116. Years in the Mountains

116. Time in the Mountains

Qi Fei had been diligently cultivating his martial arts within the Dong Mansion all this time. Although there was no sign of advancing to the transformation stage, the daily practice brought him immense benefits. Both his spiritual cultivation and martial skills were steadily strengthening day by day. On this day, Qi Fei was fully immersed in refining the "Ten Thousand Blades Return to the Sect" saber technique.

Although the Dong Mansion lacked provisions, the surrounding mountains offered wild fruits and demon beasts to sustain them. After several days, Qi Fei and Tong He had eaten well, drinking from mountain springs and roasting demon beasts. In this blooming mountainous paradise, they lived enviably.

The only drawback was the absence of the fragrant, potent wine. Tong He smacked his lips, wiped the oil from his mouth, and continued tearing into the wild chicken in his hands. While eating, he kept glancing at Qi Fei inside the mansion.

“This feeling... is simply extraordinary.” Qi Fei clenched his fist, sensing every muscle, every drop of blood and bone in his body brimming with explosive power. Though he had yet to fully understand the fourfold restriction zone’s nature, this tangible surge of strength compelled him to raise his head and roar. His left hand swiftly grasped the saber’s hilt; in a flash, he executed the drawing saber stance.

Qi Fei shouted, “Break for me!” This strike unleashed the full might of the drawing saber technique. The blade light flashed and descended in an instant, and wherever his saber swept, the oppressive weight within the restricted space seemed utterly cleansed by his strike. The blade’s arc appeared effortless yet incredibly swift. To the naked eye, only a faint chilling gleam resembling a sudden darkness from the abyss could be discerned—nothing more.

“So the fourfold restricted space is actually this simple!” Without waiting for Tong He’s evaluation, Qi Fei knew he had conquered this fourfold restriction zone. Laughing heartily to the heavens, he wasted no time and strode forward eagerly. Riding on this overwhelming power, he was impatient to conquer the sixfold or even eightfold restricted spaces.

“What a clever youth, knowing how to harness momentum and go with the flow. If he perseveres for half a year, he should reach the entry level.” Watching Qi Fei’s back, Tong He smiled contentedly, then leisurely activated the Dong Mansion’s mechanisms to observe its interior and surroundings before muttering to himself, “How long this journey is! That little centipede still hasn’t completed the evolution into the eight-winged centipede. Looks like my own body reconstruction will have to wait a while longer!”

At this time, spring had awakened all beings; flora flourished exuberantly. In this prime season of March, after hibernating all winter, the demon beasts of the Demon Beast Mountain Range began stirring. With the earth completely thawed, the great caves opened, and the beasts either sought food or frolicked leisurely, reviving the entire mountain range in vibrant prosperity.

As demon beasts grew active, they naturally attracted cultivators who depended on the mountains for survival. During this season, hunting teams had long ventured into the seventh-tier demon beast territories to capture the desired demon beast crystal cores. Leading nineteen members, the top-tier cultivator Han Menghai advanced cautiously. Suddenly, raising one hand to signal silence, he scanned the surroundings carefully before quietly saying, “Everyone be vigilant. We have entered the seventh-tier demon beast activity zone. According to intelligence, the Golden-Silver Wolf King should be roaming within a hundred-mile radius nearby. That little creature is cunning beyond measure; we must avoid alerting it.”

Hearing his orders, Liu Fengyan, by Han Menghai’s side, bit his lip and said, “Captain, you said that creature is at least an eighth-tier demon beast, possibly even ninth-tier. Plus, it commands at least hundreds of seventh-tier dragonfish. Can our twenty-person team really take on hundreds of demon beasts equivalent to first-tier entry-level cultivators? Isn’t this mission too dangerous?”

Before Han Menghai could answer, another man, also named Liu Fengyan, sneered, “If the mission weren’t dangerous, would the Marquis offer such a massive bounty? If it weren’t dangerous, how could so many first-tier cultivators gather here? Moreover, the Marquis sent Elder Yun to assist. If the Marquis cares to dispatch help, this matter is not to be taken lightly.”

This string of retorts left the first Liu Fengyan speechless but roused the anger of a young man named Ma Fengyun. “Liu Fengyan, you only joined this hunting team to curry favor with the Marquis. I’m not saying this to offend you, but you’ve stagnated at the first-tier entry-level for nearly ten years—a waste. If I were captain, I’d never want you. We are facing hundreds, even thousands, of seventh-tier demon beasts. Your jibber-jabber is useless!”

“You...” Liu Fengyan blushed purple with embarrassment. He knew Ma Fengyun, though barely past twenty, was already at the peak of the first-tier mid-level realm, nearly a top-tier high-level cultivator. His martial prowess placed him among the top three in the hunting team, and he enjoyed respect from both the captain and Elder Yun. Faced with such a figure, Liu Fengyan dared only to bear his anger in silence.

Ma Fengyun cast a disdainful glance at him.

The rest of the hunt team seemed accustomed to such exchanges, all tacitly lowering their heads and quietly continuing the march. However, not far ahead, an elderly man of about sixty, who had blended into the team, suddenly stiffened and shouted, “Everyone, be alert! A large pack of demon beasts is approaching!”

Han Menghai’s question echoed everyone’s thoughts. As soon as the elder’s warning fell, all eyes focused on him—Elder Yun. Without hesitation, the team formed a diamond-shaped defensive formation. Han Menghai stood at the command point, frowning as he asked, “Elder Yun, can you pinpoint the location and estimate the number of demon beasts? Please provide the most detailed information so I can deploy the team accordingly.”

From his teammates’ gazes, one could see respect, admiration, and envy. Elder Yun clearly held high status within the team, and all trusted his words implicitly. Accustomed to such regard, Elder Yun took a deep breath and said quietly, “The heavy sound of footsteps indicates several hundred demon beasts. They are approximately a mile to our left front and appear to be heading straight for us. Soon, you should hear their approach.”

Indeed, moments later, Han Menghai’s ears twitched. His expression changed drastically as he ordered, “Draw weapons and stay alert! This must be the Golden-Silver Wolf pack we sought—several hundred strong. The Wolf King among them likely doesn’t reach ninth-tier. Everyone hold the defense. Just withstand the charge of the seventh-tier wolves; Elder Yun and I will handle the rest.”

He then drew a long spear resembling a water-dividing thorn, standing calmly. For a top-tier high-level cultivator like him, several hundred Golden-Silver Wolves posed little mortal threat.

Even if the pack included an eighth-tier Wolf King, it would be equivalent to a first-tier mid-level cultivator at best. With Elder Yun’s aid, Han Menghai was confident not only in survival but also in completing the mission and claiming the huge reward.

The first-tier entry-level cultivators in the team would have to fend for themselves. Those seeking great rewards surely accepted the risk of perishing in the Demon Beast Mountains.

Soon, the left front stirred, and after everyone gripped their weapons tightly, the Golden-Silver Wolves appeared. Contrary to rumors, they did not immediately attack but halted in formation, confronting the hunting team like a disciplined battalion.

“This is bad. Judging by their formation, there must be a Wolf King among them. Should we strike first or hold our ground?” Elder Yun frowned but then relaxed and turned to Han Menghai for orders.

Though dispatched as backup by the Marquis, Elder Yun knew his place was to obey the team captain’s command. Han Menghai’s appointment as captain showed the Marquis’s trust in his leadership. In battle, obeying the captain was crucial. The Demon Beast Mountains were fraught with danger; even someone as strong as Elder Yun could easily perish here if careless.

The mountains were home not only to countless demon beasts but also to mysterious things rarely seen by ordinary people. Over the ages, the Demon Beast Mountains had claimed countless strong heroes’ lives.

Elder Yun’s composed attitude earned Han Menghai’s deep respect. Taking a deep breath and gathering his thoughts, Han Menghai suddenly shouted, “Everyone, attack! Capture the Golden-Silver Wolf King, and our months of toil will be rewarded!”

The cry lifted the team’s morale. They shouted eagerly to finish quickly and return to worldly pleasures. Yet, just as they charged forward, Elder Yun suddenly stiffened and shouted at a thick branch of a large tree, “Friend, hiding your head and tail here, are you trying to fish in troubled waters?!”

His sudden, eerie shout startled everyone. Fortunately, the disciplined team halted at once. Han Menghai looked toward the towering tree and replied in a low voice, “We are a patrol hunting team dispatched by the Marquis’s estate. May I ask who lurks nearby with ill intent?”

His words were tactful, asserting their identity and backing while signaling resolve.

Indeed, in the Demon Beast Mountains, one did not trifle with such matters. If someone lurked nearby with ulterior motives, waiting for the team to be embroiled in battle and weakened, it would threaten not only the mission’s success but their very lives. The fact that only Elder Yun seemed aware of this presence suggested the hidden one was a top-tier high-level cultivator, if not a stronger innate talent.

Despite Elder Yun’s reprimand, he felt no presence from the hidden figure, relying only on the elder’s words for response—another sign of their formidable strength.

Fortunately, the concealed person seemed affected by Han Menghai’s words. As Han’s voice fell, a light “hmm” sounded from the tree. Then a faint, ethereal voice echoed from all directions: “People from the Marquis’s estate... Is that hunting team from the estate of Marquis Yingwu and Princess Hanyi?”

“Yes,” Elder Yun responded, though puzzled by the inquiry. Since the hidden figure knew of Marquis Yingwu and Princess Hanyi, they likely respected the Marquis’s power.

Now that the concealed person spoke, they probably harbored no ill intent toward the team. Elder Yun guessed they shared a similar purpose. After acknowledging the team’s identity, the voice paused before softly saying, “Since you serve Marquis Yingwu and Princess Hanyi, for their sake, you should withdraw for now. The Golden-Silver Wolf King is beyond your capacity. If you cannot negotiate a truce, inform Princess Hanyi and thank her for the Dragon Bone Essence she once bestowed upon me.”

“That... doesn’t seem appropriate. Please reveal yourself,” Elder Yun hesitated, unsure how to respond.

From the voice, Elder Yun discerned the speaker was an old acquaintance of the two ladies, possibly emotionally involved. Yet, since the speaker said this, their relationship must be limited. After steadying himself and exchanging a glance with Han Menghai, Elder Yun gravely replied, “If you know our two ladies, please do not hinder us. This mission to capture the Golden-Silver Wolf King is critical. We must complete it.”

Though his tone softened, it clearly conveyed they would not abandon the mission. Elder Yun figured that, though outnumbered, their combined strength could restrain the hidden figure, giving them a good chance at victory.

His insistence, however, was met with a disdainful chuckle from the shadows. The scene fell silent briefly before the voice sneered, “So you rely on numbers. Twenty people, only one innate talent among you; such a small expeditionary team. Eradicating you is as easy as flipping a palm.”

“Flipping a palm, you say? What a bold claim!” Before Elder Yun could respond, Han Menghai angrily shouted, having no fear despite knowing the opponent was a top-tier innate talent. Pointing to his team, he challenged the figure in the tree, “I’d like to see how you plan to wipe out all twenty of us so easily!”

“Want to see?” The figure on the tree chuckled, then whistled. “Wolves, show these outsiders your strength!”

“Si si!” Strange snarls rose nearby in response.

Moments later, to Han Menghai and the team’s horror, the Golden-Silver Wolves—already lined up perfectly—howled in unison, their blood-red eyes blazing fiercely. The name “Golden-Silver Wolf” derived from their eyes turning bright red when enraged, signaling a reckless, all-or-nothing attack that disregarded defense.

“Someone can actually control the Golden-Silver Wolves?!” a terrified shout erupted from within the hunting party, leaving most, including Elder Yun and Han Menghai, stunned.