New Era (Seeking Collection, Seeking Clicks)

"Not bad, not bad."

This outcome made Su Heng's eyes light up.

This peregrine falcon had only just entered the Awakening Tier, yet it could already unleash such terrifying destructive power in a sudden burst.

After some more time, once these peregrine falcons' vitality improved to the limit of the first Life Level, the destructive power they could unleash at full sprint would likely be comparable to some small-caliber firearms.

"Looking at it this way, the cultivation cost is low, the harvest is abundant, and they can cover a wide range for security vigilance. The value of these peregrine falcons is indeed quite good."

But the problem was that the Willow Template was still in a weakened state.

Even if he used the Enlightenment talent without regard for the cost, he could only enlighten one more at most.

The remaining peregrine falcons would likely just starve to death here.

Su Heng had considered catching some small prey to feed them, but this valley was remote, with few animals. Furthermore, the Willow's current range of activity was also limited.

Sigh...

Just as Su Heng was lamenting his misfortune.

Swish!

A sharp whistling sound cut through the air.

The peregrine falcon that had just been enlightened by the Willow glanced at its siblings and gently tapped the tree trunk with its beak.

Then, it spread its wings and soared high, disappearing into the deep, dark forest outside the valley.

"No way..."

The peregrine falcon's sudden action surprised Su Heng a little.

A guess formed in his mind, but he felt it was too incredible. Newly awakened mutated beasts didn't have much reason; most of their actions were driven by instinct.

The peregrine falcon was gone for a full three hours.

It wasn't until dusk arrived, with the sun about to disappear, that the peregrine falcon flew back from outside the valley.

It was covered in dust, its flight slightly distorted. Its beautiful gray-and-white striped feathers were also stained with a few drops of blood.

In its talons, it carried the corpse of half a wild chicken, bloody and looking very fresh.

In human myths and legends, mandarin ducks were often used to symbolize loyalty in love.

But in reality, peregrine falcons were truly monogamous. Unless one of them met with misfortune, they generally stayed together for life.

Peregrine falcons were also very responsible for their families. During the breeding season, their aggression would be very strong.

They would fearlessly fight any creature that invaded their territory, even much larger eagles.

And now, with their peregrine parents likely having met with misfortune.

This eldest brother peregrine falcon, who had received the Willow's blessing and was the largest in the peregrine family, had taken it upon himself to feed his younger siblings.

It landed on the tree trunk and tore apart the corpse in its talons.

It painstakingly fed small pieces of meat into the hungry mouths of its siblings. In a short while, the half-corpse of the wild chicken was completely consumed.

After eating their fill, the little ones stopped chirping and quietly huddled in the nest, curled up together.

Not long after.

Everything was enveloped in darkness.

The peregrine falcon that had been injured during the day did not rest. Instead, it stood on a high point in the valley, surveying its surroundings vigilantly.

"Sometimes, animals are much simpler and purer than humans."

Seeing this, Su Heng fell silent, then softly sighed in his heart.

This day.

He had spent nearly twelve hours logged into the Willow intermittently. After confirming that there were no dangerous situations, Su Heng logged out of the second template.

As usual, he reserved some time for backup, just in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Moon Country.

Xuanming Temple.

Within the vast, ancient Buddhist temple, pagodas stood in great numbers, and Buddha statues were weathered and mottled. Under the dim sunset, it seemed as if a faint Buddha light flowed over them.

In the center of this temple was not the most majestic building in Buddhism, the Hall of Great Heroes.

Instead, it was a massive mountain body hundreds of meters high.

Passing through a dark and deep passage and entering the mountain's interior, one discovered a different world within.

The mountain body, hundreds of meters high, had been hollowed out entirely, with sculptures of Buddhist Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Yakshas. Some had benevolent expressions, while others looked fierce and terrifying, each in a unique posture, yet all extremely lifelike, as if they could step out of mythology at any moment.

At the center of the mountain was a massive mural.

The mural depicted the Bodhi tree where the Buddha descended into the world. Below it, a monk was chanting scriptures. Around him, giant pythons guarded, golden lotuses surged, and wind and rain battered, with dark clouds rolling in to obscure half the sky.

The entire interior of the mountain was illuminated by countless bright lamps.

In the center of the hall, hundreds of monks in kasayas stood with solemn expressions, chanting scriptures in a grand and vast voice.

Master Ren Guang, wearing a white silk headband, was among these monks.

However, he wasn't chanting. Instead, he was staring blankly at the massive mural before him.

Seeing the golden serpent guarding the Buddha, he couldn't help but recall the scene he had witnessed in the forest that day.

"Amitabha!"

Suddenly, a Buddhist chant sounded beside him.

Ren Guang snapped out of his daze, turned around, and saw a kind-faced monk with white eyebrows appear behind him.

"Greetings, Uncle-Master."

This was Master Taihang, who shared the same master as Ren Guang's own master and had always treated Ren Guang well.

"Although Senior Brother Taiyi's departure was sorrowful, he died as he wished. You don't need to be too fixated."

Seeing Ren Guang lost in thought, Master Taihang assumed he was still grieving his master's passing and had come to offer comfort.

"No."

Upon hearing his Uncle-Master's words, Ren Guang felt a pang of shame. He lowered his head, his face flushing slightly, but he didn't lie to his Uncle-Master.

"This disciple isn't thinking about Master. I'm thinking about the great serpent that appeared near Shenjian Mountain."

"Is that so?"

The reprimand he expected didn't come. Master Taihang merely sighed deeply and said no more.

"I wonder, Uncle-Master, what are your thoughts on that great serpent?"

Ren Guang boldly asked again.

"All things in the world are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows..." Master Taihang said, joining his palms. "Rather than asking how we view that great serpent, it's better to ask how that great serpent views us."

The old monk gave a wry smile. "Whether it's the centipede or that great serpent, we are no match for them."

"The era when humans dominated the world ended more than three hundred years ago, when the Red Moon first appeared. We live in a new era, and we must adapt to its rules."

"I understand!"

Ren Guang's eyes gradually brightened.

These past few days since returning to Xuanming Temple, he had been pondering these matters.

He had initially thought his ideas would surely not be accepted by the temple elders, and he might even be punished. But after talking with his Uncle-Master...

He realized that the elders in the temple were actually far more radical than he was.

Ren Guang opened his mouth, feeling as though he had found a kindred spirit. He had many more thoughts he wanted to discuss further with his Uncle-Master.

However, just then.

Their conversation was interrupted by a sharp, urgent cry for help.

Turning their heads, they saw a young monk running in from outside, covered in bloodstains and looking terrified.

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