The Strange Flame Rekindles in Battle Through the Heavens

Chapter 40 Entering the Monster Mountain Range

In the study.

"You're going out to gain experience?" Xiao Zhan asked, looking at his son with some surprise.

"Yes! I'm a Dou Zhe now, so I can protect myself without any problems. Besides, I'll just wander around the outskirts of the Monster Mountain Range in Wutan City; nothing will happen to me. Staying at home can improve my strength, but it won't improve my combat experience, so I still need to go out and train a bit," Xiao Yan explained patiently.

"Why not wait until your sixteenth birthday coming-of-age ceremony before going out to train? You only have a year left until your coming-of-age ceremony. After a year, with your talent, you'll probably be at least a six-star Dou Zhe! Wouldn't it be better to go out to train then? Or is it for some other reason? Is it because of Nalan Yanran?" Xiao Zhan asked doubtfully.

"Going out to train a year later would be safer, but how can one grow without experiencing real bloodshed and death? I want to go out and explore like my two older brothers, and come back before my coming-of-age ceremony. As for Nalan Yanran, I don't care about her at all," Xiao Yan said calmly.

"Alright! You've always had your own opinions, and I won't stop you. But you still need to be careful. Being out and about is not the same as being at home; there are many dangers. And the dangers don't just come from magical beasts; people are even more dangerous than magical beasts. I hope you can keep that in mind to avoid any accidents," Xiao Zhan instructed Xiao Yan.

"Yes! I will keep it in mind." Xiao Yan nodded seriously. Xiao Zhan was right; sometimes humans are indeed much more dangerous than magical beasts, because magical beasts don't have as many schemes and tricks.

"Hmm, aren't you going out to train without saying goodbye to Xun'er?" Xiao Zhan blinked and said with a hint of teasing.

"Ahem, well! It's just a year of training, why say goodbye! I'm leaving now!" Xiao Yan ran out somewhat awkwardly, as if his tail had been stepped on.

Xiao Zhan watched his son run away in a disheveled state and asked in confusion, "It was just saying goodbye, why such a big reaction?"

"Oh, by the way, if the family encounters any difficulties in the future, you can go to my room. I left some good things under the bed that can help the family get through the crisis." Xiao Yan remembered that he had forgotten to tell his father about the pills after leaving the room, but he didn't say it outright.

"This kid! What good things could you possibly have! It's nothing more than the wealth you've accumulated over the years. Besides, what difficulties could the family possibly be facing?" Xiao Zhan shook his head helplessly, not taking Xiao Yan's words seriously.

Xiao Yan looked at the third low-grade storage ring in his hand, a proud smile appearing on his lips. Three storage rings! Although they were low-grade, even in the Xiao family, only his father and the First Elder each had one. He bought the third one a few days ago when he went to the Mittel Auction House to pick up survival supplies.

All the necessary supplies for wilderness survival were prepared, and the medicine to defend against the Jialie family was also ready. Xiao Yan didn't waste any more time and headed directly out of the Xiao family compound towards the Monster Mountain Range. Since it was only a year-long training period, Xiao Yan wouldn't be going to the Tagor Desert, and therefore wouldn't specifically go to Qingshan Town to enter the Monster Mountain Range from there.

Wutan City is also right next to the Monster Mountain Range, and Xiao Yan arrived at the entrance of the Monster Mountain Range in just two hours.

At the entrance to the Monster Mountain Range, much like in a game Xiao Yan played in his previous life, everyone was clamoring to team up. This was because the Monster Mountain Range was exceptionally dangerous; even a first-tier monster was stronger than an ordinary human fighter. Furthermore, once inside, you wouldn't encounter just one monster; most appeared in groups. Only a very few appeared alone, but even if you did, don't get too excited, as they were most likely high-tier monsters.

Xiao Yan didn't team up, because his physical strength alone was comparable to that of a first-tier magical beast. Combined with his cultivation level, defeating one or two first-tier magical beasts on his own wouldn't be a problem. And even if he couldn't win, wouldn't Xiao Yan simply run away? Without much hesitation, Xiao Yan quickly walked into the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

"Hey! Come back quickly! It's dangerous inside!" Some mercenaries saw that Xiao Yan was so young, yet he dared to run into the Monster Mountain Range, and hurriedly tried to stop him.

"You mean me?" Xiao Yan turned around in confusion and pointed to his nose.

"Who else could I be talking about if not you? Kid, hurry home! This is the Monster Mountain Range, full of monsters. If you go in, you'll probably be reduced to dust, not even bones left."

"Hehe! Thanks for the reminder, Uncle! But I'm here to train in the Monster Mountain Range." Xiao Yan thanked him and prepared to enter the mountain range again.

"Training? How old are you? You're not even an adult yet! Whose child are you? How could your parents be so heartless? Aren't they just sending you to your death?" A mercenary was somewhat incredulous after hearing Xiao Yan's words.

"Hehe, don't let my young age fool you, I'm already a Dou Zhe, so I'm out here to gain some experience." Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly, thanked the kind people again, and continued walking inside.

"You silly child! Why won't you listen to advice!"

A mercenary ran quickly towards Xiao Yan, grabbed him, and tried to pull him back. However, Xiao Yan stood still and didn't budge. Instead, Xiao Yan stumbled and was pulled forward two steps by Xiao Yan.

"Hmm? That's some strength!" the mercenary uncle exclaimed in surprise.

"Hehe, I wasn't lying to you, was I! I really am a Dou Zhe," Xiao Yan explained again. Although he was a little impatient, they meant well, so Xiao Yan naturally wouldn't speak ill of them.

"With your strength, I believe you. But why don't you team up? Even if you're a fighter, it's still very dangerous to act alone," the mercenary uncle advised again.

"There's someone waiting for me inside. Thank you for your concern. Use this money to buy some drinks!" Xiao Yan lied; otherwise, he probably would have had to explain. But since they had kindly reminded him, Xiao Yan still felt he had to show his appreciation. He took out a money pouch and tossed it to the mercenary uncle, telling them to buy some drinks.

"Does anyone know this young man?" the mercenary uncle asked the people around him as he took the money bag.

"I know him, he seems to be the young master of the Xiao family in Wutan City!" another mercenary said.

"So it's Xiao Yan, the young master of the Xiao family! But I heard he was jilted by Nalan Yanran of the Yunlan Sect."

"What do you know? I heard that Xiao Yan defeated Nalan Yanran, and that Xiao Yan broke off the engagement with Nalan Yanran."

"Wow! I heard that Nalan Yanran is a top disciple of the Yunlan Sect's sect leader, and her strength has already reached the three-star Dou Zhe level. Xiao Yan was actually able to defeat her, so how strong must he be!"

"No wonder he dared to come to the Monster Mountain Range alone for training; it turns out he had something to rely on!"

Amidst their discussion, Xiao Yan slowly stepped into the magical Beast Mountain Range, a place he had long yearned to visit. But was the Beast Mountain Range truly as wonderful as Xiao Yan imagined? We shall wait and see.

(End of this chapter)