Chapter 406: Invisible Spirit Beast

Meanwhile,

The disciples went to collect their spirit beasts. Jiang Fan was in a hurry to meet Yue Mingzhu, so he naturally wouldn't wait idly. Accompanied by Nangong Xiaoyun and Xia Chaoge, he arrived behind the command post.

From a distance, Jiang Fan spotted a magnificent, multi-colored steed. Standing ten zhang tall, it looked like a towering building on the move. Its body radiated dazzling light. Its strength was formidable, reaching the fifth layer of Core Formation, far exceeding Jiang Fan's. Undoubtedly, it was an invincible and powerful spirit beast everyone desired to ride.

However, gazing at the multi-colored light it emitted under the sunlight, Jiang Fan couldn't help but rub his nose. "Is this spirit beast useful? How do those who ride it fare in their missions?"

Hearing this, Liang Feiyan, who was nearby collecting her spirit deer, was somewhat speechless. "What kind of question is that? With this beast's strength, it can crush most demonic beasts without its master even needing to act. How could there be any losses? With this beast, you can rest easy, knowing success is guaranteed." Was Jiang Fan subtly showing off?

However, Nangong Xiaoyun's expression was peculiar. "Theoretically, it should be unstoppable. But in reality, more than half of those who rode it failed their missions. The failure rate was even higher than for those riding ordinary spirit beasts. Even Deputy Pavilion Master Ye was puzzled by this."

Liang Feiyan was stunned. "There's such a thing?"

Xia Chaoge also looked puzzled. "I've also heard people say that this beast seems somewhat ominous. When I rode it, my missions were completed successfully. However, many reported that their missions failed when riding it."

Indeed! Jiang Fan mused, "I suspect the completed missions were likely those involving rapid movement. The failed ones were probably those with longer durations."

Nangong Xiaoyun propped her chin and recalled carefully for a moment, then her eyes widened in realization. "It really is like that! The more urgent the mission, the more successful it was. Conversely, missions that took a long time mostly failed. Junior Brother Jiang, why is that?"

Jiang Fan touched its multi-colored skin. He said with some helplessness, "In the vast white snowfields, this multi-colored light would make it easy for demonic beasts to spot it from miles away. If it's a swift assault, catching the demonic beasts off guard, then it wouldn't be an issue; this beast's strength is enough to crush them. But if the mission's duration is slow, and the demonic beasts have ample time to prepare, then achieving the mission objectives would naturally be difficult."

Nangong Xiaoyun's face showed sudden understanding! So, the problem stemmed from the conflict between the environment and the beast's fur! No wonder the mission failure rate was so high when riding it! This multi-colored spirit beast, walking across the snowfields, was essentially telling the demonic beasts, "I'm coming to deal with you. Hide well! Otherwise, I'll freaking destroy you!" It would be a miracle if any mission was easy then!

Jiang Fan asked, "My journey to Taihu Lake is fraught with unpredictable dangers. This beast is too conspicuous; riding it is definitely not a good idea. Are there any disciples assigned short-distance missions? I'd like to exchange spirit beasts with them."

Nangong Xiaoyun replied with difficulty, "Once spirit beasts are assigned, private exchanges are forbidden. This is to prevent mutual evasion of responsibility if a spirit beast gets injured." As she spoke, her small face darkened, and she huffed, "I lent my personal spirit beast to a disciple, and he then lent it to someone else. As a result, the spirit beast was accidentally injured, and because of the expensive treatment costs, both of them shirked responsibility, unwilling to bear it. I ended up having to pay for the spirit beast's treatment myself."

Jiang Fan suddenly understood. No wonder Nangong Xiaoyun was so ill-tempered today, acting as if someone owed her money. Turns out, someone actually did owe her money. No one would be in a good mood after encountering such a vexing matter.

"Then lend me your spirit beast," Jiang Fan's eyes lit up. "If it gets injured, I certainly won't shirk responsibility."

Hearing this, Nangong Xiaoyun stomped her foot. "Am I that stingy? I'm angry at those two for being irresponsible! Besides, given our relationship, I wouldn't ask you for any compensation anyway." She paused, then sighed again. "However, you shouldn't count on using my spirit beast. Whether it even survives depends on its own fortune."

"Is it seriously injured?" Jiang Fan asked, surprised.

Xia Chaoge lightly nodded her chin. "I examined it, and it's indeed severely injured. It seems to have been attacked by a demonic beast, and its heart was shattered. It's a miracle its physique is so strong, allowing it to endure until it returned to Sunset City. But the situation is not optimistic; currently, it can only rely on human healing elixirs to sustain its life. Whether it recovers depends on its self-healing ability."

Unlike humans, demonic beasts don't have healing pills when injured. However, their recovery abilities far surpass those of humans. Yet, the recovery abilities of different demonic beasts vary greatly. Nangong Xiaoyun's spirit beast's self-healing ability might not be enough to overcome this calamity.

Hearing this, Nangong Xiaoyun felt sad. "My mother gave it to me before I went to the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. She said with it by my side, I wouldn't have to fear loneliness. I've always cherished it. I never thought..." As she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears, and her voice became choked.

Jiang Fan patted her head. "Take me to see it. Perhaps I can cure it."

Xia Chaoge looked puzzled. Her senior uncle's medical skills were for humans. Demonic beasts had diverse and peculiar anatomies. It was a completely unfamiliar field where human medical techniques were useless. Could it be... that her senior uncle was also a veterinarian?

Nangong Xiaoyun, her eyes still brimming with tears, nodded vigorously. "Yes, come with me."

The group headed towards a corner of the plaza. Liang Feiyan scratched her head, somewhat reluctant to go. However, seeing Xia Chaoge accompanying Jiang Fan so intimately, she felt a pang of discomfort. Gritting her teeth, she followed along.

In the corner was a huge tent. It was empty inside. Jiang Fan was surprised. "Where is your spirit beast?"

Nangong Xiaoyun softly called out to the empty air inside the tent, "Little White, I've brought a friend to see you." Under Jiang Fan's gaze, the air suddenly shimmered, and a small, snow-white cow covered in scales appeared out of thin air. It could actually turn invisible!

Jiang Fan was astonished, then his heart stirred. This beast was undoubtedly the best mount for his mission. Of course, calling it a "small cow" was relative to fully grown ox-demons. Its three-zhang-tall body could hardly be called small.

However, at that moment, it lay weakly on the ground. Seeing Nangong Xiaoyun arrive, it wagged its tail. It spoke in a clear, childlike voice: "Master... Little White seems to be dying..."

Jiang Fan activated his Aura-Sensing Art. He observed its internal organs. Indeed, just as Xia Chaoge had said, its heart had numerous cracks, constantly seeping blood. He said, "To still be alive with a heart this damaged... It's truly a miracle. But judging by its condition, it's impossible for it to recover through self-healing alone."

Hearing this, Nangong Xiaoyun became sad again. She turned and looked resentfully at Liang Feiyan, saying faintly, "Can't you really sell me a Rejuvenation Pill? Just one!"

As things stood, the only thing that could save Little White was the legendary Rejuvenation Pill, said to bring the dead back to life. Once upon a time, when she heard that the Myriad Sword Sect had spent six hundred thousand to buy three healing pills, she, being far away in the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, had burst into laughter. She thought the Myriad Sword Sect disciples were foolish and had too much money. But it wasn't until a recent incident that shocked Sunset City that she realized how far-sighted the Myriad Sword Sect members truly were!