Chapter 505 - 497: Journey to Holy Beast Mountain

Chapter 505: Chapter 497: Journey to Holy Beast Mountain

Mo Qing, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened. She watched Mu Chen with a pained expression but didn’t say anything, as if waiting for his explanation.

"Alright! Let me explain!"

Suddenly, an incredibly tyrannical aura swept over everyone present. The world... fell silent. And the person emitting this tyrannical aura was none other than the senior sister who had just been dressed so cutely, Chu Aoqing...

However, when Mu Chen invited everyone inside to talk, Shi Mu Hua, Guo Zijie, Jilal, Alice, and Zhan Peng all declined with a wave of their hands. Although they knew Mu Chen, they weren’t close enough to listen to the story of what happened between him and Chu Aoqing over the past three days. Most importantly, they also felt that there was something going on between Chu Aoqing and Mu Chen.

A dozen or so minutes later, the group finally learned from Mu Chen and Chu Aoqing everything that had happened in the Inner Mountain since they had fallen unconscious three days ago. Of course, both Mu Chen and Chu Aoqing kept the battle with Shan Tianyu a secret.

Long Xiaotian slammed his fist on the table with a loud BANG and growled, "Brom! Good thing that bastard’s dead! Otherwise, I’d have definitely taken his damn life!"

Hearing this, Ye Shuangshuang sneered, "You? Stop bragging. Even Brother Mu Chen was no match for Brom. The man was a Peak of Seven-Ring Martial Emperor, after all. What would you have used to take his damn life?"

Long Xiaotian rolled his eyes. "Couldn’t I have just asked Senior Sister Chu for the right to the final blow before she killed him? Stupid."

"But speaking of which, it’s a good thing Senior Sister Chu was there. Otherwise, Brother Mu Chen’s fate these past three days would have been grim."

Ye Shuangshuang completely ignored Long Xiaotian’s words. She looked at Chu Aoqing with gratitude in her eyes and asked, a little puzzled, "I’m just very surprised. Why would Senior Sister Chu condescend to be Brother Mu Chen’s personal bodyguard?"

In response, Chu Aoqing didn’t remain silent as she usually would. Instead, she very naturally gave an answer that only she and Mu Chen could understand: "To witness a miracle."

"Witness a miracle?"

After a collective gasp, everyone was thoroughly confused. The answer was as good as no answer at all.

"Oh, right. Based on when you woke up, the trip to Holy Beast Mountain should be starting soon," Chu Aoqing said, looking around at the group as if she’d just remembered something.

"Holy Beast Mountain, is that the place where we choose a Contracted Magical Beast?" Little Tiger, who hadn’t spoken until now, asked with some excitement.

Chu Aoqing hummed in agreement. "But I have to correct your wording. The Magical Beasts of Holy Beast Mountain can’t be called ’Contracted Magical Beasts’ because they are not your slaves or servants. Furthermore, in the contracting process, they choose you, not the other way around. The type of Contract formed also depends on the Magical Beast’s own will. Some will form an Equal Contract, some a Freedom Contract, some a Crisis Contract, and some will even form a Life and Death Contract. The choice among these various contracts all depends on your own destiny and the spiritual compatibility you have with the Magical Beast."

"As your Senior Sister, I can give you a few tips. When a Magical Beast tries to approach you, don’t be defensive at all. The Magical Beasts of Holy Beast Mountain never harm people. If they don’t like you, they absolutely will not approach you. If they do approach you, it means they want to interact and get to know you better. If you show any signs of wariness at that moment, you will likely lose a great opportunity."

"Second, before a Magical Beast is willing to form a Contract with you, don’t get restless. More importantly, don’t unconsciously release any negative emotions. The Magical Beasts on Holy Beast Mountain are exceptionally sensitive. If they sense it, even a Magical Beast that was considering a Contract with you will end up distancing itself."

"As for the third point!" Chu Aoqing’s expression suddenly turned grave. That formless pressure appeared once again, shaking everyone to their core and forcing them to focus with all their might.

"The greatest taboo of Holy Beast Mountain! Never attempt to forcibly sign a Contract with any powerful Magical Beast Cubs you see! Remember! Do not even try! The bloody lessons from countless past generations tell us that once you violate this rule, the final result is death on Holy Beast Mountain... with not even your bones remaining!"

GULP...

Accompanied by Chu Aoqing’s tone and the aura she exuded, everyone, including Mu Chen, deeply engraved her words into their minds. They could completely understand what she was saying. They already knew a little about Holy Beast Mountain and had heard that there were Holy Beast cubs among its inhabitants. These were Holy Beast cubs! Once grown, their future potential would be limitless!

Human desire is also exceptionally extreme. It’s like having a Supreme Divine Weapon placed right in front of you—who wouldn’t be tempted? As long as you are tempted, as long as you act on impulse, the consequence will naturally be doing something reckless. It’s impossible that Holy Tomb Mountain wouldn’t have countermeasures for this.

"From your expressions, I can see that while you understand the consequence and the reason, you’ve mistaken who carries out the punishment." Seeing the shifting looks on their faces, Chu Aoqing’s lips curved into a slight smile. "Are you thinking that if you did this, the ones who would leave not even your bones behind are the Elders or Guardians of Holy Tomb Mountain?"

Ye Shuangshuang, Little Tiger, Long Xiaotian, and even Mo Qing subconsciously nodded. Mu Chen frowned. "Isn’t it?"

Chu Aoqing shook her head. "Of course not. Holy Beast Mountain is a special Independent Space created after a negotiation between the Inner Mountain Elders and the Holy Beasts. Aside from the ’blessing’ that occurs once every five years, it is rarely opened to humans."

"Rarely opened to humans?" Mu Chen’s pupils shrank at her words as realization dawned on him. "You’re saying... it’s the Magical Beasts!"

Chu Aoqing didn’t answer. She just leaned back against the long chair, lazily propping up her cheek, and revealed a faint, killer smile.

"But, Senior Sister, how did you know we were about to go to Holy Beast Mountain?" Ye Shuangshuang asked curiously.

"Because it’s a tradition for every generation in the Inner Mountain. If you hadn’t been unconscious, you would have been sent in on the very first day," Chu Aoqing said.

"So, you’re saying you’ve been to Holy Beast Mountain before too, Senior Sister? In that case, what’s your Magical Beast partner? It seems like after entering the Inner Mountain, I haven’t seen anyone summon their Magical Beast partner," Mu Chen asked curiously after a moment of thought.

"I can answer that for you. Most of the Magical Beasts contracted on Holy Beast Mountain have a strong sense of autonomy. Aside from helping you out when you’re on a mission, they will absolutely not come out to hang around unless your life is threatened."

"Then when Brom was on the verge of death, why didn’t his Magical Beast partner come out to save him?"

Chu Aoqing shot Mu Chen a look and said bluntly, "He didn’t have a Magical Beast partner."

"Ah? Oh..." Mu Chen was speechless. ’So entering Holy Beast Mountain isn’t a 100% guarantee of gaining a Magical Beast’s approval. Then again, with Brom’s insidious and arrogant personality, it’d be a miracle if any Magical Beast was willing to get near him.’

"As for my Magical Beast partner, you want to see it?" Chu Aoqing glanced playfully at Mu Chen, but she suddenly realized her expression was a bit too intimate and quickly reverted to her usual lazy and indifferent demeanor.

"I wouldn’t mind a look."

’To be honest, I’m really curious what kind of Magical Beast Chu Aoqing has a Contract with. With her queenly, big-sister-like personality, there’s no way her contracted beast is the cute type.’

"Alright then. But you’ll be responsible for the consequences." With a light laugh and giving Mu Chen no chance to object, Chu Aoqing abruptly raised her right hand and spread her fingers. A cluster of blue flames flashed in her crimson pupils as a bell-like voice softly uttered a low command, "Black Cat, come out!"

DING!

A light, ethereal chime radiated out from Chu Aoqing. Immediately after, a speck of light appeared in the palm of her hand. The moment this speck of light materialized, it instantly transformed into a massive Summoning Array Map. The Array Map flickered with strange, black Runes. With a SWOOSH and a ripple in space, a huge mass of black, misty shadow leaped out from it. Though it was just a misty shadow, it already took up a third of the entire hall.

"Hoh? Little Qing’er~ The sun must be rising in the west today~ You’re actually letting me out~"

Without any warning, the huge black mist spoke in a human tongue. Its voice was ethereal and carried a Barbaric Aura, with every syllable echoing.

"What... is that..."

Long Xiaotian’s pupils contracted violently. Faintly, he could feel a sharp gaze and a dangerous aura coming from within that strange mass of mist.

"Eh? Heheh~ You really are the best to me, Little Qing’er~ I’ve been cooped up inside for three years, and you knew I hadn’t had a good meal, so you deliberately left me a few tender and delicious appetizers~~"

The moment its voice fell, the mass of mist suddenly shot forward, the misty shadow leaving a long, narrow trail behind it. In the blink of an eye, it transformed from a cloud of mist into a colossal black lion that seemed illusory and ethereal. It had wicked, Abnormal Pupils! A terrifying black shroud enveloped its entire body.

"An Ancient Fierce Beast... the Black Shadow Demon Lion!"

His expression tightened, a vein throbbing on his forehead. He had made a million guesses, but he never, ever expected that Chu Aoqing’s Magical Beast partner would be *this* kind of creature!!

"Hoh? To think someone actually recognizes me... Tsk tsk, how surprising... Let me get a good look at what kind of fellow you are..."

As it spoke, the Shadow Demon Lion tilted its head, narrowed its eyes, and bounded over to Mu Chen in a few steps. It sniffed lightly, then its brow furrowed in confusion. "How strange. This kid actually has Little Qing’er’s scent on him... Am I imagining things? And it’s unusually strong, too... This, my oh my~ I seem to have discovered something extraordinary. Don’t you think so, Little Qing—eh?"

SWOOSH!

Before it could finish its sentence, a flustered Chu Aoqing opened the Summoning Array Map and immediately sucked the Shadow Demon Lion back into the Magic Beast Space... Only after the Shadow Demon Lion had completely vanished inside the Array Map did Chu Aoqing let out a long sigh of relief.

Blushing slightly, Chu Aoqing said, "That’s my Magical Beast partner. Although it looks very similar, it’s not the Ancient Fierce Beast you mentioned. At least, it’s still far from reaching that level. I have something to do, so I’m heading up first. You all can take some time to digest what I just said."

With that, to hide her panic and confusion, Chu Aoqing turned and headed straight for the stairs, leaving behind only her perfect back and the few people who were frozen in place.

"That Magical Beast just now... what was it saying? That Mu Chen has some kind of scent on him?" Long Xiaotian rubbed his tense face, trying desperately to recall.

"That’s not important. But there is one thing I need to say." Mu Chen cleared his throat twice and changed the subject. "Later, if we really are about to enter Holy Beast Mountain as Senior Sister said, you must pass on her words to everyone else."

"Got it."

Little Tiger, Ye Shuangshuang, Mo Qing, and Long Xiaotian all nodded in unison. And just at that moment, a vast spatial fluctuation appeared outside Mu Chen’s dormitory... The trip to Holy Beast Mountain was here!