After nearly half an hour of fighting, Lin Chen and his companions finally managed to clear the spirit beasts and pressed on to higher ground.

Along the way, they saw traces of spirit beast blood. Lin Chen squatted down, touched the marks, and said:

"This blood is still warm, so they probably haven't gone far."

Lin Chen looked up at the mountaintop again; they were not far from the summit.

He and Bai Ling hurried forward, and soon they spotted a human figure not far ahead.

The person was Gu Ning, sitting on a rock with eyes closed in rest. Sensing Lin Chen and his party approaching, he opened his eyes and was slightly taken aback when he saw Lin Chen.

"I thought it would be Li Bei who could make it here," Gu Ning began.

He glanced at Bai Ling and then at Lin Chen's spirit beast, quickly piecing together the situation.

"You probably won't be waiting for him," Lin Chen replied.

Gu Ning was surprised once more, then immediately understood Lin Chen's implication, and with a laugh, he said, "So, Li Bei was eliminated by you?"

With that, he, like a genteel gentleman, cupped his hands and said:

"We haven't been formally introduced; I am Gu Ning."

Upon hearing this surname, Lin Chen immediately thought of Gu Wei.

Only someone from the Celestial Capital Gu Family could enter here.

Bai Ling also quietly informed Lin Chen about Gu Wei.

"Lin Chen," Lin Chen returned the greeting.

This Gu Ning seemed amicable, but Lin Chen was more wary...

Because a person who remains congenial in front of a competitor is likely to have a deep reserve.

"I've heard about your performance at the Beast Fighting Conference, and I've been wanting to meet you. I didn't expect the opportunity would come so soon," Gu Ning said.

Lin Chen looked up at the mountaintop and said, "I thought you'd suggest we first join forces to clear the guarding spirit beasts, and then settle things between us."

Gu Ning smiled and replied, "We both should understand that's impossible. Given the conflicts of interest between us, true collaboration is not feasible."

"But have you considered that there are two of us?" Lin Chen wasn't planning on any gentleman's agreement.

Though Bai Ling's combat prowess wasn't on par with them, her capabilities couldn't be disregarded.

At that moment, Gu Ning laughed and said, "Doing so would make us look quite foolish."

Lin Chen sighed; he didn't want to admit it, but indeed, it would be foolish.

Right ahead lay the summit, where many Beast Kings surely awaited.

So whether Lin Chen or Gu Ning emerged victorious, they needed to conserve their strength.

Engaging in a large-scale battle here would certainly catch the attention of the Beast Kings at the summit.

Even if Gu Ning were to be defeated, he would deplete much of Lin Chen and Bai Ling's combat power.

"Have you made your decision?" Gu Ning asked.

Lin Chen seemed in tune with his thoughts and asked, "Which spirit beast do you intend to choose?"

"Since you're at an advantage now, the choice is yours."

Gu Ning was full of confidence in his three spirit beasts.

Clearly, they reached a mutual understanding in their conversation.

That was to fight using only one spirit beast; the winner stays, the loser withdraws, preserving strength.

"How can I be sure you won't go back on your word?" Lin Chen asked again.

"It's simple," Gu Ning pointed skyward and said, "I am a descendant of my ancestor Gu Wei. I wouldn't lack credibility, and besides... someone up there is watching."

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