In a vast dark green mountain range, herbivorous magical beasts searching for food stopped chewing the green leaves in their mouths and looked up at the flying spirit boat speeding across the sky.
A trace of human-like curiosity and confusion flashed through the eyes of these magical beasts.
Living in the Beast Region, the probability of awakening intelligence was far higher than in the outside world. Generally speaking, there was a thirty percent chance of awakening just by growing naturally.
If they formed a magical beast family and helped each other, the probability of awakening intelligence would be even higher.
However, even if magical beasts awakened their intelligence, the vast majority of them still lived in their true forms.
Those who transformed into humans were still a tiny minority.
Because even the cheapest method of transformation required a Tier 6 Transformation Grass.
Raising it a grade higher, there was the Tier 7 Transformation Pill.
Due to defects in their soul power, very few magical beasts were alchemists. So they either looked for human alchemists to cooperate with or found other transformation methods through a large number of experiments. For example, nurturing offspring with secret medicines from the moment they were born, allowing them to grow in human form from the very beginning.
Once the human body was fully grown, they would then cultivate the secret technique to transform back into their true form.
The advantage of this method was that it allowed the offspring to possess the same aptitude as humans at a young age, rapidly improving their realm.
Generally speaking, for magical beasts to become stronger, they needed a long time to accumulate power, while humans could rise to the Dou Emperor or even Dou Ancestor realm within a few decades.
Magical beasts were born with longer lifespans and stronger physiques than humans, so it was common sense that their cultivation improvement was slower.
Humans, favored by the heavens and earth, could cultivate various techniques and absorb natural energy, having sat firmly as the overlords of the Dou Qi Continent for ten thousand years.
Transforming into a human had always been a noble matter for the myriad species and creatures on the Dou Qi Continent.
Mu Qingluan had transformed using this method back then, which was why she could cultivate to Tier 6 in her teenage years.
Such talent was no longer inferior to those top-tier geniuses.
Watching the energetic junior sister flapping her wings and flying happily outside the boat, Han Feng smiled gently.
Just a bit playful. But at this age, being playful was normal.
If she were bitter and deep in hatred, it would mean Han Feng and Feng Xian had failed in their work.
After entering the Beast Region, Han Feng steered towards the former territory of the Golden Lion tribe.
After so many years, no one could guarantee that changes hadn't occurred there; perhaps it had been occupied by others, or perhaps it had been abandoned and left desolate.
Jin Xi appeared beside Han Feng, gazing into the distance.
"My Lord, the Nether Blood Tiger tribe is a vassal group of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python. Moving against them this time might incur the hostility of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python."
Jin Xi didn't know that Han Feng was actually already prepared to face the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python.
Out of consideration for the series of events that might follow, she felt she should remind Han Feng.
"Jin Xi, with your current self, there is no need to fear the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python tribe too much, right?"
Han Feng laughed.
Jin Xi's nine-star Dou Venerate cultivation could be considered high-level even among the Nine Serene Deep Ground Pythons.
Moreover, she was a Spirit Weapon body, fearing neither yin energy nor poison. The two most powerful methods of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python lost their effect on Jin Xi.
Putting aside the two Dou Saints of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python tribe and the few Half-Saints, Jin Xi could kill any Nine Serene Deep Ground Python.
The constant tempering of the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame allowed the Spirit Weapon [Extreme Lion] to return to the peak of the eighth tier.
In terms of sharpness, [Extreme Lion] had already reached the peak of perfection within the same realm.
Unless it was a naturally born metallic spiritual object, very few could surpass [Extreme Lion].
This was the advantage of a Spirit Weapon; it could improve synchronously under the owner's nourishment.
If Jin Xi had a different master, she certainly wouldn't have been able to improve to this realm in these years.
Jin Xi thought for a moment and nodded.
"Although I haven't fought the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python, I should be able to defeat them."
After all, it was just a Nether Blood Tiger tribe; the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python wouldn't mobilize nine-turn Dou Venerates or Half-Saint level figures for this.
"It's good that you have this confidence."
Han Feng said.
Jin Xi glanced at Han Feng, hesitated, and said:
"My Lord, with your strength, you shouldn't need to fear the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python either, right?"
"Can't say that. The Nine Serene Deep Ground Python tribe has a long history, and no one knows their specific strength."
Han Feng smiled gently: "However, I think the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python tribe won't fight to the death with the Golden Lion tribe."
"Taking a step back, after successful revenge, the Golden Lion tribe can retreat to another place. Wait until the strength is sufficient in the future, then return to the Beast Region."
Jin Xi frowned slightly, seeming to consider the feasibility of this matter.
"What My Lord says makes sense. For the future of the clansmen, fighting while retreating is also a strategy."
Revenge must be taken, but it wasn't necessary to settle in the Beast Region immediately after revenge.
If the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python refused to let the Golden Lion tribe go, then even if the Golden Lion tribe re-established a settlement in the Beast Region, there would be no peace in the future.
The population of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python was too huge. Offending them meant endless guarding.
Who knew if one night while sleeping, large numbers of Deep Ground Snakes would drill into the room from under the floorboards.
The spirit boat flew for fifteen minutes and slowly stopped above a mountain range.
Jin Xi looked at the familiar yet strange scenery below, her eyes slightly lost in thought.
This was the former territory of the Golden Lion tribe, but now it had changed owners.
Some Cloud Deer jumped between the mountain ranges, stirring up colorful ripples under their feet, mixing with the mountain mist, dreamlike and beautiful.
Among the swaying treetops, a few curly-haired monkeys hung from the branches with their long arms. With a gentle swing, they flew out dozens of meters.
"It seems the Silver Mastiff tribe did not occupy this place."
Jin Xi said softly.
Originally, she thought there would be a bloody battle upon arriving here, but now it seemed unnecessary.
"My Lord, just drop us off here. The Golden Lion tribe will personally resolve the matters with the Nether Blood Tiger tribe and the Silver Mastiff tribe."
Han Feng nodded. The Mountain and River Map flew out, and all the Golden Lion clansmen were dropped into the mountain range.
The quiet valley was instantly filled with the vigorous aura of the lion tribe. It seemed that returning to their homeland made the blood of these Golden Lion clansmen boil.
"We are back!"
Tears filled the eyes of the Golden Lion clansmen, and agitated emotions surged in their hearts.
Some clansmen couldn't help but roar at the sky, startling the birds and beasts in the forest into fleeing.
All the magical beasts residing in this place seemed to realize that the king of this land had returned.
Han Feng instructed Jin Xi beside him: "Remember, do not be careless in anything. If there is danger, notify me at any time."
He wouldn't speak big words about benevolence and morality because revenge was also his mission.
He wouldn't interfere excessively in the Golden Lion tribe's affairs because this kind of blood feud only had meaning if ended with their own hands.
Jin Xi nodded solemnly, then turned into a golden light and flew towards her clansmen.
Han Feng watched her leave, his emotions calm.
A top-tier Tier 8 Spirit Weapon might be a significant wealth to others, but to him, it wasn't that important.
Helping Jin Xi was just a matter of convenience.
Since he accepted this cause back then, he had to return a result to her.
Han Feng waved his sleeve, and the Mountain and River Map returned to his palm. He turned the direction of the flying spirit boat and flew towards the location of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python tribe.
"Master, who was that blonde sister just now?"
Lin Xian'er leaned over and asked.
"Princess of the Golden Lion tribe."
"Princess!"
Lin Xian'er curled her lips.
Empresses, Princesses.
Master really knows how to attract butterflies and bees. "Master, you hide so many things from me..."
"Isn't it normal to hide things from you?"
"Master!"
Lin Xian'er stared wide-eyed.
"I am your disciple!"
"Don't talk about disciples, even the closest people have secrets."
Han Feng flicked Lin Xian'er's forehead.
This girl is disobedient, she needs a hit. Lin Xian'er covered her head, gritting her silver teeth secretly.
"If you don't understand this principle, you will suffer a big loss in the future."
Lin Xian'er shut her mouth and didn't speak.
How could she not understand the principle?
But understanding the principle and being willing to execute it were two different matters.
regarding different people and different things, Lin Xian'er was very clear in her heart.
After being hit by her master, Lin Xian'er returned to her room.
She wasn't a masochist, but after being flicked by her master's finger, the pain on her forehead actually made her feel at ease.
From a psychological perspective, this is a sickness.
It needs treatment.
Gu Xun'er stood on the deck. After seeing Han Feng's intimate lecture to Lin Xian'er, she sighed softly.
Only Lin Xian'er could engage in such willful behavior that crossed boundaries.
Han Feng would always tolerate her.
But others couldn't.
The boldest behavior Gu Xun'er had done was when Han Feng sent her back to the Gu Clan previously; she went to his door at night to express her feelings.
Although it didn't end with love as the ultimate move, the intimate dependency was expressed vividly.
Mr. Han must have felt it. Light flashed in Gu Xun'er's bright eyes.
She discovered that Mr. Han always avoided actions leading to intimate relationships.
Teaching a disciple was a responsibility. After Lin Xian'er became an adult or possessed the power to protect herself, the master's responsibility could be considered over.
Having done this much, no one would say Han Feng was an unqualified teacher.
Treating elders, the responsibility therein wasn't that strong either. Medicine Saint and Wind Venerate were both famous big figures.
They didn't need Han Feng to take care of anything.
The only Dao companion who might need mutual support for a lifetime, Han Feng delayed choosing.
Reasonably speaking, as a Dou Saint powerhouse, it was time to consider the matter of inheritance and offspring.
Han Feng still had no children, and there were no women beside him with whom he had a true relationship.
He was like an ascetic monk, moving towards his goal with unwavering determination.
Gu Xun'er was actually clear about Mr. Han's goal in her heart.
Since Han Feng was unwilling to make a choice to establish an intimate relationship, Gu Xun'er could only watch over him silently and help him solve some problems he might encounter on the way forward.
She knew she wasn't ranked first as a candidate for that position.
But among the powerful female cultivators around Han Feng in the future, there would definitely be a place for her.
Gu Xun'er had confidence in her cultivation talent.
Han Feng stood at the bow for a while. Seeing that Gu Xun'er hadn't returned to the cabin yet, he walked towards her.
"Xun'er, what are you thinking about?"
Gu Xun'er smiled gently and said: "Thinking about what Mr. Han will do next?"
"So you were trying to figure out my thoughts."
"Is that not allowed?"
A trace of sly light flashed in Gu Xun'er's eyes.
"Obviously Mr. Han is also very good at figuring out people's hearts, right?"
Han Feng was somewhat surprised.
"Everything is done with great propriety. Xun'er needs to learn well from Mr. Han."
Han Feng smiled.
"Don't learn from me. I'm already old. For a girl of your age, youth has just begun."
Gu Xun'er didn't say anything more. She just smiled and nodded, leaning her body against the side of the boat, turning her head to look into the distance.
"The Beast Region is really big."
"This is also Xun'er's first time here, right?"
"En."
Although Gu Xun'er was the Eldest Miss of the Gu Clan, her life before was very plain. She spent more than ten years peacefully in a small place like Wu Tan City, with no waves overall.
Following Han Feng out this time could be considered a journey to broaden her horizons.
"I read about the description of the Beast Region in a book. There is a mountain peak called Biyi Ridge. It is said to be the place where the ancient divine bird, the Biyi, fell."
Han Feng was slightly stunned.
"That place..."
"That's right, Mr. Han wrote it into the book. I read every single word seriously."
Gu Xun'er said.
Han Feng nodded with emotion.
"The scenery of Biyi Ridge is indeed very beautiful. After dealing with the matters this time, I will take you to see it."
"I look forward to it, Mr. Han."
The green silk of Gu Xun'er rose with the wind, and her beautiful side profile was bathed in soft light, giving people a sense of beauty that stunned one's youth.
Han Feng watched her, and a connection spanning time and space made him slightly dazed.
The little girl who was only knee-high back then now had a magnificent bearing.
Especially when she used the content of Han Feng's book to speak of that wonderful past journey.
Han Feng seemed to see a little girl holding a scroll and reading under the candlelight.
In those lonely times, with books as companions, she was not cold and alone.
"When I have time in the future, I will accompany you to all the places recorded in the book, walking through them one by one. How about that?"
Han Feng's gentle voice drilled into Gu Xun'er's ears.
The girl looked at Han Feng with joyful eyes.
"Really? Mr. Han keeps his word!"
Han Feng smiled and nodded slightly.
"I keep my word."
Gu Xun'er extended her right hand and stuck out her little finger.
"Let's pinky swear!"
Han Feng laughed dumbly, extended his hand, and made an incredibly childish contract with Gu Xun'er.
Gu Xun'er seemed very excited. After the pinky swear, her small face was flushed red, becoming even more beautiful and moving.
"Mr. Han, if we go out to play, can we not bring anyone else, just you and me?"
"What? Dislike Xian'er and the others?"
"Of course not, it's just... if others are present, it feels different."
Gu Xun'er said seriously: "That was a wish I made when I was a child! I want to take a trip with just the two of us, Mr. Han."
"Alright. But you can't tell Xian'er about this."
Han Feng said.
Gu Xun'er nodded hurriedly.
What a joke. If that clingy Xian'er found out, she definitely wouldn't let her travel alone with Mr. Han.