Chapter 153: Forbidden Mission Target

The Monster Mountain Range, located within the Yuanyang Empire, was not particularly vast compared to other monster beast gathering areas on the continent. However, due to its unique terrain, filled with numerous dark, deep valleys and swamps, the diverse array of high-level monster beasts inhabiting the range caused constant headaches for the Yuanyang Empire's army. The military forces and resources allocated annually for clearing operations in this region were considerable, and accidents were frequent.

For Xu Yang's team, however, such tasks presented no challenge whatsoever.

The spirit ship scanned the area as it traveled, quickly arriving at the designated target. There, over thirty elite soldiers were entrenched, surrounded by hundreds of high-level demonic wolves.

In a place like the Monster Mountain Range, lions, tigers, pythons, and crocodiles were not feared; the most terrifying were wolf packs, whose primary mode of survival was communal hunting. These high-level demonic wolves, in particular, while unable to speak human language, possessed intelligence no less than that of humans. Some packs even employed hunting tactics more advanced than those used by human armies.

At this moment, these dozens of soldiers were injured to varying degrees. If reinforcements didn't arrive soon, they would likely be doomed.

"I see them, over there!"

Without a word, Xu Yang was the first to descend, appearing before the soldiers as an afterimage. Immediately after, Bai Lianxue and the other three landed, then began to treat the soldiers' injuries.

Bai Lianxue's Buddhist cultivation technique proved incredibly useful; the soldiers' wounds quickly healed. These soldiers, on average, possessed cultivation levels above the Golden Core realm, with their two leaders being at the Mid Nascent Soul stage. None of them had the qualifications to study in an academy; their military ranks were earned solely through mission completion in the army.

"You are..."

"General Hu sent us to save you," Bai Lianxue replied. "Rest assured and recover; there's no more danger."

Bai Lianxue's golden aura enveloped the soldiers, greatly alleviating their pain.

"Young man, danger!"

The leading soldier, seeing Xu Yang walk out from behind the rock cover, hastily tried to call him back.

"Don't worry, elder brother," one of Xu Yang's companions said. "Even if there were a hundred times more demonic wolves like these, they'd be no match for that young man."

The soldiers were startled. Just then, a thunderous boom erupted behind them, and all the howls of the demonic wolves instantly ceased. Not a single sound could be heard thereafter.

"Wha- What?!" exclaimed a soldier. "In a single moment, he wiped out dozens of high-level demonic wolves? This..."

The soldiers stared at Xu Yang's team of four, utterly astonished and completely awestruck. Xu Yang and the others, however, remained perfectly calm, as opponents of this level simply couldn't pique their interest.

"Alright," Xu Yang said, "the danger has been cleared. Let's get you onto the spirit ship and head back."

As Xu Yang spoke, the leading Nascent Soul realm captain wore a bitter expression, seemingly reluctant to return.

"What's wrong?"

"Great one," the captain replied, "to be honest with you, we were assigned an A-grade mission this time. Our target wasn't these demonic wolves, but a high-level Blood-Eyed Frenzied Lion. The appearance of this wolf pack interfered with our operation. Now that we've all recovered, we really don't want to abandon this mission. Our squad has failed three missions in a row, and if we don't succeed this time, we'll be demoted..."

Xu Yang pondered for a moment. "How about this," he suggested, "we'll go together. It won't be too late to return after dealing with that Blood-Eyed Lion. It's still early, after all."

"That's wonderful!"

The soldiers were overjoyed and immediately pulled out a map of the frenzied lion's habitat.

As they ventured deeper into the mountain range, they observed gruesome cracks along the path. These appeared as if the mountains had been severed by a terrifying force, rather than being natural geographical formations.

"This is the most bizarre monster beast habitat I've ever seen, considering its terrain..."

Bai Lianxue voiced Xu Yang's thoughts, and the soldier captain readily agreed.

"It is said that ten thousand years ago, this mountain range was originally a vast sea," the captain explained. "Later, a cataclysm that engulfed the entire Daozhou region descended, causing everything within the current Yuanyang Empire to undergo world-shattering changes. Even the ancestors of the Yuanyang Empire's royal family rose during that era and established this empire."

"Ten thousand years ago?"

Xu Yang and the others were all startled. They exchanged glances, clearly having thought of the same thing.

Wasn't ten thousand years ago precisely the critical juncture when the Great Dragon Concealment Secret of the Three Thousand Dao States was born?

Considering the Hidden Dragon Secret in the Sea of Books at Saint Soul Academy, Xu Yang couldn't help but feel that the entire Yuanyang Empire's birth was probably inextricably linked to this secret.

Before they knew it, the group had arrived at the designated coordinates. However, they found no trace of the Blood-Eyed Frenzied Lion; instead, the air was thick with the rich scent of blood...

Roar!!

Suddenly, a deep beastly roar erupted, followed by ground-shaking footsteps. When the colossal silhouette came into view, all the soldiers were utterly terrified.

"This is... the S-grade mission target that was previously designated as forbidden," one soldier stammered. "The Dragon-Headed Golden-Winged Sky-Escaping Python! The most formidable monster beast in the entire mountain range! No, are we truly going to die here...?"

The soldiers were nearly driven mad. They had never dreamed they would encounter such misfortune today. After being trapped in a death trap and barely receiving reinforcements, they greedily chose to continue the mission instead of retreating, ultimately leading everyone into the abyss of despair.

"Hehehe," the giant python scoffed. "You humble human ants keep disturbing me, relentlessly sending more people. Are you truly afraid I'll starve?!"

The giant python licked its lips, the crimson bloodstains seemingly proving its point.

"You, you swallowed that frenzied lion!"

"What else?" the python retorted. "From today onward, all territories within the inner regions of this mountain range will belong to me. Whether human or monster beast, dare to interfere here, and you shall be killed without mercy!"

Roar!!

The frenzied python let out a roar louder than any lion or tiger, clearly having murderous intent.

"Wait."

Xu Yang suddenly stepped forward, looking calmly at the giant python.

"Before you eat us," he said, "I have a question, if you please."

"Speak," the python sneered. "I'm in a good mood today; I'll let you die with understanding."

Xu Yang's insight was extraordinarily sharp; he had long noticed something amiss with this frenzied python. The primordial aura within its body was entirely different from the demonic energy found in this mountain range, suggesting it was a completely new, foreign entity.

"From my observation," Xu Yang continued, "the origin within your body was not cultivated from this mountain range. This indicates that not long ago, you didn't belong here. Why did you suddenly choose to reside in this place?"

The giant python's eyes lit up. "Good kid," it remarked, "a mere ant at the Qi Condensation realm, yet you can see my secret! Since you asked, I'll satisfy your curiosity. I was born a python, but my bloodline is not pure. I need to evolve into the next stage, a dragon-python. This mountain range contains dragon qi, which is the resource I truly need."

"What did you say?!"