C85 Occasionally Met and Helped out

On the road to Renwu City, a massive Devil Beast charged forward. Martial Cultivators scattered in panic at the sight of the Heavenly Tiger. After all, this was a Level-8 Devil Beast, with strength on par with a Martial Cultivator at the Peak of Human Rank. None dared to provoke such a creature.

Once the Martial Cultivators had cleared the way, they watched the Heavenly Tiger with intense curiosity. They wondered why it had left the deep mountains to make an appearance here.

Their astonishment peaked when they noticed something incredible. Perched atop the back of the formidable beast were a man and a woman, both sitting cross-legged.

"They've actually tamed the Heavenly Tiger. Those two are seriously impressive," one observer remarked.

"Judging by their direction, they seem to be heading to Renwu City," another pointed out.

"Renwu City is one of the cities nearest to the Mystic Level. It's home to quite a few Peak Human Rank Martial Cultivators. It would make sense if they hailed from there," someone else chimed in, sparking a lively debate among the crowd.

One Martial Cultivator, his face glowing with envy, sighed, "When will I ever possess such skill?"

The surrounding crowd scoffed at his wishful thinking. "Your son's nearly grown, and you're just a One-Star Human Rank. Consider yourself lucky if you even reach the middle stage of Human Rank in your lifetime."

His face flushed with embarrassment, the envious Martial Cultivator found himself at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, the two figures on the Heavenly Tiger's back were none other than Han Feng and Lin Qingshan.

Finishing his cultivation session, Han Feng opened his eyes and remarked, "Sister Lin, I must admit, riding on the Heavenly Tiger is both smooth and cozy. I can't feel any jolts at all."

Sister Lin's lips curled into a smile. "Naturally. Why else would I value this Heavenly Tiger so much?"

Sensing the praise, the Heavenly Tiger lifted its head with pride and swaggered.

Han Feng laughed softly, producing a small vial of Human Origin Fruit origin fluid and tossing it into the Heavenly Tiger's awaiting mouth.

The Heavenly Tiger smacked its lips and ran its tongue over them, savoring the taste.

For the Heavenly Tiger, the origin fluid wasn't a boost to its strength, but it was a delectable 'beverage' nonetheless.

It turned its eager gaze to Han Feng.

Han Feng spread his hands in resignation. "That's all that's left."

The Heavenly Tiger turned away, its disappointment palpable.

Then, abruptly, it halted and let out a low growl audible only to Han Feng and Lin Qingshan.

Lin Qingshan's smile waned. "We've got company ahead."

They signaled the Heavenly Tiger to cautiously advance a few paces.

Ahead, the sight unfolded before them: a group of Martial Cultivators, clad like bandits, had encircled a male and a female Martial Cultivator.

The bandit leader declared, "You've stumbled upon secrets not meant for you. Resign yourselves to your fate."

The man's expression turned grave. "If you kill me, the Sun family won't let you bandits off the hook."

The bandit leader sneered. "Do you think Xuanwu Village fears your Sun family?"

Despair washed over the man. Xuanwu Village was a notorious bandit stronghold that had contended with Renwu City for over a decade.

While Renwu City boasted experts at the Peak of Human Rank, very few had attained the Twelve-star Human Rank or the half-step Mystic Rank.

Xuanwu Village, on the other hand, had nearly ten such formidable figures.

Their leader was rumored to be on the cusp of breaking through to the Mystic Rank in the coming years.

In a hushed tone, the man said to the woman, "Little sister, when I engage these bandits, you must escape and inform father. He must unite with the Zhou and Wu families. We cannot let these bandits obtain those items, or Renwu City will be in peril."

Tears brimming, the woman gave a slight nod.

At the bandit leader's command, the bandits lunged at the man.

"Bone Splitting Palm!"

"Golden Feet!"

The clash erupted, with bursts of True Qi light swirling in the fray.

Lin Qingshan observed, "This young man is quite talented. Barely in his twenties and his True Qi cultivation has already reached Six-star Human Rank. He has the potential to ascend to the Mystic Rank in his lifetime."

"The bandit leader is also a Six-star at the Human Rank, but merely in the early stages—two notches below the late-stage Six-star youth."

"Yet, the bandits' sheer numbers could compensate for their weakness. Without assistance, the young man won't last long before meeting his demise."

Han Feng furrowed his brow. "Sister Lin, should we intervene?"

Lin Qingshan paused, then shook her head. "As you know, these bandits hail from Xuanwu Village, and the youth is from the Sun family, one of Renwu City's three major clans. We could take on the Sun family, but we're no match for Xuanwu Village."

"Getting entangled with these two forces would be unwise."

Xuanwu Village!

A glint appeared in Han Feng's eyes. The subsequent techniques for the Profound Flame Chain must be with Xuanwu Village.

The young man's arm was slashed by a bandit, blood streaming from the wound.

The girl, under the youth's protection, slowly withdrew from the fray.

Ultimately, the young man endured another strike to push the girl to safety, shouting, "Little sister, you must tell Father about the Fiery Vermilion Fruit! It's imperative!"

Fiery Vermilion Fruit!

Both Lin Qingshan and Han Feng's expressions shifted.

Lin Qingshan whispered, "You were looking for a Fire attribute Spirit Creature, right? Could this Fiery Vermilion Fruit be of use?"

Han Feng's excitement was palpable. "Absolutely, its potency is twice that of the Fire Crystal you gave me."

Lin Qingshan stroked the Heavenly Tiger's head. "We can't stand by on this one."

Just then, the bandit leader bellowed, "Seize that woman, don't let her spill the beans. We'll catch her and have our fun for a few days!"

Lin Qingshan's initial intent to help turned to frost, her eyes blazing with lethal fury.

"Seeking death!"

The Heavenly Tiger let out a roar that left the Martial Cultivators reeling. In an instant, it pounced, its claws a blur of motion.

All the bandits at the forefront were ripped apart.

In that moment, both the bandit leader and the man snapped to attention. The man dashed toward the young girl, while the bandit leader, retreating, pleaded, "I belong to Xuanwu Village—you can't kill me."

Lin Qingshan had no intention of sparing any of the bandits. Soon enough, every last one of them, leader included, lay dead.

The Heavenly Tiger crouched low, allowing Han Feng and Lin Qingshan to dismount with ease.

"Thank you!" the man expressed, bowing with his hands clasped before the girl.

Lin Qingshan dismissed the thanks with a wave of her hand. "I didn't help you for free. Give me the information about the Fiery Vermilion Fruit!"

The man gave a wry smile, knowing this was coming. He introduced himself and his sister before divulging what they knew about the Fiery Vermilion Fruit.

"My name is Sun Binn, and this is my younger sister, Sun Xin. We stumbled upon the Fiery Vermilion Fruit quite by accident."

"Yesterday, my sister and I..."