Mortal: I, Li Feiyu, a cultivator of attributes!

Compared to what we got from all the spirit beasts combined, the corpse of the Crimson Flame Tiger was a treasure trove.

Its fiery red fur is incredibly tough, making it an excellent material for armor; the demon core within its body contains powerful spiritual energy, making it a coveted treasure for cultivators; and its four sharp, sword-like claws, with a little refinement, can also become a powerful magical artifact.

Without taking a break, the three of them immediately seized the opportunity and thoroughly searched the Crimson Flame Tiger's corpse, inside and out, top to bottom. Han Li skillfully cut off the tiger's skin, Zhan Hun carefully extracted the demon core, while Yin Po busied himself collecting the tiger's claws and bones, packing everything usable into his storage bag and taking it with him.

In no time, the storage bags were stuffed full.

"Master, it seems we've had a very fruitful trip," Han Li said, weighing the heavy storage bag in his hand.

Zhan Hun and Yin Po were also very happy. After cleaning up the battlefield, the three of them left the forest with Li Feiyu.

The group of people walked aimlessly along the road.

"Master, where are we going next?" Han Li asked curiously.

Li Feiyu looked up at the sky; night was about to fall. After thinking for a few seconds, he suggested, "It's getting dark soon. Why don't we rest in a nearby town for the night and discuss our itinerary tomorrow?"

"Okay, I'll do as Master says." Yin Po replied happily, while rubbing his stomach and asking, "Master, can we find a restaurant to eat at after we finish our journey? I've used up too much energy today and I'm starving."

Han Li scratched his head sheepishly and said, "Me too."

Zhan Hun looked at Li Feiyu and grinned, his silence speaking volumes.

Li Feiyu shook his head helplessly yet affectionately, and replied, "No problem."

"Great!" the three exclaimed in unison.

And so, the four of them walked toward the town, chatting and laughing. After about half an hour, they found a stone tablet by the roadside.

"Master, look!" Han Li said excitedly, pointing at the stone tablet, and then quickly ran to the stone tablet.

The traces on the stone tablet faintly reveal the three characters "Canghai City".

"Is this where we're going? Canghai City, the name sounds nice, but I wonder how far it is?" Han Li said, glancing at the sun, which was almost completely gone.

As dusk settled, Li Feiyu took out a map from his pocket, then observed the surrounding terrain and said in a deep voice, "If we take the main road, at our current speed, it will take another two hours to get there."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yin Po frowned slightly, and Zhan Hun's expression also dimmed.

"Two hours? By the time we get to Canghai City, we probably won't have anything to eat..." Yin Po muttered to himself, standing behind Li Feiyu.

Han Li immediately stepped forward and approached Li Feiyu. "Master, is there any other way? Could you take another look and see if there's another route?" Li Feiyu stretched out his finger, searched the map for a moment, and then said quietly, "There is a small path here that can shorten the time by half, but it requires crossing a small mountain..."

Upon hearing this, the three men's eyes immediately lit up.

"Master, let's take the shortcut!" Silver Soul said impatiently.

Li Feiyu did not answer, but her expression turned serious.

"This road doesn't seem to be used by many people, and the terrain is complicated. It's getting dark, and if we take the back path, we might encounter wild animals..."

"What's there to be afraid of when there are wild beasts? We just killed a Crimson Tiger. If we encounter any more wild beasts, I'll just use this sword to kill them!" Zhan Hun then expressed his desire to take the back path.

“That’s right, Master, are the four of us afraid we can’t handle a few beasts?” Yin Po looked at Li Feiyu expectantly.

Han Li stood next to Li Feiyu, looking worried.

“I think Master’s consideration is reasonable. Look at this path, there are several forks in the road. If we accidentally get lost or take the wrong turn, it will probably waste even more time.”

“That’s alright. We can plan the route in advance, mark it, and then follow the marks.” Li Feiyu’s confident demeanor made Yin Po extremely happy.

After some discussion, the four of them walked along the path towards Canghai City.

As dusk fell, the path became deserted, the surrounding grass grew lush and tall, in some places reaching waist-high. Occasionally, the cawing of crows could be heard.
"It's getting dark, you guys be careful and watch your step," Li Feiyu reminded them.

As they walked, their view suddenly opened up, and upon closer inspection, they could see that the ground was shimmering.

"Wait a minute!" Li Feiyu slowed down and walked forward cautiously, only to find a depression in front of her filled with water.

"This water looks a bit strange," Li Feiyu said in a low voice, frowning.

The three of them were originally following behind Li Feiyu, but after hearing his words, they immediately stepped forward to investigate.

The depression wasn't large, but the water inside was crystal clear, shimmering in the moonlight, and the surface was as calm as a mirror.

"Master, what's going on?" Han Li asked, his eyes filled with surprise.

It turns out that this water sprite is not simple. From a distance, it looks nothing special, but upon closer inspection, one can see a very eerie scene in the water.

The scene in the water depicts a raging fire, and the background of the fire mirrors the environment in which the group finds themselves: the same darkness, the same forest. (End of Chapter)