Chapter 105: Encountering a Giant Beast on the Road

"Haha, that's right! Brother Ye Zihan is the only one who truly understands me. I am so happy, haha!" Upon hearing Ye Zihan's words, Mo You immediately jumped up with joy.

Ye Zihan smiled and tucked the palm-sized Mo You into his robes. To Ye Zihan, Mo You was now his only close companion on the Phantom God Continent. It could be said that Mo You and Ye Zihan were the truest portrait of best friends and brothers.

"Let us cross those hills first. There might be some high-level magical beasts there. What we’ve seen so far are only third or fourth-rank beasts, but more powerful ones are bound to appear," Yan Chen said, gesturing toward the direction where other cultivators were locked in a fierce battle with magical beasts—a rare and intense sight.

Ye Zihan looked in the direction Yan Chen pointed. The beasts they had encountered so far were only of the third or fourth rank, posing no real threat to their safety. However, these creatures were clearly dangerous to the other cultivators, whose cultivation levels were pitifully low.

"Brother Yan Chen, let’s head that way. Once we cross this area, we should have successfully cleared this stage, right?" With that, Ye Zihan began to walk toward the hills. He and his companions had more to consider than just reaching their destination; they also needed to slay some beasts and extract their magic cores for Mo You to consume.

Yan Chen nodded. "Indeed, let’s move out. I believe we will be out of this forest soon." They had not expected the forest to be like a maze; the moment they stepped inside, they found that the terrain and scenery were identical, leaving them feeling disoriented.

Even the battle-hardened Chen Yiyan began to grow restless.

Slowly, however, Ye Zihan and his group managed to carve a path for themselves. The other cultivators were not so fortunate; most could not find their way out and had to choose to withdraw, at which point the powerful guardians of Nameless City would appear to rescue them.

"ROAR!" Suddenly, the hills ahead began to tremble. A massive beast had emerged, far more powerful than any they had faced before.

Ye Zihan and his group were startled; they hadn't expected a single roar to shake the very ground beneath their feet. This was truly a gargantuan creature.

"A Mountain-Suppressing Bull?" Yan Chen exclaimed. It was an ancient beast. While not as formidable as Mo You’s Thousand-Nether Blood Illusion Dragon lineage, the Mountain-Suppressing Bull was a powerful race that Ye Zihan and his companions could not possibly hope to defeat.

"ROAR!" The massive bull spotted the intruders and charged toward them. Fortunately, they were prepared and dodged just in time, avoiding catastrophe.

Ye Zihan watched as the beast stepped out of its lair, preparing to engage them. It was a perilous challenge.

"A sixth-rank ancient beast? Isn't this a bit too terrifying?" Yan Chen stared at the monster in awe, as it was the most powerful creature he had ever encountered.

"A sixth-rank Mountain-Suppressing Bull?" Ye Zihan looked on in disbelief. Given their current strength—with himself at the Star Boundary and the others only at the Five Elements Boundary—they had no chance of victory.

The primary strength of a Mountain-Suppressing Bull lay in its sheer size; its lethality came from brute force, making it far superior to its kin.

"Brother Yan Chen, Brother Ye Zihan, there is no need to worry. I, Chen Yiyan, have the confidence to take it down!" Despite his bravado, Chen Yiyan felt a chill; he knew this beast was beyond the capabilities of an average expert.

Yan Chen smiled. "Haha, we have nothing to fear, but we must treat this creature with caution. It is an ancient beast, and for humans like us, it is a formidable trial."

Even an expert at the Star Boundary could not easily contend with such a beast—that was the true measure of its power.

"Let’s leave it be for now. As long as it doesn't hinder our progress, we shall pass," Ye Zihan said, taking the lead. He had no desire to fight such a creature; if he could befriend it, it would be a powerful ally for the future.

"Yes, if we don't provoke it, surely it won't trouble us?" Yan Chen wondered aloud.

Chen Yiyan brandished his axe, laughing. "This is exactly the kind of beast I’ve been looking for! Let me face him. I, Chen Yiyan, will not bow to his intimidation!"

Ye Zihan observed the beast. It seemed content to block their path rather than attack. He felt a hint of respect for the bull; it was far more rational than the other beasts they had encountered. Even though he had the potential to kill it, he was reluctant to do so. A sixth-rank beast was a rare find; taming it would be a far better strategy.

They moved forward cautiously, choosing a narrow path to avoid a direct confrontation.

"You little brats, do you take me for a blind fool? Or an idiot? Fine, very well. I suppose I really am getting old," a voice boomed. It was the Mountain-Suppressing Bull, its tone lacking the harshness of a typical beast, carrying instead a note of weary benevolence.

"Are you the senior guardian of these mountains? A pleasure to meet you. May we trouble you to let us pass?" Yan Chen asked politely.

"Haha, you caught on, did you? You are teachable," the bull replied, sounding pleased.

If it were an ordinary sixth-rank beast, Ye Zihan might have considered fighting it, but this creature was different.

"We shall pass for now, and we will surely repay your kindness in the future, Senior," Yan Chen said, moving forward. He was eager to escape the labyrinthine forest.

"Are you not going to leave your weapons behind? How can I see your sincerity? If I confiscate your weapons, I’ll have a grand story to brag about later, haha!" The beast seemed to prefer vanity over combat—a cunning ploy.

"Senior, you are quite the joker. However, our weapons are our lives. I cannot surrender them. Please, withdraw your request," Ye Zihan said, bowing respectfully.

"Oh? Is that so? My mistake. But you really should put them down," the bull persisted.

"Damn it! What kind of 'Senior' are you, daring to demand my brother's weapons? Do you have a death wish?" Mo You finally snapped, annoyed that this old beast was disturbing his sleep.

"You... you are of the Thousand-Nether Blood Illusion Dragon lineage? And a top-tier one at that? This is unbelievable!" The bull was stunned to see such a legendary creature.

"What of it? We are passing through. If you dare to block us, I’ll be the first to finish you," Mo You declared, his voice maturing through the hardships he had shared with Ye Zihan.

"Go ahead, then. I never thought I’d encounter such a noble dragon. What a joyous occasion!" The bull laughed, deciding not to interfere. With a creature like Mo You present, resistance was futile.

"What? Are you joking? Can we really leave the forest?" Yan Chen pinched his own cheek, unable to believe that this was truly happening.