Chapter Forty: Rainy Night at the Ancient Temple

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Staring in astonishment at the incredible scene before him, Lin Feng was filled with both delight and apprehension. When a beast learns to control its own breathing and cultivation, it means that certain inherited memories have quietly awakened within it. This could be a blessing or a curse; savage creatures like the Howling Moon Sky Wolf are more likely to evolve into top-tier monsters—hard to transcend tribulations, difficult to take human form, and rarely able to glimpse the mysteries of the Dao. In contrast, weaker beings such as Flower Sprites and Tree Spirits can tread carefully on the path of cultivation, eventually attaining fulfillment. Without proper guidance, a beast rarely finds the right way—one in ten thousand, perhaps.

Lin Feng did not disturb Wu Zhuo. He quietly moved to the side, thinking to himself, “Wu Zhuo, don’t follow the path your parents took, or even I won’t be able to help you.”

Wu Zhuo’s method of cultivation was peculiar. Only when the moon rose would it sit cross-legged and breathe in the moonlight, then sleep for most of the day. To care for it, Lin Feng had to change his own routine, sleeping by day and practicing at night—a complete reversal.

He watched as little Wu Zhuo grew bigger every day, its features gradually resembling those of a wolf, which made Lin Feng restless and uneasy. If anyone discovered the truth, what would happen? Especially Nangong Ke and his ilk—they would never let it go. He needed a plan.

After much deliberation, he decided to take Wu Zhuo out to travel. In the mortal world, few could recognize a Howling Moon Sky Wolf, and it would be a good opportunity to fulfill Elder Ye Kun’s commission. He could return by the first day of September for the Outer Sect Tournament, and perhaps come up with a way to properly settle the wolf cub.

Outer Sect disciples were encouraged to travel freely; the sect actively supported this. One only needed to inform the law enforcement hall before leaving.

For this journey, Lin Feng made thorough preparations, exchanging for a batch of common elixirs at the Treasure Exchange, and even gritting his teeth to use contribution points for twenty taels of silver. The personal belongings he carried were all gifts: Uncle Liang’s stone tiger, Caiyi’s jade hairpin, Elder Ye Kun’s imperial gold seal, Old Demon Yin’s golden leaf—not a single item originally his own.

At the foot of Tianmen Peak, Lin Feng waved goodbye to Du Song Song. “Little Songzi, practice hard! When we return, we’ll surely surpass you!”

“Boss, don’t worry, just go…” Du Song Song replied with a cheeky grin.

“You brat! I haven’t left yet and you’re cursing me! Off I go!” Lin Feng bumped fists with him and turned resolutely toward the mountains.

The road ahead would depend entirely on himself, but he was used to walking alone…

Lotus Town, the first ancient settlement beyond the mundane world, was named for its abundant white lotuses. In summer, the fragrance of lotus blossoms wafted through the village, and the scenery was lyrical and beautiful.

The town’s white river dolphins were also famous. Many travelers would try two signature dishes here: lotus seed stewed with mountain delicacies, and steamed white river dolphin. Of course, while savoring these delicacies, one must be prepared to risk their life—careless diners could easily be poisoned by them. However, such a fate would never befall someone in “Gathered Flavors Pavilion.” With three centuries of history, the Gathered Flavors Pavilion’s reputation far outshone that of Lotus Town itself. At this moment, Lin Feng stood before the tavern counter, waiting for the waiter to package his order.

“All right! Young man, your two pounds of spirits, ten pounds of beef, and thirty steamed buns are ready!” With two mouths to feed, Lin Feng and Wu Zhuo’s daily meals cost a tael of silver. At this rate, his money would be gone before he reached Wanzhou City. Taking advantage of the lower prices in this rural town, Lin Feng stocked up. Wu Zhuo was still growing, and needed meat; he had no choice but to spend silver to feed his wolf.

Taking the large bundle of food, Lin Feng turned to leave, but suddenly saw a group of burly men enter—armed with knives and guns, faces dusty from travel. Their leader shouted loudly upon entering, “Innkeeper, bring us your best dishes! The wine must be Spring Sunshine, in big bowls! Hurry up! We’ve got to get to Wanzhou after we eat!”

There were fifteen or sixteen men in total, looking like an escort team from the martial world. Lin Feng glanced toward the entrance; indeed, several men stood guard by a cart, with a yellow flag bearing the words “Raise Prestige.”

He was about to leave when he heard them chatting loudly: “Damn it, Meng Liang and Qiu Chi are at war again! The main road won’t be safe—everyone stay alert, or we’ll lose our livelihood!”

“Senior Brother is right. Bands of thieves roam everywhere these days, and even soldiers fly the banner of bandits, robbing and pillaging. Our ‘Raise Prestige Escort Agency’ isn’t famous nationwide, but in Qianchen Prefecture we’re top-notch. We can’t let the agency’s reputation suffer on our watch, or we won’t be able to answer to the master.”

“Senior Brother, Second Brother, food’s here—let’s eat!”

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After glancing at these men, Lin Feng lowered his head and walked out of Gathered Flavors Pavilion, heading for the main road. With no horse to ride, he and Wu Zhuo traveled slowly, stopping and starting. Half a day later, the Raise Prestige Escort Agency’s caravan overtook them, kicking up dust as it vanished down the ancient road.

Lin Feng originally planned to revisit Da Wang Village, still thinking about that enormous spear. In the past few months, he’d made some progress in his Tyrant’s Force training, and perhaps he could wield it now. But then, he realized—even if he could, there was nowhere to store such a massive weapon. He couldn’t drag it all the way to Qiu Chi Kingdom. Without Foundation Establishment cultivation, he couldn’t refine a mustard seed pouch; everything still had to be carried on his back—what hardship!

On the road, Wu Zhuo was lively and playful, with fragrant beef and buns to eat. It slept with a grin, drooling puddles onto the ground. Days passed without meeting another soul; in the wild, under the open sky, the two companions slept wherever they stopped.

One evening, Lin Feng spotted a spacious building in the distance and hurried Wu Zhuo there to seek shelter, only to discover it was an abandoned temple.

Outside the courtyard, wild grass grew a foot deep, and even cracks in the earthen walls sprouted green leaves; rats scurried and birds flitted about. Wu Zhuo, excited, unleashed its wolfish might, chasing away all the local residents and happily claiming the temple as its own, patrolling everywhere.

“Hmm, I wonder which deity was once worshipped here—only half a statue remains, but its bearing is impressive. We’ll make do and spend the night here.” Gathering dry branches and leaves, Lin Feng built a fire. Wu Zhuo appeared, jubilant, carrying a plump, struggling rabbit in its mouth, eyes gleaming with anticipation, seeking praise.

“Well done, you’ve saved us some silver again. Right, it’s wrong to kill indiscriminately—leave it to me.” Ever since Wu Zhuo learned to refine its breath, Lin Feng had deliberately taught it to kill less; every rabbit or bird it caught was brought to him alive, where he dispatched them cleanly and roasted them for food.

“Another life taken…” Dividing most of the rabbit meat for his companion, Lin Feng sighed, then ate heartily. He only sipped the spirits, not for pleasure but so that, should he meet a wine-loving immortal like Zhuang Bufan in the future, he wouldn’t be laughed at.

After the feast, Lin Feng looked up at the gloomy sky and muttered, “Looks like it’s going to rain hard tonight. Wu Zhuo’s cultivation will be delayed again.”

Night fell, and from dusk onward, spring rain poured steadily, not stopping even late into the night.

“Sleep, don’t wait…” Lin Feng patted Wu Zhuo, who kept watch by the temple gate, and added a few more branches to the fire.

“Woo…woo…” Wu Zhuo, having kept vigil for half the night, looked up with a plaintive expression, tail tucked, following its master to curl up beside the fire.

“Boom!” A spring thunder exploded in the distant sky, white lightning clawing across the night, seeming to tear the heavens apart.

Lin Feng looked up; the sky was pitch black, water spraying urgently, the night deepening, the rain intensifying.

“Clang!” In the darkness, a sharp sound rang from some unknown direction, startlingly abrupt amid the rainy night. Wu Zhuo, resting on a soft bed of grass, suddenly lifted its head, ears erect and listening.

“Go! Young master, run! Run!” In the rain, cries echoed—sorrowful and desperate. The clash of blades grew louder.

“A vendetta?” Lin Feng frowned, gripping his pear blossom spear, gazing at the dense rain, then plunged angrily into the mist.

In an instant, he was drenched, clothes clinging coldly to his body, the rain blurring his vision. Even a few yards away, he could barely see.

“Crack!” A jagged bolt of lightning lit up the fields, and in that fleeting brightness, Lin Feng saw four figures struggling desperately on the distant road.

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“There! Over there!”

On the ancient road, beneath heavy rain, three men fought desperately against a dark figure. Though the details were unclear, it was obvious the three were exhausted, steps unsteady, their moves in utter disarray. The shadow wielded a cold blade, pressing relentlessly, each strike precise and bloody, flesh flying with every blow. The leader of the three was also a swordsman; his left arm was gone, yet he still fought fiercely, losing none of his might. The other two were clearly weaker, barely able to defend themselves, but showed no fear in the face of the shadow.

“Stop!” Through wind and rain, an angry shout thundered across the night. A white arc pierced the curtain of rain, charging in!

“Ding—” The cold blade struck the pear blossom spear, producing a melodious vibration, sparks instantly extinguished by the rain.

The black-clad figure shuddered, cold light shooting from his eyes. With a sharp cry, his white blade flashed, twisting underfoot, and he leapt into the air, slashing down upon his new opponent!

Lin Feng shouted, leaping forward, the silver spear darting like a dragon, sparking with fierce brilliance!

The two white flashes forced away all the surrounding mist!

Two sharp gazes swept across each other!

“Clang!” At that instant when the weapons met, the brilliance was dazzling as daylight; the three bloodied faces looked up in awe, transfixed.

Lin Feng’s hand trembled slightly, the pear blossom spear tracing a graceful arc behind him, the tip vibrating ceaselessly. The black-clad man stopped several yards ahead, arm lowered, black blood dripping from the blade into the muddy earth.

The man’s voice rasped, icy: “Stay out of this!”

“I will not. What will you do?”

“Then die!”

“Clang! Clang! Clang!—” The endless clash of steel rang out amid the downpour, the sky growing darker, the rain more intense.

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