Chapter 789: Jiuli's Tomb Guardian (II)

Tan Qingfeng was in a frail state, but the quality of his qi and blood and the hardness of his bones marked him as a seventh-realm cultivator.

The Daoist monk had caused such severe damage to Tan Qingfeng and devastation to the hidden realm with just one finger… Could he be an eighth-realm Eminent One? In that case, the mysterious Daoist monk had likely already taken away the treasures within the High God's Legacy.

Feeling disappointed, Chu Liang cast a glance at the iron-eating beast beside him and asked, "So… Evil—High God Jiuli's mount was indeed an iron-eating beast?"

"Of course!" Tan Qingfeng looked at the little creature beside him, his eyes brimming with pride. "High God Jiuli's iron-eating beast slayed True Dragons, battled a Divine Phoenix, and did not fear Kun Peng! The iron-eating beast is one of the most fearsome ancient giant vicious beasts, ranked among the mightiest in the heavens and the earth!"

As if to match Tan Qingfeng's grand proclamation, the iron-eating beast stretched out its front paws as far as they would go, revealing its thick, fleshy paw pads. It then stuck out its tongue, attempting to make what it thought to be a very ferocious expression.

"…" Tan Qingfeng paused for a moment before saying, "Of course, after spending countless years in the hidden realm without engaging in battle, the iron-eating beast's ferocity has… diminished a little bit."

"A little bit?" Chu Liang couldn't help but voice his doubts. "Forget about fighting legendary beasts. If you toss this little one into a mountain forest right now, could it even hunt and feed itself?"

"

Haaaaa,

" Tan Qingfeng let out a long sigh. "That… might be a bit difficult."

…

From what Tan Qingfeng had said, it appeared that even though his family were technically followers of the Evil God, that was a matter from an age so distant that it hardly held meaning anymore. As tomb guardians, the Tan Family had lived in total isolation from the outside world for many years, so it wasn't even worth mentioning the possibility that they might have committed any crimes in the outside world.

By that reasoning, Tan Qingfeng shouldn't be a bad person.

So, Chu Liang took Tan Qingfeng and the iron-eating beast back to Mount Shu. He gathered some spirit herbs to treat Tan Qingfeng's injuries, focusing on saving his life first before dealing with anything else.

While Chu Liang was scrolling through the Circle of Immortal Friends, another explosive piece of news popped up.

The conflict between the Yushan Academy and War Tomb Mountain had escalated. War Tomb Mountain had not managed to deal much damage to the academy, but its repeated attacks had disturbed the academy's peace and quiet.

After all, an academy needed to be quiet so that its students could study. The constant fighting made it impossible for the academy to hold lessons. For the thugs of War Tomb Mountain, however, getting involved in fights was how they learned. In this regard, the academy was at a natural disadvantage.

To put an end to the conflict, Zhang Chen rode alone to the gates of War Tomb Mountain and delivered a challenge letter. He had challenged Qiu Fenglie, the Mountain Lord of War Tomb Mountain!

The terms of the challenge were simple. In ten days, the two parties would duel on a stage. The loser would forfeit their sect's right to participate in the Terrestrial Ten Grand Selection. Regardless of the outcome, the conflict between the two sects would end there.

When the esteemed heroes of War Tomb Mountain saw this letter, they were utterly stunned—not just by Zhang Chen's cultivation level but by his courage.

Zhang Chen had actually broken through the Heavenly Gate and advanced into the Dao Attainment Realm. This news alone was shocking, but compared to his challenge against the Mountain Lord of War Tomb Mountain, it was hardly worth mentioning.

After all, the Mountain Lord of War Tomb Mountain was a seasoned Eminent One at the pinnacle of the Dao Attainment Realm. Zhang Chen was a young prodigy who had just stepped into the seventh realm. Did he really think he could defeat a seasoned Eminent One who had honed his strength for many years?

If it were anyone else, the world would have laughed at his arrogance, thinking he was just another young cultivator getting ahead of himself after breaking through to the Dao Attainment Realm.

However, this was Zhang Chen. He had always been known for his modest and mature behavior.

That made others wonder in anticipation,

Does he truly have some kind of hidden trump card?

Qiu Fenglie, on the other hand, felt insulted. Nevertheless, as a martial artist, his pride wouldn't allow him to refuse the challenge. He accepted the duel and vowed to go all out.

The fight would take place ten days later, on the eve of the Terrestrial Ten Grand Selection. Regardless of who won or lost, there would be no turning back.

Lin Bei gave a sharp remark on the matter. "I wonder if Zhang Chen made it clear in the challenge letter what they're competing in. If it's a battle of wits, he could tie everyone in War Tomb Mountain together to be his opponent, and they still wouldn't be a match for him."

Dumbfounded, Shang Ziliang replied, "If he actually did something like that, then he'd be the brainless one…"

…

Chu Liang was treating Tan Qingfeng's injuries inside a small cabin on Silver Sword Peak while the iron-eating beast waited outside.

Its presence once again drew over every member of Silver Sword Peak and their friends and family. By now, the little creature had become a celebrity in Mount Shu, even drawing the curiosity of the Four Guardian Elders of the sect, who had come to see it in person.

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Originally, the iron-eating beast wanted to go inside the cabin to accompany Tan Qingfeng, but the overenthusiastic onlookers kept piling Spirit-Energy Raising Pills and fresh bamboo shoots in front of it. The pile of gifts quickly grew into a mound that was even taller than the iron-eating beast.

The little mound stared at the large mound. In the end, the iron-eating beast couldn't resist digging in. Yet, even as it feasted, its gaze kept drifting toward the cabin, as if to indicate that it hadn't forgotten its duty.

"Ahh~" Di Nufeng couldn't stop herself from reaching out to rub the iron-eating beast's head again. "Our little Chuchu is just too adorable!"

"What kind of strange name is that?" someone questioned sternly.

Tan Qingfeng was standing at the doorway of the cabin, holding his hands behind him. He had regained his imposing appearance from before he got injured.

His chest wound had been bandaged and was in the process of healing. Tan Qingfeng's complexion was much better now. It was clear he had recovered much of his vitality, qi, and spirit.

Hearing his voice, the iron-eating beast immediately perked up. It let out a happy cry and dashed over to him. "

Wuwu!

"

"Ah, that's the name my esteemed teacher gave the iron-eating beast," Chu Liang said with a casual smile as he stepped out from behind Tan Qingfeng.

Tan Qingfeng's expression darkened. "How could the guardian beast of the Jiuli Tribe use such a completely undignified and horrible name?! Moreover, it already had a name when it was born."

Di Nufeng furrowed her brows. Clearly, she was unhappy to hear him say the name she had come up with was horrible.

Tilting her head slightly, Di Nufeng asked, "Then what's the iron-eating beast's name?"

Tan Qingfeng spoke solemnly, enunciating each word with weighty reverence, "The Jiuli Supreme Harbinger of Doom!"

"

Uu!!

" the little iron-eating beast cried out, suddenly standing up on its hind legs.

It waved its chubby paws in slow, deliberate motions, trying its best to look fierce and imposing to coordinate with Tan Qingfeng.

"…"

Everyone present was silent for a long while.

Lin Bei gestured at the little creature with his chin. "Elder Tan, tell me, which one of the words in its name does it resemble?"

"

Ahem.

Anyway, it's my vicious beast. It has nothing to do with you lot," Tan Qingfeng said. He seemed a bit embarrassed and displeased as he patted the iron-eating beast, signaling for it to stop.

"How can it have nothing to do with us?" Chu Liang replied with a smile. "Elder Tan, don't forget. You still owe me money."

"It's just three spirit plants. I'll find them later and give them to you."

"This isn't just about three spirit plants. I made those medicinal pills I gave you earlier to treat your injuries. Do you know how much they're worth?" Chu Liang asked.

Tan Qingfeng's eyebrows twitched. "How much?"

"If you don't know, that makes things easier… Let me calculate—oh, never mind. Anyway, if the iron-eating beast stays here to work, the debt should be repaid in about three hundred years."

"You—"

Tan Qingfeng wanted to call it extortion, but he remembered the boy had saved his life after all.

After a pause, he said, "I know what you're after. There's no need to pretend. From beginning to end, you've been coveting the High God's Legacy and the valuable items inside."

"Oh, right." Chu Liang smacked his forehead, acting like it was Tan Qingfeng who had reminded him of the matter. "Elder Tan, if you're willing to take us into the High God's Legacy and let us explore it, that would be even better."

"I suppose it doesn't matter," Tan Qingfeng replied sadly. "Someone has already broken into the High God's Legacy. If you want valuable items, you'll have to try taking them from him instead."

"By the way, Elder Tan, could you create a projection of that person's image? It is unlikely that an Eminent One of his level is an unknown figure. We might even recognize him."

Most Eminent Ones who had reached the Dao Attainment Realm were famous. If the person in question was human, it was very likely they would recognize him.

Hearing that, Tan Qingfeng nodded.

Chu Liang's request was a simple task for someone of Tan Qingfeng's cultivation level. He raised his hand, and light and shadow shifted, forming the outline of a Daoist figure above his palm.

Dressed in an azure and black robe, the figure had a pale, beardless face and the elegant demeanor of a scholar. His face was totally devoid of expression, and his eyes carried an apathetic gaze like he was far removed from the world.

Chu Liang and the others did not recognize him.

However, a voice filled with astonishment rang out from the crowd. "Lu Cang?!"

GLTD Alternate Universe's Thoughts

Translator: LD

Term change:

- steel-eating beast -> iron-eating beast

- Domain Guardian, Domain Guardian Beast, High God's Domain -> tomb guardian, guardian beast, High God's Legacy

The little panda is so damn adorable. XD