Yu Ziling exerted a sudden burst of strength, far greater than Ji Changkong’s, and instantly wrenched her wrist free, desperate to flee this treacherous land infested with ferocious beasts.

Suddenly, all the monstrous beasts converged near Ji Changkong and abruptly halted, each one gazing at him with hungry, eager eyes. 1 Novel à.1κ.０ Text Version First Release The Sky-Yuan Pterosaur roared once, spreading its massive, fleshy wings. A fierce gale howled out, sweeping up Yu Ziling and tossing her directly into the thicket of grass. The Three-Eyed Dragon Python and other beasts swarmed forward, intent on devouring Yu Ziling. "Don't touch her!" Ji Changkong roared. The beasts, including the Three-Eyed Dragon Python, froze instantly on the spot. They stared at Yu Ziling with cruel eyes, confusion evident, but made no move. "She is my friend; do not harm her!" Ji Changkong quickly clarified. The monstrous beasts understood his words and obediently backed away. Yu Ziling was dumbfounded, too terrified to move. She could not possibly imagine how Ji Changkong, who was only at the Third Heaven Realm, could actually command the great fiends of the Cloud Dream Marsh. The beasts of the Poison Dragon Pool were not comparable to the Saber-Toothed Rhinos or Blood-Patterned Giant Crocodiles from the outer regions; these were true spiritual beasts possessing sentience and the ability to harness the power of heaven and earth. These spiritual beasts not only understood human speech but were also ferociously arrogant, making it impossible for them to heed the commands of a mere Third Heaven cultivator. What in the world was going on? Yu Ziling was utterly confused.

Ji Changkong walked directly toward the Cloud Dream Hegemon, the Sky-Yuan Pterosaur, showing no fear. He climbed smoothly onto the creature’s neck, embracing it tightly, and pleaded, "Great Wind, help me deal with some people, will you?" The Sky-Yuan Pterosaur’s crimson eyes flickered, and it let out a low growl. "Thank you." Having spent so much time with it, Ji Changkong could decipher some meaning from its roar. "Yu Ziling, you should come up too." Awoo! The Sky-Yuan Pterosaur expressed distinct displeasure, glaring fiercely at Yu Ziling in the distance. Yu Ziling started, stepping back several paces, waving her hand dismissively. "Forget it, forget it. It seems it doesn't really like me." "Great Wind, let her come up?" Ji Changkong sighed helplessly, having to continue coaxing the Sky-Yuan Pterosaur. Awoo! The Sky-Yuan Pterosaur growled its refusal. Ji Changkong gave Yu Ziling a wry smile and spread his hands apologetically. "I'm sorry, it truly seems unwilling to allow others on its back. How about you walk with the other beasts? We can hunt down the Old Mother of Mount Wu together?" "Is that possible?" Yu Ziling was quite intrigued. She observed the beasts of the Poison Dragon Pool, cautiously asking, "Absolutely no problem," Ji Changkong guaranteed. "Then fine, I’ll follow you! Hee hee, with them around, this trip through the Cloud Dream Marsh is certainly going to be much more interesting!" Yu Ziling instantly agreed, pondering inwardly: just who was this fellow? How could he make the beasts of the Poison Dragon Pool so obedient? "Let’s go, Great Wind, head north! My enemies are all in the north!" Ji Changkong commanded. A strong wind howled, and the Sky-Yuan Pterosaur took flight, carrying Ji Changkong toward the location of the Old Mother of Mount Wu, Lu Yun, Jia Rongfeng, Zhao Meilan, and the others. Behind it, the entire contingent of beasts from the Poison Dragon Pool followed in a grand procession. ...

With a hundred beasts mobilizing, the earth shook and the mountains trembled. The previously quiet Cloud Dream Marsh suddenly erupted into clamorous activity. Ji Changkong, riding the Sky-Yuan Pterosaur, took the lead, soaring toward the northern reaches of the Marsh. Behind him, Yu Ziling mingled among a cluster of Green-Eyed Scorpions, shouting and exclaiming with excitement, clearly delighted. Along their route, peripheral exotic beasts resembling Saber-Toothed Rhinos, Unicorn Pythons, and Gold-Backed Centipedes, upon hearing the commotion, fled in every direction, putting as much distance between themselves and the procession as possible. The Blood-Patterned Giant Crocodiles, hidden deep within the muddy pools, sensed the imminent danger and dared not move, remaining cowering at the bottom of the mires. Along the way, the cultivators who had come to the Cloud Dream Marsh intending to steal the tribute offerings of the Southern Yi envoys fled in terror as if they had seen a ghost, completely abandoning their petty internal squabbles. Ji Changkong’s eyes swept the surroundings from the back of the Sky-Yuan Pterosaur, sharp as lightning, searching for signs of his enemies. As long as they were not affiliated with the Old Mother of Mount Wu or Zhao Meilan, Ji Changkong ignored them entirely, continuously whispering instructions to the Sky-Yuan Pterosaur to press onward. Two people, accompanied by nearly a hundred fierce beasts, advanced through the Cloud Dream Marsh with unstoppable momentum; nothing and no one dared obstruct them. ...

As the monstrous beasts roared past, cultivators hiding in ancient trees cried out in shock: "There’s a youth on the Sky-Yuan Pterosaur! Heavens, what is happening? How can someone ride the Sky-Yuan Pterosaur?" "I recognize him! He’s from the Ji family! How is this possible? How can he be riding the Sky-Yuan Pterosaur?" A cultivator from Azure Rock City crawled out of a shallow pool, his face etched with astonishment. "The beasts of the Poison Dragon Pool have all mobilized—what for? Is the Cloud Dream Marsh about to undergo some drastic change? This trouble is serious!" "The beasts aren't concerned with us, or they wouldn't charge straight through. Let’s follow them and see what they are planning!" "Yes, follow them." The surviving cultivators emerged from their hiding spots and nervously trailed behind the horde of beasts, desperate to understand the purpose behind the mobilization of the hundred creatures. ...

By a crystal-clear pool, fish swam merrily along the bottom. The faint scent of exotic flowers and strange herbs drifted in the air, and ancient, lush trees curved dramatically overhead like bows, seemingly ready to snap at any moment. The Old Mother of Mount Wu and her five companions were roasting small yellow fish by the water's edge, their expressions grim. "Old Mother, when that little slut left, I saw a young boy. Do you remember? Three years ago, that woman from the Ji family brought a youth to Mount Wu, hoping to become your disciple?" Lu Yun asked after eating several small yellow fish, hesitating before reporting. The Old Mother of Mount Wu nodded slowly, her face dark. "I remember. The Flame Origin Pearl was brought by that girl. That youth was from the Ji family, utterly useless with no trace of Yuan energy in his body. Are you certain you saw him with that little slut?" "I cannot be certain, because he fled immediately upon appearing. I only caught a glimpse from a distance, which is why I only dared to report this to you now." "Once this current affair is settled, we will pay a visit to the Ji family and question that boy thoroughly. The Ji family has long since lost its powerful figures; if it is truly him, hmph..." The Old Mother of Mount Wu’s tone was exceptionally hostile. Thump-thump-thump! Thump-thump-thump! At that moment, a drum-like tremor resonated from the earth. "What is that?" The Old Mother of Mount Wu frowned, suddenly rising. She closed her eyes, listening intently for a moment, then shrieked, "Bad! It’s the beast horde! Everyone up, we must evade them immediately!" Lu Yun, Wang Yuan, and the others’ faces changed, and they hastily dropped everything they were holding. Wang Yuan urgently asked, "The beast horde! The beasts from the Poison Dragon Pool rarely leave their territory, don’t they?" "Stop wasting time, move away quickly!" The Old Mother of Mount Wu shrieked, darting toward another side of the pool. ...

"Old Mother of Mount Wu, Lu Yun, do you still recognize me?!" A long, echoing laugh drifted from the distance. A massive, pitch-black entity descended from the sky, crashing down directly in front of the Old Mother of Mount Wu and Lu Yun. The ground shuddered violently, and Lu Yun and the others staggered, nearly knocked to the ground. "It really is you!" Lu Yun yelled, then panicked, "Old Mother, what do we do?" "Hahahaha, old hag, old whore, see where you run today! Ji Changkong, you handle the old hag; I’ll take care of her little lovers for you!" Yu Ziling bounced energetically amidst the Green-Eyed Scorpions, her voice ringing out clearly, sharp and malicious. "Boy, what do you want?" The Old Mother of Mount Wu looked solemn, staring at the Sky-Yuan Pterosaur while addressing her question to Ji Changkong. "Hand over the Flame Origin Pearl first!" Ji Changkong sneered. "That girl stole it," the Old Mother of Mount Wu pointed at Yu Ziling, her expression sour, her gaze flickering uncertainly. "Ah..." Yu Ziling let out a small gasp. Only when she noticed Ji Changkong looking at her did she speak with a touch of awkwardness: "When I visited Mount Wu last time, while the old hag was away, I took a few things on impulse. I didn't realize your Flame Origin Pearl was among them. Good brother, I'll return it to you later; let’s deal with the old hag first!" "Great Wind, step on her!" Ji Changkong nodded, then pointed at the Old Mother of Mount Wu and shouted suddenly. The hatred accumulated over three years was not something that could be easily dismissed; the humiliations inflicted upon Ji Wanyun and himself had to be repaid tenfold. ...ㄣ...