Chapter 1: The Human-Shaped Tyrannosaurus, An Feifei

The wind was a bit cold.

It was gray and gloomy, mixed with goose-feather-like heavy snow that covered the sky and earth as it pressed down.

Lei Qing ran swiftly across the Heavenly Ridge Plateau, which was covered in deep snow. The thin air and harsh weather increased the consumption of his physical strength and Fighting Qi. The Lei Family’s famous movement technique, “Thunder Flash,” was originally known for being fierce and swift. When cultivated to the deepest level, if one did not move, they were still; but once they moved, they were like sudden thunder and lightning, leaving no traces on the snow. Those with slightly weaker strength could not even catch their figure.

However, the current Lei Qing left a series of footprints nearly an inch deep in the thick snow. Not only that, but the footprints were also deep in some places and shallow in others. It was clear how wretched Lei Qing’s current state was.

The heavy snow seemed to ease up a little.

The scenery before him suddenly seemed clearer and wider. Looking far ahead, one could see a massive mountain range that was grand and majestic, like a divine dragon lying across the land.

The Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range lay across the middle of the continent, winding north to south for over ten thousand miles, forcefully splitting the continent in two. Within it, branch ranges flourished, the terrain was steep and dangerous, and there were countless dangerous pools and evil valleys. Even experts who had mastered their Fighting Qi did not dare to enter the mountain range rashly.

But at this moment, that natural barrier that others dared not approach was Lei Qing’s only hope for survival. He had offended someone he should not have offended. To get rid of the pursuers, his only chance of finding a sliver of life was to run into the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range and risk crossing it. After all, even though the powerful Grand Preceptor of the Tianlan Empire held great power, he had no way to issue a wanted order to the other side of the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range.

Although he could already see the outline of the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range clearly, Lei Qing knew well that it was still at least a hundred li to the edge of the mountain range. If his precious horse Traceless were still there, it would take at most over an hour to arrive. If his Fighting Qi were at its peak and he went all out, perhaps it would take less than an hour. If only… but in reality, life did not have so many “ifs.”

At this moment, Lei Qing’s beloved horse had long since died, and his Fighting Qi had reached the stage where the lamp was running out of oil. Not only that, but more than three months of desperate flight had already exhausted him. Especially one day ago, when he forcefully counter-attacked and killed one of the pursuers, Ouyang Ba the Spirit Slayer, he had suffered deep internal injuries.

The Spirit Slayer, Ouyang Ba, was the captain of the third brigade of the Free Mercenary Group in the Tianlan Empire, and a Mid-stage Bronze Warrior. Not only was his Fighting Qi vigorous and domineering, but he was also cruel, tyrannical, and notorious. Living captives who fell into his hands would be better off dead; that would be a more pleasant and worthwhile deal. The reason Lei Qing could ambush and kill him was firstly because his Fighting Qi cultivation had repeatedly broken through during the constant pursuit, and he had also advanced to Mid-stage Bronze. However, he had been suppressing his Fighting Qi to numb the enemy. Secondly, the timing, location, and people were all in his favor, and the opportunity at that time was excellent. If Lei Qing were to duel Ouyang Ba fairly, the outcome would be a fifty-fifty split. Even so, Lei Qing had paid a heavy price. His Fighting Qi was now scattered and not condensed, and its flow was obstructed, showing that his injuries were not shallow.

“Sigh!”

Lei Qing let out a heavy sigh. His face, which originally had little color, became even paler.

“Clang~” The longsword Ice Flame, with its crystalline luster and faint blue tint, was unsheathed. Unfortunately, this originally precious Ice Flame was now covered in scars and nicks.

After months of continuous fierce battles, his high-quality rhinoceros leather armor, which had no chance to be repaired or cleaned, was now covered in blade marks and was hardly fit to wear.

All of this made Lei Qing, the Ninth Young Master of the Lei Family who was originally dressed in fine clothes and riding a spirited horse, looking dashing and stylish, appear desolate and downcast.

However, misfortune and fortune rely on each other. Several months of a desperate life had made him, only twenty years old, become more experienced. His originally somewhat immature appearance was now replaced by eyes that were slightly weathered yet determined. His thin face had lost some of its softness and delicacy compared to before, gaining a few traces of ruggedness and maturity. After being away from home for half a year, his cultivation, which had been stuck at Entry-rank Bronze, had also broken through repeatedly in a short time, shattering the shackles to advance to Mid-stage Bronze.

He took several deep breaths and regulated the flow of his Fighting Qi a little.

Ice Flame pointed remotely at the empty space ahead. His slightly arched figure instantly gained a trace of fierce killing intent, like a fierce tiger waiting to devour someone.

“Boom”

The snow on the flat ground suddenly exploded. Three figures shot out from the flat, traceless snow, forming a triangle shape to block Lei Qing’s path.

“Giggle, as expected of the Ninth Young Master of the Lei Family. Your senses are surprisingly sharp. I, Feifei, pay my respects~”

A woman’s charming laugh and speech sounded, clear like silver bells, yet carrying a hint of coquetry.

The one in the middle was shockingly a woman with a slender and curvy figure and a face like delicate jade. She wore a set of exquisite fiery red armor, and her long cape fluttered rhythmically. She looked both heroic and charmingly pleasant.

Looking at her charming, jade-like face, with a vague hint of allure between her brows, and her beautiful smile, Lei Qing’s heart sank heavily.

The Red Tyrannosaurus, An Feifei.

Lei Qing’s mouth tasted bitter. On the surface, this An Feifei seemed as gentle and charming as a mature and affectionate young wife. However, once she entered a combat state, she was an extremely terrifying existence. The nickname Red Tyrannosaurus was not called for nothing. What Lei Qing feared most was that this woman, as the vice-leader of the Free Mercenary Group, had a strength said to have reached the level of High-stage Bronze. She was definitely not an existence that Lei Qing could match head-on.

Looking at the other two men, one was tall, sturdy, and had dark skin, while the other had a slender build and a head full of golden hair. Both wore ferocious armor. The difference was that one held a greatsword, and the other was skilled at using claws. Unlike the first time he met An Feifei, these two had dealt with Lei Qing for several months. Of course, they were the pursuers, and Lei Qing was the one running away.

The tall one was called Mad Bear, Duncan, the captain of the second brigade of the Free Mercenary Group. His two-handed greatsword was wildly unmatched, and his Fighting Qi was even thicker and stronger than Ouyang Ba, who died in Lei Qing’s hands. He was an extremely troublesome opponent. Lei Qing had suffered quite a bit at his hands during several escapes.

The blond one was Ghost Wolf, Scott, the captain of the scout brigade of the Free Mercenary Group. His strength seemed much weaker than the other two, appearing to be only at Entry-rank Bronze. But it was precisely this person who made Lei Qing run like a stray dog to take refuge behind the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range. This was because Ghost Wolf, Scott, was best at concealment and tracking, and his nose was several times more sensitive than a wolf’s. If possible, Lei Qing would have preferred to counter-kill this Ghost Wolf, Scott. But that was obviously very difficult; this Scott was countless times more cunning than the Spirit Slayer, Ouyang Ba.

Duncan and Scott both stared seriously at Lei Qing’s every move. In fact, they could not afford not to take Lei Qing seriously. Originally, they thought that dealing with a “pretty boy” whose strength was merely Entry-rank Bronze, with three captains personally leading the team, would be an easy catch. Unexpectedly, three months passed, over ten subordinates died, and even Ouyang Ba was counter-killed by him, yet this kid was still standing there perfectly fine. Not only that, his strength had actually advanced to Mid-stage Bronze during the process.

“So it is the famous Miss An Feifei.” Lei Qing retracted his killing intent and instead bowed to her politely and respectfully, with a look of sincerity and respect: “Lei Family’s Little Nine pays his respects to Miss An.” In his heart, he sighed. Even if his physical strength and Fighting Qi were at their peak, the chance of winning a head-on clash with this Red Tyrannosaurus, An Feifei, would definitely not be higher than ten percent.

“Giggle~” An Feifei laughed charmingly again. Her peach-blossom eyes glanced over Lei Qing’s body, seemingly very satisfied with his attitude. She nodded: “You look a bit handsome. No wonder Shanshan that girl repeatedly instructed us to catch you alive.”

Lei Qing paused for a moment upon hearing this, but then a wave of anger rose in him. Yu Shanshan, the beloved daughter of Yu Tianji, the immensely powerful Grand Preceptor of the Tianlan Empire. It was precisely because of her that he was being pursued by the Free Mercenary Group. Lei Qing, unwilling to implicate his family, did not even have the thought of running home. Fortunately, Yu Shanshan understood the rules somewhat and did not direct her anger at the Lei Family. As for catching him alive, Lei Qing was not arrogant enough to think that Yu Shanshan would be so kind. She most likely wanted to humiliate him thoroughly in person before disposing of him.

But at this moment, facing An Feifei, Lei Qing did not have the right to be angry. He took a deep breath, feeling the pure Fighting Qi in his body slowly recovering, and his complexion improved a little. With an extremely calm demeanor, he cupped his hands and said: “Today, I ask Miss An to let me go, Little Brother. I would be extremely grateful, and in the future, Lei Jiu will certainly repay you generously.”

“Hehe.” An Feifei hugged her arms, looking at Lei Qing with interest, with a vague mature charm between her brows: “According to reason, we have no grievances or enmity. Seeing as you are quite pleasing, letting you go is not impossible, but… I, An Feifei, cannot afford to offend Grand Preceptor Yu Tianji~”

As soon as the word “ah” came out, An Feifei suddenly moved. She stepped heavily on the snow and rushed towards Lei Qing. One step covered over ten feet. Every step violently splashed the snow beneath her feet outward, like a heavy hammer striking a drum, emitting thumping sounds that shook people’s hearts.

Feeling the trembling of the ground beneath his feet, the thumping roar made Lei Qing’s already unstable blood surge. He looked in horror as the distance of five or six zhang was closed in an instant. In a quick glance, Lei Qing saw her face clearly. That face, which was originally gentle and charming like a young wife next door, was now as cold as ice. But those eyes made Lei Qing’s mind almost lose its defense in that instant—wild, cruel, and with a trace of sadistic excitement. Under her red armor and cape, she was like a Tyrannosaurus charging recklessly.

“Whoosh~~”

An arm-thick, rugged and ferocious three-foot hard iron whip smashed down like Mount Tai crushing the top. Because she cultivated fire-type Fighting Qi, a layer of ethereal red flame attached to the cold iron whip, making the momentum of An Feifei’s strike even more fierce, violent, and ruthless.

The surrounding air seemed to be sucked empty and burned away in an instant, making it hard to breathe.

At this critical moment, Lei Qing’s mind became extraordinarily cool and clear instead. An Feifei’s attack was overbearing and tyrannical, possessing an indomitable momentum. Clashing head-on with her was unwise. Within a few months, he had spent almost every moment in panic. Battle after battle had accumulated rich combat experience for him.

…