89: Li Daoxuan, you old fool

A faint smile appeared on Li Daoxuan’s lips as he heard the almost imperceptible whoosh behind him.

Immediately after, Li Daoxuan turned around, reached out, and grabbed.

“Ouch ~ Woo ~ Woo ~”

A piercing howl rang out, and only then did Li Daoxuan clearly see the little fellow who had ambushed him.

It was completely black, with only a pair of cold, golden eyes.

No, there were also its gleaming, snow-white fangs.

It was a Phantom Nether Leopard! And an underage cub at that, only slightly larger than a housecat, currently baring its teeth at Li Daoxuan.

Don’t underestimate this fellow; it’s a genuine Fourth-Tier Yao Beast and a top predator in the jungle.

Adult Phantom Nether Leopards can reach Sixth-Tier Yao Beast status.

“Little fellow, you’re quite fierce for a cub.”

“Since you’ve met me, it’s a great stroke of luck for you. You’ll follow me from now on.”

“Ouch ~ Woo ~ Woo ~” The little cub struggled even more fiercely. It already possessed high intelligence, knew it had been tricked, and understood Li Daoxuan’s meaning.

Li Daoxuan didn’t care whether the little fellow agreed. With one hand, he restrained the Phantom Nether Leopard, while his other hand continuously formed complex and intricate Talismans.

Until a strange mark formed and floated towards the Phantom Nether Leopard’s head.

The Phantom Nether Leopard’s eyes instantly changed from dark gold to crimson.

“Woo woo woo ~”

As the mark infused, the Phantom Nether Leopard slowly quieted down, and its eyes returned to their dark golden color.

At this point, the Phantom Nether Leopard looked at Li Daoxuan without hostility; instead, it became much gentler.

The little fellow even stuck out its tongue and licked Li Daoxuan a few times. The barbed tongue scared Li Daoxuan so much that he quickly put it down.

The contract Li Daoxuan signed with the Phantom Nether Leopard was not a slave contract, but a more Advanced, equal contract.

Slave contracts severely restrict Yao Beasts, not only limiting their growth but also causing the Yao Beast to die if its master perishes.

The contract Li Daoxuan signed not only ensured that the Phantom Nether Leopard would not betray him.

But also offered many benefits to the Phantom Nether Leopard.

For instance, if the Phantom Nether Leopard encountered danger, it could directly summon Li Daoxuan for help through the Inscription Formation, or even directly teleport to Li Daoxuan’s side via the Inscription Formation.

“Little fellow, I’ll call you Little Black from now on.”

“Ouch ~” The little fellow shook its head like a rattle-drum, clearly refusing.

“Don’t like it? Then how about I call you… Black Phantom?”

This time, the little fellow almost shook its neck off, looking as if to say, ‘If you dare call me Black Phantom, I’ll die right here.’

“Then let’s call you Phantom.”

The little fellow seemed resigned and no longer objected.

“Let’s go, I’ll find you a few more companions.”

Li Daoxuan continued forward, while the Phantom Nether Leopard concealed itself in the shadows, an excellent helper for ambushes.

Li Daoxuan walked for a long time again, but this time his luck wasn’t as good; he found nothing.

Li Daoxuan had also asked the Phantom Nether Leopard, but the little fellow rarely left its territory and didn't know much.

Kill!

Rumble ~

Ouch ~ Humph humph ~ Whimper ~

Shouts of battle, piercing roars, and crashing sounds piqued Li Daoxuan’s interest.

“There are people fighting ahead, and it seems there are quite a few of them.”

Li Daoxuan unhurriedly headed forward, and then he witnessed a great battle between humans and Yao Beasts.

“They’re all Disciples of the Heavenly Dao Sect?” Li Daoxuan was very surprised. Do Heavenly Dao Sect Disciples always go out for training in groups?

Dozens of Heavenly Dao Sect Disciples were being besieged by Boar Beasts.

“Did they poke a Boar nest?” Li Daoxuan didn’t immediately go to help, but quietly watched from the side.

Boar Beasts are gregarious Yao Beasts; although their individual strength isn't very strong, they win by sheer numbers.

Li Daoxuan did notice a few Fourth-Tier Boar Beasts among them.

As for subduing Boar Beasts?

Li Daoxuan didn’t even have to think about it; he immediately gave up. Ugly rejection!

That’s right, it was an ugly rejection! Boar Beasts look as if they’re wearing a layer of dirty, greasy armor, which is a protective layer formed from their habit of rolling around and rubbing against trees.

And those pairs of chilling tusks, like two sharp swords, coupled with a pig face and a pair of large, flapping ears, were truly unbelievably ugly.

“That young Junior Brother, don’t just stand there, hurry up and help.”

Li Daoxuan was caught watching the show. Li Daoxuan cupped his hands and said, “Senior Brother, how should I address you?”

“Hmm? You’re also a Disciple of the Heavenly Dao Sect?”

“Precisely. I am an Inner Sect Disciple, Li…”

“Junior Brother, don’t talk now. Let’s talk after we’ve repelled this group of Yao Beasts.”

Everyone fought and retreated, with no casualties. There were simply too many Boar Beasts; they couldn’t be killed completely, so they could only retreat first.

Dozens of Heavenly Dao Sect Disciples ran far away, stopping only when they saw no Yao Beasts pursuing them.

The leading Disciple said, “Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters, let’s rest for a moment.”

“Yes!”

At this moment, he walked towards Li Daoxuan again and said with a smile, “Junior Brother, you dare to venture deep into the Dark Night Forest alone? Senior Brother truly admires you.”

“Junior Brother, you are also a person who loves deeply.”

Li Daoxuan: “???”

“Never mind, it’s all for that matter. Oh right, I am Night Qianyu of Tianji Peak. What’s your name, Junior Brother?”

“I am an Inner Sect Disciple, Li Dao… Changsheng, Li Changsheng.”

Li Daoxuan always felt that this group of Disciples was very strange. Their cultivation was higher than the last, so why would they enter the Dark Night Forest together? He casually made up a name.

“Li Changsheng? Another one from your Old Li family?”

“Then do you know a scoundrel named Li Daoxuan?”

Li Daoxuan rubbed his nose and said, “I’ve heard of him, but I’m not very familiar. Why? Is he famous?”

Night Qianyu slapped his thigh, half envious, half jealous, and said, “More than just famous! Let me tell you, he only managed all that because we Personal Disciples were in seclusion, otherwise…”

Li Daoxuan listened, dumbfounded. He hadn’t been back for a while, and he was already so famous.

“Junior Brother! We Personal Disciples are suffering!”

“There are only a few beautiful female Disciples with good Aptitude in our Sect, and that kid Li Daoxuan took them all.”

“And do you know what’s even more infuriating?”

“…”

This Senior Brother Night was a chatterbox. Li Daoxuan suppressed his laughter, rubbed his nose, and said, “Senior Brother, why are so many of you entering the Dark Night Forest?”

Night Qianyu asked suspiciously, “You don’t know? Are you not here to find that dead man?”

“Dead man?”

“No way! No way! Junior Brother, you haven’t received the news yet, have you?”

“N-No!”

“Then it’s perfect, Senior Brother Li, you should join us too.”

“Okay.”

Li Daoxuan was still a bit confused. What exactly happened in the Sect? To find out the exact situation, he had to join them.

And then become a hidden player.

Li Daoxuan’s skills were good, and his cultivation was decent, so everyone had no objection to Li Daoxuan joining.

Li Daoxuan decided to find an opportunity to ask them who they were looking for.