Chapter 898: Zhang Xuan's Methods (Part 2)

The location where the flying spirit beasts were kept, near the geo-spiritual liquid, was not close. Riding furiously on the back of a Black Spirit Leopard, it took nearly five minutes to reach the destination.

It was a huge valley, spanning two to three miles in diameter.

Above the valley, Zhang Xuan activated his Eye of Insight and surveyed the scene.

Just as the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast had said, there were indeed as many as three thousand, and all of these spirit beasts had reached the seventh level of Mortal Transformation or higher.

If such a powerful group of flying spirit beasts truly charged towards Hongyuan City, they would be very difficult to stop.

Even if they could all be eventually slain, it would inevitably cause immense losses.

"With so many spirit beasts gathered together," he mused, "I must set up a formation to prevent their escape!"

His eyebrows furrowed.

There were simply too many spirit beasts. A very powerful grand formation had to be deployed to encompass them all. Otherwise, if any escaped and informed the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast, Elder Mi could be in danger.

"This terrain is perfect for a Level 6 Zhiyang Illusion Formation!" he thought. "I'll set this up..."

Taking a deep breath, he observed the surrounding terrain. After a period of calculation, a formation materialized in his mind.

Although he hadn't undergone a formation master rank assessment, his understanding of formations had long since reached the peak of Six-Star. Deducing a formation based on terrain was still very simple for him.

With a flick of his wrist, a pile of formation flags appeared in his palm.

With a leap, Zhang Xuan arrived above the many flying spirit beasts.

"Roar!"

Seeing someone approach, the numerous spirit beasts all let out cries of alarm. Just as they were about to fly up and attack, two Black Spirit Leopards darted out and roared, "This is Master Zhang, who has come to negotiate with our king! He wishes to observe our flying spirit beast contingent and incidentally set up a formation. Everyone, do not panic; remain calm!"

They spoke in beast tongue, which all the spirit beasts understood.

Seeing the attendants of their king speak, the many spirit beasts no longer had objections and all lay down once more.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Zhang Xuan rapidly circulated his *zhenqi* within his body. The formation flags in his hand floated up and shot straight out in all directions.

As the Zhiyang Illusion Formation took shape, a cloud of mist immediately enveloped the many flying spirit beasts.

Knowing beforehand that he was setting up a formation, the many spirit beasts did not panic and all remained quietly in place.

"Let's begin!"

With a faint smile, his clone appeared.

The two of them charged straight down and entered the mist.

Roar! Roar! Roar!

Immediately below, the spirit beasts started roaring, their calls echoing one after another.

The strongest of these spirit beasts were merely at the peak of the Cocoon Sealing Realm, posing no threat to Zhang Xuan and his clone. There was no need to even summon the Purple Sun Beast or the Golden Origin Cauldron.

Every few steps they advanced, a spirit beast was tamed.

While Zhang Xuan was taming the beasts, inside the cave, Elder Mi was sweating profusely.

An hour had passed since Zhang Xuan's departure, and the many Saint Beasts opposite them had grown suspicious.

"Why isn't he back yet? What exactly is your student doing?"

The Golden Bear-Tiger Beast in the center had a grim expression.

He had sent Elder Mi's student to observe the flying spirit beast legion. Normally, it would only take a little over ten minutes for a round trip, but after such a long time with no sign of him, even the most foolish would sense something amiss.

"My student is only at the Cocoon Sealing Realm," Elder Mi replied, "what is there to worry about?"

Though anxious inside, he showed no sign of it on his face. Elder Mi chuckled softly, "This student is quite meticulous. He's probably carefully observing the strength and number of the spirit beasts. I am here, so are you worried I might run away?"

"Run?" the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast scoffed. "You, an elder, are here. Even if one of your students ran off, he couldn't cause much trouble..."

The Golden Bear-Tiger Beast snorted coldly, "Red Flame Lion, go and check. What exactly is that fellow up to? Humans are always cunning; do not fall for any tricks!"

"Yes!"

Nodding, the Red Flame Lion was about to walk out.

"Wait..."

Elder Mi hurriedly stood up, "He's just a student. What, is the mighty king of Cloud Mist Ridge so timid?"

"Timid?" The Golden Bear-Tiger Beast scoffed. "Ignore him. Red Flame Lion, go and check!"

Ignoring his stalling, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast waved its massive hoof-paws.

Seeing the Red Flame Lion about to leave, Elder Mi chuckled softly and stood up. "I've long heard that King Golden Bear-Tiger is immensely powerful. Do you dare to fight me? Allow me to witness the formidable strength of the beast race!"

"Fight me?" The Golden Bear-Tiger Beast frowned, not having expected such a request.

"What, are you afraid?" Elder Mi asked.

"Why wouldn't I dare!" Snorting coldly, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast stood up.

"Excellent," Elder Mi continued. "Red Flame King, why not stay and observe the battle? If I defeat King Golden Bear-Tiger, I might as well challenge you too!"

Elder Mi's face was filled with arrogance.

Challenging the opponent was naturally a way to buy time. Although he didn't know the Dean's exact purpose, since a task had been assigned, he couldn't hold back.

"Good!"

The Red Flame Lion nodded.

One human and one beast, both at the pinnacle of strength within the Hongyuan Empire, their clash would naturally be far more interesting than going to check on a young fellow in the Cocoon Sealing Realm.

"Then let's begin!"

Fearing the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast might realize his intentions and his stalling method would fail, Elder Mi let out a long roar, his body blurring as he struck first at the Saint Beast before him.

The full power of a Saint Realm 1-dan peak expert erupted, filling the entire cave with *zhenqi*. With a slight press of his palm, the ground's rock could barely withstand it, appearing as if it would crack at any moment.

"Haha," the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast scoffed, "if that's all the strength you have, you don't deserve the title of one of the Ten Elders..."

Feeling the pressure from the air, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast not only showed no fear but let out a roar, lifting its massive hoof-paws and slashing forward.

*Rip!*

The air seemed to be torn apart, a hurricane swept through, making a whimpering sound, and Elder Mi's attack was instantly neutralized.

The next moment, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast's tail swept through the air like a steel whip. If struck, even a strong Saint Realm 1-dan peak expert would surely be severely injured!

Daring not to meet it head-on, Elder Mi's body swayed, and he dodged.

Just then, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast lashed out with another hoof-paw. Elder Mi was airborne and unable to dodge, so he had to meet it with a punch.

Fist and paw collided. He felt a dull ache in his chest, was sent flying backward, and his back slammed hard against the wall, leaving a large crater.

Spirit beasts and Saint Beasts generally possess slightly superior physical attributes and strength compared to humans of the same cultivation level. This particular beast was the most formidable Saint Beast in Cloud Mist Ridge, and although Elder Mi was powerful, he found it difficult to withstand such an attack head-on.

"Haha," the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast bellowed, "The mighty Ten Elders, and your strength is merely this!"

Having gained the upper hand in one move, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast let out a dragon's roar and a tiger's cry that made ears ring, then its massive body lunged forward.

Dragons emerge from clouds, tigers from wind.

Although the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast was not a true tiger, it was a type of tiger-like Saint Beast. Before it even reached him, it felt like a hurricane sweeping through. Elder Mi instinctively retreated. With a flick of his wrist, a long sword appeared in his palm, and he thrust it forward fiercely.

Relying solely on brute force, he certainly couldn't contend with the opponent. He had no choice but to use a weapon.

*Swish, swish, swish!*

The long sword spun, creating sword blossoms that transformed into streaks of sword light stabbing straight forward.

As if knowing his moves, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast did not dodge. Taking a deep breath, its entire fur immediately turned dark, as if forming special scales.

*Clang, clang, clang!*

The sword lights landed on its fur but were surprisingly blocked, unable to penetrate further.

"What?"

Elder Mi's expression darkened.

He had known this beast was powerful, but hadn't expected it to be *this* powerful!

His sword, incredibly, couldn't even pierce its fur. Its defense was simply too formidable!

No wonder the Ten Saint Beasts of Cloud Mist Ridge, all at Saint Realm 1-dan peak, all obeyed its commands. This defense alone could deter countless Saint Beasts, and even cultivators.

"Thirteen Swords of Red Leaves!"

Knowing that he would be injured if he made even a slight mistake, he dared not stop. With one sword strike blocked, Elder Mi raised his eyebrows. With a flick of his wrist, the *zhenqi* within his body immediately circulated along a special trajectory.

The long sword emitted a sharp ringing sound, as if it could pierce the air at any moment.

The Thirteen Swords of Red Leaves — his strongest martial art technique and ultimate move!

Back then, the Fire Dragon Saint Beast had been defeated by this move and willingly became a beast pet.

*Whirring!*

The sword light formed a red leaf in the air, whistling as it flew forward, carrying a deterrent force capable of tearing apart everything.

"Somewhat interesting!" the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast sneered. "However, to think you can defeat me with just this level is a pipe dream!"

Seeing him unleash such a sword strike, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast also showed a hint of surprise. Then, it chuckled softly. With a turn of its front hoof-paw, it revealed sharp, dark claws and slashed down again.

*Clang, clang, clang!*

Hoof-paw and red leaf collided. The Golden Bear-Tiger Beast took one step back, while Elder Mi coughed up blood and was sent flying backward again, landing on the ground with a pale face.

This last strike had used all his strength, and he was already severely injured.

He quickly flipped over and sat up, swallowing a healing pill. Only then did he feel slightly better.

"How was that?" the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast asked, "Is my strength not bad?"

Seeing Elder Mi defeated, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast laughed heartily. Although it also sustained some minor injuries, they were far less severe compared to its opponent.

In other words, in this match, Elder Mi was no match at all.

"Formidable!" Standing up, Elder Mi couldn't help but admit it.

He was indeed no match.

There was indeed a certain gap between humans and beasts of the same cultivation level.

Otherwise, the Purple Sun Beast wouldn't be known as the strongest in the Master Teacher Academy.

"Alright then, the match is over," the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast declared. "Red Flame Lion, go quickly and see what that kid is up to. He still hasn't returned. If he dares to do anything detrimental to Cloud Mist Ridge, you can kill him on the spot!"

Returning to its original spot and sitting down, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast gave further instructions.

"Yes!"

The Red Flame Lion nodded and turned to walk out.

"This... wait..."

His expression changed again. Elder Mi was about to go and stop him when he saw the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast look at him coldly. "What, Elder Mi, do you wish to fight me again?"

"I..."

His body trembled.

In his current condition, he definitely couldn't fight again. If he really did, he would certainly die here.

Although he didn't know what the Dean was doing that required him to buy time, he could no longer stall. What was he to do?

"Go quickly!"

Having also discerned his purpose in stalling, the Golden Bear-Tiger Beast waved its hoof-paws.

"Yes!" The Red Flame Lion no longer lingered; its body blurred, and in the blink of an eye, it vanished from the spot.

"Dean..."

Seeing it disappear and knowing he could no longer catch up, Elder Mi's face turned pale. His body slumped like a pile of mud. "I did my best..."