The Strongest Beast-Tamer (Transmigration)(GL) - Chapter 46

Duanmu Ya scratched her neck and pulled a clueless insect out from behind her collar. She crushed it with a snap, then grumbled, “Your method isn’t working. We’ve been waiting for three days. Maybe that person knows we’re here and decided not to come?”

Nian Yunyin watched her with a faint, ambiguous smile.

Duanmu Ya grew uncomfortable under that gaze and touched her face. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“You’re so sweet and innocent. I can’t help but look a few more times,” Nian Yunyin replied with a smile.

Just as Duanmu Ya raised her hand to swat her, Nian Yunyin caught it and held it in her palm. “Don’t go lighting fires everywhere. What if you attract—shh.”

The two exchanged a glance. A faint rustling sound reached their ears. In the next instant, a plump, round purple ball popped into view, spinning in place with surprising agility. Duanmu Ya stared, dumbfounded. Before she could ask Nian Yunyin what that thing was, the bushes rustled again. A fuzzy little head peeked out, eyes wandering in an adorably clueless way. The moment it spotted Yi Xian in the distance, its tail began wagging wildly. With excitement radiating from its entire body, it nudged the purple ball forward and bounded off in that direction.

Nian Yunyin frowned in confusion. “…A cub from the Beast Tribe?”

When Duanmu Ya saw the goofy little lion cub clearly, her mouth dropped open so wide her jaw nearly hit the ground. She could not believe this silly thing had actually chased Yi Xian all the way here from the Beast Tribe. What was more shocking was that it had found her. This was… this was just…

Then she remembered what they had prepared earlier and yanked on Nian Yunyin’s arm. “Quick, hurry, dismantle the traps! Now!”

Nian Yunyin nearly choked. “Let me correct you. What you set up were traps. What I created was a formation.”

In the midst of their tug-of-war, Duanmu Ya could only watch helplessly as Yi Xian’s little cub leapt into one of the traps. She covered her face, unable to bear the sight.

Nian Yunyin let out a surprised sound. The purple orb the cub had been pushing fell straight into the pit with a thud. The cub tilted its head, pulled back its tiny paws just in time, and took several steps backward. From a different angle, it cautiously crept forward and peeked into the pit, where the purple Yuanxiao had been caught by a red rope.

“Awoo.”

“It didn’t fall in?” Nian Yunyin said with regret. “Xiao Ya, your traps might catch dumb spiritual herbs, but they are useless against people.”

The cub circled the pit, scratching several lines into the ground with its tiny paws. It howled and whined for a while, then, seeing no solution, dashed off toward Yi Xian as if running to its savior.

Duanmu Ya was anxious but still had to consider Nian Yunyin nearby. She clenched her fist. “No—”

A rebound force flung the cub back. It rolled across the ground several times before stopping. Dazed, it shook its head and got up. Realizing it had gone the wrong way, it turned around. This time, it walked toward Yi Xian more slowly, each step seeming as long as before.

“Awoo.”

“Awoo-wooo-wooo—”

Suddenly, the cub vanished.

“Hey, where’d the little guy go?” Duanmu Ya looked around, puzzled.

Nian Yunyin rubbed her chin, studying her. “You seem to know this cub, Xiao Ya.”

Duanmu Ya’s eyes widened in panic. She could not let this woman find out the cub belonged to Yi Xian. She forced a laugh. “Of course not. You’re so funny, Nian Yunyin. I was only thinking, before we enter the secret realm, it’s not wise to fight those idiots. We all need to get inside together. If we fall out now and they refuse to hand over the key, what then?”

Nian Yunyin nodded. “Your analysis is sharp. Still, just because we don’t make a move doesn’t mean others won’t.”

“Huh?” Duanmu Ya blinked.

Nian Yunyin motioned with her lips toward two figures hiding nearby. When Duanmu Ya recognized the familiar figure among them, she froze. Before she could speak, Nian Yunyin covered her mouth. Her warm breath lingered in Duanmu Ya’s ear. “I set up an array here, but that Senior Sister might still see through it. So be good, and don’t reveal anything.”

Duanmu Ya nodded furiously, her heart thundering in her chest. She had just seen Xie Ying. No, it was more than that. Xie Ying was the one tracking them.

No way. The person targeting Yi Xian was actually Xie Ying?

Her emotions plunged like a rollercoaster, crashing from the highest peak to the lowest valley without pause.

“Senior Sister, this is the place.”

“There’s even a trap here.”

“Do they really think something like this could stop us?”

The man walking in front inspected Duanmu Ya’s trap and scoffed. His mocking words made Duanmu Ya grind her teeth in fury.

Meanwhile, Xie Ying kept her eyes locked on Yi Xian, who was preparing to break through. She ignored the man beside her, though a faint, hard-to-place frustration flickered across her cold face.

From her position, Nian Yunyin caught the subtle expression and rubbed her chin thoughtfully. Her eyes darkened as the man stepped into her illusion formation.

He encountered the same issue as the little cub. No matter how far he walked, the distance stayed the same. He could not get any closer.

When he suddenly disappeared, Duanmu Ya lit up, gripping Nian Yunyin’s arm in excitement. Her eyes gleamed with anticipation. She was practically shouting with her expression, urging them to go in.

Xie Ying paused a step away from the array and looked at the spot where the man vanished. “Fu Xing?”

She hesitated for only a moment before stepping into the illusion.

Duanmu Ya’s joy lasted only a second before a terrifying thought struck her. “What if they run into the Beast Tribe’s cub inside… and kill her?”

Nian Yunyin gave her a sideways glance. “That’s entirely possible.”

Duanmu Ya jumped up like her seat was on fire. “Quick, quick, we have to stop them! We can’t let them kill that little thing. If… if…”

“If what?” Nian Yunyin asked with amusement.

Duanmu Ya choked. “If they kill the cub inside the illusion, both you and Yi Xian will be implicated. You might end up being scapegoated and handed over to those blockheads.”

Nian Yunyin nodded. “You’re remarkably sharp, Xiao Ya. That’s a very deep consideration. Still, they might not even meet the cub. This is an illusion, after all.”

The beauty of an illusion array was that it shifted with the mind. If your head was full of terrifying images, that was what you saw. Maybe they could guess what Xie Ying might think of, but could anyone guess what a little cub was thinking?

The chances of them meeting were very, very slim.

But Duanmu Ya still could not rest easy. Yi Xian clearly valued the cub deeply. If anything happened to it, the consequences would be severe. And with Lan Tong’s Lion Tribe’s status, they would never let the matter go. If the cub died, they would demand that the culprit be turned over. What happened in Yars City could very well happen again.

“Nian Yunyin, are you sure your illusion can hold Xie Ying? She’s a human-level beastmaster.”

Everyone knew Nian Yunyin had been thrown out of the arena by Xie Ying during the semi-finals.

Nian Yunyin scratched her chin and shook her head. “No. I thought it was just a small fish, but it turned out to be a big one. The formation will last for one incense stick’s time at most before it breaks.”

Duanmu Ya was stunned by her calmness. “You’re not worried? What if she breaks the formation and disturbs Yi Xian’s breakthrough?”

Nian Yunyin shrugged. “Then Yi Xian just has bad luck.”

Duanmu Ya was fuming but had no solution. Xie Ying was like a dragon among humans. Even if Auntie Xue were here, she might not be able to stop her. Duanmu Ya pulled at her own hair in frustration. “Once the illusion breaks, they’ll see the cub. If it gets hurt, you’ll be the first suspect. Don’t you care?”

Nian Yunyin sighed, clearly teasing. “Then I’ll just accept my fate.”

“Accept your fate?” Duanmu Ya nearly exploded. “We can’t do that! We have to find a way to keep them from seeing the cub. What if we hide it first?”

Nian Yunyin watched her pacing and muttering about how to protect the cub. Her intentions were clear as day. Then her gaze shifted. Layers of light began to veil Yi Xian’s figure. Even the little pony beside her was soon hidden.

“Yi Xian has started her breakthrough.”

Panic set in for Duanmu Ya.

“Oh no, why now? Couldn’t she have waited?”

“This might actually be the perfect time.”

“How is this perfect? It’s extremely dangerous. If she’d started a day earlier, she might’ve avoided Xie Ying. Why is Xie Ying even here? Coincidence?”

Nian Yunyin gazed at the sky in resignation. At that exact moment, the yellow jade she had placed around the area shattered into useless fragments. The illusion flickered and collapsed entirely.

The three who had entered earlier reappeared. Fu Xing was clutching his head, bashing it against the ground until it was covered in bl00d, seemingly numb to the pain. The little cub lay on its back, swiping at the air and letting out contented hums. Xie Ying stood as straight as a javelin, her imposing presence enhanced by the massive thunderwing roc behind her. The bird spread its wings with a loud crack. When it spotted the ball of fur on the ground, it suddenly dove.

Duanmu Ya would have rushed out if Nian Yunyin had not held her back.

“The Beast Tribe’s cub.”

“Awoo-wooo-wooo-wooo—”

The cub rolled aside to dodge the dive. It ran and stumbled, zigzagging under falling bolts of thunder, its escape route shifting deeper into the woods. It was heading straight for Duanmu Ya and Nian Yunyin’s hiding spot.

Duanmu Ya tightened her grip on Nian Yunyin’s hand. “Let it in. If we don’t, that bird will kill the cub.”

Nian Yunyin looked at her, seeing that unwavering resolve in her eyes. It reminded her of someone long ago who had once stood in front of her and said the very same thing.

A soft smile curved her lips. “You’re right. What does it matter?”

Nian Yunyin stood and hurled two lightning orbs into the sky. When they collided with the thunder attacks from the Thunderwing Roc, they exploded with deafening blasts. Duanmu Ya spread her arms and caught the sprinting little cub in a sweeping embrace.

As expected, she received a firm scratch across her face from one of the cub’s claws.

She quickly gripped the sharp paw. “Hey, look closely. How could you scratch someone as nice as me?”

The cub twitched its nose, as if it had caught a familiar scent. It quickly calmed down and nestled obediently in Duanmu Ya’s arms. Its bright blue eyes spun, locked onto the massive Thunderwing Roc in the sky.

“Senior Sister, chasing a clueless young Beast Tribe cub like this seems inappropriate. If the beastmen learn that someone from Qingshan Sect harmed one of their young, it might put the entire sect in a difficult position. Have you considered how you will explain it then?”

“And you are…?”

Clearly, Xie Ying had forgotten that she once tossed this former opponent out of the arena. Perhaps, in her eyes, Nian Yunyin and Duanmu Ya were like ants that could be crushed at will.

Duanmu Ya winced from the pain of the scratch. She felt certain her face was ruined, but she could not show her frustration. So she redirected all her resentment at Xie Ying. “Senior Sister may not know, but beastmen have very sharp senses. If you kill this cub now, its mother might follow the scent and bl00d trail to find you.”

Xie Ying’s gaze shifted to the alchemist’s robe on Duanmu Ya. “From Yundan Peak?”

Duanmu Ya replied with composure. “Yes. I am Duanmu Ya, disciple of the Peak Master of Yundan Peak.”

Xie Ying studied them both. “I heard that Peak Master Lian recently accepted a talented disciple, also with the Duanmu surname. That must be you.”

Duanmu Ya said politely, “I am grateful for my master’s favor.”

Xie Ying gave a nod and summoned back the sixth-rank Thunderwing Roc. The bird seemed unwilling, its eyes still fixed on the cub in Duanmu Ya’s arms. “Lei Yi thought it was a phantom beast cub. It was a misunderstanding.”

But Duanmu Ya was certain she had heard Xie Ying call it a Beast Tribe cub just moments ago.

Nian Yunyin added, “Since it was a misunderstanding, then it is resolved. The scenery here is lovely, and the spiritual energy is rich. Surely Senior Sister is here to cultivate as well?”

Xie Ying glanced at Yi Xian, who was now surrounded by a cocoon of glowing light, her little pony by her side. “Fu Xing lost track of a phantom beast. Someone claimed it came to this peak, so we followed. It was all a misunderstanding. Since the beast is not here, we will not disturb you further.”

Fu Xing, with a bloodied forehead, followed silently. He shot them a venomous glare as he left.

Nian Yunyin only looked back at Duanmu Ya after their figures disappeared. “Well, we’ve just offended the Senior Sister of Mingwang Peak over a Beast Tribe cub.”

Duanmu Ya sighed. She had not expected things to turn out this way. If she had not invoked her master’s name, today might have ended badly. “I didn’t think Xie Ying would be like this. She’s so different from the rumors.”

Nian Yunyin said calmly, “To know a person’s face is not to know their heart. What you see and hear might not be true. You must use your own judgment. Xiao Ya, your face is bleeding.”

Only then did Duanmu Ya let out a devastated scream.

Yi Xian remained unaware of everything that had happened outside. Her full attention was on the small orb of light in her dantian. Dense light energy surged through her body. Her previously tempered meridians now seemed even stronger.

She watched as the single light orb within her dantian split into two after her breakthrough. Now, a third orb was beginning to form. The pain was like childbirth, heart-wrenching and overwhelming, as if her internal organs had twisted together. She watched the light orbs absorb the energy over and over, attempting to divide again.

Meanwhile, Nian Yunyin watched Duanmu Ya playing with the cub and felt a headache coming on. “This cub has been out long enough. It should return soon.”

Duanmu Ya, her face wet from the cub’s affectionate licking, said, “What if Xie Ying is waiting at the foot of the mountain? She might still be planning to kill the cub. Let’s wait until Yi Xian finishes her breakthrough, then take the cub back to the Beast Tribe ourselves. We’ll make sure she’s safe before we go.”

This was classic see-it-through kindness. If you escort a Buddha, escort it all the way west.

Nian Yunyin replied, “Xie Ying is not that petty. If she truly wanted to kill the cub, not even your master’s presence could stop her. That she held back shows she is hesitant. She does not want conflict with you, or at least not with the Beast Tribe for now.”

Duanmu Ya had not forgotten the ruthless way the roc had attacked. “Even if it’s not Xie Ying, someone else might try. Leaving the cub to go back alone is far too risky.”

Nian Yunyin was tempted to fetch a mirror and let Duanmu Ya see her own face. The way she defended the cub could not possibly be just about the Watermark Secret Realm.

Duanmu Ya stroked Xiao Nan’s fur the same way Yi Xian had done before. The cub narrowed its eyes in bliss. When she finished, Duanmu Ya even took out her favorite candied pastry to feed it. The little cub opened its mouth obediently and waited. After finishing, it looked at her with those innocent blinking eyes.

When Yi Xian finally stepped out of the array, she was greeted by a heartwarming sight. Nian Yunyin and Duanmu Ya sat cross-legged on the ground. A golden lion cub rested its head on Duanmu Ya’s knee, its tail swaying with contentment. A small purple orb rolled in circles beside them. Nian Yunyin’s gaze carried both fondness and quiet resignation as she looked at Duanmu Ya. Warm sunlight poured over them, completing a scene that looked like a family portrait shaped by fate.

Yi Xian thought she must be seeing things. Only when she stepped out of Nian Yunyin’s array and heard the cub humming in delight did she realize this was no dream.

“Yi Xian, you broke through?”

“Yes.”

The three light orbs in her dantian proved she had advanced to a third-rank Heaven-level beastmaster. Her energy was steadier, and her spiritual power more abundant. That was the benefit of advancement, along with slight physical refinement.

The cub ran to her, pressing its front paws against her leg and crying with dependence.

Yi Xian crouched and cradled the cub’s head. “You… How did you get all the way here?”

Duanmu Ya gestured urgently at her. “This little Beast Tribe cub somehow ended up inside the array. Luckily, Nian Yunyin protected her. Otherwise, she would’ve been killed by Xie Ying.”

“Killed?”

“Yes. Xie Ying broke into the array and saw the cub, then…” Duanmu Ya tried to remind Yi Xian not to say too much in front of Nian Yunyin.

Nian Yunyin ignored their silent exchange. “Xie Ying didn’t enter by mistake. She came for you, Yi Xian. Do you know her?”

Xie Ying?

Ever since entering the Qingshan Sect, Yi Xian had heard that name from countless mouths. Famous and unforgettable. “Mingwang Peak’s Senior Sister, a twenty-year-old Human-level beastmaster? I don’t know her. Xiao Ya told me about her. Why do you say she came for me?”

Nian Yunyin frowned. “She said she was following Fu Xing’s lost phantom beast. But I think she already knew you. The way she looked at you was different. Don’t ask me why. It’s intuition. A woman’s intuition.”

Duanmu Ya cleared her throat and changed the topic. “We can talk more about Xie Ying after we return. Right now, what should we do about the cub? If we don’t send the cub back, the Beast Tribe might come searching.”

Yi Xian squeezed Xiao Nan’s paw. She really did not want to part with it. But if that savage beast came looking, it would not be easy to escape.

The cub began howling when Yi Xian ignored it. Startled, she quickly took the pastry from Duanmu Ya and stuffed it into the cub’s mouth. “Stop howling.”

The cub gave her the saddest little eyes.

Yi Xian could hardly bear it. If I keep looking at her, I’ll lose my resolve.

“Alright. Take us to where the Beast Tribe lives. We’ll send you back. Go find your mother.”

Xiao Nan trailed at her heels, making it impossible for Yi Xian to walk properly. With no other choice, she summoned her little pony. It floated ahead, and the cub eagerly chased after it.

Nian Yunyin said with a knowing look, “Yi Xian seems to know how to handle cubs well. This one is a bit silly, though.”

Duanmu Ya shot her a glare. “She is not silly. She’s clever. I’ve never seen a cub this smart. She tracked Yi Xian all the way from the Beast Tribe to here.”

More importantly, how on earth did this little thing find Yi Xian?

“Hm? What did you just say, Xiao Ya?” Nian Yunyin asked.

Duanmu Ya huffed. “Just hurry up. Think about what we’re going to do if we run into Xie Ying again. We cannot let her toss us out of the arena in one move again.”

Nian Yunyin did not even get angry at the jab. She chased after Duanmu Ya. “Impossible. Last time I was unprepared. Next time, I’ll at least last two or three moves.”

Duanmu Ya was speechless.

Yi Xian trailed behind, watching the little cub prance around. It even looked like it had grown a little since she last saw it. Clearly, it had been well cared for under Lan Tong’s protection.

Roar!

A sudden roar echoed in the distance.

The cub froze and lifted its head, letting out a loud, trembling howl.

Yi Xian’s heart skipped a beat. That… was a signal, wasn’t it?