105: Xie Ning, dancing at the forefront of the wave

After fighting Zhao Long and Ye Feiyu one after another, Xie Ning was well aware of his lack of strength. Upon returning to the dormitory, he did not waste any time and began his day's Cultivation.

From the scorching sun to the cool moonlit night, he continued his Cultivate session until there was a slight movement outside the window.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked toward the window.

Outside the window, a seductive humanoid creature with purple hair, purple clothes, and small demon horns on her head sat on the courtyard wall watching him. It was a Succubus.

"Oh! It seems I've been discovered."

The Succubus suddenly teased, licking her lips with a charming face, then flew up and fled into the distance.

"Stop!"

Xie Ning shouted, leaped out the window, and cast a Beast Taming Skill on Little Mantis. His speed surged instantly as he chased after the Succubus.

He suspected this Succubus was the 'person' who had hit Fei Shanqiu earlier. Moreover, appearing outside his window in the middle of the night, how could he let her leave?

One man and one demon moved rapidly. Little Mantis would occasionally intercept out of thin air to stop the other from escaping, but even so, the opponent's speed was still not slow.

Suddenly, the opponent changed direction midway and flew toward the back mountain of Lingnan Academy, a place full of various Yao Beasts.

Xie Ning frowned, gritted his teeth, and followed, his speed increasing even more.

Just as he reached the mountainside and was about to intercept her, an ancient-style courtyard appeared. The Succubus flipped and jumped into the yard.

Seeing this, Xie Ning couldn't help but hesitate.

Someone who could build a courtyard and live on this back mountain where Yao Beasts roamed must be powerful. Entering rashly without knowing their identity could cause trouble.

Just as Xie Ning hesitated, a familiar voice came from the yard:

"Come in."

The gate slowly opened.

With a look of surprise, Xie Ning walked into the courtyard.

As soon as he stepped inside, Little Mantis immediately protected him, warily watching the Xingshui Lynx resting on the lawn.

Beside the Xingshui Lynx, Yan Ruyu sat in casual home clothes. Her loose hair lacked the seriousness of the day, instead adding a touch of lazy beauty.

"Teacher, sorry for the late-night intrusion."

Yan Ruyu pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "It's fine."

At this moment, she was completely different from what Xie Ning usually saw, appearing a bit more gentle. However, Xie Ning also knew that wasn't directed at him.

"How did you end up outside my courtyard?" Yan Ruyu asked.

"While I was cultivating at night, a Succubus ran into my yard. I wanted to stop her and ask what was going on, but she was extremely fast. I chased her all the way here and saw her flip into this courtyard." After explaining, Xie Ning asked another question: "Is that Succubus your Demon Tamers Beast?"

Yan Ruyu shook her head slightly: "No, I don't have a Succubus Demon Tamers Beast. But don't worry too much; that Succubus didn't hurt you, so she likely has no ill intent toward you."

"Then I must have misunderstood." Even as Xie Ning said this, he was suspicious. He glanced around, but the System gave no prompts.

During the chase just now, he hadn't had time to check her attributes. He didn't know what kind of Succubus she was, but her speed was actually on par with Little Mantis.

Yan Ruyu saw that Xie Ning didn't believe her but didn't explain further. Instead, she asked, "You probably had questions for me during the day, right?"

"Yes, I did originally, but seeing the Xingshui Lynx, I understand now."

After Xie Ning finished, Yan Ruyu paused and then nodded: "True, you are an Intermediate Cultivator; you should be able to tell."

"How long has it been in this condition?"

Yan Ruyu looked up slightly at the moon in the sky, as if reminiscing about the past. After a while, she said, "Five years. It was injured at the end of a rescue mission and has been surviving on earth cracking beast inner cores."

"Five years?!" Xie Ning's pupils constricted as he cried out in shock.

When was five years ago?

It was exactly when Qingyun Town encountered the beast tide.

Could the Xingshui Lynx... have been injured while fighting the Black-Robed Person back then?

"Are you surprised?"

"Ah, no, no, uh... I mean, I am quite surprised. After all, very few survive such injuries, and to endure for five years is even rarer!" As Xie Ning spoke, he turned his gaze back to the Xingshui Lynx.

At this moment, he couldn't help but feel admiration for this Demon Tamers Beast.

[Yao Beast Name] Xingshui Lynx

[Yao Beast Grade] Monarch Medium Grade

[Yao Beast Rank] Platinum Rank 1

[Yao Beast Attribute] Water

[Yao Beast Weakness] Earth

[Yao Beast Status] Endangered (Injuries can be recovered by consuming Earth-Shaking Beast series inner elixirs)

[Yao Beast Talent] Water Luck, Giantization

[Yao Beast Description] Evolved from the Water-type Lynx of the Lynx tribe... [Evolution Paths] 8

The Xingshui Lynx's condition had reached a breaking point, barely clinging to life. To save it, a large number of Earth-Shaking Beast series inner elixirs were needed, which happened to include its lower evolution—the Earth-Splitting Beast.

No wonder Yan Ruyu was so desperate for the earth cracking beast inner core.

"Yes, five years... thanks to your inner elixir last time, otherwise it wouldn't have lasted until now." Yan Ruyu's eyes were gentle as she stroked the Xingshui Lynx's withered fur. After a moment's thought, she turned and cautioned, "But don't feel too much pressure. Your priority is to improve your strength. If you go to the Secret Realm, you must prioritize your life and not take risks."

Seeing the Xingshui Lynx's state and thinking of Yan Ruyu's situation, Xie Ning couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, regarding the Houtu Secret Realm suddenly banning Gold-rank Demon Tamers from entering, could it be..."

"I know what you want to ask..." Yan Ruyu paused, frowning slightly, then nodded. "There are indeed some people who don't want me to get the earth cracking beast inner core. But that level of power is not something you should consider now. Knowing too much isn't good for you. Just focus on your Cultivation."

Xie Ning felt uneasy after hearing this, but he had to admit Yan Ruyu was right. With his current strength, he really couldn't touch matters at that level. Even she, a Platinum Rank powerhouse, couldn't oppose those who didn't want her to obtain the earth cracking beast inner core.

"Are there no more Earth-Splitting Beasts or Earth-Shaking Beasts elsewhere on the continent?" Xie Ning asked again.

Yan Ruyu replied, "Earth-Splitting Beasts or their higher evolution, Earth-Shaking Beasts, are native Yao Beasts and weren't numerous to begin with. Ever since Shui Li was injured, those Yao Beast groups have been hunted down, yet not a single corresponding inner elixir has appeared on the market."

The meaning was self-evident.

Someone was waiting for her Xingshui Lynx to 'naturally' die from its injuries.

It seemed the Earth-Splitting Beasts in the Secret Realm were Yan Ruyu's last hope.

Xie Ning fell into deep thought. He had a feeling he had stumbled into something extraordinary, with a vortex right in front of him.

If he backed away and distanced himself from Yan Ruyu, he would be safe, and she wouldn't blame him. If he helped her, he would be drawn in, like a leaf on the surging waves, either sinking or setting sail.

Watching Yan Ruyu tenderly care for the Xingshui Lynx, talking to it and comforting it, and hearing the reluctance in her voice to let go, Xie Ning thought of Little Mantis.

He and Little Mantis had also depended on each other for years, surviving several narrow escapes when they were weak.

If he were Yan Ruyu, if Little Mantis were like the Xingshui Lynx, slowly dying... After just a few seconds of imagining it, Xie Ning was suddenly startled, breaking into a cold sweat. The feeling was like having a massive nightmare.

Looking at Yan Ruyu's back, thinking of how many times she had sought and purchased lower-grade earth cracking beast inner cores to keep her partner alive for five years, only to watch it perish now... No! This will not happen!

"I want to help you bring back all the earth cracking beast inner cores!"

Xie Ning smiled faintly, his tone becoming firm.

Perhaps this task was difficult, but he had to try, didn't he?

Not just to repay her kindness, but because he didn't want this tragedy to happen.

Perhaps this would place him in the eye of the storm, but at least he would have peace of mind.

If it's a vortex, then swim against the current; if it's a vast sea, the one who braves the wind and waves will stand at the peak when they win!

He was all alone; who was he afraid of!