Chapter 702: Qi'er, don't be afraid.

“Friend Lu, I heard that an accident occurred at the camp yesterday, where a tamed Split Cloud Eagle suddenly attacked Fellow Ding, causing chaos at the scene. Is there any truth to this?”

“I had gone outside the camp at that time, and only heard about it when I returned, which was somewhat unexpected.”

On the flying boat, the mountain ranges below flashed by as Lu Xuan and Pan Hong, one in front of the other, rapidly moved through the sky.

“Indeed, it is true, though it didn’t cause any casualties, it only caused a slight shake in the consistently firm beliefs of Fellow Ding.”

Lu Xuan said with a smile that was not quite a smile, the underlying meaning clear.

“That’s good to hear, a Fourth Grade Ferocious Beast trying to ambush a Jindan Cultivator is truly seeking its own death, its mind completely overtaken by its murderous aura.”

“However, this incident might encourage Fellow Ding to be more flexible in the future, which would be excellent.”

Pan Hong shared a somewhat similar attitude toward ferocious beasts as Lu Xuan, always following a straightforward and aggressive approach, and he somewhat disagreed with Ding Yu spending a lot of time and effort taming ferocious beasts.

Especially in these past few days, he made a point of looking into recent incidents of ferocious beasts harming people in the Secret Land.

As expected by Lu Xuan, the number of incidents involving the ferocious beasts managed by Ding Yu was significantly higher than those on his own side.

Although there may be accidents involved and it’s not absolute, it could still somewhat prove something.

Thinking this, he changed the topic, continuing to speak to Lu Xuan.

“Friend Lu, it has been some time since you arrived at the Secret Land, and you must be quite familiar with everything here, dealing with ferocious beasts even better than all other Cultivators here, including myself.’

‘With the timing being ripe, today, I will take you to see several Fifth-grade and Sixth-grade ferocious beasts in the Secret Land.”

“There are a total of seven Fifth and Sixth Grade Ferocious Beasts in the Secret Land, and their ferocity is many times more than those of the Third and Fourth Grades, not just in facade but vicious to the bone, to the depths of their souls.”

“However, there’s no need to worry too much about them. The Commerce Association has placed Prohibitions and Restrictions inside the bodies of the beasts, which can control their actions to a certain extent, and in extreme cases, even control their life and death.”

“Normally, these ferocious beasts stay within their own areas, peacefully coexisting with the Cultivators.”

“They are not like those Fourth Grade ferocious beasts, which nearly lack Spiritual Intelligence and act on instinct to attack the Cultivators of the Commerce Association.”

“Having been in the Secret Land for so long, the High Rank Ferocious Beasts are well aware of the consequences of killing a Cultivator. As long as you do not provoke them, they will not attack you randomly.”

Pan Hong talked at length.

Lu Xuan intermittently nodded, inwardly marveling at the profound depth of the Sea Tower Commerce Association.

Back in the Sky Sword Sect, even pooling the resources of the entire sect, the Guardian Beasts of the Fifth and Sixth Grades numbered only a few, fewer than what a single Secret Land of the Sea Tower Commerce Association contained.

Under Pan Hong’s guidance, Lu Xuan successively met three Fifth Grade Ferocious Beasts.

The aura of ferocity was so intense on each beast that it seemed almost tangible. During Lu Xuan’s visit, although their demeanor was cold and even hostile, they retained some rationality and did not attack Lu Xuan or Pan Hong.

“This is a Fifth-grade Black Kirin Leopard, containing the bloodline of a Strange Species, even more fierce than the three we saw earlier.”

The flying boat gently descended, and Pan Hong pointed at a large ferocious beast not far away.

The beast’s form resembled that of a leopard, with a unique horn on its head and an indifferent gaze as it looked at Lu Xuan and Pan Hong, releasing dark, evil breaths as it breathed lightly.

As usual, Lu Xuan took out a piece of Demon Beast Meat that the creature liked and threw it to the beast.

A stream of black air shot from the Black Kirin Leopard’s mouth, instantly swallowing several dozen pounds of Demon Beast Meat.

Lu Xuan’s mind focused on the creature’s body, and suddenly, a thought emerged in his mind.

“[Black Kirin Leopard, Fifth Grade Strange Species Ferocious Beast, contains a very faint trace of Black Kirin bloodline in its body, resistant to fire and water, possessing the power to intimidate hundreds of beasts.]

“[How long has it been since I heard my mother’s call? I can’t remember anymore.]”

“I didn’t expect this Black Kirin Leopard to have a soft spot, harboring such a persistent thought deep inside its heart.”

The thought faded, and scene after scene flashed by.

Lu Xuan recalled the scene when he first faced the Green Xuan Deer; when a Demon Beast’s obsession was too deep, the information in his mind would manifest as images.

His Spiritual Sense gently touched those images, instantly pulling him into the depths of the Black Kirin Leopard’s memory.

Just born, full of Spiritual Nature, it was first exposed to the Cultivation World, feeling extremely insecure,

“Qi’er, don’t be afraid, your mother is here,”

At that moment, a gentle voice entered its ears. Struggling to open its eyes, it could see a gigantic beast with a fearsome form, showing the softest expression, gazing intently at itself.

…

When it began to learn hunting, facing a Demon Beast far stronger than itself, its body covered in wounds, blood drenched, a hint of retreat arose in its heart.

“Qi’er, don’t be afraid, you can do it,”

A soft yet firm voice came from behind, the voice imbued with infinite strength, inspiring the young one to rally and charge at the opponent.

…

Its dwelling, peaceful for many years, was invaded by several Jindan Cultivators looking to hunt for Demon Cores and capture its young self.

Still, that towering figure stood firmly in front of it, facing an endless barrage of Magical talismans alone.

At the moment of life and death, it burned its Essence Blood, used the Black Kirin family’s secret technique, and sent itself thousands of miles away.

“Qi’er, don’t be afraid, live well,”

…

The images flashed past, and Lu Xuan’s heart fell silent.

“I didn’t expect this Black Kirin Leopard to have such a past.”

He sighed quietly to himself, then took out a piece of Demon Beast Meat and threw it to a large Ferocious Beast not far away.

The Ferocious Beast glanced over, puzzled why Lu Xuan was adding meat for it but still devoured it in one bite, its expression unchanging.

“Fellow Pan, it’s time to see the next Ferocious Beast,”

Pan Hong reminded him softly.

“Okay.”

Lu Xuan nodded in agreement and was about to leave when he turned back for another look.

The Black Kirin Leopard lay quietly on the ground, its body shrouded in chaotic black evil energy, looking like a malicious deity, yet in Lu Xuan’s eyes, it seemed even more inexplicably lonely than before.

“Fellow Pan, wait a moment, I’ll be right back,”

Lu Xuan jumped down from the flying boat and, under Pan Hong’s puzzled gaze, returned to the ground and hurried toward the Black Kirin Leopard.

The Black Kirin Leopard sensed Lu Xuan’s presence and quickly arched its body, readying an attack stance.

Lu Xuan recalled the voice from the memory, Spiritual Power surged into his throat, inside which the Mirage Sound Pearl kept transforming.

Immediately, a strange sound, uncharacteristic of his identity as a human Cultivator, rang out.

“Qi’er, don’t be afraid.”

…

The instant it heard that voice, the Black Kirin Leopard’s muscles tensed up, freezing in place.

Its gaze faltered, seemingly recalling something, then its body gradually relaxed, tears imperceptibly welling up in its eyes, but quickly obscured by the swirling black Spiritual Energy.

“I am not afraid at all.”