NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 36: Endless forest beyond the twon.
Beneath the clouds, the sun shone with radiant light. Below, a green bamboo forest stretched across the land, just outside the town's borders. It was a lush woodland of towering trees and slender bamboo stalks. Through this vibrant greenery, a narrow path—barely wide enough for a single horse—cut through the forest.
Xian Ling led the way as Li Hao followed behind her. His steps were as light as the breeze, leaving no sound, no trace of his presence.
"Brother Hao, why are we leaving our town already? I feel like there's still time... we could have stayed a little longer," Xian Ling asked.
Li Hao walked calmly behind her, his feet hovering just an inch above the ground—a feat made possible by his celestial bloodline.
He had been capable of flight at the peak of the Grand Apprentice Realm.
Now, having entered the Transcendent Mortal Realm, his flight abilities were even more refined. With his heavenly spiritual power and celestial bloodline, it would take two full months of continuous flight before he exhausted his spiritual Qi.
Li Hao looked up at the sun and replied softly, "We're just big fish in a small pond. We need a bigger jar to support our weight."
"Mm... but Brother Hao, weren't you just at the peak of the Grand Apprentice Realm a few days ago?" she asked.
"I broke through," Li Hao said sharply and without elaboration.
"Let's not dwell on it. The journey is long—we need to conserve our energy," he added.
"Okay, Brother Hao."
SEVERAL HOURS PASSED IN A FLASH.
Time devours all moments—relentless and silent—shaping fate with every breath.
After hours of travel, they had covered several dozen kilometers, yet had not completely exited the town's sphere of influence. This was the distance where the names of the town's strongest no longer echoed in conversation, and where its power no longer reached.
As Li Hao walked, he came to a stop on the trail and said, "Xian Ling, let's rest here."
"Oh, okay," she agreed, stepping off the path toward a large tree. They set up a small campfire and began to settle down.
Before she could rest, Li Hao asked, "Aren't you going to prepare food?"
"Mm? Food? But Brother Hao, we didn't bring any," she said, confused.
"Then hunt," he replied.
"Okay," she nodded and stepped into the woods.
As she walked through the bamboo forest, she couldn't help but think to herself, Why does Brother Hao feel different today? It's like I can't read him at all...
But no matter, I need to find food first.
She concealed her presence, crouched low, and moved with silent grace—her steps barely disturbing the fallen leaves.
She drifted through the forest for a while, before—
BUZZ.
"Huh? What was that?" she wondered.
BUZZ.
She heard the sound again and quickly hid in a nearby bush. She waited silently, but no more noise came.
Just as she prepared to step out—
Tromp... Tromp... Tromp...
Tromp Tromp Tromp.
Then, suddenly—
WHIRR.
A beast dashed past like lightning. Its speed left blurring afterimages.
Without hesitation, she shot out from the bushes, racing after it with lightning speed.
The beast was a Rain Elk—its body covered in sleek blue fur with glowing azure streaks running along its limbs. Its build resembled an elegant springbok, with slender legs but a much larger frame.
Ling'er sprinted behind it, each step narrowing the distance. Her eyes locked onto the creature, weaving deftly through the dense trees.
Just then, another sound echoed beside her.
Thomp. Thomp. Thomp.
She turned her head—only to see a Mystic Black Leopard, its body marked by white wind-like stripes on its shoulders, white paws, and a pale underbelly.
It ran effortlessly through the trees, its gaze fixed on the Rain Elk—the same prey.
Her brows furrowed. She wasn't the only one hunting.
Her heartbeat quickened as she circulated spiritual power through her meridians, her speed increasing from 1.44 FS to 2.16 FS—several times the speed of sound.
([1 FS = 1000 km/h])
As both predator and pursuer closed in on the Rain Elk, she suddenly leapt toward the leopard, tackling it to the ground.
But it wasn't that easy. The leopard twisted and rolled, attempting to pin her, but she matched its movements with fluid precision.
Then—
CRASH.
She slammed the leopard's head into the ground, pinning it beneath her.
Dominating it, she thought, This leopard seems to be a first-level Beast Apprentice... it'll make a great meal.
Ssssss—
"Mm?" She turned her head toward the sound. Her gaze rose to the branches of a nearby tree—
And there it was.
A giant green python, its body covered in emerald scales, a small crown-like ridge atop its head. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Its presence had gone completely unnoticed. It was 23 meters long, with a body nearly 40 centimeters wide—easily capable of swallowing a grown man whole.
This... this... this...
She couldn't comprehend how such a massive creature had crept up on her undetected.
It's a Seventh-level Beast Apprentice, she realized. Its strength is close to that elder's...
The python coiled slowly around the tree, its gaze fixed on her like a predator eyeing its meal.
Xian Ling, still holding the leopard down, began to sweat.
She was stuck. If she let go, the leopard would escape—and the python would strike. But if she held on, it would still strike.
Every path led to death. There was no way out.
Her eyes narrowed. If I can't survive... then I'll fight.
Her pink hair burned red once more as flames reignited in her eyes.
The python lunged.
Ling'er released her flames, intending to burn everything to ash.
But then—
WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH—
A blade sliced through the air, cleaving the python multiple times.
Its head flew off—
Its massive body slammed to the ground.
Behind it, the tree it had coiled around collapsed with a thunderous crash, raising clouds of dust.
Xian Ling stared at the scene, her eyes wide, her mouth agape.
This...
She turned around, only to see a trail of fallen trees, white sword-light marks slashed across them.
She couldn't fathom the kind of power that had done this.
But in her heart, she already knew.
"Brother Hao."