As dusk was impending, several elders still hesitated outside the perilous Beast Spirit Mountain range, frequently stretching their necks to peer into the forestry, with a look of anxiety etched on their faces.

"Patriarch, why haven't these youngsters come out yet? Could anything unfortunate have happened inside?" worry was writ large on the face of one of the elder.

"During previous days, by this time, all the descendants of our Qin clan would have already emerged, but today not a single one has stepped out yet. Could it be that something unexpected has happened?"

The several elders of the Qin clan were extremely undecided; for their young clan members, the Beast Spirit Mountain range was an initial test in itself.

If they intervened, the purpose of this test would be obliterated.

Fortunately, the oppressive atmosphere outside the mountain range did not continue for long.

"Qin Ye, Spirit Beast Contracted, Iron-back Demon Wolf!" A clan member standing at the entrance of Beast Spirit Mountain range loudly announced.

The young clan members of the Qin clan began to return from the mountain range one after another, and the spirit beast contracted by one of the youths sparked a heated discussion among the clan members.

"Iron-back Demon Wolf? How is this possible? That's a demon beast from deep within the mountain range, although it's considered the lowest existence deep within the mountains, it's virtually unmatched around the outer edges of the range."

"Qin Ye, it's him!"

"He's actually contracted with an Iron-back Demon Wolf this time!"

"The Iron-back Demon Wolf has a very high potential limit, the future of this young man is inscrutable."

There was a flurry of discussion among the clan members. This Qin Ye was in fact the son of a highly positioned elder in the clan, and was a well-regarded talent.

Now that he has contracted such a formidable spirit beast, it's probable his rise will be meteoric.

The focus of everyone's discussions, Qin Ye, maintained his usual calm demeanor. With a slight smile on his face, he glanced casually around him, standing next to the Ironback Demon Wolf. The Ironback Demon Wolf with its black fur and cold eyes was quietly lying on the ground, leaving an extraordinary impression.

"Qin Zhong, his contracted spirit beast: the Black Spirit Cat."

"Qin Lian, his contracted spirit beast: the Cloud Serpent."

"Qin Chuhong, her contracted spirit beast: the White Fang Jade Pig."

...

The person calling out the names was also smiling now. These were indeed among the most powerful spirit beasts from the outer mountains!

The perimeter area of the Spirit Beast Mountain range bordering the Qin clan land had been nourished by the Qin ancestors for thousands of years and had become a treasure land. Each year, the new generation of the clan would reap considerable rewards from this land.

"Roar!"

At the demon wolf's angry roar, the noisy scene immediately fell into silence. All types of spirit beasts temporarily withdrew their sharp edges. Although these young people's spirit beasts could be considered among the most powerful in the outer regions of the Spirit Beast Mountain range, compared to the Ironback Demon Wolf from deep within the mountain range, they could only submit.

"Is that Qin Ye? The son of the senior elder, now forming a pact with the Ironback Demon Wolf."

The teenagers appeared slightly surprised. They all walked over to Qin Ye, hoping to get on friendly terms with him. Qin Ye was calm and behaved gracefully while mingling with everyone.

"Excellent, truly excellent."

The sight brought hearty laughter from the senior elder. He repeatedly praised, and the gaze towards his son, Qin Ye, became gentler. He was extremely satisfied with his son.

Meeting his father's gaze, Qin Ye's eyes flickered. He quickly moved to the senior elder's side and whispered into his ear.

"What!"

The Elder's face changed, his eyes shifted to the entrance of the Spirit Beast Mountain Range with a startled bafflement, but he soon regained his composure.

Time quickly passed, and the entrance to the Spirit Beast Mountain Range had been quiet for a long time. The clan's members were chattering and joking around, with laughter filling the air. The young disciples participating in this round were all quite remarkable.

"It's getting late, we should go back."

After all, they had been in the Spirit Beast Mountain Range for several days. Seeing Qin showing some signs of fatigue, the Elders opened his mouth, his eyes slightly narrowed as he glanced deep into the mountain range, a subtle smile curving his lips.

"My son Qin Feng has not yet returned."

The clan leader, Qin Zhan, looked solemn. He looked around, his voice cold, and everyone was shocked, as if they heard a tiger roar, feeling a sense of uneasiness.

"He has fused his Qi and blood, already reaching the Transcendence Stage!"

Several elders narrowed their pupils.

"Elder, this trip to the Spirit Beast Mountain Range was intended as a trial for our young disciples. Since it is a trial, it is inevitable there will be casualties. Do you mean to say we should wait here indefinitely?"

The Elder feigned indifference.

"Humph!"

Qin Zhan unhesitatingly exerted his aura, his stance resolute.

Under the pressure, everyone had no choice but to stay in place, waiting for the last Qin descendant to come out of the Spirit Beast Mountain Range.

However, as time ticked away, the impressive aura gradually dissipated and whispers began to bubble up again within the crowd. The disciples who went into the mountain for the trial were complaining non-stop, having not rested well for several consecutive days and now, they can't even go home, forced to wait needlessly.

"I do want to see what sort of Spirit Beast that waste Qin Feng will be able to contract!"

The long-absent Qin Feng made quite a few elders present show signs of impatience.

The clan leader, Qin Zhan, started pacing back and forth, showing a trace of worry.

"Qin Feng is out!" A clan member heaved a sigh of relief and shouted loudly.

"But why is there nothing around Qin Feng?"

"What spiritual beast did Qin Feng make a pact with?"

Despite just moments ago their impatience was evident, now many of the clan members were curious. They all knew that Qin Feng was an underachiever stuck at the third level of body refining, but it wasn't impossible for him to pact a powerful spiritual beast.

"Qin Feng, what's the matter? Didn't you manage to make a pact at all?"

"This test is to select the talented disciples to be sent into the Heavenly One Sect. If you can't even pact a spiritual beast, you won't be able to go with us."

A few young members frowned, talking and looking behind Qin Feng, yet they saw nothing at all.

"Who said I didn't make a pact?"

Hearing this, everyone was slightly shocked.

In an instant, the crowd was bustling and everyone was looking around to find the trace of the beast that he pacted.

Meanwhile, Qin Feng lifted an arm, slowly unclenching his tight fist. All eyes were on him, including clan leader Qin Zhan and the high-ranking elders who had been seemingly indifferent, discreetly turned their attention to him.

"What!"

"What on earth is this!"

"Isn't this just a Spirit Bee? Even a commoner can step on it and kill this low-level spiritual beast!"

The great elders and others were irritated, and they felt foolish for assuming that Qin Feng had formed a contract with some exotic beast, even going so far as to sneak a peek with undignified curiosity.

"Hahahaha!"

"Qin Feng, have you gone insane? You actually contracted a Spirit Bee?"

"Trash will always be trash, I think a Spirit Bee suits a piece of garbage like you the best!"

Hearing Qin Ye's mockeries, Qin Feng's expression changed.

"Qin Ye, Qin Lian! You two shameless fools, dare to mock me? You intentionally set a trap three days ago and pushed me off a cliff on the Spirit Beast Mountain Range. I narrowly survived and escaped, and in desperation managed to contract with a Spirit Bee."

That day, he saw an injured Ironback Demon Wolf on the outer perimeter of the Spirit Beast Mountain Range. He thought he was in for a windfall and rushed to capture it, not expecting... Qin Ye and Qin Lian followed closely and attacked as the Ironback Demon Wolf led him deep into the mountains.

"Our clan rules clearly state that it is forbidden for clan disciples to kill each other, and violators are punished by having their powers revoked and being expelled from the clan. What punishment do you two deserve?!"

"Qin Feng, stop blaming us on baseless charges. With Qin Lian and my sixth-layer body refining power, dealing with you is an easy task. We can crush you with a flip of our hands. Why would we bother to scheme? Do you have any evidence to accuse me?"

As the saying goes, talk is cheap. Qin Ye's casual defense obtained the agreement of most of the clan members.

After all, this is a world where the strong are esteemed!

With his low cultivation and the contract with a useless Spirit Bee, no one would speak up for him.

.....

"Enough! Let's not discuss this matter further. But the quota for disciples to be admitted to the Sky One Sect must include Qin Feng!" A stern shout abruptly halted the dispute. Qin Zhan glanced at Qin Feng and looked at everyone, declaring firmly.

"Sending a member of the Qin clan with a contract spirit bee to the Heavenly One Sect?"

"This...this is utterly disgraceful!"

The elder, without any second thoughts, outright refused. However, under Qin Zhan's intimidating gaze, he showed a twinge of hesitation.

Just now, Qin Ye had whispered something into his ear. It was about banishing Qin Feng deep into the mountain range. If the clan leader was adamant about an investigation, it wouldn't be impossible to find traces.

Oh well, a contract spirit bee, refinement at the third layer.

This level of aptitude has already reached the irredeemable stage. Presumably, that waste couldn't stir up much trouble.

Thinking of this, elder signaled his subordinate to agree to the terms.

"I will make you guys pay for this!"

Qin Feng, grasping the expressions of everyone present, clenched his fists tightly.

At the same time, a ring worn on his finger seemingly faintly shimmered with a hidden light. The Spirit Bee had attracted everyone's attention, so no one had noticed this ring's existence.