Teng Qingshan looked at the woman before him, clad in purple fur, and his composure wavered.
Whether it was her looks, her gaze, or her bearing, she was so incredibly similar! Exactly like his beloved ‘Little Cat’ from his previous life.
If the Li Jun he had saved years ago resembled the younger version of ‘Little Cat,’ this woman now looked nearly identical to the mature version! Most importantly, it was the temperament! Both Little Cat and Teng Qingshan had endured hellish training as assassins, battling constantly on the brink of death.
That delicate young woman, ‘Li Jun,’ didn’t possess Little Cat’s aura.
But...
the woman before him shared a very similar bearing to Little Cat.
There was the same current of coldness running through her.
“You are...
Little Jun?” Teng Qingshan spoke, a hint of doubt coloring his uncertainty.
The woman, lifting her veil, instantly displayed a look of sheer delight upon hearing his words: “Big Brother Teng, it’s really you!” This woman in purple was indeed Li Jun, the girl Teng Qingshan had saved long ago! Moments earlier, seeing the Samsara Spear in his hand, she had begun to suspect the identity of the person before her.
Furthermore, being out on the great plains, Teng Qingshan hadn't expected anyone to recognize him.
Besides, the grasslands were no longer within the sphere of influence of the Nine Provinces’ major powers.
No one was hunting him.
Adding to this, Teng Qingshan’s strength had surged significantly; even if a Golden Core expert tried to challenge him, Teng Qingshan wouldn't be afraid! And after six months of hard ascetic training across the plains, using the heavens and earth as his bed, he had naturally become somewhat unkempt.
His clothes were ragged, and a beard had grown in.
This disguise wasn't something that could last for a year or half a year with a single application.
Over time, the makeup had almost completely faded.
In truth, if a close relative had arrived, they would have recognized Teng Qingshan immediately in his current state.
However...
if it wasn't someone intimately familiar, recognition was unlikely.
Teng Qingshan’s physique had changed, and six months of rough living on the plains had darkened and dirtied his skin, coupled with the thick beard.
Who could easily identify him? But— Li Jun, who had never stopped thinking about Teng Qingshan, remembered his appearance with crystal clarity.
From the bearded visage before him now, she could faintly discern the shadow of the handsome young man Teng Qingshan had been that year! Coupled with that Samsara Spear in his hand.
That was why she had removed her veil! For anyone else, seeing her face would reveal nothing more than a beautiful, unfamiliar woman.
But if this was truly Teng Qingshan, he should recognize her.
“You recognized me?” Teng Qingshan looked at his own body in surprise, touching the beard on his face.
That even this slovenly version of himself was recognized—he suddenly glanced at the Samsara Spear in his hand and chuckled, “Little Jun, so it was this Samsara Spear that revealed my identity.” Teng Qingshan smiled, threw off the wrapping around him, opened the box, disassembled the Samsara Spear, and placed it inside.
“Big Brother Teng, is that Battle-Axe Divine God inside the box?” Li Jun glanced curiously at the axe within the container.
“Yes.” Teng Qingshan rewrapped the bundle and slung it onto his back.
A trace of a smile played in Li Jun’s eyes: “Big Brother Teng, you didn’t really need to hide the Samsara Spear...
Out on the great plains, no one will be chasing you.
Even if someone knew you were Teng Qingshan, it wouldn't matter.” “It’s always a hassle to be known,” Teng Qingshan replied with a smile.
That this girl Little Jun knew his identity, Teng Qingshan didn’t mind much.
The very first time he met her, he had felt a distinct concern for her...
perhaps only because her appearance was identical to his former wife’s.
But regardless, Teng Qingshan had to admit...
facing Li Jun, he genuinely felt nothing but affection! “These last six months, Little Jun has become an Inner Strength master.
Coupled with her turning thirteen last year, she is right in the prime stage of growth.
With abundant Inner Strength energy, her body developed rapidly.
She’s now nearly half a head taller than last year,” Teng Qingshan sighed inwardly.
Just then— “Roar~~” A loud roar sounded from nearby.
Teng Qingshan turned his head and saw the Red-Eyed Snow Lion Beast, which resembled a small mountain, staring intently at him.
“Tsk tsk, what is it? Seeing me put away the Samsara Spear, you want to fight?” Teng Qingshan smiled at the Red-Eyed Snow Lion Beast.
“If it weren't for Little Jun’s sake, I would have taught you a lesson today!” Teng Qingshan clenched a fist.
A faint glimmer of light flashed.
“Roar~~ Roar~~” Li Jun also shouted a few times at the Red-Eyed Snow Lion Beast.
Only then did the Red-Eyed Snow Lion Beast quiet down.
“Little Jun, this Red-Eyed Snow Lion Beast is quite interesting.
While I was hunting it, it kept pretending it wanted a real fight.
But then it suddenly fled!” Teng Qingshan laughed, looking at the beast.
“Now I realize, it was deliberately stalling for time, letting you bring helpers to save it.” Li Jun glanced at the beast: “Red-Eye is too wild, not very obedient.
Not like Big Black and Big White, who listen so well.” “Big Black, Big White?” Teng Qingshan smiled.
“You have a real knack for naming things.” Li Jun’s face flushed slightly upon hearing this: “Big Brother Teng, don’t tease me.” Looking at the blushing Li Jun, Teng Qingshan seemed to see the Little Cat from years ago, coyly acting during their tender moments.
A touch of tenderness naturally arose in his heart.
“Big Brother Teng?” Li Jun noticed the change in Teng Qingshan’s gaze.
“Oh.” Teng Qingshan sighed inwardly.
Being with the Li Jun from last year was fine; after all, that was the Little Cat in her girlhood.
But now...
it was almost as if the real Little Cat stood before him.
It involuntarily stirred the deepest, long-buried emotions in his soul.
“Little Jun, how did you tame these three demonic beasts?” Teng Qingshan quickly changed the subject.
Facing Li Jun, Teng Qingshan could only admonish himself internally: “She is Little Jun.
Not Little Cat.” Li Jun wrinkled her nose and laughed: “Of course, I didn't tame them! With my current strength, they could tear me to shreds with one swipe.
Actually, how should I put it...” “Start from the beginning!” Teng Qingshan cared deeply for this orphaned Li Jun.
Li Jun nodded obediently: “The year Big Brother Teng went to the Savage Lands, while I was still in the city, I encountered my Master! My Master even said I was a martial arts prodigy.
She gave me a cup of ‘Snow Lotus Water,’ which nearly cleared all my meridians and granted me profound Inner Strength.” “Snow Lotus Water?” Teng Qingshan had never heard of such a heavenly treasure.
He had always assumed it was the ‘Jade Essence Marrow.’ Li Jun continued: “Later, my Master took me and captured all the villains who killed my family.
Those villains...” Li Jun ground her teeth, her eyes showing fierceness, “I killed them all with my own hands!” Teng Qingshan looked at Li Jun in astonishment.
Killing? It sounded easy enough, but for someone who had never killed, the first time was always hard.
Li Jun, a delicate girl, surely hadn't killed before.
And to kill a whole group of villains on her first try—some people’s mindsets would surely change drastically! “Little Jun, you weren't afraid?” Teng Qingshan inquired.
“A little.
I was quite scared then, I couldn't sleep well,” Li Jun immediately shook her head.
“But I realized early on, they were all deserving of death! Of course, they had to be killed!” Teng Qingshan sighed silently.
A young girl whose entire family was massacred, and who then personally executed one by one the murderers who were powerless to resist.
Such an experience must have had an impact on her spirit as profound as the training in an assassin’s hell.
No wonder Li Jun’s temperament had become somewhat cold now.
Temperament, while seemingly ethereal, was actually tied to one's experiences, knowledge, and mental fortitude! Teng Qingshan and Li Jun sat together on the grass.
The three demonic beasts at the Golden Core level stood nearby, the Red-Eyed Snow Lion Beast occasionally glaring fiercely at Teng Qingshan.
“After returning with my Master, I diligently practiced the whip techniques!” Teng Qingshan also noticed a slender, dark-green whip coiled around the belt at Li Jun’s waist, beneath her purple fur coat.
Suddenly, Teng Qingshan realized—it was rather improper for a man to stare at a woman's waist, so he immediately looked up.
Li Jun’s face was still slightly flushed as she continued: “However, after you had the accident, the news spread everywhere.
I was very worried too.” Li Jun looked at Teng Qingshan, who smiled at hearing this; at least this girl hadn't forgotten him completely.
Li Jun sighed helplessly: “I wanted to help Big Brother Teng, but I had no idea where you were.
At that time, I met my Martial Uncle.
Martial Uncle said...
Big Brother Teng’s disguise skills are exceptional; no one could find you.
I believed him then, and while practicing my whip skills, I also began learning ‘Beast Language’ from him.” “Beast Language?” Teng Qingshan looked at Li Jun doubtfully.
“Is your Martial Uncle the Beast King, ‘Wu Hou’?” “Yes, he is my Martial Uncle,” Li Jun nodded.
Teng Qingshan’s heart was immediately rocked by tremendous waves.
Legend said the Beast King ‘Wu Hou’ had no master, but...
Wu Hou had a junior martial sister? How could he not have a lineage? “Little Jun, the world says Wu Hou has no master.
Your lineage...” Teng Qingshan asked in surprise.
Li Jun showed a slight smile and whispered softly: “Martial Uncle certainly has a Master! He is my Grandmaster.
This is a huge secret, absolutely not to be spread.
Big Brother Teng...
you must never tell anyone.
If others found out, I’d be finished.” Teng Qingshan nodded.
“I learned ‘Beast Language’ from Martial Uncle.
Learning it requires talent; many people never grasp it in their lifetime.
But...
I learned quickly.
Within a month, I mastered the Beast Language of the raptor class! Martial Uncle was pleasantly surprised and praised me, saying I was the most talented at learning Beast Language he had ever seen.” Li Jun smiled.
“Martial Uncle only has one disciple! Because learning Beast Language is truly very difficult for others.
Martial Uncle is over a hundred years old and has only one student, my Senior Martial Brother Wan.” “But, after studying for two months, my Beast Language surpassed his.
He’s been studying for over ten years,” Li Jun said confidently.
“Afterward, following Martial Uncle’s instructions, I came from the Nine Provinces to these northern grasslands.
My tasks were twofold: first, to take good care of these three Golden Core level demonic beasts.
Second, to figure out how to domesticate a tribe of demonic beasts, making them understand human speech!” Li Jun explained.
“Like the Snow Eagle Sect, or the Sun-Shooting Divine Mountain.
After all, a sect cannot have every expert understanding Beast Language.
Thus, we must domesticate the beasts to understand human language.
This way, the sect’s masters can easily command them.” “But making them understand human speech is incredibly hard.
Even Martial Uncle hasn't managed it...
However, Martial Uncle says I have the best talent, even better than him,” Li Jun chuckled.
“So, I’ve been spending my days leisurely here on the great plains.” Teng Qingshan was utterly shocked.
Making demonic beasts understand human language? That was a hundred times more difficult than learning Beast Language itself.
“Someone’s coming!” Teng Qingshan’s six senses were sharp; he turned and looked toward the west.
Across the vast, boundless grasslands, a blurry, blood-red shadow was rapidly approaching from the distance.
“Blood Dragon Horse, the ‘Crimson Wind Beast’?” Teng Qingshan frowned.
“Whinny~~~” The Crimson Wind Beast raised its hooves high and stopped.
Teng Qingshan looked up at its back.
The short-haired, slightly plump man sitting high atop the horse, clad in a purple robe and wearing a golden mask, his cold gaze fixed upon Teng Qingshan, scrutinizing him!