BTTH : From the beginning of the battle to the top

The next day.

After making all the preparations, Xiao Yan chose a route on the map and stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, beginning his training.

Carrying the black giant ruler he named "Xuan Zhong Chi" on his back, Xiao Yan trudged through the Monster Beast Mountain Range. Under the strange ability of the Xuan Zhong Chi to suppress Dou Qi and its terrifying weight, Xiao Yan's progress was extremely difficult, and it wasn't long before he began to feel out of breath.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Xiao Yan looked at the dense forest ahead that blocked out the sun. Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat as he caught a glimpse of a crimson shadow pouncing from his side. In a moment of panic, Xiao Yan instinctively lunged forward, narrowly avoiding a dangerous claw that left behind a strand of his hair.

Quickly getting up and gripping the Xuan Tie Chi in his hand, Xiao Yan turned to face the crimson shadow, which turned out to be a fox with fiery red fur.

"First-tier monster, Red Fire Fox, is best known for its speed. Xiao Yan, you managed to dodge its sneak attack, not bad! But be careful, it's not over yet," the voice of Yao Lao echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.

Thus, the battle with the Red Fire Fox marked the official beginning of Xiao Yan's training in the Monster Beast Mountain Range.

One day later.

When a first-tier monster, the Phantom Cat, fell beneath Xiao Yan's Xuan Zhong Chi, he collapsed onto the ground and quickly took out a few energy recovery pills to swallow.

"This Monster Beast Mountain Range is truly dangerous. In just one day, I've encountered several strong first-tier monsters," Xiao Yan gasped.

"Now you finally understand what training is, huh? Staying in a comfortable environment won't make you a true powerhouse," Yao Lao's spirit emerged from the Bone Flame Ring, beginning to instruct Xiao Yan.

Not far away, a first-tier monster, the Ice Snake, seemed intimidated by Xiao Yan's defeat of the Phantom Cat and slinked away from the area.

Meanwhile, Qing Lin, who was meditating, suddenly opened her eyes, revealing a faint smile. She picked up the nearby map and glanced at it, then closed her eyes again, sending a message to the distant Purple Jade Scale Snake.

"Is that so? Discovered in District 10? Then the route they take should be..." Lin Yuan, having received the message through the Purple Jade Scale Snake, began analyzing the unavoidable key nodes in the route Xiao Yan and the others would take.

"Is it near the waterfall? Then I should prepare to wait for them there," Lin Yuan chuckled lightly and turned to fly towards the waterfall.

Due to some calculations, Lin Yuan did not plan to actively seek out Xiao Yan and Yao Lao but intended to let them encounter him by chance. After all, besides Yao Lao, Xiao Yan had another troublesome figure behind him, the ancient clan's princess Gu Xun'er, who kept an eye on everything related to Xiao Yan, especially information about those who had intentions towards him. The difference in attention between actively seeking Xiao Yan and being encountered by him was significant.

The relationship between Gu Xun'er and Xiao Yan was a point that could be exploited; if used well, it could yield remarkable results. However, such exploitation was extremely dangerous. Lin Yuan had some schemes in mind, but it wasn't time to lay them out yet; he needed to gather more cards.

One day later, Lin Yuan was sitting cross-legged on a piece of green stone by a pool beneath a waterfall in the Monster Beast Mountain Range. At this moment, his mind was divided; one part was maintaining the operation of his cultivation technique, while the other was deducing the Mountain River Seal.

Suddenly, the Purple Jade Ring on Lin Yuan's arm moved slightly. He stopped his training and combat technique research, glancing towards the southwest, thinking, "Is it here? Then I should prepare as well."

Recalling the map in his mind, Lin Yuan said to the Purple Jade Scale Snake, "Let Qing'er command the actions of the fourth-tier monsters in District 20."

The Purple Jade Scale Snake blinked its eyes, conveying Lin Yuan's meaning to Qing Lin, who then issued the command.

Meanwhile, in the southwest direction, a bit far from the pool, Xiao Yan was approaching the water's edge.

A wave of beasts was brewing behind Xiao Yan. Soon, a small beast tide led by a snake-shaped fourth-tier monster began to erupt. As time passed, a tide consisting of several fourth-tier monsters, dozens of third-tier monsters, and nearly a hundred first and second-tier monsters completely erupted behind Xiao Yan, rushing towards him.

At this moment, Xiao Yan was still slowly moving northeast.

Suddenly, Yao Lao's spirit emerged, glancing towards the southwest with a serious expression, and decisively said, "Xiao Yan, put away the Xuan Zhong Chi and run! A large-scale beast tide is erupting behind us and is coming this way."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression changed. He had witnessed a small beast tide yesterday, and it was definitely something he couldn't withstand. He hurriedly put the Xuan Zhong Chi back into his storage ring and ran forward at full speed.

However, Xiao Yan's speed could not compare to the rapid charge of the beasts. Just a short distance from the pool, he was about to be caught up.

Soon, groups of beasts entered Xiao Yan's line of sight.

"I'm doomed!" Xiao Yan looked back at the horde of beasts and sighed skyward.

"What are you panicking about? Your master is still here! I won't let you die here. Let go of your body," Yao Lao said irritably. He intended to train his disciple, not to send him to his death, so it was time for him to step in.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan obediently released control of his body. Yao Lao's spiritual power surged into Xiao Yan, transforming his youthful vigor into wise maturity. Then, a fierce white flame ignited around "Xiao Yan," and a powerful aura swept out towards the beast tide.

"Beasts."

The running monsters felt this terrifying aura and immediately woke from their stupor, scattering in all directions. Seeing this, "Xiao Yan" unleashed a white fire spear that pierced through a fourth-tier Frost Wolf. Yao Lao had already targeted the Frost Wolf's fourth-tier ice attribute magic core, and this strike was just right to obtain one of the main materials for the Blood Lotus Pill.

Suddenly, Yao Lao's voice rang in Xiao Yan's heart, "Not good, someone is here."

Ignoring the fallen Frost Wolf, "Xiao Yan" turned to look ahead, where a young man in a green robe, about the same age as Xiao Yan, was walking towards him with an inscrutable smile, observing "Xiao Yan" with great interest.

"Interesting, truly interesting! Such powerful spiritual energy, and the white flame," a light laugh reached Xiao Yan and Yao Lao's ears as the young man scrutinized "Xiao Yan," his eyes filled with intense curiosity.

"Xiao Yan" looked at the young man with a serious expression. This person was not simple; if his appearance matched his real age, then his cultivation at this age was not something that could be nurtured in an environment like the Jia Ma Empire.

Lin Yuan, not paying attention to the seriousness in "Xiao Yan's" eyes, stared at him. After seemingly pondering for a moment, his gaze narrowed, as if shocked by his own speculation, and he gasped in astonishment.

"Although it's hard to believe, that flame is the mark of that senior."

"If I'm not mistaken, could that senior truly be the legendary first alchemist of the continent, Yao Chen, the revered master?"

Thank you all for your votes, rewards, collections, and support. The book has entered the recommendation PK phase, so please don't just let it sit; keep reading. This is a crucial time for the book's ranking, and I kindly ask for your help.

(End of Chapter)