Fateful Encounter with the Spirit Beast

A wish that had been buried deep in Tianxiang’s heart for over a decade suddenly came true within just a few days. However, the immense shift from euphoria to deep sorrow left Tianxiang-who was already more mature than his years-further enlightened about the joys and sorrows of the world. It was as if he had become a high monk who had seen through the entanglements of greed, anger, and ignorance, inching closer to enlightenment.

The flowers, grass, and trees whizzing past on the hillside mirrored the rush of Tianxiang’s heart, rapidly rewinding the sweet memories of the past few days spent with his parents, scene by scene. When he finally stopped, the time spent with them was like a locked diary, forever resting in the depths of his heart, in a drawer that others could never peek into.

Taking deep breaths, Tianxiang felt his heart gradually return to normal. He casually surveyed his surroundings and noticed, not far ahead, a warm mist rising gently from a small lake. The refreshing vapor brought a hint of warmth to the cool hillside.

As Tianxiang walked over, nearing the edge of the small lake, he suddenly heard the melodious voice of a woman singing from the center of the water. At the same time, he discovered a magical Barrier infused with the thunder element surrounding the area. With a relaxed smile, Tianxiang seated himself on the grass nearby, closed his eyes to rest, and began to introspect on the state of his martial arts. How had it progressed?

The stability of the earth, the joy of the wind, the solitude of the ancient pines, the ease of the grass, and the fragrance of the flowers-under the infinite expansion of the heaven and earth spiritual technique-no longer existed as mere individuals. Instead, they formed a rich, layered landscape of intertwined emotions, embodying the true essence of the technique. Just like the individual elements, yet united as one, each one distinctly clear, yet diverging from their essence-clarity and ambiguity, intention and inadvertence. This is life; this is the nature of martial arts and magic as well. This moment of enlightenment made Tianxiang feel as if he were rooted in place, as though he were growing from the ground itself; the eternal moment was the perfect reflection of Tianxiang’s current state.

Suddenly, two auras approached from the small lake, drawing closer with every passing moment. Although Tianxiang had never seen either of them before, he instinctively sensed that both were women-one was a mage of the thunder element, while he couldn’t quite determine the identity of the other, feeling that her internal strength was not particularly strong. Not wanting to be mistaken for a lecher and attract unnecessary trouble, he swiftly moved and leaped onto the nearest tree branch to conceal himself.

Footsteps and laughter soon reached Tianxiang’s hiding spot. Suddenly, the thunder mage exclaimed in surprise and began to scan her surroundings, casting a detection spell. Sensing something, she quietly murmured an incantation and quickly unleashed her basic magic-Thunder Blade-against the branch above. A hissing blue flash shot toward Tianxiang. Remaining calm under pressure, he deftly rolled away and landed on the ground. The Thunder Blade, having initially surged upward, abruptly turned around and accelerated toward Tianxiang. Caught off guard, he instinctively raised his hand to block it.

The Thunder Blade struck the wrist guard on Tianxiang’s wrist. Upon contact, the blade vanished into thin air, as if it had never existed. This astonishing phenomenon left the two women stunned, rendering them speechless for a moment.

As the three exchanged glances, Tianxiang’s wrist guard seemed to protest being overlooked. Suddenly, arcs of blue-white electricity erupted from the guard, creating sparks with a continuous crackling sound.

The unusual display piqued the curiosity of all three, but it seemed the guard’s vanity had been satisfied. In an instant, all the phenomena vanished like a fleeting flower, leaving no trace behind. Tianxiang, understanding that this was a change brought about by Xiao Ya, was unfazed. However, the two women mistakenly believed Tianxiang was trying to show off or play tricks on them, unjustly placing the blame for the incident on him.

Just as the knight girl was about to accuse Tianxiang, the loyal wrist guard would never allow its master to feel wronged, even if it was responsible for the mix-up. At that moment, the wrist guard underwent a remarkable transformation. It wriggled and shrank, like an amoeba, until it was the size of a bracelet. Suddenly, with a pop, it split open. In that instant, a all-white figure emerged, connected to a long tail, with short legs and tiny claws. From its mouth protruded two adorable little fangs, revealing the head of a Leiya Diao-a phantom beast marked by a small blue lightning emblem on its forehead. Xiao Ya had finally awakened and appeared, causing the wrist guard to vanish along with it.

Upon seeing Tianxiang, Xiao Ya reacted as though reuniting with a long-lost family member. With a cheerful plop, she settled on Tianxiang’s shoulder and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. While Xiao Ya’s gender could not be definitively identified, the slight blush on her face suggested she had a higher chance of being female. Please don’t doubt her orientation; despite lacking research on this topic, I firmly believe that her dignity as a Diao should not be sullied.

The thunder mage couldn’t help but exclaim upon seeing Xiao Ya, “Leiya Diao!” She then muttered to herself, “No wonder the Thunder Blade vanished; the Leiya Diao truly lives up to its reputation.”

A Leiya Diao, a thunder element phantom beast marked with a blue lightning emblem, possesses the dual abilities to absorb and unleash lightning elements. It is approximately one foot long, enjoys being active, and is intelligent and agile, making it a favorite among noble ladies. Though it appears to be a domestic pet, it can be just as dangerous as its name suggests; it will bite if provoked, and unless it willingly releases its grip, you might find yourself begging for mercy. That’s why it’s called the Leiya Diao, carrying an air of reverence with it.

Primarily inhabiting warm foothills, the Leiya Diao also possesses exceptional hiding abilities, making it challenging to capture. As a result, its price in the phantom beast market remains high, leading phantom beast hunters to have a love-hate relationship with it. In terms of capability, it can truly be considered a favorite of thunder mages.

[Excerpt from the Phantom Beast Encyclopedia – Leiya Diao Section]

…

The knight girl was also taken aback upon seeing Xiao Ya, but she quickly regained her composure and asked, “Who are you? Why are you here?”

Tianxiang smiled lightly, a gesture that seemed directed at both Xiao Ya and the two women. He spoke in a relaxed tone, “I’m just a passerby passing through, with no other intentions.” Perhaps having unburdened himself of some inner turmoil, the coldness that once lingered in his words had faded, replaced by an inexplicable warmth and sincerity. As a result, the knight girl decided not to press him further.

The thunder mage asked curiously, “Is that Leiya Diao your phantom beast?”

Tianxiang shook his head, causing the thunder mage’s heart to lift momentarily. But he quickly added, “She is my friend!” Upon hearing this, the thunder mage’s joy vanished instantly, while Xiao Ya clung tightly to Tianxiang’s shoulder, resembling a rubber band as she declared her unwavering choice to the two women.

Xiao Ya’s antics left both women both irked and amused, as if they were villains plotting to tear families apart. However, this also eased the previously tense atmosphere.

As the mood lightened, the knight girl, unable to hide her enthusiasm, said warmly, “We are students of Saint Kai Academy. I’m Hai Linda from the first-year knight class, and this is Anja from the first-year mage class.”

Tianxiang, while teasing Xiao Ya, responded, “I’m Tianxiang, just a wandering traveler. May I ask where we are?”

Hai Linda replied straightforwardly, “We are at Bibble Mountain in the northern part of the Kingdom of Saint Kai.”

Tianxiang gasped in surprise. He never could have imagined that the Flying River, which had brought him good fortune, was actually a hidden underground river that unknowingly carried him back to the Kingdom of Saint Kai. Perhaps the heavens knew that what he missed most were Xiao Xue and the others, as well as his agreement with Old Rick. Since fate had arranged this for him, he decided to go with the flow.

“Thank you for the information. I must take my leave now,” Tianxiang said.

Embodying the spirit of knighthood, Hai Linda asked eagerly, “Where are you headed? Are you familiar with this area?”

“I want to visit Saint Kai Academy,” Tianxiang replied.

Hai Linda’s face lit up with excitement. “That’s great! We just finished outdoor cultivation training and were on our way back to the Kingdom of Saint Kai. Would you like to come with us? We have two companions not far ahead. It will take about a day to reach the academy from here.”

Since Tianxiang was unfamiliar with the geography of the area, he thought that having someone to guide him would significantly shorten the travel time. Additionally, Hai Linda’s enthusiastic and straightforward demeanor won him over, so he decided not to decline and nodded in agreement to travel together. However, he mentioned that he wanted to stop by the hot spring lake to freshen up first. Hai Linda readily agreed, saying they would head back to meet with their companions, and once Tianxiang arrived, they would set off immediately.

During the journey, Tianxiang met Hai Linda’s other two companions: Anja’s brother, Anbury, a third-year swordsman, and Tataga, a third-year mage who specialized in water element magic. Although they weren’t top-tier experts, their martial arts and magical skills were certainly commendable. Despite their looks not being particularly striking, they possessed admirable qualities-like Anbury’s straightforwardness and Tataga’s sincerity-which paired well with Hai Linda and Anja, enhancing their overall presence. This was later confirmed by Anbury himself when he revealed that they were actually two couples.

After freshening up, Tianxiang felt rejuvenated, shaking off the dust of travel and the gloom in his heart. His confident demeanor upon regaining his composure caught the eyes of the four companions. With his calm and serene expression paired with his handsome features, he gave off the vibe of the neighborhood boy, uplifting everyone’s spirits as if they were basking in a gentle spring breeze.

Even Anja, who had initially focused all her attention on Xiao Ya, couldn’t help but be drawn in by the feeling Tianxiang exuded. Xiao Ya then placed one paw on her waist and pointed at Tianxiang with her other paw, clearly conveying to him, “You should have shown up like this sooner! Now that girl is staring at me like a cat watching a mouse, making me feel all uneasy.” Seeing Xiao Ya’s antics, Tianxiang couldn’t help but think to himself, “What a loudmouth!”

Noticing Tianxiang’s impressive side, Anbury spoke first, saying, “Lucky for me and Tataga that we managed to catch Hai Linda and Anja first; otherwise, it would be quite the struggle now!” His straightforward comment revealed their underlying gossip. As they continued on their journey, Anbury took on the role of the free loader, acting as a porter, hunter, and guard, all at once.

That night, during dinner, Tianxiang was busy turning the rabbit meat in his hands, occasionally sprinkling it with spices. The savory aroma filled the air, and the slightly crisp, golden-brown crust made everyone’s mouths water. Xiao Ya, with her sly little eyes, was fixated on the rabbit meat, and the gurgling sounds coming from Hai Linda’s stomach only intensified everyone’s hunger.

As they enjoyed the meal, Anbury praised, “Tianxiang, your cooking skills are truly impressive! Hai Linda should really learn from you; otherwise, my stomach… ah! My ears!”

Hai Linda, with greasy hands, pinched Anbury’s ear while savoring the rabbit meat, mumbling through her mouthful, “You can eat as much as you want, but don’t talk too much!”

Watching their playful interaction, the other three shared a knowing smile. Anja, not caring about her ladylike image, pointed at Anbury’s ear and burst out laughing, “Brother, your ears are all shiny and bloated, like freshly marinated pig ears!”

Once she said that, everyone took a closer look and erupted into laughter. Anbury, used to their banter, didn’t mind too much; he only focused on filling his own stomach, which was what mattered most. In this atmosphere of youthful laughter, Tianxiang also felt his mood relax and blend in with the fun.

Suddenly, though, an inexplicable tightening gripped Tianxiang’s heart, as if some bad news were about to arrive. As he pondered what it might be, he overheard Hai Linda and the others mention that their outdoor cultivation training was coming to an end, and they needed to hurry back to report to Saint Kai Academy.

Tianxiang thought to himself, could it be Xiao Xue and the others? That thought only intensified the uneasy feeling inside him. He suddenly stood up, a worried expression on his face, and said to Hai Linda and the others, “I’m going to take a walk!”

Before Hai Linda could ask him anything, Anbury stopped her and said seriously, “Go ahead! If there’s a chance, we’ll meet again at Saint Kai Academy.”

Tianxiang raised his hand lightly, expressing his gratitude to Anbury. In that moment, filled with unspoken understanding, everyone watched as Tianxiang and Xiao Ya, still nibbling on the rabbit meat, disappeared into the darkness.

Hai Linda then asked, “Why didn’t you let me ask him why?”

Anbury replied confidently, “Even if you ask him, you won’t find out the reason. Although our time together was brief, I’ve realized that Tianxiang is an enigmatic person. If he doesn’t want to share something, even if you threaten him with your life, he still won’t say a word. Moreover, we know nothing about where he comes from or who he truly is, so let’s allow him to have his own space for secrets. I believe we’ll have the chance to meet again one day.”

Seeing the determination in Anbury’s eyes as he shared his thoughts, and noticing Tataga nodding in agreement, Hai Linda felt her eager knightly spirit had to be set aside for the moment.

Meanwhile, Tianxiang walked away from Anbury and the others, burdened by great unease. As he gazed out at the vast darkness of the night, he felt lost about which direction to take. Thus, instead of wandering aimlessly, he stood still, slowly closed his eyes, and, through the advanced principles of the heaven and earth spiritual technique, released his intense and heightened senses into the night.

Suddenly, he sensed a chilling atmosphere and unusual energy coming from the northeast.

Multitasking, Tianxiang focused on that direction while simultaneously keeping his feet moving, leading him to the outskirts of a concealed grove where the oppressive atmosphere grew denser. The air was thick with a strong, drowsiness-inducing drug. For Tianxiang, who had been surrounded by potions since childhood, that potent anesthetic felt like a mere mosquito bite-unnoticed and harmless.

Cautiously, Tianxiang relied on his extraordinary agility, quickly arriving at the battlefield and finding a hiding spot in a tall tree. Despite his overwhelming anxiety, seeing the situation unfolding below filled him with intense anger.

Yingdie, Dixiang, and a demon beast resembling a wolf lay unconscious on the ground, their fate unknown.

Surrounded by a protective circle formed by the blood-soaked and exhausted Feng Xuewu, Liu Feng, and Atta, each of them was in poor condition, swaying feebly as if drugged. Fortunately, they had ingested some of Tianxiang’s blood, which gave them a slight resistance to the drug, otherwise they too might have been lying on the ground. Yue Lianxuan, her face pale, was inside the circle, tending to the fallen human and beasts. Only Xiaojin, moving like a streak of golden lightning, was still actively dodging around, combating the dual axe-wielding lion orc and tiger orc.

Looking toward the enemy, an ominous, one-armed Elder was perched atop a restless demon beast, resembling a leopard in its agitation. Beside him stood a Bearman of the beast tribe, his simple leather attire unable to conceal his robust and broad physique, his red hair and chest fur blazing like a giant fireball. The handles of his giant axes exceeded the height of an average human.

Suddenly, the one-armed Elder addressed the Bearman, saying, “Geliesi, tell your orc subordinates to hurry up. Don’t delay too long.”

With a thunderous voice, Geliesi replied, “Po Wu, just bear with it a bit longer. I want to capture them alive. You’ve been wanting that snake, haven’t you? Once we catch it, it’s all yours to deal with.”

Po Wu chuckled darkly, “Everyone says orcs are all brawn and no brains. I didn’t expect you to use strategy as well!”

Geliesi responded, “The feeling is mutual! Compared to your elaborate scheme with the intoxicating fragrance, my strategy is quite basic. Moreover, having been around you for so long, one has to use their wits, or else one wouldn’t even know how they died.”

With his cunning indirectly mocked by Geliesi, Po Wu, unable to save face, changed the subject, “If your strategy doesn’t speed up, I think your orcs won’t make it!”

At that moment, as the two were conversing, the charging and clumsy lion orc and tiger orc were unable to match Xiaojin’s speed. The fleeting golden radiance disoriented them, causing them to injure one another more than once. Amidst Po Wu’s head-shaking and the cries of the wounded orcs, Geliesi issued orders to hold their ground. With no opportunity left to exploit, Xiaojin retreated to the ground, proudly observing his handiwork. However, as Xiaojin relaxed his mind and spirit for just a moment, Geliesi shouted, “Spirit Whip, capture the snake!”

Suddenly, whoosh! Whoosh! Multiple long whips shot from the gaps in the trees, raining down like a net over Xiaojin, intertwining and closing in. Despite Xiaojin’s rapid movements, he ultimately couldn’t escape the tightly woven web of whips, and his frantic struggles proved futile. Emerging from the trees was a group of wolves and fox orcs, slowly tightening their grips on the whips. Their excellent coordination and meticulous planning revealed Geliesi’s keen intellect and clever strategies.

Seeing Xiaojin caught, Po Wu gleefully remarked, “Little guy, stop struggling. Once we return, you’ll obediently become my pet.” He then advanced toward Xiaojin, holding a specially crafted golden net.

Observing Feng Xuewu and the others steadfastly resisting the anesthetic without collapsing, Geliesi addressed them, saying, “You should surrender! Although our alliance has stated that only females are exempt and the rest may face lethal consequences, I won’t take advantage of your misfortune.”

In their precarious state, Feng Xuewu and Atta remained solemn and vigilant, while Liu Feng responded with a mischievous grin, “Really? With your strength, you’re resorting to using drugs against a few teenagers, and now you act all righteous, asking us to surrender without a fight? Isn’t that the definition of taking advantage of someone’s misfortune? Turns out, this is the typical tactic of the orc race; you’ve taught us a valuable lesson.” He then gave a respectful bow to Geliesi, which immediately sparked shame and outrage among the orc warriors.

Seeing the orcs’ reaction, Liu Feng shook his head dismissively, saying, “Tsk! Tsk! Now that’s what you call anger from humiliation.” The orcs, proud of their warrior nature, could hardly tolerate such an insult, itching to charge forward and engage the enemy in battle.

Geliesi raised his right hand, and the agitated orcs immediately fell silent. He spoke slowly, “Our organization demands that tasks be completed by any means necessary; everything else is just talk. So, you can only blame your bad luck.”

Po Wu, who was still approaching Xiaojin, suddenly interjected, “Geliesi, stop deluding yourself into thinking they will surrender. The resilience and fighting spirit of these kids are not to be underestimated.”

Feng Xuewu, her head feeling heavy yet determined, gritted her teeth and pointed her Indigo Ice Spear at Geliesi, her eyes shining with intensity as she coldly declared, “Only death awaits-there will be no surrender.”

In an instant, a chilling aura of death emanated from Feng Xuewu, and her unwavering resolve ignited a strong sense of fear and respect among Geliesi and the others. They felt as though they were caught in the midst of a brutal battlefield, besieging a commander who was fighting desperately despite being outnumbered. Yet, the unyielding killing intent and commanding presence emanating from the commander instilled both reverence and dread, preventing anyone from daring to step forward.