Mythical Beast Mountain Range,
Xiao Feng was resting on a thick tree branch, leaning lazily against the trunk while the wind gently rustled the leaves around him.
Just then a scream echoed through the silent forest.
"Ahhhh~"
Xiao Feng was immediately startled awake.
His body moved before his thoughts did, and in the next instant, he had already leapt down from the tree branch.
He landed silently on the ground, his gaze sweeping across the dense forest.
The aura here wasn't strong enough to be dangerous to him, but the presence of a scream meant someone else was here.
Not only that but they were also in trouble.
Without hesitation, Xiao Feng moved toward the source of the sound with light steps.
Soon, he reached a small clearing and what he saw made his pupils constrict.
A pink-haired girl around 12 or 13 years old was backed against a tree trunk, facing a third tier Magical Beast, Black Thunder Leopard.
Her breathing was uneven, her face slightly pale, and her clothes were a little dust.
Xiao Feng could clearly see the predatory yet almost playful glint in the beast's eyes. Clearly, this beast intended to toy with the little girl's life before killing her.
But this also explain why this girl is still alive despite only being a 9 star Dou Zhi Qi.
Facing a third tier Magical Beast which equalled to Dou Shi Realm of Human fighters, there was no other reason for the little girl to still be alive.
Nalan Yanran was currently regretting her decision.
Why, why did she have to sneak out and venture alone in this dangerous forest?
Sneaking out of the camp had seemed like a good idea at the time. A chance to gain experience, to prove herself without relying on the elders watching over her.
But now…
Now she was about to pay for her recklessness.
Facing death up close, Nalan Yanran was terrified. But at the same time, a reckless spirit unique to youngsters made her steadily hold the sword.
Even she were to die, she would make this beast pay a heavy price.
The Black Thunder Leopard tilted its head slightly, as if amused by her resistance.
Then it crouched.
Its body lowered.
Lightning-like Dou Qi began to flicker around its claws.
It was
The Black Thunder Leopard tilted its head slightly, as if amused by her resistance.
Lightning-like Dou Qi began to flicker around its claws.
It was about to end the game.
Nalan Yanran tightened her grip, preparing for a final desperate strike. But just then—
Whoosh! Bang!
A blur shot past her.
The Black Thunder Leopard, which had been about to pounce, was suddenly struck sideways by a single fist.
The impact was so clean, so direct, that the beast didn't even have time to react. Its massive body crashed into several thick trees, snapping them like dry twigs, before collapsing unconscious in a distant patch of grass.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The forest itself seemed to pause.
Nalan Yanran stood frozen, looking at the boy who was standing in front her.
Just like that, was it over?
He... How did he do it? He looks even younger than me.
Xiao Feng carefully looked at the dazed loli before saying, "You alright?"
Hearing his voice, Nalan Yanran returned to her senses
She quickly lowered her sword, though her fingers were still trembling slightly from the adrenaline that hadn't fully faded.
"I… I'm fine. Thank you for saving me."
"Its nothing. I just happened to be nearby so I helped. And don't No force yourself. Wipe the dust off your face first."
Xiao Feng handed her his handkerchief.
She was stunned for a moment before slowly reaching out and taking the handkerchief.
"Thank you." She said softly, wiping out her dusty face.
"Why are you out here alone? It's dangerous here to be alone in the Mythical Beast Mountain Range, don't you know!"
Xiao Feng's tone wasn't harsh, but anyone could hear the seriousness in it.
Nalan Yanran paused, her fingers tightening slightly around the handkerchief.
"I… I didn't come out here to cause trouble. I came with the Elders. It's just we got separated."
Xiao Feng looked at dodging eyes and felt a little amused. The little girl was clearly not very skilled at lying but was still trying to lie to him. She has a guilty concious written on her face.
"Do you know the way back?"
Xiao Feng decided to send this little girl back to where she came from.
It was fine if he didn't see it but since he saw it then it was natural to help. His morals and ethics from past didn't allow him to knowingly let someone die.
"I, I don't know..." Nalan Yanran lowered her head.
She didn't remember which way she ran after the Black Thunder Leopard chased her. So she didn't know how to go back.
"Sigh! Then would you like to stay with me? It's going to be night soon. We can look for them in the morning."
"Stay… with you?"
Nalan Yanran hesitated the moment those words left Xiao Feng's mouth.
For a brief second her mind jumped to all the worst possible interpretations of that suggestion.
But then she looked at Xiao Feng's childish face and pure eyes, and felt embarassed.
Yanran, Yanran, what are you thinking Yanran? He is just a child, he can't possibly do anything. And look, his eyes are so pure without any desire.
Nalan Yanran shook her head inwardly.
"Alright, I will stay with you. And thank for helping me so much, I will definitely repay you once I get back."
"Hehe, no need for repayment, I didn't save you for any reward. Can you still walk!"
"Um... It should be possible."
Nalan Yanran felt the faint pain from her legs and said while stepping forward. But her legs wobbled.
Xiao Feng quickly supported her.
"Don't try to be brave, if you can't walk, just say so. I will help you."
Nalan Yanran's face immediately turned red, "I, I, I..."
She had never been so close to a boy of similar age. Smelling the faint medicinal fragrance coming from Xiao Feng. She couldn't help but turn red.
Xiao Feng didn't pay attention to the blushing loli. He let go of her hand and crouched down.
"Come up!"
"I, you, me..."
Nalan Yanran wanted to refuse. How could she let a boy whom she just met carry her?
But the pain from her feet reminded her otherwise.
After struggling for a moment, she chose to let it go. She wasn't a shy little girl who didn't understand priorities.
Plus, Xiao Feng only looked around 8 or 9 and had saved her. So her resistance was already lower.
"O-okay!"
Nalan Yanran carefully leaned forward before wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
The moment she did so, her face became even redder. No matter how much she convinced herself before, she still felt very shy.
Fortunately, Xiao Feng didn't notice anything otherwise she would probably turn into a tomato.
After making sure she was stable, Xiao Feng stood up and jumped up in the tree branch then like a ninja from Naruto, he jumped from one brach to another, moving at a fast speed.
Looking at the receding scenery. Nalan Yanran was so surprised that she even forgot her shyness.
Although she wasn't particularly heavy, but carrying someone by stepping on branches required precise control.
Recalling how Xiao Feng easily knocked out the previous Third Tier Black Thunder Leopard, Nalan Yanran couldn't help but be curious as to how strong the boy in front of her was.
Could he be a descendant of some force from Zhongzhou or a hidden power?
Soon, Nalan Yanran and Xiao Feng arrived at their destination which was a hidden cave.
The cave wasn't large. However, it was clean and dry.
It was obvious that someone frequently stayed here.