Chapter 151: I Grew Up Here
"It’s Father!"
Qiao Ang and Qiao Qiao anxiously jumped off Jin Ling and rushed over.
Feiyan’s body was wreathed in black energy, and he was completely unconscious.
Qiao Qiao grabbed Feiyan’s hand and used her special ability to heal him.
Jin Ling also walked forward. He gathered the energy of his beast soul in his palm and dispersed the black mist surrounding Feiyan.
The black mist dissipated, and Feiyan slowly awoke. Two worried little faces came into view, reflected in his light brown pupils.
"Qiaoqiao, Qiao Ang, what are you two doing here?" Feiyan sat up abruptly.
"Father, are you okay?"
Feiyan got to his feet and shook his head. "I’m fine, don’t worry."
Only after seeing that he was truly unharmed did Qiao Xixi ask, "What happened?"
Feiyan frowned, recalling what had happened. After Sunxiao lost control, he had attacked Feiyan. While dodging, he’d been thrown onto the bank by Sunxiao and knocked unconscious.
"He’s likely crossed the Black Water River and headed for the mine."
Qiao Xixi’s expression darkened as she gazed at the Black Water River, which stretched out so far it seemed endless.
"It’s too dangerous here. You all should leave immediately. Leave Sunxiao to me."
Qiao Xixi shook her head. "We’ll go together. I have to take Qiao Lie to find the Saint Crystal."
When Feiyan learned she had a mission to complete, he could only agree.
"There are Dark Essence Stones in the Black Water River that suppress the power of beast souls. Swimming across won’t be easy."
Feiyan had experienced the Black Water River’s effects firsthand. The moment he’d entered the water, he had clearly felt his beast soul’s power being suppressed, forcing him to rely on brute strength. That was why he hadn’t been able to dodge Sunxiao’s attack quickly enough.
"I have a way to get across without going into the water."
The moment Jin Ling heard Qiao Xixi say this, he understood.
Sure enough, he turned to see Qiao Xixi burying a Long-tongued Vine seed at the base of a towering tree.
"Little Viney, it’s all up to you."
The Long-tongued Vine’s sprout gave a proud little shake, then began to grow wildly. In the blink of an eye, it had covered the entire tree and started to spread out over the Black Water River.
It was Feiyan’s first time witnessing the power of the Long-tongued Vine. The fox was completely stunned.
"What is this thing?"
"It’s from the system."
They stood on the bank and waited for a while before a green sprout slowly extended from the tree and tapped Qiao Xixi.
"Have you taken root on the other side?"
The sprout swayed in the wind, and Qiao Xixi understood.
"We can go now."
Jin Ling picked up Qiao Lie, Feiyan held Qiao Ang and Qiao Qiao, and Qiao Xixi picked up Sangqi before jumping onto the Long-tongued Vine bridge.
"Be careful as you get close. Black tentacles will emerge from the water."
The moment Feiyan’s voice fell, countless black tentacles shot out of the water and lunged at them.
Qiao Xixi took out some Bubble Fruits and threw them at the tentacles.
After a series of BOOMS, the tentacles quickly retracted back into the water.
But they soon shot out again. The group sped up, tossing Bubble Fruits into the water as they went. They finally reached the other side just as they were about to run out of fruits.
"Is everyone alright?"
The cubs all shook their heads.
"Host, the mine is just past the sinkhole ahead."
"Okay."
After confirming that no one was injured, they continued onward.
"Mother, up ahead... it’s very dangerous." They hadn’t gone far when Sangqi nervously grabbed Qiao Xixi’s hand and spoke. "There are a lot of demonic beasts and Mutant Beasts there."
"Are you saying the sinkhole ahead is a gathering place for demonic beasts and Mutant Beasts?"
Sangqi nodded.
Qiao Xixi gently stroked Sangqi’s head. "Sangqi, how do you know this place so well?"
Sangqi’s dark eyes dimmed. "I grew up here."
Qiao Xixi was startled. After a moment of shock, her heart ached for him. ’How did a little cub like him survive in a place so full of danger?’
Just as she was about to say something, she felt an unusual disturbance in the air.
Feiyan and Jin Ling scanned their surroundings warily. Their muscles tensed and they adopted an attack stance, subtly forming a protective circle around Qiao Xixi and the cubs.
In the gloom, pairs of fluorescent green eyes flickered in and out of sight. A foul, musky stench hung in the air.
A mutant tiger beast emerged slowly from the woods, a low growl rumbling in its throat.
Its green eyes were fixed on Qiao Xixi’s group. Behind it, countless Mutant Beasts emerged, gradually encircling them.
Qiao Lie and Qiao Ang stood on either side of Qiao Xixi, ready to attack at any moment.
Qiao Xixi took out a leather strap to secure Sangqi to her back, using her other hand to shield Qiao Qiao.
A battle was imminent.
The leading mutant tiger beast let out a great roar and charged.
Jin Ling saw that it was the leader and leaped forward to intercept it.
Seeing this, the other Mutant Beasts all rushed forward.
Feiyan also charged forward to meet them.
Qiao Xixi pulled more Bubble Fruits from her storage space and frantically threw them at the Mutant Beasts.
Qiao Qiao stood behind Qiao Xixi, holding the Dull Liquid. She sprayed any Mutant Beast that tried to approach her mother from behind.
On the outskirts of the chaotic battle, a pack of demonic beasts, drawn by the sounds, was approaching.
"Dinner has served itself up. How can we let those useless Mutant Beasts take it?"
"What’s the rush? Let’s wait until the Mutant Beasts have worn them down, then we’ll move in."
"Damn, they’ve broken through! Don’t let the prey escape! Go!"
At the command, the demonic beasts hiding in the shadows swarmed forward.
Jin Ling sent the mutant tiger beast flying with a swipe of his paw, then turned back to Qiao Xixi. "Xixi, go!"
Qiao Xixi threw the last Bubble Fruit in her hand, then leaped onto Jin Ling’s back while holding Qiao Qiao.
Feiyan glanced back at them quickly. "You go first! I’ll cover the rear."
"Qiao Ang, Qiao Lie, keep up!"
Qiao Ang spewed a jet of flame from his mouth, repelling the charging Mutant Beasts, then turned and ran toward the sinkhole.
Qiao Lie followed right behind him.
When the Mutant Beasts tried to give chase, Feiyan blocked their path.
"Your opponent is me."
Feiyan roared and spat a ball of fire, forcing the Mutant Beasts to retreat again and again.
But just as he turned to catch up with Qiao Xixi and the others, the demonic beasts hiding in the shadows suddenly rushed out, blocking his way.
"Snow fox meat is the most delicious! Kill him!"
"You think you’re worthy?!"
Feiyan opened his mouth and spewed fire, forcing them back.
Qiao Ang looked back and saw Feiyan surrounded. He stopped abruptly and turned to run back.
"Qiao Ang, come back!" Qiao Xixi shouted anxiously when she saw him running back.
Seeing this, Qiao Lie also wanted to charge back. Qiao Xixi didn’t have time to think and jumped off Jin Ling.
"Xixi, don’t!" Jin Ling quickly blocked her. "I’ll go!"
With that, he turned and charged back.
"Father! Brother! Father Jin Ling!"
Qiao Xixi watched the growing number of Mutant Beasts and demonic beasts, her heart rising to her throat. There were too few of them. They would be worn down and killed by attrition.
"Host, run down the small path behind you! There’s a mountain ravine ahead that the demonic beasts and Mutant Beasts can’t enter."
"Got it!"
Qiao Xixi shouted to Jin Ling and the others, "Jin Ling, use the Bubble Fruits! Don’t get bogged down in the fight! Go now!"