Chapter 69: The Flame Mountains

Jiang Yan instructed Qi Yu and the others to pluck the fur from the fierce tiger beasts, clean them thoroughly, then marinate them in salt for six hours before roasting them over the fire. Once the meat was perfectly cooked and all moisture had evaporated, he hung it from tree branches to air dry.

The little stubby dragon gazed at the fragrant strips of smoked meat hanging from the branches and praised Jiang Yan, “Jiang Yan, you truly have a way with things!” Bai Tao echoed his admiration, “Indeed, Jiang Yan, I didn’t expect you could make jerky!”

Back at the territory of the fierce tiger beasts, the remaining members grew anxious as their leader and several warriors failed to return. They sent out their most nimble and perceptive scout, a small fierce tiger, to investigate.

With its keen sense of smell and vivid memory of its leader’s scent, the small fierce tiger easily tracked Jiang Yan’s group. Silent as a shadow, it slipped into the thicket and witnessed the hairless, dried corpses of its leader and warriors hanging from the branches. Terror overwhelmed it.

Its paws slipped, nearly sending it tumbling, but a primal instinct for survival steadied its mind in an instant. Without the slightest hesitation, it spun around and rushed back to its territory to relay the dreadful news.

Bursting into the territory, it shouted in panic, “Something terrible has happened! The leader and the warriors have been stripped of their fur and hung up to dry as jerky!”

The elder fierce tiger’s voice trembled, incredulous, “What did you say? The bodies of the leader and warriors have been stripped and hung up?”

“Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. That yellow dragon and its human companions are guarding them,” the small scout confirmed.

A thin fierce tiger beast roared in fury, “They’re provoking us! Provoking us!”

“Save your breath. Without strength, you’ll only end up as a side dish for that dragon,” another sneered.

“That’s right. Didn’t you notice that even the strongest leader of the Silver Wolf clan and our own leader fell to that dragon?” another agreed.

The thin fierce tiger was drowned out by the scolding voices of its peers. Knowing its place, it closed its mouth and retreated silently, simmering with anger and helplessness.

News spread rapidly, and soon the story of the fierce tiger beast leader and eight warriors slain by the yellow stubby dragon was ablaze among all the beast clans. With this, the stubby dragon’s infamous reputation swept through every corner of the beast forest, and no ferocious creature dared provoke it again.

Jiang Yan and his companions, during their subsequent journey, indeed encountered no further danger. Five days later, they finally emerged from the vast beast forest.

Riding his black motorcycle, Jiang Yan was full of emotion. “The beast forest is truly immense. It took us five whole days to cross.”

Bai Tao suddenly spoke, “Jiang Yan, we’re about to pass through the Flame Mountains. Shall we stop and discuss our strategy?”

Jiang Yan asked curiously, “The Flame Mountains? Are they that dangerous?”

Bai Tao explained, “According to ancient records, the Flame Mountains’ peaks erupt scorching flames every hour. The ground is cracked and dry, heat waves surge relentlessly, making even standing a challenge. Worse yet, once we cultivators enter, our powers are suppressed, and we become no different from ordinary mortals…”

He painted a vivid picture of the perils awaiting them.

Jiang Yan was shocked. Was this new secret realm designed to eliminate some participants before the real test even began? It occurred to him that they hadn’t encountered other sect disciples in the beast forest.

He asked, “Bai Tao, do other sects have slots for testing in this new secret realm?”

Bai Tao replied slowly, “Indeed. Each major sect has twelve slots. But since it’s an untested realm, not many disciples are willing to go. They’d prefer those more renowned, higher-level realms, rather than some unknown place.”

“In that case, let’s pause and discuss how to safely cross the Flame Mountains,” Jiang Yan suggested.

As soon as he finished speaking, he parked his motorcycle, with Bai Tao and the stubby dragon following suit and braking beside him.

Qi Yu and the others descended upon sword beams, landing around Jiang Yan’s group.

Jiang Yan asked, “We’re about to pass through the Flame Mountains. Any suggestions?”

Qi Yu pondered briefly before responding, “We should prepare plenty of talisman papers, just in case. Also, carrying enough water is essential.”

The other disciples nodded in agreement. “Yes, we were thinking the same.”

“Alright, everyone get ready then.”

Jiang Yan then called out to Xiao Bai, “Xiao Bai, come here!”

Xiao Bai meowed in protest, as if to say, “You’d better have a reason!”

Jiang Yan was unfazed. He reached into his storage pouch and pulled out a pair of tiny boots, a set of delicate cat paw gloves, a suit of silvery cat-shaped armor, and a miniature sword.

A mischievous grin flickered at Jiang Yan’s lips. “Heh, Xiao Bai, it’s time you got some equipment.”

He swiftly picked up Xiao Bai and dressed him in the new gear.

Xiao Bai struggled desperately, meowing loudly, but couldn’t escape Jiang Yan’s grip.

When the dressing was done, Xiao Bai was no longer the cat he used to be. He had become a bold and dashing “Puss in Boots.”

Cool beyond words!

Jiang Yan nodded in satisfaction. “Excellent. With this, even in the Flame Mountains, you won’t easily get burned.”

Xiao Bai’s armor was crafted from the skin of the enormous serpent, both cool and offering a degree of protection.

Xiao Bai adored the miniature sword attached to his paw, imitating the posture of human cultivators, swinging the blade with impressive style.

This scene was witnessed by several disciples.

“Senior brother, look over there! That cat called Xiao Bai is wielding a sword so skillfully!” one exclaimed in surprise.

“Don’t shout, I see it too. Didn’t you notice? It’s a cat with cultivation,” another replied.

“Cultivation? I don’t sense anything,” the first disciple scratched his head in confusion.

“Seems you need more practice. Otherwise, even a cat will show off in front of you,” the senior brothers teased.

Oblivious to the commotion, Xiao Bai continued to show off, lost in his own display.

He was already imagining how he would impress Da Huang with his coolness once he returned, determined to outshine all of Da Huang’s admirers with his unparalleled charm!