Under the puzzled gazes of many, Chen Chang'an walked straight toward the beastmaster.
The beastmaster also noticed Chen Chang'an and was momentarily taken aback by his approach.
What was he up to?
Chen Chang'an stopped right in front of the beastmaster, glanced at the Flame-Treading Tiger beneath him, and asked with a smile, "Are you a beastmaster?"
"Indeed."
"This place isn’t too far from Beast God Province, but it’s not exactly close either."
"I’ve heard that beastmasters from Beast God Province rarely appear outside. So, I was curious and came to ask." Chen Chang'an chuckled.
Hearing this, the beastmaster realized that this man must have come from elsewhere—otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked such a question.
"You’ve never been here before, let alone to Beast God Province, right?" the beastmaster asked.
"Correct, this is my first time in this region."
"This isn’t Beast God Province, but it’s closely connected to it."
"Whether entering or leaving Beast God Province, this is the only route—the nearest and sole city outside its borders."
"Sometimes, we come here to purchase things unavailable in Beast God Province."
"So, the people here are no strangers to beastmasters. They also know that the beasts we tame won’t attack them randomly."
The only route?
And the only city?
Was Beast God Province sealed in some kind of jar, with just one exit for entry and exit?
Noticing the confusion in Chen Chang'an’s eyes, the beastmaster smiled and explained, "Beast God Province is surrounded by the Beast God Mountain Range."
"The Beast God Mountains are sacred—no one is allowed to cross them recklessly. Hence, there’s only one path in and out."
"May I ask what brings you to Beast God Province?"
What brings him here?
Chen Chang'an glanced down at Da Huang, then grinned. "I’m quite interested in becoming a beastmaster."
"This is the beast I’ve prepared. Do you think I have what it takes?"
A beastmaster?
Taming a dog?
This… this was just absurd!
Chen Chang'an’s words made the beastmaster’s lips twitch. He wanted to say something but swallowed his words in the end.
"Good, very good."
"I have high hopes for you."
The beastmaster forced an awkward smile before ignoring Chen Chang'an entirely.
"Da Huang, he looks down on you," Chen Chang'an said with a laugh.
"Tch, as if anything you say is ever serious. Still, this is a reasonable cover."
"Otherwise, barging straight into the Beast God Mountains wouldn’t be easy."
Hearing Da Huang’s words, Chen Chang'an nodded. Though neither of them knew much about Beast God Province, they were aware of the Beast God Mountains’ reputation. The people of Beast God Province revered them as sacred. Anyone daring to trespass would become an enemy of the entire province, facing the combined might of its forces.
"Don’t you think these people are ridiculous? Beastmasters can enter the Beast God Mountains to tame beasts without it being considered trespassing."
"But if you’re not a beastmaster, stepping foot there is blasphemy against the sacred mountains and the Beast God."
"What kind of logic is that?"
Da Huang couldn’t wrap its head around their reasoning. If anything, weren’t the beastmasters the real trespassers? The beasts lived peacefully in the mountains, only for these people to capture and force them into battle.
"Maybe there’s a reason we don’t know about."
"Otherwise, the Beast God of those mountains wouldn’t just stand by and watch."
"Let’s go. Once we reach Beast God Province, we might uncover the secret behind all this."
After traveling straight for seven days, Chen Chang'an and his companions finally arrived at the entrance to Beast God Province.
Just as the beastmaster had said, there was indeed only one way in and out.
The surrounding mountain range stretched endlessly, towering hundreds of meters high. While cultivators might not find it daunting, Beast God Province had its bizarre rule—no one was allowed to cross the Beast God Mountains.
So, for those inside, this narrow path was the sole exit.
"What do you think would happen if someone just climbed over?"
"Has anyone ever tried it before?"
Chen Chang'an gazed at the Beast God Mountains, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
What would happen if someone climbed over?
If they weren’t caught, nothing. But if they were… they’d become public enemy number one.
"I’ve actually heard about this before."
"My family elders told me stories."
Gu Fengyao loved pestering her elders for tales of the outside world, so despite rarely venturing out, she knew quite a bit.
"About three thousand years ago, there was a man who scoffed at Beast God Province’s rules."
"He flew straight over the Beast God Mountains and into the province."
"In the end…"
"No one ever heard from him again."
"Whether he lived or died remains unknown."
Missing, fate unknown?
That harsh?
"How strong was he?" Chen Chang'an asked curiously.
"Rumor has it he had just broken through to the Great Emperor realm."
"Ever since then, neither outsiders nor those from Beast God Province dared to cross the mountains recklessly."
"But who exactly took action… only that Great Emperor would know."
If the man vanished without a trace, how did the story spread? And why did so many believe it?
If it were just Beast God Province’s people spreading the tale, many would’ve remained skeptical.
"I doubt the story’s authenticity."
"So…"
"Should we give it a try?"
Chen Chang'an was already itching to act. He was never one to follow rules—the more something was forbidden, the more he wanted to do it.
Who were they to tell him not to climb?
"B-but there’s a path right here! Do we really need to climb?"
"Isn’t this too risky?" Gu Fengyao asked nervously.
"I… I’ll follow Young Master’s lead." Gu Xian'er also felt it was dangerous, but she chose to obey Chen Chang'an’s decision.
"Heh, knew you’d take the unconventional route."
"Let’s climb, absolutely climb."
"I want to see just how mighty this so-called Beast God is—who dares call themselves a god in my presence?"
Da Huang was genuinely irked. Back in the Forbidden Forest, it had only claimed the title of king. Yet here, some upstart was calling itself a god?
Did it even have the bloodline for that?
"Then let’s climb!"
Chen Chang'an grinned, grabbing Gu Xian'er and Gu Fengyao with each hand before leaping over the Beast God Mountains.
Da Huang followed closely behind—equally unafraid of stirring trouble.
"See?"
"I knew those rumors were fake."
"Some nonsense about a Great Emperor disappearing after crossing the Beast God Mountains—total lies."
Chen Chang'an’s group scaled the mountains without incident, leaving Da Huang thoroughly unimpressed.
"Was it really all made up?"
"They fed me a fabricated story?"
"How infuriating."
Gu Fengyao also felt quite frustrated. She had thought she could provide some useful information, but it turned out to be false?
"Someone else must be the one spreading lies."
"I had my doubts when I first heard this news."
"The Beast God Mountain Range is vast. Even if someone did cross it, who would know?"
"I refuse to believe that everyone flying over it would be caught and dragged down."
"Enough. We’ve arrived in the Beast God Province now. Let’s assess the situation first."
"While we’re at it, we should gather information about the Beast God."
Chen Chang'an understood clearly that Da Huang’s main purpose in coming here was the Beast God.
However, both he and Da Huang had extended their senses but detected no powerful demonic beasts nearby.
As Chen Chang'an and his group continued forward, they soon passed by a small village.
"There’s a village here. Let’s ask about the surrounding area."
Just as Chen Chang'an was about to approach the village, he suddenly frowned.
What’s this…
Why are they running?
Why run at the sight of us?