C84 Tame the Heavenly Tiger
In a remote mountain range, a massive Wild Elephant charged with a thunderous roar toward an opposing figure. Standing before the beast was a slender silhouette. As the Wild Elephant neared impact, three chains materialized out of nowhere and shot forward, ensnaring the creature with an unyielding grip. Despite its deafening bellows and frantic thrashing, the Wild Elephant couldn't escape its bindings.
The youth attempted to hurl the Wild Elephant skyward with the chains, but the realization quickly set in that the beast's colossal size and weight of several tons made such a feat impossible. "Skyfire Battle Body, condense!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the air. In an instant, his stature surged, transforming him into a towering inferno over two meters tall, his strength magnified.
With a low grunt, the youth pulled with all his might. Astonishingly, the Wild Elephant was lifted by the chains and flung into the sky before crashing down with a resounding boom. The earth trembled as the beast created a deep crater upon impact.
In a swift counter, the Wild Elephant's trunk unfurled, unleashing a barrage of water pillars that swept forth, freezing the ground and shattering trees into icy fragments. Unfazed, the youth's feet glowed with twin orbs of dazzling crimson, reminiscent of the sun's fiery gaze. With these radiant spheres propelling him, he evaded the watery assault with incredible speed and precision, weaving between the columns of water, untouched.
As the Wild Elephant's fury intensified, the number of water columns multiplied, drawing in the ambient spiritual energy of water from the surroundings. "Wild Flame Hit!" the youth declared. Four enormous fireballs materialized in his grasp and, with a flick of his wrist, they rocketed toward their target, shrouded in mist.
The ensuing steam enveloped both combatants, obscuring the scene. Yet, through the haze, the glint of three crimson chains was unmistakable. A moment later, the mountain range echoed with the Wild Elephant's agonized cries.
As the mist dissipated, the defeated Wild Elephant lay on the ground, impaled by the chains. The flames along the chains seared through its wounds, consuming its internal organs. Before long, the Wild Elephant lay lifeless, its struggle at an end.
"Nice work, brother," Lin Qingshan said, clapping her hands as she approached.
Han Feng responded with a smile.
Ten days had passed since Lin Tao's assault.
During this time, Han Feng and Lin Qingshan had been adventuring through the mountain ranges.
Lin Qingshan's aim was to guard against further attacks from the Lin family. They suspected Yu Lao might be shadowing them, but without confirmation, the threat of another Elder or a Mystic Rank master loomed—if Yu Lao had departed, they'd be sitting ducks.
Han Feng, on the other hand, sought out Devil Beasts to hone his Martial Skills.
His bond with Lin Qingshan meant he no longer concealed his higher-grade origin fluid, such as that derived from the Human Origin Fruit. This revelation had stunned Lin Qingshan.
The origin fluid of old could only enhance Mortal-rank Martial Cultivators.
The current fluid could boost those up to Four-star Human Rank.
And in the future...
Lin Qingshan couldn't help but speculate whether there might be origin fluid potent enough to elevate someone at the Peak of Human Rank, in the Late Period of Human Rank, or even a Mystic Rank expert.
When Lin Qingshan's questioning eyes met Han Feng's, he subtly nodded, confirming her suspicions.
Having the liberty to ingest the Human Origin Fruit's origin fluid in Lin Qingshan's presence had propelled Han Feng's cultivation foundation significantly over the past ten days.
In just that short span, he had ascended to the Peak of Two-star Human Rank, a mere step from Three-star.
Naturally, Han Feng consumed the origin fluid discreetly; the Nine Flames Heavenly Fire Tower was a treasure too precious to reveal, even to those closest to him.
Han Feng's Martial Skills had also seen remarkable progress in these ten days.
The Profound Flame Chain had attained the Small Completion Stage, and when combined with mortal fire, its might rivaled the fully-realized power of a Medium-class Human Rank Martial Skill.
Both Wild Flame Hit and Sun Nine Steps neared the Small Completion Stage, their power on par with the perfected Lower-grade Human Rank Martial Skills.
Now, at the Peak of Two-star Human Rank, Han Feng's prowess—when wielding his three major Martial Skills and the Skyfire Battle Body—could challenge that of a Five-star Human Rank.
The Wild Elephant we encountered earlier was a Devil Beast at the early stage of Rank Six, just a hair's breadth away from the mid-stage beasts of the same rank, which are on par with a five-star warrior at the Human Rank.
As for the Skyfire Battle Body, there hasn't been much progress. Lacking Fire attribute Spirit Creatures, it's tough to enhance this particular Martial Skill. Pure Spirit Qi alone isn't enough to boost the power of the Skyfire Battle Body.
After sharing a laugh, Han Feng inquired, "Sister Lin, we're getting close to Renwu City now, aren't we?"
Lin Qingshan confirmed with a nod, "Exactly. We need to pick up the pace. Brother, you're nearing a breakthrough, right? We'll find a quiet, safe spot in Renwu City for that. The mountain range still poses some risks."
"Let's go catch a Devil Beast known for its speed."
They ventured deep into the mountain range, a place distinctly different from the Jade Peak Mountain Range. The core of Jade Peak was home to Devil Beasts at the early to mid-stage of Rank Six, but this unnamed range harbored numerous beasts of Rank Eight.
There were even a handful of Rank Nine Devil Beasts. Lin Qingshan, with her intel, knew better than to engage with these formidable creatures.
Having reached the pinnacle of the early stage of the Eleven-star Human Rank, Lin Qingshan was on the cusp of the mid-stage. Her recent clash with Lin Tao led to an epiphany, catapulting her directly to the mid-stage of the Eleven-star Human Rank.
Deep within the core, they set their sights on an Early Period Heavenly Tiger. A Devil Beast at this stage typically matched a Ten-star at the Human Rank in strength.
The Heavenly Tiger's prowess in battle wasn't its standout feature; rather, it was its intelligence that was key. A Level 8 Heavenly Tiger might only be marginally stronger than a Nine-star Human Rank, nowhere near the power of a Ten-star. Yet, the intelligence of the Heavenly Tiger was no less than that of Devil Beasts at Level 8 or higher, rivaling those at Levels 9 and 10.
Such a Devil Beast could fully comprehend human speech.
As soon as Han Feng and Lin Qingshan made their appearance, the Heavenly Tiger's eyes darted around with caution, holding back from launching any premature attacks.
With a nonchalant tone, Lin Qingshan posed the question, "Would you consent to serve as my mount until we reach Renwu City?"
The pupils of the Heavenly Tiger constricted in response.
Baring its fangs, the Heavenly Tiger's face was a mask of murderous intent.
Lin Qingshan let out a light laugh, "I take it you're not keen on the idea. Well then, I'll just have to convince you by force until you change your mind."
"Purple Thunder Whip—Purple Dragon Thunder Roar!"
The Heavenly Tiger was enveloped in a storm of purple lightning, falling to the ground in defeat.
Standing over it with one foot on its head, Lin Qingshan inquired again, "How about now? Are you ready to accept being my mount?"
Under normal circumstances, another Devil Beast of level eight might have chosen mutual destruction at this juncture. But the Heavenly Tiger was no ordinary beast; it was intelligent and valued its life too much to throw it away so easily.
The large tiger eyes of the beast blinked slowly.
Lin Qingshan retracted her whip, reassuring it, "Rest easy. We'll set you free once we're near Renwu City. We lack a high-level Storage Ring to conceal you, and frankly, we have no desire to enter the city with someone of your... impressive stature."
At that, the Heavenly Tiger rose to its feet, bowed its head, and let out a subdued roar, signaling its acquiescence.
