Even so, Zi Lingling was not afraid.
She desperately needed a mount, and this Dark Gale Leopard was undoubtedly the best choice at the moment.
Therefore, Zi Lingling did not want to harm the Dark Gale Leopard, but merely to subdue it without shedding blood.
As she was contemplating, the Dark Gale Leopard had already pounced in front of her.
It thought Zi Lingling could not see it, so it didn't even bother to conceal its movements, directly raising its front paws to try and knock Zi Lingling down.
At the same time, it bared its sharp fangs, intending to bite through Zi Lingling's neck the moment it tackled her.
Zi Lingling inwardly remarked, "This beast has quite high intelligence, worthy of being a spirit beast that has been corrupted by demons!"
She leaned back, effortlessly evading the Dark Gale Leopard's pounce.
Then, she raised her jade-like foot and precisely hooked onto the Dark Gale Leopard's hindquarters.
The Dark Gale Leopard, already unstable from missing its target, was further thrown off balance by Zi Lingling's kick. It collided with the ground and slid nearly three meters.
"Roar roar roar!"
It felt provoked and let out a roar.
"What are you roaring about? You're too noisy!" Zi Lingling reprimanded.
A surprised glint flickered in the Dark Gale Leopard's large eyes, and it spoke human words, "You can see this beast?"
Zi Lingling scoffed, "What, is that strange?"
The Dark Gale Leopard nodded and said, "It is indeed strange. In a thousand years, you are the second person not affected by the darkness!"
"The second? You mean, there was someone before me?"
Zi Lingling asked in surprise.
After all, to see in the depths of the Dark Abyss, one had to comprehend dark elements; there was no other way!
"That's right! A few days ago, a man came. That man was terrifying. With just one glance, he made this beast's fur stand on end..."
The Dark Gale Leopard stopped here, suddenly realizing, and said in astonishment, "Strange, why would this beast tell you this?"
What it didn't know was that the moment it looked at Zi Lingling, it had already fallen victim to Zi Lingling's Charm Spell.
Zi Lingling was even more astonished than the Dark Gale Leopard.
She knew that her Charm Spell was extremely powerful, and those whose soul power did not surpass hers could not break free.
Now, the Wind-Winged Phantom Tiger had broken free so easily, making Zi Lingling doubt if her soul power had regressed.
But precisely because of this, the light in Zi Lingling's eyes shone even brighter.
For this only proved the Dark Gale Leopard's power.
"I don't know either, perhaps it's because I'm beautiful!"
Zi Lingling spread her hands, feigning ignorance.
"You're beautiful?"
The Dark Gale Leopard's leopard eyes carefully examined Zi Lingling and said disdainfully, "You're skin and bones, where are you beautiful?"
Zi Lingling was taken aback.
This was the first time she had ever received such a comment.
Had her charm unknowingly diminished so much?
"Who says people without flesh aren't beautiful? You're just jealous!"
The Dark Gale Leopard looked at her contemptuously and said, "Jealous of you? Hmph, let alone compared to the beauties of our clan, even that man before was a hundred times more beautiful than you! At least, that man had muscles you couldn't compare to!"
"Man? Muscles?"
Zi Lingling's mouth twitched.
She finally understood why she wasn't beautiful in the Dark Gale Leopard's eyes; it turned out she didn't have muscles!
It seemed like trying to talk to a leopard about beauty was like playing the lute to a cow for her.
She was discussing beauty with a demon beast, wasn't that foolish? How could human and demon beast aesthetics be the same?
However, when she heard about the man the Dark Gale Leopard mentioned, the image of Ye Lingyuan involuntarily flashed in her mind.
The Dark Gale Leopard nodded its head sagely, "Yes, a man! If I were a female leopard, I would snatch him back to be my bed warmer!"
"Pfft!"
Zi Lingling chuckled.
This Dark Gale Leopard was truly amusing.
Long'er, Xiao Hu, and Bai Ze in the contract space simultaneously mourned for the Dark Gale Leopard for a few minutes.
As divine beasts, they could enter the minds of beasts with lower cultivation levels without anyone noticing, similar to human soul-searching.
And just now, with great interest, they had seen the Dark Gale Leopard's memories, and the shadow of Ye Lingyuan within them.
They could be certain that the man the Dark Gale Leopard spoke of was definitely Ye Lingyuan.
To snatch Ye Lingyuan back to be a bed warmer?
Only an idiot like the Dark Gale Leopard would think that.
They, as divine beasts, felt a shiver of fear every time they met Ye Lingyuan, an aura of absolute power.
This was why they mourned for the Dark Gale Leopard!
Someone they dared not provoke, and the Dark Gale Leopard actually had the audacity to covet him, wasn't that courting death?
"Master, I suggest you find another mount! If you think I'm too conspicuous, then Xiao Hu can carry you!"
Long'er's voice echoed in Zi Lingling's mind.
"Why?"
Zi Lingling responded in surprise.
"Why? Because it's doomed! Your man won't let it go!"
Bai Ze lazily chimed in.
"My man? Ye Lingyuan?"
Zi Lingling blinked, then understood, and said with delight, "Are you sure the man it mentioned is Ye Lingyuan?"
"Authentic!"
The three divine beasts nodded in unison, their voices firm.
"Is that so!"
Zi Lingling's gaze fell upon the Dark Gale Leopard, a hint of a knowing smile appearing in her eyes.
The Dark Gale Leopard suddenly felt a chill all over its body and instinctively roared, "Roar roar roar! Woman, what do you want to do?"
Zi Lingling shook her head and smiled, "I don't want to do anything. What do *you* want to do?"
The Dark Gale Leopard was bewildered, "What do *this* beast want to do? Of course, it wants to eat you! It's just that the Dark Abyss is too lonely down here, and upon seeing you, I couldn't help but say a few extra words."
Zi Lingling smiled, "It's not that I look down on you, but I truly do look down on you! Not only can you not eat me, but you will also become my mount."
"Mount?"
The Dark Gale Leopard roared in anger, "Are you insulting this beast?"
As it spoke, it shifted its weight back, assuming an attacking posture.
"Don't rush! After you've finished speaking, if you still want to fight, I'll accompany you!"
Zi Lingling made a stopping gesture, her confidence radiating.
"Oh? I'd like to hear what marvels you can conjure!" the Dark Gale Leopard scoffed.
Zi Lingling smiled, "Only by becoming my mount can you save your life. Therefore, you have no choice."