CHAPTER 116: VYRE IN THE INNER REGION

"I know saying this might be strange, but do not harm that child, or I will find you." The silver-winged tiger said after exhaling.

Adrian swallowed. The threat was not delivered with anger, nor with malice. It was a simple statement of fact, and that made it all the more chilling.

"I understand," he said, meeting her gaze steadily. "I swear I’ll protect him."

The tiger studied him for a long moment, then gave a slow, approving nod.

"Good."

She lowered her head, nudging the cub gently toward Adrian. The little creature blinked up at him, its silver eyes wide and curious. Then, with a playful chirp, it bounded forward and butted its head against Adrian’s leg.

Adrian hesitated, then crouched down, offering his hand. The cub sniffed at his fingers before licking them once, its rough tongue scraping against his skin. A faint, involuntary smile tugged at Adrian’s lips.

’This is really happening.’ He thought to himself.

The tigress watched the interaction, her expression unreadable. Then, with a pained grunt, she forced herself to stand. Adrian stiffened as her full height loomed over him, her wings stretching slightly before folding back against her body.

"You should leave soon," she said. "The longer you stay, the greater the risk of discovery."

Adrian nodded, straightening up. "What about you?"

Her lips pulled back slightly, revealing the tips of her fangs. "I will depart as well. The core region is my only option now."

Adrian glanced at the cub, then back at her. "Will you... see him again?"

The tiger’s gaze flickered. For a moment, something raw and vulnerable flashed in her silver eyes. Then it was gone, replaced by steely resolve.

"If fate allows it."

The answer was vague, but Adrian didn’t press further. He understood, this was goodbye.

The cub, sensing the shift in the air, let out a small whine and trotted back to its mother, nuzzling against her. She lowered her head, breathing deeply as if memorizing his scent. Then, with a final, tender lick across his head, she nudged him firmly toward Adrian.

"Go."

The cub hesitated, glancing between them. Adrian crouched again, holding out his arms.

"Come on," he murmured. "We’ll be okay."

Whether it was his tone or some unspoken understanding, the cub finally relented, padding over and allowing Adrian to scoop him up. He was heavier than expected, his body warm and thrumming with latent energy.

"Follow the river, it should lead you back to safety. Good luck, human." With those words, the silver-winged tiger leapt into the air, soaring into the skies once again.

With just a flap of its wings, it disappeared into the distance. Such speed was incomprehensible for Adrian, and he could only stare wide-eyed as it flew away.

Adrian glanced back at the cub in his hands that was also staring at the spot where its mother had disappeared. He didn’t know what was going through the cubs mind. Perhaps it didn’t even know that its mother was not coming back.

Adrian didn’t say anything further and just started moving with the cub in his arms. He was following the path along the river. The silver-winged tiger had told him that it should lead him out of the inner regions.

Though he didn’t know just how far away he was and how long it would take him.

******

Meanwhile, in another sector within the inner region, Julian’s breath came in ragged bursts as he stumbled through the underbrush, branches clawing at his torn robes and exposed arms. Blood matted his hair, his left shoulder was clawed open, and his qi reserves were dangerously low. He had pushed himself far beyond his limit.

But the wolf was still behind him.

The monstrous spirit beast, with matted fur, red-glowing eyes, and jaws dripping saliva and blood, had been pursuing him for over a day. It never slept, never slowed, and never lost its trail. He could tell that it was at least a Rank 5 magic beast.

Julian barely escaped with his life in the last ambush. If not for his movement technique, the beast would’ve already torn out his spine.

Now, it was closing in on him again. The beast seemed to be toying with him. There were countless times when it could have easily dispatched of him, but it didn’t.

He was conflicted about the situation. Part of him was angry at being treated like a toy by a beast. His pride was severely injured, and his heart was filled with rage. Not at the beast, no. He was angry at that mysterious Foundation Establishment realm cultivator.

"Damn it! If it wasn’t for that bastard, this wolf wouldn’t be chasing me like this. I swear, if I catch that bastard, I’m going to skin him alive." He said through gritted teeth.

However, it seemed he wasn’t going to live long enough to fulfil his wish. He could hear the snarl behind him, see the branches parting unnaturally in the distance. His heart hammered in his chest. He reached a clearing, but there was no shelter, no escape.

This was the end.

A howl split the air, closer than ever. It generated a sound wave that crashed into Julian, knocking him to the ground.

’It’s all over.’ Julian thought to himself when suddenly-

BOOM!

A flash of violet light burst through the trees.

A streak of poisonous qi slammed into the wolf’s side, hurling it into a tree. The beast whimpered, its fur sizzling and flesh bubbling. A second later, a figure landed between Julian and the wolf, cloak fluttering like a shadow in the wind.

More followed, figures dressed in the black-and-purple robes of the Vyre family. In seconds, the clearing was filled with their presence.

The wolf, dazed and injured, growled and tried to flee. But the middle-aged woman in front of him raised her hand.

"Venom Bind."

Thin green threads shot from her fingers and wrapped around the beast’s limbs. The wolf shrieked as its qi was sealed, its body convulsing violently. Within moments, it collapsed, paralyzed and frothing at the mouth.

Julian stared, stunned. These weren’t ordinary cultivators.

******

A few minutes earlier, a large team of cultivators could be seen moving together. There were about eighteen individuals who were moving together. Their steps were coordinated, resembling a well-trained team.

This was the team from the Vyre family.

They had used the Hollow Vein as a shortcut to get to the inner region. Though the journey had not been easy, they were able to save a significant amount of time.

Under Bella’s orders, they all left the hollow vein to explore the inner regions. They hadn’t gone far when they heard the howling of a wolf not far away.

The moment the howl echoed through the mist-choked forest, the entire Vyre party came to a halt. Their discipline was evident. No one spoke without reason. They didn’t need to. It seemed that the time they spent in the Hollow Vein had improved their teamwork.

Belladonna narrowed her eyes as she glanced in the direction the howl came. It sounded very close, meaning that the beast wasn’t far away. She turned to face Elder Glenda. She asked in a respectful voice, one that the team following her hadn’t heard from her before.

Ever since they had entered the Misty Mountains, she had led them with the confidence and authority befitting a noble from one of the twelve great families. However, things changed when they entered the inner regions.

With the recent developments, the inner regions were far more dangerous than before, therefore, she needed to be more cautious before making any decisions.

"Elder Glenda, what do you think?" Bella asked.

"Hmm. Its a rank 5 beast. Far too dangerous for you to handle." Elder Glenda replied without mincing her words. She wasn’t trying to diminish her strength. She was simply stating the truth. As an immortal, there was no need for her to speak sugary words when speaking to the younger generation, even if it was the Young Mistress of the family.

Bella knew this as well and didn’t take any offense to it. She was about to order the team to move along a different path, when Elder Glenda’s words made her stop in her tracks.

"It seems to be chasing its food. And by the looks of things, it won’t take long before it catches him." She said with a slight smile on her face.

Bella furrowed her eyebrows, thinking about the what she had just been told. Elder Glenda didn’t speak further. She could offer advice, but the final decision was ultimately in the hands of Bella.

She was the leader of this team after all. She didn’t waste much time thinking. She made her decision quickly and decisively.

"Let’s go." She said, addressing the others.

"Elder Glenda, I’m going to have to trouble you to act," Bella said respectfully.

"Sure. You’ll probably be able to get some good materials from it."

******

Author’s note: Alright, guys, tomorrow is the beginning of July. Let’s put in more effort and make sure we make MGS this time.