Ah!
The sudden feeling of weightlessness instinctively made Luo Cheng grab Yun Mengli's right arm.
The violent wind rushing towards him made it hard for Luo Cheng to breathe. He barely managed to open his eyes and saw the forest below retreating rapidly.
"So this is flying!"
Although he still felt a bit apprehensive, Luo Cheng's heart was filled with excitement.
Soaring through the skies and wandering across the heavens was every martial artist's dream, and he was no exception.
"It's said that as long as one's cultivation reaches the Third Stage of Tongxuan Realm, one can fly briefly. One day, I too will fly freely!"
Luo Cheng murmured to himself, then turned to glance at Yun Mengli.
Yun Mengli was dressed in a snow-white robe, her gracefully curvaceous figure faintly revealed. Her slender waist seemed so delicate that it could be held with one hand. Her skin was like snow in winter, as pure as jade, emitting a faint, fragrant scent.
Even with her face covered by a veil, her exquisite facial structure hinted that she was an extraordinary beauty.
"She doesn't seem much older than me, yet she's already a Tongxuan Realm master, perhaps even stronger…"
Luo Cheng sighed inwardly. Qishan City was too small. Even if he were considered a dominant figure there, it was nothing compared to the outside world's prodigies!
Luo Cheng began to entertain the thought of leaving Qishan City.
Remaining in Qishan City would only make him a frog in a well. Catching up to someone like Ji Yuanhao would be utterly impossible.
As he pondered, Luo Cheng suddenly noticed that the forest below seemed familiar.
"Can we stop up ahead for a moment?"
Recognizing the area where he had discarded the demon beast materials, Luo Cheng spoke to Yun Mengli.
Yun Mengli nodded and landed gracefully on an open patch of ground.
"It's still here!"
Luo Cheng immediately spotted the bundle hidden among some weeds and rushed towards it.
Just as Luo Cheng reached for the bundle—
Suddenly, from a nearby bush, a massive shadow leaped out ferociously.
It was a giant wolf with two enormous tusks, sharp as spears!
The wolf's speed was astonishing, and it lunged straight for Luo Cheng.
This was still the central region of the Black Cloud Mountain Range. Luo Cheng had been vigilant up until now, and as soon as the wolf leaped, his senses immediately warned him.
"Shaking Mountain!"
Almost instinctively, Luo Cheng swung around and punched fiercely.
The Heavy Mountain Fist Technique, perfected to its peak, unfolded seamlessly in this critical moment.
With a resounding thud, Luo Cheng was sent flying back seven or eight meters, while the giant wolf was forced to retreat three or four meters.
Just as the giant wolf prepared to strike again—
Swish!
A flash of azure light streaked by, and the massive wolf, as large as a bull, was instantly cleaved in two. Blood sprayed everywhere.
Yun Mengli approached, her bright eyes staring at Luo Cheng, slightly surprised.
"You're really still in the Body Tempering Realm?"
It was no wonder Yun Mengli was shocked. The wolf was a Two-star Low Level demon beast, a Sword-toothed Wolf, equivalent to a First Layer Transcendence Realm martial artist.
An ordinary Body Tempering Realm martial artist wouldn't be able to withstand even a single strike from such a beast!
Yet Luo Cheng not only fended it off but remained unscathed!
Luo Cheng nodded silently.
Yun Mengli studied him for a moment, then walked two steps closer and murmured softly, "To repel a Sword-toothed Wolf with such power while still in the Body Tempering Realm… could it be that you've broken through to the Body Tempering Extreme Realm?"
"That's correct."
Luo Cheng nodded again.
A flicker of light appeared in Yun Mengli's gaze. Even though she had met many geniuses, those who could transcend the limits of the Body Tempering stage and achieve the Extreme Realm were very rare.
Most individuals who attained the Body Tempering Extreme Realm came from prestigious backgrounds, nurtured with abundant resources, and doused in spiritual medicines. Yet Luo Cheng appeared to be quite ordinary.
"You're exploring the Black Cloud Mountain Range alone, so you must be from a nearby town. Given your age, you probably haven't joined any sect yet. Are you interested in joining the Xuanyuan Sect?" Yun Mengli suddenly asked.
The Xuanyuan Sect!
Luo Cheng's heart skipped a beat.
The Xuanyuan Sect was one of the Three Great Sects of the Great Yue Dynasty, with a profound legacy. It was the dream cultivation ground for countless martial artists!
Rumor had it that even disciples possessing an Intermediate Martial Soul within the Xuanyuan Sect were considered to be among the lowest ranks!
"I'd be honored!"
Faced with such an opportunity, Luo Cheng naturally wouldn't miss it. He had been yearning to leave Qishan City anyway.
Yun Mengli nodded faintly, retrieved a jade token, and handed it to Luo Cheng. "This is my identity token. When you arrive at the Xuanyuan Sect, present this token, and you'll be accepted as a disciple."
Luo Cheng took the jade token.
The token felt cold to the touch, about two fingers wide, light green in color, transparent, and crystalline. Inside, there was a single "cloud" character.
"Thank you, Senior Sister!"
Luo Cheng put away the jade token and cupped his fists respectfully.
The term "Senior Sister" made Yun Mengli smile faintly. She said, "Let's go!"
With that, Yun Mengli grabbed Luo Cheng and soared away.
Their speed was astonishing, and soon, they had reached the edge of the Black Cloud Mountain Range.
"Hm, someone's coming!"
Luo Cheng suddenly noticed a figure at the forest's edge, gliding like a roc across the treetops, quickly approaching them.
It turned out to be another expert capable of soaring through the air!
Upon seeing the newcomer, Yun Mengli slightly furrowed her brows and descended onto an open patch of ground.
Swish!
The newcomer's speed was remarkable. In just a few breaths, he arrived near them—a young man with narrow eyes dressed in green clothing.
"Mengli, it's great to see you unharmed! I was just about to come help you. What happened to the Black Gold Python?"
The young man's face lit up with joy upon seeing Yun Mengli and eagerly moved towards her. However, upon noticing Yun Mengli holding Luo Cheng's hand, a shadow crossed his eyes.
Yun Mengli's tone was indifferent as she replied, "Jin Min, you're late. I've already driven off the Black Gold Python."
From their conversation, Luo Cheng deduced that the two had most likely discovered a treasure, the Jiao-scale Fruit, but were ambushed by the Black Gold Python. Jin Min had abandoned Yun Mengli and run off on his own.
The young man named Jin Min gave a forced smile and turned his narrow eyes toward Luo Cheng. "And who might this be?"
Yun Mengli replied coolly, "He's the one who helped me neutralize the poison."
"Oh?"
Hearing Yun Mengli's icy tone, the shadow in Jin Min's eyes deepened.
Jin Min had long been interested in Yun Mengli. The relationship between the two had been decent, and this time, he had followed her home to strengthen their bond. But unexpectedly, during their journey, Yun Mengli was poisoned by the Black Gold Python.
Despite his affections for Yun Mengli, Jin Min knew too well the value of life over sentiment and decided to leave her behind to protect himself.
But now, seeing Yun Mengli safe and sound had surprised him greatly.
His gaze fell on Luo Cheng again. Jin Min took out a gold note and said, "Thank you for saving Mengli. This is two hundred thousand taels, a token of gratitude. The Black Cloud Mountain Range is rife with danger—you should leave as soon as possible."
Noticing the subtle threat in Jin Min's words, Luo Cheng frowned and replied:
"I can't accept payment for something undeserved."
"Hmm?"
Jin Min hadn't expected Luo Cheng to refuse him, and his face darkened.
"Jin Min, time is running out. Let's go."
Yun Mengli suddenly interrupted, then turned to Luo Cheng and said, "Luo Cheng, until we meet again."
With those words, Yun Mengli turned and left.
She knew Jin Min too well—staying here would only put Luo Cheng in danger.
Jin Min glared coldly at Luo Cheng and sneered, "So your name is Luo Cheng. I'll remember it!"
Leaving behind this parting shot, Jin Min chased after Yun Mengli.
Luo Cheng felt speechless. Jin Min clearly was also a Xuanyuan Sect disciple, yet their brief encounter had inexplicably led to such hostility toward him.