"Second Uncle, what is this?" Jing Fengyu exclaimed.

Jing Tianheng’s eyes were dark, his tone serious as he said, "It’s the gases corroding."

Everyone was startled and looked towards the location of the mist—

Sure enough, wherever the mist enveloped, everything was withering, trees had died, their trunks oozing pus, and the ground was full of potholes and covered with the same kind of pus they encountered on the previous path.

Everyone present was shocked, their bodies involuntarily taking a step back.

Jing Fengyu’s heart sank, his eyes fixed on the toxic mist lurking in the shadows, his gaze unpredictable.

He desperately wanted to obtain his own Contracted Beast, but the current situation made it impossible to approach!

"Second Uncle, we simply can’t get close," Jing Fengyu said darkly to Jing Tianheng.

Jing Tianheng had the same serious expression, his slightly furrowed eyes falling on his nephew, his tense facial lines speechless for a long time.

Jing Fengyu was the most talented of the Jing family in this generation, bearing the hopes of the Jing family. Encountering such a formidable Contracted Beast, if they were to give up, not only would Jing Fengyu be unwilling, but he himself would also be unwilling.

"There is a way." Jing Tianheng suddenly said.

Jing Fengyu’s eyes brightened, and he immediately asked eagerly, "What is it?"

Jing Tianheng’s eyes were difficult to understand before he spoke a term, "Forbidden potion!"

Forbidden potion!

Upon hearing this term, the Jing family members gasped in shock and looked at Jing Tianheng, Jing Fengyu included.

"Second Uncle, use forbidden potion?" Jing Fengyu held his breath, his tone shocked as he confirmed again.

Jing Tianheng lowered his eyes, his gaze fell on those toxic mists, and nodded.

"But, forbidden potion is a family forbidden drug. We..." Jing Fengyu spoke with some struggle.

Yet, he also understood deep down that without using forbidden potion, they truly had no chance.

Before he finished speaking, he fell silent, seemingly engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

"Fengyu, using forbidden potion is also a desperate measure," Jing Tianheng sighed while patting Jing Fengyu’s shoulder.

Everyone remained silent.

Jing Tianheng slowly continued, "That Contracted Beast is extremely cunning, using the highly corrosive toxic mist as cover, we simply can’t get close. The only way is to lure it out, make it voluntarily leave the mist, and enter the Contract Array we’ve set up."

He paused for a moment, then spoke solemnly to Jing Fengyu, "Fengyu, you are the most talented person in our Jing family generation. However, within this generation of Central Continent, you’re still not enough. Not to mention Xi Qianxue from the Xi family who was sent into the Divine Hall as the Goddess, even Wei Molili from the Wei family, both are pressing on you. This Contracted Beast, with its formidable strength, surpassing the expectations of your father and me, presents an opportunity for you!"

Jing Fengyu’s gaze glimmered, slowly shifting his eyes to Jing Tianheng.

Jing Tianheng continued, "The Jing family needs you to become stronger, you also need to become stronger, to stabilize the position of the Jing family, and this will allow you to have more resources. Therefore, necessary risk is unavoidable."

After Jing Tianheng finished speaking, Jing Fengyu ended his struggle and finally compromised, "I understand, Second Uncle."

Having persuaded Jing Fengyu, Jing Tianheng nodded lightly.

However, this did not completely alleviate Jing Fengyu’s concerns. "Second Uncle, the forbidden potion is extremely unstable, although it can temporarily manipulate the Contracted Beast’s consciousness, it is also very likely to backfire, the process is extremely risky, in case..."

"No ’in case,’ it must succeed! This time, I will personally do it!" Jing Tianheng said firmly.

"Second Uncle, you mustn’t!"

"Elder mustn’t!"

As soon as Jing Tianheng spoke, Jing Fengyu and the other Jing family members immediately tried to stop him.

"Second Uncle, you are the one with the highest cultivation among us. If you were to use the forbidden potion and the Contracted Beast resisted, we might all die here. Let me do it instead!" Jing Fengyu said.

"No! You can’t risk it!" Jing Tianheng refused without a second thought.

If the Contracted Beast was gone, they could find another one, but if anything happened to Jing Fengyu, he wouldn’t be able to explain to the Jing family upon returning; it would be a fatal blow to the Jing family.

"Second Uncle, this is the choice with the most certainty. If anything happens to me, with you here, at least my life will be safe." Jing Fengyu insisted.

However, Jing Fengyu still shook his head in refusal, "This matter is settled, I will do it."

"Second Uncle!" Jing Fengyu still wanted to stop him.

Jing Tianheng, however, raised his hand to interrupt him, "You all hide in the dark, if everything goes smoothly, and the Contracted Beast enters the Contract Array to accept the contract, that would be best. But if it backfires, don’t worry about me, escape immediately, and then return to Central Continent. Did you hear me?"

"Second Uncle..." Jing Fengyu heard a trace of finality in Jing Tianheng’s tone and spoke with a choked voice.

Jing Tianheng looked at Jing Fengyu, as usual, patting him on the shoulder, conveying countless emotions in his eyes without a word.

"Enough, set up the Contract Array." Ending his inner sentiments, Jing Tianheng ordered.

His determination, Jing Fengyu’s silence, left the Jing family no choice but to move according to plan.

Jing Fengyu was pulled to the corner by his attendant, silently watching the Jing family draw the ancient Contract Array, passed down over thousands of years, on the flat ground using special techniques.

Such an array can only be wielded by those of Jing family bloodline. Even if someone else draws an identical one, it will have no contracting effect.

This is the power of the bloodline, the bloodline talent of the Jing family!

"Die Lan Incense, Die Lan Incense... how many Jing family members have died because of Die Lan Incense?" Jing Fengyu focused on everyone’s actions, his gaze resting on Jing Tianheng who was sitting cross-legged with eyes closed, adjusting his breath, he said wistfully.

Inside, he actually had a deep-seated hatred for Die Lan Incense.

The ability of Die Lan Incense, to the Jing family, is like opium, full of allure, but also full of risk.

Die Lan Incense, a peculiar aroma, allows the user to enter the consciousness of any Contracted Beast and manipulate it. Once successfully entered, the one who controls the beast is actually the incense bearer, like an avatar of the Beast Clan.

During this time, the incense bearer can give any command to the Contracted Beast.

But this process is exceedingly brief, with those of low cultivation possibly lasting just an instant. Jing Tianheng, at the Golden Realm Second Layer, can control it for less than a quarter of an hour.

Once the effect of Die Lan Incense wears off, the beast’s consciousness will fiercely retaliate, breaking through the intruding human consciousness, and its wild nature will be unleashed, requiring blood to calm its frenzy.

Die Lan Incense was once an extreme measure the Jing family used to capture some berserk Contracted Beasts. Later, after many deaths, it was listed as prohibited within the Jing family.

After many years, Die Lan Incense is finally to appear here again!

Jing Fengyu’s features were tightly drawn, silent.

"Young master, don’t overthink it. Since we’ve decided, it’s better to rest so you can be better prepared for the contract." Jing Fengyu’s attendant saw the thoughts in his heart and quietly comforted him.

Jing Fengyu slowly nodded, glanced at Jing Tianheng one last time, then sat down cross-legged, entering a state of cultivation.

...

The Jing family was actively preparing. Meanwhile, in another part of Guji Mountain, two figures were casually strolling around.

Mu Qingge was speechless as she looked at the man beside her, shaking her head inwardly.

She couldn’t help asking, "Are you here to find the Hou, or are you here for a leisurely outing?"

"Both. Being with little Ge’er, naturally, the latter is more important." Si Mo’s amber eyes held a smile as he looked at Mu Qingge.

The tone of his answer was very sincere, without the slightest falsehood, nor did it feel like his flowery rhetoric.

Mu Qingge’s lips twitched slightly as she intentionally retorted, "So, does my presence affect your itinerary? If so, perhaps I should leave to avoid delaying your important matters!"

"Where does little Ge’er want to go?" Si Mo was quicker in action than words.

As he spoke, with a forceful tug of their joined hands, he unexpectedly pulled Mu Qingge into his arms, holding her tightly.

"Hey! Let go of me, have you no shame?" Mu Qingge unexpectedly fell into Si Mo’s embrace, her hands bracing against his chest, her voice slightly angry.

Even though it was not the first time, whenever this man’s intense male aura and unique fragrance surrounded her, she could still feel her face heat up and her heart race.

This loss of control made her feel like a frightened little beast, losing her proud rationality.

She wanted to escape, afraid that once her reason was completely consumed, she would lose control entirely and do something extremely embarrassing.

Just like that day on the island in the lake outside the Golden Sea Prefecture, amidst the endless peach forest.

She almost lost herself then and swallowed Si Mo whole!

"In front of little Ge’er, I need nothing, only you." Si Mo lowered his head, his exceedingly handsome face, as if it had integrated into the most beautiful scenery of the world, was so close.

His amber eyes seemed to absorb the light of the entire starry sky, full of smile and affection, fixing on her. His breath, as he spoke, fell onto Mu Qingge’s face, instantly thinning her thick skin, making it flush red.

"Silver-tongued devil." Mu Qingge retorted angrily.

The shy expression that appeared on Mu Qingge’s face was like discovering a treasure for Si Mo, who carefully depicted it with his gaze.

Yet, in Mu Qingge’s heart, she couldn’t wait to dig a hole to bury herself! It was just too embarrassing, ah ah ah!

"Let go now!" Mu Qingge’s voice turned cold just before her emotions were about to collapse.

However, the response she got was Si Mo’s handsome face suddenly closing in. "Little Ge’er..." he murmured affectionately, with a bewitching aura that enveloped Mu Qingge entirely.

She hadn’t even reacted when her lips fell into the net set by Si Mo.

"Mmm..." Mu Qingge’s eyes widened as her mouth was blocked.

Her clear eyes flickered with stormy clouds but finally turned into a spring rain.

With this man, she compromised...

A hint of a smile flashed in Mu Qingge’s eyes as she slowly closed them, wrapping her arms around Si Mo’s neck, indulging herself in the kiss.

This kiss was Si Mo’s expression of his feelings for her, without a trace of distraction... at least in the beginning.

"Hoo—hoo—"

The sound of their breathing gradually became more pronounced, almost like people struggling for air. Si Mo’s gentle movements became somewhat rough, one hand embracing Mu Qingge’s slender waist, the other pressing against the back of her head, as if he wished to blend her entire being into his body.

He was wild, and Mu Qingge matched him, both like fierce beasts in battle, each wanting to defeat the other, consume the other, merge the other into their body!

Suddenly, Si Mo’s back stiffened, releasing the lips he had kissed swollen and pulling Mu Qingge into his embrace, using his sleeve to cover her alluring shy beauty.

Only he could see his little Ge’er as she looked at this moment.

Si Mo’s amber eyes, the tide of passion receding, were replaced by a cold glint. "Little Ge’er, don’t make me wait too long." His lips brushed lightly over Mu Qingge’s earlobe, whispering softly.

This sentence made the blush that had faded from Mu Qingge’s face bloom once again.

However, her gaze returned to its original clarity from the previous confusion.

"Come out!"

Si Mo’s voice carried a chill that made Mu Qingge shiver. Finally realizing, the reason this man suddenly stopped was largely because someone was approaching.

Who showed up?

Mu Qingge heard the murderous intent in Si Mo’s tone.

Immediately following, she saw two familiar shadows abruptly appear through the gap in the sleeve.

’So it’s Gu Ya and Gu Ye!’ Mu Qingge suddenly understood.

Then, she felt amused in her heart.

These two ruined their lord’s good occasion. Who knows how much skin they would have to shed to offset the resentment in Si Mo’s heart.

Hmm?

Mu Qingge blinked, quietly relying on Si Mo’s embrace. ’No, these two should be considered my benefactors! If they hadn’t arrived when they did, who knows if I would have...’

Taking a breath, Mu Qingge decided to conscientiously put away her overt glee.

"Lord, we... we have urgent news." Gu Ya spoke firmly to say this sentence.

If their eyes could kill, the two of them wouldn’t know how many times they’d have died.

They swore, they had just arrived and had been discovered immediately, having not seen anything at all. The only thing they did wrong was appearing at the wrong time, ruining their lord’s good moment.

Gu Ya felt somewhat aggrieved inside.

Gu Ye stood silently, wearing an expression sincerely admitting wrongdoing.

"Speak." The single word from Si Mo, full of stinginess, made goosebumps rise all over Gu Ya and Gu Ye.

"The Jing family has already found Hou!" Gu Ye’s silent yet abrupt statement came first.

"They’ve already found Hou?" Mu Qingge pulled down Si Mo’s sleeve and revealed her face.

Still, even with her face exposed, Gu Ya and Gu Ye dared not look, just lowered their heads further.

"Yes," Gu Ye replied.

Flickers danced in Mu Qingge’s eyes, and she said to Si Mo, "We should go over there quickly to have a look."

Si Mo naturally wouldn’t refuse, nodding to Mu Qingge. When he turned his eyes to land on Gu Ya and Gu Ye, they turned exceedingly cold. "After you return, go stay in the Desert Sea for a period."

At these words, Gu Ya and Gu Ye both shivered simultaneously from head to toe.

Terrified, they looked up at Si Mo, their faces turned pale.

Seeing no sign of him retracting his orders, the two could only lower their heads pitifully, devoid of any will to live, and muttered, "Yes."

Having spoken, the two disappeared from Mu Qingge’s field of vision.

"What kind of place is the Desert Sea? Why did they get so frightened just hearing about it?" Mu Qingge naturally knew that Si Mo was deliberately punishing them.

She just didn’t understand what kind of place the Desert Sea could be to scare Gu Ya and Gu Ye like that?

"It’s a place they would rather die than go," Si Mo offered an ambiguous chuckle in explanation.

’A place they would rather die than go!’ Mu Qingge’s gaze narrowed slightly, looking at Si Mo, but refrained from pursuing the matter further.

...

Jing Fengyu woke from cultivation, fixing his gaze on those still dispersed poison mists.

Not far from him, his Second Uncle continued with preparations to ignite the Die Lan incense. The Contract Array drawn by the Jing family was taking shape and would soon be completed.

When Jing Tianheng opened his eyes, Jing Fengyu rose and walked over to him.

"Second Uncle..." Jing Fengyu squatted beside Jing Tianheng, the concern hidden in his tone.

Jing Tianheng exhaled a breath of foul air and looked at Jing Fengyu, "No need to worry about me, Fengyu. I know my limits."

"Second Uncle, if you sense it starting to backlash, cut off the connection immediately, don’t force it," Jing Fengyu advised Jing Tianheng.

Jing Tianheng shook his head with a smile, "Once the Die Lan incense is lit, it’s not something I can just stop."

"Second Uncle, if it means putting yourself at risk to secure a Contracted Beast, I would rather go without," said Jing Fengyu.

Jing Tianheng’s body trembled slightly, touched by his words.

"Second Uncle, I know once the Die Lan incense is ignited, things will be out of control. But father also mentioned that if you discard some Spiritual Sense decisively before the Contracted Beast backlashes, although it may lead to significant injury, at least your life can be preserved!" Jing Fengyu earnestly told Jing Tianheng.

"Alright, I understand." Jing Tianheng nodded slightly.

At this time, someone from the Jing family approached Jing Tianheng and Jing Fengyu, "Elder, young master, the Contract Array has been engraved."

Jing Tianheng stood up and with Jing Fengyu, approached the Contract Array.

This was a blood-red Contract Array, the totems inscribed upon it were mysterious and ancient, as if summoning a special power that could subdue the Beast Clan, forming a contract with members of the Jing family bloodline.

After carefully checking the Contract Array, Jing Tianheng and Jing Fengyu exchanged glances, their heads nodding imperceptibly.

Jing Tianheng turned to the others, "Well, thank you for your hard work. According to the plan, retreat to the dark, you must wait until the Contracted Beast steps into the Contract Array and it exerts its binding force before coming out. If something goes wrong, leave immediately, do not hesitate. No matter what, protect Young Master Fengyu and escort him back to the Jing family in Central Continent!"

Jing Tianheng’s words were akin to a final will, making Jing Fengyu feel a deep sense of discomfort.

The other members of the Jing family also had grave expressions, and nodded to Jing Tianheng as if making an oath.

After his gaze swept lightly over their faces, Jing Tianheng drew back. He walked to the back of the Contract Array and sat cross-legged, spreading his hand to reveal a dark golden incense, about the size of a fingernail, in his palm.

"Young master, is this the legendary Die Lan incense?" Jing Fengyu’s attendant whispered from behind him.

Jing Fengyu nodded, also lowering his voice, "I’ve seen it once with father, it’s indeed the Die Lan incense."

"That the Elder brought Die Lan incense along must mean he was prepared in advance, so young master, do not worry too much," the attendant comforted.

However, Jing Fengyu slowly shook his head, "Bringing the Die Lan incense shows the Second Uncle’s determination to bring back a Contracted Beast. He is risking himself for me, for the Jing family, how can I not worry?"

His words left the attendant in silence, not knowing what to say, only able to pray in his heart, hoping this venture would go without peril.

"I’m about to light the incense," Jing Tianheng announced.

Jing Fengyu’s eyes sharpened, issuing an order to the group, "Retreat!"

With his command, everyone quickly scattered, concealing themselves in the forest, restraining their presence.

Jing Fengyu, with his attendant, also moved into the shadows, ensuring his position was closest to Jing Tianheng. This allowed him to be confident that should something unexpected occur, he could rescue Jing Tianheng immediately.

When everyone’s breathing faded from his perception, a wisp of rising blue smoke began to rise from the Dielan Incense in Jing Tianheng’s palm.

Dielan Incense can only be ignited by spiritual power.

The smoke from the Dielan Incense grew thicker. In the eyes of Jing Fengyu and the others, Jing Tianheng’s figure also became blurred, as if enveloped in the smoke of the Dielan Incense.

Suddenly, a wisp of Divine Sense wrapped in Dielan Incense shot out from between Jing Tianheng’s eyebrows and broke into the poisonous mist.

The Dielan Incense, carrying Jing Tianheng’s Divine Sense, pierced through the poisonous mist and fell into the earth crack deep within the mist.

In the depths of the thousand-foot earth crack, within that enormous cavern.

Dark as chaos.

An ancient fierce beast lay on the ground, its blurry outline barely visible. Yet, even just the outline carried a powerful aura, as if thousands of mountains were pressing down.

It seemed to be asleep, or perhaps due to the injuries on its body, it was healing under the care of the Netherworld God.

Suddenly, a dim light rushed into the cavern, fearless of the surrounding poisonous mist, arriving directly in front of it, and without hesitation, plunged into its brow.

Suddenly, it opened its tightly shut eyes, and from its ferocious giant mouth came a thunderous roar—

"Roar——!"

The sound followed the earth crack outward, echoing through the forest.

The sound enveloped the world outside of the poisonous mist, immediately making the Jing Family people nervous.

Jing Fengyu’s eyes deepened as he looked towards Jing Tianheng.

Sure enough, Jing Tianheng’s complexion turned pale, with a bit of blood appearing between his lips.

This made Jing Fengyu’s heart tighten, worrying about Jing Tianheng’s condition. At the same time, he was shocked in his heart: ’What kind of Beast Clan can be so powerful!’

In the depths of the earth crack, the beast’s golden pupils, like flames, dimmed, as if it had lost its mind.

It suddenly stood up, its immense, mountain-like body fully exposed. It began to walk step by step towards the outside of the earth crack, as if it were a puppet being controlled.

Outside the poisonous mist forest, the Jing Family people anxiously waited.

As time passed, their back muscles gradually tensed, fears, worries, nerves, and terror... various negative emotions tangled within their hearts.

Jing Fengyu kept an eye on Jing Tianheng’s state while also staring into the depths of the poisonous mist.

Suddenly, he saw a massive shadow slowly moving within the depths of the poisonous mist. His eyes narrowed as he softly reminded, "It’s coming!"

It’s coming!

Simple as these two words were, they made the hiding Jing Family members even more cautious, instinctively lowering themselves, further concealing their presence.

Soon after Jing Fengyu’s reminder, a gigantic shadow began to gradually clarify from within the poisonous mist.

As it emerged, Jing Fengyu and the other Jing Family members raised their sights, astonished as they gazed upon the colossal entity appearing before them.

The forest here was already tall, each tree about thirty feet in height.

Yet, before it, they seemed as insignificant as weeds on the ground.

The Jing Family people were shocked, their mouths agape, shadows forming in their eyes.

"Young Master, what kind of contracted beast is this?" Jing Fengyu’s attendant exclaimed in shock.

Jing Fengyu was equally frightened, fixating on the steadily approaching colossal entity, not knowing what to say.

It was like a moving mountain range, as the distance closed, casting a shadow over them. Its body was slender, shaped like a horse, yet also like a rabbit. Its body was covered in scales, its golden eyes seemingly harboring flames burning within, though their luster was somewhat dim at the moment. Its sharp fangs were faintly visible, seemingly capable of easily tearing the heavens and the earth. Its front claws resembled an eagle’s, while its hind claws were like a tiger’s, and each step it took caused the earth to tremble, shaking the heavens and the earth itself.

"This... This is..." Jing Fengyu’s voice trembled a bit. He felt like an ant before this Beast Clan entity.

He stiffly twisted his neck to look at the other Jing Family members and found their faces ashen, filled with terror.

"I’ve never seen this in the Jing Family’s Beast Clan pictorial!" Jing Fengyu took a deep breath and quickly said.

The Jing Family’s beast pictorial had been compiled over millennia by their generations of elites, detailing countless Spirit Beasts, Divine Beasts, and Holy Beasts. Yet, all things grow, many Beast Clans have never been seen, nor have they been included in the pictorial.

Just like what was in front of them!

Jing Fengyu, for a moment, forgot what he should do. He could only stare at the terrifying giant beast as it slowly walked towards the Contract Array.

When its front paw stepped into the Contract Array, a bloody flash crossed the Contract Array.

Jing Tianheng’s tightly closed lips suddenly spewed a mouthful of fresh blood.

This scene was quite frightening.

The beast’s body trembled and struggled, yet still moved another step forward.

The ’little’ Contract Array seemed unable to accommodate the beast’s entire body. The beast’s size exceeded all of the Jing Family’s expectations.

The beast’s front paw finally landed in the center of the Contract Array.

At this moment, the mysterious totems on the Contract Array suddenly burst with brilliant bloody light, soaring into the sky, as if erecting a cage within the heavens and the earth, trapping the beast inside.

The beast’s front half was trapped inside the Contract Array, while the back half remained outside.

This bizarre scene made the Jing Family people hold their breaths in tension.

The Power of Contract fell upon the beast’s body, like red electric sparks, entangling its body. That invasive force stirred its subconscious resistance!

"Roar——!"

Another deafening roar, shaking the heavens and trembling the earth.

The beast lifted its head and roared skyward, attempting to break free from the Contract Array’s bonds.

"Pfft——!"

Suddenly, Jing Tianheng raised his head and spat out a mouthful of blood, the blood splattering across his face, staining his robes red.

"Uncle——!" Seeing this, Jing Fengyu exclaimed in shock.

"Roar——!"

Another furious roar resounded, mixed with earth-shattering power. It was enraged, angry that these detestable humans dared to try to manipulate its mind, and even more so because they almost succeeded.

These damned humans even wanted to contract it, trying to make it a slave to humans!

The beast’s golden flame-like massive eyes were filled with sharp killing intent, with a streak of dark red coursing within.

It wants to unleash carnage! To kill everyone here!

"Fengyu, quick, seize the opportunity!" Jing Tianheng clutched his chest, shouting towards Jing Fengyu’s direction.

Jing Fengyu jolted back to his senses, looked up at the beast, his gaze meeting the beast’s cold, murderous scorn, and a sense of fear arose from within.

In that instant, he wanted to escape, but he ultimately dashed into the Contract Array.

"With my blood, with my spirit, I contract with you, live and die together, never to be abandoned!" Jing Fengyu quickly finished speaking, slicing his palm, with blood flowing from the wound.

He looked to the beast, intending to press his bleeding hand onto the beast, hoping to contract it before the contracted beast could react.

However, as his hand just lifted, a great roar burst from the beast’s mouth.

This roar, accompanied by a powerful force and burning flames, directly surged towards Jing Fengyu.

"Pfft——!"

Jing Fengyu raised his head, spitting blood, his body struck by a massive force, thrown out of the Contract Array.

Jing Tianheng’s eyes narrowed, disregarding his own injuries, he rose and flew up, catching Jing Fengyu’s body mid-air, and couldn’t help but spit out another mouthful of blood.

As he just caught Jing Fengyu’s body, he felt an irresistible killing intent descend from the sky.

Without much thought, Jing Tianheng turned, securely shielding the unconscious Jing Fengyu. As he just completed this action, the beast’s sharp front claw landed on his back, the powerful force nearly shattering his spine and crushing his meridians.

Jing Tianheng’s complexion turned purple, the veins on his forehead bulged, the eyes within his bulging gaze were bloodshot.

His entire cultivation was nearly destroyed in this single blow.

The bodies of Jing Tianheng and Jing Fengyu fell from the sky.

The hiding Jing Family members all rushed out, supporting them up.

Jing Tianheng pushed them away, using his final strength to say, "This beast is beyond our ability to provoke, quickly take Fengyu and leave, I’ll hold it off!"

"Elder!"

Everyone shouted in unison.

At this moment, everyone understood what it meant to cover the rear.

Jing Tianheng said angrily, "Stop nagging here, remember your mission, hurry up and go—!"

The Jing family gritted their teeth, carried Jing Fengyu and fled backward.

However, a loud roar sounded once again.

It caused everyone’s hearts to tremble, and they vomited blood, almost collapsing.

A strong wind suddenly rose, sweeping them up and tossing them far away. Accompanied by Jing Tianheng’s heart-wrenching shout: "Go—!"

This shout made everyone realize that this wind sending them away was Jing Tianheng’s final protection for them.

"Roar—!" Hou’s eyes, golden like flames, cold as ice, watched those humans flee his grasp. A highly corrosive gas seeped from the seams of his Qilin Armor, pursuing the Jing family members.

Once touched, they would undoubtedly die!

"No—!" Jing Tianheng realized Hou’s intention, and with despair, he shouted, enduring the pain of a shattered Dantian, and launched his fiercest attack.

He gathered his cultivation at the second layer of the Golden Realm and all his spiritual power into a light ball, throwing it at Hou’s head.

He wanted to kill this beast!

At this moment, the Jing family’s innate bloodline did not show any usefulness.

It seemed that the fierce beast before him was unaffected by this bloodline.

"Hmph, humans." Hou suddenly spoke human language, lightly swiping his front paw, and Jing Tianheng’s full-force attack was swatted back, landing in the forest with a massive explosion.

Jing Tianheng’s face turned pale, and he charged at Hou frantically!

He regretted it, truly regretted it. Upon realizing Hou’s uniqueness, he should have abandoned his obsession and ensured others’ safe retreat, rather than risking the contract!

If the most gifted young generation of the Jing family perished here, he’d be guilty in death!

"Ah—!" Jing Tianheng’s body suddenly expanded, like a balloon being inflated.

"Self-destruction!" Hou’s fire-tongued golden eyes shrank slightly.

In an instant, Jing Tianheng appeared before him, revealing a cruel and resolute smile—

Bang—!

A loud noise erupted in Guji Mountain.

Causing the entire mountain to tremble.

"What’s going on? Such a huge commotion!" Mu Qingge steadied herself after nearly losing her balance, looking up towards the depths of Guji Mountain, where the sound originated.

Si Mo’s opalescent eyes slightly narrowed, and he casually remarked, "Golden Realm self-destruction."

"Golden Realm self-destruction!" Mu Qingge took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing.

The explosion’s shockwave swept towards the perimeter.

Jing family members fleeing heard the sound and froze in sadness, turning back and shouting, "Elder—!"

Yet, before they could express their sorrow, the corrosive poison mist appeared in their sight.

"Quickly take the young master away!" One Jing family steward in the Silver Realm decisively instructed Jing Fengyu’s attendant.

The attendant gritted his teeth, carrying Jing Fengyu, tears in his eyes as he sprinted away.

Watching Jing Fengyu’s departure, he and the remaining Jing family members fought side by side with a resolve to die.

They released their spiritual power, forming a protective barrier against the rapidly encroaching poisonous mist.

The poison mist struck the spiritual barrier, relentlessly corroding...

Soon, several tragic screams echoed through the forest.

The Jing family members sacrificed their lives to buy time for Jing Fengyu, while they hand in hand, dissolved into a pool of blood within the poison mist...

A quarter of an hour later—

"What exactly happened here?" Mu Qingge walked on the corroded ground, her eyes filled with shock.

Within fifty zhang around her, everywhere bore signs of corrosion. The acrid smell, nauseating yellow pus. As if in an instant, they had arrived in a terrifying hell.

"Let’s go." Si Mo suddenly said.

"Go?" Mu Qingge turned her eyes to him, puzzled, "Weren’t we going to find Hou?"

"It’s no longer here." Si Mo calmly said, pulling Mu Qingge away from that decaying land.

Mu Qingge looked back thrice, the scene before her too shocking. For the first time, she had a clear understanding of Hou’s combat power.

Having seen this scene, she seemed to understand why the Jing family’s strong Golden Realm member ended with self-destruction.

Hou was terrifying, too powerful!

"Are all the Jing family members dead?" Mu Qingge withdrew her gaze and murmured.

Much to her surprise, Si Mo shook his head, "Two breaths fled, though one is very weak."

Two people remained? Who were they?

Suddenly, Jing Fengyu’s image appeared in Mu Qingge’s mind. Guji Mountain’s ordeal surely hit him hard, this Jing family’s pride?

"Where do we go now to find Hou?" Mu Qingge collected herself and asked.

Si Mo remained composed, calm as if he wasn’t here for Hou at all, not concerned it might escape. "Hou is cunning by nature, having been gravely injured and fought humans, it will not stay but leave. Its aura won’t escape my grasp, let’s follow it."

Mu Qingge blinked, suddenly understanding.

This man always tracked Hou’s movements, hence his calm.

Thinking of the recent corrosion, Mu Qingge showed regret, "What a shame for those beautiful scenes on Guji Mountain."

After lamenting, she curiously asked, "Who could have injured Hou so severely, causing it to fall to the Middle Ancient Realm?"

Si Mo lightly smiled, his opalescent eyes carrying an elusive color as he replied to Mu Qingge, "A group claiming to be gentlemen."

Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow, understood instantly!

The world had many true villains and equally many hypocrites.

Those who injured the powerful Hou surely used some schemes. Of course, Mu Qingge didn’t oppose strategizing, as she was adept at it.

Therefore, for Si Mo’s half-joking "hypocrites," Mu Qingge felt neither liking nor loathing.

"There’s movement over there!" Suddenly, Mu Qingge sensed a shadow flickering out of the corner of her eye. She stopped and shifted her gaze over there.

Si Mo also paused, looking where she directed.

However, that area was tranquil, seemingly empty.

"Strange." Mu Qingge slightly frowned. She sensed movement moments ago.

As Si Mo’s eyes slightly narrowed, a faintly amused smile appeared, suddenly...

Rustle—

The grass suddenly shifted.

Mu Qingge’s eyes narrowed, her body moving swiftly like lightning towards it. Once she stopped, something about one or two zhang long was in her grasp.

"What a peculiar rabbit!" Mu Qingge examined what she held, curiously observing.

This peculiar rabbit was snow-white all over, its ears black, sharp, and straight. Its pink three-lobed mouth was very cute, but those eyes—

"I’ve never seen a rabbit with golden eyes, interesting." Mu Qingge stared at the rabbit’s golden eyes, which showed a hint of fear, making it endearing.

Mu Qingge turned the rabbit towards Si Mo, smiling lightly, "Caught a rabbit, we can have a feast tonight."

As her voice fell, the rabbit stiffened slightly.

Si Mo’s opalescent eyes dimmed, gazing at the rabbit, slowly narrowing. From Mu Qingge’s unseen angle, the rabbit’s innocent golden eyes turned wary and cold.

"Little Ge’er, you want to eat rabbit meat?" Si Mo ignored the golden eyes’ threat, a faint smile appearing on his lips as he slowly spoke.