillowy buns in a steamer at one of the stalls. His stomach growled with hunger, having not eaten since noon, and even Little Flowing Blade slumped listlessly behind him.

"Hey there, sir, how about a few buns? They're fresh out of the steamer and still piping hot," the stall owner called out to Qin Feng with a beaming smile, noticing him lingering nearby.

"Sure, I'll take a basket," Qin Feng replied, a bit sheepishly.

As he moved forward, he was suddenly bumped into by a Young Beggar in ragged clothes, who was only up to Qin Feng's chest and looked incredibly frail. The child quickly muttered an apology.

"It's fine," Qin Feng reassured him, and the Young Beggar scampered off with a grin. Qin Feng watched the boy disappear into the distance, feeling a twinge of curiosity but quickly dismissing it.

Qin Feng devoured his meal voraciously, while Little Flowing Blade gnawed on some five-spice pork the vendor had kindly offered. After wiping the grease from his lips with his sleeve, Qin Feng noticed Little Flowing Blade had eaten itself into a stupor, belly up.

"Boss, let's settle the bill!"

No sooner had Qin Feng finished speaking than he reached for the inside of his belt, only to be struck with sudden alarm. The Secret Bag he always kept there had vanished without a trace.

This was serious. The Secret Bag held numerous Spirit Treasure Magic Artifacts and fragments of Spirit Treasures, essential for both forging and combat. It also contained a substantial amount of Black Gold Stones. The loss would be more than a minor setback.

Could the Young Beggar have stolen it? The realization hit Qin Feng like a bolt of lightning. Without hesitation, he pulled out some shards of Black Gold Stone from his lapels, scattered them on the table, and dashed off in pursuit of the Young Beggar.

...

Within the ruins of an old temple, the Young Beggar chuckled to herself, "What a fool."

She toyed with the golden pouch in her hands—the very Secret Bag Qin Feng had lost.

Her name was Shee Yun, a resident of Sanskrit Sound City, Mount Meng. Orphaned at a young age, she was taken in by an elderly beggar who raised her. The harshness of her life had turned her into a skilled pickpocket, stealing a fortune in Black Gold Stones and money from the locals. The lax law enforcement meant that even when caught and jailed, she was soon back on the streets, up to her old tricks.

Qin Feng really had to curse his luck; he'd run into a pickpocket the moment he set foot in town.

Shee Yun wiped the grime from her face, revealing a strikingly lovely visage. She was about to peek inside the Secret Bag when Qin Feng's voice stopped her in her tracks.

Breathless from the chase, Qin Feng had finally caught up to her.

Shee Yun turned to face the source of the voice, locking eyes with Qin Feng in a piercing gaze.

Qin Feng was taken aback; he had never expected the thief of his Secret Bag to be a beautiful young woman. He swallowed the harsh words he was about to hurl at her.

"Stealing is wrong, regardless of who you are," Qin Feng said, his eyebrows arching in frustration. "Why did you take my things?"

Caught off guard by Qin Feng's pursuit, Shee Yun quickly hid the Secret Bag behind her, as if fearing he might snatch it back at any moment.

"Give it back to me," Qin Feng demanded.

"What's yours? Once I have it, it's mine," Shee Yun retorted, her face flushing with defiance as she spoke loudly.

"You are utterly irrational!" Qin Feng had never encountered a woman like her, who not only refused to acknowledge her wrongdoing but also persisted in her error. Compared to Lian Yan, she was not just a little worse, but a hundred times so. In fact, there was no comparison at all.

Qin Feng attempted to retrieve his Secret Bag, but Shee Yun let out a loud cry and stepped back.

"If you come any closer, I'll scream harassment!" Shee Yun glared, attempting to intimidate Qin Feng with her fierce demeanor.

"Why must you be this way?" Qin Feng muttered, raking his fingers through his hair in frustration.