Chapter Eighteen: The Stampede of a Thousand Beasts

Lin Cheng said, “Right now, it’s clear we can’t get close to that volcano on a griffin... so we’ll have to make our way there on foot.”

Niu Thirteen replied, “If we’re going on foot, we’ll have to cross this volcanic forest... And with the spirit beasts inside in a frenzy right now, it’ll be extremely dangerous for us to go in just like that.”

Pang Bo and Lin Hu nodded in agreement.

For a while, none of them could come up with a safer alternative.

“I think, maybe... Since most spirit beasts are active during the day, we could wait until night falls, and then sneak in under cover of darkness,” Lin Cheng mused after thinking for a long while. Although this plan was still risky, he simply couldn’t bring himself to give up so easily.

Lin Hu said, “I think it’s worth a try...”

Niu Thirteen nodded, “We could give that a shot...”

Pang Bo also nodded. He hated using his brain—the last thing he wanted was to be forced to think things through. If it came to fighting, he’d never hesitate, but thinking was as bad as a death sentence for him.

There was still some time before nightfall, so they decided to first make their way to the outskirts of the Magma Vein Forest to scout the area.

“That’s a Three-Eyed White Wolf... Heavens, that’s a spirit beast on par with a True Qi Grandmaster at the twelfth level! Why would something that strong be at the forest’s edge?” Niu Thirteen, clearly knowledgeable, covered his mouth in shock as he glimpsed the massive, three-eyed white wolf lurking behind a giant boulder ahead.

“Is that kind of spirit beast rare?” the other three asked, turning to look at him.

“It’s not that it’s rare, but... encountering such a high-level spirit beast here, at the very edge of the forest—do you know what that means?” Niu Thirteen replied, his expression grave.

Puzzled, they stared at him intently.

“It means that deep inside the forest, there may be something so powerful that even the Three-Eyed White Wolf doesn’t dare approach—it can only roam the outskirts,” he explained.

Pang Bo scratched his head. “Maybe it’s just bored and came out for a walk...”

The others stared at him blankly.

“Perhaps it’s just a coincidence,” Lin Cheng said, trying to convince himself.

The four quietly withdrew, careful not to alarm the Three-Eyed White Wolf. With their current strength, they were no match for such a beast.

They made their way to another area, retreating until they felt they were safely distant from the wolf. Along the way, they didn’t encounter any other spirit beasts of that level, and began to think perhaps the wolf really was just a coincidence after all.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the roars of beasts could be heard from afar, and the air grew thick with the scent of blood and violence.

“That’s a heavy smell of blood...”

“Be careful,” Lin Cheng warned.

“Wait... Look over there,” Niu Thirteen interrupted.

Through the dense foliage, they saw a colossal creature coiled around an ancient tree, its massive body slowly twisting. If one didn’t look carefully, it would be impossible to notice.

“A Blood-Striped Python!” Niu Thirteen whispered, his eyes lighting up with excitement. His goal for this trip was to slay one and obtain its spirit core.

The Blood-Striped Python was equivalent to a mid-level True Qi cultivator at the fourth level.

“Need any help?” Lin Cheng asked.

“No need,” Niu Thirteen grinned. “It’s just a Blood-Striped Python... Watch me.”

He picked up a stone, leapt up, and flicked it with his finger, striking the python squarely on its massive head. Its crimson eyes snapped open, locking onto its challenger. It lunged downwards, its imposing body surging toward Niu Thirteen.

But he was not about to let it coil around him. With a backflip, he evaded the attack. The Splitting Sun Sword flashed in his hand as he slashed upward, splitting the python’s belly and sending blood spraying everywhere.

Writhing in pain, the python’s eyes glowed with savage fury as its huge body thrashed wildly. Although it was a level above Niu Thirteen, in just a few exchanges, the sword cultivator felled it.

Retrieving the spirit core, Niu Thirteen quickly returned to the others.

“Impressive, Niu Thirteen! You took down a beast a level above you in just a few moves,” Lin Hu praised.

Lin Cheng and Pang Bo both gave him a thumbs-up.

“That’s right! Why do you think they call me Niu Thirteen?” he boasted.

The others just rolled their eyes.

Sensing several presences drawing near, they quickly retreated.

After weaving their way through thick forest, they emerged before a deep chasm, the sound of flowing water echoing from below.

Consulting the map, they realized that crossing this chasm would bring them into the inner circle of the Magma Vein Forest.

The four sat down, ate some dried rations, and drank some water. The sun still blazed in the sky, with nothing but blue stretching overhead. It would be quite a while before nightfall.

“Madman, what do you think? Should we keep going?” Lin Hu asked, wiping the water from the corner of his mouth as he looked at Lin Cheng.

“Let’s rest a bit. Who knows what dangers lurk in the forest beyond the chasm,” Lin Cheng replied.

“It does seem quieter here,” Pang Bo remarked.

“The closer you get to the inner circle, the fewer spirit beasts you’ll see—but they’re much more powerful,” Niu Thirteen explained.

Just as he finished, the ground began to shake violently.

Eyes wide, the four watched as, across the chasm, a cloud of dust rose from the forest. The deep growls of beasts echoed out.

“Not good, hide!” Lin Cheng cried, darting behind a huge stone. The others snapped out of their daze and quickly found cover.

Peeking out cautiously, they witnessed a scene they would never forget.

Herd after herd of White-Headed Vajra Beasts, huge as mountains, thundered on all fours, kicking up waves of dust. One after another, they leapt the chasm, charging toward the outer forest.

As the four thought the ordeal was over, a long howl sounded from behind, and a tidal wave of spirit beasts surged forth in a frenzy, stampeding toward the forest's edge. Some slower beasts were knocked straight into the abyss by the mass behind them.

Watching the torrent of beasts, the four trembled with fear. To be hit by that would mean instant obliteration.

When the beast tide finally passed, they patted their chests in lingering dread, exchanging glances filled with relief.

“Good thing we didn’t rush ahead. If we’d crossed just now, our parents wouldn’t even find our remains,” Lin Hu said.

“That was close... way too close,” Niu Thirteen muttered.

“So this is what you meant by ‘the closer you get to the inner circle, the fewer the spirit beasts’?” Lin Cheng said, glaring at Niu Thirteen.

The others turned to stare at him, as if ready to pounce and give him a beating.

Niu Thirteen’s face turned red as he offered a sheepish smile.

“Why do you think all these spirit beasts are running outwards?” Pang Bo wondered.

“Maybe it’s mating season?” Lin Hu suggested.

“Your family’s spirit beasts all go into heat at the same time?” Niu Thirteen retorted.

“So many high-level spirit beasts, all in a panic—I think there must be something in the depths of the forest that they fear greatly,” Lin Cheng mused.

“I agree. But what kind of being could frighten so many high-level spirit beasts?” Niu Thirteen wondered.

None of them could answer. For the first time, they began to consider abandoning their mission.

“Maybe... Madman, we should give up on this one and pick a new task,” Lin Hu suggested.

Niu Thirteen and Pang Bo also turned to Lin Cheng, and a heavy silence fell among them.