The sun had barely risen above the mountains when Yan Fu's senses tingled.
A deep, wild spiritual presence rippled across the distance. It was massive, ancient, and terrifying. Even from far away, the energy radiated a pressure that could crush weaker cultivators in an instant.
Yan Fu's hazel-green eyes narrowed.
"This is it…" he murmured softly.
He could feel it—this was no ordinary beast. Its aura was stronger than most Celestial Realm cultivators he had encountered. Yet there was something… perfect about it. A natural balance of ferocity and obedience. This creature… would be ideal as a guardian of Ji Xia Sect.
Li Fei, still glowing faintly with the pink jade phoenix aura, watched him closely. "Master… are you going?"
Yan Fu turned to him, his expression calm but serious. "Yes. This will take some time. Far stronger than me, but manageable."
Li Fei's pink eyes widened slightly. "Stronger than you? How…?"
"You stay here," Yan Fu said firmly. "Protect the sect. Do not leave. It will take me two days to return. Nothing must disturb Ji Xia Sect while I am gone."
Li Fei nodded, determination in his gaze. "I will guard it. Don't worry."
Yan Fu's lips curved slightly in approval. "Good."
With that, he raised his white staff. Ancient runes glowed brightly along its length. In a flash, the air rippled around him, and he disappeared.
The system's voice echoed softly in his mind.
[Destination: Forest of Yin and Yang. It's a forest for good and evil. All targets in the area are elite beasts. Extreme caution advised .]
Yan Fu materialized at the edge of the Forest Blood.
The forest stretched endlessly, thick with ancient trees. Shadows twisted unnaturally, and the air itself seemed heavy, filled with layers of spiritual energy.
Even Yan Fu's Celestial Realm senses had to sharpen to distinguish the beasts' presences. Every step he took caused faint vibrations on the ground—signs of creatures far more deadly than ordinary wild beasts.
"Forest of yin and yang…" he whispered, the name resonating in his mind. "No ordinary person could survive here."
He began moving slowly, each step deliberate. The faintest disturbances in the forest told him the direction of the beast. He didn't rush; this was a creature of immense power. Recklessness would only lead to death.
Spiritual energy thickened with each step. Yan Fu could sense the beast's aura growing stronger, closer. A low hum of power echoed through the air, vibrating the very trees around him.
After hours of careful tracking, he stopped in front of a massive dark mountain. Its jagged peaks clawed at the sky, and a deep, yawning cave sat at its base. Shadows seemed to crawl around the entrance, and a faint but unmistakable stench of raw power emanated from within.
Yan Fu's expression sharpened.
"This… is it."
For the first time since leaving Ji Xia Sect, he allowed himself to stop suppressing his aura.
The surrounding forest immediately reacted. Leaves quivered violently. The earth vibrated slightly. Even the distant cries of lesser beasts fell silent, as if sensing a presence far beyond their comprehension.
A cold, calm energy radiated from Yan Fu, invisible but palpable. He took a slow step forward, eyes fixed on the cave's dark entrance.
"This creature…" he murmured under his breath. "Stronger than I imagined, yet exactly what the sect needs."
From within the darkness, faint growls and shifting movements could be felt. The beast was aware of him. A faint, almost imperceptible pulse of recognition passed through the air.
Yan Fu adjusted his stance, white staff in hand. "I'll need to be careful. One mistake, and even my Celestial power won't guarantee survival."
The wind picked up, and the shadows in the cave seemed to stretch outward, as if the mountain itself were alive.
"This is just the beginning," he whispered. "The first guardian… and the first test for Ji Xia Sect's rise."
With that, he took a measured step toward the cave, letting the full weight of his Celestial presence flow. The forest around him trembled, signaling to any who dared watch that a master of immeasurable power had arrived.
The silence of the Yin and Yang forest was broken only by the distant, low growl of the beast within the cave.
Yan Fu's hazel-green eyes glowed faintly in the dark.
"It's time to see if the guardian of Ji Xia Sect will recognize its master."