Chapter 34: The Terrified Master Hu

Immortality has always been an ethereal, elusive concept. Before the heavens were sealed, those who achieved immortality were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Now, with the world shackled, the only remaining opportunity to ascend lies in the Immortal Spirit Root.

A cultivator who does not aspire to immortality is no true cultivator, and Su Yi is no exception. Even if one reaches the Mahayana realm, without transcending that final barrier to achieve immortality, one’s lifespan will eventually run dry. One can only gaze at the heavens and lament, realizing that ten thousand years of cultivation have ended in vain. No one can accept such an ending. Now that the opportunity to further strengthen his spirit root is within reach, Su Yi is determined to seize it.

With this thought, he feels a bit lighter, humming a tune as he walks down the path. Suddenly, as he reaches a secluded area, the ground trembles violently. A massive crimson tiger with a distinct pattern on its forehead leaps out, blocking his way. The beast is enormous, seven or eight zhang long, wreathed in red smoke and radiating a terrifying, murderous aura.

"Roar!" The giant tiger lets out a majestic, thunderous growl, opening its blood-stained maw and lunging forward with claws bared.

"Well done, Zhang Yi! Let’s see if I can’t finish you off this time!" Hidden in the shadows, Zhao Zijing watches the scene with intense excitement. His face is flushed, his hands clenched tight. The thought of watching Zhang Yi being torn to shreds right before his eyes makes his heart surge with uncontrollable anticipation. His admiration for Feng Chuan grows even deeper.

"Cousin is truly brilliant. Why didn't I think of this strategy of borrowing a knife to kill? As long as this Foundation Establishment-stage beast is offered a reward, killing a mere Qi Condensation-stage servant disciple is child's play. If I had known, I would have done it myself. A single bottle of high-grade Beast Spirit Pills—it’s such a profitable deal. This beast is wild and untameable by nature; even if it kills someone, there are inner sect elders to back it up. There's absolutely nothing to worry about. It’s killing two birds with one stone! Once he's dead and there's no one left to protect that brat Xu Ze, I’ll make my move next, heh..."

Zhao Zijing is already fantasizing about his revenge plan once Su Yi is dead, so pleased that he almost bursts into triumphant laughter.

In the clearing, Su Yi frowns at the massive red tiger. "Why are you blocking my path, you beast? Are you looking for death?"

Seeing Su Yi provoke the Flame Tiger so boldly, Zhao Zijing is thrilled. *Still putting on an act even when you're about to die? Fine, act all you want, but you're facing a demonic beast—don't you know who's the master here? Keep acting; the more arrogant you are, the more vicious the tiger will be when it strikes!* Zhao Zijing stares intently, already imagining the tiger's next move.

However, the Flame Tiger does not strike as expected. Instead, its next action leaves Zhao Zijing dumbfounded. The beast seems to have encountered something terrifying; after Su Yi speaks, it actually takes a step back.

Yes, it retreats! This Foundation Establishment-stage demonic beast is backing away from a mere Qi Condensation-stage outer sect disciple. *What is it doing? Is it preparing to attack? Is this a precursor to a strike?*

Before Zhao Zijing can make sense of it, the Flame Tiger’s aura suddenly dissipates. Its bristling fur softens, and like a kitten, it prostrates itself on the ground, stuttering in human speech: "I... I didn't mean to. I... I wasn't doing it on purpose. It's a misunderstanding... all a misunderstanding..."

*What?!*

Zhao Zijing’s jaw nearly hits the ground. He suspects he is hallucinating and rubs his eyes, but the Flame Tiger remains prostrate, showing no signs of getting up, looking utterly submissive.

Su Yi’s expression turns cold. He sneers, "Is that so?" He takes a small step forward.

As Su Yi approaches, the Flame Tiger reacts as if facing a prehistoric monster. Its scarlet, bloodthirsty eyes reveal a flicker of human-like awe. It trembles violently, its tail tucked firmly between its legs. As Su Yi reaches it, a damp, musky odor fills the air, and a foul-smelling liquid begins to pool beneath the beast, creating a pungent stench.

*What?!* Zhao Zijing is struck as if by lightning, his mind completely blank. *Am I seeing this right? This Flame Tiger is the king of beasts, a fierce and untameable creature! Even the disciples of the Spirit Beast Hall, who are responsible for tending to it, approach with trepidation. Yet now, it is cowering like this in front of Zhang Yi?*

*This is a Foundation Establishment-stage demonic beast! When it goes berserk, even late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators have to avoid its edge. And now it’s been scared into wetting itself by a mere Qi Condensation-stage servant disciple? It’s unheard of!*

Before he can grasp the situation, Su Yi lifts his leg and kicks the tiger on the forehead. "Blocking my path and then relieving yourself everywhere? Who told you that you could do that? Get out of here!"

"Woo—"

The kicked Flame Tiger dares not show any resistance. Instead, as if granted a pardon, it leaps up, bows its head, and wags its tail ingratiatingly. It even tries to rub its head against Su Yi’s foot, but is kicked away again.

"Stop whining, get lost!"

"Woo—" The Flame Tiger, feeling deeply aggrieved, slinks away with its head hanging low.

Zhao Zijing watches, frozen, as Su Yi walks away right before his eyes, unable to do a thing. The scene he just witnessed leaves him with a profound sense of unreality. *Has the Flame Tiger gone mad? What is going on?*

Before he can ponder further, he feels a sharp, murderous intent lock onto him. The killing intent is so tangible that he feels as if he has fallen into an icy cavern; even turning his neck feels stiff. He turns his head to see a pair of lantern-sized eyes glaring at him with pure malice—it is the Flame Tiger that had just departed.

Zhao Zijing swallows hard, his voice trembling. "Tiger... Master Tiger, what... what are you doing? My uncle is Elder Chi Zhongrui of the Golden Core realm. If you dare lay a finger on me, he... he..."

The Flame Tiger remains unmoved, its killing intent undiminished. "To hell with your elder! Even if the Sect Master himself came, he couldn't save you! You brat, daring to plot against me—if you don't die, I will never be rid of this hatred! Besides, if you don't die, I'll be the one dead tonight. Give me your life!"

With that, the Flame Tiger roars, raises its razor-sharp claws, and pounces.

"No, spare me, have mercy... Ah!!!"

In an instant, blood splatters everywhere, and the scream is cut short as quickly as it began. Having finished off Zhao Zijing, the Flame Tiger picks up the corpse and vanishes into the dense forest.

...

The next day, news of the inner sect Elder Xu’s pet Flame Tiger attacking a disciple spread throughout the Xianxia Sect, causing a massive uproar. Zhao Zijing held a special status; not only was he the only new disciple in years with a dual spirit root, but he was also the nephew of Elder Chi from the Dao Initiation Pavilion. Under normal circumstances, the incident would have been thoroughly investigated, and the offending beast severely punished.