The Changing Beasts of Wolong Mountain

"A big bird..."

Suddenly, in the beam of her flashlight, Zhang Xin'ai spotted a large bird. Without hesitation, she hurled her short blade.

Thwack!

The blade pierced its body. Branches and leaves rustled as the bird fell through them and landed with a dull thud.

"An eagle?"

Zhang Xin'ai picked up her catch beneath the tree, astonished.

"It's huge!"

She felt its heft, then pulled out her blade. The bird was as bulky as a large goose.

It was further proof that Spirit Energy could change animals too.

"Fresh meat for dinner!"

Zhang Xin'ai didn't care whether an animal changed by Spirit Energy was safe to eat. She wanted meat.

Don't tell me a wild beast ate her.

Zhang Yang glanced outside Lingyin Temple. Figures stood in the firelight, but none was Zhang Xin'ai. There were four people: an old man in front and three others behind him.

The fire in the main hall burned with bright yellow flames that leapt more than a meter high.

It lit the old man's face clearly enough, casting it in an ominous light.

Zhang Yang smiled and shook his head. He tossed an arm-thick log onto the fire, brushed off his hands, and slowly stood.

He walked to the doorway without haste. His enormous shadow fell over all four visitors.

"Persistent, aren't you? You made it here after all."

Zhang Yang took out a cigarette. Click. The lighter illuminated four faces, each more wary than the last, as though they had come upon prey that might fight back.

The lighter went out, but a moment later, a tiny ember glowed in the dark.

"Say, you haven't had dinner yet, have you?"

Zhang Yang exhaled a puff of smoke, his voice teasing.

It was true. The four had lost Zhang Yang halfway here.