“I’ll use teleportation artifacts to cross this area, over thirty thousand miles, it should be enough,” Lin Yun murmured.
He had two Thousand Miles Vanishing Talismans originally, gave one to Mo Qing, leaving one, he’d used it once already, with two uses left—twenty thousand miles.
That left over ten thousand miles.
Among his spoils of war, Lin Yun had kept several teleportation artifacts, using them all up would cover the remaining distance.
“Teleporting through this central zone? That’s a solid idea!” Little Monkey’s eyes lit up.
“Except for the core area, where I’ll teleport, the rest I’ll have to cross on foot, still a long haul,” Lin Yun sighed.
Beyond the central zone, he faced over a hundred thousand miles, even on the shortest path.
By now, his plan to cross the Demonic Beast Mountain Range was taking shape.
“Little Master, this area is my master’s—the Celestial Demon’s—territory, if you run into trouble here, I can help, but beyond it, my aid will be limited,” Little Monkey pointed to a section on the map.
“Got it, Little Monkey, head back now, if the demon clan finds us meeting, you’ll be in trouble,” Lin Yun said.
“Little Master, I’ll go then, we’ll keep in touch via transmission,” Little Monkey replied.
Its main goal in coming was to deliver the map.
After it left, Lin Yun resumed his journey, divine sense still active.
…
Time flew by.
One year and three months later.
Fire Cloud Empire border.
A commander in armour stood gazing at the boundless Demonic Beast Mountain Range ahead.
Thousands of imperial soldiers stood behind him.
“Grand Commander, there’s been some odd activity in the range lately, no idea what’s up,” the vice commander said.
The Grand Commander nodded, eyes fixed on the range.
Just then, a young, lean figure emerged at the mountain’s base, catching his eye.
“Grand Commander, look! A person!” the vice commander exclaimed, pointing.
“How can there be someone!”
The thousands of soldiers erupted in shock at the sight.
“Commander Zhu, has anyone entered the range recently?” the Grand Commander asked, frowning.
“No, sir, not a soul in the past year, I can vouch for that!” the vice commander swore.
“Then how’s someone coming out?” the Grand Commander puzzled.
“Could it be a demon beast in human form, trying to sneak into our territory?” the vice commander suggested.
“Go, bring them in!” the Grand Commander waved.
“Yes, sir, I’m on it!”
“Seventh Squad, with me!”
The vice commander led a team towards the base.
At the mountain’s foot.
“Finally, sunlight again, feels good.”
Lin Yun stood there, gazing at the outside world, a rare smile breaking through.
For over a year, his constant vigilance eased at last.
This past year in the range had been a saga of trials.
The first half-month went smoothly, but after that, dangers piled up, he’d lost count of how many battles he’d fought.
Even teleporting through the core zone, near it, despite his caution, he’d been spotted multiple times, facing grave peril, suffering severe injuries, narrowly escaping with artifacts and tricks.
He’d even endured a sizable ambush, that flight a brutal, bloody affair.
Over this year, his face had gained a touch of grit and coldness.
Reflecting on it, he still felt a pang of awe.
How many beasts had he killed? From minor demons to formidable foes, the tally easily hit tens of thousands!
In that ambush alone, he’d slain thousands.
Killing, fleeing, hiding.
Those defined his year.
It was harsh, but invaluable, forging him anew.
Crossing the range should’ve thrilled him.
Yet now, he felt oddly calm, the year’s trials had tempered his spirit, made him more reserved.
“Getting out owes a lot to Little Monkey’s map and route, without them, I’d have had no shot,” Lin Yun sighed.
Even with the safer path, dodging most hazards, he’d nearly died several times.
Without that guidance, blindly stumbling forward, he’d have been doomed for sure!
Before leaving, he’d bid Little Monkey farewell via transmission, telling it to stay and cultivate in the range for now, plans to come later.
“Hmm?”
Spotting a squad of soldiers approaching, Lin Yun’s brow furrowed, snapping into alertness, ready to fight.
This year had honed his instincts razor-sharp!
The slightest stir put him on edge!
The squad landed, subtly encircling him.
“Who are you? Human or beast?” the vice commander in red armour barked.
“Genuine human,” Lin Yun replied.
“You claim you’re human? Liar! No one’s entered the range in a year!” the vice commander snapped.
“I came from the Xingwu Empire,” Lin Yun said.
“From the Xingwu Empire?”
The vice commander and soldiers froze.
“You… you mean you entered from Xingwu, crossed the entire range, and ended up here?” the vice commander stared.
“Exactly,” Lin Yun said, unruffled.
“Haha, absurd! Ridiculous! Crossing the range? Impossible!”
The vice commander burst into laughter.
His soldiers joined in, roaring with mirth.
Crossing the Demonic Beast Mountain Range? A colossal joke to them.
“Believe it or not, up to you,” Lin Yun said calmly.
“This isn’t about belief, we suspect you’re a demon—or a human bred by them!” the vice commander declared.
With a wave, “Take him back!”
Ten soldiers stepped forward to cuff him.
*Boom!*
Lin Yun unleashed his second-rank Mahayana aura.
His gaze hardened, a chilling stare sweeping over them.
Under that icy look, a terrifying killing intent flooded out!
