9: Li Zun, the State Guardian
“There’s a lingering scent of blood in the air. Someone was fighting here recently.”
After hearing what his Gale Hound conveyed, the thin man spoke to Scarface.
“Could it be that guy?”
“This is Zhaoyao Mountain. The weakest exotic beasts here are around Soldier-level six or seven.”
“That kid just contracted a beast. How could he be a match for those exotic beasts?”
“No!” Scarface immediately interjected after hearing their discussion, “That kid must have an exotic treasure given by Li Zun on him.”
“Defeating an exotic beast might not be a problem.”
“But he definitely went through a fight.”
“Skinny Monkey, have your Gale Hound search the surrounding area. That kid can’t have run far!”
“I want to see just how far this kid can run!”
Skinny Monkey nodded in response and immediately called his Gale Hound to begin searching the surrounding area.
Scarface then said to the remaining four, “You guys also look around, to prevent that kid from hiding again.”
“Also, split two people off to guard the only path out of Zhaoyao Mountain.”
“Yes!” The other four nodded and began summoning their contracted beasts to search.
After all, this was Zhaoyao Mountain’s territory, not comparable to the exotic beasts outside Zhaoyao Mountain.
Meanwhile, outside the Nanshan Secret Realm.
A Phoenix-Tailed Wyvern descended from the sky. The soldiers garrisoned outside the Secret Realm immediately became extremely alert.
Before the soldiers could step forward, a man suddenly walked over.
He was a middle-aged man dressed in cultivation robes, looking no older than forty.
“Garrison Commander!” Upon seeing this man appear, the soldiers immediately shouted at the middle-aged man.
Within every Secret Realm, there would be a Garrison Commander responsible for the security of that area.
After all, Secret Realms were not 100% safe.
Sometimes, exotic beasts would gather within a Secret Realm, and if their numbers were too great, they would charge the Secret Realm exit.
Once it could not be held, it meant the Secret Realm had fallen and would be invaded by exotic beasts.
The Garrison Commander in charge of the Nanshan Secret Realm nodded to the soldiers, then respectfully cupped his hands to Li Zun and said, “It’s truly an unexpected honor to have the Guardian of the Nation grace us with his presence.”
“May I ask what brings the Guardian of the Nation here?”
If the Garrison Commander was to guard a Secret Realm and protect its peace.
Then the Guardian of the Nation was to guard a nation and protect its safety.
It could be said that the Guardian of the Nation was the nominal superior of all Garrison Commanders.
Therefore, facing a visit from his superior, the Garrison Commander of the Nanshan Secret Realm was naturally very respectful.
He was very strong, that was true.
In Jianghai City, a relatively decent small place, it was not an exaggeration to say he held absolute power.
But in front of the Guardian of the Nation, he seemed a bit insignificant.
What’s more, the Guardian of the Nation before him was one of the strongest individuals on the entire Blue Star.
“Did my son go in?”
Son?
It was previously rumored that the Guardian of the Nation had retired for many years, opened a Li Corporation, and did not participate in any major affairs.
Many people speculated whether the Guardian of the Nation had encountered some problem.
But now, they realized that the Guardian of the Nation had retired because he had a son.
However, even after so many years, the Guardian of the Nation still held that title, and no one ever doubted his strength.
This was enough to show how strong the Guardian of the Nation was.
Now that he knew this secret, he wondered if he would survive until tomorrow if he leaked it.
“May I ask who your Young Master is…” As the son of the Guardian of the Nation, this was no small matter.
Moreover, nine times out of ten, the Guardian of the Nation’s son was an only child.
If something happened, it would be terrible.
Don’t look down on the Nanshan Secret Realm just because it was a Yellow-level Secret Realm; many people died within the Secret Realm every year.
“His name is Li Yao.”
Upon hearing this, the Garrison Commander immediately called a soldier to retrieve Li Yao’s information.
Because everyone entering had to register, Li Yao’s information was quickly retrieved.
After confirming Li Yao’s entry, drones were dispatched to search for Li Yao’s whereabouts.
“The Guardian of the Nation can wait for a moment; we will have news of him soon.”
As the Guardian of the Nation, he also had to follow the rules.
It was impossible for him to casually break the rules just because he was the Guardian of the Nation.
Li Zun nodded in response and began to fantasize about how he would discipline that brat, Li Yao, once he caught him.
At this moment, within the Nanshan Secret Realm, in Zhaoyao Mountain.
Li Yao and the Golden Armor Fire Ape were moving around the outskirts of Zhaoyao Mountain.
Besides avoiding the pursuit of those few individuals, he also planned to find isolated exotic beasts, kill them to gain experience, and also farm for keys.
Not long after, the Golden Armor Fire Ape next to him showed another anomaly.
“Found an exotic beast?”
Roar! Roar!!
The Golden Armor Fire Ape nodded, clearly having found an exotic beast, and was already eager to challenge it to a one-on-one fight.
Li Yao hadn’t expected the Golden Armor Fire Ape to be so talented at finding exotic beasts.
“Be careful.”
The Golden Armor Fire Ape nodded, then took Li Yao and began climbing an Osmanthus Tree.
Not long after, two exotic beasts appeared before the Golden Armor Fire Ape.
Li Yao clung to the Osmanthus Tree, then took out his binoculars, and quickly saw the appearance of the two exotic beasts.
“What kind of exotic beasts are these again?”
The next second, the information of these two exotic beasts appeared in Li Yao’s line of sight.
Species: Lightning Leopard
Quality: Rare
Strength: Soldier-Level Six
Skills: Lightning Five-Chain Whip, Thunder Claw
[Hidden Evolution]: ....
Weakness: Fears fire
Species: Lightning Leopard
Quality: Rare
Strength: Soldier-Level Seven
Skills: Lightning Five-Chain Whip, Thunder Claw
[Hidden Evolution]: ....
Weakness: Fears fire
The exotic beasts in Li Yao’s sight were named Lightning Leopards.
Their quality was Rare, only one tier weaker than the Golden Armor Fire Ape’s quality.
“I didn’t expect that I could also see the exotic beasts’ information and weaknesses.”
Seeing the exotic beasts’ information and weaknesses meant that he could target them better.
However, just as Li Yao was about to tell the Golden Armor Fire Ape to be careful, a scene unfolded that confused both Li Yao and the Golden Armor Fire Ape.
The two Lightning Leopards, seeing that their surroundings were safe and uninhabited, actually began the most primitive activity of living beings.
The entire scene was rather embarrassing to watch.
Low growls echoed, making the Lightning Leopard clan’s blood boil.
Upon seeing this, Li Yao’s mouth curved slightly upwards, revealing a sinister smile.
“Golden Armor Fire Ape, come here. I’ll tell you what to do later.”
Li Yao beckoned the Golden Armor Fire Ape over, then whispered into its ear.