Chapter 387: An Expert’s Entrance into the City
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
When the group left the cave, their eyes almost fell out of their sockets as they cast their sights forward.
Countless mystical beasts from the dense forest had gathered around the outer area of the cave; the grandeur of it all was mind-numbing.
However, the group was not terrified about the many beasts gathered there; the mystical beasts were segregated on two sides, leaving the center path empty. It was obvious that they were here to bid farewell.
There must be at least hundreds of thousands of mystical beasts that had come, including black bears that were several hundred feet tall, large white tigers that were many feet long, giant pythons that were at least a hundred feet long, as well as an assortment of exotic creatures.
Any mystical beast that resided in the forest had made an appearance. If they had not, it would only be because the beast’s level was too low and was not qualified to come. There were no beginner level beasts of the fourth level and below in sight at all!
All the mystical beasts of intermediate class and above stood there quietly; not a single beast made any sound.
Taking in such an odd scene, the group felt their hearts were about to stop beating from the shock and awe. They tailed the reclusive expert, carefully stepping in his footsteps. As they passed, the beasts lowered themselves neatly, as if bowing to sending them off.
It was like they were respectfully sending off a supreme king!
The scene left Young Master Lan and the group shaken and awestruck.
Looking again at the green silhouette who was moving forward nonchalantly, they only felt that the individual in front of them was as great as heaven and earth.
"A Cloudmallow Squirrel!" A girl gasped in delight.
Yun Yang smiled faintly and waved his hand.
Countless Cloudmallow Squirrels came running over like they were on a pilgrimage and gathered right there and then. It was as if the entire species was having a family gathering.
Yun Yang’s eyes carefully scanned the bunch of tiny animals and picked a tiny squirrel baby that was about the size of his palm. It laid curled up in his palm warmly and stared back with a pair of glassy eyes.
"I would like to find an owner for it to build it another future. Do you all agree?" Yun Yang’s voice was gentle as he looked at the Cloudmallow Squirrels with warmth.
The squirrels nodded in unison, like chickens pecking at rice.
Yun Yang held this cutest and prettiest little squirrel and turned to pass it to Lady Zi, saying with a smile, "The beginning and end of a fate are with its reasons. Treat it well."
Lady Zi’s fair face blushed with surprise. With a series of nods, she accepted the baby Cloudmallow Squirrel carefully and hugged it fondly.
The rest of the group watched on with envy in their eyes.
The other girls subconsciously moved their mouths, wanting very much to take a mystical beast cub back themselves, but no one dared to speak out. Who would dare make a request when faced with such a supreme presence?
Yun Yang smiled and did not speak further. With a wave of his hand, the large squirrel family disappeared swiftly like they had been pardoned for a heinous crime.
The mass continued their trek with grass under their feet.
The mystical beasts on both sides did not seem to reduce. Instead, they were increasing like all the high-level mystical beasts of this forest were assembling here.
The few young masters and ladies grew increasingly frightened with the addition of the beasts, the color draining from their faces.
There were so many high-level mystical beasts here! How many of them could there possibly be?
Several million? Tens of millions? Perhaps more, could it be in the billions?
So many vicious beasts! We’re always here to hunt! Where were they hiding all this while?
The group's legs quivered without exception.
"After I leave today, this forest’s mystical beasts shall lose their constraints. This place might be a land of danger from now on. If there isn’t a need, it’s best not to come again."
In front of them, the unparalleled prodigy’s voice drifted over indifferently.
The crowd nodded like chickens pecking at rice. Even without the reminder, they had already decided that they would not come again to this malicious place!
It was already a blessing to be able to keep their lives up to this point.
After some distance, the sides of their path were still filled to the brim with mystical beasts that had come to send Yun Yang off. Just when Young Master Lan and group were getting antsy about how long the mystical beast wall of the farewell squad would be, they heard the expert said faintly, "Acting like this inhibits our speed forward. I’ve received all your well wishes, you may be dismissed."
He waved his hand again right after he finished speaking.
Boom! Boom!
The group was shocked to see that the countless beasts were growling in unison after the expert had spoken, and then the mass of beasts dispersed.
They left at once, but it was done in an orderly manner. Even though the process was inevitably chaotic, there was no trampling nor stepping on one another.
Whether they had left by flying, hopping, running, crawling, penetrating the ground, going up into the trees, all of them left without getting in each other's way.
WIthin the time it took to take a few breaths, there were no more beasts as far as the eyes could see!
"I will still come back, one day." The reclusive expert seemed to be saddened as well.
Witnessing this, the mass subconsciously took Yun Yang as a deity.
Young Master Lan mustered his courage and said, "Senior’s injury will definitely be healed. Then, senior can step foot in the secular world and triumph in the realm again to go around the world."
"Hopefully," Yun Yang replied with indifference.
His answer was obviously less than hopeful; he was clearly trying only for the sake of trying.
"This old man had left the vibrant and flourishing world for so long. Now that I am to step foot in it again, I wish to see the extent of changes this world has been through." Yun Yang said wistfully, "Hope is only the prospect of ‘what-if’."
Young Master Lan did not know how to reply, being dumbstruck for a moment before he chuckled apologetically, "May I ask senior’s name? How should we juniors address senior for it sounds unfamiliar and untoward to keep calling senior."
Young Master Lan was already resolute on making an acquaintance with the expert in front of him. This act of association was only a matter of course.
Yun Yang replied subtly, "I’ve never like being ostentatious and have called myself by the name of idle clouds and wild cranes… Just call me Elder Yun."
"Nice to meet you, Elder Yun."
The mass bowed as a sign of respect, but all of them knew that it was simply impossible for the person before them to really have the surname Yun. The Yun of this Elder Yun was most probably the homophone of ‘cloud’; it was in keeping with what he said about ‘idle clouds and wild cranes’!
It wasn't unreasonable for a reclusive expert to be reluctant in disclosing his real name. If an acquaintance could be forged, they would naturally know it after getting along for some time; on the other hand, what was the point of knowing his real name if they could not even be acquainted?
For now, it was sufficient to know how to address the other party.
It would be strange if an unparalleled expert like Elder Yun was friendly and poured his heart to these youngsters right away.
"Elder Yun."
Seeing that there were no more mystical beasts as the farewell squad, the mass picked up their speed.
Elder Yun was still in front of the group while the adorable bear cub was in front of him, leading the way. This seemingly ordinary pet was actually moving very fast.
The forest was huge, though, as the group had only reached the boundaries of the forest after one whole day. It was only here that they heaved a genuine sigh of relief.
They had come out! They had finally gotten out safely!
Young Master Lan and group watched the flocks of mystical beast hunters who were entering the dense forest with sympathy tinting their gazes.
Poor things. It looks like you fellows don’t know what this forest actually has to offer yet. Not everyone can be as lucky as us! I wish you good fortune.
Yun Yang’s gaze at the young masters and ladies were cold. He could only see the joy of survival and gratefulness of escaping in their faces. There was no sense of grief for the two hundred people who had lost their lives in the forest.
Even when they had passed by the battleground and Yun Yang had not stopped, these people had not said a word about gathering their comrade's bodies, and had marched straight out with their guide.
"Heartless people, both men, and women!" Yun Yang commented in his heart.
In front of Zilong City, people had formed a long line waiting to enter, queueing up to several miles. On the other side, there was a similar line of a similar length; the only difference being the queue was waiting to exit the city.
Zilong City was very securely guarded right now. Any entrance and exit needed thorough identity checks as evidence. This newly tightened security checks made everyone moan and grumbled in woe, yet no one could defy it.
In front of the city gates, not only were there law enforcement teams armed with weapons, openly intimidating those with ulterior motives using their glinting blades, there was also an abundance of experts lurking in the dark, monitoring any sliver of suspiciousness. Not one tiny mistake could escape from them.
Under such strict observation, there was no doubt that an endless stream of people was hauled up for further questioning.
"Sir guard, the person on this permit is really me!"
"How do you prove that it’s you? Do you think you’re the permit?"
"I…"
"Bring him away!"
"It’s stated here that you, Li Dajin, weigh 130 catties. How heavy are you?"
"Sir guard, I’ve only gotten fatter in recent years. Middle-age weight gain is not a crime!"
"What crime, bring him away!"
"Sir guard, I am sick and have these patches on my face. This is vitiligo, it’s a very common skin condition… Sir guard, I’m really not in disguise…"
"I didn’t say anything about a disguise, you admitted it yourself! Bring him away!"
…
At the back, a lot of people were exchanging whispers.
"They haven’t done checks like this before. Aren’t these identity checks overly rigid?"
"How is this identity verification? This is pure torture! How could there be so many spies?"
"Exactly. I’ve never heard nor seen such a trend before. Why did they suddenly start it this year? What are they trying to do?"
"I hear that it’s a new civil decree aiming to unite the people. Something so great that the work is being done now so that the benefits will be reaped when the nation flourishes."
"Something great, my foot! Forget the future, doing so will only put everyone in jail! How many are there who thinks that this statute is beneficial to the people? The complaints and grumbles can be heard everywhere! I think the government wants to torment the poor to death. Even if the effort is now and the gain is later, there won’t be any benefits to us ordinary citizens. Everything will go to those officials!"
Yun Yang stood aside indifferently as he took in the bustling and harried crowd before him accompanied by the ceaseless grumbles and curses with a straight face. This reclusive expert had no permit to show, but this unparalleled prodigy had no intention of letting that stop him from entering the city!