Chapter 6: The One Who Ended Up Stewed Was...

Having resolved in his heart to add an extra clause to the family contract in the future, Zhao Yu also quietly committed the red-haired man to memory. Once he was able to cultivate, he would surely find that red-haired man and avenge Little Maruko!

He then spoke again, “Um, I heard that cultivators don’t need to eat. Is that true?”

“Yes... yes, I suppose so,” the three answered hurriedly.

Deep down, a silent despair welled up—is Zhao Yu about to reveal the eerie fangs belonging to some sinister spirit? They had no idea who might die this time.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Yu’s tone was lighthearted: “If that’s the case, then I won’t call you all to eat.”

With that, he quickly strode toward the kitchen.

By all rights and feelings, he should have called Ling Xuzi and the others to eat. But the mushrooms were gathered painstakingly by him, and the rabbit was painstakingly caught in the mountains. He was reluctant to share with outsiders.

Especially the rabbit—so swift, running like the wind! Without the help of his machete, he would never have caught it. Such precious rabbit meat could not be shared with strangers!

Back in the kitchen, Zhao Yu quickly served his portion into a bowl. There were few noodles inside; most of it was rabbit meat. Carrying the bowl, he left the kitchen and headed for the main hall.

Upon entering the hall, Zhao Yu thoughtfully closed the door behind him, so that Ling Xuzi and the others wouldn’t just stand there watching helplessly. After all, Zhao Yu knew it was somewhat inconsiderate not to invite them to eat.

However, Ling Xuzi and the others exchanged glances upon seeing the door shut, feeling as if light was beckoning them once more.

The bald old man touched his smooth head, excitement flickering in his eyes as he whispered urgently, “Now’s our chance, let’s escape.”

Even if they died fighting the evil spirits, it was better than lying here like fish on a chopping block, waiting for death.

Ling Xuzi quickly shook his head to stop them. “We shouldn’t act rashly.”

The bald old man and the last old man in brown robes showed confusion and doubt—had Ling Xuzi lost his mind?

“You know well that my perception is always stronger,” Ling Xuzi said, his voice trembling as he looked toward the hall. “In our current state, I fear... we cannot escape.”

The two bald and brown-robed old men gritted their teeth. “Enough chatter! Give us the reason!”

“That rabbit... when it was alive, I sensed nothing wrong, but just now... just now...” Ling Xuzi stammered, then whispered fearfully, “When Zhao Yu entered the hall, I vaguely sensed a faint godly presence on the rabbit’s body, twisted and coldly sinister.”

“The rabbit that was killed was no longer just a rabbit; it seemed more like a god corrupted and engulfed by evil.”

He swallowed nervously, afraid to make any sudden move lest he disturb the three sinister entities inside the hall.

The bald old man collapsed to the ground. “You’re joking, right?”

To ordinary people, they only knew that worshiping gods brought safety and protection from evil spirits.

But for cultivators like Ling Xuzi and the others, they understood the true nature of gods—not born naturally, but created by humans.

This brought them to the path of cultivation, which is divided into four realms:

Refining essence into qi, refining qi into spirit, refining spirit back into emptiness, and merging emptiness with the Way.

To distinguish strength within the same realm, cultivators further subdivided these stages.

Refining essence and qi by absorbing heavenly talents and earthly treasures, refining the spiritual energy of heaven and earth—anyone who successfully forges a trace of magical power within themselves enters cultivation, known as refining essence into qi, or cultivation at the qi refinement stage.

When the magic power deepens, one can purify the body and undergo transformation; this step is still refining essence into qi, also called foundation building.

When magic power sublimates and condenses into a golden core inside, one enters the realm of refining qi into spirit. With a golden core, one’s lifespan extends to eight hundred years, earning the title of Golden Core True Immortal.

If the golden core can evolve to reflect one’s own form and amplify strength, it becomes the Nascent Soul! This is precisely the cultivation realm of Ling Xuzi and his companions.

Beyond this, the Nascent Soul links to the great Dao of heaven and earth; with enlightenment, one can achieve the realm of transforming spirit, also called the Transforming Spirit Divine Lord.

Ling Xuzi and the others were unclear about the specifics of the transforming spirit realm, as none had reached it yet. But they knew only Transforming Spirit True Lords had the right to become gods incarnate and protect their domains.

Transforming spirit did not just mean refining qi into spirit—it literally meant becoming a god!

Hearing this, the two old men trembled. “Are you sure you sensed correctly?”

A god corrupted by evil spirits is still a god, possessing incomparable combat strength! Yet such an existence was braised right under their noses?

If even gods could be braised, what fate awaited the three of them? Roasted? Steamed? Fried?

“I wish I could say I was mistaken,” Ling Xuzi said with a bitter smile, swallowing his words. “But... but...”

The bald and brown-robed old men were utterly despondent. “We should never have come to this million-li Shadow Mountain.”

They realized the reason they were still alive was not due to the evil spirits’ mercy, but because Zhao Yu’s family planned to keep them as reserve food.

After a moment, Ling Xuzi summoned his remaining strength. “While Zhao Yu and the others are eating, let’s hurry and recondense our Star God manifestation.”

Having lost their Star God forms, their combat strength, though still formidable, was only that of ordinary Nascent Soul practitioners. Only by restoring the Star God manifestation...

The two despairing old men suddenly caught a glimmer of hope. “Once the Star God manifestation returns, no matter how strange Zhao Yu’s family is, we won’t be utterly defenseless. Whether to fight or flee, we’ll have some room to maneuver.”

Even the terrifying paper figure had defeated them only because it had stolen their Star God manifestations.

They glanced at the sky.

The silver moon hung high, stars sparkling.

All three smiled simultaneously.

They sat cross-legged on the ground, circulating their magic power, forming hand seals, sensing the heart of heaven, studying the stars—all went smoothly.

Yet soon, their expressions stiffened.

Though the recondensing process went well, at the crucial moment, their Star God manifestations failed to materialize.

What was happening?

The bald old man opened his eyes. “I have a vague feeling we don’t need to recondense our Star God manifestations—because they are still intact.”

Ling Xuzi and the brown-robed old man frowned. “But the paper figure swallowed our Star God manifestations.”

Their stolen Star God manifestations could not be restored?

Suddenly, the three realized they had underestimated that strange paper figure all along.

After a moment, the brown-robed old man licked his lips. “That means the paper figure may not be weaker than this family. If we can lure that paper figure here to fight them against each other, even without the Star God manifestation, we might still have a chance to escape.”

With no way out, the three instinctively rose and looked outside the courtyard.

Perhaps there was something wrong with this courtyard; the paper figure had never approached. Maybe they had to escape the courtyard first to try and lure the paper figure over.

But who would go?