Chapter One Hundred and Six: Terrifying Strength

Just as I was enjoying my meal, a sudden announcement echoed from the loudspeaker:
“All elders in the sect, please gather at the small bridge southeast of Tianyang Mountain.”
Southeast? Could it be that the bloodstains from my killing have been exposed?
Truthfully, I had already prepared for this moment. With such obvious traces, no one could possibly overlook them.
Feigning calm, I stuffed a few more bites of food into my mouth and then left the dining hall.
I strolled leisurely toward the southeast, pondering how I might handle the situation.
If no one knows, all the better. But I fear that Shi Lei, that troublemaker, may point fingers at me, and then things would get complicated.
At this thought, my pace quickened, nearly breaking into a jog.
Along the way, I saw many disciples who had finished their lessons heading southeast to witness the commotion.
The more people involved, the worse it would be for me. I even wondered if I should turn back.
But looking around, I realized I had already come this far, so I decided to go see for myself.
From a distance, I saw last night’s crime scene surrounded by a crowd—both disciples and elders, all engaged in lively discussion.
I spotted the Elder inspecting a pile of ashes, head bowed.
Silently, I slipped into the crowd. The site had already been cleaned by Daoist physicians.
Without DNA testing in the mountains, no one could identify the victims.
Suddenly, a man in his forties hurried over, dressed in elder’s robes but lacking any of the dignified bearing.
“Daoist physician, last night, four disciples went missing from the sect!”
He must be Shi Lei. He handed the list of names to the Daoist physician and cast a sharp glance at the Elder.
Now they knew who died, but the killer remained unknown.
With no other option, the Daoist physician cleaned the scene thoroughly and concocted a plausible excuse to close the case.
I walked back with my head down, relieved that I hadn’t been discovered this time. Yet I sensed that Shi Lei would seize any chance to bite at me again.
Since I couldn’t make it to Giant Wolf Mountain last night, I’d go tonight instead!
That’s how I act—impulsive and spontaneous.
Upon returning to my quarters, I lay down and soon fell asleep. When I awoke, it was already 8 p.m.
Rubbing my aching temples, I changed clothes and headed out.
Tonight the gates weren’t sealed, ideal for my plans. I was cautious, lingering at the door for a long time to ensure no one was following me before setting off.

I dashed across the square, the dim lights stretching my shadow ever longer.
Fortunately, there was no danger, and I soon reached the vicinity of Giant Wolf Mountain.
I found a concealed spot to rest briefly, then continued onward.
Before long, I arrived at the foot of the mountain—not tall, just a hundred or two hundred meters. As I prepared to climb, I noticed countless pairs of small green eyes on the slope.
Startled, I stopped, but the creatures didn’t pursue me.
They must be wolves. Perhaps the Elder’s warning that I couldn’t handle them meant they were spirit beasts, animals refined through cultivation.
I circled Giant Wolf Mountain several times, discovering only an inconspicuous cave on the west side.
The token of the Ghost King should be in that cave. Yet tonight, I saw neither light nor heard any sound—had someone already taken it?
Still, I recalled the Elder’s warning and didn’t dare venture in recklessly.
I was torn, unsure how to proceed.
Just then, a group of people approached from afar. I found a large rock to hide behind and watched them closely.
There were three of them, led by Shi Lei.
Shi Lei seemed to know the terrain well and said to the others,
“We’re here tonight to take the treasure from the mountain. Success is the only option.”
With that, all three ascended the mountain.
Clearly, the treasure remained untouched, and only Shi Lei knew its exact location. I was certain the token of the Ghost King had not been taken.
But if I went up, I’d surely lose. Even if I managed to defeat them, I might not overcome the wolves.
As I hesitated, a sudden scream echoed from the mountain.
I breathed a sigh of relief, realizing it must have been the wolves attacking. That cry likely came from one of the men, so they wouldn’t be able to take the treasure after all.
Minutes later, Shi Lei tumbled down the mountain, battered and terrified.
He fled in panic, his clothes torn and his body covered in wounds.
I knew the wolves were strong, but I hadn’t expected them to be so formidable—forcing a sixth-rank spiritual flower expert to flee in disgrace.
Smiling, I turned back.
At least now I didn’t have to worry about the treasure being stolen, though I needed a careful plan to retrieve it myself.
I moved quickly through the square, choosing several side paths and making a wide detour before returning to my quarters.
Once upstairs, I rested for the night.

The next morning at six, I was again awakened by the tolling bell. But today, I couldn’t afford another day off. I hurriedly dressed in clean clothes and rushed downstairs.
The square was already crowded with disciples, though it wasn’t yet half past six and most were still groggy.
I instinctively stood at the front, when someone behind me tapped my shoulder.
“Hello, hello, I’m Luan Teng, your neighbor.”
He introduced himself out of the blue, leaving me momentarily bewildered.
“Oh, hello, hello,” I replied politely. We belonged to the same sect and had seen each other before. He was the type, like Li Zijian, who befriends others easily.
“Brother Yao, you’re amazing! Where did you learn so much martial arts?”
I shrugged,
“You’re an inner core disciple of Tianyang Mountain, aren’t you? Don’t you know the Daoist techniques?”
Luan Teng scratched his head,
“My family was poor growing up. My grandfather was a cultivator, but I had to figure things out on my own. After decades of effort, I was finally accepted as a core disciple, so I haven’t learned much else.”
I nodded,
“If you want to learn in the future, come find me.”
Hearing my offer, Luan Teng’s eyes sparkled, nearly dropping to his knees in gratitude.
“All right, all right, let’s get to morning practice first.”
Just then, the chief martial instructor strode over from afar. Even before he came to stand before us, he shouted,
“None of you have any spirit, do you? What a disgrace!”
His bellow jolted many disciples awake, instantly sharpening their focus. Satisfied with the effect, the instructor nodded and continued,
“Today we practice sword techniques. Each disciple, stand two meters apart.”
At his command, all the disciples began to move, gradually forming a rectangular phalanx across the training ground.
“Begin!”
With the instructor’s signal, everyone drew their swords. I pulled my own longsword from my ring.
My sword was beautiful, gleaming in the sunlight. Even the instructor glanced at it several times.
I knew nothing of swordplay, but imitating others was a skill I excelled at.