Chapter 30: Mystical Beast Forest
Chapter 30: Mystical Beast Forest
The sun, once radiant in its morning glory, had begun its descent, casting long golden streaks across the sky. The air had cooled, not with the biting chill of winter, but with a refreshing crispness that made the journey all the more comfortable. Though cultivators were unaffected by mere weather, Xiao Rongyu found herself enjoying the sensation.
Seated behind Xiao Chen on the sleek-furred Wind Wolf, she clung to him lightly, feeling the rhythmic movements of his body as he guided the beast forward. The cool evening wind whipped against them, tousling her long, golden hair. But rather than discomfort, she relished it. The feeling of speed, the scent of the wild air mixed with the distinct fragrance of Xiao Chen himself—it was intoxicating.
His scent was unlike anyone else's, clean yet deep, carrying a sharp, almost electric quality that sent a shiver down her spine. She couldn't explain it, but it made her heartbeat quicken, her grip unconsciously tightening around his waist. It was strange how, just a week ago, she would never have imagined herself in this position. He had been so cold, so distant—yet here she was, savoring every breath of his presence, her usual graceful composure momentarily slipping away.
Xiao Chen, however, remained indifferent. His sharp eyes remained fixed ahead, his expression calm and determined, unmoved by her closeness. The rushing wind howled around them, yet his mind was a sea of stillness, focused solely on the path before him.
---
By the time evening fully arrived, the sky had transformed into a breathtaking canvas of deep violets and fiery crimsons. The last remnants of the sun bled into the darkening blue, while wisps of cloud drifted lazily, tinted by fading golden hues. The crescent moon had begun its ascent, casting a pale silver glow over the landscape.
The Wind Wolf raced across the terrain with a speed that defied logic. It wasn't merely running—it was gliding. Each stride carried it forward like a gust of wind itself, barely disturbing the earth below. To an ordinary observer, they would appear as mere shadows vanishing into the dusk.
Finally, after six hours of relentless travel, the Wind Wolf's powerful stride slowed to a steady halt.
Xiao Chen pulled gently on its reins, and the beast let out a low, controlled breath before settling.
"We're here already?" Xiao Rongyu asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
"Yes," Xiao Chen responded simply, his tone steady.
She blinked, looking up at the darkened sky. Six hours... it only felt like a moment.
For a fleeting second, she hesitated, reluctant to let go. But she had no reason to continue clinging to him, and with a small sigh, she released her grip, gracefully dismounting the Wind Wolf.
Xiao Chen followed suit, landing lightly beside her. The Wind Wolf shook out its silver fur, stretching its limbs in a distinctly intelligent manner before letting out a low, satisfied howl.
Xiao Chen observed its antics with a small, almost imperceptible smile. "Hmm… It would be nice to have my own beast companion," he mused inwardly.
Then, his gaze shifted forward, and his eyes finally settled on the legendary Mystical Beast Forest.
---
The Mystical Beast Forest was alive. Towering trees stretched endlessly into the night sky, their leaves a mix of deep emerald and midnight blue, glowing faintly beneath the moon's silver gaze. The dense canopy wove together like an unbreakable net, allowing only fragmented beams of moonlight to seep through. These slivers of light painted ghostly patterns upon the forest floor, shifting and twisting as if the shadows themselves were sentient.
The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, ancient wood, and an untamed energy that prickled against the skin. The trees, some of which had stood for centuries, pulsed with traces of spiritual qi, their gnarled roots sprawling across the ground like slumbering beasts. Vines hung lazily from their high branches, swaying to an unseen rhythm, whispering secrets in the wind.
A low, melodic hum resonated through the forest—neither wind nor voice, but a symphony of the wild.
Distant howls of spirit wolves mingled with the sharp cries of unseen birds, their notes both eerie and enchanting. From the underbrush came the rustling of unseen creatures, some small and harmless, others… predatory. The deeper one gazed into the forest, the more it seemed to shift—alive in its own way, as though it had a will of its own.
Xiao Chen's eyes gleamed with intrigue.
He had heard countless tales of this place—of young cultivators seeking fortune, of rare herbs hidden deep within, of lucky encounters and fatal missteps. But until now, he had never felt compelled to visit.
"True strength is forged through tribulation. It is found in the places others fear to tread."
However, standing before this vast, untamed expanse, he felt no disappointment.
This place was wild. Unpredictable. Alive.
He wanted to conquer it.
---
Xiao Rongyu, having finally shaken off the lingering warmth of Xiao Chen's embrace, let out a breath and turned to him—only to find him gazing ahead, his eyes glimmering with silent excitement.
"So even he has moments like this…" she thought, amused.
"Brother Chen," she began, her tone carrying a note of caution. "The Mystical Beast Forest is more than it seems. It is divided into three regions—the Outer Region, the Inner Region, and the Core Region. Each level grows progressively more dangerous, but also richer in spiritual herbs and rare treasures."
"Hmm…" Xiao Chen murmured. "It's similar to the Forest of Silent Despair around the Desolate Mountain Range…"
The moment the words left his lips, Xiao Rongyu shuddered.
Her amber eyes widened slightly, and she instinctively stepped closer to him.
"F-Forest of Silent Despair?" she stammered, her voice betraying unease. "Why are you bringing up that ancient, treacherous place? Even Martial Kings would perish if they ventured into its depths! Forget the depths—even in the outer area, a Martial Master could easily lose their life. That place is a forbidden land. Only the truly desperate or the suicidal dare to enter. For young cultivators, going there is nothing short of seeking death!"
Her words were heavy with dread, and just recalling the name sent a chill down her spine. That forest was infamous, a place whispered about only in fearful caution.
Xiao Rongyu narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't tell me you're thinking of going there, Brother Chen," she said suspiciously.
Xiao Chen, however, simply waved off her concern. "No," he replied casually. "I just found the division into outer, inner, and core regions to be similar."
On the surface, his voice was indifferent, but inwardly, questions burned within him.
"If the Forest of Silent Despair is so dangerous... why didn't I die there?
Back then, I was only at the Early Stage of the Martial Core Realm, yet I trained within that forest for an entire month before acquiring Long Tianyi's Legacy Tomb. If Martial Kings can perish there, why was I able to survive?"
The memory of those grueling days resurfaced—facing relentless danger, the suffocating aura of the forest, the presence of terrifying beasts that should have been beyond his ability to handle.
"There must be a deeper mystery behind that place…"
Xiao Chen clenched his fists slightly.
"I will go there again... but only when I am strong enough. I need answers."
---
Oblivious to his inner turmoil, Xiao Rongyu continued explaining.
"The Mystical Beast Forest is nowhere near as deadly as the Forest of Silent Despair. Casualties here are much lower. The Outer Region is home to Grade One and Grade Two beasts—mere small fries. However for weaker martial Artists it is a good training site. The Inner Region is where Grade Three and Grade Four beasts reside, though the deeper you go, the more likely you are to encounter a Grade Four beast.
"But the Core Region…" She paused slightly, her tone turning serious. "That is a forbidden zone. Grade Five beasts rule that area, and there are rumors of Grade Six beasts lurking in the depths. Even a Martial Grandmaster could die if they are reckless."
Xiao Chen nodded thoughtfully. "I see… Compared to the Forest of Silent Despair, this place is much safer. At least Martial Kings don't drop dead the moment they step in."
"Exactly," Xiao Rongyu agreed. "You should understand, Brother Chen—Martial Kings are the peak of power in Lingshui Country. Across the entire kingdom, there might not even be more than three of them in total. If a place can kill a Martial King, then it is beyond comprehension."
Xiao Chen absorbed her words but remained silent. He knew the truth—strength dictated survival. If even Martial Kings had to fear something, then there were levels of power far beyond what this city currently acknowledged.
"Alright," he said at last, his tone shifting. "We'll go straight to the Inner Region. I don't want to waste time dealing with weaklings in the Outer Region."
Xiao Rongyu smirked at his decisiveness. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Mister Arrogant," she teased playfully.
Xiao Chen ignored her comment, turning instead to Mistshadow, the Wind Wolf that had been patiently observing their conversation. The beast's silver fur shimmered under the moonlight, its intelligent eyes reflecting a quiet understanding.
"Mistshadow, right?" Xiao Chen asked.
The Wind Wolf let out a soft huff, nodding its head in acknowledgment.
"Good," Xiao Chen said. "We're moving in. Use your howl to ward off the weaker beasts in the Outer Region. Lead the way."
Mistshadow responded with a low growl, its muscles tensing. Then, it lifted its head to the sky and released a powerful, reverberating howl. The sound echoed through the night, carrying dominance and warning. Somewhere in the distance, lesser beasts stirred in fear, instinctively withdrawing deeper into their hiding places.
As Mistshadow started running ahead, Xiao Rongyu raised an eyebrow at Xiao Chen.
"You just don't want to deal with them, do you?" she asked knowingly.
Xiao Chen shrugged. "It's too much of a hassle," he said nonchalantly.
She pouted slightly, then suddenly brightened. "Wait, then shouldn't we just ride Mistshadow instead of running?"
"Nah," Xiao Chen replied without even looking back. "I want to stretch my legs."
Before she could protest, he had already started running after the Wind Wolf, his movements fluid and effortless.
Xiao Rongyu stood there, momentarily stunned. Then she pouted again, stamping her foot in mild frustration.
"This guy!"
With a clenched fist, she took off after them, determined not to be left behind.