Chapter Fifty-Three: Fiercely Adorable

The group made quite a spectacle of themselves.

At least, that’s how it seemed to everyone watching. The moment they appeared, silence fell instantly over the surroundings, a hush of dread and apprehension.

The man with the unremarkable features radiated a terrifying aura that surpassed the level of a Soul Division cultivator. No, perhaps he had already broken through that boundary.

Very quickly, the highest-ranked cultivator in the town—a middle-aged man at the seventh stage of the Golden Core realm—appeared before them. Clad in gray, with a bluish tint beneath his eyes and a face pallid as if drained of blood, he wore an expression of utmost respect and kept his gaze lowered, not daring to look around. Tentatively, he said, “Honored one, to what do we owe your visit? My name is Jiang Tong, and I am considered able to speak for this place.”

Lan Yu Jiao replied, “I wish to purchase a flying lion.”

At these words, Jiang Tong visibly relaxed, but the next moment his brows furrowed deeply, and he said with considerable difficulty, “I’m sorry, but all the spirit beasts in town have developed a problem. I’m afraid we cannot sell you one.” He glanced at the…was that a giant yellow chicken flying overhead? Then, kindly, he added, “Honored one, you should leave as soon as possible. If your own beast is infected with this sickness, it would be troublesome.”

“What sickness?” Shen Luo asked, brow furrowed.

Only then did Jiang Tong really look at him, surprised to find such a young boy with cultivation at the ninth stage of the Heart Movement realm. Then, realizing the boy was a beast tamer, he could not conceal his astonishment.

After a slight pause, he replied, troubled, “We don’t know. We simply can’t figure it out. Two months ago, the spirit beasts in town suddenly went mad one after another. Their eyes turned blood-red, they became violent and irritable, and frequently foamed at the mouth, the foam yellow-brown in color. More recently, some cultivators have shown the same symptoms. We sought help from the foremost sect, Jiutian Mingyu, but there has been no response.”

Two months ago—that was precisely when the Qishan Secret Realm incident occurred. Even the symptoms of the frenzied beasts were identical.

Shen Luo asked, “Could it be a problem with the water source?”

Jiang Tong shook his head. “We’ve checked food, lodging, everything—no issues.”

How strange.

“Honored one, you must help us,” Jiang Tong pleaded earnestly, seizing the opportunity.

Lan Yu Jiao glanced at Shen Luo, and seeing him nod, said, “Take us to see the situation first.”

Jiang Tong was full of gratitude, leading the way and explaining as they went.

This secluded town, hidden deep in the mountains, was called Sufeng Town, also known as Retreat Haven. It was established by a Nascent Soul cultivator. Anyone who chose to remain here had left the pursuit of fame and fortune behind, living in peace, working by sunrise and resting by sunset, as if in a utopia apart from the mortal world. Generations had come and gone, thriving in this secluded paradise.

Jiang Tong was born in Sufeng Town. In his youth, he ventured out, gained some opportunities, and advanced greatly in cultivation. Eventually, weary of worldly strife, he returned to settle down and build a home.

When he finished speaking, the group looked somewhat shocked.

Sufeng Town—everyone here was a cultivator?

They looked around and indeed sensed faint auras of cultivation from the townsfolk, though most were at the early stages—Qi Refining or Foundation Building.

Jiang Tong noticed their expressions and explained, “The path of cultivation is as hard as climbing the heavens. Not everyone is gifted.” Inwardly, he was grateful that these visitors clearly weren’t ordinary people—perhaps they really could resolve Sufeng Town’s crisis.

As they spoke, they arrived before an imposing residence. Three bold characters on the plaque read “Departure Abode.”

Jiang Tong blushed, feeling a bit like a craftsman showing off in front of masters. He chuckled awkwardly, “A pretentious work, hardly worthy of your attention.”

Lan Yu Jiao’s eyes lifted slightly. “You’ve actually realized your own sword path? That’s rare indeed.”

Jiang Tong’s eyes lit up, and he regarded Lan Yu Jiao with even more respect. For sword cultivators, entering the Dao through the sword was a lifelong pursuit for many. Yet this middle-aged man had found his path—and even given up further cultivation.

From the youth’s arms, Su Li poked out her head, curiously studying the middle-aged man, wondering if she might have a chance to see his sword techniques.

Ever watchful of the youth at his side, Jiang Tong immediately noticed her, surprised. That zero-rank beast was stunning—pure white, with faint golden markings on her brow, mysterious and noble. Unfortunately, she had not a trace of spiritual energy. He made no attempt to disguise his disdain, shaking his head as he muttered to himself: as a spirit pet, she was far too weak.

Unjustly scorned, Su Li lifted her chin and puffed out her little chest, a proud and haughty air about her.

Absolutely adorable.

Jiang Tong’s heart instantly melted, his loyalties shifting on the spot. This beast was made to be pampered—so what if she was only zero-rank?

Just then, he met a pair of eyes, smiling yet not, and his heart skipped a beat as if a cold blade pressed to his back. He hurriedly looked away. Stealing another glance, he saw the youth had already tucked the beast back into his arms.

He cursed inwardly—he’d actually been intimidated by a boy at the Heart Movement realm. Where would he put his old face after this?

Jiang Tong coughed lightly. “The rampaging beasts and affected cultivators are all confined in the back mountain.” He lowered his eyes and waited for the honored ones to enter the Departure Abode first.

However, the youth strode in ahead of everyone, followed only then by the icy respected one.

Jiang Tong was a little taken aback, momentarily stunned.

In the world of cultivation, the strong are revered. All the Soul Division cultivators he’d met were proud and aloof, accustomed to being flattered and fawned upon. And the man before him was likely beyond even that—perhaps at the Mahayana stage! In the entire Southern Continent, there was not a single Mahayana cultivator. Yet here was someone who could shake the entire continent with a stomp of his foot, showing such respect to a mere youth?

The first thought that flashed through his mind was not that the youth had some powerful background, but rather—had the respected one been caught in some compromising way?

Convinced he had accidentally glimpsed the truth, Jiang Tong dared not underestimate the youth any longer, growing even more deferential.

Outside Departure Abode, layers of barriers had been set. As soon as they stepped inside, Su Li sensed rustling noises converging from all directions. Trusting her beastly instincts, she patted Shen Luo’s arm with her paw, indicating he should take the left path.

Seeing this, Jiang Tong’s expression changed dramatically. Without his guidance, the youth was moving unimpeded toward the back mountain, which filled him with both shock and respect.

Soon, they arrived at their destination.

Departure Abode was built against the mountain. In the past, Jiang Tong had specially cleared a wide flat area on the mountainside for sword practice. After the trouble began, the townsfolk had driven all the frenzied beasts there.

Most of the beasts were flying lions and one-horned bulls, both notorious for their fierce tempers. Cooped up together, the scene was carnage—limbs scattered, blood and flesh everywhere. The sweltering weather had drawn hundreds, if not thousands, of flies and mosquitoes; the air buzzed incessantly.

In Shen Luo’s arms, Su Li flipped over and leapt onto his shoulder. “Stupid bird, let’s go take a look.”

Feng Xi flapped her wings and drew near, catching Su Li steadily. In a flash of yellow lightning, they shot across the field.

Jiang Tong was left in utter confusion.

A fat, round yellow chicken carrying a feline beast… flying through the air?

He suddenly felt the urge to gouge out his own eyes. In just a few centuries, had the world of cultivation really grown this bizarre?

But that wasn’t all!

From a distance, that zero-rank beast effortlessly tore open a fifth-tier defensive array.

Jiang Tong held his breath, struggling to keep his composure. He must not let it show that he was completely unprepared for such a sight.