Chapter 2: with translation of chapter title

Near the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Green Mountain Town.

Xiao Li carried a lightning scale spear with lightning condensed into the spear shaft, his expression somewhat cautious.

Most of the people in Green Mountain Town wore military armor, with long knives at their waists and long spears or heavy swords on their backs, countless in number; Xiao Li's outfit was not particularly conspicuous.

Only Xiao Li's slightly youthful face drew some attention.

"Big brother, that kid..."

A man with thief-like eyebrows and mouse eyes pointed at Xiao Li, gesturing for the person beside him to look.

The man called big brother turned his head, narrowing his eyes at the lightning scale spear Xiao Li carried on his back.

"This purplish-black spear looks not bad; coincidentally, my weapon broke the last time I went into the mountains."

The thief‑eyed man gave a hehe laugh, "Then we..."

"Take care of him!"

……

Xiao Li heard the footsteps behind him, his expression tightening as he looked toward the goods of a nearby stall.

Among the goods, a bronze mirror reflected the scene behind Xiao Li.

Two sneaky men held merchandise in their hands, but their gazes kept fixed on him.

Xiao Li pretended not to notice, walked a few steps, then turned into a narrow alley.

At the end of the dark alley, Xiao Li turned his head to look at the people following him.

"Gentlemen, you've been following me; may I ask why?" Xiao Li said coldly.

The two behind seemed somewhat surprised that Xiao Li could detect them, but they didn't ask further, merely giving a colder sneer.

"Knowing my two brothers are following you and you still dare to enter this alley, should I call you brave or foolish?" the leading man snorted coldly.

Hearing the man's words, Xiao Li's expression remained calm, "Do you really think I would enter here without any preparation?"

A strange smile appeared on Xiao Li's face; before the two could react, he shouted loudly, "Attack!"

The two were greatly startled, hastily looking around, wondering if they had run into a bandit‑vs‑bandit situation!

At the instant he shouted 'Attack,' Xiao Li's spear on his back lashed out, piercing lightning slicing through the dark alley, flashing purple light across the sky above.

The only fighting skill Xiao Li knew was the high‑yellow‑tier Flash Lightning Strike.

The Xiao family's highest‑tier lightning‑attribute fighting skill, renowned for its speed.

Looking at the two fallen corpses, Xiao Li took their money, giving a cold snort.

"Two idiots, mere three‑to‑four‑star fighters daring to come out and rob—what ambush, I was just deceiving you."

Seeing the scorched lightning marks on the corpses, Xiao Li frowned; his cultivation method and fighting skill were only high‑yellow tier, which was passable in a small place like Green Mountain Town, but later it would be somewhat lacking, so he realized he needed to prioritize finding better cultivation methods and fighting skills.

It wasn't that Xiao Zhan didn't want to give him better cultivation methods and fighting skills; rather, as Xiao Li was a rare lightning‑attribute qi user, the Xiao family's corresponding highest‑tier cultivation and fighting skill was only high‑yellow.

The cultivation technique Lightning Derivation Canon and the fighting skill Flash Lightning Strike—nothing more, truly meager.

What Xiao Li could currently think of was the earth‑tier cultivation and fighting skill he obtained in Heijiao Yu in the original story, but going to get it now is obviously unrealistic; he can only take things step by step, and if that fails, he'll have to hint to his younger brother Xiao Ding to get it from Yao Lao.

He straightened his clothes, walked out of the alley as if nothing had happened, and Xiao Li headed toward the Magic Beast Mountain Range; he was just one step away from advancing to Dou Shi, and now he needed to go to the Magic Beast Mountain Range to look for resources.

If luck is on his side, finding a single high‑grade herb would allow him to advance directly.

……

In the shadows, Xiao Zhan saw Xiao Li easily detect and deal with the followers, and he let out a sigh of relief.

After all, it was his son out training; Xiao Zhan couldn't rest easy, planning to come out and follow for a few days.

This is not like the original where Xiao Yan said he went out with his teacher; Xiao Li is now completely alone.

Xiao Zhan handed over his duties to the elder, then came out; Green Mountain Town is only a day or two's journey from Wutan City, round trip is easy, and he could watch over Xiao Li for two days.

Seeing Xiao Li heading toward the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Xiao Zhan silently cursed, "Damn it," that place he himself dared not go deep into, yet this kid dares to.

Not daring to hesitate, Xiao Zhan hurriedly followed after him.

At the entrance of the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Xiao Li ignored the mercenary squads recruiting personnel and entered alone.

Even the strongest in Green Mountain Town was only a Dou Shi; these squad members were merely Dou Zhe, low in strength, and having many people would actually attract powerful magic beasts more easily.

Xiao Li wanted to check out the cave that Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian had visited, but not knowing the exact location, he had to give up.

The flora of the Magic Beast Mountain Range was extremely lush; Xiao Zhan hid in a large tree and silently threw down the heavenly treasures compendium he was holding.

The thick book happened to fall in front of Xiao Li; he subconsciously looked up, his spear already set in a ready stance.

"Your vigilance is lacking, Li'er, and your experience is insufficient; in this situation you should first leave the spot and change position, rather than foolishly look up to see who is ambushing you."

Xiao Zhan descended from the tree, feigning surprise, "What a coincidence, Li'er; how did you come to the Magic Beast Mountain Range?"

Xiao Li put away his spear, feeling somewhat speechless, and did not expose Xiao Zhan's well‑meaning lie.

"Quite a coincidence, Father." Xiao Li replied dryly.

Xiao Zhan gave a light cough, picked up the heavenly treasures compendium from the ground, and handed it to Xiao Li.

"After all, our Xiao family was once a prominent clan of the Jia Ma Empire; the knowledge of heavenly treasures recorded there is still quite comprehensive—take it, you should find it useful." Xiao Zhan said.

Fatherly love is silent; Xiao Zhan didn't say it, but he thoughtfully prepared many things for Xiao Li.

Without saying thanks, Xiao Li silently received the heavenly treasures compendium.

"Good."

Xiao Zhan's eyes held a smile, but his face showed little expression, "I still have matters; I'll return to the family first. If you get tired outside, just go back—I won't let you starve."

"Mm, okay." Xiao Li tightened his grip on his spear.

"Go back?"

"Impossible!"

Seeing Xiao Zhan, who had come to the Magic Beast Mountain Range out of worry for him, Xiao Li thought of the clansmen who had lived with him day and night for over a decade.

Before he has the ability in the future to resist the attacks of Yun Leng and the Huo Dharma Protector on the Xiao family, Xiao Li will certainly not be frightened by this little danger before him.

Xiao Zhan had left; following Xiao Li for two days was already the limit of what he could do. Once the Jia Lie Two Families learn that the Xiao family lacks a Grand Fighter to hold the fort, they will surely seize the chance to attack. This is also why he took the initiative to meet Xiao Li—just knowing his own son isn't a clueless innocent is enough.

Xiao Li continued forward, searching for heavenly materials and earthly treasures he could use.

……

Amid the dense forest, Xiao Li hid in the bushes, sizing up the magic beast guarding the medicinal herbs.

First-rank magic beast, Pillow Wood Marten.

Xiao Li wandered the perimeter, checking for any other possible developments to prevent mishaps during the upcoming action.

After figuring out the general situation, Xiao Li licked his dry lips, stared at the medicinal herbs guarded by the Pillow Wood Marten, and swallowed.

Although he hadn't gotten close enough to observe, he couldn't identify it via the heavenly materials and earthly treasures compendium, but the strong energy fluctuations couldn't be faked—it was definitely something good.

Concealing his aura, he slowly crept closer to the Pillow Wood Marten, Xiao Li's gaze gradually turning icy.

The Pillow Wood Marten twitched its nose twice, opened its eyes dubiously, as if sensing an unusual aura.

Seeing that, Xiao Li slashed his long spear across the sky, his aura erupting as a purplish-black light flashed.

Flash Lightning Strike!

The swift long spear crossed the distance of several meters like lightning.

The Pillow Wood Marten was startled, but the distance was too close to dodge, so it had to meet force with force.

But how could a Pillow Wood Marten whose strength was roughly that of a five-star fighter block Xiao Li's all-out strike in such a hurry?

The spear thrust through, the Pillow Wood Marten's soft belly pierced through by the Thunder Scale Spear and hung on the spear tip.

Seeing the Pillow Wood Marten still alive, Xiao Li flicked his long spear, gouging a large wound in its belly, spilling its intestines everywhere.

Shaking off the blood on the Thunder Scale Spear, Xiao Li felt delighted—no wonder it's the weapon left by the old clan chief; against opponents of the same rank it's as easy as chopping vegetables.

Whether it was the earlier pair of bandits or this Pillow Wood Marten, although both were weaker than Xiao Li, without the Thunder Scale Spear he would still have to expend effort to defeat them.

(End of chapter)