99: Mountain of Beasts

Lin Feng slowly opened his eyes, a faint icy blue light swirling around his body before dissipating.

After several days of closed-door cultivation, he had initially grasped the introductory techniques of the "Ice Soul Divine Light," and the extreme cold power condensed at his fingertips was enough to freeze metal and stone in an instant.

Meanwhile, on Beast Taming Peak.

Xiao Qinghan received an invitation to the "Spirit Beast Exchange Ceremony" from Hundred Beasts Mountain. As one of the outstanding members of the younger generation in the Sect's beast-taming path, it was only natural that she would be invited.

However, as she looked at the invitation, a thought sprouted in her heart: this might be a rare opportunity to travel with Junior Brother Lin Feng, spend a long time together, and deepen their bond.

Since fighting side-by-side at the Molten Fire Fissure last time, Lin Feng's figure often appeared in her mind. She knew that Lin Feng seemed quite dull regarding matters of the heart; if she did not take the initiative, she feared it would be difficult for their relationship to progress.

After much deliberation, she summoned her courage and sought out her Revered Master, True Person Jing Yu.

True Person Jing Yu had a gentle disposition and was quite fond of this beloved disciple. Hearing Xiao Qinghan stammer and explain her intention with slightly reddened cheeks—hoping to invite Junior Brother Lin Feng from Baoyue Peak to accompany her—True Person Jing Yu was slightly taken aback at first, but then a hint of a smile appeared in her eyes.

"Oh? My Qinghan is... finally starting to understand?" True Person Jing Yu teased, watching her disciple's ears turn bright red, and could not help but chuckle and shake her head.

"Since you have finally waited for such a moment, it is only right to be proactive. That Lin Feng is indeed a good child; his Heart-Nature is steady, and his Foundation is solid. He recently joined the disciples of Yunmiao Peak and is a worthy candidate for a Dao Companion. Since you have this intention, as your Revered Master, I will naturally help you."

True Person Jing Yu was decisive; she rose immediately, transformed into a stream of light, and headed to Yunmiao Peak to confer with Lu Yuchan, facilitating the trip to Hundred Beasts Mountain for her beloved disciple Xiao Qinghan and Lin Feng.

Almost at the same time True Person Jing Yu left Yunmiao Peak, a communication talisman pierced through the clouds and landed outside Lin Feng's Immortal Cave on Baoyue Peak.

Lin Feng had just awakened from a brief period of meditation. He took the communication talisman and heard his Revered Master Lu Yuchan's voice ring out.

"Hundred Beasts Mountain is hosting a Spirit Beast Exchange Ceremony, and Xiao Qinghan from Beast Taming Peak will be attending. You are to accompany her to broaden your horizons and provide some protection."

Lin Feng was slightly taken aback. He had heard of the name Hundred Beasts Mountain; it was a small Sect specializing in beast taming, located northwest of the Tianxuan Sect, and was usually inconspicuous. Why did his Revered Master want him to accompany Senior Sister Xiao from Beast Taming Peak?

Besides, Senior Sister Xiao was at the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, while he was only at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage. Lin Feng shook his head awkwardly.

Although he had doubts in his heart, he did not think too much about it, assuming it was a routine Sect mission, so he tidied up and headed to the agreed-upon location.

Xiao Qinghan was already waiting, stepping on a giant feather that shimmered with a cyan-green radiance. Seeing him arrive, a smile rippled through her bright eyes, and she waved enthusiastically.

Seeing this, Lin Feng lowered his Escaping Light and landed beside her, a pale gold wine gourd appearing beneath his feet.

The feather beneath Xiao Qinghan's feet flashed with light, and she swept off toward the northwest first. She habitually channeled her spiritual power, causing the feather's speed to increase sharply, stirring up a breeze.

However, a glance from the corner of her eye revealed that the gourd was silently keeping pace with her, and even... appeared exceptionally composed.

She was slightly surprised and subconsciously added a bit more spiritual power, causing the feather beneath her to shine with brilliant cyan light as its speed increased again. But when she turned her head to look, Lin Feng was still standing steadily on the gourd, his robes not even fluttering much; the distance between the gourd and her had not changed in the slightest.

This time, Xiao Qinghan's fingers, which were holding the spell seal, tightened. She had always been quite confident in her flight speed, and this feather was a gift from her Revered Master; to think it was being so easily kept up with by a seemingly plain gourd?

She couldn't help but turn her head to take another look at the wine gourd, secretly shocked in her heart: Junior Brother Lin's... flight Magic Treasure is definitely not an ordinary item.

The two were not in a hurry to reach their destination, sometimes lowering their Escaping Light to pause briefly on mountain peaks shrouded in clouds and mist. Xiao Qinghan would always point at some deep valley shimmering with spiritual light or birds passing through the sky, speaking with great interest. Several days passed quietly during this leisurely journey.

Along the way, Lin Feng spent most of his time quietly listening to the soft laughter and explanations of the woman beside him. He noticed that Senior Sister Xiao seemed even more... cheerful than usual, though he didn't know why she seemed completely unhurried about their journey.

Several days later, the terrain ahead gradually changed, and the mountains became gentler. A mountain gate shrouded in the soft radiance of a Formation appeared at the end of their view, and the clear calls of Spirit Beasts and the clamor of human voices could be faintly heard.

Hundred Beasts Mountain had arrived.

As soon as they stepped into the mountain gate, a refreshing aura washed over them. Rare flowers and exotic grasses dotted the landscape, streams murmured, and all kinds of gentle and cute Spirit Beasts were either playing in the woods or affectionately snuggling beside Cultivators.

A young girl dressed in a goose-yellow dress, with lively eyes and a bright smile, hurried up to meet them. Her gaze locked directly onto Xiao Qinghan, and she took her arm: "Sister Qinghan. You finally came. I've been counting the days and looking forward to this for a long time."

She then looked at Lin Feng beside them, her eyes filled with a bit of curiosity and scrutiny, and asked with a smile: "Sister Qinghan, who is this Fellow Daoist...? Could it be that Junior Brother you mentioned in your previous message?"

As she spoke, she secretly pinched Xiao Qinghan's arm lightly with her fingers and winked mischievously.

A blush rose on Xiao Qinghan's cheeks. She quietly swatted away Yan Yuerong's mischievous hand and gave her a reproachful glare before turning to Lin Feng, introducing her as naturally as possible: "Junior Brother Lin, this is Junior Sister Yan Yuerong. We have known each other for many years, and she is the most... lively and active."

She then introduced him to Yan Yuerong: "Yuerong, this is Junior Brother Lin Feng."

Upon hearing this, Yan Yuerong's eyes lit up, and she immediately cupped her hands toward Lin Feng: "So it is Senior Brother Lin. Welcome, welcome. Sister Qinghan hasn't praised you little... uh..."

She was halfway through her sentence when she was secretly pinched on the arm by Xiao Qinghan, so she quickly changed her words, though the mischief in her eyes grew stronger: "...She hasn't said little about how outstanding the fellow Sect members of the Tianxuan Sect are. Seeing you today, it truly lives up to its reputation."

As she spoke, she leaned closer to Xiao Qinghan and "whispered" in a volume that everyone present could hear clearly: "Sister, what were you nervous about just now? I haven't said anything yet."

Xiao Qinghan's cheeks were crimson. She gave her an annoyed glare and whispered: "Yan Yuerong. If you talk nonsense again, next time I bring 'Ningbi Pill,' there won't be any for you."

Yan Yuerong immediately made a gesture of surrender, shaking Xiao Qinghan's arm: "Good sister, I was wrong, I was wrong. The Ningbi Pill is essential. Senior Brother Lin, please put in a good word for me."

Facing this sudden mention, Lin Feng was slightly stunned and did not speak.

Yan Yuerong blinked. Just as she was about to say something else, her older brother Yan Xingyuan, who was beside her, gave a timely, light cough: "Yuerong, do not be naughty. Father is still waiting; let us first lead our two distinguished guests into the mountain."

Yan Yuerong stuck out her tongue, restraining herself a bit, but still affectionately held Xiao Qinghan's hand:

"Alright, alright, I know. Sister Qinghan, Senior Brother Lin, please follow me. I will take you to see the most beautiful Spirit Beasts at this ceremony; I guarantee you will have your eyes opened."