After a lengthy discussion, every magical beast ultimately agreed to Xiao Feng's arrangement.
Seeing their unanimous acceptance, Xiao Feng began to formally establish their new alliance.
With a wave of his hand, streams of soul force flowed from his fingertips, condensing into intricate seals of light. One by one, these seals entered each magical beast's body, settling harmlessly beneath their skin.
These were not ordinary seals.
The first was a Location Seal, allowing Xiao Feng to roughly sense their positions at all times. This would make coordination far easier, especially when they were spread across the vast Magical Beast Mountain Range.
The second was an Identity Seal, a symbol of affiliation that marked them as allies of Canaan Academy. Any academy elder or student with sufficient perception would be able to recognize this mark immediately.
"This seal represents your status," Xiao Feng explained. "From this day onward, you are considered allied magical beasts of Canaan Academy."
The beasts listened attentively.
Xiao Feng's expression then grew more serious.
"There is one rule you must all remember."
He paused, making sure every beast was focused on him.
"If possible, do not attack Inner Academy students. Most of them enter the mountains for training. Conflict may happen, but avoid lethal force unless absolutely necessary."
The beasts nodded.
"However," Xiao Feng continued, his voice turning colder, "if any student attempts to kill one of you without cause, the others are permitted to intervene and protect your companion. You are not expected to die passively."
At these words, many of the beasts visibly relaxed.
This was fairness.
They were not being treated as expendable tools, but as allies worthy of protection.
Xiao Feng then added another important instruction.
"From now on, whenever you discover medicinal ingredients above the third grade, you are to either collect them if possible or guard their location until I arrive."
He began listing particularly valuable treasures.
"Transformation Grass, Fire-Ice Spirit Fruit, Blood Essence Fruit, Purple Soul Rejuvenation Flower, Earth Vein Spirit Root, and any herb capable of enhancing bloodlines or aiding transformation—these are especially important."
The magical beasts immediately committed the names to memory.
For many of them, these treasures had little direct use beyond consumption. But under Xiao Feng's guidance, their value would increase many times over.
As he finished placing the identification seals, Xiao Feng quietly added one final precaution.
A Restraining Seal.
This seal would remain dormant under normal circumstances. It would not interfere with their cultivation or daily activities.
However, if any of them deliberately attempted to attack Xiao Feng, his companions, or their fellow allied beasts without cause, the seal would instantly suppress their Dou Qi and temporarily immobilize them.
Xiao Feng was not naïve.
Trust was important, but safeguards were essential.
Without a proper system of rewards and consequences, loyalty could never truly be stabilized.
The beasts sensed the seal's purpose, yet none objected. On the contrary, many seemed reassured by its presence. It guaranteed fairness and order within their growing alliance.
Once the formalities were complete, Xiao Feng decided to further solidify their loyalty.
He took out two medicinal pills.
The moment they appeared, a rich medicinal fragrance spread through the air, causing every magical beast present to inhale deeply.
Their eyes immediately locked onto the pills.
"These are Dou Spirit Pills," Xiao Feng said calmly.
He handed one to Xiao Su, the Emerald Wood Spirit Turtle, and the other to one of the rank-four wood-attributed beasts, the Greenleaf Antler Deer.
"These will help you advance."
Neither beast hesitated.
They swallowed the pills immediately.
Moments later, powerful waves of energy erupted from their bodies.
Green light surged around Xiao Su as its aura steadily climbed. Its already formidable presence grew even stronger, rising two minor realms in quick succession.
The Greenleaf Antler Deer experienced a similar transformation. Its antlers glowed with vibrant emerald radiance as its cultivation advanced rapidly.
The surrounding magical beasts stared in stunned silence.
Then the entire area exploded with excitement.
"It advanced!"
"Two realms at once!"
"A single pill…"
Their gazes toward Xiao Feng changed completely.
Previously, they had respected him because of his strength, Heavenly Flame, and status as a sixth-tier alchemist.
Now, they truly revered him.
He was someone who could directly alter their futures.
The Moon-Howling Wolf King stepped forward, its eyes burning with anticipation.
"Master, if we perform well…"
Xiao Feng smiled faintly.
"You will be rewarded according to your contributions."
That single sentence was enough to ignite overwhelming enthusiasm among all the beasts.
Their loyalty, which had initially been based on respect and caution, now became genuine and eager.
Seeing their reactions, Xiao Feng nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. Continue your duties for now. In time, I will bring all of you to Canaan Academy. There, you will have a stable place to cultivate and grow."
The beasts roared, howled, and cried out in agreement.
With matters settled, Xiao Feng, Xiao Yi Xian, Zi Yan, and the Snow Demon Ape resumed their journey deeper into the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
The forest grew denser as they traveled. Ancient trees towered overhead, their branches intertwining to form a natural canopy that blocked much of the moonlight.
After several more hours of travel, night finally descended completely.
The mountain range became quiet, save for the distant cries of nocturnal beasts and the occasional rustle of leaves.
"We should stop here for the night," Xiao Feng said.
Ahead of them was a spacious cave, dry and well-sheltered, clearly suitable for temporary rest.
The Snow Demon Ape quickly inspected the surroundings before giving an approving grunt.
Zi Yan immediately claimed a smooth stone near the entrance.
"This spot is mine!"
Xiao Yi Xian laughed softly.
"You always choose the best place."
"Of course," Zi Yan said proudly. "I have excellent taste."
Soon, Xiao Feng and Xiao Yi Xian began preparing dinner.
They had acquired plenty of high-quality magical beast meat during their travels, including meat from a Flame Lion and several other powerful beasts.
Xiao Feng expertly sliced the meat into thick portions while Xiao Yi Xian prepared herbs, spices, and seasoning.
The rich aroma soon began to spread.
Zi Yan sat nearby, watching intently, practically drooling.
"Is it ready yet?"
"Not even close," Xiao Feng replied with a chuckle.
"You've said that three times already," Xiao Yi Xian added.
"I'm just making sure," Zi Yan said seriously.
The Snow Demon Ape sat beside the fire, occasionally glancing at the roasting meat with barely concealed anticipation.
Even Xiao Long floated nearby, its tiny flame carefully helping to maintain the perfect cooking temperature.
"See?" Xiao Feng said, grinning. "A Heavenly Flame isn't just for fighting. It's also excellent for cooking."
Xiao Yi Xian rolled her eyes playfully.
"You're probably the only person in the world who uses a Heavenly Flame to grill meat."
"Efficiency is important."
Before long, the meat was perfectly roasted—golden brown on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside.
Xiao Feng sprinkled the final seasoning over the sizzling surface.
The aroma became irresistible.
Zi Yan nearly pounced.
"Finally!"
Everyone gathered around the fire.
Under the moonlit sky, with the cave offering shelter and warmth, they enjoyed a peaceful meal together.
Xiao Yi Xian leaned slightly against Xiao Feng as they ate.
"This has been one of the nicest days in a long time."
Xiao Feng nodded.
"Agreed. No enemies, no urgent matters, just good food and good company."
Zi Yan, already chewing on a large piece of roasted meat, mumbled,
"And excellent food."
The Snow Demon Ape let out a satisfied rumble.
For that night, at least, there were no battles to fight, no schemes to unravel, and no dangers pressing upon them.
======
In the blink of an eye, the night passed.
Early the next morning, after a simple breakfast, Xiao Feng and his companions prepared to continue their journey. After several days of exploration, they had decided it was finally time to begin heading toward the outer regions of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Since their earlier travels had taken them deep into unfamiliar territory, Xiao Feng could only estimate the general direction of the mountain range's outer perimeter. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he deliberately chose routes that skirted around the territories of particularly powerful magical beasts. Naturally, this meant taking several detours.
Still, none of them were in a hurry.
Xiao Yi Xian walked calmly beside Xiao Feng, while Zi Yan bounded ahead with her usual boundless energy. The Snow Demon Ape followed behind like a steadfast guardian, its massive frame making the ground tremble slightly with each step.
The forest was peaceful, filled with birdsong and the rustling of leaves.
Then—
"ROAR!"
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
A series of deafening roars suddenly shattered the tranquility.
The sound was so powerful that even the surrounding trees quivered. Birds took flight in panic, and weaker magical beasts fled in all directions.
At the same time, Xiao Feng's Spiritual Realm soul sensed violent fluctuations of Dou Qi rippling through the air like invisible waves.
His expression immediately sharpened.
"That's no ordinary disturbance."
Zi Yan instantly turned toward him, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"What is it? Another fight?"
Xiao Feng nodded slowly.
"It seems two powerful magical beasts are battling. Very powerful."
Even from such a great distance, the intensity of the energy fluctuations was astonishing. This was clearly no battle involving ordinary rank-four or rank-five beasts.
Xiao Yi Xian frowned slightly.
"Should we avoid it?"
Before Xiao Feng could answer, Zi Yan had already stepped closer, practically vibrating with anticipation.
"Can we go look? Please?"
The Snow Demon Ape also let out a low rumble, clearly curious.
Xiao Feng considered for a moment.
The battle was directly ahead of their route. Avoiding it entirely would require a lengthy detour.
More importantly, his instincts told him this situation might present an opportunity.
"When two tigers fight," he said with a faint smile, "the clever hunter waits nearby."
Zi Yan grinned.
"So we're being clever hunters?"
"Exactly. But we'll be careful. If the situation looks dangerous, we leave immediately."
Xiao Yi Xian gave him a knowing look.
"That usually means we're definitely getting involved somehow."
Xiao Feng coughed lightly.
"Possibly."
After restraining their auras, the group cautiously moved toward the source of the disturbance.
About fifteen minutes later, they arrived at a dense forest less than a thousand meters from the battlefield.
Xiao Feng immediately released his Spiritual Realm soul, enveloping the entire group and completely concealing their presence.
Only then did they carefully observe the scene ahead.
The sight before them was breathtaking.
Two enormous magical beasts were locked in a fierce battle.
The first was a colossal bear over ten meters tall, its body covered in dark, rock-like fur. Its muscles bulged like mountains, and each step caused the ground to quake. Its massive paws smashed the earth apart with terrifying force.
"This is the Earthshatter Tyrant Bear King," Xiao Feng said quietly.
Opposite it stood an equally majestic beast—a fiery creature resembling a mythical qilin. Its crimson scales gleamed like molten metal, and two massive scarlet wings extended from its back. Flames danced around its body, and its presence radiated intense heat.
Its eyes burned with intelligence and fury.
"The Twin-Winged Scarlet Kirin King," Zi Yan whispered, instantly recognizing it.
The battle between the two rank-six magical beasts was nothing short of catastrophic.
Mountains cracked.
Trees were uprooted.
Rocks shattered into dust.
Every collision between them sent shockwaves rippling through the forest.
Even from their hidden vantage point, the group could feel the immense pressure.
"What a terrifying fight," Xiao Yi Xian murmured.
The Snow Demon Ape instinctively lowered its body, showing respect toward these two far stronger beasts.
Zi Yan narrowed her eyes.
"This is strange."
Xiao Feng glanced at her.
"What do you mean?"
"The Earthshatter Tyrant Bear King shouldn't normally challenge the Twin-Winged Scarlet Kirin King. The kirin is far stronger."
She pointed toward the battlefield.
"Yet not only did the bear provoke it, but they're fighting almost evenly."
Xiao Feng nodded.
She was absolutely right.
The Earthshatter Tyrant Bear King excelled in strength and defense, but its speed and versatility were relatively limited. Among rank-six magical beasts, it could only be considered above average.
The Twin-Winged Scarlet Kirin King, on the other hand, was among the elite.
It possessed outstanding attack power, formidable defense, and incredible speed.
Under normal circumstances, the bear would never dare challenge it.
Yet here they were.
And the battle was surprisingly balanced.
"That means something is wrong," Xiao Feng said.
He focused his soul perception more carefully on the Scarlet Kirin King.
A moment later, his eyes narrowed.
"I see it."
"What?" Xiao Yi Xian asked.
"Its aura is unstable. It's powerful, but hollow in places. It's clearly weakened."
Zi Yan's eyes widened.
"Injured?"
"Not exactly injured," Xiao Feng said thoughtfully. "More like... drained."
He paused.
Then realization dawned.
"It recently gave birth."
Zi Yan blinked.
"That explains everything!"
Xiao Yi Xian immediately understood as well.
"So it's in a weakened postpartum state."
"Exactly."
That would perfectly explain why the Earthshatter Tyrant Bear King had chosen this moment to attack.
Still, Xiao Feng suspected there was more to the story.
"Something valuable must be here," he said.
Zi Yan's eyes lit up like stars.
"A treasure!"
Xiao Feng sighed, already knowing what would come next.
"You want to investigate."
"Yes!"
She turned to Xiao Yi Xian.
"we could!"
Xiao Yi Xian smiled.
"She's not wrong. If two rank-six magical beasts are fighting over something, it must be extraordinary."
Even the Snow Demon Ape gave an eager grunt.
Xiao Feng chuckled helplessly.
"Fine. But we stay hidden, and no one acts rashly."
Zi Yan saluted dramatically.
"Yes, Commander!"
The group carefully circled around the battlefield, taking a wide detour until they reached the rear of the Scarlet Kirin King's territory.
Before them lay a massive valley.
The moment they approached, a wave of scorching heat rushed toward them. The air shimmered, carrying the distinct scent of magma and subterranean fire.
"This must be the Scarlet Kirin King's lair," Xiao Feng said.
Rather than entering directly, they climbed a nearby hill overlooking the valley.
From there, the entire valley spread out before them.
And almost immediately, Zi Yan froze.
"There's another aura inside!"
She focused on the deepest part of the valley, where a massive cave rested against the cliff wall.
"It feels similar to the Scarlet Kirin King."
Xiao Feng extended his soul perception.
A moment later, he smiled.
"Not another king."
He turned toward the others.
"It's a cub. A newborn Twin-Winged Scarlet Kirin Beast."
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes softened.
"So that's why the mother is fighting so desperately."
"Exactly."
Then, before anyone could say more, Zi Yan suddenly gasped.
"Wait! Over there!"
Her finger pointed toward a small tree growing near the cave entrance.
Three crimson fruits, each about the size of an infant's fist, hung from its branches. They glowed faintly, pulsing with rich life energy.
Xiao Feng's eyes widened.
"The Blood Origin Fruit."
Even he could not hide his excitement.
No wonder the Earthshatter Tyrant Bear King had risked everything.
The Blood Origin Fruit was an extraordinary heavenly treasure capable of purifying and enhancing magical beast bloodlines. In some cases, it could even trigger bloodline evolution.
For magical beasts, such a treasure was priceless.
It could break natural limitations and allow them to reach heights otherwise impossible.
Zi Yan stared at the fruits with fascination.
"So that's why the bear attacked."
Xiao Feng nodded.
"For beasts like them, this treasure is worth risking their lives."
Xiao Yi Xian glanced at him.
"And for us?"
Xiao Feng smiled.
"For us... this may be an opportunity too."
The group remained hidden, watching carefully as the battle between the two rank-six kings continued to rage, while the legendary Blood Origin Fruits gleamed temptingly in the valley below.