Chapter 184: A New Journey!  

"Wow, what a lovely name!"

Beside Ling Feng, Xiao Li's eyes lit up. Though she didn't know many Chinese characters, she found the name strangely enchanting.

"Qianxue," Ling Feng murmured, acknowledging its beauty. It was regrettable, however, that such a princess-like name belonged to someone with such a tumultuous fate.

"Thanks for helping me and Ye Yi."

Mu Qianxue gradually grew more comfortable with speaking, which made her words flow much more smoothly.

"So its name is Ye Yi." Ling Feng glanced at the little black cat, and then curiously inquired, "Why are you two here? The Heavenly Forest is dangerous, with ferocious beasts roaming around."

"I... I'm here to participate in the assessment of the four major academies," Mu Qianxue gritted her teeth and replied.

"You?" Ling Feng blinked, paused, then chuckled, "You're quite lucky not to have encountered any beasts."

Otherwise, given the girl's strength, coupled with the presence of the black cat Ye Yi, they might have fallen prey to the ruthless predators.

But then again, considering her tattered clothes and the wounds covering her hands and feet, it was evident that she had endured considerable hardships along the way.

After some thought, Ling Feng took out some jerky and handed it over. "You must be hungry."

Seeing the jerky, Mu Qianxue's stomach let out a growl, indicating her hunger and making her a bit embarrassed.

"Help yourself. I've got plenty," Ling Feng said with a faint smile.

"Then I’ll..." Mu Qianxue blushed slightly as she reached for the jerky. Splitting it in half, she passed one portion to the black cat, Ye Yi, and eagerly devoured the other.

"Qianxue, take it slow, take it slow..."

Xiao Li urged, handing her a bowl of water to prevent choking. After a few bites, the black cat perked up and fixed its bright eyes on Ling Feng, clearly intent on remembering its savior's face.

...

The night passed without incident.

Ling Feng offered his tent to Mu Qianxue while he positioned himself cross-legged outside to keep watch throughout the night.

Although they were nearing the outskirts of the Heavenly Forest, it remained a region where ferocious beasts roamed, so they couldn't afford to be careless.

At dawn, the warriors from the nearby Liu Family began bustling about, packing up their tents and extinguishing their campfire. Within a short span of time, they had everything organized and were prepared to depart.

Approaching Ling Feng astride a majestic demonic horse, Liu Yunfei paused and respectfully inquired, "Brother Ling, are you also on your way to register at the four major academies?"

"Yes," Ling Feng nodded slightly. His impression of Liu Yunfei was decent, so he saw no reason to conceal his intentions.

"Haha, interesting. Perhaps we'll be classmates in the future," Liu Yunfei chuckled, retrieving a bottle of medicine from his pocket and tossing it to Ling Feng with a faint smile. "Brother Ling, this is from my cousin. It's a healing pill for injuries. Pass it on to that girl."

"Oh?" Ling Feng accepted the medicine. It appeared that Qin Wanwan wasn't entirely bad after all.

"Alright, I'll be on my way now. Farewell, Brother Ling," Liu Yunfei saluted Ling Feng with a fist-and-palm gesture once again before urging his horse forward and galloping off into the distance.

Qin Wanwan spurred her horse as well. As she passed by Ling Feng, she glared at him fiercely, waving her fist and gritting her teeth as if to threaten him. "You stinky brat, don't let me catch you again!"

After speaking, her figure flew away with the steed, gradually disappearing into the distance.

Before long, the Liu Family's horse convoy vanished amidst the billowing dust.

"Looks like it's time for us to hit the road as well."

Blood Python extinguished the campfire and couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion upon seeing Ling Feng sitting outside the tent all night.

Throughout his life, he had engaged in both good and bad deeds, always motivated by self-interest. He was very different from Ling Feng, who stood up for a little beggar without any personal gain and exemplified true integrity.

Of course, true integrity ultimately depends on one's own strength.

Before long, the members of the Hunting Blade Team set off. This time, however, two new additions joined the group: a ragged "little beggar" named Mu Qianxue and a cute little black cat named Ye Yi.

For the sake of convenience, Mu Qianxue changed back into her tattered beggar clothes. After all, her stunning beauty was enough to attract unwanted attention and trouble.

......

In the dense mountain forest, silence prevailed, yet danger lurked around every corner. Under Ling Feng's leadership, the journey of the Hunting Blade Team through the Heavenly Forest this time was relatively smooth, with almost no incidents except for the desertion of Hu Sandao, who joined along with Ling Feng.

"How much longer until we reach the Imperial Capital?"

Since departing from the Wenxian Sect, Ling Feng’s journey had taken him through the Misty Ghost Forest, the Canyon Town, and then across the Sea-Blue Abyss. Calculating the time, it had been almost a month.

Blood Python smiled and replied, "If we continue along this road ahead, we'll be out of this forest in half a day. I know you're heading to the Imperial Capital for the assessment of the four major academies, so it seems we'll have to part ways soon."

Ling Feng was momentarily taken aback. Although he had been eagerly anticipating reaching the Imperial Capital, the prospect of parting ways brought about an unexpected sense of reluctance.

"Are we there already?" Ling Feng rubbed his nose. "It's a bit faster than I expected, heh..."

Blood Python chuckled. "What's the matter? Reluctant to leave Xiao Li behind? How about considering joining our Hunting Blade Team officially? I'm sure Xiao Li wouldn't want to part with you either."

Ling Feng pursed his lips and instead of responding, he reached into his pocket to retrieve several bottles of pills, which he handed to Blood Python. "Captain Blood, consider these as parting gifts. You need these pills more than I do for hunting and slaying monsters in the deep forest."

"These... are too precious," Blood Python hastily declined.

"Just consider it a gift for Xiao Li," Ling Feng insisted, keeping the pills extended towards her. His gaze shifted to Xiao Li, whose eyes seemed slightly reddened, clearly showing reluctance to part with Ling Feng. However, she merely clenched her sleeves without saying a word.

Mu Qianxue, who had agreed with Ling Feng the previous night to travel to the Imperial Capital together, just quietly followed the group.

Half a day later.

Upon seeing the official road ahead, indicating their complete departure from the Heavenly Forest, tears welled up in Xiao Li's eyes. She rushed to Ling Feng and gritted her teeth while saying, "Will we... see each other again?"

Ling Feng paused, and then gently patted Xiao Li's head while smiling, saying, "As long as you remember my name, Ling Feng, you'll always be able to find me."

"Why?" Xiao Li asked, her eyes reddened.

Ling Feng smiled and confidently strode forward, casually waving his hand. "Blood, Thunder, my brothers, and little sister Xiao Li, since the Imperial Capital is not far off, I'll go first."

Mu Qianxue glanced at Xiao Li and waved to her before catching up to Ling Feng's pace. Side by side, they walked into the setting sun's glow, gradually disappearing from the sight of the Hunting Blade Team.

Upon seeing Xiao Li staring blankly at Ling Feng's departing figure, Blood Python reached out and patted her on the back of her head, while chuckling. "Silly girl, what Ling Feng meant is that his name will be renowned throughout the entire Tianbai Empire in the future! He wants you to remember his name so that you can find him in the Imperial Capital whenever you want."

Xiao Li, blushing slightly, pursed her lips as she looked at Blood Python's teasing yet firm gaze. "Who wants to go find him? I hate him the most! Hmph!"

Blood Python smiled faintly, and then turned to the members of the Hunting Blade Team, laughing heartily. "Brothers, let's go. Let's sell our gains from this trip and take a good rest for a while. Haha..."

The other team members exchanged knowing glances, all revealing smiles of understanding.

This time, the Hunting Blade Team benefited from Ling Feng, obtaining the body of the Glacial Frost Dragon. This trip could be considered a significant stroke of luck for them!