Fateful Encounter with the Spirit Beast - Chapter 63 - The Golden Pixiu Dragon Appears 1

Inside the Yingyue Business House in Exile City.

After hearing Ander recount his encounter with Tianxiang, Manager Yue stroked his long white beard, and a letter sent by the Three Great Families of the Yue flashed in his mind. The letter mentioned that she had handed her Yingyue Jade Token to her adopted son, Tianxiang, and it was said that Tianxiang was severely injured, with his meridians completely destroyed and his whereabouts unknown. She hoped everyone could help find him.

According to Ander, this Tianxiang not only fully recovered his martial arts skills but also stepped into the innate realm, which was truly unimaginable. There were only two possibilities: the first was that this Tianxiang was an imposter, but the jade token and code he provided to Youni were absolutely correct, and he didn’t make any excessive demands.

The other possibility was that his martial arts had indeed been restored, which would be great news, but it was too astonishing. To possess innate Qi at such a young age and be able to use it to harm others seemed too far-fetched. Even the Three Great Sword Saints had not achieved such feats at this age!

Unless he had another method that led Ander to mistakenly believe he had entered the innate realm. What could that method be? Ah! If mental power reached a certain level, combined with the training of mental magic, it should be possible to create such an illusion. If this hypothesis were true, then Tianxiang’s strength could be at the level of an advanced mage!

Incredible! He was still under twenty! Meditating since he was in the womb, how could it be that exaggerated? Haha, the Three Great Families of the Yue! You really have found a treasure!

Seeing Manager Yue lost in endless contemplation, Ander regretted mentioning his encounter with Tianxiang, silently cursing himself. How could he forget Manager Yue’s habit? Once he encountered something of interest, he would disregard everything happening in the outside world and think non-stop until he was satisfied. The past record of four hours still left Ander feeling uneasy.

Just when Ander was about to quietly close the door and slip away, he suddenly heard Manager Yue muttering to himself, “Hmm! It must be like this!” Ander quickly returned to his original spot, pretending to wait relaxedly.

Manager Yue squinted at Ander and asked, “Why haven’t you slipped away?” Ander felt exposed and blushed, scratching his head awkwardly. He chuckled nervously and said, “Well, about that…”

Manager Yue pressed on, “You haven’t finished your story yet, have you?”

Ander mumbled to himself, “It’s your old problem again!” But out loud, he said, “Tianxiang wants me to tell you, ‘mutual struggle, diversionary tactics.’ And he wants Ah Gang to go find him alone tonight!”

Manager Yue mumbled, repeating, “Mutual struggle, diversionary tactics!” Suddenly, his eyes sparkled with clarity, and a broad smile spread across his face, saying, “Interesting! This Tianxiang can be considered the little ancestor of black-market dealings. Such a clever scheme! It seems his intelligence and judgment are his greatest weapons.”

Manager Yue turned to Ander and said, “Write down the martial arts skills, weapons used, interests, and preferences of the key figures from the five major forces, along with how each organization identifies them, on a piece of paper. Let Ah Gang take it to Tianxiang! Also, go check the Flying Eye in the secret chamber. I’ve already sent news about Tianxiang to the chief merchant, so there should be some updates soon!”

The Flying Eye was actually a magical portal, collectively referred to as “Flying Eye” within the Yingyue Business House. Each major outpost would have one or more setups to facilitate urgent information transmission.

This was also one of the crucial secrets that allowed the Yingyue Business House to stand firm in various kingdoms. As the saying goes, “the marketplace is like a battlefield; intelligence is paramount.” Accurate information is essential for assessing the situation and making the right moves. Moreover, it showcased the hidden strength of the Yingyue Business House at each outpost, as there would always be at least one intermediate mage present; otherwise, the Flying Eye could not be activated.

The moon was bright and the stars sparse, casting a gentle silver light through the forest, creating a shimmering path. An impressive figure dashed excitedly among the trees, driven by a single thought: hurry, hurry, hurry! He completely ignored a petite figure stealthily following behind him.

As they emerged from the trees into the open expanse of heaven and earth, the distant mountains resembled giant slumbering beings, their peaks gently rising and falling like the delicate curves of a goddess. The bright moon hung high in the sky, draping the earth in a veil of silvery light, while the flowers and treetops donned their own thin veils, dancing gracefully in the breeze-a beautiful scene of tranquility under the moonlight. Yet, the exhilarated figure could hardly contain his joy, fixated only on the person standing in the moonlight, appearing as a dim silhouette against the distant mountains. Though shrouded in lunar glow, the bright, clear, and profound eyes of that person sparkled like the star Sirius, leaving a lasting impression.

Ah Gang trembled with excitement and said, “Master Xiang, is that you?”

Tianxiang did not remove his mask; instead, he fixed his gaze on a tree not far away and coldly remarked, “Youni, let her come down!”

In an instant, Youni transformed into her elfin form, appearing in mid-air, flapping her signature light and dark wings. With a graceful wave of her delicate hand, she shot a dark blade toward the petite figure hiding behind the tall tree. With a sharp shout, the figure swiftly flipped and landed neatly next to Ah Gang. Suddenly, there was a loud crash as the dark blade pierced through the tree, sending clouds of dust swirling into the air. Meanwhile, Youni remained vigilant, watching the petite figure that had just touched the ground, as if the earlier commotion had nothing to do with her. Tianxiang cast a cold gaze at the newcomer, while Ah Gang gripped his massive sword and, upon getting a closer look, exclaimed in surprise, “Aimon! What are you doing here?”

Tianxiang frowned and questioned, “Ah Gang, do you know her?”

Hearing Tianxiang’s inquiry, Ah Gang immediately became cheerful and respectful, replying, “Master Xiang, her name is Aimon. This time, the Three Great Families of the Yue sent her to accompany me in delivering supplies to the City of Exile! She was specially selected from the Solitary Moon Academy!”

The Solitary Moon Academy is the primary institution for cultivating new talent within the Yingyue Business House. Generally, it brings orphans from various parts of the continent to Yingyue for nurturing and education in various fields such as martial arts, magic, business, and more. Based on individual performance and achievements, they are assigned tasks such as protecting goods, taking on administrative roles in stores, or even engaging in secret reconnaissance work, like the Eye of Yingyue. Those who excel after undergoing training and various responsibilities over time may have the opportunity to enter the core of Yingyue, where they can learn more about its intricate operations and become capable individuals in their own right.

This is also one of the reasons Yingyue has been able to sustain its operations and thrive through the generations. Successors are systematically and thoughtfully trained without the entanglement of familial ties. Moreover, once orphans join Yingyue, they not only have their basic needs met but also no longer have to wander and beg. Instead, they can learn martial arts and magic, which they have long dreamed of. Therefore, the loyalty and cohesion of the individuals from the Yingyue Business House cannot be expressed in mere words.

Aimon watched as Ah Gang spoke so respectfully to Tianxiang about everything concerning himself, and anger welled up within her. She exclaimed, “Ah Gang, why did you reveal the secrets of the Yingyue Business House? Are you a spy?”

It was no wonder Aimon had such misunderstandings. Members of Yingyue are prohibited from discussing internal matters outside the organization. Those who commit severe breaches can be expelled from Yingyue. For Aimon, it was inconceivable that Ah Gang could speak so freely. Given that she had been secretly following him, she was unaware that he was on an official mission. Throughout their journey, seeing Ah Gang’s excited and swift movements, she couldn’t help but associate him with the previous intimacies with Youni. Now, coming out in the middle of the night for a rendezvous? When she arrived at the scene, she realized that the situation was not as she had imagined. Just as she was secretly relieved, she was suddenly attacked by a mysterious Dark Blade. With a belly full of frustration, she found the perfect outlet to vent her anger.

Ah Gang, who had originally intended to explain himself, suddenly caught the cold, sharp gaze of Tianxiang and felt a jolt of fear. He knew that when Tianxiang’s expression turned from indifferent to piercing, it meant that the person in front of him was about to face some serious trouble.

Though more than two years had passed, the days of hellish training in Sunset City had left an immense mark of fear in Ah Gang’s heart. This was because Tianxiang demanded that after every training session, they drag their exhausted bodies before him and gaze into his eyes. Yet, Tianxiang’s unfocused look seemed to belong to an ever-changing, surreal world. At times, it felt as if Ah Gang were standing in a scorching desert, enveloped by endless swirling yellow dust, with quicksand at his feet threatening to swallow him whole, rendering him speechless and unable to cry for help. Just when his thoughts began to fade, the scene would shift dramatically, and he would find himself engulfed in a blizzard, snow falling relentlessly upon him. Unable to move, he faced the inevitable approach of death, silently reflecting on how small a human’s strength is against the might of nature. It was only when his mental power could hold out no longer that he realized everything was just an illusion. When he finally managed to force his eyes open, he would see Tianxiang’s chilling gaze, a sight forever etched into his mind.

Tianxiang looked at Aimon and asked, “Why are you following Ah Gang? What’s your intention?”

Aimon shivered under Tianxiang’s cold, piercing gaze, but her proud and self-assured nature would not allow her to back down. Drawing her sword, she struggled to convey her true purpose but instead declared stubbornly, “I want to see why he sneaked out at midnight and seems to be in such a hurry!”

This declaration was full of holes. Ah Gang was, after all, secretly leaving the city. If she hadn’t been following him all night, how could she have been so precise about his movements? Seeing Ah Gang’s puzzled expression, Aimon pressed on, “You still haven’t answered my question. Who are you? Why does Ah Gang listen to you? Are you planning to harm the Yingyue Business House?”

At that moment, Youni suddenly appeared beside Tianxiang, exclaiming in surprise and a touch of hostility, “So, it’s you!”

Youni immediately transmitted the events from the afternoon into Tianxiang’s mind using their mental connection. Glancing at Aimon, Tianxiang understood right away that Aimon had a secret crush on Ah Gang but chose not to expose it. Instead, he revealed the Yingyue Jade Token and said lightly, “I am the adopted son of the Three Great Families of the Yue.”

Aimon’s expression brightened instantly. “So you’re the adopted son that Aunt Yan has been longing for?” She began to scrutinize Tianxiang, her mind racing with questions. What makes him special? Why would Aunt Yan adopt him?

Tianxiang didn’t want to linger on the topic with her any longer. He replied calmly, “You should go back now. I need to talk to Ah Gang!”

Among the peers at the Solitary Moon Academy, Aimon, who excelled in magic, martial arts, and intelligence, was not accustomed to being treated with such an authoritative tone. She immediately shouted, “What gives you the right to command me?”

Knowing that time was limited, Tianxiang used their mental connection to inform Youni to restrain Aimon’s movements until he had finished his discussion with Ah Gang. He turned to Ah Gang and said, “Let’s go!”

Unable to tolerate Tianxiang’s disdain, Aimon’s anger erupted. She ignited her mental power, drawing the brilliance of her sword like a galaxy of stars, merging her body with the sword as she aimed a strike directly at the vital points on Tianxiang’s back.

Tianxiang showed no sign of surprise or concern, continuing deeper into the woods. Hearing the whoosh of air behind him, Ah Gang instinctively turned, placing his hands firmly on his massive sword. With tiger-like eyes, he focused on Aimon’s approach, standing still like a mountain, ready to counter her attack. However, before Ah Gang could make his move, a series of sharp sounds erupted in quick succession, like the relentless pop of firecrackers. Aimon, struck by the force of the attacks, stumbled backward, flying several feet away. In her shocked gaze, she saw Youni, a striking blend of an angel and a beautiful sorceress, standing before her. Youni held the Stringless Shadow Bow in her left hand, her right poised as if drawing the bow, her eyes blazing with anger at Aimon’s unsteady stance.

Ignoring Tianxiang, who passed behind her, Youni called out, “Ah Gang!” Ah Gang immediately followed Tianxiang into the woods.

Still in shock and disbelief, Aimon stared wide-eyed at the furious Youni and feigned toughness, saying, “Why are you stopping me?”

Youni spoke calmly, “They have important matters to discuss, so you can either stay here and wait for them to come out, or if you insist on barging in, I will have to restrict your movements!”

Gradually calming down, Aimon scoffed and said, “If you think you can stop me, prove that you’re up to the task!” After speaking, she thrust her sword into the ground beside her, clasped her hands together, bowed her head, and silently recited an incantation.

Suddenly, streams of searing Red light shot out from Aimon’s hands in all directions, significantly raising the ambient temperature. In an instant, the Red light vanished without a trace, replaced by several fireballs the size of goose eggs, floating restlessly around Aimon. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Aimon picked up her sword and declared, “This is the secret technique my magic teacher taught me-starfire scorching the plains! Be careful!”

Aimon couldn’t help but admire Youni, who, faced with such an unknown magic attack, did not panic at all. She maintained her original posture, resembling a beautifully sculpted statue with a graceful and elegant demeanor.

At this moment, Youni also gained a deeper understanding of Aimon. She realized that Aimon was merely headstrong, not malicious at heart. Smiling slightly, Youni said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve sparred with someone. Perfect timing, I’m feeling quite eager myself. Let’s have a match!”

Aimon called out in acknowledgment, pointing her sword at Youni. The fireballs seemed to possess a will of their own, chaotically navigating their paths, yet they didn’t collide with one another. Instead, they impeccably descended upon Youni. With a loud explosion, the area within three feet of where Youni was standing transformed into a sea of flames, instantly incinerating all living things in that space.

Seeing Youni neither dodge nor counterattack in what appeared to be an act of self-destruction, Aimon couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise. Yet, deep down, she sensed that Youni was not as simple as she seemed.

Suddenly, a piercing dark light shot forth like an arrow, effortlessly slicing through the firestorm as if a butterfly were emerging from its cocoon. The dark light did not stop there; it began to spiral around the edges of the inferno like a tornado, continually whirling.

Then, a delicate voice pierced through the chaos of flames, commanding, “Disperse!” The dark light whirled into the heart of the firestorm, and the flames were relentlessly divided by the dark whirlwind until the fire finally dissipated. Youni stood calmly amidst the aftermath, now with her hands resting naturally at her sides. In her left hand, she still held the Stringless Shadow Bow. The remaining dark whirlwind lifted Youni’s clothing as if she were a celestial being preparing to ride the winds back home, or an enigmatic elf shrouded in thick mist. For a moment, even Aimon, who was no stranger to combat, found herself dumbfounded.

A strong gust howled, penetrating the ears of Dixiang and the unconscious Yue Lianxuan as they continued their downward fall. The dense mountain fog obscured Xiaojin’s vision, who, along with Dixiang, relied on the sounds from the two beings to gauge their position. However, Xiaojin, being small and light, realized that it was becoming increasingly separated from them, igniting a surge of anxiety. All Xiaojin could think about was catching up, oblivious to the fact that even if it pressed forward, it wouldn’t change anything. Yet just as Xiaojin cast aside thoughts of life and death, concentrating fiercely to drive itself forward, an unexpected change occurred. A blinding light erupted from Xiaojin, shooting up into the sky and breaking through the clouds. A thunderous roar reverberated through the air, awakening Liu Feng and the others’ spirits. Though they were unaware of what was happening below, any change was better than none at all. They could only silently pray for the safety of Yue Lianxuan and the two beasts.

Amidst the thick fog, Xiaojin was undergoing a little-known yet earth-shattering transformation. The originally foot-long snake suddenly surged to over three meters in length, with its body expanding and growing in proportion. A row of golden triangular dragon spines began to grow along its neck to its tail. On its forelimbs and at its sides, a pair of folded dragon wings appeared, with each fold sprouting a dragon claw, totaling six claws. The only part that remained unchanged was Xiaojin’s head, which had merely enlarged several hundred times. The ancient, long-extinct golden pixiu dragon was being resurrected in the modern world.

In fact, after the Creator passed away, His remains blessed the Continent, giving rise to a multitude of living creatures and diverse environments.

In the era before the emergence of the deity race, demon race, and various other beings on the Continent, it could be described as a paradise for wild animals and fierce beasts, known as the ancient era. During this ancient time, the golden pixiu snake was not the diminutive Xiaojin of today; rather, the largest among them could reach lengths of over ten meters, with a barrel-shaped, round body. They were born as the natural nemesis to poisonous creatures, ruling over the land.

The golden pixiu dragon was actually the hybrid offspring of the golden pixiu snake and the golden dragon. Its unique characteristics included having the head of a pixiu and the body of a dragon, along with dragon spines and wings.

As the deity race, demon race, and human race gradually appeared on the Continent, they began to encroach upon the golden pixiu snakes’ living space. This was especially true during the various inter-racial wars, when countless rare birds and exotic beasts were brought into the fray, causing their numbers to spiral downward. In the end, it was the beings of various races that perished in the aftermath of these great battles, rather than the greed and competitiveness in their hearts. Thus, the ancient exotic beasts faced their final and harshest tests for survival, as the saying goes: “Survival of the fittest.”

Through successive genetic mutations and heredity, the ancient exotic beasts managed to endure in various forms, but with each adaptation came loss; they sacrificed their ancestral forms and some of their abilities. Nonetheless, the genetic factors of these ancient exotic beasts continued to be passed down through generations, waiting for the right moment and stimuli to awaken once more.

Transformed into the golden pixiu dragon, Xiaojin had no time to contemplate the magnitude of its own changes. With a singular focus, it aimed to catch up with Dixiang and Yue Lianxuan, who were still plummeting downwards. Just as the newly transformed body aligned with Xiaojin’s mental focus, a pair of six-meter-wide dragon wings unfurled on either side, flapping vigorously and propelling Xiaojin downward while dispersing the dense fog around it.

The sight below took Xiaojin by surprise. Dixiang and Yue Lianxuan were mere moments away from crashing into a field of jagged rocks, surrounded by a forest of sharp, spear-like stone formations. Just as it seemed they were about to fall, a brilliant golden light streaked through the air like a meteor chasing the moon. It was as if an artist with a brush was gently etching a stroke across heaven and earth. In the blink of an eye, two powerful dragon claws grasped Dixiang and Yue Lianxuan, barely one meter away from the sharp rock pillars. However, the immense gravitational pull still caused them to drop half a meter, with the rocky tip gently grazing Dixiang’s back. Both Dixiang and the exotic beasts, still shaken by the near miss, exhaled in relief.

Suddenly, Xiaojin felt dizzy and a bit out of control. Witnessing Dixiang and Yue Lianxuan facing death spurred the dormant golden pixiu dragon genetic traits within Xiaojin. Yet, even in its current form, Xiaojin had not fully mastered the abilities of the golden pixiu dragon. Once the life-threatening situation was resolved and the tension eased, it would naturally revert to its original state.

In an instant, Xiaojin noticed a cave on a rock face not far away. Without hesitation, it grasped Dixiang and Yue Lianxuan and summoned the last of its strength to soar towards the cave. After placing Dixiang and Yue Lianxuan inside, Xiaojin let out a joyous dragon roar that shattered the skies. As Xiaojin, now in the form of the golden pixiu dragon, closed its eyes, it suddenly vanished, leaving only the unconscious golden pixiu snake to fall away. Thankfully, Dixiang’s keen eyesight and quick reflexes allowed him to catch Xiaojin with his claws, and he marveled at this extraordinary transformation.

On the mountain peak, Liu Feng and the others heard a dragon’s roar echoing in just a few short seconds, quickly followed by a dazzling golden light streaking toward the valley. They didn’t have time to see what exotic beast it was before another jubilant dragon roar rang out. Although they were still uncertain about what was happening, Liu Feng and the others felt a mixture of anxiety and excitement, akin to a rollercoaster ride. Meanwhile, Ye Tong chimed in with a deep, throaty wolf howl in response to the proud dragon’s roar, filling the entire valley with an echo of dragon roars and wolf howls. This commotion startled many animals hidden in the forest and roused Feng Xuewu and Yingdie from their slumber.