When Qiong Ying Shen Ni said Ye Bufan's cultivation was now beyond her reach, Liu Ruoyan's expression turned grim. She secretly glanced at Ye Bufan's face, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Ye Bufan swept his gaze over Liu Ruoyan, then began discussing with Yan Yuzhu and Qiong Ying Shen Ni.
"Seniors, how much do you know about the demon beasts?" Ye Bufan asked.
Yan Yuzhu and Qiong Ying Shen Ni exchanged a glance. It was evident they didn't know much, merely hearing rumors of demon beasts appearing in the area.
Ye Bufan exchanged a look with Ling'er, who then stepped forward with a document detailing demon beasts in Meishan.
The highest cultivation beast emperor in Meishan was the Yaoguang Silver Fox, a fox adept at mental attacks with multicolored fur.
This information was based on the world's current records. Ye Bufan had been required by Lin Xiaoyao since childhood to learn about the various beast races and recognize them.
There were subtle discrepancies between what he knew and what he saw in the historical records of the Nine Provinces.
The Yaoguang Silver Fox was a branch of the fox tribe, possessing the highest talent for mental power. Its fur was silver-white, shimmering when it used its mental abilities, making it as beautiful and captivating as a celestial maiden from the Jade Pond, yet incredibly dangerous.
"It seems this branch, the Yaoguang Silver Fox, is indeed the one that came to Meishan this time. I didn't expect even the Beast Emperor to show up," Yan Yuzhu remarked.
Among demon beasts, forming an inner core designated them as Beast Emperors.
"According to the latest investigations, there are currently thirteen Yaoguang Silver Foxes. One is a Beast Emperor at the Core Formation stage, but the specific stage and strength are unknown. The rest of the Yaoguang Silver Foxes are mostly below the Foundation Establishment stage," Ling'er informed Yan Yuzhu and Qiong Ying Shen Ni.
Qiong Ying Shen Ni turned to her five disciples and said, "This journey is perilous. Disciples below the Foundation Establishment stage will wait at the perimeter. Those at the Foundation Establishment stage will accompany me into Meishan to hunt these demons."
Yan Yuzhu pondered for a moment and said, "We have three disciples at the late Foundation Establishment stage. They will split into three teams, leading the disciples at the early and middle Foundation Establishment stages into the mountains. We will communicate using our sect's jade slips."
"Yes!" the disciples of Guangming Palace responded.
Yan Yuzhu nodded. "Disciples at the Qi Refining stage will remain outside to provide support."
With that, Yan Yuzhu prepared to lead the way into the mountain, but then paused. "Out of the three late Foundation Establishment stage disciples, two will enter the mountain, and one will remain outside to provide backup, just in case."
After making their arrangements, the groups entered the mountain.
Qiong Ying Shen Ni's group, with weaker strength, was responsible for the outer perimeter. Next came Guangming Palace, with Yan Yuzhu handling the transition zone. Ye Bufan, Ye Qingcheng, and Ling'er ventured deep into Meishan.
After walking for half a day in Meishan, Ye Bufan decided to first locate the teleportation array. Since they had used it to come here, they would likely want their companions to travel to the Blue Star as well, just like the previous Silver Hook Wolf King.
Therefore, Ye Bufan deduced that they would use the teleportation array as a base and gradually explore outward.
According to the information provided by Ye Qingyi, over ten people had already died at the hands of the Yaoguang Silver Foxes, their deaths gruesome, often leaving only skeletal remains.
This puzzled Ye Bufan. Based on his knowledge, Yaoguang Silver Foxes were not carnivorous and didn't even eat humans. Such a situation could only mean something extraordinary had occurred.
Ye Bufan dispersed his spiritual sense, using the principles of Qi Men Dun Jia's Feng Shui to determine the likely location of the teleportation array.
After a full day of searching, Ye Bufan, Ling'er, and Ye Qingcheng finally arrived at a massive cave and discovered an activated teleportation array within.
"They aren't here," Ye Qingyi said with disappointment.
Ye Bufan observed the surroundings. Indeed, there were traces of Yaoguang Silver Foxes here.
"Let's hide and observe. They might have gone out to hunt," Ye Bufan suggested.
Thus, the three hid in the cave, patiently waiting for the Yaoguang Silver Foxes to return.
Just as Ye Bufan had predicted, around midnight, sounds of demon beasts were heard outside the cave. Soon, several figures flitted past.
"They're here!" Ye Qingcheng exclaimed, her breath catching. This was her first encounter with demon beasts, and she was quite nervous.
In the darkness, the Yaoguang Silver Foxes' fur reflected the moonlight, making their positions easy to spot.
"Should we act?" Ye Qingcheng transmitted to Ye Bufan, her voice filled with excitement.
Ye Bufan shook his head. When he found the teleportation array, he had already left a "gift" for them, capable of injuring them without their knowledge at his mental command.
He saw the Yaoguang Silver Fox holding something in its mouth, which it slowly placed before the teleportation array. Ye Bufan managed to identify it as a spirit stone.
"A spirit stone?" Ye Bufan was astonished.
Following that, the leading Yaoguang Silver Fox began to glow. An energy erupted from its body, activating the teleportation array.
The leading Yaoguang Silver Fox was the Beast Emperor at the Core Formation stage. Ye Bufan subtly sensed its cultivation, finding it to be at the middle Core Formation stage.
"Are they activating the teleportation array?" Ye Qingcheng transmitted to Ye Bufan.
Then, the spirit stone before the teleportation array slowly floated up and entered it.
"Roar—"
A fox's cry emanated from the teleportation array. Subsequently, a demon beast that had just entered the Foundation Establishment realm emerged from the array, which then closed.
Lin Xiaoyao had once mentioned that teleportation arrays required energy to function. It seemed the energy from the spirit stone was being prioritized, but the Yaoguang Silver Fox found it difficult to teleport its kin from their world, consuming significant spirit stones and cultivation.
The Yaoguang Silver Fox that was teleported in immediately bowed respectfully to the Beast Emperor.
"Rise," the Beast Emperor spoke in human tongue. "Is everything well on that side?"
"Reporting to the Beast Emperor, everything is well. Everyone is awaiting your return to lead them to this new world." The teleported Yaoguang Silver Fox also spoke, though its words were a bit peculiar due to its recent breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment stage and its newfound ability to speak human language.