Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Cloud-Stepping Beast

After entering the Lianyun mountain range, the group of five followed Zhuangzhuang deep into the mountains, searching for spirit beasts that could serve as mounts. They found many spirit beasts of level seven and above, but neither Fire Dance nor Xiao Ke was satisfied, saying none possessed the grandeur of Max. Helpless, Zhuangzhuang led them wandering throughout the vast, undulating range.

It wasn’t until they reached a wide, swift-flowing river that the two women excitedly cried out, pointing toward the riverbank. There, sleek and shiny horses stood with gentle expressions. In unison, they exclaimed, “That’s it! I want the white one!” “They’re so beautiful—I want the red one!”

Overcome with excitement, the two women each grabbed one of Zhuangzhuang’s arms, dragging him toward the riverbank. Their enthusiasm was so intense that poor Zhuangzhuang’s arms were stretched straight out, his whole body lifted off the ground as his short legs flailed wildly. He grimaced and shouted, “Ladies, let go! Hurry and let go! If these young spirit beasts see me like this, how can I maintain any dignity?”

The women snapped out of their urgency and released Zhuangzhuang, who promptly crashed to the ground. He quickly scrambled up, looking about to ensure no other spirit beasts were nearby, then strolled leisurely toward the riverbank.

The three men, Yanlong and his companions, were equally captivated by these tall, muscular steeds. What drew the eye most was the pair of large wings sprouting from each horse’s back, lending them a majestic aura.

One snow-white steed had already been claimed by Xiao Ke, while another, with a coat as fiery as the sunset, instantly won Fire Dance’s heart—she vowed to make it hers.

Yanlong and his friends searched the herd for their favorites. Meanwhile, Zhuangzhuang ambled up to the riverbank and released his dominating aura.

These spirit horses were coveted mounts among noble families and sects across the continent, especially female cultivators. Their name was Cloudstepper. Fire Dance and her companions had ventured deep into the mountains, a place few martial artists dared to enter due to the presence of numerous powerful seventh- and eighth-level spirit beasts.

Under Zhuangzhuang’s pressure, the Cloudsteppers all knelt quietly on the ground, letting out soft whinnies in respect for a higher-ranked spirit beast.

Zhuangzhuang used his divine sense to communicate his intentions, and soon received their assent.

Having heard Zhuangzhuang’s purpose, the Cloudsteppers nodded and whinnied in agreement. Satisfied, Zhuangzhuang beckoned Fire Dance and the others to choose their own Cloudstepper.

Fire Dance and Xiao Ke had already made their selections and went to bond with their new mounts. Yanlong chose the sole pure black Cloudstepper; Xiao Han and Zhixuan each picked a deep purple one.

Once everyone had chosen, Zhuangzhuang instructed them to each produce a drop of heart’s blood, then personally facilitated the contract between them and their Cloudstepper.

With everything settled, the five joyfully mounted their Cloudsteppers and soared into the sky. These were called Cloudsteppers because, upon ascending, they could naturally conjure a cloud beneath them, allowing them to drift through the air without flapping their wings. Though not as fast as true flight, for those not in a hurry, it was an unparalleled pleasure—a mark of status.

All five were exhilarated, finally possessing their own spirit beasts. With these mounts, they could travel anywhere at will. The two women cheered as they rode their Cloudsteppers, galloping through the sky, hooves treading the air, wings softly beating—truly a sight to inspire envy.

After enjoying themselves, the party descended to the ground. Seeing their delight, Zhuangzhuang gave a knowing smile and, in an unusual gesture of generosity, created a small ring space for each of them. He infused these spaces with his supreme divine power, filling them with vitality so that lush greenery sprouted within moments.

This allowed them to temporarily house their Cloudsteppers inside—an honor enjoyed by only a select few across the continent.

Each of the five practiced linking with their spatial rings, cooperating with their mounts to send them in and out of the ring, familiarizing themselves with the process until it was effortless.

Zhuangzhuang’s expression shifted, his small eyes narrowing, a strange smile blooming on his round bear face. He told Fire Dance and the others to store their Cloudsteppers in the ring, then instructed everyone to find a clean spot by the river and sit to enjoy the scenery.

The group was puzzled, unsure what Zhuangzhuang was up to, but followed his instructions and sat down, idly admiring the verdant landscape.

Soon, they heard a commotion from the forest. In no time, seven or eight people emerged, immediately noticing the resting Cloudsteppers and the five by the riverbank.

The leader, a shifty-looking man, barked at Fire Dance and her companions, “You lot, get out of here if you know what’s good for you. Don’t interfere with your Lord Kui’s business, or I’ll kill the men and keep the women for my pleasure before sending them to the Flower Tower to earn me some coin! Ha ha…”

Fire Dance’s face turned cold, ready to teach this arrogant fool a lesson, but Zhuangzhuang transmitted a warning, held in Xiao Ke’s arms, grinning wickedly. He urged them to make no move, to feign fear and leave the area.

Suppressing their anger, the group rose and walked into the forest without expression. As they passed the man, he ogled Fire Dance and Xiao Ke’s beauty, swallowing hard and itching to act, but remembering his task, he restrained his lust and watched the “jewels” escape.

Once Fire Dance and her companions had gone far enough, the eight intruders cautiously observed the Cloudsteppers. Only when the group was out of sight did Zhuangzhuang whisper for everyone to find a hidden spot, promising a good show.

Quick-witted Xiao Ke immediately chose a high slope with a large boulder for cover. The group and Zhuangzhuang hid behind it, peeking out at the riverbank.

These strangers were from a small sect on the eastern border of the Canglan Empire. They had come all this way to Lianyun, partly to reach Barbarian City, partly to find a flashy spirit beast to show off back home.

The moment they saw the Cloudsteppers, their leader made up his mind to capture one as a gift for his senior sister, certain she’d love it. He hoped to win her over and ultimately bed her—a prospect that thrilled him.

“Master, if you fancy this beast, we’ll catch it for you right away!” a sycophantic martial artist said to Lord Kui.

Lord Kui, whose full name was An Kui, was the young master of a small sect. Mid-tier in martial rank, he was cruel, cunning, and lecherous.

“I want that yellow one! Why are you standing around? Go get it! And don’t hurt it—I have plans for it!” An Kui took a chair from his storage bag, sat with his bowed legs, and lazily ordered his men, “Remember, don’t damage it. I need it intact!”

“Leave it to us!” his followers replied enthusiastically, carefully approaching. The Cloudsteppers sensed strangers, startled, and flew into the sky—except for a single yellow Cloudstepper, which seemed oblivious to the threat and lay contentedly, snorting.

An Kui’s men quickly leapt to the Cloudstepper, each grabbing its neck and legs to prevent escape.

From their vantage point in the woods, Fire Dance and her companions watched the scene with amusement.

Seeing his men easily capture the chosen Cloudstepper, An Kui burst out laughing, swaggering over to admire its silky yellow coat gleaming in the sun. But at that moment, tiny white dust particles appeared in the riverbank air.

As they breathed, the particles entered their bodies, and within moments, An Kui and his men felt their throats dry, their mouths parched—an intense thirst overtook them.

First to reach the river, An Kui plunged down and gulped the water greedily. His men followed suit, dunking their heads in the icy river.

After drinking their fill, they felt relief, but it lasted only seconds before their stomachs gurgled, water sloshing inside, bowels churning, urgent noises rushing toward their rear ends.

Grimacing, they barely had time to look for relief when, all at once, a series of spluttering sounds erupted.

Howling, An Kui dashed into the woods, dropped his trousers, and before he could squat, a jet shot from behind. He moaned in pleasure, his twisted face finally relaxing.

Watching from behind the boulder, Fire Dance and Xiao Ke blushed and turned away. Fire Dance raised her jade foot and kicked Zhuangzhuang’s backside, scolding, “Damn you, Zhuangzhuang, you pervert—is this your idea of a good show? Xiao Ke, let’s go.”

With the women gone, Yanlong and his companions felt awkward and departed as well. Thus, the five hurried on their way, never speaking of the incident again, for fear of Fire Dance’s wrath. Yet, it was Fire Dance herself who first broke the silence, declaring those scoundrels got what they deserved, and that she was thoroughly satisfied.

Martial Extremes 39—Chapter Thirty-Nine: Cloudstepper Beast—update complete!