Northern Yan Chapter Twenty-One: The Resentful Beast

The time agreed upon by Mo Hao, Feng Xing, and Li An had finally arrived. Through his recent cultivation, Mo Hao’s cultivation in the middle stage of the Bigu realm had become significantly more stable and profound. This tremendous progress was undoubtedly due to the thousands of precious spirit stones he had possessed; without such support, even outer-sect disciples would rarely be able to consume Awakening Spirit Pills so lavishly for cultivation.

Mo Hao had used a full thirty percent of the Awakening Spirit Pills he had obtained for this training session. While the Five-Element Spirit Meridian had neutralized a portion of the pills' effects, he reasoned that the resulting solidification of his mana was not entirely a disadvantage. His mana, which already rivaled that of late-stage cultivators, now gave him greater confidence in facing the expedition to Grudge Beast Mountain. He had to obtain the Awakening Spirit Flowers and Awakening Spirit Grass found there; otherwise, he would never have agreed to Feng Xing’s risky proposal.

As for Tan Ya, Mo Hao pondered whether he should help her join the Void Sword Sect. After all, she practiced swordsmanship, and he believed that with her Heaven-Viewing Bird lineage, it would be effortless for her to enter the outer sect. He had heard that an elder at Heavenly Peak specialized in fire-attribute sword techniques; if Tan Ya could be placed there, it would make his own future life in the Void Sword Sect much easier. However, the priority remained the mission to Grudge Beast Mountain. Other matters could wait until his return. If he could harvest enough spirit flowers and grass to trade for sufficient Awakening Spirit Pills, he would be far more certain of his prospects in the sect’s grand competition.

He met Feng Xing at the Mission Hall and saw him waiting by the entrance from afar. He quickened his pace, and upon entering, he nodded with a smile toward Senior Brother Li. Perhaps due to the two spirit stones he had offered previously, the senior brother was far more cordial than before. The two proceeded to Hall C, picked up a jade slip, and used their identity tokens to pledge their contribution points.

After leaving Ren Peak, the two flew out of the sect on their swords, with Mo Hao following Feng Xing toward Li An’s residence. Li An lived on a plain surrounded by towering mountains; it was rich in spiritual energy and an excellent place for cultivation. Feng Xing pulled out a piece of iron and tapped it against a rock at his feet. The scene before them gradually blurred until a cave dwelling revealed itself. Mo Hao was astonished, and Feng Xing smiled, explaining, "Junior Brother, this is a concealment formation. Brother Li is well-versed in arrays, which will be of great help to us this time." Mo Hao nodded, feeling a hint of wariness toward Li An; arrays were incredibly profound arts, and he hadn't expected a rogue cultivator like Li An to be so skilled in them.

Li An was already waiting at the entrance and invited them inside. The dwelling was Spartan, containing only a stone bed and some chairs, with dozens of flags of various colors and inscriptions hanging on the walls. When the three emerged to leave, Feng Xing summoned his magic tool and cleaved the cave dwelling vertically. The simple structure collapsed and vanished instantly. Feng Xing explained to Mo Hao, "Junior Brother, Brother Li is leaving the Cold Evil Mountain Range for the Phantom Moon Marsh after our trip to Grudge Beast Mountain, so this dwelling is no longer needed." Mo Hao nodded, his expression neutral. He knew nothing of the Phantom Moon Marsh, but it was Li An’s business, so he did not inquire further. The three then departed on their swords toward Grudge Beast Mountain.

As night fell, the outline of a mountain range appeared in the twilight. One strange peak stood out abruptly against the horizon, its stone a deep, eerie color, as if scorched by charcoal, exuding an ominous aura. It was evening, making the mountain appear even more unsettling. At its foot stood three figures: one burly, the others more ordinary—Feng Xing and Mo Hao’s group from the Void Sword Sect. From the base, the roar of beasts echoed like thunder. Looking up, the mountain pierced the clouds, its summit obscured. Though barren, its vastness was daunting.

The three sat in meditation to restore their mana. Li An took small flags from his Qiankun bag and planted them in a circle around them, placing a large banner in the center and burying a low-grade water spirit stone beneath it. Just like the concealment formation Mo Hao had seen earlier, a protective barrier materialized around them, leaving Mo Hao marveling.

Early the next morning, Feng Xing roused them to begin the ascent. Upon entering Grudge Beast Mountain, they encountered a pervasive miasma that prevented sword flight, forcing them to climb on foot. However, Mo Hao had come prepared; besides pills and talismans, he had used spirit stones to purchase famous Void Sword Sect manuals, including a physical technique called the "Sea-Turning Art," which allowed them to navigate the mountain paths without too much strain.

Once they climbed higher, they found the mountain was not as calm as it appeared from below. It was teeming with venomous insects and tangled, overgrown thorns. After six or seven hours, they crested the side of the mountain, and a pitch-black forest valley came into view—a stark contrast to the terrain they had just traversed. Curiously, while the roars of beasts had been constant throughout their climb, they had not seen a single animal, which created a stifling, irritable tension. Feng Xing noticed this and said, "Junior Brother, this mountain is surrounded by smaller peaks. The roars are echoed in a way that makes it impossible to pinpoint the beasts' locations and breeds extreme agitation. But do not worry; we will reach the beasts' lair after two more hours of flying toward the valley ahead."

Mo Hao paused, realizing he was indeed feeling restless, and quickly consumed an Awakening Spirit Pill. After another two hours on foot, they heard a roar—they had reached the lair. When they were ten zhang away, Feng Xing signaled for them to stop. Li An peered into the lair; it was noon. Feng Xing whispered, "The Grudge Beasts that live here year-round utilize the miasma to cultivate. They have all left the lair now to replenish their spirit." Mo Hao nodded and asked curiously, "If there are so few beasts here now, why don’t we start the hunt?"

Feng Xing smiled and shook his head, looking toward Li An. Li An, seemingly understanding, took out his small flags and began setting them up. Moments later, the formation was ready, and the three hid to conceal their presence.

Half an hour later, the miasma in the valley began to dissipate. Suddenly, a series of booming sounds echoed, causing the valley to tremble. The three braced themselves, knowing the beasts were returning. As the Grudge Beasts entered Li An’s formation, he performed a hand seal and sent a beam of light into the central flag. The lead beast struck an invisible, golden barrier that had materialized over the lair’s entrance; it was sent flying back, landing motionless. Seeing their leader’s plight, the other beasts halted. The planted flags erupted in golden light, forming pillars of energy.

Mo Hao could now see the beasts clearly: they were as sturdy as oxen, shaped like wolves, and possessed three eyes on their heads. Feng Xing signaled for them to emerge, and they launched their attacks from outside the formation. Every time a beast tried to break through, the barrier repelled it.

"Heaven-Shattering Sword Art!"

Mo Hao formed a seal, and his Cold Paulownia Sword flashed toward a beast’s neck. With one stroke, the beast collapsed. Feng Xing glanced back at Mo Hao, his eyes flashing with a sharp, wary intensity that vanished in an instant, leaving Mo Hao and Li An oblivious. However, Mo Hao realized these were not ordinary beasts; they possessed intelligence. When only a dozen remained, they suddenly turned and charged in one direction. Li An shouted, "This is bad! They’ve realized what’s happening and are attempting to break the formation together! Fellow Daoists, strike quickly!"