章 16: Chapter 16
Towering trees stood within the gloomy forest while dried yellow leaves carpeted the ground. Shadows flashed within the dense foliage. The place was brimming with danger.
However, Zhou Yuan was leisurely walking as if the dangers didn't exist at all.
Well, to be certain all the dangers around him had long ceased to exist.
Corpses were littered all around the area where Zhou Yuan was walking, yet only some spots of blood were present there on his clothes.
As if deciding on something he nodded and took out a rope, bound the dead beasts, and started dragging them before walking out of the forest.
After exiting the forest, he came to a valley after approximately a dozen minutes of walking. Yaoyao was seated on a rock by the little stream, her bare feet dipping into the cool waters as she leisurely played in the water. Meanwhile, Tuntun was shuttling up and down in the stream, catching the fish swimming within.
Upon hearing some noise, Yaoyao turned her head and glanced at Zhou Yuan. "Not bad, at least you didn't get soaked in blood like the first time".
Zhou Yuan coughed a little.
Due to his excitement on the first day, he ended up killing at least 10 Grade 1 beasts, but he was not swift enough and thus got bathed in their blood.
These Genesis Beasts had experienced numerous fights to survive, and every single one was both cunning and ruthless. If Zhou Yuan treated them as easily slaughtered reared cattle, it was likely that he would not be able to walk out of this mountain range.
Zhou Yuan threw half of the beasts toward Tuntun, before sitting down.
Today was their fifth day, he had collected the blood of 28 beasts in 4 days.
He could have done it even earlier but decided to give the beasts to Tuntun for eating.
It had benefited a lot as Tuntun now allowed itself to be carried by Zhou Yuan.
Zhou Yuan's temperament also changed. Before the trip, his aura was a lot more restrained but now his aura just screamed of danger and destruction when entering battle.
Yaoyao threw over 8 bottles and instructed, "Collect the beasts' blood, remember to only take the blood of the heart where the savage energy is the strongest."
Zhou Yuan caught the bottles and nodded. He used a small knife to cut open the skin of the eight Genesis Beasts with ease before collecting the heart blood in the bottles.
Thirty-six different kinds of grade 1 Genesis Beasts were needed for the Thirty-Six Beast Channel Opening Rune. Thus, some time was required to gather the ingredients. However, it was not urgent and in any case, he could use this period to temper himself.
He could feel that he was growing a little stronger each day, both his body and mind were being constantly tempered. At the very least, he was confident that the current him would be able to effortlessly beat his past self.
…
...
While Zhou Yuan was killing Genesis Beasts in the Black Forest Mountain Range, certain events occurred in Great Zhou City. The most notable amongst them was that Qi Manor had been robbed and was rumored to have lost something very important. The entire Qi Manor had practically been turned inside out and the search for the thieves ultimately extended throughout the city, causing it to become abuzz with activity.
However, this was after all an affair of Qi Manor. Therefore, everyone merely watched from the sidelines, even gloating somewhat before no longer paying any attention.
Ta ta!
On the second day after Qi Manor was burgled, the housekeeper of the manor, Qi Ling, led a group of men out of the city, heading straight for the Black Forest Mountain Range where some clues were said to have been found.
Qi Ling stood with his hands behind his back at the entrance to the Black Forest Mountain Range. His deep-set eyes were fixed onto the mountain range like an eagle's.
Someone reported from behind in a low voice, "Master Qi, the men have already entered the Black Forest Mountain Range and are closing in on the target."
Qi Ling nodded and said, "Prepare to search the mountains and make sure to cause a bigger disturbance. We will be heading to where Lu Tieshan is."
"Roger!" The person behind him responded before waving his hand as a dozen figures shot out and flew towards the mountain range.
Half a day later.
At a certain location in the mountain range, Lu Tieshan was seated cross-legged in front of a towering tree. He suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze firmly fixed on the forests in front of him as he shouted in a stern voice, "Who?!"
Behind him, several figures grasped the weapons at their side as the Genesis Qi in their bodies began to circulate.
"Hehe, no need to be nervous brother Lu, it's me." A chuckle emerged from the forests followed by Qi Ling and his men.
"Qi Ling?" Lu Tieshan was stunned before he frowned and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Qi Ling helplessly replied, "The manor has been burgled and the thieves seem to have hidden themselves in the Black Forest Mountain Range. Me and my men have chased them all the way here."
Lu Tieshan's furrowed brows relaxed a little. He had heard of the recent Qi Manor burglary. Though he looked as large as a bear, he was very prudent and cautious, else he would not have become a captain of the imperial guard. Thus, although he seemed to have relaxed his guard, he tilted his head and instructed the imperial guards behind him, "Send two men to protect his highness."
Two imperial guards immediately responded and stealthily withdrew.
Qi Ling was all smiles as he watched this happen. As he walked forward to greet Lu Tieshan, the hand behind his back lightly waved as shadows seemed to retreat in the dark.
.
.
In the valley, Yaoyao was seated on a rock, her fine black hair draped over her shoulders, Zhou Yuan was also seated beside her on another rock with Tuntun on his lap as he kept caressing its fur, while the dried yellow leaves of an ancient cedar fell behind them. This beautiful scene was akin to a painting.
Roar!
Suddenly, the lazy Tuntun on Zhou Yuan's lap opened its eyes and looked towards the nearby darkness as a roar was released from its throat.
Yaoyao's brows knitted together slightly as she also raised her pretty face and looked in the same direction.
"Heh heh. I never imagined that I would meet such an extremely gorgeous little lady in the deep mountains." A voice that was filled with evilness echoed from the darkness as two figures slowly walked out.
Both figures had the back of a tiger and the waist of a bear. The one in front had a tattoo on his face, and an ominous look brewed in his eyes. At this current moment, his gaze seemed to burn like magma as he stared at the lovely figure nearby as if he were about to swallow the latter in a single gulp.
The man with a tattoo on his face said to his partner as he pointed towards Zhou Yuan, "Luo Tong, you go deal with the target."
Although he was speaking, his eyes remained tightly glued to Yaoyao's body.
"That kid should have only opened four meridian channels. You will be able to easily dispatch him with your six-channel strength."
Although the man called Luo Tong was somewhat reluctant when he heard this, he did not dare to go against the tattoo-faced man's words. After all, the latter had already stepped into the Qi Nourishing stage.
Luo Tong licked his lips and said, "Boss, you have to leave a bite of such a high quality good for me. I have never seen such a pretty girl in my life."
"And she will be the last one you will see in your pathetic life", Zhou Yuan's icy and rageful words sounded which caused them to focus on him.
"Tuntun."
Before they could do anything else, Zhou Yuan opened his mouth his voice ice cold and full of indifference.
The tattoo-faced man's pupils immediately shrank. He watched in horror as the tiny body of the originally pet-like Tuntun lying on Zhou Yuan's lap began to grow. Its fur receded and in its place grew scarlet red scales. A pair of scarlet red animal eyes were brimming with endless ferocity, while black light faintly emerged in the slightly opened mouth of the creature as if it could devour all things.
In the blink of an eye, the originally cute little pet had become a mysterious and horrible beast. An ominous aura dashed into the sky, while an alarming pressure slowly spread from its body.
In little to no time both men were swallowed alive by Tuntun.
After eating them he spat out a jade scroll.
Zhou Yuan stood up and patted Tuntun on its head before taking the Scroll in his hand.
"You did good Tuntun, I will treat you to different delicacies next time.", he said which caused Tuntun to bark cutely and wag its tail happily.
"Miss Yaoyao are you alright?"
"It's alright you and Tuntun handled them"
"I see, If I were a little stronger I would have plucked their eyeballs out, and fed them to fishes, How dare they look at you that way", Zhou Yuan muttered darkly.
While he muttered this, it did not escape the ears of Tuntun or Yaoyao.
Tuntun nodded, as if completely agreeing with Zhou Yuan, while Yaoyao's ears and cheeks turned red.
It was the first time she felt so embarrassed unfortunately, Zhou Yuan did not notice this moment.
Yaoyao collected herself quickly and looked away.
"You should check the scroll, it should have some Genesis Technique"
"Ah Yes, I forgot about it for a second"
Now that Qi Yue had delivered the Auraflare technique to his doors he would humbly accept it.
Low-grade Black tier Genesis technique, Auraflare technique. This Auraflare Technique is one of the best Genesis techniques of Qi Manor and it is said to have been bestowed onto them by the Great Wu Empire.
"Why is Captain Lu not here yet?" Zhou Yuan raised his head and peered into the distance as he frowned. He could guess that he was obstructed by the guards of Qi manor.
An hour earlier.
Lu Tieshan had dispatched two imperial guards to protect Zhou Yuan, but after a long time, he sensed some activity in the nearby forest.
"Go!"
Lu Tieshan frowned and suddenly stood up. Without saying anything to Qi Ling, Genesis Qi surged around his body as he transformed into a flash of light that shot toward the direction of the disturbance.
Several minutes later, Lu Tieshan's figure appeared and gazed at an empty clearing to his front where four people were fighting. Two of them were the guards he had sent to protect Zhou Yuan earlier.
"What are you doing?!" Lu Tieshan waved his sleeve as a torrent of Genesis Qi light burst forth, splitting up the four people.
When the two imperial guards saw Lu Tieshan, they hastily said, "Sir, we were rushing to His Highness's location when these two appeared and obstructed us."
"Are you two seeking death?!" Lu Tieshan turned eerily cold when he heard this and immediately looked toward the other two individuals.
"Please do not be angered, Captain Lu. They are from Qi Manor and I previously instructed them to search for the thieves. They might have mistaken your men for the thieves." Qi Ling rushed over from behind with an apologetic face. He then turned towards the two individuals and scolded, "Still not going to scram? You hindrances!"
Lu Tieshan's eyes were ice-cold as he watched this before his stare turned towards Qi Ling. "Qi Ling, what exactly are you plotting?"
"Roar!"
Qi Ling chuckled. Just as he was about to speak, the roar of a Beast suddenly emerged from the nearby forest.
"That is Tuntun's roar, Oh no his Highness", Lu Tieshan's pupils abruptly shrank when he heard the roar. He suddenly seemed to understand something at this moment as his twisted face turned to Qi Ling. "How ballsy of you Qi Ling!"
"Hehe, I do not know what Captain Lu is talking about." Qi Ling smiled. It was likely that those two thieves had already succeeded by now, right?
Lu Tieshan thundered, "If anything happens to his highness, I will not let you off!" The Genesis Qi around his body suddenly erupted as his foot stomped on the ground, splitting the earth as his figure rose into the sky like a rainbow, heading straight for the lake.
Qi Ling watched Lu Tieshan's hurrying figure as a sneer emerged from the corners of his lips. With a wave of his hand, he swiftly followed with his men.
The group traveled as quickly as they could and reached the lake after some time.
Qi Ling was all smiles as he walked out of the forest and looked towards the lake. He believed the place should be a mess and expected to see a half-dead Zhou Yuan.
With such thoughts in mind, the smile on his lips grew even wider.
However, in the next moment, he suddenly saw something nearby. A youth was staring at him with a smile.
Qi Ling's smile froze.
"Zhou Yuan? Why is he fine?!" The corners of Qi Ling's eyes twitched slightly as he cried out in both rage and disbelief in his heart.
Meanwhile, Lu Tieshan sighed in relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders before he kneeled on one knee and said, "Punish me for my late arrival your Highness!"
"Please stand Captain Lu, I am fine." Zhou Yuan smiled.
"Where are those thieves who attacked you your Highness", Captain Lu asked.
Zhou Yuan's smile widened as he held Tuntun up and said, "They are now resting peacefully in the stomach of little Tuntun"
As if to prove his point, Tuntun scratched his stomach lazily and burped loudly.
After their little demonstration was over Zhou Yuan once again took Tuntun in his hands, but at this, all the people were frozen with their jaws hung down.
They could not believe that two grown-up men were swallowed by this little beast.
Captain Lu was the first one to break out of his daze and sighed, "Anyways it is all right, at least His Highness is alright".
Qi Ling also looked towards Zhou Yuan and cupped his hands together, "Your Highness, did you find any material on the bodies of these thieves? They had stolen Qi Manor's Auraflare technique"
"Unfortunately, I did not, Even if there were any things on them they would not be accessible right now in any way possible", Zhou Yuan sighed sadly as If he was very sad.
"How is that possible your Highness?, Qi Ling questioned.
"Because it is now in the stomach of little Tuntun and I have never seen anything coming out of Tuntun's mouth or stomach for that matter", As if to prove his point Tuntun jumped out of his arms went to a giant rock, and swallowed it whole.
Zhou Yuan waved his hand as he continued in an indifferent voice, "As you see it's true, and it's rather messy here so I shall not insist on housekeeper Qi staying."
Upon seeing that Zhou Yuan was chasing them away, Qi Ling's expression turned extremely ugly. They had originally planned on dealing with Zhou Yuan today, but not only was the latter safe and sound, but the Auraflare technique had even gone missing. This was practically a double whammy. King Qi would be enraged when he returned.
Although Qi Ling did not know exactly what had happened here, he had a feeling that the Auraflare technique was now in Zhou Yuan's hands. But what could he do? How could he possibly forcibly search Zhou Yuan? Did they think he was blind to how Lu Tieshan was eyeing him as if the latter wanted to swallow him whole?
As these thoughts churned in his heart, Qi Ling could only clench his jaw and cup his fists together. Without saying another word, he waved his hand and led his men away in a dejected manner.
He knew that Qi Manor had suffered a truly huge loss this time.
.
"Your Highness."
Lu Tieshan watched Qi Ling depart. What had happened today was related to Qi Manor, hence he was rather unwilling to let them off so easily.
Zhou Yuan waved his hand and said, "They are very clever and have likely long prepared an excuse. In addition, the two culprits are already dead and they will never admit to anything unless we declare war on them now."
Upon hearing, Zhou Yuan's words, Lu Tieshan's heart shivered a little. Looks like that little beast had indeed swallowed those two thieves whole.
Lu Tieshan's heart was filled with questions but knew that it was not appropriate to ask. Hence, all he could say was, "Your Highness, I will send men to inform his majesty of this matter."
Zhou Qing needed to know that such a thing had happened to take further precautions.
Zhou Yuan nodded and Lu Tieshan withdrew with his men. However, they did not station themselves too far this time to avoid being separated from the prince. Thus, they ended up standing guard just outside the valley.
…
In the valley, Yaoyao looked at the thirty-six bottles that had been placed in front of her, bottles that contained the essence blood of thirty-six different grade 1 Genesis Beasts. After checking them, she nodded and said, "Not bad, all the ingredients have been gathered. Let me make some preparations first. I'll help you inscribe the Thirty-Six Beast Channel Opening Rune tomorrow."
Thirty-Six Beast Channel Opening Rune is a grade 2 Genesis Rune.
…
"What? The Auraflare technique has gone missing?!"
Qi Manor.
When Qi Yue heard Qi Ling's words, he quickly stood up his face turned ashen, fire practically spitting out of his eyes.
Upon seeing Qi Yue's man-eating appearance, Qi Ling could only brace himself as he nodded and said, "By the time I rushed over there were no traces of either of them, Zhou Yuan said that they were swallowed alive by that Little beast which is with them."
Qi Ling said with some hesitation, "Could they have run with the treasure?"
"Do those dogs have the balls?" Cold light flowed in Qi Yue's eyes as he continued, "Send out their pictures and spare no efforts in searching. We need to find the Auraflare technique at all costs!"
One must know that the Auraflare technique was bestowed upon his father by the Great Wu Empire, and was one of the strongest Genesis techniques of Qi Manor. Only those who have done great service to the manor would obtain the right to learn it. Now that it had been lost by him, one could imagine just how furious Qi Yuan would be when he returned.
Qi Yue felt his scalp grow numb when he imagined that scene.
Qi Yue's face was warped as he deeply breathed in and lifted the tea cup by his side. However, he was ultimately unable to calm the raging fire in his heart and the teacup was viciously smashed into the ground.
"Zhou Yuan, I will not let you off!"
In the room, Qi Yue's voice was so full of fury that it sounded like the howl of a beast.
He had originally planned on teaching Zhou Yuan a lesson, but events had spiraled out of his control. How could the prideful Qi Yue accept this?
…
Early morning. A chill blanketed the forest, covering the lush green leaves with a thin layer of frost.
Yaoyao lightly shook the transparent bottle in her hand, a bottle half filled with a thick and viscous red liquid. As the bottle swayed back and forth, a savage aura gushed out and the faint howls of beasts could be heard.
"I only collected the most quintessential part. The savage energy within the blood of thirty-six Genesis Beasts has been gathered in this bottle, causing the savage energy to multiply."
"This half bottle about should be enough for five attempts."
Yaoyao twirled the jade-green Genesis Rune Brush in her hand before beckoning to Zhou Yuan with her chin, "Take off your clothes."
Zhou Yuan did not delay. He shed his clothes, revealing a body that looked as if it were sculpted by God himself. Although his muscles were not huge, they were well-defined and all in the right places, they excluded masculinity and a beauty that was hard not to look at,
"Your figure is not bad."
Yaoyao's expression appeared unperturbed but she was blushing and was on the verge of having a little 'Doki-Doki' movement.
The corners of Yaoyao's small red mouth lifted slightly. Soon after, her face turned serious as she instructed, "Closely guard your heart and do not allow the savage energy to invade your mind or your Spirit will be wounded."
Zhou Yuan took in a deep breath upon hearing this and steadied his heart.
When Yaoyao saw this, the brush in her hand dipped into some of the vicious essence blood before slowly descending.
When the brush tip moved, Zhou Yuan could not help but draw in a breath of cold air. It felt as if the brush had been dipped into magma, bringing a burning sensation to his skin.
Cryptic Genesis strokes continuously appeared on Zhou Yuan's back. This went on for several minutes before Yaoyao's snow-white hand shook gently and the final stroke descended.
"The preparations are done!"
At the same time, her gentle-sounding shout rang out in Zhou Yuan's ear.
Buzz!
The instant her voice was heard, blood red light immediately blossomed on Zhou Yuan's back as beast roars rang out one after another.
Zhou Yuan's pupils abruptly tightened at this moment. He could feel a ruthless to extreme presence maniacally pour into his back, charging into the interior of his body.
Roar roar roar!
Savage beast roars echoed in Zhou Yuan's mind, causing him to feel a wave of dizziness as if his consciousness was being bitten by numerous beasts.
Fortunately, Zhou Yuan was prepared. The Spirit between his brows buzzed slightly as he began visualizing the Primal Chaos Divine Grindstone. The divine grindstone turned and the menacing beast roars were pulverized till nothing remained.
Subsequently, Zhou Yuan felt a stream of heat appear in his body, a barbaric scalding heat that charged about in his body.
He knew that this stream of heat was the power of the Thirty-Six Beast Channel Opening Rune.
With a thought, he directed the stream of heat toward the half-loose fifth meridian channel.
The stream of heat charged in, causing a faint loosening sensation to appear in the originally half-loose fifth channel.
Joy bubbled in Zhou Yuan's heart when he felt this change. He focused even more on controlling the heat to continuously attack the channel.
When the stream of heat finally dissipated a long time later, a small portion of the originally tightly blocked fifth channel had been forced open. This progress made Zhou Yuan overjoyed. It was not less effective than his first time in the Jade Spirit Waterfall.
Phew.
Zhou Yuan opened his eyes and spat out a breath that smelled of blood. He did not care about the stench, his eyes shining brightly.
The effectiveness of the Thirty-Six Beast Channel Opening Rune had exceeded his expectations.
At this rate, he was confident that he would be able to completely unblock his fifth meridian channel in a week.
.
.
END
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