Chapter 21: Fengxi, This Young Lady Is Truly Remarkable

Before achieving victory, one’s life may be cut short; such is the sorrow that brings tears to a hero’s eyes.

At this moment, Feng Xi deeply understood the weight of these words.

She had intended to show off a little, but now, just as she stepped out of the mountain gate, she stumbled and fell flat on her face—what was there left to boast about?

If it had been anyone else, they would have been utterly embarrassed, wishing for a crack in the earth to swallow them whole.

Yet Feng Xi’s momentary daze quickly gave way to a spark of inspiration.

Seizing the moment, she prostrated herself before the plaque above the mountain gate and, with a devout expression, said, “Venerable Ancestor above, disciple Feng Xi humbly pays respects! Please bless our Xuanyuan Sect to emerge victorious in this Tianhen Secret Realm trial, to seize the crown, to claim the top spot, and to win the laurels…”

The gathered crowd exchanged glances: the Ancestor certainly wouldn’t manifest this time. Forget first place, even third was doubtful.

Still, regardless of everything, Feng Xi was impressive—a young girl newly admitted to the sect, yet with a strong sense of honor and deep respect for the Ancestor.

At this, Xiao Baidao recalled that Feng Xi had knelt to the Ancestor when she first joined the sect. Hearing this, the crowd admired her all the more, recognizing her pure heart and good nature.

The golden-maned Suanni stared with contempt, barely bothering to conceal her disdain. She had only stumbled accidentally, yet these humans actually believed Feng Xi’s nonsense? Truly, they were a foolish race.

Then Feng Xi stood and said to Jun Wen, “Fifth Senior Brother, please help me onto the back of the sect’s guardian beast.”

Jun Wen complied immediately, letting Feng Xi stand on his flying sword before she hopped onto the golden-maned Suanni’s back.

Tentatively, Jun Wen asked the beast, “May I ride as well?”

The Suanni sprayed saliva all over him.

Jun Wen thought to himself: best say nothing more.

At Xiao Baidao’s command, everyone soared on their swords.

The Suanni pawed the ground, then dashed forward with a swift burst, tearing across the earth.

Feng Xi was unprepared and got a mouthful of dust and wind.

She exclaimed, “Why aren’t you flying?”

The Suanni howled a few times, as if saying: Are you blind? Do I have wings?

Though she couldn’t understand the beast’s words, Feng Xi guessed the meaning.

She felt utterly miserable. I’m here to look impressive, not to endure the wind’s torment!

The only consolation was that the Suanni was incredibly fast, overtaking Xiao Baidao and the others flying above in the blink of an eye.

Feng Xi comforted herself: running on the ground is fine; at least I won’t fall and break my neck.

She instructed the Suanni to slow down to avoid falling behind the main group.

Otherwise, if danger arose, the two of them—she, a fledgling, and the Suanni, whose cultivation had regressed—would be in serious trouble.

Still, Feng Xi’s caution was just in case. Although the Suanni’s power had declined, it remained at Nascent Soul level and could generally hold its own.

At first, Feng Xi sat upright, but soon she lay down on the Suanni’s back, and when sleepy, nestled into its thick fur and fell soundly asleep.

Along the way, they encountered a group of ignorant low-level cultivators who mistook the Suanni for a mere Qi Refining Wind Lion.

The Suanni swatted them, mauling most of the group, who fled with tails between their legs.

The beast did not bother pursuing; after all, they were mere pests.

If not for its dignity, it would have crushed them all.

During this, a sleeping Feng Xi only peeked out a few times before curling back into her rest.

Soon, rumors began to spread.

“Have you heard? Recently, the Northern Domain has seen a ferocious beast resembling a Wind Lion, but with two heads—one lion’s, one human’s. They say it can even speak human language!”

“I heard that too. Folks are calling it the Human-Faced Lion, the fiercest beast in the Northern Domain!”

“Many are preparing to petition the Four Great Sects to hunt it down. It’s too brazen, parading around in broad daylight.”

Unaware of these whispers, Feng Xi was busy giving the golden-maned Suanni a stern lecture.

“Little Golden Mane, don’t say I didn’t warn you. The other three sects, especially Hunyuan Sect, have many female spirit beasts ready to mate! Be careful you’re not captured to serve as a breeding tool!”

“Also, as Xuanyuan Sect’s guardian beast, what does that mean? It means you are the sect’s trump card, its most formidable means of defense. You are Xuanyuan’s pride, its foundation. Don’t lose your wits—be wary of falling into anyone’s trap…”

The golden-maned Suanni felt a surge of pride; so heavy a burden rested on its shoulders!

As for the female spirit beasts Feng Xi mentioned, the Suanni sneered. It would rather remain single its entire life than let those seductive creatures succeed.

Still, Feng Xi remained somewhat uneasy. After all, the Suanni was a beast with limited self-control.

She wondered if her jade slip contained any cultivation techniques akin to the legendary Sunflower Manual. If so, she might gift the Suanni a copy—with the first page boldly stating: To master this art, one must first castrate oneself.

The Suanni shivered and glanced around, sensing no danger, and continued forward.

Of course, Feng Xi had no real intention of such a thing; she retained a shred of conscience.

Apart from that earlier encounter with petty thieves, the journey proceeded smoothly.

When crossing mountains or rivers, Jun Wen would lift Feng Xi onto his flying sword to spare her from hardship on the Suanni’s back.

Meanwhile, the other three great sects had already arrived at the Tianhen Secret Realm.

Besides the three great sects, many mid- and minor sect cultivators and wanderers had come to watch the spectacle.

The clearing before the Tianhen Secret Realm buzzed with lively voices and excitement.

Shen Zilan smiled gracefully, conversing with Second Senior Brother Lu Xiuhan.

“Second Senior Brother, you have the highest cultivation among us this time. Our Hunyuan Sect is sure to claim first place again.”

Lu Xiuhan’s arrogance was palpable. “Naturally! The Ten Thousand Sword Sect and Beast Taming Gate can only fight for second place. As for those worthless Xuanyuan Sect disciples, they’re not even worth considering.”

Hearing his mention of Xuanyuan Sect, Shen Zilan’s smile faltered.

“Second Senior Brother, do you know if Feng Xi will come this time? If she does, I want to explain everything to her properly, to clear up misunderstandings so she won’t bear grudges against us or Hunyuan Sect.”

Lu Xiuhan snorted coldly. “What’s there to explain? She was jealous of you and smeared your name. Xiao Baidao is old and senile to have accepted her as a direct disciple. But even as a direct disciple, she’s still a useless waste. Claims of ambushing Xue Tianjue and discovering high-grade spirit stone mines are just Baidao flattering her. I doubt she’ll come—she’s a complete failure and can’t even enter the Secret Realm. She’d better never leave Xuanyuan Sect, or I’ll kill her myself!”

Shen Zilan frowned slightly. “Second Senior Brother, although Feng Xi tarnished our and Hunyuan Sect’s reputation at the disciple induction ceremony, she is still a direct disciple of the Four Great Sects; let’s just let it go.”

Mentioning the induction ceremony only deepened Lu Xiuhan’s hatred for Feng Xi.

“Sister, don’t interfere; I have my own plans.”

Shen Zilan’s eyes flickered but she did not press the matter, instead changing the subject.