Chapter 41: Mountain Wolf

Chapter 41: Mountain Wolf

Wan Tiancang had resided in Lichuankou Village for half a year and found joy in the simplicity of his life. Watching green rice shoots sprouting from the ground each day filled his heart with delight.

One night, after casting the Spirit Rain spell on the spirit field in the courtyard, he was in a meditative state when he faintly heard a commotion outside.

He opened his eyes in curiosity and saw flickers of firelight piercing the night and shadows moving with torches in hand. A sense of foreboding settled in his heart, prompting him to open the courtyard door for a better look.

As soon as he did, he saw a child hurrying toward him with a torch in hand.

Wan Tiancang called out urgently, “You there, child! What’s going on?”

“The village chief, Old Ye, is dead. They say a demon is coming and are calling for all the villagers to gather,” the child said, stopping in his tracks and raising his torch. He looked apprehensively at Wan Tiancang.

The immortal cultivator, who rarely ventured beyond his courtyard since he had arrived, frowned and took a hesitant half-step outside the courtyard, and then withdrew. CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

A demon attack at Lichuankou Village?! These Spirit Paddies have only been sowed half a year ago. Nothing must happen to them! he thought to himself.

Wan Tiancang considered seeking out Li Tongya but hesitated because he was worried about leaving the Spirit Paddies unguarded in case they were the target of the demon.

He felt torn, but could only rely on the child. He crouched down and instructed, “Go get Chen Erniu.”

“All right.”

As soon as Wan Tiancang rose to his feet, both of them saw flames flickering in the forest. A group led by Chen Erniu then emerged into view.

“Immortal Master! What do we do?” Chen Erniu was sweating profusely. The main family had not arrived yet, and two villagers were already dead with their brains ripped out. The horrific nature of their deaths left Chen Erniu both horrified and enraged, pacing restlessly like an ant on a hot pan.

“Has anyone seen this demon?” Wan Tiancang asked gravely, his face stern as he looked at Chen Erniu who was already drenched in sweat.

“No. No one even heard a sound from the victims!” Chen Erniu replied.

Wan Tiancang’s heart sank. As a mere peak Profound Scenery cultivator, he lacked the power to confront such a stealthy and lethal creature.

Oh, Li Tongya, where are you when we need you? He sighed inwardly.

“Brother Wan!” Just as Wan Tiancang was about to speak, a loud call interrupted him.

A massive wolf, as large as an ox and covered in silver-gray fur, emerged from the forest. Its ghostly green pupils were intense and focused, with its long, sharp muzzle wide open, and its ears drooped along its tail as it advanced, forcing the villagers to stumble backward in fear.

The wolf raised its head above the crowd, its cold gaze fixating on Li Xiangping, who stood on the stone steps of the courtyard gate. The creature’s long muzzle curled up slightly, as if mocking them with a smirk.

“This beast...” Wan Tiancang was drenched in sweat. He silently wiped away his cold sweat as he continued, “Judging by its demeanor, it must have consumed the essence of the sun and moon, and possibly already condensed the Jade Capital Chakra.”

Li Xiangping, too, felt a shiver down his spine in the presence of this demon. He observed the wolf’s mocking grin and the disdain in its eerie green eyes.

“If even the head of the Wan Family is no match for this demon...” Wan Tiancang suddenly raised his head, his voice trembling as he looked at Li Xiangping.

“A demon in the early Nascent Spirit realm, huh?” Li Xiangping narrowed his eyes.

With a grave tone, he said, “We must prepare for the worst. If this demon is more powerful than a mere Jade Capital cultivator, we’ll lead it southeast, away from Lijing Village and up Mount Lijing. My family has a formation set up there. Your head of the family can use the terrain to their advantage.”

“All right!” Wan Tiancang quickly amended the letters and handed them to Chen Erniu.

Watching Chen Erniu prepare to dispatch them, Wan Tiancang could not help but shake his head and smile bitterly.

“That beast, having condensed the Jade Capital Chakra, is intelligent and has likely consumed many humans. It now seeks us, immortal cultivators, as a potent source of energy. We’re cornered.”

“No need to be alarmed,” Li Xiangping reassured, his gaze locked with the demons’.

His mouth mirrored the wolf’s sly grin as he added softly, “I remember watching my father hunt wolves in my youth. These beasts are extremely cautious. Now that it has condensed the Jade Capital Chakra, it must be way more alert than before. It’s simply observing us. Follow my lead.”

“Chen Erniu!”

“Here!” Chen Erniu stepped forward promptly, ready to accept Li Xiangping’s orders.

“Get the men in the village to start pulling back slowly and form a circle around us. We’ll slowly head south. The elderly, the weak, women, and children should stay put; no need for them to budge. That demon will surely come after us.”

“Also, tell the villagers to surrender their wooden planks and hold torches instead. If the demon comes close, scream and shout at it. Do not show any sign of fear! Should it attack, use long poles with knives attached to their ends to sweep or hit on the ground. Wolves have long, slender legs; I bet this demon values its legs as well.”

Li Xiangping retrieved a polished arrow from his quiver. He performed a hand seal and imbued the arrowhead with a faint golden light.

Nocking the arrow on the bowstring, Li Xiangping’s voice was icy as he commanded, “Move out!”