Amid the gazes of a crowd, Lin Xiao calmly walked into their midst.
The crowd showed displeasure, secretly despising him in their hearts, thinking this young man had thick skin, entering so brazenly.
It seemed for the sake of survival, he had cast aside all dignity.
Lin Xiao could tell from their gazes that more than half held objections, but under the words of the woman and the grey-robed elder, they said little.
As he approached the graceful, beautiful woman and the grey-robed elder, the elder spoke to Lin Xiao, saying, “Young brother, to reach the sixth level of the Martial Monarch realm at such a young age, which prominent family’s disciple are you?”
“This junior, Lin Xiao, is merely from a small family. In our region, I’m considered somewhat talented and ventured out for training. I didn’t know this area was rampant with spirit beasts and nearly lost my life,” Lin Xiao said humbly.
These words were, naturally, false. Newly arrived in the Central Province, he could only conceal his identity.
His humility carried a hint of self-proclaimed genius and self-mockery, adding authenticity.
Hearing Lin Xiao’s words, the grey-robed elder pondered briefly, a fleeting, imperceptible expression crossing his face.
The others showed disappointment and disdain, except for the woman, whose expression remained unchanged.
The Lin family was unknown to them, clearly not a prominent clan.
“Thanks to the kindness of the senior and the young lady, otherwise, I might not have escaped this forest for who knows how long,” Lin Xiao shifted the topic, thanking them.
“To come to this place for training, what a bold idea!”
The graceful, beautiful woman sighed with exasperation, saying, “This area is teeming with spirit beasts. Sixth and seventh-tier spirit beasts often appear. For you to enter this forest alone and survive, you’re truly fortunate.”
Lin Xiao was somewhat surprised.
The presence of seventh-tier spirit beasts was indeed highly dangerous.
If he encountered ordinary early seventh-tier spirit beasts, it might be manageable, but facing powerful spirit beast races, or mid to high seventh-tier ones, even he would struggle to escape.
This forest was indeed extraordinary.
Fortunately, he had only encountered sixth-tier spirit beasts along the way, not seventh-tier ones.
“You’re indeed fortunate to have met us. Tong’er is kind-hearted and willing to take you along. Though this place is full of spirit beasts, some routes are relatively safe. Following our group, you should be able to leave this forest without issue,” the grey-robed elder beside her said.
Lin Xiao nodded in thanks.
“It’s a small matter,” the graceful woman named Tong’er said, unconcerned. “Don’t mind Elder Ze. He’s actually kind-hearted, just cautious for our safety.”
Lin Xiao nodded, unbothered by the Martial Emperor elder’s attitude. Caution toward strangers was normal.
“Young lady, let’s move. It’s not safe to linger here,” the Martial Emperor elder ahead urged impatiently.
The graceful woman nodded, and the group proceeded cautiously.
“By the way, with everyone so cautious and travelling on foot, what dangers are there in this place?” Lin Xiao couldn’t help but ask curiously as they walked.
“This area, spanning two to three thousand miles, is often roamed by a spirit boar. This boar is gluttonous and lustful. Though its cultivation comes from eating, it’s still an early seventh-tier spirit beast, not weak. To avoid it, we’re keeping a low profile,” the graceful woman explained. “But you needn’t worry too much. Though this spirit boar eats humans, it’s also greedy for wealth. Merchants passing through who pay sufficient tolls are usually allowed to pass. Even if we encounter it, it may not act against us.”
“It’s still an early seventh-tier spirit beast, so it’s somewhat dangerous. We avoid it if possible,” she added.
Lin Xiao understood why the group was so discreet. An early seventh-tier spirit beast roamed this area.
“There’s a valley ahead. Proceed carefully,” the Martial Emperor elder leading the group said, signalling for Lin Xiao and the others to quiet down.
Not long after, Lin Xiao and the group cautiously entered a valley.
The valley’s path was narrow, flanked by two steep peaks at the exit, making it a perilous spot.
The group quickened their pace, moving lightly. In a short time, they neared the exit.
But at that moment, a young man in white, with an elegant demeanour, slowly emerged from the side of the exit, blocking their path.
The man appeared to be in his mid-twenties, handsome and fair, fanning himself with a folding fan. His long hair fluttered lightly, and he wore a radiant smile, addressing the group, “Are you all trying to slip through my territory quietly?”
“Spirit boar!”
Seeing this, the group’s expressions grew tense.
From their reactions, Lin Xiao realised this fair-faced young man was the early seventh-tier spirit boar in human form.
Despite their cautious advance, they had encountered the spirit boar.
“Honourable sir, how could we sneak through your territory? We understand the rules here,” the Martial Emperor elder said, glancing at a middle-aged man beside him. The man nodded, cautiously stepping forward to hand over a storage ring.
The fair-faced youth took the ring, refraining from action, allowing the middle-aged man to retreat. His divine sense scanned the ring, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
“Please take care of us, honourable sir!” the Martial Emperor elder said politely, bowing.
The fair-faced youth smiled, saying, “Very well, you may pass.”
Hearing this, the group let out a collective sigh of relief.
Lin Xiao was surprised. Was it that easy to be let through?
But before they could move, the fair-faced youth pointed at Tong’er beside Lin Xiao, saying, “However, she stays.”
The group frowned, becoming wary again.
“Honourable sir…” the Martial Emperor elder began, but the fair-faced youth waved him off, muttering as if to himself, “Though plainly dressed, my nose is sharp. Such a prize is a rare find in my domain!”
His face now carried a lascivious expression, eyeing Tong’er like prey.
“A woman like this, no amount of wealth could make me part with her!” the fair-faced youth said with a mocking laugh, extending a hand to the side, saying, “So, please, go on!”
The group’s expressions darkened, their brows furrowing.
Clearly, the spirit boar had no intention of letting them pass easily.
“Honourable sir, we are from the Shangguan family, a lineage of spirit tamers. Please, for the sake of the Shangguan family, don’t make things difficult,” the Martial Emperor elder said firmly, invoking their family’s name as negotiation seemed futile.
“A spirit tamer lineage?” Lin Xiao’s heart stirred. This group was from the Shangguan family, another spirit tamer lineage in this region, besides the Ouyang family mentioned by the Jiang family?
Hearing the elder, the fair-faced youth smiled dismissively, saying, “The Shangguan family’s name carries weight, but they’re far from here. Their reach doesn’t extend to this place.”
