Chapter 108: Your Grandfather Is Here

Among the five, aside from Ye Xiaoyao of Tiangang Peak and Liang Siqi of Piaoying Peak, the other three hailed respectively from Zangjian Peak and two from Lieyan Peak.

A beast tide had suddenly appeared in the outer ring of the Northern Territory Forest—an unprecedented event. Beast tides had only ever been known to manifest deep within the Northern Territory Forest, never so far out.

While others were puzzled, the disciple from Zangjian Peak had at least some understanding of the cause.

His face flushed red and pale in turns, anguish plainly etched upon it.

“Everyone, hold on a moment. I will inquire about the situation.” Before he finished speaking, he leapt onto a massive boulder, scanning the surroundings while shouting, “Senior Brother Fan Ning, if you are here, I am Chu Qiang, the last disciple of the Seventh Elder of Zangjian Peak. I earnestly beg you to quell this beast tide!”

His voice was sharp enough to tear through the air, piercing the silence.

But no response came.

Chu Qiang landed dejectedly, his expression darkened by despair.

“What? The beast tide was actually summoned by your Zangjian Peak senior brother?” shouted Haotian, a disciple of Lieyan Peak, rushing over with a torrent of curses.

“What is going on? We can’t just perish without any explanation!” Liang Siqi was on the verge of tears.

Ye Xiaoyao stepped between the quarreling parties and called out, “Now is not the time for discord. Didn’t you see that Junior Brother Chu Qiang is also a victim? The matter has come to this—there’s only one way: fight to the bitter end!”

Meanwhile, Fan Ning and Ji Mubai were moving leisurely with the beast tide.

Ji Mubai heard the commotion and believed Fan Ning must have as well, but seeing his indifference, Ji Mubai fell silent.

Though he knew that within the center there were likely fellow disciples from his own sect, after following Fan Ning, Ji Mubai had reluctantly abandoned any notions of brotherhood.

Fan Ning had no intention of allowing the final ten to advance together. He aimed to eliminate surplus adversaries early, wiping out the center’s people completely. Ji Mubai had no choice but to accompany him.

“It’s a pity!” Fan Ning suddenly said.

Ji Mubai, puzzled, asked, “Brother Fan Ning, if you feel pity, why not recruit these few to your side? They would be useful allies in the finals.”

“No, what I feel pity for is that three of them remain on the outskirts, unable to be swept up all at once!” Fan Ning smiled, a haughty arrogance gleaming between his brows.

“…”

“Alright, forget I said anything,” Ji Mubai thought to himself, nearly breaking down inside. He had misunderstood the situation.

The beast tide surged relentlessly. The five from the center had just endured a life-and-death struggle and were nearly drained of energy. Staying here meant certain death.

If they tried to break through in any direction, survival was a one-in-ten chance at best.

It was a dire predicament.

Ye Xiaoyao had become the pillar of strength among the five. They decided to break through eastward. If they could hold out until the end of the three-day elimination period, there was hope to survive.

“Do not panic!” Three figures descended like gods from the heavens, appearing in the center of the beast tide.

It was Lin Zhan, accompanied by Fang Daguang and Lian Ming, who had chased after the beast tide and arrived first at the core.

“Are you the other top ten?” Ye Xiaoyao knew that anyone appearing now could not be an enemy—otherwise they wouldn’t have time to hide. He was instantly invigorated and bowed, “I am Ye Xiaoyao of Tiangang Peak.”

Lin Zhan’s expression was unreadable as he said, “Just now I heard someone shouting for Fan Ning?”

“Oh, yes,” Ye Xiaoyao explained the origin of the beast tide.

Lin Zhan immediately understood. He turned to the Zangjian disciple and asked, “What is Fan Ning’s current rank?”

Chu Qiang, in his lowest spirits, replied gloomily, “Fan Ning has just advanced to the third grade of the Yellow Rank.”

“Only third grade Yellow Rank?” Lin Zhan thought to himself. He had expected that as the peak master’s direct disciple, Fan Ning’s power would have soared wildly. Third grade Yellow Rank was merely average, not especially outstanding.

Lin Zhan tossed several Concealment Pills to the five, who swallowed them.

“These wild beasts no longer pose a threat to you. To the east lies a mountain peak that should be safe. Hurry there; I will deal with Fan Ning.”

At that moment, Lin Zhan seemed like their savior. The preciousness and efficacy of the Concealment Pills were well known to them.

Ye Xiaoyao and the others no longer hesitated and immediately bowed in thanks before preparing to leave.

Lian Ming noticed Liang Siqi and hurriedly stopped her, asking, “Senior Sister, you’re from Piaoying Peak, right? Do you know if Junior Sister Qin Qingxuan has come to the competition this time, and which area she’s in?”

Liang Siqi nodded, “Junior Sister Qin Qingxuan is in Area Five. She should have little difficulty advancing.”

“That’s good, that’s good. Thank you for the information!” Lian Ming expressed his gratitude repeatedly.

Lin Zhan was moved upon hearing this.

“By the way, Brother Fang and Brother Lian, you two should retreat with them,” Lin Zhan instructed.

“This…” Lian Ming was about to say something but was stopped by Fang Daguang, who said, “Alright, Brother 186, take care. We will regroup later.”

Although both had advanced their ranks, they had also heard that Fan Ning was at third grade Yellow Rank; staying would only be a burden.

“Go then!” Lin Zhan waved his hand and alone surged onto a towering tree.

The five, along with Fang Daguang and Lian Ming, swiftly flew eastward.

After they left, Lin Zhan stood proudly atop the treetops, stepping lightly on jade-green leaves and branches. Facing the two other white dots indicated on the marker, he bellowed, “Fan Ning, your grandfather is here—come and pay respects!”

When he shouted those words, even Lin Zhan felt a bit nauseated.

But disgust aside, for an arrogant and overbearing scion like Fan Ning, Lin Zhan was happy to adopt this crude manner.

“Fan Ning, you brat, your grandfather is here—come and pay respects!”

The challenge echoed for miles around.

Fan Ning, strolling leisurely and ready to reap the spoils, heard the shout and darkened. He cursed, “Where did this wild kid come from? About to die and still putting on airs? If anyone is grandpa, it’s me!”

Ji Mubai chuckled beside him, “Brother Fan Ning, don’t get angry. People like that aren’t worth your attention.”

Then he glanced at a marker and was dumbfounded. “Why has the white dot changed?”

Just now, when the number of white dots in the center rose to eight, the two had been elated, believing they could finally sweep them all up. Now…

Fan Ning also looked down. Seven white dots were moving swiftly eastward. Their position was clearly within the beast tide, yet they formed a straight line, advancing unhindered.

Only one white dot remained at the center.

The beast tide had utterly failed to crush them—it had been penetrated!

“Something’s wrong! There’s trouble! Go check it out!” Fan Ning was as vexed as if he had swallowed a fly.

Earlier, he had caught the faint scent of Paradise Chicken. When he rushed there, nothing remained but a faint trace in the air. He had set that matter aside, but now another flaw had appeared in the beast tide plan. Naturally, his mood was foul.

Gripping the Beast Taming Spirit tightly, Fan Ning accelerated the tide’s speed. Both men rose and flew forward.

“Fan Ning, you cowardly turtle, your grandfather is here—come and pay respects!” The taunts grew louder and more fervent, like death omens driving the battle onward.