131: Chapter 131 Northern Sea Monster

Qin Changsheng did not head directly to Beihai Prefecture; instead, he went to a market to purchase a set of low-grade defensive Formations and some mundane supplies before setting off toward Beihai Prefecture.

Just as he stepped out of the Heavenly Sword Sect's mountain gate, Qin Changsheng leaped up and stepped onto his sword.

With a flash of green light, the longsword carried his figure straight into the clouds, piercing through the sky as he sped toward the direction of Beihai Prefecture.

His sword-riding technique was practiced to perfection. The longsword flew as fast as lightning, and the mountains, rivers, and dense forests along the way blurred past like a revolving lantern. Only the whistling wind and the light hum of the sword slicing through the air remained in his ears.

In just over two hours, Qin Changsheng arrived outside Beihai Prefecture.

He withdrew his sword and landed, his feet planting firmly outside the city gates of Beihai Prefecture. Looking at the gates that were both familiar and slightly strange, a sense of nostalgia welled up in his heart.

A few years ago, his Incarnation Hu Nan had also visited Beihai Prefecture once.

Back then, his Incarnation had slept in the wild, dodged Yao Beasts, and trekked through hardships, taking nearly two full months to barely reach this place.

Now, it had only taken him two hours to arrive with ease. The difference between the two was like the distance between clouds and mud.

Restraining his thoughts, Qin Changsheng reached into his Storage Pouch and took out the wooden mission token.

This kind of Heavenly Sword Sect mission token could only be activated once one reached the specific mission location.

Qin Changsheng applied a slight pressure, injecting a thread of spiritual energy. The token instantly lit up with a faint glimmer, and the detailed information of the mission slowly emerged, appearing clearly before his eyes.

However, the moment he saw the mission details, the calm on Qin Changsheng's face vanished. His expression shifted slightly, and a clear look of astonishment and gravity flashed in his eyes.

According to the mission token, what he needed to investigate and eliminate this time was a Qi Refining Level 3 Yao Beast terrorizing Beihai Prefecture. The place where this Yao Beast appeared and rampaged was none other than the Western Suburbs of Beihai Prefecture!

Seeing the words 'Western Suburbs of Beihai Prefecture,' Qin Changsheng's heart skipped a beat.

Because Qin Changsheng's home was in the Western Suburbs.

Qin Changsheng had even visited there once a few years ago.

He never expected that the mission he had specifically chosen to Beihai Prefecture—originally intended to secretly place the rebirth stone—would turn out to be located in his own hometown.

That Qi Refining Level 3 Yao Beast's cultivation was low and not worth mentioning to his current self, but if it injured his neighbors in the Western Suburbs or destroyed his home, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Qin Changsheng quickly composed himself and headed toward the Western Suburbs.

Before long, the core area of the Western Suburbs came into view, and the sight before him made Qin Changsheng's expression darken.

Dozens of commoners were stumbling and fleeing into the distance. Cries, shouts, and footsteps were intertwined in a chaotic mess.

When someone slipped and fell, they were immediately helped up by those fleeing behind them. No one dared to linger for a second, as if a flood or a savage beast were chasing them.

Qin Changsheng looked up, his gaze piercing through the fleeing crowd, and instantly spotted the source of the chaos.

In a nearby clearing, a massive wild boar was charging about. Its body was covered in dark, hard bristles, and its tusks were bared.

This wild boar was several times larger than an ordinary domestic pig, with thick, powerful limbs. With every charge, it could snap nearby trees and collapse earthen walls. The ground vibrated slightly under its weight, leaving deep hoofprints behind.

It chased the fleeing commoners, and several had already been killed by the beast.

"Help!"

"There's a Yao Beast!"

"Waaaah..."

Watching the commoners scatter in fear, Qin Changsheng's eyes turned cold.

"Vile beast, how dare you act so insolently!" Qin Changsheng lightly waved his hand. Spiritual energy surged around him as a thread of pure fire-element spiritual energy condensed in his palm, transforming into a massive fireball in an instant.

The fireball was wreathed in raging flames, emitting a scorching heat. With the sound of whistling wind, it flew straight toward the head of the wild boar Yao Beast.

His strike was clean and decisive, without the slightest hesitation. With just a thread of spiritual energy, he condensed a force sufficient to crush a Qi Refining Level 3 Yao Beast.

The wild boar Yao Beast was immersed in its rampage and didn't notice the impending danger at all, continuing its reckless charge.

In the blink of an eye, the massive fireball arrived. With a loud 'boom,' it struck the wild boar's head with precision. Flames instantly spread across its entire body, scorching its dark bristles and skin with a 'sizzle' accompanied by the beast's shrill screams.

The screams lasted only a moment before fading away completely.

Under the strike of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, that Qi Refining Level 3 wild boar Yao Beast had no power to resist. Its massive body was gradually consumed by the flames, turning into a pile of black ash in an instant that scattered with the wind, leaving only a pungent burnt smell lingering in the air.

The chaotic flight stopped instantly. All the commoners came to a halt and slowly turned around. They looked at the dissipating flames and then at the calm Qin Changsheng standing nearby. The terror on their faces gradually faded, replaced by unbelievable shock and endless gratitude.

They never expected that the Yao Beast which had driven them to despair and left them helpless would be completely slain by this young Cultivator with a casual strike.

After a moment of silence, the commoners fell to their knees one after another, kowtowing repeatedly to Qin Changsheng. Their voices were choked with emotion, yet filled with immense respect.

"Thank you, Immortal Master! Thank you for saving our lives!"

"Immortal Master, thank you for your mercy!"

They kowtowed and wept, their faces full of the relief of surviving a disaster and reverence for Qin Changsheng.

Looking at the commoners kowtowing before him, Qin Changsheng felt no pride, only believing it was his duty.

He gently raised his hand and waved it, his voice gentle yet carrying a power that brooked no refusal: "Fellow villagers, there is no need for such ceremony. Please rise. Slaying Yao Beasts and protecting the land is my duty. Leave this place quickly and find a safe area to take shelter; do not linger here any longer."

Hearing this, the commoners stood up and bowed deeply to Qin Changsheng once more. After expressing their boundless gratitude, they hurriedly walked away, though this time their steps were no longer panicked. They whispered among themselves as they went.

From time to time, they would still look back at Qin Changsheng.

As the commoners gradually moved further away, a figure stepped out from the remaining crowd.

It was a middle-aged man dressed in fine silk. He carried a blade on his back. Although there was no spiritual energy fluctuation around him, he possessed a steady and composed aura, clearly showing he was no ordinary commoner.

He walked quickly to Qin Changsheng, cupped his hands in a respectful salute, and asked modestly, "Immortal Master, please wait. If I may be so bold as to ask, could it be that you have come to the Western Suburbs to find someone?"

Qin Changsheng looked up at him and asked, "Who are you?"

He could see that this man was no ordinary commoner; his bearing was extraordinary, and since he approached alone after the crowd had dispersed, he certainly had a background.

Hearing this, the man in silk hurriedly bowed again and said, "In response to the Immortal Master, this humble one is Lin Xiao from the Jingfeng Escort Agency in Beihai Prefecture, currently serving as the Head Escort."

"Having heard that a Yao Beast was rampaging in the Western Suburbs and harming the people, I personally brought men here. I originally intended to find a way to lure this wild boar Yao Beast away, but I did not expect the Immortal Master to have already acted and eliminated the pest for the people. This humble one is deeply impressed."

As Lin Xiao spoke, his gaze drifted to the pile of ash that was once the wild boar Yao Beast, his face full of admiration.

He had grown up in Beihai Prefecture and had led the Jingfeng Escort Agency for many years. Although he had learned some martial arts, he had no effective way to deal with Yao Beasts.

Usually, they could only lure such beasts into uninhabited valleys.

He hadn't expected Qin Changsheng to slay the beast with a single Fireball Technique.

After a pause, Lin Xiao added, "Immortal Master, this Junior noticed just now that after you arrived in the Western Suburbs, besides slaying the beast, you have been looking around with a searching expression. Thus, I took the liberty to guess that you might be looking for someone."

He was meticulous. While the commoners were fleeing and the Yao Beast was rampaging, he had quietly observed Qin Changsheng's actions and realized he hadn't come solely to kill the beast.

Qin Changsheng nodded slightly, not denying it: "Correct. My visit to the Western Suburbs is indeed to find someone."

Seeing Qin Changsheng admit it, a flash of understanding appeared in Lin Xiao's eyes, and he hurriedly said, "Immortal Master, please rest assured! This humble one has operated the Jingfeng Escort Agency in Beihai Prefecture for many years and has a wide network of contacts. I have influence throughout the prefecture. Whether it be the city streets or the suburban villages, as long as the Immortal Master can provide the name and appearance of the person you seek, this humble one will surely assist with all my might and send men everywhere to find them for you!"

His proactive offer of help was partly out of gratitude for Qin Changsheng slaying the Yao Beast and saving the people, and partly to take the opportunity to befriend a Cultivator like him.

Although the Jingfeng Escort Agency had status in Beihai Prefecture, it was nothing in the Great Wei Empire. If he could establish a connection with Qin Changsheng, it would provide an extra layer of security for the agency's future operations.