Chapter 649: Heart Stirred

Towering mountains, primitive vegetation, countless unknown flowers and grasses exuded a faint fragrance. Though it was already winter, the abundant spiritual energy here still made it appear vibrant and lush.

"This Qingji Mountain is indeed a blessed place for cultivation!"

After looking around, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but praise.

Being able to become a second-rate empire, surpassing many kingdoms, the Master Teacher Academy was one factor, but more importantly, it was a place of outstanding people and spiritual energy.

Both Qingji Mountain and Dragon Scale River nurtured spiritual energy; entering them gave one a sense of relaxation and made cultivation faster.

"Let's go back first!"

After adjusting for a while and recovering from the injuries sustained from falling from the sky, he was about to return to the imperial capital when he suddenly heard a rustling sound, and then saw a huge Bear-Scale Tiger stealthily moving forward.

"Hmm?"

Zhang Xuan was startled.

The Bear-Scale Tiger was a spirit beast around the Mortal Transformation Fifth Layer, extremely fierce, and could be called the overlord of its level in the jungle. Even a Mortal Transformation Sixth Layer initial stage expert would find it hard to win in a fight against it.

This creature usually hunted openly and boldly, with nothing daring to confront it head-on. Why was it now sneaking around like some fox-type spirit beast?

Most importantly, he had already seen it. With its abilities, it should have noticed him, but it ignored him completely and walked away, which was strange.

"Let's see what this guy is up to..."

Suddenly curious, he leaped and landed on a branch, chasing after the direction the Bear-Scale Tiger had taken.

Soon, he saw the big fellow again, lying low on the ground, cautiously moving forward.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Not far from it was a huge Gray Lion spirit beast.

The Gray Lion spirit beast, like the Bear-Scale Tiger, was also a Mortal Transformation Fifth Layer spirit beast, with comparable strength. Because they competed for similar prey, they were always hostile and irreconcilable.

"It seems natural enemies have appeared; both big fellows are thinking of ambushing each other!"

Zhang Xuan smiled.

He thought it was something else, but it turned out both sides had discovered their natural enemy and wanted to take the chance to ambush.

"Might as well watch how these two big fellows fight; maybe I can pick up some techniques and create one or two martial skills!"

Seeing this, Zhang Xuan was in no hurry to leave.

After all, everyone knew he had been taken away by his teacher, so there was no need to rush back.

Watching such a fierce tiger-lion fight might allow him to create one or two martial skills.

In history, many people had created ultimate moves by watching spirit beasts fight.

Crouching on a tree branch, he watched the Bear-Scale Tiger and the Gray Lion spirit beast slowly approach each other, soon passing through the bushes and seeing each other.

Whoosh!

He expected to see a fierce battle immediately, but instead of fighting as imagined, the two big fellows nodded at each other and walked side by side.

"This..."

Zhang Xuan blinked.

When had these two natural enemies become good friends?

And it seemed they were joining forces to deal with something.

Full of curiosity, Zhang Xuan quietly followed. After walking a bit further, he heard a whistling sound in the air, and a huge flying spirit beast descended from the sky.

"A Mortal Transformation Fifth Layer flying spirit beast... Dragon Eagle Beast?"

His eyes widened.

This big fellow was also famous, known as the overlord of the sky among Mortal Transformation Fifth Layer spirit beasts, extremely fierce, with steel claws that could tear apart even spirit-grade mid-grade weapons.

Compared to it, the earlier Yao Chen would be no match even if three of him fought together!

Could it be... these two spirit beasts were going to deal with this flying one?

No way. The land overlord and the sky overlord usually kept their distance. Besides, it could fly, so how could they attack it?

That would be like a tiger hunting sparrows or eagles instead of rabbits or deer.

They were different categories; there was no need to fight!

Splash!

Just as he was wondering, he saw the Dragon Eagle Beast land in front of the two spirit beasts. Like before, it nodded, and the three big fellows silently continued forward.

"They... are also allied?"

Zhang Xuan grew more and more astonished.

Two mortal enemies from the mountains joining forces was already strange, and now a flying overlord had joined. What was going on?

What had happened to make them set aside their differences and become friends?

Sizzle sizzle!

He continued following. After walking a bit further, a giant python, a fierce giant ape, a flying spirit beast... all arrived, and soon there were over thirty big fellows gathered.

These spirit beasts all had Mortal Transformation Fifth Layer strength, each one formidable enough to make him hesitate. With so many gathered, even he, bold as he was, felt his scalp tingle, not knowing what to do.

"If I were caught in the middle, it would be hard to escape!"

Hiding quietly behind, afraid to make a sound, Zhang Xuan's palms were sweating.

With so many fierce spirit beasts, even he would find it difficult to escape if surrounded.

Flying, crawling, running... all kinds were present, each with strength that even a Mortal Transformation Fifth Layer peak expert would find hard to contend with. Gathered together, even a Mortal Transformation Sixth Layer expert, or perhaps even a Seventh Layer expert, would have no way out but death.

"What on earth could make so many spirit beasts gather together to deal with it?"

The more dangerous it was, the more curious he became.

What could have happened to make so many different species, many of them natural enemies, set aside their differences and gather together?

"Could it be... some treasure?"

His heart stirred, filled with excitement.

He had heard that when a heavenly treasure appeared, it would attract countless spirit beasts, even causing beast tides. Could so many big fellows gathering mean some powerful treasure was about to emerge?

"No, if it were a heavenly treasure, they should be fighting over it, not cooperating..."

Soon, he dismissed this idea.

With a heavenly treasure, everyone would want it for themselves. If that were the case, they wouldn't be united and coordinated; they would be fighting to the death.

"Whatever it is, let's see what's happening!"

Since he had already discovered it, he naturally wanted to see it through. Zhang Xuan quietly followed.

Rustle!

Amidst his curiosity, the bushes ahead rustled again, and another group of black figures appeared.

"This..."

Seeing these black figures, Zhang Xuan's eyes widened.

The previous arrivals were all spirit beasts, but these... were humans!

There were seven or eight of them, all at the Mortal Transformation Fifth Layer like the spirit beasts, with a reddish tint between their brows, indicating they were bloodstained.

"They are... beast hunters!"

A name popped into his mind, and Zhang Xuan felt like he was going crazy.

Spirit beast hides, bones, blood, and inner cores were all rare treasures for cultivators.

Where there was a market, there were people specializing in this.

Some people, to earn enough profit, tracked and killed spirit beasts, specifically hunting and selling these items, thus forming this strange profession... beast hunters!

Beast hunting was a type of profession but not a special one, like herb cultivators, and was not recognized by the Master Teacher Academy.

Not because it was cruel, but because it lacked a complete inheritance.

Many people became beast hunters out of necessity, but countless others were killed by spirit beasts and eaten on the spot, causing the inheritance to be lost.

The mortality rate was too high, and many experiences were not passed down. Therefore, beast hunters had no fixed organization or guild, and naturally could not be called a "special profession."

Zhang Xuan had read about such people in books because there were quite a few, but... he never expected to see them together with so many spirit beasts!

Regardless, beast hunters and spirit beasts were mortal enemies, yet they were also gathered together... what was happening?

The beast hunters came to the spirit beasts and, like the spirit beasts before, nodded, then all moved forward in unison.

The group of spirit beasts and beast hunters, who should have been fighting, were now harmoniously like old friends, leaving him completely baffled.

Seeing the group growing larger, to avoid being discovered, Zhang Xuan had to use the Red Dust Heaven-Stepping Steps to fly among the dense branches and leaves.

After advancing a bit more, a waterfall hung before him, cascading three thousand feet straight down, its sound shaking the heavens.

The rising mist nourished the surroundings, making everything emerald green.

"It's winter, so why is it so lush here?"

Zhang Xuan was puzzled.

Although Qingji Mountain, due to abundant spiritual energy, did not have withered plants like other places, it was still winter, and the green was tinged with some heaviness.

But this place was a vivid green, like spring had arrived, which was baffling.

Could this waterfall be unusual?

Splash!

Below the waterfall was a huge pool, where a white, furry spirit beast was swimming.

It was only the size of a watermelon, with lively, adorable eyes.

"It's... a Snow Fox, and it seems to be a newborn!"

Zhang Xuan recognized it.

The Snow Fox was a rare type of spirit beast, not very aggressive, but its inner core was extremely precious, said to contain special power that could unconditionally elevate a cultivator or spirit beast by one major level!

This wasn't just from early stage to mid stage, or mid stage to late stage, but a major level... meaning it could take someone from the Turbid Clarity Realm directly to the Spirit Union Realm!

It was definitely a heaven-defying heavenly treasure!

"But... just a small Snow Fox wouldn't warrant so many big fellows joining forces to attack it!"

The Snow Fox was precious, but it wasn't aggressive. Any Bear-Scale Tiger or Gray Lion could easily tear it apart. Why gather a whole group?

And this was just a newborn Snow Fox; there was no need for these big fellows to be so alert.

"No, they are targeting..."

Full of doubt, he followed the gaze of the spirit beasts and beast hunters, and was stunned.

By the pool stood a white-clad figure, quietly amidst the landscape, flowers, and grass, like a serene painting.

So still that, before he saw her, even with his soul strength, he hadn't noticed her at all!

He looked over and happened to see the white-clad figure turn her head. Her beautiful face blended with nature. At just one glance, Zhang Xuan felt his heart suddenly stir.

Since coming to this world, his calm, unruffled state of mind "shattered" open.