Chapter 42: An Unexpected Visitor (2)

The Crown Prince and several attendants have also ventured into the Forbidden Forest! Perhaps they might encounter Yan Chuan!” The Emperor of Yan stroked his beard and smiled.

Outside the Forbidden Forest, at Yan Chuan’s bamboo lodge.

Over twenty days, Yan Chuan, Huo Guang, and Liu Jin had feasted daily on the meat of the demon serpent. Their cultivation had advanced rapidly.

Three plates of fried and sautéed serpent meat sat on the table. Yan Chuan ate slowly, while Liu Jin and Huo Guang stood respectfully by his side.

As he ate, Yan Chuan asked calmly, “Is this the last portion of serpent meat?”

“Yes, I have eaten too much, so…” Huo Guang’s face flushed with embarrassment.

“No matter. The stronger one’s cultivation, the more one must eat. As long as you gain strength, it is well. What level have you reached now?” Yan Chuan inquired.

“I am now at the seventh tier of the Force Realm, and have reached its peak! It feels as if I could break through at any moment!” Huo Guang replied, excitement in his voice.

“I, your old servant, have reached the sixth tier!” Liu Jin said, a hint of excitement in his tone.

Twenty days—only twenty days!

“Good!” Yan Chuan nodded with satisfaction.

“My lord, the soldiers have been supplied with abundant meat these days, and many brothers in the army have made breakthroughs. However, the demon serpent’s blood is nearly gone!” Huo Guang said, worried.

“It matters not. It is merely the blood of a beast. In a few days, we shall hunt again!” Yan Chuan replied with a smile.

“Yes!” the two answered in unison.

Yan Chuan quickly finished the serpent meat before him.

“Do not disturb me,” Yan Chuan instructed.

“Yes!” the two replied.

Yan Chuan returned to his room and closed the door.

He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breath. “This time, with this last batch of serpent meat, I must break through to the sixth tier of the Force Realm!”

In the nearby military camp, several silver-armored soldiers guarded the massive stone carved by Yan Chuan. It was this stone that attracted countless wild beasts, allowing the soldiers to feast and hone their skills. Naturally, it needed to be fiercely protected.

At this point, Huo Guang’s leadership was no longer required; the young soldiers were more than capable of handling the beasts drawn by the scent.

“It’s time, begin the beast lure!” a young soldier commanded.

“Yes!”

The daily ritual of luring beasts with serpent blood began once more.

Above the camp, within the clouds, a small vessel drifted slowly—a boat, pure white all over.

White mist shrouded the boat, blending it perfectly with the surroundings. Even if someone looked closely, they would likely mistake it for a cloud.

On the boat stood eight people and one immortal crane.

They were divided into three groups.

The first group was led by a girl in a white dress. A delicate ribbon was tied across her forehead and her beautiful long hair, giving her an air of elegance and grace. It was the very girl who had watched Yan Chuan paint at the mouth of the Dragon Vein, riding her crane.

The immortal crane stood beside her, and four black-clad figures followed behind her like attendants.

The second group consisted of a middle-aged man in a white scholar’s robe. His face was gentle, his expression calm and composed.

The third group included a handsome youth clad in golden robes. Beside him stood a dwarf, only half his height.

“Saintess, are these the ones?” the scholar in white asked, smiling.

“Yes, Master Wen Ruo, these silver-armored soldiers—and the young man must be here!” the girl’s eyes shone with excitement.

“A mortal youth? Yu Xi, are you certain?” the golden-robed youth asked, displeased.

“I’m certain!” Yu Xi shook her head firmly.

“Master Yang, since the Saintess holds him in such esteem, why not wait a little longer?” Master Wen Ruo said, smiling.

“Wait? For what? Why not just go down and call him out? I have no time for delays!” Master Yang replied with disdain.