Chapter Nine: The Magical Beast Town

At the first hint of dawn, a figure quietly slipped out through the main gates of the Xiao family estate. It was not until they had cleared Wutan City that the sky began to brighten fully.

Chen Xiao pulled some food from his pack to stave off his hunger, cross-referencing his route with a map. "Qingshan Town, this way..."

Tucking the map away and swallowing the last of his meal, he picked up his pace, heading northeast. While one could enter the Magical Beast Mountain Range from the vicinity of Wutan City, Chen Xiao’s primary objective was to locate a specific cave from his memories, with training serving as a secondary goal. Thus, entering the mountain range from Qingshan Town was undoubtedly the most strategic choice.

The sun blazed down, its intense heat cracking the parched earth. As he walked, heat waves surged from the ground through the soles of his feet, causing passersby to sweat profusely and curse the wretched weather. Yet, along the wide dirt road, one figure—though not particularly tall—pressed on with singular focus, standing in stark contrast to the sluggish pace of the other travelers.

After covering a few hundred more meters, Chen Xiao looked up at the stone monument inscribed with the words "Qingshan Town." His fair, delicate face showed signs of weariness, yet remarkably, there was not a single bead of sweat on his brow.

"Ice-attribute energy is quite practical after all! What was estimated to be a three-day journey took me only two."

With a soft, amused chuckle, Chen Xiao tightened his black cloak and strode into the town. Because of its proximity to the Magical Beast Mountain Range, Qingshan Town was often called "Beast Town."

The most common sight in the town was the mercenaries—men who lived life on the edge of a blade. They gathered in groups, arms crossed, spitting as they talked loudly and unreservedly about which women in town were the most alluring, which taverns served the strongest spirits, and which magical beasts were the most ferocious.

Walking along the cobblestone streets, Chen Xiao’s slender frame, barely concealed by his black cloak, drew a few curious glances. In Qingshan Town, wearing a cloak or a bamboo hat to hide one’s appearance was not uncommon, but Chen Xiao drew attention simply because the mercenaries could tell at a glance that someone of his build was, in all likelihood, not yet an adult. It was rare to see someone of such a young age wandering through Qingshan Town. It was fortunate they did not know his true age, or they would have been even more astonished.

Ignoring the stares, Chen Xiao scanned the shops lining the street, looking for a place to stay. Having traveled for two days—and frequently circulating his Dou Qi to regulate his body temperature—he was clearly not in the optimal state for venturing into the mountain range.

Qingshan Town was small, but thanks to its location, it was bustling with activity. As he looked around with interest, a spacious apothecary caught his eye.

"Wan Yao Zhai!"

A mountain need not be high; if it houses an immortal, it becomes spiritual. At first glance, Wan Yao Zhai seemed unremarkable, save for its size. The reason Chen Xiao lingered was because of someone inside.

"Xiao Yan is eight and a half years old. She is older than him; at this point in time, she should have already arrived at Wan Yao Zhai..."

Chen Xiao tilted his head to peek inside. Sure enough, at one of the counters, he saw a girl in a white dress speaking to a mercenary with a bandaged arm, her expression deeply earnest. Behind the mercenary, three others waited in line. Due to his angle, Chen Xiao noticed a gap beneath the counter, revealing that the girl was standing on a wooden crate, which explained why she appeared to be the same height as the mercenaries.

"Such poise—more mature than Xun'er. It’s easy to overlook her age."

After a brief observation, Chen Xiao withdrew his gaze. At barely ten years old, there was little point in dwelling on beauty or stature; she hadn't even fully grown yet. The girl, whom he suspected was the Little Fairy Doctor, left him with an initial impression of gentleness and sincerity. She listened to the mercenaries with undivided attention and maintained a faint, pleasant smile when it was her turn to speak.

However, reflecting on her history, Chen Xiao understood. This was a person burdened by the fate of "born in calamity, destined to die in calamity." Even if she were to eventually defy that fate, the suffering she would endure would be immense.

With a soft sigh, Chen Xiao turned away from Wan Yao Zhai and headed toward an inn nearby. Just as he passed the shop's entrance, the girl at the counter handed a packet of medicinal powder to the mercenary. As she watched him leave, her eyes swept across the street outside. Moments ago, she had caught a fleeting sensation of someone observing her, though she hadn't managed to catch a glimpse of them.

*Perhaps it’s just one of the mercenaries, curious because of the small reputation I’ve built over the last few years,* she thought. Dismissing the notion, she turned her attention back to the next mercenary in line.

...

The silent night slipped away. As the eastern sky began to pale the next morning, Chen Xiao opened his eyes right on time. Years of diligent training had turned his biological clock into a precise instrument.

After a night of rest, the fatigue of travel had vanished, replaced by vibrant energy. Glancing at the sky through the wooden window, Chen Xiao sat up, formed a cultivation seal with his hands, and closed his eyes once more. There was wisdom in the saying that the best part of the day was the morning; he had noticed over the years that his cultivation speed was significantly faster during these early hours.

He could not rush into the Magical Beast Mountain Range. To be safe, he planned to join a few mercenary groups to gain experience and familiarize himself with the outer terrain of the mountains before setting out alone to find the cave.

His cultivation session lasted for an hour. As the morning sun spilled through the gaps in the window, casting dappled light on the floor, Chen Xiao slowly opened his eyes and dispersed the seal. A wisp of pale blue, icy mist escaped his lips.

"At this rate, it will take another half a month to break through to a nine-star Dou Zhe. Each subsequent breakthrough will only take longer," he murmured, looking toward the mountain range.

*What can dispel sorrow? Only sudden wealth!* The treasures within that cave were his ticket to changing his current circumstances.

He leaped off the bed, practiced a round of "Swallow's Return" to loosen his limbs, then washed up, dressed neatly, and left the inn.

On the street, mercenaries looking to head into the mountains that day were already shouting to form groups, while some employers stood on elevated platforms, recruiting.

"Hunting four-headed second-tier Fire Foxes. Looking for six-star Dou Zhe or higher. Generous pay, with an extra bonus for a clean job."

"Hunting Green Wood Wolves. Need two four-star Dou Zhe or higher."

"Searching for Snake-Spirit Purple Fruit. Experienced individuals preferred."