Chapter 961: Midnight Intruder

The newcomer was a void refinement realm expert from the Golden Barbarian Bull Clan. Li Qing had encountered this clan in the demon realm of the lower realm, but none he had seen there were as formidable as the Golden Python Bull before him.

The bull's massive frame seemed cast from molten gold, its bloodline likely of unparalleled purity.

"Fellow Daoist," City Lord Lingxu said, stepping forward from the concealed spirit boat and clasping his hands in greeting. "I am the city lord of Profound Ancient City. I have come with my people to request passage through your noble clan's Heavenly Light Guiding Platform to enter the secret realm."

"The Giant Spirit Race has already granted us the tokens and quota for the secret realm. We will not encroach upon wild bull Ridge's allotted quota."

The Golden Python Bull paused, its axe gleaming with divine qi, before speaking. "So, you've come seeking refuge from those feathered pests of the Flying Spirit Clan, haven't you?"

"Hmph, those Flying Spirit Clan scum—always bullying the weak."

"Wait here. I'll report this matter to our clan's ancestors and let them decide."

With that, the Golden Python Bull turned and strode toward the primeval mountain range behind him.

"Thank you for your trouble!" City Lord Lingxu clasped his hands in another bow.

From this vantage point, they could see cave abodes carved into the mountain ridges, all belonging to the bull demons of the wild bull Ridge tribal clan.

The entire wild bull Ridge was vast, with its highest peak soaring toward the heavens, shrouded in thick clouds and mist.

Li Qing and his group waited for a considerable time before the Golden Python Bull finally returned.

"Hahahaha! Consider yourselves lucky! Our ancestor has approved your request."

"You're welcome to settle here. When our clan departs for the Heavenlight Secret Realm, we'll take you to the reception platform."

"And if those feathered pests of the Flying Spirit Clan dare to cause trouble, we'll pluck them bald!"

The group followed the Golden Python Bull into wild bull Ridge. Unlike the royal city of the Giant Spirit Race, this mountain range remained in a primitive, untamed state, with hardly any man-made structures.

The only signs of habitation were cave abodes carved into the mountain peaks by the horns of wild bull. Few bull demons ventured outside, most preferring to dwell in the inner reaches of the ridge or within their cave abodes.

"Alright, these cave abodes are unoccupied. You can all settle here."

"I must make this clear from the start: you are free to roam the outer zone, but you must never set foot in the inner mountain regions without the express permission of the other clan members!"

"If you trespass, don't blame wild bull Ridge for being unreasonable."

The Golden Python Bull thumped its chest and led Li Qing and the others to their lodging.

Though the cave abode was simple, the surrounding spiritual energy was remarkably dense, comparable to the cave abode Li Qing had occupied in Profound Ancient City.

"Many thanks, fellow daoist!" City Lord Lingxu clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Li Qing and the others followed suit, expressing their sincere gratitude.

wild bull Ridge had not sent any high-ranking clan members to greet them; they had only seen this Golden Python Bull from beginning to end. Even this bull quickly departed, leaving them to their own devices.

"Such is the way of outsiders," City Lord Lingxu remarked to Li Qing and the others. "They have little regard for formalities. Besides, we're the ones seeking their help, so this treatment is already quite generous."

"Now, remember to safeguard the Heavenly Light Tokens I gave you on the spirit boat. There are still many matters to attend to in the city, so I won't linger here any longer."

"I'll be waiting for your good news in Profound Ancient City," City Lord Lingxu said earnestly to Li Qing and the others before departing.

"Farewell, City Lord!"

City Lord Lingxu arrived and left swiftly, entrusting Li Qing and his companions to their own devices without reservation.

The group each selected a cave abode and settled in.

Exhausted from their journey, Li Qing had no intention of wandering around. Knowing little about wild bull Ridge, he feared accidentally triggering some taboo and causing trouble.

Instead, he closed his eyes and rested in his cave abode, quietly awaiting the opening of the Heavenlight Secret Realm.

But the tree seeks stillness, yet the wind never ceases. That night, under the bright moonlight, a graceful figure entered Li Qing's cave abode.

The moonlight pierced through Fuya's thin gauze dress, tracing her exquisite curves and stirring the imagination.

Li Qing, with his keen senses, immediately detected the uninvited guest.

Since this was a cave abode on wild bull Ridge, he hadn't set up any restrictions here.

"Fellow Daoist Fu Ya, I don't recall inviting you to my cave abode," Li Qing said, his brow furrowing.

The alluring Fuya moved with graceful steps, her jade-like legs peeking through the sheer fabric of her dress, a sight that stirred the heart.

"Little Brother Li, I'm starting to wonder if you're even a man," Fuya purred, her breath warm against his ear as she leaned close, her demeanor radiating seduction.

Li Qing, whose composure was unshakable, frowned even deeper. His mind remained vigilant, devoid of any romantic thoughts.

"I hardly believe I need to answer such a question, Fellow Daoist," Li Qing replied, his voice icy and devoid of emotion.

Yet Fuya's gaze lingered, her eyes sparkling as she murmured, "Perhaps not, but I want to..."

With that, she reached out a slender, jade-like hand to caress Li Qing's cheek.

But Li Qing moved faster. He seized her wrist with a single, powerful grip, halting her advance.

Feeling the immense force from Li Qing's hand, Fuya chuckled like a fairy, "Giggle, I never expected you to be so strong, Little Brother Li! You've even cultivated body refinement. Now I'm even more intrigued."

She pressed her serpentine waist against Li Qing, her soft, delicate body leaning against his side.

Glurp!

In the darkness, the sound of someone swallowing suddenly echoed.

"Heh heh heh, Little Brother Li, still pretending to be a virtuous gentleman? How annoying!" Fuya chuckled, her initial surprise quickly giving way to bolder advances.

But Li Qing's body stiffened abruptly. "That... wasn't me swallowing," he said.

This was truly becoming a horror story!

Both were Divine Transformation stage cultivators with exceptionally powerful divine souls and absurdly acute senses. How could they have failed to detect a third presence in the cave abode?

Hearing Li Qing's words, Fuya's soft body also froze.

In the next instant, two formidable streams of divine sense swept outward simultaneously, probing every inch of the pitch-black cave abode.

Yet they found nothing. Despite their combined divine sense scans, they detected absolutely nothing.

This left only two possibilities: either they had imagined the sound, and the cave abode was truly empty, or the entity that had swallowed earlier possessed a cultivation realm far surpassing theirs, rendering their divine sense utterly useless.

"Little Brother Li, I'm getting scared," Fuya said, her voice trembling. "Why don't you go outside and see what's going on?"