Huanglong Temple...
After Mao Ba revealed his identity.
Aside from the three Divine Strength Realm experts who already knew who he was, the rest of the martial artists were all taken aback.
A force of Immortal Sects like Huanglong Temple...
Though low-level wandering martial artists like them had heard of it, it was always like looking at flowers through a fog—its members appeared like dragons, vanishing without a trace.
It was only natural that they hadn't recognized him right away.
Now that they understood.
A cold sweat broke out all over them.
The methods of the Immortal Sects were mysterious and unfathomable.
Rumor had it they could take a person's life from a thousand li away. Their abilities were so miraculous that even the most reckless hardcases couldn't help feeling a trace of fear they couldn't shake.
They had dared to attack Mao Ba earlier.
They'd simply been counting on luck, assuming he was a lone wanderer too. They could kill him and take his things without causing any trouble.
Who could have known...
At the thought.
The martial artists broke out in cold sweat and hurriedly clasped their hands in return. "You're too kind, Daoist. We were narrow-minded and blinded by greed. Please don't take offense."
To be attacked and threatened for no reason.
It would be a lie to say they felt no resentment.
But Mao Ba was unexpectedly magnanimous. He merely sighed and waved a hand. "There are rules beneath the mountain. I broke them, so this trial was only right.
"However..."
His tone shifted. Mao Ba sternly warned them, "I've heard something about the prey you've been hunting on my way here.
"If my guess is correct, it should be a Flesh Tai Sui that has gained sentience, with at least five hundred years of cultivation.
"All demons are born ignorant. Their spiritual roots remain dormant, and they can't comprehend the world. Only after five hundred years of arduous cultivation do they earn the right to take human form, awaken their intelligence, and understand the world.
"To cross that threshold, besides cultivating on their own and absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, they can also use humans as medicine to make up for their own deficiencies.
"It eats human bones and sends Chang Ghosts to harm people for one reason: a Tai Sui has flesh and blood, but no bones. Once it makes up for this deficiency, taking human form will be within reach.
"But even before it transforms, it's no opponent for cultivators below Cocoon Breaking. So if you'll heed my advice, stop here."
"Five hundred years of cultivation?"
"Hiss, doesn't that mean it's on par with a cultivator who's passed Foundation Establishment and undergone Cocoon Breaking?"
"You can't calculate it that way. Demons are demons—they're evil and strange. Their abilities can't be measured by human standards."
As soon as Mao Ba finished speaking.
Most of the martial artists present showed clear signs of wanting to retreat.
But a few eyed one another shrewdly, and didn't choose to leave.
That made Wu Dao curious.
If it was really as Mao Ba said, then those in the Inner Strengthening Realm should be like chickens and dogs before this so-called Flesh Tai Sui.
Were they really willing to risk their lives for treasure?
"This little Daoist isn't telling the whole truth."
Zhao Wei noticed the confusion in Wu Dao's eyes and assumed he didn't know these secrets. He leaned close and whispered:
"What he said at first was completely accurate. Demons are different from humans; their strength is determined by the length of their cultivation.
"One hundred to four hundred years is Foundation Establishment.
"Five hundred to eight hundred years is Cocoon Breaking.
"Though they gain strength by cultivating for centuries, making them stronger than humans at the same stage, they also have one fatal weakness. Whenever they reach a critical stage of transformation, their strength drops drastically.
"If you handle things right, even someone in the Divine Strength Realm has a good chance of killing one then. For someone in the Inner Strengthening Realm, though, the risk is enormous!
"This Daoist deliberately left that out. I don't know if it's out of compassion, or if he's trying to drive some people away and reduce the competition."
It took five hundred years to take human form?
Listening to this, Wu Dao clicked his tongue in wonder. It reminded him of some legends from his previous life.
They said humans were the foremost of all living things, born with five hundred years of cultivation and all the spiritual roots they needed. By nature, humans found it easier than other species to recognize the myriad things and understand the principles governing heaven and earth.
As for demons.
They were born ignorant, without spiritual roots. Only after five hundred years of hardship could they awaken their minds and become no different from humans.
So the demons of legend harmed and ate people to consume the "cultivation" in their bodies, using humans to make up for their lack of "humanity."
In his previous life, that sort of talk had mostly been the stuff of rumors and stories.
Who would have thought.
In this world, it had become reality.
It had certainly opened Wu Dao's eyes.
But he felt no fear. In his view, whether they were demons or immortals, they were nothing more than predators who were stronger than most.
As long as he could beat them.
He could eat them as "meat." He just wondered how much good swallowing a demon nearly five hundred years old would do him.
At the thought.
Wu Dao's mouth watered, and he licked his lips without realizing it, growing hungrier by the moment.
In the end.
The little Daoist's warning did have an effect. Some of the martial artists, unwilling to risk dying for something they didn't fully understand, chose to leave.
The place grew much quieter.
Those who remained were Wu Dao, Zhao Wei, and three peak Inner Strengthening Realm boxers from the White Whale Martial Arts Hall.
In terms of numbers and strength.
Their group was now the largest force in Panshui Town.
The others were.
Yun Tianliu, a peak Divine Strength Realm sword cultivator with immense killing power.
Mao Ba, a mysterious Daoist from Huanglong Temple.
And.
Four lone martial artists who'd chosen not to leave and to band together. All were peak Inner Strengthening Realm experts.
But no matter which side they were on.
Every one of them was determined to see this through tonight.
Still.
Everyone knew the key to finding the Flesh Tai Sui in Canyun Mountain lay with Mao Ba—or rather, with the Chang Ghost in the Red Skin Gourd.
So.
Everyone turned to Mao Ba, waiting for him to explain.
But no one spoke first.
After all, the situation had reached this point because they wanted to claim a share of what Mao Ba had. Whoever opened their mouth would be making an enemy.
That left Mao Ba uncertain what to do. He couldn't leave, but he couldn't stay either. His expression grew awkward; he seemed completely unused to handling the disputes of the world below the mountain.
Fortunately.
The silence didn't last long.
Yun Tianliu broke the awkward atmosphere. Wearing a warm, amiable smile, he clasped his hands and said, "It's our duty as cultivators to slay demons, cast out evil, and uphold righteousness.
"Daoist, though your Supernatural Powers are great, you're still outnumbered..."
Only then.
Did he introduce himself. "I'm Yun Tianliu, and my master is Yang Wufeng. I've learned a few humble tricks. If you don't mind, Daoist, I'd be glad to lend you my sword."
You had to hand it to people who made their living in the martial world. None of them were simple.
That little speech.
Had given Mao Ba both face and an easy way out.
"'Supernatural Powers' is too generous, and you needn't be so modest either."
The little Daoist Mao Ba blushed and waved his hands, then returned the greeting. "Yang Wufeng, the great hero, is a man of virtue and talent who cares for all living things. I've heard much of his good name up on the mountain.
"Now that I've met his esteemed student, I see the stories were true. With your help, we're sure to succeed."
Flattery made the whole world go round.
Everyone liked hearing a few polite words. Whether it was Huanglong Temple or Fangcun Sword Hall, both were respected and prestigious sects in the Guangqing Prefecture area.
After that exchange.
Mao Ba and Yun Tianliu immediately seemed to share a common cause. They stood together, subtly balancing out Wu Dao and the others.
"Zhao Wei, of the White Whale Martial Arts Hall."
Seeing this, Zhao Wei greeted them with a cheerful smile and a clasp of his hands, but his words lacked Yun Tianliu's warmth.
It made sense.
The White Whale Martial Arts Hall had originated from the once-infamous Giant Whale Sect.
Even after cleaning up its act, it still seemed like a sinister faction to the orthodox sects, and they were naturally biased against it. They wouldn't exactly welcome him with open arms.
Rather than ingratiating himself and losing face, he might as well keep things cordial—neither close nor distant.
"Wu Dao."
Wu Dao's introduction was even simpler. He grinned and gave his name.
Compared to Zhao Wei.
After the killing spree he'd just gone on, Mao Ba and Yun Tianliu had truly taken a dislike to him. There was no need for him to smile warmly at people who'd give him the cold shoulder.
"Oh, I've heard of you."
Just as expected, Mao Ba showed none of the warmth toward Wu Dao and the others that he had toward Yun Tianliu. He offered only a perfunctory reply and said no more.
As for the four lone martial artists.
They didn't speak up to introduce themselves. After all, they were nobodies with little influence. Being allowed to stay was already fortunate; there was no need to make themselves unwelcome.
"In that case, we shouldn't delay. Every extra day that evil creature remains alive means more blood on its hands. I only hope that when the time comes, we'll stand together against it."
Seeing that his earlier warning had been useless, Mao Ba didn't waste any more words. He merely stressed that they must unite against their common enemy and not turn on one another.
Then.
He let out a quiet breath, took the Red Skin Gourd from his waist again, bit his middle finger, and dotted the gourd with a drop of fragrant blood.
The Red Skin Gourd glowed with a hazy red light once more.
A shrill cry of "Ah!" came from inside. A wisp of green smoke floated out through the gourd's narrow mouth.
The wisp of green smoke gathered without dispersing.
As Mao Ba closed his eyes and chanted.
It transformed in midair into a palm-sized miniature Green Crane, lifelike as it beat its wings and circled. The sight once again drew gasps of wonder from everyone present.
After circling a few times.
The Green Crane seemed to settle on a direction. Its beak pointed toward the vast Canyun Mountain in the distance, bathed in starlight.
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