Chapter 406: Journey to the Nine-Tails Clan, Encounter with a Madman!
Not long after, Xinqing, who had been resting on Lin Fan's shoulder, slowly regained consciousness.
The moment she realized where she was leaning, her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. She quickly shifted away and whispered, "Lord Lin Fan, s-sorry…"
Seeing the nervous fear in her eyes, Lin Fan gently shook his head and said warmly, "It's fine, no need to be so tense. You fainted earlier and were about to fall, so I just helped steady you."
"Thank you, Lord Lin Fan," Xinqing lowered her head and thanked him softly after calming down a little.
"It's nothing," Lin Fan smiled, then asked, "We should be in the Demon Domain now. Can you tell where we are?"
At that, Xinqing looked around carefully at the red plains. After a long moment, she let out a small breath of relief, a smile forming on her face.
"Lord Lin Fan, we're in the Beast Battle Region. The transfer was successful..."
"The Beast Battle Region?" Lin Dong, standing nearby, first relaxed, then frowned in confusion. "What kind of place is that?"
Xinqing nodded and explained, "The Demon Domain is vast and made up of many regions. Broadly, it's divided into four main territories: north, south, east, and west. The Beast Battle Region lies at the junction between the western and northern territories, and it's known as one of the most chaotic areas in the Demon Domain…"
She then proceeded to give Lin Fan and Lin Dong a general overview of the Demon Domain and the power distribution in the Beast Battle Region.
"Brother Lin Fan, what's the plan now?" Lin Dong asked once the explanation was done.
Lin Fan thought for a moment and turned to Xinqing. "Xinqing, do you know anything about the Heavenly Demon Marten Clan?"
"I've heard a bit," Xinqing nodded slightly. "They're extremely fierce. Even the Dragon Tribe is cautious when dealing with them."
"That strong, huh…" Lin Dong was visibly surprised. He knew the Heavenly Demon Marten Clan was powerful, but he hadn't expected them to be so dominant.
"Mhm, they're one of the four overlord clans still standing in the Beast World," Xinqing confirmed.
"What are the Four Overlord Clans?" Lin Dong asked curiously.
Xinqing answered, "In the current Beast World, we have the Four Overlords and Eight Royal Clans. The Four Overlords are the Dragon Tribe, the Nine Phoenix Clan, the Kunpeng Clan, and the Heavenly Demon Marten Clan. These four are the most powerful races among all beast clans."
"The Four Overlords and Eight Royals, huh... Seems like Xiao Diao wasn't exaggerating after all," Lin Dong muttered in amazement.
"Actually, the Nine-Tails Clan was once extremely powerful too… Back then, we even went to war with the Kunpeng Clan and didn't fall behind by much," Xinqing said with a hint of pride.
"Really? Then you'll have to work hard, Xinqing—restore the glory of your ancestors someday," Lin Fan smiled.
Xinqing's smile faded slightly. "I'm afraid I don't have that kind of ability…"
She then gave a brief recount of the Nine-Tails Clan's deeds during the ancient wars.
"Do you know how to get to the Heavenly Demon Marten Clan's territory?" Lin Fan asked after listening.
Back when Xiao Diao set up a spatial transfer with Xiao Yan, they were transported to the Demon Domain without any interference. So, in theory, they should have arrived safely and would now be somewhere within the Marten Clan's territory.
"I'm sorry, I've never been to their lands, so I don't know how to get there," Xinqing said apologetically. Then, she looked up at Lin Fan and asked hesitantly, "How about we go to my clan first? They should have more detailed maps and better information."
Lin Dong looked toward Lin Fan, waiting for his decision.
Lin Fan nodded. "Alright, we'll head to the Nine-Tails Clan first."
Hearing this, Xinqing smiled with visible delight. She glanced at the terrain around them, then pointed north.
"Our Nine-Tails Clan should be in that direction. If we travel nonstop, we can reach it in about five days."
"Let's move, then," Lin Fan said with a slight nod.
"Mm! I'll lead the way," Xinqing said excitedly, her petite figure darting ahead toward the north.
Lin Fan and Lin Dong exchanged a glance, then followed behind her.
…
On the red plain, the evening sun hung low in the sky, casting a dark crimson glow across the land. From time to time, massive bones jutted from the ground, further enhancing the wild, primal atmosphere.
Lin Fan and Lin Dong sat around a campfire. Beside them, a young girl moved busily.
Kneeling next to the flames, Xinqing skillfully turned a wooden skewer. A plump wild boar leg was roasting over the fire, golden oil dripping down and releasing a mouthwatering aroma.
"Lord Lin Fan, Lord Lin Dong, please enjoy!"
She used a knife to slice the meat, threading it onto clean wooden skewers and handing them to the two men.
"Thanks," Lin Fan smiled, taking the skewer. "But there's no need to keep calling us 'Lord.' Just use our names."
Xinqing smiled in response but remained as respectful as ever.
Seeing this, Lin Fan shook his head lightly and didn't press the issue, choosing instead to enjoy the roasted meat.
Lin Dong followed suit, devouring the food with enthusiasm.
As they ate, Xinqing continued introducing them to the Nine-Tails Clan and the surrounding regions, including two nearby powers known as Thunder Abyss Mountain and Hundred Beast Ridge.
The three chatted as they ate, but then—off in the distance—dust clouds suddenly rose into the sky. Faint voices carried through the air, full of boisterous laughter and cursing. The atmosphere immediately turned unruly and wild.
Xinqing's face changed. With a wave of her hand, she kicked up dirt, attempting to smother the campfire and conceal their presence.
But Lin Fan reached out and stopped her. "It's fine. Let them come."
Although clearly worried, Xinqing obeyed Lin Fan's calm command and sat back down, nervous but quiet.
Lin Fan and Lin Dong, meanwhile, continued enjoying their meal without a care.
Rumble…
The dust clouds grew closer. Within them, a large blood-red serpent emblem waved on a flag, its terrifying image coiling as if ready to leap out at any moment.
"That's Blood Python City's banner…" Xinqing said, her face paling slightly.
Lin Fan nodded to show he understood.
Xinqing had mentioned this faction earlier. While not as powerful as Thunder Abyss Mountain or Hundred Beast Ridge, Blood Python City was still a significant regional power.
"Move it, brat! Don't block our path!"
As the riders arrived, one of them spotted the trio sitting casually around their fire—especially Lin Fan and Lin Dong, still feasting on roasted meat—and his expression twisted with hostility as he barked a violent order.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1