The scenery around them changed from desolate to more varied after a day. Naturally, the number of spirit masters encountered from various regions also increased.
"Hurry, or we'll be too late!"
Just then, several spirit masters rapidly moved towards the southwest. In less than a minute, three batches of spirit masters in total had shot off in that direction. Li Xuan and the other two exchanged glances, then Li Xuan's figure moved, intercepting a lone spirit master to inquire.
"You don't know yet? About ten miles ahead, a seventh-tier Xuan Beast, the Earth Profound Bear, has appeared. Many spirit masters have met their end at its hands. However, the Peony Saintess from the Ten Thousand Flowers Sect, one of the Eleven Sects, has just arrived and will soon engage the Earth Profound Bear in battle. We are all humans, so we naturally must stand united against the enemy," the man said.
After speaking, the man immediately shot off towards the southwest, clearly intending to go towards the Peony Saintess.
"A seventh-tier Earth Profound Bear, that strength is already comparable to a beginner-level Martial God realm expert. The strength of spirit masters in the Central Region is indeed formidable," Yue Cai Xuan said in surprise upon hearing this.
Yue Fuyao nodded slightly. The Electric Blue Profound Wolf they encountered earlier, which was only fifth-tier, had already put them in a difficult position. Now, someone was seeking out a seventh-tier Earth Profound Bear.
"By the way, Young Master Li Xuan, you've been in the Central Region for so long, have you heard of this Peony Saintess?" Yue Cai Xuan asked suddenly, as if recalling something, turning her gaze to Li Xuan.
Li Xuan was taken aback for a moment, then nodded slightly, "I've seen her a few times."
"When that person mentioned the Peony Saintess's name just now, their eyes were filled with excitement. This Peony Saintess must be very beautiful, right?" Yue Cai Xuan pondered and said.
Li Xuan thought for a moment and then nodded, completely oblivious to the fleeting look of melancholy that crossed Yue Fuyao's face.
"That woman is not bad-looking, but her temper is not very good. On the contrary, I think Miss Fuyao is quite nice, much gentler than that woman," Li Xuan said, recalling the words the Peony Saintess had once spoken to him. He then shifted his gaze and continued, "Shall we go and take a look too?"
"Sure," Yue Cai Xuan immediately agreed.
"If that's the case, let's go," Li Xuan said, turning and shooting off towards the southwest.
At this moment, Yue Cai Xuan noticed Yue Fuyao's unusual behavior and playfully teased, "Junior Sister Fuyao, Young Master Li Xuan was just complimenting you."
Yue Fuyao's already shy face turned red. After glaring at Yue Cai Xuan, she moved and chased after Li Xuan.
"This girl, she's truly fallen for him," Yue Cai Xuan sighed softly, then followed suit.
Soon, Li Xuan and the two women arrived before a mountain range.
Ahead, at least a thousand spirit masters had already gathered. Li Xuan glanced around and saw that most of them were from the Central Region. Although they spoke of avenging the spirit masters who hadn't withdrawn from the competition in time, their true purpose was likely just to catch a glimpse of the Peony Saintess's beauty.
"That must be the Peony Saintess, right?" Yue Cai Xuan said, looking at the woman who was confronting a two-zhang tall Earth Profound Bear.
Li Xuan glanced over and nodded.
"Young Master Li Xuan, how is the Peony Saintess's strength?" Yue Fuyao asked with some curiosity.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment and replied, "She's not bad. Hmm, when I saw her before, she was only at the beginner stage of the Martial Emperor realm. I didn't expect her to be at the peak of the Martial Emperor realm now."
Yue Cai Xuan immediately rolled her eyes at Li Xuan. What did he mean by 'only'? Peak Martial Emperor realm strength was already considered a formidable power. However, Yue Cai Xuan could also discern that Li Xuan and the Peony Saintess did not seem to get along very well.
Roar!
Just then, the Earth Profound Bear let out a furious roar and swiped a paw at the Peony Saintess.
Seeing this, the Peony Saintess's eyes narrowed, and her figure moved. A colorful ribbon shot out towards the Earth Profound Bear and, under her control, instantly wrapped around its body.
Li Xuan nodded slightly. While the Earth Profound Bear was strong, it was ultimately rather clumsy. The Peony Saintess had chosen to counter its strength with gentleness, a very suitable approach.
Soon, with the ribbon holding it back, the Earth Profound Bear roared louder in its increasing rage, while the Peony Saintess had already inflicted hundreds of wounds on its body during this time. If not for the Earth Profound Bear's thick hide and powerful defense, it would have been defeated by the Peony Saintess long ago.
However, Li Xuan also knew that it was only a matter of time before the Peony Saintess defeated the Earth Profound Bear. If the Earth Profound Bear possessed human intelligence, the Peony Saintess would have no chance of winning. But intelligence, at times, was also key to victory.
Indeed.
After seven minutes, the massive body of the Earth Profound Bear heavily collapsed. Seeing this, the surrounding crowd erupted in cheers, but a sense of crisis suddenly surged into Li Xuan's heart.
Li Xuan frowned slightly and scanned his surroundings. His brow furrowed even more as the sense of danger grew stronger.
"What's wrong, Young Master Li Xuan?" Yue Fuyao asked upon seeing this.
Li Xuan's expression was grave as he said, "Something is not right."
Roar!
As soon as Li Xuan finished speaking, a roar echoed. In the next instant, the entire world seemed to darken. An Earth Profound Bear, easily five zhang in size, appeared before Li Xuan's eyes.
Holy shit!
Li Xuan's pupils contracted sharply. This was a full-grown Earth Profound Bear!
The Earth Profound Bear leaped into the air and slammed down. Some spirit masters who couldn't dodge in time were instantly killed. Fortunately, Li Xuan and the two women were at a distance, otherwise, they would have been caught in the impact.
Roar!
The Earth Profound Bear picked up the Earth Profound Bear that the Peony Saintess had slain, raised its head to the sky, and roared, its eyes seemingly spitting fire as it glared at the Peony Saintess and the crowd around.
"This... could that Earth Profound Bear be its child?" Yue Cai Xuan asked blankly.
Li Xuan gave a wry smile. Did she even need to guess? It was a hundred percent certain.
"Two ladies, be prepared to escape," Li Xuan said in a low voice after taking a deep breath, his expression growing increasingly solemn.
An adult Earth Profound Bear was comparable to a peak Martial God realm spirit master. Moreover, the Earth Profound Bear had thick, rough skin, and ordinary spirit masters could not penetrate its defense. This Earth Profound Bear was on the verge of a rampage, and if it attacked, everyone present would likely perish.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
Holding the dead Earth Profound Bear, the adult Earth Profound Bear walked step by step towards the Peony Saintess. At this moment, none of the thousands of spirit masters present dared to step forward. There was no other reason but the overwhelming beastly might of this Earth Profound Bear. Although stepping forward now might earn them favor with the Peony Saintess, they first needed to survive to enjoy it.
Roar!
When it reached within a zhang of the Peony Saintess, the Earth Profound Bear stopped and let out a roar. Saliva sprayed out, but the Peony Saintess dared not move. She knew that if she moved, she would surely die. In fact, the Peony Saintess now deeply regretted her actions. If she had known that such a powerful creature was behind the first Earth Profound Bear, she would never have chosen to act.
Was she going to give up? The Peony Saintess was unwilling, but at this moment, there seemed to be no other option but to withdraw from the Five Regions Prodigy Ranking competition. Even with thousands of people present, not a single one had stepped forward so far. The Peony Saintess let out a self-deprecating laugh, and her gaze swept over the crowd, then suddenly froze.
At this moment, Li Xuan, who was preparing to flee with Yue Fuyao and Yue Cai Xuan, felt something and his gaze shifted, meeting the Peony Saintess's eyes.
Li Xuan's heart sank, thinking, This woman isn't going to drag me into this, is she?
Just as he thought that!
As soon as Li Xuan finished his thought, the Peony Saintess pointed at him and said to the Earth Profound Bear.
"I know you are very angry, but he also killed your child."
Holy shit!