I Can Fix My Talent in Hundred Lives

Chapter 550 - 456: Martial Arts Will

The Qingshi Mountains were silent and soundless.

Mi Youdao, clad in a green-gray robust outfit, walked at the forefront, with over twenty skilled disciples and sect members following behind.

The soft sound of footsteps crushing fallen leaves stood out amidst the deathly silence.

They had entered the mountains for over three miles, and not a trace of wolves, foxes, or rabbits could be found. Even the usual chirping of forest birds had vanished, leaving only the cold whistling of the wind through the treetops.

"Master, isn’t it too quiet here in the mountains?"

"Could it be... that all the birds and beasts in these mountains have been eaten by that Tiger Demon?"

"Silence!"

Mi Youdao’s expression darkened, and his low voice carried a ripple of Primordial Qi, causing the disciple to instantly close his mouth.

He turned to look at the guide beside him, who was leading a skinny horse. This guide was a hunter who had long lived off the mountains, with a face weathered by the elements.

The guide was bending down to inspect the ground, his fingers brushing over a deeply-etched claw mark. His expression grew serious as he straightened up:

"Heroes, without a doubt, these are the claw marks of the Mountain Monarch. They are very fresh. Follow these traces, and we will reach its lair within half an hour."

Mi Youdao nodded, gesturing for silence as the group proceeded quietly. The team slowed their pace, moving deeper in the direction the guide had indicated.

The further they went, the stronger the scent of blood became. The surrounding trees increasingly bore mottled claw and gnaw marks.

As they reached a low-lying mountain dell, the scene suddenly opened up.

A massive cave loomed between the mountain walls, its entrance cluttered with numerous bones. From within the cave came a faint, deep tiger’s roar, carrying a sense of intimidation.

"This is it."

The guide lowered his voice and quietly moved to the rear of the group.

Mi Youdao gave a signal with his eyes, and eight disciples immediately spread out in a fan shape, faintly surrounding the cave entrance.

The blades in everyone’s hands unsheathed, glistening with cold light. The Primordial Qi flowed quietly around them, ready to strike at any moment.

"Roar——"

A deafening roar burst from within the cave, sending a gust of rank wind from the entrance, causing the group’s robes to flap loudly.

Soon after, a pure white silhouette slowly emerged from the cave. This figure was more than twice the size of a typical tiger, with limbs as sturdy as iron pillars firmly planted on the ground.

Tiger Mother’s amber eyes were locked onto the crowd at the cave entrance, a low growl rumbling from its throat as a warning.

Behind it, two small figures followed, two young white tigers only a few months old, mimicking Tiger Mother’s stance, letting out "woof woof" growls at the crowd.

Mi Youdao’s gaze swept over Tiger Mother, his brows furrowing slightly as a clear look of disappointment flashed in his eyes.

Although the tiger before them was robust and imposing, its eyes only showed instinctual vigilance and ferocity, with no hint of awakened intelligence.

In the end, it was merely an intelligent beast, not truly a demon.

Mi Youdao snorted lightly, waving dismissively:

"Much ado about nothing."

A disciple standing in the front row immediately understood. He flickered into motion, his footwork crisscrossing as his Primordial Qi surged, transforming into a blur as he charged toward Tiger Mother.

This disciple had already reached the Second Realm of Martial Arts, wielding a pitch-black iron staff, which whooshed through the air as it swung.

With Primordial Qi infused, the staff emitted a faint white glow as it aimed a ferocious blow at Tiger Mother’s head.

"Roar!"

Tiger Mother’s eyes flashed with ferocity. Instead of retreating, it suddenly accelerated, dodging sideways like a white whirlwind.

Its speed far exceeded the group’s expectations. The disciple’s staff struck empty air, hitting the ground with a "boom," creating a half-foot-deep crater, with debris flying.

Before the disciple could adjust his stance, Tiger Mother had already turned, its thick tail whipping like a steel whip, whooshing through the air and landing heavily on the disciple’s chest.

"Puff——"

The disciple let out a muffled grunt, with several ribs instantly shattering. He flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into a large tree behind.

The trunk shook violently, with leaves falling, as he spat out a large mouthful of blood, his staff clattering to the ground, clearly incapacitated.

This scene happened in an instant, shocking everyone present.

Mi Youdao’s eyes lit up with interest, the disappointment on his face fading away.

For a typical magical beast, having blood exchange and intelligence awakening is the limit. Yet this tiger spirit before them exceeded typical beasts in both speed and power, which was quite intriguing.

"Array Formation!"

Mi Youdao waved his hand again, his tone laced with anticipation.

The eight Second Realm disciples, already prepared, moved immediately, crisscrossing as they positioned themselves at specific points.

Swords, spears, and other weapons unsheathed in unison, accompanied by a low shout. The Primordial Qi around them erupted simultaneously, converging into an invisible field.

This was Mi Youdao’s improved trapping formation, inspired by the Luohan Formation of Putuo Temple.

The eight worked in harmony, with swords and spears intersecting to form an impenetrable web of attack, enveloping Tiger Mother.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The crisp clash of blades echoed continuously. Tiger Mother dodged nimbly within the formation, moving with agility unexpected of such a massive beast.

Its sharp claws cut through the air with shrill whistles, colliding with the disciples’ weapons, sparking fiercely.

The shockwaves of the battle spread incessantly, with sand and stones sent flying by the Primordial Qi, hitting the trunks with muffled thuds.

Tree trunks as thick as a bowl were cut by the Sword Qi, crashing to the ground with splinters flying.