Chapter 880: Zhang Xuan's Methods (Part 2)

The flying spirit beasts were not close to where the earthly vein spiritual liquid was stored. Riding on the back of a Black Spirit Leopard, they galloped all the way, taking nearly five minutes to reach the spot.

It was a huge valley, two or three li in diameter.

Above the valley, Zhang Xuan's Eye of Insight stirred as he looked over.

Just as the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast had said, there were indeed three thousand of them, and all these spirit beasts had reached at least the Mortal Deity Seventh Layer.

Such a powerful flock of flying spirit beasts—if they truly charged toward Hongyuan City, it would probably be hard to stop them.

Even if they could all be killed later, it would inevitably cause great losses.

"With so many spirit beasts gathered together, I must set up a formation to prevent them from escaping!"

He frowned.

There were too many spirit beasts. He had to set up a very powerful formation to envelop them all; otherwise, if any escaped and notified the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast, Elder Mi might be in danger.

"This terrain is very suitable for the sixth-grade Zhiyang Illusion Formation! I'll set this one..."

Taking a deep breath, he observed the surrounding terrain, calculated for a moment, and a formation appeared in his mind.

Although he hadn't taken the formation master exam, his understanding of formations had long reached the peak of six-star. Deduced a formation based on the terrain was still very simple for him.

With a flick of his wrist, a pile of formation flags appeared in his palm.

With a leap, Zhang Xuan arrived above the many flying spirit beasts.

"Roar!"

Seeing someone approach, the spirit beasts all let out panicked cries and were about to fly up to attack when two Black Spirit Leopards darted out and roared: "This is Master Zhang, who has come to negotiate with the king. He wants to see our flying spirit beast camp and set up a formation. Don't panic, just stay put!"

They spoke in beast language, which all spirit beasts could understand.

Seeing that the king's attendants had spoken, the spirit beasts had no objections and all lay down again.

Relieved, Zhang Xuan's true qi circulated rapidly as the formation flags in his hand floated up and shot straight in all directions.

Whoosh!

The Zhiyang Illusion Formation took shape, and a mist immediately enveloped the many flying spirit beasts.

Knowing in advance that he would set up a formation, the spirit beasts were not alarmed and quietly stayed in place.

"Let's begin!"

With a light smile, his clone appeared.

The two of them plunged straight down into the mist.

Roar! Roar! Roar!

Immediately, the cries of spirit beasts rose and fell from below.

These spirit beasts, the strongest of which were only at the peak of the Cocoon Seal realm, were no match for Zhang Xuan and his clone. There was no need to summon the Purple Yang Beast or the Golden Origin Cauldron.

With every few steps, another spirit beast was tamed.

While he was taming beasts, inside the cave, Elder Mi was sweating profusely.

It had been an hour since Zhang Xuan left, and the many sacred beasts opposite him had already grown suspicious.

"Why isn't he back yet? What is that student of yours doing?"

The Golden Bear-Tiger Beast in the center had a dark expression.

Sending this Elder Mi's student to inspect the flying spirit beast legion—under normal circumstances, a round trip would take just over ten minutes. With such a long absence, even a fool would sense something wrong.

"This student of mine is only at the Cocoon Seal realm. What is there to worry about?"

Anxious inside but not showing it, Elder Mi smiled lightly: "This student is quite meticulous; he's probably carefully observing the strength and numbers of the spirit beasts. I'm here myself—surely you don't think he could run away?"

"Run away? With you, an elder, here, even if he runs, he can't cause much trouble..."

The Golden Bear-Tiger Beast snorted coldly: "Blazing Flame Lion, go and see what that fellow is up to. Humans are always cunning—don't fall for any tricks!"

"Yes!"

Nodding, the Blazing Flame Lion was about to head out.

"Wait..."

Elder Mi quickly stood up: "Just a student. What, is the king of Cloud Mist Ridge so timid?"

"Timid? Never mind him. Blazing Flame Lion, go and check!"

Ignoring his stalling, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast waved its huge paw.

Seeing that the Blazing Flame Lion was about to leave, Elder Mi smiled lightly and stood up: "I've long heard that the Golden Bear-Tiger King is powerful. Would you dare to have a match with me? Let me also experience the formidable strength of the beast race!"

"A match with me?" The Golden Bear-Tiger Beast frowned, not expecting such a request.

"What, afraid?" Elder Mi said.

"Why would I be afraid!" Snorting coldly, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast stood up.

"Good. Then, King Blazing Flame, why don't you stay and watch? After I defeat the Golden Bear-Tiger King, I might challenge you as well!"

Elder Mi was full of arrogance.

Challenging the opponent was naturally to buy time. Although he didn't know what the dean's goal was, since he had been given a task, he couldn't hold them back.

"Alright!"

The Blazing Flame Lion nodded.

One man and one beast, both the pinnacle existences within the Hongyuan Empire—their clash was naturally far more interesting than going after a little Cocoon Seal realm kid.

"Then come!"

Fearing that the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast would realize his stalling tactic and render it ineffective, Elder Mi let out a long roar, shook his body, and struck first toward the sacred beast ahead.

The full power of a Saint Domain First Layer pinnacle expert erupted, filling the entire cave with true qi. With a light press of his palm, the rock beneath seemed unable to bear it, as if it might crack at any moment.

"Haha, if this is all you've got, you're unworthy of the title of top ten elder..."

Feeling the pressure coming through the air, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast showed no fear. Instead, it roared, raised its huge paw, and slashed forward.

Rip!

The air seemed torn apart, a gale howled, and Elder Mi's attack was instantly neutralized.

The next moment, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast's tail swept through the air like a steel whip. If hit, even with the strength of a Saint Domain First Layer pinnacle, one would surely be severely injured!

Whoosh!

Not daring to take it head-on, Elder Mi shook his body and dodged.

Swoosh!

Just then, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast struck again with its paw. Elder Mi, mid-air and unable to dodge, had to punch to meet it.

Fist and paw clashed. He felt a tightness in his chest, flew backward, and slammed heavily into the wall, creating a large pit.

Spirit beasts and sacred beasts, due to their physical constitution and strength, were slightly stronger than humans of the same level. This one was the most powerful sacred beast of Cloud Mist Ridge. Although Elder Mi was not weak, he couldn't withstand it head-on.

"Haha, the famed top ten elder—your strength is nothing special!"

Having gained the upper hand, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast let out a dragon-like roar and tiger-like cry that left ears ringing, and its massive body lunged forward.

Dragons ride clouds, tigers ride wind.

Although the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast was not a tiger, it was a type of tiger sacred beast. Before it even reached him, a gale swept through. Elder Mi involuntarily stepped back, flipped his wrist, and a longsword appeared in his palm. He thrust it forward.

With brute force alone, he couldn't withstand the opponent; he had to use a weapon.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

The longsword formed sword flowers, turning into streaks of sword light that stabbed straight ahead.

As if knowing his move, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast didn't dodge. It took a deep breath, and its entire fur instantly turned pitch black, as if forming special scales.

Ding, ding, ding!

The sword light struck the fur but was blocked, unable to penetrate further.

"What?"

Elder Mi's expression darkened.

He had known this beast was powerful, but not this powerful!

His sword strike hadn't even pierced its fur—this defense was too formidable!

No wonder the ten sacred beasts of Cloud Mist Ridge, all at the peak of Saint Domain First Layer, obeyed it. Just this defense alone would make countless sacred beasts and even cultivators think twice.

"Thirteen Leaves of Red Leaf!"

Knowing that a single misstep could lead to injury, he didn't pause. With his sword blocked, Elder Mi raised his brows, flipped his wrist, and his true qi began to circulate along a special trajectory.

The longsword emitted a sharp ring, as if it might break through the air at any moment.

Thirteen Leaves of Red Leaf—his strongest martial technique!

Back then, that Fire Dragon sacred beast had been defeated by this move and willingly became his beast pet.

Zzzz!

The sword light formed a red leaf in the air, whistling forward with the power to tear everything apart.

"Interesting! But thinking you can beat me with this is still a dream!"

Seeing him execute such a sword strike, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast also showed surprise, then smiled lightly, turned its front hoof, revealing sharp black claws, and slashed down again.

Ding, ding, ding!

Hoof and red leaf clashed. The Golden Bear-Tiger Beast stepped back, while Elder Mi spat blood, flew backward again, and landed on the ground, his face pale.

This move had used all his strength, and he was already severely injured.

He quickly turned over and sat up, swallowing a healing pill before feeling a bit better.

"So? How's my strength? Not bad, eh?"

Seeing Elder Mi defeated, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast laughed heartily. Although it was also slightly injured, it was far less than the opponent.

In other words, in this match, the latter was no match at all.

"Impressive!" Standing up, Elder Mi had to admit it.

He truly was no match.

There was still a certain gap between humans and beasts of the same level.

Otherwise, the Purple Yang Beast wouldn't be known as the strongest in the Master Teacher Academy.

"Alright, the match is over. Blazing Flame Lion, go quickly and see what that kid is up to. If he's doing anything harmful to Cloud Mist Ridge, kill him on the spot!"

Returning to his seat, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast ordered again.

"Yes!"

The Blazing Flame Lion nodded and turned to leave.

"This... wait..."

His face changed again. Elder Mi was about to block him when the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast looked over coldly: "What, Elder Mi wants another match with me?"

"I..."

His body trembled.

In his current state, he certainly couldn't fight again. If he did, he would surely die here.

Although he didn't know what the dean was doing to make him stall for time... now he couldn't stall any longer. What to do?

"Go now!"

Having also seen through his stalling intent, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast waved its paw.

"Yes!" The Blazing Flame Lion didn't linger. With a shake of its body, it vanished from the spot in the blink of an eye.

"Dean..."

Seeing it disappear, knowing he could no longer catch up, Elder Mi's face turned white, and his body went limp like mud: "I did my best..."