「Half a month later.」

Atop a mountain peak over a hundred zhang high, three people and one wolf stood shoulder to shoulder, all of them covered in wounds.

Half a month of life-and-death experiences had made Qin Feiyang's combat instincts increasingly formidable. Although he now had only one arm, his methods were even more ruthless than before. Moreover, his cultivation had just made another breakthrough, stepping into the Five-Star Martial Ancestor realm!

Fatty and Lu Hong were already numb to it.

Comparing people is truly infuriating.

They felt helpless against this monster.

However, they too had made considerable gains. Over the past half-month, Qin Feiyang and the Wolf King had handled most of the fighting, while Fatty and Lu Hong assisted by finishing off weakened enemies. This gradually cultivated their combat awareness. Perhaps it wouldn't be long before they possessed true combat instincts.

Combat awareness and combat instinct were not the same concept. Combat awareness meant having rich practical experience; when facing opponents of the same cultivation realm, one's chances of victory were greater. Combat instinct, on the other hand, referred to the body's reflexive ability. During a battle, the body would make the correct counter-attack at the earliest opportunity, without conscious thought.

Furthermore, both of them had also reached the Nine-Star martial master realm. As for the Wolf King, although its cultivation hadn't progressed much, its combat instinct was nearly on par with Qin Feiyang's.

Fatty clenched his fists, saying excitedly, "Boss, Master Fatty has waited for this moment for a long time."

How could he not be excited about finally being able to open the Door of Potential? Once the Door of Potential was opened, his cultivation speed would skyrocket. He might not match Qin Feiyang's speed, but surpassing those martial prodigies would be more than enough.

"Don't get too excited too soon," Lu Hong mercilessly poured cold water on his enthusiasm. "It's true you've broken through to Nine-Star martial master, but without a War Emperor, how can you open the Door of Potential?"

"I've already thought about this problem," Qin Feiyang said with a smile. "We'll go find the Emperor Level Fierce Beasts in the Central Region and ask for their help."

Fatty chuckled. "The Boss is always farsighted."

"Will they help us?" Lu Hong was worried. "Even if they were willing, I'm afraid we wouldn't even make it to the Central Region."

By now, the auras of the Fierce Beasts they could sense were all unfathomably deep. Without a doubt, they were all War King-level Fierce Beasts. To cross this region and enter the Central Region, one would have to be able to fly. Even then, successfully flying across wasn't guaranteed, as there were many Fierce Birds that could also fly.

"Can't you have a little faith in me?" Qin Feiyang looked helplessly at Lu Hong.

Why does this girl always have to be such a wet blanket?

Next, he sent Fatty and Lu Hong into the ancient castle. Then he and the Wolf King snuck towards the Central Region.

Indeed, they were stealthily infiltrating the Central Region.

Although he was bold, he knew his own limits; he had no chance of victory against War King-level Fierce Beasts.

The Wolf King had a keen sense of smell and could detect the scent of Fierce Beasts in advance. When encountering powerful beings, they would take detours or hide in the ancient castle to wait them out. Therefore, the journey was perilous, but they passed through without major incident.

「Five days later.」

Following a scent, the Wolf King led Qin Feiyang to the foot of a colossal, thousand-zhang peak. The Wolf King stealthily glanced around. Seeing no Fierce Beasts, it let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Xiao Qinzi, there's a terrifying aura on the mountaintop. Are you ready?"

Qin Feiyang nodded.

The man and wolf immediately set off, climbing towards the peak. On the way, they didn't encounter a single Fierce Beast, not even an insect. An deathly silence pervaded the area.

From this, Qin Feiyang deduced that the Fierce Beast atop the mountain must be a Beast Emperor, because other Fierce Beasts wouldn't dare trespass on a Beast Emperor's territory.

「Less than an hour later.」

The man and wolf finally reached the summit. As they looked around, they saw towering ancient trees and lush green grass growing thickly. Blooming wildflowers exuded an intoxicating fragrance. It was a tranquil and harmonious place.

However, the man and wolf felt their hearts leap into their throats. Dozens of meters away, on a massive, smooth black boulder that shone like a mirror, a Fierce Bird lay sprawled!

It had the form of a falcon but the head of a lion. Its body was a good dozen meters long, and its black feathers, like pieces of silk, shimmered with a splendid luster.

"Lion Headed Hawk!" Qin Feiyang swallowed hard and managed to utter the name. The Lion Headed Hawk, with its hawk body and lion head, was notoriously ferocious. Qin Feiyang had never imagined they would encounter such a terrifying creature.

The Lion Headed Hawk also opened its eagle eyes. It looked at the man and wolf as if they were a delicious meal, its eyes flashing with a brilliant light.

"Sorry to disturb you. We'll leave right away," Qin Feiyang waved his hand, signaling the Wolf King with his eyes, and they hurriedly tried to flee.

WHOOSH!

But just as they turned, a fierce wind erupted on the mountaintop. The Lion Headed Hawk spread its wings, blocking their path.

"A meal delivered to my doorstep? Wouldn't it be a waste not to eat it?" the Lion Headed Hawk sneered cruelly.

"Dare to eat me? Believe it or not, I'll destroy you!" The Wolf King reared up on its hind legs, barking defiantly at the Lion Headed Hawk.

Qin Feiyang's face twitched.

Hasn't this Rogue Wolf figured out the situation? Who's going to destroy whom here?

"Hmm?" The Lion Headed Hawk eyed the Wolf King strangely, a teasing tone in its voice. "Do you even know my strength?"

The Wolf King swaggered and retorted haughtily, "Damn you, scoundrel! I don't care what your strength is! I'll give you one chance: become my little follower, and I'll spare your life!"

Huh! Where did this guy get the nerve to be so arrogant to an Emperor Level Fierce Beast? Qin Feiyang was flabbergasted.

"Let me tell you the truth: I'm a peerless Divine Wolf! I'm just temporarily sealing my cultivation to experience life in the mortal realm. So don't mess with me, or I'll stir-fry you or braise you in soy sauce!" the Wolf King blustered, putting on the airs of a Fraud. It had to be said, it really did possess a certain domineering aura.

"You're courting death!" The Lion Headed Hawk was enraged. A terrifying, fierce pressure bore down on the man and wolf.

Clearly, it didn't believe the Wolf King's nonsense. If it were truly a peerless Divine Wolf, would it sneak up so furtively? If you're going to bluff, at least pick your audience!

Qin Feiyang grabbed the Wolf King and unhesitatingly retreated into the ancient castle.

The Wolf King sighed. "It seems my domineering aura isn't strong enough. It needs more work."

"Aura of an overlord?" Qin Feiyang rolled his eyes. "More like the aura of a bastard turtle!"

「Outside.」

The Lion Headed Hawk looked bewildered.

They were in my sight just a moment ago. How did they suddenly vanish into thin air? Could I have misjudged? Was it really some peerless Divine Wolf?

WHOOSH!

Qin Feiyang reappeared out of thin air, hurriedly cupping his fists. "Senior, we came with no ill intent, merely to ask for a small favor."

The Lion Headed Hawk scoffed, "Do I look like such a benevolent person?"

"Person?" Qin Feiyang paused, then decided to play along with the Lion Headed Hawk, smiling. "Senior, you are a transcendent being. You surely wouldn't deign to help mere mortals like us."

"That's more like it!" The Lion Headed Hawk opened its beak wide. "Now, hurry into my mouth."

Like hell I'm going into your mouth! Qin Feiyang muttered inwardly, his face twitching uncontrollably. It's an Emperor Level Fierce Beast, for crying out loud. Could it be less... flippant?

"You don't know what's good for you!" The Lion Headed Hawk's gaze turned cold and piercing.

BOOM!

The terrifying, fierce pressure once again enveloped Qin Feiyang. Filled with helplessness, Qin Feiyang could only retreat into the ancient castle once more.

Fatty said with a look of disappointment, "It seems it won't help us. Let's quickly think of a way to leave this place."

"Easy to get in, hard to get out!" Qin Feiyang shook his head and sighed. He lowered his head and pondered for a moment. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he appeared outside again.

Seeing Qin Feiyang appear and disappear so mysteriously, the menacing light in the Lion Headed Hawk's eyes faded, replaced by curiosity. "You humans are rather interesting," it said.

Qin Feiyang said, "Senior, as long as you agree to help, I can agree to any condition, except for going into your mouth."

The Lion Headed Hawk paused, then asked, "Are you sure? Any condition?"

Qin Feiyang nodded.

The Lion Headed Hawk's eyes flickered, as if deep in thought.

「A moment passed.」

It suddenly said, "Alright. If you promise to go to the Land of Ruins for me, not only will I agree to help, but I'll also escort you out of the Yan Pan Mountains."

"The Land of Ruins!" Upon hearing these words, Qin Feiyang shivered, his face turning somewhat pale.

Seeing his reaction, the Lion Headed Hawk asked in surprise, "You also know of the Land of Ruins?"

"I've heard of it, but I've never been," Qin Feiyang said with a frown. "It's said to be a place of exile."

The Lion Headed Hawk remarked, "It's incredible that a mere Martial Ancestor like you would know of such a place!"

Qin Feiyang shook his head. "Senior, please state another condition. That place is easy to enter but difficult to leave. I don't want to risk it."

"This is the only condition," the Lion Headed Hawk's attitude changed in an instant. "If you don't agree, you can forget about ever leaving the Yan Pan Mountains! Don't doubt my words. As the Domination of the Yan Pan Mountains, killing you would be effortless for me!" It also revealed a crucial piece of information: it was the Domination of the Yan Pan Mountains!

Qin Feiyang felt like dying.

The first Emperor Level Fierce Beast he'd encountered was actually the Beast Emperor of the Yan Pan Mountains? Why don't I ever have such good luck normally?

"Beast Emperor, allow this junior to discuss it with my companions," Qin Feiyang said, cupping his fists, before entering the ancient castle. He glared fiercely at the Wolf King and roared, "How did you navigate? You led us right into the lair of the Yan Pan Mountains' Beast Emperor! Aren't you just courting death?"

The Wolf King looked like it was about to cry too.

This luck is too heaven-defyingly good!

Lu Hong covered her mouth and giggled, then asked Qin Feiyang, "What kind of place is this Land of Ruins that makes you so afraid?"

Qin Feiyang said gravely, "That place is countless times more terrifying than the Yan Pan Mountains and the Desert of Death combined."

The two humans and the wolf exchanged shocked glances. In their eyes, the Yan Pan Mountains and the Desert of Death were already forbidden grounds, places one should not tread lightly. And the Land of Ruins was even more terrifying than these two?

"The world knows that the Great Qin Empire has Nine States and Eighteen Commanderies," Qin Feiyang explained, his tone heavy. "However, there are some places few people know about, and the Land of Ruins is one of them. This is because the Land of Ruins not only has an extremely harsh environment, but survival there is also incredibly brutal. As far as I know, everyone living in the Land of Ruins is a wicked villain, their hands stained with blood. It's no exaggeration to say it's a place where people eat people!"

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