Chapter 2030: Lingyun Mountain

In the Divine Hall.

In the dimly lit hall, illuminated by firelight, a tall figure reappeared.

"Master!" The cloaked figure knelt on the ground.

"What is it?" The tall figure's face was obscured, and its voice was devoid of emotion.

"Han Jianqiu of the Lingyun Sword Pavilion has passed on the position of Sect Master to Zhang Xuan. Should we... continue with our plan?" the cloaked figure asked.

"Passed on the position?" The tall figure sneered, "A clever scheme, thinking that this would make us hesitant? Ignore it. As long as he appears, seize him!"

"This..." The cloaked figure hesitated. "If we act against a Sect Master, I'm afraid... it might provoke a backlash from everyone..."

Before he could finish, the cloaked figure was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his face turned pale.

"Are you trying to teach me?" The tall figure's eyes narrowed.

"This subordinate wouldn't dare..." The cloaked figure kowtowed repeatedly.

"Good that you wouldn't. I want him alive... If there's any mistake, I'll skin you alive!" The tall figure waved a hand, and its form flickered, then vanished from the spot with a whoosh.

The cloaked figure struggled to his feet, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and hastily retreated from the room.

***

In Wuhai City, Zhang Xuan, disguised with a different appearance, strode into a business establishment. After leaving Lingyun Sword Pavilion, he had arrived here in just over ten minutes, thanks to the flying ability granted by his divine sword intent. Thus, he was unaware of Sect Master Han's decision to make him the new Sect Master.

"Sir, how may I help you?" The receptionist at the counter asked with a smile.

"I'd like to rent a flying sacred beast!" Zhang Xuan looked over calmly. His disguised appearance was that of a man in his thirties, with a pale, beardless face and a slender build, giving off an aloof impression.

Although Lingyun Mountain was not too far from here—a flight of just over ten minutes for him—Wuhai City was his first step in escaping the Divine Hall's surveillance. Flying directly with his sword intent would undoubtedly draw attention. Therefore, the best method was to rent a flying sacred beast. Wuhai City was vast, and countless sacred beasts flew out daily, just like ordinary carriages. Even if they knew he was here, they would certainly not be able to trace him.

"This way, please!" The attendant nodded quickly. The establishment not only sold various treasures but also offered sacred beasts for rent and sale.

Following behind, he soon arrived at the place where flying sacred beasts were kept. Before entering, he saw a large character: "Beast."

"Sir, where would you like to go...?" A young attendant greeted him.

"Lingyun Mountain!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Ten Divine Tokens!" The attendant nodded.

"Alright!" Zhang Xuan flicked his finger, and ten Divine Tokens landed in the attendant's palm. After arriving in Wuhai City, he had quietly exchanged his Sword Pavilion coins. The attendant's eyes lit up. He walked into the area where the flying sacred beasts were kept and soon led one over.

"Let's go!" Mounting the beast, he guided it to fly straight towards Lingyun Mountain. Zhang Xuan looked around and noticed that hundreds of sacred beasts flew out of the entire city every day, which immediately made him feel relieved.

***

"Are you a disciple of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect?" With no immediate danger, Zhang Xuan's gaze fell again on the young attendant in front of him. On the attendant's chest was an emblem, identical to the one he had just seen: the character "Beast." To have such a symbol and be able to control flying sacred beasts, he was likely a disciple of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.

"Yes, I'm just an ordinary handyman disciple of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect. I'm getting old, with no future in cultivation, so I was sent here to earn some pocket money..." The attendant nodded.

Zhang Xuan then asked, "Did you tame this sacred beast yourself?"

Every sect had countless handyman disciples; those who couldn't advance to inner-sect status and grew old had to find their own way. Disciples of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect specialized in beast taming and riding. Using these skills to transport cultivators who couldn't fly, earning payment, was indeed the best path for them. After all, even in business, one might not earn ten Divine Tokens in a month. A single round trip, taking no more than an hour, could earn this amount, which was considered a very high reward.

"Of course not. With my strength, how could I tame such a powerful sacred beast...? The Wuhai Trading Company bought it from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect. I'm just a rider..." The attendant explained with a bitter smile. It was like a bus driver: the vehicle belonged to the company, and he only had the qualification to drive it.

After asking a few more questions, he learned that the other party was just an ordinary handyman disciple who didn't know much about beast taming. Being able to ride a sacred beast was already considered a decent skill. Shaking his head, Zhang Xuan said no more. Both Lingyun Sword Pavilion and Ten Thousand Beasts Sect were colossal organizations, with over ten thousand inner disciples, not to mention the handymen. Such individuals truly couldn't learn much.

***

"Sir, Lingyun Mountain has many fierce beasts. Where exactly do you wish to go? I wouldn't dare take you too deep into it..." The attendant, now more familiar, couldn't help but say.

"Are you familiar with Lingyun Mountain?" Zhang Xuan asked curiously.

"I've been there a few times..." The attendant explained with a bitter smile, "Sacred beasts and immortal beasts roam freely there; it's practically a paradise for beasts! I initially hoped to tame one, but... I almost died in there. After that... I never went back!" As a rider, he naturally wished to have his own sacred beast, just like a driver wanting their own car. Unfortunately, his strength was too weak, and he hadn't learned much about beast taming... Success was simply too difficult for him.

"Since you're familiar with it, tell me about the situation. If it's useful, I might be able to help you tame one..." Zhang Xuan smiled.

"Help me tame one?" The attendant looked at him skeptically. "Sir, are you... a core disciple of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect?"

"No need to ask who I am..." Zhang Xuan shook his head. "If I dare say it, I certainly won't deceive you!"

"Alright..." Seeing the man's conviction, the attendant paused before saying, "Lingyun Mountain is called 'Beast Mountain,' and no one dares to cause trouble there, mainly because it's guarded by four Immortal Monarch-realm immortal beasts!"

"Four Immortal Monarchs?"

"These four immortal beasts have all reached the peak Immortal Monarch level. The strongest among them is a Flood Dragon—a true Flood Dragon, not merely one with a dragon's bloodline!" the attendant explained.

Zhang Xuan nodded. Beasts like the Azure Dragon Beast, tamed on the Master Teacher Continent, only possessed dragon bloodlines and were not true dragons. Although a Flood Dragon isn't a true dragon either, it can barely be considered a member of the dragon race. A true Flood Dragon's combat power would undoubtedly far surpass that of ordinary immortal beasts.

"What about the others?"

"The second strongest, it's said, is a Nine-Headed Fire Phoenix Beast, possessing the bloodline of a Fire Phoenix! The third and fourth are the Seven-Tailed Saber-toothed Tiger and the White-Eared Fox, respectively..." The attendant paused, then said, "Of these four immortal beasts, don't let the White-Eared Fox's lowest ranking deceive you; even the top-ranked Flood Dragon obeys her! The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect tried to come and tame the Flood Dragon several times, but she outsmarted them every time, and they returned empty-handed!"

"White-Eared Fox?" Zhang Xuan nodded.