Chapter 7

If I can help Xiao Yixian control her constitution, she would become a Dou Zun‑level backer.

Even if I go to the Central Continent, as long as I don't act recklessly, basically no one will come to trouble him.

If it weren't for Xiao Yixian's cursed poisonous body, which has extremely strong side effects, it wouldn't necessarily lose to Lin's Azure Snake Three‑Flower Eyes.

After a long silence, Lin Feng watched Xiao Yixian, not far away, healing the injured mercenaries.

After thinking it over, he temporarily gave up the idea of contacting Xiao Yixian.

If I rashly step forward now, not only will I fail to win Xiao Yixian's favor.

but it would also make me look like a lecher, thereby drawing Xiao Yixian's disgust.

Seeing the sky already darkening, he casually found an inn, booked a room, and moved in...

He stepped into the room, shut the door, and Lin Feng retrieved a jade box from his ring.

Then, carefully, he took the Blood Lotus Essence from his bosom and placed it into the jade box.

He can keep this treasure safely; perhaps it could be exchanged for something valuable later.

After finishing all that, he immediately got into bed to rest.

The night passed quietly.

The next day, warm sunlight pierced the night, shining onto the ground, causing the last lingering chill of the night to vanish completely.

Seated on the bed, Lin Feng felt the warm sunshine, then ceased his cultivation and leapt down from the bed.

After a quick wash, he walked out of the inn room.

He headed to the entrance of the Magic Beast Mountain Range on the east side of Qing Shan Town, looking for suitable mercenaries to form a party.

The Magic Beast Mountain Range lies in the center of the Jia Ma Empire, spanning the empire from north to south, dividing the Jia Ma Empire into eastern and western halves.

Within the range are numerous valuable rare plants, attracting many high‑level alchemists who venture inside to seek medicinal herbs.

However, the mountains also harbor magical beasts of various grades; humans entering face great danger.

If one walks alone inside, one is even more likely to be attacked by the beasts.

Therefore, mercenaries who go into the mountains are generally only those who are both skilled and daring.

The rest mostly go in groups.

With Lin Feng's Eight‑Star Dou Zhe strength, he can currently only handle some first‑grade beasts, or lower‑attack second‑grade beasts.

If he encounters a formidable second‑grade beast inside, his transmigration journey would likely end there.

Thus, he chose a safer approach: joining other mercenaries to enter the Magic Beast Mountain Range...

Arriving at the town's Magic Beast Mountain Range entrance, there were already many mercenaries gathered there.

Calls rang out repeatedly, beckoning lone mercenaries who wished to enter the mountains.

The mercenaries in the town can be roughly divided into three types.

One type is the tightly organized mercenary corps; there are only three such corps in Qing Shan Town, each with about a hundred members, and most members are stronger than a Dou Zhe.

Moreover, the leaders of the three corps are all Dou Shi‑level, making them among the strongest forces in Qing Shan Town.

The second type consists of temporary mercenary squads; they usually disband after a single mission, and their mutual trust and coordination are far inferior to those of regular mercenary corps.

The third type is the lone mercenaries, who generally have some survival tricks up their sleeves.

At this moment, the loudly shouting mercenaries at the town's entrance belong to the second type.

Standing in a corner, Lin Feng did not immediately join a mercenary group, but instead observed covertly which temporary squad seemed more disciplined.

After all, in the perilous Magic Beast Mountain Range, any slight negligence could lead to a disastrous annihilation of the team.

While Lin Feng was searching for a suitable team, a sudden commotion erupted at the town's entrance.

An excited shout rang out: "Wanyao Zhai is heading into the Magic Beast Mountain Range to gather herbs, and Xiao Yixian is joining. There are only fifty slots; participants must be above Two‑Star Battle Fighter. Everyone, hurry up!"

Hearing the shout, Lin Feng was startled; he hadn't expected such coincidence that his mountain‑going time coincided with Xiao Yixian's herb‑gathering day.

He quickly composed himself and walked straight toward that person.

After all, regardless, Xiao Yixian's herb‑gathering team numbers dozens, and entering the Magic Beast Mountain Range with them, ordinary beasts certainly won't dare to attack lightly.

It's much safer than joining some other small mercenary squads.

Moreover, with a larger group, when he later sneaks out to search for caves, he won't be as easily noticed.

Other mercenaries who believed they met the criteria also rushed forward toward the middle‑aged man dressed in Wanyao Zhai attire.

Being quicker, Lin Feng soon squeezed in front of the middle‑aged man and said, "I'm signing up."

"Uh?"

Looking at the delicate teenager who appeared only seventeen or eighteen, the middle‑aged man was momentarily stunned, then smiled, "Little brother, our requirement is a Two‑Star Dou Zhe!"

The middle‑aged man emphasized those last four words.

Obviously, he didn't believe that this teenager had met the requirement.

"So, where did this little brat come from? Not even a full head of hair, and already wandering around!"

"You stinky kid, step aside, let the great master take this slot!"

The mercenaries who arrived later and missed the slots, seeing a chance to still get one, immediately started cursing at Lin Feng.

Lin Feng ignored their shouts, stepped forward two paces, and stood before a tree trunk as thick as two arms, clenching his fist tightly.

Crimson Dou Qi, like a faint light veil, enveloped his fist, mixed with fierce vigor, and slammed hard onto the trunk.

"Crack."

With the crisp sound, the rather stout trunk creaked and fell to the ground, kicking up dust under the stunned gazes of the onlookers.

"That should be enough, right?"

He clapped his hands and smiled at the dumbfounded middle‑aged man.

"Tsk tsk, little brother's talent is truly formidable; at such a young age, he's already cultivated to a Two‑Star Dou Zhe—simply a genius."

The middle‑aged man nodded in amazement, then smiled at Lin Feng: "Alright, you're the last one. The mercenary fee is five hundred gold coins for safely escorting our Wanyao Zhai herb‑gathering team there and back. I'll pay you half now, and the other half when you return."

"Fine."

Lin Feng smiled and nodded; he didn't care about the five‑hundred‑gold‑coin reward.

As long as it let him easily find that mountain cave with the flying combat technique, payment wasn't necessary.

He saw the slot taken by that boy who appeared out of nowhere.

The mercenaries watching around could only leave in disgruntlement.

Yet as they left, they still cast some strange glances at Lin Feng.

Being able to become a two‑star Dou Zhe at seventeen or eighteen.

Such talent is rather rare in this Green Mountain Town.

In the silent forest, the large convoy moved quietly, vigilant eyes constantly scanning the shadows among the trees.

Their palms tightly gripped the weapons at their waists, ready to handle any sudden situation.

As veteran mercenaries who have been in the Magic Beast Mountain Range for years, they could maintain basic tacit understanding even on their first cooperation.

In the exchange of glances, they could read signals of danger or safety from each other's eyes.

Wiping the sweat from his face, Lin Feng turned back and glanced at the Wan Yao Zhai herb‑gathering team guarded heavily behind.

His gaze drifted over the ranks, finally settling on the Xiao Yixian, who was surrounded in the middle like a moon cradled by countless stars.

At that moment, Xiao Yixian slightly straightened, gently wiping the beads of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.

Her light panting, combined with her delicate cheeks, evoked a feeling of tender affection.

Seeing Xiao Yixian's appearance, some of the surrounding mercenaries suddenly felt an urge to carry her to the destination.

Yet they knew that even if they tried, Xiao Yixian would only politely decline with a smile.

When everyone's gaze converged on Xiao Yixian.

A rather handsome young man, smiling broadly, stepped out from the side guard unit and whispered something to the panting Xiao Yixian.

After a brief conversation, Xiao Yixian smiled and shook her head, then continued onward.

Though rejected by Xiao Yixian, the young man's face showed no hint of anger.

With a faint smile, he waved his hand and shouted, "Wolf‑head men, stay alert; we're about to enter the Magic Beast Mountain Range—don't capsize in the ditches!"

"Yes, Young Squad Leader!"

Hearing the youth's shout, dozens of big men around instantly echoed in unison.

The synchronized chant drew sideways glances, even the advancing Xiao Yixian glanced back.

Pleased with the reaction, the young man smiled faintly, quickened two steps, and walked side by side with Xiao Yixian, providing close protection.

"Damn it, just because his father is the leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Corps, does he think that'll win Xiao Yixian's heart?"

Watching the young man chatting up Xiao Yixian up close, a mercenary beside Lin Feng muttered bitterly, his tone full of sour resentment.

Squinting, Lin Feng's eyes swept over the young man and lingered on a badge on his chest, which bore a carving of a one‑eyed wolf head.

He then slowly withdrew his gaze; although the Wolf Head Mercenary Corps has a notorious reputation in Green Mountain Town, he's already accustomed to the survival rules of the Dou Qi Continent.

As long as Mu Li and his group don't cause trouble, he has no interest in playing hero.

Moreover, he currently lacks the strength to act as a righteous avenger.

After the rest, once Xiao Yixian gave the departure order, Lin Feng continued with the convoy toward the Magic Beast Mountain Range.

At the same time, he kept observing the surroundings, estimating which direction the cave was most likely in.