Chapter 63: Becoming the Yellow Bird

Outside the stone forest, Lin Tianming and the others gathered, their faces beaming with smiles. The fatigue from before had disappeared after two days of rest, and everyone was back in top condition.

Lin Shiji, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them and looked at the gathered crowd, preparing for the next steps.

Having been in the Luoyun Mountains for two and a half months, they still had some time before their half-year period was up.

Although the group's gains had far exceeded expectations, the high spirits among them made Lin Shiji decide to continue their training.

After removing the formation flags and covering the entrance to the cave, they made sure to erase any traces of their battle.

Once certain nothing was left behind, Lin Shiji took out a map made of beast skin, repeatedly confirming their direction.

Since the western part of the Luoyun Mountains was the inner region where even second-tier monsters occasionally appeared, the hunting squad's limited strength made it unwise to venture there for now.

The southern region seemed promising. It was near the Ziyun Mountains in Huangyang Country, sparsely populated, relatively close to Qingzhu Mountain, and comparatively safe. They could also clear out monsters near mortal towns, making it suitable for training.

Having made up his mind, the group set off.

After one monster attack, everyone remained vigilant. Even in broad daylight, they didn't dare to relax.

Lin Shiji led the group through the outer regions of the Luoyun Mountains, searching for herbs and hunting monsters along the way.

In a picturesque valley in the southern part of the Luoyun Mountains, Lin Tianhong was locked in battle with a mid-tier Jade Toad Beast. The other clan members watched without any intention of helping, while Lin Tianming occasionally exchanged thoughts with Lin Tianfeng.

"Brother, how long do you think it will take for Second Brother to kill the Jade Toad Beast?" Lin Tianming asked.

Lin Tianfeng frowned, observing Lin Tianhong's fight. "I think Second Brother can win, but it will take at least several dozen more exchanges. This Jade Toad Beast may not be strong in attack, but it's incredibly fast and tricky. Even for me, it would take some effort."

As they spoke, the wounds on the Jade Toad Beast increased, and Lin Tianhong steadily gained the upper hand.

With a powerful move, Lin Tianhong combined his hands, gathering a fiery red sword aura above his head, and slashed it towards the Jade Toad Beast.

"Fire Essence Slash!"

As an alchemist, Lin Tianhong naturally possessed a fire spirit root. The Fire Essence Art, one of the family's few earth-grade fire techniques, was his go-to technique. Although his gathered sword aura wasn't as powerful as Lin Tianming's at the same stage, it wasn't far off.

"Boom..."

The fiery red sword aura approached, and the Jade Toad Beast, trying desperately to dodge, was hit squarely, unable to escape the swift attack.

The half-meter-long Jade Toad Beast was struck, leaving a massive wound on its neck, nearly severing its head.

After a fierce battle, the Jade Toad Beast was killed. Lin Tianhong retrieved its demon core and useful materials, then stepped aside to recuperate.

For over two months, Lin Tianfeng and Lin Tianhong had taken turns fighting initial and mid-tier monsters, honing their combat experience. Lin Tianhong had improved significantly, handling most mid-tier monsters with ease. Compared to the battered state during the Silver Earth Scorpion siege, he was now much better prepared. Even without Lin Tianming's help, he could handle three Silver Earth Scorpions without fear for his life.

Lin Tianming had also fought three times, each time against a late-stage first-tier monster, giving his all.

Through these battles, the greatest gain was achieving a minor mastery of the Earth Fiend Sword Array, allowing for instantaneous activation with improved precision and power. Even without talismans or external aids, he could now comfortably handle a late-stage first-tier monster, showing significant progress.

However, over the past two months, the hunting squad had found few herbs and killed only a dozen monsters, yielding some crafting materials but not much worth in spirit stones.

These modest gains couldn't compare to the stone forest battle.

Finding the small Earth Essence Crystal mine was extraordinarily lucky. In the outer regions of the Luoyun Mountains, countless cultivators scoured for treasures daily. Most valuable items had long been taken, and finding a second-tier spirit mine like the Earth Essence Crystal was a rare stroke of fortune.

The clan continued their journey, traversing the mountains and valleys.

In the southern Luoyun Mountains, several days passed. Lin Tianming and the group moved through a dense forest.

Suddenly, Lin Shiji stopped, his expression serious, signaling for everyone to halt.

"Stop, hide," he instructed.

The group quickly concealed themselves in the thick underbrush, suppressing their auras and blending with their surroundings.

After ten tense moments, two injured Yellow Spirit Monkeys emerged from the forest, pausing briefly before fleeing deeper into the woods.

Moments after the monkeys vanished, five cultivators appeared, stopping where the monkeys had been.

All five were at least at the eighth level of Qi Refining, led by Song Lixin, a cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining. An experienced hunter, he frequently ventured into the Ziyun and Luoyun Mountains.

Song Lixin examined the blood droplets on the ground and looked in the direction the monkeys had fled, contemplating.

"Friend Chen, these Yellow Spirit Monkeys are fast, agile, and cunning. We've been chasing them for half a day, and we're finally close. They're injured. Let's follow the blood trail quickly!" he said.

The others, excited, agreed, and they continued their pursuit.

After they left, Lin Shiji emerged, gathering the clan with a serious expression.

"This hunting squad is strong. Though fewer in number, they're all above the eighth level of Qi Refining, led by a peak-stage cultivator. They're chasing two Yellow Spirit Monkeys so determinedly, there must be something significant at stake. What do you think?"

The clan members shared their opinions. Some at the sixth level of Qi Refining suggested retreating, while others proposed following to see what opportunity lay ahead. Lin Tianming and the younger members remained silent.

Lin Shiji, noticing Lin Tianming's silence, asked for his thoughts.

"Fifth Grandfather, Uncles, they passed by without detecting us. That's a good sign. Regardless of their objective, we should follow them and see what opportunity awaits. Great fortunes come with risks. If it's a chance for us, why not take it?"

The clan agreed with this approach. If the young ones weren't afraid, why should they be?

With no objections, Lin Shiji gave final instructions.

"Their squad is strong. Be cautious and don't reveal our position or intentions. If they attack, don't hold back. We mustn't let anyone escape to bring trouble to the family. Understood?"

"Yes," they responded in unison.

Lin Shiji led the way, and the group stealthily followed Song Lixin's hunting squad.