Chapter 28: The White-Browed Tiger with Piercing Eyes

Bai Rulie said, "I got you a token from the Alliance Master. With your cultivation, there's no need for any trial. Refine this token, then head to Little East Continent to subdue demons. Stop loitering in front of me."

Bai Qiu was overjoyed. Now he had something fun to do and wouldn't have to stay home bored. He immediately infused the token with his true energy, then stepped out the door.

Early the next morning...

"Third Brother, you're leaving again?"

Bai Qiu stepped outside, just as he saw Bai Dong sitting by the door, swinging her little feet.

Bai Qiu said, "Yes, Father gave me a task. I have to go to Little East Continent."

Bai Dong jumped up and grabbed Bai Qiu's arm. "Third Brother, take me with you!"

"Don't be foolish," Bai Qiu replied. "It's dangerous out there. You're still young; it's safer to stay at home."

Bai Dong stomped her foot. "I'm not little anymore! I'm already fifteen this year."

Bai Qiu patted her head. "How about this—when you reach the Golden Core stage, I'll take you out to have some fun."

Bai Dong pouted, clearly unwilling. "You said it yourself."

Bai Qiu smiled. "Of course. When have I ever lied to you? Go practice your cultivation."

Watching Bai Dong hop away, Bai Qiu straightened his clothes and stepped out.

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Border of Yongzhou

Shi Qi and Su Xiaomu were roasting wild boar meat in the forest.

Shi Qi took seasonings from his universe pouch, sprinkling them evenly while chatting with Su Xiaomu.

"Xiaomu, what realm are you at?" Shi Qi asked.

Staring intently at the roasting meat, Su Xiaomu replied absentmindedly, "Realm? What's that?"

Shi Qi wiped his brow. "I mean, what color is your demon core?"

Su Xiaomu said, "Oh, it's green."

Scarlet, orange, blue-green, blue, and violet—green already meant she had reached the Nascent Soul stage.

Shi Qi's eyes widened. "Green? Spicy chicken! It's odd enough for a fox to pop out of an egg, but you came out with a blue-green core?!"

Su Xiaomu kept her gaze on the meat. "Is that impressive? Is this done yet?"

Shi Qi fell silent, thinking that "impressive" wasn't even the right word anymore.

Shi Qi continued, "What spells do you know?"

"I can fly, run fast, turn into a human, and back into a fox."

"That's it?"

"That's all. Is this meat ready?"

Shi Qi handed her a piece of roasted meat, which she took and began devouring hungrily.

He thought to himself that Su Xiaomu was like someone with a fortune but no idea how to open the strongbox.

He took out a book from his universe pouch—the "Primordial Technique."

The five innate primordial forces are: Prime Origin, Supreme Simplicity, Supreme Beginning, Supreme Purity, and Supreme Ultimate. Prime Origin is the most basic stage—the foundation upon which all sects base their introductory techniques. It is the starting point for any cultivator.

Shi Qi handed the "Primordial Technique" to Su Xiaomu. "Study this when you have time."

"Okay," Su Xiaomu answered, tucking the manual into her bosom and continuing to eat.

This girl, Shi Qi shook his head, then took a piece of meat for himself.

Suddenly, a roar echoed from deep within the forest.

Three cultivators burst from the thick woods, looking battered and desperate.

Among them were two men and one woman, all quite young. Spotting Shi Qi, the leading man’s eyes lit up and he shouted, "Fellow cultivator, help!"

Shi Qi looked closely and saw a white-browed tiger with hanging eyes chasing after them.

The beast was over five meters long and immense in size, pursuing the trio relentlessly. Its massive paw was just about to strike the young woman.

Shi Qi had no intention of interfering, but with lives at stake, he didn't hesitate. In a blink, he appeared before the three, raised his hand, and conjured an ice wall from thin air, blocking the tiger.

"Boom!" The tiger's paw slammed against the ice wall, which, infused with intense cold, withstood the blow but then collapsed with a crash.

Shi Qi frowned. Such power meant this was a spirit beast, and an old one at that.

Spirit beasts differ from demons—they are beasts without independent consciousness or inner cores, but their natural advantages are immense. The tiger before Shi Qi, for instance, was born with supernatural strength. Though unable to cultivate, by relying on its innate power, it could drive three young cultivators into utter chaos.

Having failed to land a hit, the tiger roared and leapt at Shi Qi.

Unhurried, Shi Qi condensed an ice blade in his hand. As the tiger lunged, Shi Qi slid underneath it and slashed upward with his blade.

A screech rang out.

The ice blade grazed the tiger's belly—the beast’s weakest spot—leaving a bloody gash. The wound wasn’t deep, but it was enough.

Shi Qi rolled to his feet behind the tiger.

The tiger’s belly was its vulnerability, its least defended area. Though the ice blade hadn’t cut deeply, the pain only enraged the beast further. It spun, glaring at Shi Qi with fury.

"Not easy to handle... This tiger must have several centuries of cultivation," Shi Qi thought, dispersing his ice blade and forming an ice spear instead. With the spear in hand, he stood firm, noticing the three young cultivators had already vanished without a trace.

Shi Qi frowned.

Su Xiaomu, still munching her meat, finally turned around at the commotion. All she saw was a massive tiger’s backside, and facing it, Shi Qi with a spear in hand.

"Big brother, need any help?" Su Xiaomu mumbled, her mouth full.

Shi Qi replied, "Just watch."

As soon as he finished speaking, the tiger crouched and sprang at him once more.

Shi Qi stepped forward, spear poised, and thrust directly at the tiger’s eye.

Sensing danger, the tiger instinctively swiped at the spear. Shi Qi felt a tremendous force transmit through the weapon, causing the ice spear to veer aside.

He leapt into the air, using the force to dodge the tiger’s other paw. Spear tip touching the ground, he flipped backward and landed lightly.

The tiger, having missed again, kicked off with both legs, charging with both paws outstretched.

Shi Qi brought his spear horizontal to block.

The enormous paws pressed down on the spear, driving Shi Qi backward with immense force.

His demon core spinning, Shi Qi channeled all his true energy into his arms. Only after retreating ten meters did he finally steady himself.

Before the tiger could strike again, Shi Qi formed a seal with his fingers. In a flash, he appeared at the beast's side.

"Binding Seal! Water Dragon Vortex!"

A swirling stream of water shot from Shi Qi’s fingertips, circling the tiger several times and binding it tightly.

"Freeze!"

At his command, the water instantly turned to ice, solid cords binding the tiger fast.

The tiger roared, struggling, but could not break free.