Chapter 37: An Even Match

Fortunately, the blade, though imposing, was not overwhelmingly powerful. The strange fire lotus intercepted the qilin’s attack, gradually enveloping the crimson blade until it was completely extinguished. Once the lotus had burned out, something akin to a pill fell to the ground—it glowed with a lustrous red, radiant and beautiful.

Lin Hao stepped forward, curiosity gleaming in his eyes as he picked up the item and examined it. Meanwhile, the qilin, having unleashed its attack, collapsed in utter exhaustion, sprawled out on the ground, its gaze fixed unwaveringly on Lin Hao. When it realized its attack had failed to harm him, despair and sorrow flickered in its eyes.

At that moment, Lin Hao imagined he could hear the system’s voice in his mind: “Qilin core. Consuming it will enhance the host’s fire element cultivation.”

Astonished, Lin Hao stared at the qilin, realizing that its last attack had indeed been a desperate effort—it had gone so far as to spit out its own core. Seeing the beast consumed by hopelessness, its eyes brimming with grief, Lin Hao’s heart trembled. He stepped forward without hesitation, ignoring the system’s prompt about enhancing his cultivation, and returned the core to the qilin.

Because the qilin was gravely wounded, Lin Hao channeled his spiritual energy to help return the core to the creature’s body, gently nurturing it back to life. The qilin looked at him in disbelief, certain that death had been inevitable. As its strength gradually returned, confusion and bewilderment replaced its fear.

Lin Hao smiled and said, “I told you, I’m not here to harm you. I came to heal you. Don’t be so hostile—your injuries are severe enough. If you get too agitated, I might not be able to help you at all.”

This time, the qilin didn’t resist or attack, but instead studied Lin Hao with curious, puzzled eyes. Perhaps it could sense Lin Hao’s harmless intent. Besides, its own power was nearly spent—otherwise, it would never have gambled with its core. Now, it didn’t even have the strength to stand.

Gently, Lin Hao reached out and placed his hand on the qilin’s head. The qilin regarded his hand with curiosity, and when he touched its head, it offered no resistance. Instead, it lay quietly, even nudging Lin Hao’s hand as if to show its friendliness.

Relief washed over Lin Hao; joy sparkled in his eyes. The qilin had accepted him, knowing he meant no harm. He quickly asked the system, “System, what medicine is needed to heal this qilin’s wounds?”

“The qilin’s soul has suffered a severe blow and is on the verge of dissipating. The host only needs to exchange for a Soul-Nourishing Pill,” the system replied.

“Very well. Exchange for a Soul-Nourishing Pill,” Lin Hao answered at once.

The system responded, “Purchase of one Soul-Nourishing Pill, cost: 300 points. Does the host agree?”

Three hundred points! Lin Hao winced; he had just earned a hundred points, yet now three times that would be gone in a flash. Still, glancing at the qilin, despite the pain of spending so much, he gritted his teeth and agreed: “Exchange.”

A pill appeared in Lin Hao’s palm. Recognizing it as the system’s Soul-Nourishing Pill, he promptly placed it in the qilin’s mouth. The qilin swallowed it and immediately closed its eyes in bliss, the pill dissolving instantly and nourishing its wounded soul.

Seeing the qilin’s peaceful, contented expression, Lin Hao knew the pill was working. He quietly sat beside the qilin to protect it, keeping watch as it recovered. Since there was no danger nearby, Lin Hao closed his eyes to restore his own depleted energy.

About half an hour later, Lin Hao opened his eyes, exhaling deeply. Though Tianyu Mountain was fraught with peril, its spiritual energy was abundant. Restored, Lin Hao turned his gaze to the qilin and saw that its wounds had begun to heal; the bleeding had stopped, and its aura seemed even stronger than before.

As Lin Hao observed, the qilin suddenly opened its eyes, meeting his gaze. A wave of soul-deep pressure washed over Lin Hao—no wonder, for such a noble beast. At first, a flash of wariness and killing intent flickered in the qilin’s eyes, but it vanished in an instant. Having recognized Lin Hao, the qilin’s hostility faded, replaced by gratitude.

Lin Hao breathed a sigh of relief and approached, smiling as he stroked the qilin. “Are you completely healed now?” he asked.

This time, the qilin understood his words. Before, its wounded soul had left it half-conscious and unable to comprehend Lin Hao’s speech. Now, in its eyes, Lin Hao was a benefactor—the one who had saved its life. While its physical wounds had never been fatal, the Soul-Nourishing Pill had revived its fading spirit. Now, there was no trace left of its injuries.

The qilin rose, shook itself, and lowered its head respectfully to Lin Hao in gratitude. Then, it spoke: “Human, thank you for saving my life.”

Lin Hao was surprised to hear the voice ringing in his mind. “So you can communicate by telepathy! No need to thank me—I’m glad to see you recovered.”

“I will repay you,” the qilin insisted, ignoring Lin Hao’s words. Its antler glimmered momentarily, and a small section broke off, floating into Lin Hao’s hand. Lin Hao looked at it in astonishment.

The qilin said, “I have nothing else to offer you now, but keep this piece of my antler. When we meet again, present this token, and I will grant you three wishes in return.”

With that, the qilin turned and left without waiting for Lin Hao’s reply. Lin Hao had wanted to say something more, but the qilin disappeared before he could utter a word. He looked at the antler in his hand, then stored it in the system’s storage space, turned in another direction, and departed.

He thought to himself, “It seems the qilin understands gratitude. In a place as dangerous as Tianyu Mountain, having a favor from a qilin is no small thing. Who knows, I may need it someday.”

Buoyed by these thoughts, Lin Hao continued on, his spirits high. Though he had yet to find Phoenix Ridge, the trials along the way had tempered his heart and honed his skills; now, he could dispatch lesser spirit beasts in three moves without breaking a sweat.

On his journey, Lin Hao encountered more frenzied spirit beasts and easily dealt with them all. As he crossed a grassy plain, the ground suddenly trembled violently beneath his feet.

Startled, Lin Hao instinctively ducked behind a rock, suspecting an earthquake was shaking Tianyu Mountain once again. But after a moment, he heard a loud crash and the splash of water. Looking about, he noticed the surrounding trees were undisturbed. Listening closely, he realized the sound resembled two colossal beasts battling each other.

Curious, Lin Hao peered ahead. Not far away was a vast pond, partially concealed by tall grass. From his vantage point, he could clearly see inside.

Two massive flood dragons were locked in fierce combat. No wonder the earth had trembled with such force—their struggle shook the ground for miles. Relieved that it wasn’t another earthquake, Lin Hao watched their battle with growing interest.

The two dragons alternated between plunging below the surface and clashing above it, neither yielding an inch. Tails lashed, blades of energy flew, and both were already covered in blood. It was a fight between equals.

Lin Hao wondered what deep enmity drove them to such lengths, but that hardly dampened his enjoyment. He watched, thoroughly engrossed.

Gradually, he noticed the black dragon weakening, its strength failing as it fell behind. After unleashing a powerful attack, the black dragon dove into the depths, leaving only its head above water. The red dragon hovered above, sneering down.

“Weakling black dragon, if you know what’s good for you, surrender now and I’ll spare your life,” the red dragon taunted.

“Wretch! You dare defy your elder? Even if I die today, I’ll drag you down with me. I’ll show you the power of age and experience!” the black dragon retorted through gritted teeth.

Lin Hao realized there was a deep grudge between the two. Judging by the black dragon’s condition, it wouldn’t last much longer. Yet, as the saying goes, an old dragon is not easily bested. Suddenly, the black dragon burst from the water, soaring into the sky, and began to draw in spiritual energy with a secret technique, boosting its strength threefold in an instant.

The red dragon’s eyes flashed with fear, and it turned to flee. But the black dragon bellowed, “Confine!”