Volume Two, Chapter Forty-Two: The Panda!

At that moment, Yu Mu recalled the race that Meng Fang had once told him about—the one capable of transforming into a giant dragon. So these people were called Druids.

Qingtian continued, “This Transformation Art is a sacred-level Daoist method. It has three stages: the Savage Bear, the Bloodthirsty Ursine, and the Behemoth Beast. The last form, the Behemoth Beast, is a creature as powerful as a dragon. Unfortunately, the final part has been lost, so this Daoist method is an incomplete version.”

Even Qingtian couldn’t help but show regret as he spoke. He patted Yu Mu’s shoulder, comforting him, “Still, if you can cultivate to the Bloodthirsty Ursine stage, you’ll be able to contend with experts at the Nascent Soul stage. And if you master this art, it will be enough for you to undergo the Heavenly Tribulation.”

“Heavenly Tribulation!”

At these words, Yu Mu was startled. A Daoist method that could be cultivated to the level of withstanding the Tribulation, and yet this was just an incomplete version—if it were complete, it would be more than just a sacred technique. Perhaps even reaching the rank of Holy King would be possible.

This Daoist method was truly invaluable!

Yu Mu couldn’t help but wonder, “Uncle, why not let Brother Meng cultivate such a marvelous Daoist art as well?”

Qingtian replied with a smile, “He did practice it, but this method is so similar to his innate skills that it would be redundant. Besides, his father already left him a Daoist method for attaining sainthood, so I didn’t let him train in this one.”

“Oh, I see!”

Yu Mu remembered Meng Fang mentioning this. His father had been a saint as well, otherwise he wouldn’t have become sworn brothers with Qingtian. Sadly, his life was cut short by fate, and he passed away.

Qingtian pointed to the scroll in Yu Mu’s hand. “Today, let’s see if you have the fortune. Although this Daoist method is of the nature attribute and can be cultivated by anyone, apart from Fang’er, no one else has succeeded. But it doesn’t matter if you fail—I have other Daoist methods for you to choose from.”

“Very well, I’ll give it a try.”

Yu Mu unrolled the scroll, and at a glance, was amazed. On the outside, it looked like an ordinary piece of paper, but once opened, the methods inscribed upon it were eye-opening.

The words on the scroll were actually moving, cycling continuously as if a movie were playing. The craftsmanship of this scroll alone was worth no less than the Daoist method itself. The scroll itself would be worth at least a sacred artifact.

Silently reciting the basic incantation, Yu Mu gradually conjured the image of a beast in his mind.

Transform—

At his light exclamation, a mystical beast appeared out of thin air where Yu Mu stood.

Ah!

Ah!

Qingtian and his nephew stared, dumbfounded.

“What kind of monster is this?!”

Seeing their bewildered expressions, Yu Mu thought to himself, “Did I go off track again?”

He hurriedly extended his consciousness. “This... this is too far off! How could it be a panda? Does this world even have such a creature?”

In the center of the cave: a giant white bear with a black chest band, wearing black shorts, black shoes, black gloves, sunglasses, and an earflap hat.

Even well-traveled Qingtian had never seen such an animal. “Is this a bear?”

“Of course. It’s a panda, a national treasure!” Yu Mu muttered under his breath.

Qingtian rubbed his eyes, snatched the scroll from the panda’s paw, and handed it to Meng Fang. “You try transforming.”

“All right.” Following instructions, Meng Fang recited the incantation, and with a shimmer, transformed into an authentic brown bear.

“Now that’s the correct way. What on earth did he just do?”

Yu Mu was equally stunned. Why did his transformations always skew toward adorable creatures?

Qingtian circled Yu Mu, then suddenly asked, “Mu’er, how do you feel right now?”

“I want to eat bamboo.”

“Bamboo?! That hard thing is edible? No, wait.” Qingtian quickly corrected himself, “I mean, do you sense any innate skills?”

Yu Mu shook his large head. “None that I can feel.”

Qingtian turned to Meng Fang. “And you?”

Without a word, Meng Fang raised his paw and struck downward. With a thud, a ring-shaped force field spread around him, making the ground seem to sink. It was the Gravity Stomp technique—though not as powerful as when used in his true form, the skill was identical. No wonder Qingtian hadn’t wanted him to practice this Daoist method.

Qingtian, still unconvinced, urged, “Look again.”

Yu Mu fell silent once more. Before long, the panda suddenly lunged forward, hugging Meng Fang’s leg. Rolling his plump body, he pinned Meng Fang beneath him.

“Hahahaha...” Qingtian couldn’t hold back his laughter, tears streaming down his face.

Meng Fang laughed even harder, rolling on the ground.

Yu Mu returned to human form, red-faced with embarrassment.

Qinying Ridge, Tranquil Mind Valley.

This was the training ground for the younger generation of Qinying Ridge. The two had already learned from Qingtian that the rumors of the Sacred Tomb were true. Once the elder’s birthday had passed, they would venture to explore it, taking both of them along for the experience.

The two were overjoyed—after all, it was the tomb of a saint. Anything found inside, even by chance, would be a precious treasure. But until then, they were assigned to train here.

Their strength was sorely lacking, especially Yu Mu, who was eager to improve. None of his skills were yet effective in combat, making this the perfect opportunity to train.

Just as they entered the valley, a group of more than a dozen people approached.

“Ha! Is that Brother Wild Bull? I knew you’d come for the Great Saint’s birthday.” The leader, a burly man with antlers, came forward and embraced Meng Fang. “Brother, we’ve missed you so much.”

Meng Fang laughed heartily, squeezing the other man in a bear hug. “Brother Lu, I’ve missed you too. How have you been?”

“Great! Hahaha, everyone’s well. Come, greet the brothers.”

Everyone stepped forward, embracing Meng Fang in greeting.

“And this young man is...?” The antlered man looked at Yu Mu with curiosity. No outsider had ever come to Qinying Ridge, besides Meng Fang himself.

Meng Fang pulled Yu Mu over. “Ha, I forgot to introduce you. This is a new friend I met on the road—Yu Mu.”

Then he turned to Yu Mu, “Brother Gada, come, let me introduce you.”

He introduced each person to Yu Mu, and the antlered man introduced the newcomers as well.

Through these introductions, Yu Mu learned that these were all elite disciples chosen from Qinying Ridge, about to head to the Sacred Tomb for training. They were currently undergoing intensive preparation before the journey.

The antlered man, Lu Zihao, was already a late-stage Core Formation expert. This adventure might help him break through to Nascent Soul, but he wasn’t the most formidable among them.

The strongest, in terms of combat power, was one of the new faces: Lone Wind.

He was cold, aloof, with a hint of brutality in his gaze that inspired fear. His long silver hair was particularly striking.

Lone Wind’s true form was a three-headed silver wolf. Not only him, but the other new faces were all from the Wolf Tribe—a new force recently joined to Qinying Ridge.