Chapter 191

Chapter 191

In the Cloud Desert Mountain Range, a group of young cultivators maneuvered through the forest.

All members of the group were of remarkable aptitude, hailing from the Radiant Academy of the Luo Yue Empire.

"We cannot go any further," the young man in white warned with a grave expression. "Beyond this point lies the forbidden zone, inhabited by royal-class beasts. It's far too dangerous."

"Senior, I've heard that there's a White-Striped Tiger King in the forbidden zone. It's said to be quite arrogant!"

The young man in white nodded, saying, "Indeed! Rumor has it that the tiger is extremely ferocious. Anyone who trespasses its territory is ruthlessly attacked. Several warriors who ventured there in the past became its prey."

As they spoke, a wave of cheers echoed nearby.

"Elder Brother Lin has slain a Black-Spotted Dual-Tailed Leopard!"

"Incredible, Elder Brother Lin!"

"Brother Lin is truly a prodigious talent!"

A barrage of enthusiastic discussions reached their ears.

The white-clad youth looked back enviously, remarking, "Junior Brother Lin Yue is really impressive! At only seventeen or eighteen, he's already achieved the Seven-Star Martial Spirit status."

"Lin Yue might be impressive, but from what I've heard, Saint Star Academy has Mu Chen and Ye Shi. These two are extraordinary. They received the legacy of a Martial Ancestor and ascended to the rank of Martial King. They are unparalleled among the younger generation," a girl in blue said with admiration.

"I've also heard that they managed to escape even when besieged by a group of powerful Martial Emperors."

"Rumor has it that they've offended many. Since Saint Star Academy couldn't protect them after they emerged from the secret realm, they've been wandering the world, with no fixed abode," a girl in green added.

"Their tales are legendary. When Mu Chen disappeared years ago, he was already a Three-Star Martial King and even a Level Six Array Master. Who knows how powerful he is now?"

"Back in the day, Mu Chen and Ye Shi were responsible for the deaths of several Martial Emperors. Over the years, there have been many attempts on their lives, but all have failed."

A girl in red, swinging her whip disdainfully, commented, "I think these stories are greatly exaggerated. The Saint Star Academy is from a minor nation, with not even a fifth of our Luo Yue Empire's territory. How could such a place produce real talents?"

"Hong Ling, don't be so dismissive. Even a small country like Xuan Feng Empire can occasionally produce a genius or two."

As they conversed, a white tiger slowly emerged from the depths of the forest.

Atop the tiger sat a young man, with a swarm of golden insects buzzing above his head.

"What a cute tiger!" The girl in green couldn't help but exclaim with wide eyes.

In this world, the higher a tiger beast's rank, the larger it grows. However, once a beast reaches the fifth rank, they have the ability to change their size at will.

"Judging by its size, it's just a cub. It looks so scared! How lucky of that guy to capture a young tiger," the red-clad girl said with envy.

Tiger beasts are wild and unruly, but a young tiger, if raised from a young age, can be tamed.

Ye Shi looked at the circling Sky Devouring Insects above, and lamented, "Enough noise! I know, spirit stones, spirit stones..."

Some of the Sky Devouring Insects he raised had ascended to royal ranks. Upon reaching this level, they can transmit vague intentions, and they incessantly demanded spirit stones from him.

Over the past year, Mu Chen and Ye Shi had expended a mountain of spirit stones to sustain these insects.

Grinding his teeth, Ye Shi reflected on the past year. He and Mu Chen had been on the run, frequently pursued by Martial Emperors. But these insects always paved their way, helping them make narrow escapes.

The girls curiously observed the tiger beneath Ye Shi.

Ye Shi gritted his teeth, having been lost in the forest for two months. He hadn’t encountered any humans, and the spirit stones he had were devoured by the insects. He had spirit stones in his account, but they were mere numbers, not tangible.

"That tiger seems terrified of the insects on the young man's head!"

"It's odd. Why would it be afraid of a few bugs?"

"The tiger looks like it's shivering!"

"The boy seems to have come from the forbidden area. He's so lucky to have survived!"

............

Ye Shi waved his hand, dispersing the insects, "Stop it, stop it! This tiger is my mount. If you devour it, what will I do?"

The Sky Devouring Insects flew a bit higher but still buzzed around the tiger's head reluctantly.

The white tiger gazed at the insects in the sky with evident fear.

"Is there something wrong with that tiger? Its legs seem to be trembling!"

"Young man, are you selling that little tiger?" Hong Ling, with fiery eyes, inquired while looking at the tiger beneath Ye Shi.

Ye Shi patted the tiger's head, jesting, "Little White, someone wants to buy you! I'm a bit strapped for cash. What do you think about selling you?"

The lady in red was elated seeing Ye Shi being so cooperative. She thought to herself: "He's such a greenhorn! Recklessly venturing into forbidden areas and still managing to come out by sheer luck."

"Miss, how many elemental stones are you thinking of offering?" Ye Shi blinked innocently and asked the girl in red.

"How about a million?" she replied, rolling her eyes.

The lady in green on the side glanced at the one in red and thought quietly: "Hongling is trying to get a steal here! Selling that tiger could easily fetch five to six million. After all, young tiger cubs are very popular. While adult tigers are wild and uncontrollable, the young ones can be tamed. Many prominent families train these young beasts from a young age."

Ye Shi patted the white tiger's head and said, "Xiao Bai, she's offering a million for you. Are you pleased with that?"

The white tiger opened its mouth wide, letting out a roar. The sound was filled with anger, but there seemed to be some restraint, making it somewhat subdued.

"Young man, what do you think? A million is a generous offer," Hongling sized up Ye Shi.

She thought, "I wonder where this guy came from, probably from a minor family, an inexperienced fellow. A million should be more than enough for him."

"Xiao Bai, this lady doesn't know your worth. Just offering a million, she's undervaluing you. Show her your might, don't hold back," Ye Shi pointed towards the girl in red.

Upon hearing Ye Shi's words, a pang of frustration hit the lady in red.

Xiao Bai, the white tiger, upon hearing this, grew significantly in size, quickly shooting up from half a meter to over ten meters. The white tiger roared at the lady in red, unleashing its imposing aura.

The lady in red was so frightened by the roar that she felt her soul leave her body.

All the students around were panicking, stumbling and looking at Ye Shi with terror in their eyes.

"Is this really a cub? It's clearly a terrifying King-level Tiger Beast!"

"Who is this man? How can he ride on a King-level Beast? Aren't they supposed to be very fierce? Why is this one so obedient?"

"Please forgive us, senior. My junior sister is blind to the real value. We hope for your understanding," a young man in white stepped forward.

Ye Shi tilted his head, gazing at the man in white, and asked pensively, "Do you have elemental stones?"

The young man's face shifted, "Yes."

"How many?" Ye Shi inquired with a hint of excitement.

"One million," the man in white replied reluctantly, that amount being all he had.

"Elemental stone cards or actual elemental stones?" continued Ye Shi.

The young man paused, "Elemental stone cards."

Ye Shi bit his lip, "I want the actual stones." Ye Shi and Mu Chen had been wandering the jungle for three months, having spent all their elemental stones, but they still had plenty on their elemental stone cards.

Hearing this, the man in white hesitated but then said, "I'll get it for you right away."

"Hurry up," Ye Shi leaned back, watching the bugs buzzing overhead, muttering, "Ancestors! Stop the noise. Can't you see I'm trying to sort this out?"

The young man in white and others quickly gathered the elemental stones and handed them to Ye Shi.

As soon as the elemental stones appeared, the golden bugs surrounding Ye Shi immediately swarmed them. In no time, the mountain-like pile of stones was devoured, astonishing everyone.

"How terrifying," a young girl whispered, covering her mouth.

"Eating elemental stones? What kind of bugs are these? They actually eat elemental stones!"

"Among those bugs, a few seem to be King-level," a young boy noted.

"What? That's impossible."

"Why not? If they weren't King-level, why would the white tiger be so scared?"

Whispers filled the air.

............

"Shi, what are you up to?" A cold voice rang out.

Upon hearing Mu Chen's voice, Ye Shi sheepishly stuck out his tongue.

Everyone saw a fiery-red bird hovering in the sky, flapping its wings gracefully. Atop the bird stood a handsome young man with a cold demeanor.

"Isn't that the King-level Fire Phoenix from the neighboring territory?"

"Yes, that's the one. I heard it's a unique kind with phoenix feathers on its head."

"Who are these two? Beast tamers?"

"They both look so young!"

The fiery-red bird slowly descended, with Mu Chen stepping off from the Crimson Flame Bird.

Ye Shi looked at Mu Chen, scratching his head a bit sheepishly, and said, "Xiao Jin and the rest are out of Yuan stones to eat. They kept making a fuss. I had no choice but to borrow some Yuan stones."

Mu Chen looked at the swarm of flying insects, letting out a light sigh, commenting, "Their appetites seem to have grown again."

Ye Shi nodded quickly, saying, "Indeed."

A hundred thousand Yuan stones were consumed by the insects in an instant, prompting an exasperated glance from Mu Chen to Ye Shi.

A few young ladies sized up Mu Chen, noticing that he seemed more indulgent than genuinely upset with Ye Shi.

Mu Chen tossed a bottle of elixir to the youth in white, saying, "This pill is for you. It should compensate for the Yuan stones you gave earlier."

The youth in white examined the bottle, finding a fourth-level Spirit Formation Pill inside, which could likely help him break through to a four-star martial spirit. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, "Thank you, senior!"

"Is there a town nearby?" inquired Mu Chen.

"Yes, cross this forest, and there's a large city," the youth in white replied hastily.

Ye Shi blinked, his eyes shining with delight, "Great! Once we find the city, I can exchange for Yuan stones at the merchant's guild."

Mu Chen nodded, saying, "Exactly!"