A Sacred Spirit Cub—A Little Bear?

Qin Tian, as the young master of the Qin clan, though his cultivation was only at the level of a Human Emperor, had numerous life-saving treasures at his disposal. For a clan like the Qin, allowing their young master to perish outside would be an unimaginable embarrassment to their prestigious lineage.

The Qingyun realm was merely a lower realm within the vast cosmos of countless stars. While the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Land was feared as a deadly zone by the people of the Qingyun realm, when compared to the forbidden zones of the upper realms, it was like comparing a pebble to a mountain.

This Ancient Desolate Forbidden Land was, at most, the creation of an ancient heavenly demon at the Heaven Sovereign level. Qin Tian's clan had numerous Heaven Sovereign cultivators, so while they respected such power, they didn't fear it.

"Master, do you intend to enter?" Ling Jiao asked respectfully. As Qin Tian's mount and protector in this world, it had sworn its loyalty. Although its peak Human Emperor cultivation wouldn't normally qualify it to serve as Qin Tian's protector, it was the highest level of cultivation that could exist in the Qingyun realm. The clan had reluctantly assigned Ling Jiao this task for Qin Tian's temporary protection.

"If the young master intends to enter the forbidden land, I must accompany you," Ling Jiao added firmly. Even if its presence wouldn't make much difference, it was duty-bound to follow.

Qin Tian considered for a moment. Bringing Ling Jiao along might help him locate the Sacred Spirit more quickly.

Upon hearing Qin Tian's plan to venture into the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Land, Chu Xinyue and the others were initially shocked. In their eyes, even Human Emperors might perish in such a place, but this young man—still in his youth—was boldly heading into its depths. Anyone would think he was mad.

"And what about you?" Qin Tian glanced at Chu Xinyue and the others. Their strength was far too weak to be of any use. Bringing them along was unnecessary.

However, Qin Tian's gaze narrowed slightly as it fell upon Qingyao. He had to take her with him; suppressing the fate of the protagonist was not something to be taken lightly.

"Qingyao, you come with me. The rest of you stay behind," Qin Tian said casually, gesturing for Qingyao to come closer.

Qingyao bit her lip, hesitating but not moving.

Seeing her reluctance, Qin Tian chuckled softly. Without hesitation, he walked over and pulled her into his arms. He wasn't hiding anything—he had no romantic interest in her. He only intended to use her to suppress the protagonist's luck.

As Qingyao found herself wrapped in Qin Tian's arms, her heart raced. She had never been this close to a man before, and the fact that this was forced upon her made her emotions even more chaotic.

For the first time, she was seeing Qin Tian up close, unable to deny that his appearance was flawless. His skin was like translucent jade, and his eyes sparkled like the vast, starry skies.

"Ling Jiao, let's go," Qin Tian commanded.

...

"Look, it's someone from the upper realms!" a Holy Land elder exclaimed. He had been observing the area around the forbidden land, and while it had been quiet until now, a hundred-foot-long dragon had suddenly flown overhead.

Those stationed near the forbidden land from the various Holy Lands and Daoist sects turned their eyes toward the dragon.

Upon its back stood two figures—an incredibly handsome young man and a woman with a veiled face, her graceful figure captivating.

"Are they going into the forbidden land?"

It made sense. This young upper-realm figure had an aura so overwhelming that even these powerful elders felt pressured. Their own Holy Masters and Palace Lords had remarked that this upper-realm individual's strength was unfathomable.

Naturally, an upper-realm figure who descended would want to explore the famed forbidden lands of the lower realms. Many people were already planning to enter the forbidden land after Qin Tian, hoping to pick up any scraps of fortune he might leave behind.

...

"The Ancient Desolate Forbidden Land can suppress human cultivators, lowering their cultivation, but I possess treasures that negate this effect," Qin Tian remarked casually. While the forbidden land weakened human cultivators by suppressing their realms, the treasures Qin Tian carried, gifted by his clan, shielded him from such effects.

"Young Master, the aura of the Sacred Spirit is coming from the west," Ling Jiao reported. As they traveled, its overwhelming dragon aura kept the myriad beasts of the forbidden land at bay, none daring to approach.

"The west?" Qin Tian mused. Coincidentally, he also sensed Lin Fan's presence in that direction. Fate truly favors the protagonist, Qin Tian thought with a wry smile. He guessed that in typical stories, this Sacred Spirit would likely end up as the protagonist's companion.

...

In the western part of the forbidden land, a shadow moved stealthily through the dense forest. Lin Fan had recently devoured the demonic cultivator and experienced a significant increase in strength. He had planned to leave the area quickly but then noticed a vibrant crimson fruit in the distance.

After consuming the demonic cultivator, Lin Fan had also absorbed his memories. The demonic cultivator had been a disciple from the upper realms, a core disciple at the Void Realm level. During a mission, the cultivator had accidentally fallen into the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Land of the Eastern Wasteland and had survived as a disembodied soul, hidden within a relic.

"From his memories, that crimson fruit should be the Sacred Blood Fruit, capable of transforming one's body," Lin Fan thought, licking his lips in excitement. If he could devour it, his strength would surely soar once again.

Before today, he wouldn't have dared, but after acquiring the memories and techniques of the demonic cultivator, he had learned the first volume of the Heaven-Swallowing Art—a technique capable of devouring everything, even powerful beasts, to convert their strength into his own.

"As long as I secretly cultivate the Heaven-Swallowing Art, once my strength rises, I can join an upper-realm sect myself. Then I'll no longer fear Qin Tian, and I'll avenge my humiliation at the hands of Yu Lin!" Lin Fan's eyes gleamed with bloodlust, vowing to make Qin Tian pay.

"A gentleman waits ten years to take revenge, but I, Lin Fan, will rise far sooner than that," he muttered, his heart burning with rage. Just thinking about how Qin Tian had humiliated his goddess filled him with fury.

With a cold smirk, Lin Fan crept closer to the Sacred Blood Fruit, fully aware that precious treasures often came with peril. He wasn't foolish enough to lower his guard.

One step, two steps...

Suddenly, a small, bear-like creature appeared from the side. Its eyes were squinted, almost as if they hadn't fully opened, and its fur was soft and fluffy. It looked... adorable.

"What... is this?" Lin Fan hesitated, unsure whether to advance or retreat as he stared at the seemingly harmless bear-like creature.

"Yiya, yiya," the bear cub made strange noises, pointing at the Sacred Blood Fruit. It seemed to be saying, That's mine, not yours. You can't have it!

As it spoke, the bear cub patted its small chest, trying to appear fierce, though Lin Fan found it undeniably cute.