CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 16: BATTLE WITH XIANG LIU

With Si Lin starting off, everyone else followed suit by announcing their names. Only Gu Qingqing, who couldn’t speak yet, smiled at Hua Shiyu.

"This is our junior sister, Gu Qingqing." Yue Zhao stood beside Gu Qingqing, patting her head, the smile on his face now much more genuine than before.

Hua Shiyu had already noticed Gu Qingqing communicating with Si Lin and the others through sign language, so he wasn’t too surprised, just a bit regretful. However, though he thought this, he still nodded with a smile at Gu Qingqing, receiving a bright smile in return.

Hua Shiyu’s eyes flickered as he continued to bond with Si Lin and the others, but unfortunately, although they were willing to give him the courtesy of sharing their names, they showed no interest beyond that. Even though he was a prince, he meant nothing special to them, and they had no intention of trying to please him.

This made Hua Shiyu’s curiosity about Si Lin and the others grow even stronger, but he also understood the limits. Seeing that Si Lin and the others were getting a bit impatient, he stopped talking, watching as they left.

After returning to the Yun Family villa, Si Lin and the others let Gu Qingqing rest. Once Gu Qingqing woke, had lunch, the group left the villa, heading towards Youyue Forest.

By late morning, most of the demon beasts’ corpses outside the east gate of Liuyue City had been cleared, and the bloodstains on the ground had mostly dried. The soldiers doing the clearing had all witnessed Si Lin and the others in action, and upon seeing them approach, they spontaneously put down their work, staring at them with reverence.

These demon beast corpses might be valuable to ordinary people, but they were of no use to Si Lin and the others, who didn’t spare them a glance, heading directly to Youyue Forest.

The majority of demon beasts near the Liuyue City side of Youyue Forest had already been slain by Gu Qingqing and the others, making the forest unusually quiet. They reached the central area without encountering many demon beasts.

As they approached, Xiang Liu had already noticed them, unable to leave the place where it landed, waiting silently for Si Lin and the others to draw near.

Meanwhile, Si Lin and the others’ spiritual sense had also detected Xiang Liu, and seeing its form from afar, they were a bit surprised.

"Xiang Liu? Is it really Xiang Liu this time?" Rong Ye was the first to speak, taken aback by Xiang Liu’s appearance.

Having experienced many things over the years, Si Lin and the others had grown accustomed to fierce beasts that shouldn’t appear on Xuantian Continent making an appearance. Yet, each time they encountered such beings, they were still inevitably surprised, as some fierce beasts they had never seen before kept appearing one after the next. They wondered if it was a stroke of luck or misfortune for Xuantian Continent!

Among them, Si Lin had the deepest understanding of the Heaven and Earth Dao. Glancing at the sky above, he frowned slightly.

"The Heavenly Dao of Xuantian Continent is becoming increasingly weak. Who knows how much longer it can last." Though not a native of Xuantian Continent, having spent so much time there, Yue Zhao couldn’t help but lament.

Hearing this, the others nodded, but Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu’s expressions looked grim. After all, being born and raised on Xuantian Continent, their family and friends were all there. If something were to happen to Xuantian Continent, their loved ones would also be in danger.

"This Secret Realm is both a challenge and an opportunity for Xuantian Continent. If seized properly, perhaps the Heavenly Dao may strengthen!" Yue Zhao, considering Gu Qingqing, couldn’t resist giving a hint.

Upon hearing this, Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu’s eyes brightened, then plunged into deep thought.

Having said as much was Yue Zhao’s limit. He no longer concerned himself with Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu’s reactions, turning his attention to Xiang Liu instead.

Xiang Liu had already spotted them, its nine heads all fixated on Si Lin and the others, its eyes unabashedly ravenous.

"Hiss~ Didn’t expect to find such good prey in a place like this. Seems like my luck is pretty good, hiss~" Xiang Liu had already considered Si Lin and his group as its food, and the nine of them couldn’t help but simultaneously smile.

"Did this guy get its brain squeezed when traveling through space? How could it foolishly think it can eat us? Is it insane?" Rong Ye curled his lips into a mocking grin, spitting ridicule at Xiang Liu without hesitation.

"I’ve heard that its kind isn’t known for being smart, and their eyesight might not be great either!" Nan Hua’s acerbic tongue was no weaker than Rong Ye’s. While waving his fan, he spoke mercilessly.

"Its body is so big, I wonder if one bottle of my newly developed poison will be enough?" As an alchemist, especially one fond of innovation, Xiang Liu seemed like a perfect test subject for Mu Chen. As he spoke, he pulled out a bottle of poison from his Qiankun Ring, his eyes filled with excitement.

"Little Qingqing, see if this thing is of any use to you?" Yue Zhao asked with a perfect smile, though his words were less than reassuring.

Gu Qingqing nodded. From the moment they approached, she felt a burning sensation in her chest, intensifying as they drew closer. However, upon seeing Xiang Liu, the feeling disappeared, indicating Xiang Liu was effective on her seal.

"Since it’s useful for Little Qingqing, it does have some value. What are we waiting for? Let’s fight, finish early and we can continue our journey." As he spoke, Rong Ye waved his hand, causing the Heavenly Awakening Record to appear before him.

The others held their tongues, drawing their weapons. Despite their dismissive words, they took Xiang Liu quite seriously. After all, Xiang Liu was a legendary fierce beast, and though they had read about it, they had never really faced it. No one knew exactly how powerful Xiang Liu was, and it wouldn’t do to underestimate it!

This high-level battle was something Gu Qingqing, Yun Ran, and Zhuo Tingqiu could not participate in. The three found a safe distance to watch the fight unfold.

As a sword cultivator, Si Lin led the charge, wielding the Dragon Capturing Sword as he rushed toward Xiang Liu. Yue Zhao’s Flowing Light Zither was also ready, his hands in motion, playing a note that sent sound blades flying toward Xiang Liu.

Nan Hua spun his Glazed Frost Flower Fan in hand, flying towards one of Xiang Liu’s heads, tossing the fan to control it in attack.

Mu Chen, carrying a Red Flame Spear in one hand and a bottle in the other, swung the spear, creating a sea of fire encircling one of Xiang Liu’s heads. He jumped into the fray, attacking Xiang Liu while finding opportunities to pour the powder into its mouth.

The five of them were perfectly coordinated; besides Rong Ye, the other four each managed to restrain two of Xiang Liu’s heads. The scene was intense.

Xiang Liu seemed to be trapped by something, its movement range significantly limited. It could barely move its lower body, with only its upper body’s nine heads active, greatly reducing its power. Though not injured immediately, it grew increasingly furious at being attacked, feeling insulted!

The nine mouths on its human-like faces opened simultaneously, spewing water jets. Si Lin and the others quickly dodged, and where the water landed, a small pond formed almost immediately, an unpleasant stench pervading the air!