Chapter 121: Encounter

Fire Ling’er erupted in anger, her long black hair flowing wildly, her crystal-like eyes wide open, surrounded by shimmering light. Her clothes fluttered as if she were about to take flight.

“Stop it, let’s talk this over,” Xiao Budian quickly retreated, feeling a surge of heat. He noticed that the ground he had been standing on was now glowing red, with the rocks almost melting.

The princess of the Fire Nation was enraged, her cherry-like mouth opening to unleash a burst of fire, causing lava to surge from the ground.

“Heavens, you can breathe fire like an ancient dragon,” Xiao Budian marveled, taking another step back.

“You’re the dragon!” Fire Ling’er fumed, her eyes blazing with fire. Flames formed a red phoenix before her, swooping down with intense heat and light, vividly resembling a resplendent Vermilion Bird.

Xiao Budian stopped retreating. A silver moon appeared behind him, matching his height and emitting a cool, calming light that shielded him from the raging flames.

“Little sister, let’s talk this through. Ancient dragons used to act like this. If you keep this up, everyone will be scared away,” Xiao Budian said. Having opened his seventh Celestial Cave and brimming with energy, he was now a formidable presence even in this world of talented individuals.

“Forget it, little sister. Little junior brother here is just mischievous. Don’t take it to heart,” the other five geniuses from the Repairing Heaven Pavilion intervened to mediate.

Fire Ling’er’s aura of light and flames receded, revealing her true form. She glared at Xiao Budian and said, “You’re so small and yet so troublesome. When you grow up, things will be even worse. If you want my forgiveness, you must go to the Divine Cavern and avoid any conflict with the Nine-Headed Golden Lion.”

“Alright, as long as they don’t provoke me,” Xiao Budian agreed readily.

The Divine Cavern was located on a plain. Tall grass covered much of the land, and wolves howled in the distance, making the place seem isolated and sparsely populated.

The group entered the grassland, disturbing many giant wolves as they passed through the reeds, moving cautiously. The setting sun bathed the sky in red, casting a fiery hue over the desolate plain.

“Little junior brother, you really dared to act. That’s the Fire Nation’s most favored daughter. Even the major princes and lords give her some respect,” one of the seniors from the Repairing Heaven Pavilion remarked.

“She wanted to hit me, so I gave her a taste of her own medicine,” Xiao Budian replied.

“She was just joking. She didn’t actually intend to hit you,” a senior sister said disdainfully.

“I didn’t hit hard, just a light pat, like a tickle. It didn’t actually hurt her,” Xiao Budian defended.

Ahead, Fire Ling’er in the palanquin turned her head. Her large, water-like eyes were once again filled with fire.

“Little sister, don’t glare at me. I’m not the one you should be angry with. There are some things you really need to change,” Xiao Budian said, not backing down.

“What do you want to say?” Fire Ling’er gritted her teeth, her red lips showing glistening white teeth.

“Firstly, you should lose some weight. Look at how big and round your backside is. It bounces when you sit. That’s not good for your training,” Xiao Budian said seriously.

The grassland fell silent, and everyone turned to look at Xiao Budian, stunned as if they had seen a ghost. Was this kid challenging the Fire Nation’s most beloved princess?

“See, I was right. Everyone agrees with me and hasn’t refuted what I said,” Xiao Budian continued.

“Ah!”

Fire Ling’er’s face turned crimson, nearly spitting blood. She leaped from the palanquin, symbols swirling around her as phoenix wings sprouted from her back, red and crystalline, and she flew toward Xiao Budian.

“I’ll kill you, you little troublemaker!” Fire Ling’er roared, her fiery eyes blazing. Her slender, graceful body twisted in the air, tracing impossible trajectories like a water snake.

“Ah, little sister, what kind of treasure technique is that? You can actually grow wings? Teach me!” Xiao Budian asked, feigning curiosity.

“You troublemaker!” Fire Ling’er’s fiery hands waved, sending a wave of crimson fire cascading down at high speed.

Xiao Budian fled in panic, avoiding a direct battle and rushing toward the depths of the grassland and the Divine Cavern. As he ran, he shouted, “Little sister, it’s not that I’m criticizing you, but your temper is too bad. A big backside isn’t a big deal. Just exercise more, and you’ll eventually be as fit as me.”

“I’ll kill you!” Fire Ling’er gritted her teeth, furious. As the daughter of the Emperor, she was not used to being toyed with, and even speaking to her was done with respect. This impudent child had repeatedly provoked her, making her feel both angry and pained.

“Boom!”

A great fire swept across the plain, igniting the grass and turning it into a sea of flames.

It was a fierce chase, with Xiao Budian eventually clashing violently with Fire Ling’er amid the ashes, leaving many of the talented individuals shocked.

This was the Emperor’s daughter, renowned for her exceptional talent and formidable strength, now engaged in a fierce battle with a child, making it difficult to subdue her quickly.

Eventually, the battle subsided. Xiao Budian remained lively, while Fire Ling’er was gasping for breath, leaving everyone astonished.

A massive stone mountain loomed ahead, unparalleled in grandeur. It was the only great mountain in this plain, standing out prominently with its imposing presence.

Halfway up the mountain was a dark cave, its depth unknown, emitting an enigmatic aura.

At the foot of the mountain, a group of powerful beings awaited, their eyes gleaming with fierce intent.

Among them were several remarkable creatures, including a golden Nine-Headed Lion, a silver giant over ten meters tall, and a humanoid being with a golden horn and feathered wings on its back.

Behind them were followers, including human talents who had been subdued and turned into their servants.

“You finally arrived. You’re too slow. Oh, Fire Nation’s princess, you look exhausted after the battle,” the silver giant spoke, his voice like thunder, shaking the mountain walls.

“Don’t be absurd. My little sister is just on a diet,” Xiao Budian answered.

Upon hearing “diet,” Fire Ling’er’s eyes widened with fury, as if deeply provoked, nearly losing control again.

“Hmm, you are…” The winged humanoid with a golden horn, the Feathered King, expressed surprise.

The Nine-Headed Golden Lion turned around abruptly, observing Xiao Budian, and then unfurled a scroll. After comparing it, it said, “You are the powerful servant we’ve been searching for.”

Its body was not very large but was covered in golden scales, shimmering like gold. Its presence was overwhelming, and its voice like thunder was awe-inspiring.

The Nine-Headed Golden Lion, seeming pleased, said, “My servant, follow the great king. I will grant you endless glory and honor.”

“Don’t be so hasty. I, the Silver-Blooded Giant, also have an invincible past. Human youth, follow me, and you will become a mighty figure in the future,” the silver giant said, his voice booming. His massive body resembled a small mountain.

“Stop arguing. Humans and my Feathered Tribe are similar in form. He should be my battle pet,” the Feathered King said.

Xiao Budian’s face darkened as he pointed at the Feathered King and the Silver-Blooded Giant, saying, “You two stay out of this. I don’t need humanoid servants. As for you,” he then pointed at the Nine-Headed Golden Lion, “you were the first to boast about making me your battle pet. I don’t know how to forgive you. You might as well end up in the pot.”

The group of beings stared in stunned silence at the human boy.

The Feathered King chuckled and said, “A battle pet with a strong will and character is better. Otherwise, how can one conquer the world?” As he spoke, he made his move.

The Silver-Blooded Giant, not wanting to be outdone, stepped forward and extended his enormous hand like a dustpan to grab Xiao Budian, attempting to subdue him first.

The Golden Lion roared loudly, unleashing a burst of golden light and using a treasure technique to force the other two beings away, intending to subdue Xiao Budian alone.

“You’ve made me angry,” Xiao Budian said, his expression grim. The three beings treated him as if he were already their prey, with no intention of speaking to him, only competing among themselves.

He leaped into the air, launching a simple yet direct punch at the Silver-Blooded Giant’s hand. There was a thunderous crash in the sky as symbols erupted.

On the grassland, all the reeds were flattened by the shockwave, and many large stones were sent flying.

The Silver-Blooded Giant let out a roar and staggered back, his massive hand bleeding, while Xiao Budian jumped again, kicking toward the Feathered King.

“Boom!”

The Feathered King flapped his wings, sending out five-colored divine feathers that shot through the air like divine arrows, creating a deafening clamor.

“Crack!”

Xiao Budian’s entire right leg glowed with golden lightning, sweeping away the arrows with a metallic clanging sound. In the end, there was a loud bang as he and the Feathered King clashed head-on.

He fell to the ground, while the Feathered King was blasted away, a trickle of blood appearing at the corner of his mouth.

“With just you two,” Xiao Budian sneered, “being my battle pets might be a bit more fitting.”

With a thunderous roar, the Golden Lion enveloped the heavens and the earth in golden light, charging forward with immense power, far surpassing the other two beings. Its nine heads roared, shaking the mountains and rivers.

Xiao Budian’s heart sank. The Nine-Headed Golden Lion was indeed terrifying, with profound mastery of symbols and a higher cultivation level. Its bloodline power was astounding.

As it lunged, the earth cracked open. Its golden claws, weighing tens of thousands of pounds, emitted a menacing blood aura. Many people were instantly blown away by the golden tempest.

Dust and stones filled the air, the grass turned to powder, and huge stones rained down like hail, swept up by the golden fury and crashing down on Xiao Budian.

“Reversal!”

Xiao Budian deployed his trump card, holding up a mirror made from the bones of a Suan Ni, reflecting a field of symbols that blocked the storm and sent it back toward the Golden Lion.

He then concealed himself among the large rocks, rushing forward like a falling leaf, lightly landing on the Golden Lion’s back, grabbing its mane and saying, “Being a mount is fine, but I really want to eat braised lion head.”

“Roar!” The Nine-Headed Lion roared, its body glowing and covered in symbols. It instantly blasted Xiao Budian away, and a treasure technique erupted between them.

With a buzzing sound, Xiao Budian wielded the Suan Ni bone mirror to strike down, lightning flashing fiercely. The Nine-Headed Lion’s body erupted with a series of sparkling bone beads that absorbed the impact of the strike.

Swipe!

The two exchanged places, the Nine-Headed Lion vanishing from its original spot to avoid Xiao Budian’s attack, reappearing at a distance, its heart gripped by fear.

The onlookers were dumbfounded. This human boy was incredibly powerful, taking on three ancient beings by himself, repelling two of them, and evenly matched with the Nine-Headed Lion. It was truly astonishing.

“You’re quite strong. A few days ago, the Spirit Clan’s Mufeng went to find you and hasn’t returned. I suppose he must have died in battle,” the Golden Lion said, its eyes flashing with golden light like sword Qi, extremely intimidating.

“I ate him,” Xiao Budian replied.

“What?” The group of異族 (alien races) was stunned, their hair standing on end.

“What’s the big deal? I came to the Hundred Broken Mountains to subdue a true ancient beast cub, such as the offspring of a True Xiong or the progeny of a Golden-Winged Roc. As for you, don’t provoke me. If you take a detour, fine, but if you dare to challenge me, you’ll end up in the pot,” Xiao Budian said, showing his small white teeth.

The thought in every异族 (alien race) was one of shock and anger at his audacity.

“Get past me first before boasting,” the Golden Lion said coldly, its voice full of authority as it advanced, its claws causing the earth to split apart.

“You look quite impressive. How about being my mount for a few days? I’ll eat eight of your smaller heads and leave the central one for you,” Xiao Budian said seriously.

“Seeking death!” The Nine-Headed Golden Lion roared in fury. Each of its nine heads emitted a golden light, forming nine flying swords, all golden and dazzling, slashing toward Xiao Budian.

“I’m doing this for your own good. With so many heads, it must be a deformity. It’s better to mercilessly cut off eight and make them into a valuable dish,” Xiao Budian said as he dodged the nine flying swords, unleashing endless lightning that engulfed the area.

He continued to battle the Golden Lion, turning to Fire Ling’er and saying, “Little sister, these golden lion heads are a treasure. After braising them, I’ll invite you and a few fellow disciples to eat, but remember to diet afterward.”

Fire Ling’er’s brows twitched with anger. She felt as if she were going mad. Was her beautiful backside really so fat? Otherwise, why did this troublemaker keep bringing it up?

“Golden Lion, didn’t you say you’d surpass pure-blooded ancient beasts in the future? Quickly subdue him!” Fire Ling’er shouted.