Temptation

As the caravan settled for the night, the guards formed a vigilant ring, their eyes scanning the darkening landscape for any hint of danger. Formation plates, tools of protection, were laid out, ready to raise shimmering barriers against lurking threats. Bandits and ravenous spirit beasts were constant dangers, their presence a reminder of the world's harsh realities.

With a flick of his wrist, Ming Ren dissolved his spiritual barrier, the air shimmering as the veil of protection dissipated. Xu Tian's message arrived swiftly, "Interesting, interesting. The beasts are under control, come out and introduce yourself."

Extending his spiritual sense like tendrils of calming mist, Ming Ren soothed the nearby beasts, easing their fear and preventing undue attention. He had no choice but to employ taming techniques; his aura alone could spark panic.

He stepped out, the beasts turning their heads in reverence, their fear replaced by a quiet awe. Xu Tian, beside the main wagon, prepared dinner over a crackling bonfire, the aroma of roasting meat filling the air.

"Ah, there you are," Xu Tian greeted him warmly.

Ming Ren approached the circle gathered around the fire, his eyes meeting the gaze of Bao Shi, the caravan leader, and his companions. Bao Shi, his weathered face etched with concern, nodded in acknowledgement.

"Glad to see you up and about, young man," he said, his voice gruff but kind. "I'd be worried sick if not for the good doctor."

"My thanks for your kindness, senior," Ming Ren bowed deeply, his face illuminated by the flickering firelight. Bao An, the caravan leader's daughter, blushed and tugged at the arm of the plain girl beside her, who offered a welcoming nod.

"Sit anywhere you like," Bao Shi gestured towards the empty spaces around the fire. "You must be famished. I'm Bao Shi, this is my daughter Bao An, and that young lady is the Great Doctor's disciple."

"Pan Ruolan," the disciple introduced herself with a bow.

Serpent and Slasher were dining with the guards at a separate camp. Ming Ren's gaze lingered on Bao An, her friendly smile warming his heart.

"Yu Ren, a wandering cultivator," he introduced himself. "I collapsed after exhausting my spiritual energy while fleeing from the frenzied beasts. Your kindness is a true blessing."

He gratefully took a seat, basking in the fire's warmth and the camaraderie of these strangers who had welcomed him into their fold.

Big brother, are you a spirit beast summoner?" Bao An inquired, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, her voice soft and hesitant, her gaze flickering nervously around the fire. Despite her clear eagerness to engage, there was a quiet shyness about her that seemed to hold her back.

"An'er, why so quiet? Are you unwell?" her father worried.

"Eeh… I'm always like this, father! Honestly…" Bao An pouted.

Xu Tian and Pan Ruolan exchanged amused glances, barely suppressing their laughter.

"When *I* found you, big brother, a magnificent bird was protecting you. I thought it was really amazing!" Bao An emphasized, eliciting further silent mirth from the others. Xu Tian and Pan Ruolan laughed again inside.

'Ah. It's good to be young.' Xu Tian couldn't help but think of his younger days as he sipped some tea.

"Sadly, I am not a summoner," Ming Ren smiled, thinking of Lin Qiang. "Someone came to my aid. I am but a Body Tempering cultivator, unable to command such creatures."

"Oh, right…"

As Ming Ren mentioned his cultivation level, Xu Tian, Bao Shi, and Pan Ruolan instinctively sensed his power

"Peak eighth layer?" Bao Shi exclaimed, disbelief coloring his voice. "You've broken through?"

They had previously assessed him at the sixth layer, but his current strength was astounding. How had he achieved such rapid progress? Questions swirled in their minds as they gazed upon this enigmatic young man.

"Fortune has smiled upon me," Ming Ren replied, momentarily forgetting the need to conceal his cultivation. Such rapid advancement would undoubtedly attract unwanted attention. Even with his exceptional control over spiritual energy, hiding from stronger cultivators without specific techniques was impossible.

"Young man, your cultivation law…" Bao Shi began, his voice laced with curiosity.

The air thickened with tension. To inquire about another's cultivation law was a transgression, a breach of trust. The risk of exposure was too great. A superior technique could become a target, endangering the cultivator's life.

Silence descended upon the group, the unspoken rule hanging heavy in the air. Bao Shi's question lingered, unanswered.

"Father…" Ban An whispered, sensing the awkwardness.

"Forgive me, I must have lost my senses," Bao Shi apologized.

"Think nothing of it, senior," Ming Ren replied, though he observed Bao Shi's nervous fidgeting, a clear sign of inner turmoil despite his apology.

"Ah, time for good news! Dinner is served!" Xu Tian interjected, attempting to lighten the mood. However, his announcement only deepened the gloom.

Bao An's brows furrowed as she whispered, "I wish I could have mother's cooking again…"

"An'er, that's rude," Bao Shi scolded.

"Um? Is something amiss?" Xu Tian seemed oblivious.

"Ahahaha, the child is just famished…" Bao Shi glared at his daughter, who shrunk under his gaze.

Bao An exchanged a look with Pan Ruolan. Both seemed desperate to avoid being the first to partake in the meal. Right now, the three of them only shared a single thought: they would rather eat with the guards!

Yet, the Great Doctor's enthusiasm for cooking and sharing his creations was impossible to refuse. None dared to speak the truth about his culinary skills, though they had grown weary of his bland and unpalatable dishes.

"Senior, I am indeed starving," Ming Ren spoke first.

"Ah, I admire your enthusiasm!" Xu Tian beamed, filling a large bowl with his steaming concoction of meat and vegetables. The aroma was potent, but the regular crew exchanged resigned sighs, bracing themselves for another culinary ordeal.

Ming Ren, however, took a courageous bite, and all eyes turned to him, anticipating his reaction.

"Senior, this is…" he began, his face betraying the struggle between honesty and kindness. He was not a picky eater and could tolerate unpleasant flavors, but he rarely resorted to deception, especially when it came to something as fundamental as food.

"…it's good," he finished, his expression strained.

"Hahaha, good!" Xu Tian exclaimed with delight.

Bao An, Bao Shi, and Pan Ruolan grimaced, their faces sour. Were they condemned to endure this culinary torture indefinitely?

Ming Ren considered the situation, then sent Xu Tian a discreet spiritual message, 'Senior, I'm sorry to say this, but your sense of taste may have changed. The food is not as good as you believe. There aren't many cultivators your age who still eat food regularly.'

He had misjudged Xu Tian's age initially, assuming him to be nearing the end of his lifespan as a Spirit Sea cultivator, around 150 years old. However, upon closer examination of his broken spirit gates, he realized the Great Doctor was over 600 years old. The damage to his foundation and life essence had taken its toll, and he was approaching the typical lifespan limit of a Spirit Gate cultivator, around 750 years.

'Ah, that might be the case. I only discovered the joy of food as I neared the end of my days. A pity,' Xu Tian responded with a smile. 'Thank you for your honesty, or I might have inadvertently poisoned someone with my cooking.'

'As long as you are aware of the issue, I am sure you can improve your skills,' Ming Ren reassured him.

'But still, none of them dared to speak up. Am I that intimidating? How can I continue serving them this food knowing the truth?' Xu Tian sighed.

'It's an easy fix. If I'm not mistaken, you have some Aether Blossom with you. Simply crush it with your bare hands and mix it into the food,' Ming Ren suggested.

Xu Tian's eyes widened in surprise. He promptly retrieved an Aether Blossom, a rare plant found only in areas rich with spiritual energy, and crushed it over the steaming dish.

"Master…?" Pan Ruolan inquired.

"Ah, nothing to worry about. I merely forgot to add a final touch. Please, continue. It's ready," Xu Tian replied, watching their faces for any sign of satisfaction.

Hesitantly, Bao An, Bao Shi, and Pan Ruolan took their first bites. They had become accustomed to bland and unappetizing travel rations, but this time, the flavors exploded on their tongues, a symphony of spices and herbs that delighted their senses.

Bao Shi's eyes widened in surprise, Bao An moaned in pleasure, and even the usually reserved Pan Ruolan allowed a small smile to grace her lips.

They exchanged glances, their surprise and delight evident. They had never experienced anything quite like this before. It was as if the spices and herbs used in the dish were carefully selected to create a symphony of flavors that danced on their tongues.

Xu Tian observed their reactions with amusement, pleased that his efforts had finally paid off. He offered Ming Ren a grateful nod.

"Young man, where are you headed? If you are a wandering cultivator, perhaps you'd consider joining my Jewel Clan? We are a merchant clan, and life is never dull," Bao Shi offered.

"Senior, I am bound for Radiant Bridge City, then on to the River Province. I cherish my freedom," Ming Ren politely declined.

"We are also going to Radiant Bridge!" Bao An exclaimed happily.

"That's fortunate," Bao Shi nodded. "I will send everyone to the city, then attend to business at Mount Ironclaw."

"Eeh, father, you should come with us! Why send me alone?" Bao An pouted.

"Now, An'er, you are a cultivator yourself. Once you are as strong as Brother Yu Ren, you can accompany me on my journeys," Bao Shi chuckled.

"Big brother, are you very strong?" Bao An tilted her head, attempting to look cute.

"Big brother still has a long way to go," Ming Ren replied with a wide smile. "We must both work hard."

A warm blush crept up Bao An's cheeks as she stole a glance at Ming Ren, her heart skipping a beat. She tried to hide her reaction, but the telltale pink hue remained.

"Ruolan, you should learn from An'er," Xu Tian teased.

"...?" Ming Ren looked confused.

"Master, are you in a position to teach anyone about that?" Pan Ruolan retorted playfully, reminding him of his six-hundred-year bachelorhood.

"Ugh!" Xu Tian groaned, feeling the sting of her words.

Laughter erupted around the fire, the camaraderie deepening as the night wore on.

Ming Ren skillfully deflected questions about his past, maintaining an air of mystery. His youthful appearance and rapid cultivation progress were a source of fascination for the rest of the caravan. Though curious, they respected his desire for privacy.

As everyone retired to their wagons, Ming Ren returned to his solitary space to resume his cultivation. He refrained from using any monster cores, opting to solidify his current realm before attempting another breakthrough.

His peaceful meditation was interrupted by the presence of shadows lurking outside his wagon. The guards remained oblivious, but Ming Ren's keen spiritual sense detected them immediately.

Bao Shi appeared before his wagon, his expression grave, followed by the shadowy figures, their weapons drawn.

Ming Ren watched as Bao Shi hesitated, his face a mask of internal conflict. He clenched his fist, blood dripping from his palm, torn between the safety of his family and caravan and the allure of powerful cultivation techniques.

Finally, he opened his hand and dismissed the shadows with a wave, his head shaking in regret. He returned to his daughter's side. In the second wagon, Xu Tian, who had also sensed the tension, relaxed and refocused on his disciple's cultivation.

Ming Ren, lost in contemplation, lamented the seductive power of heaven-grade cultivation laws, their allure capable of driving even the most resolute cultivator to desperate measures.

'I continue to make mistakes,' he thought. 'The temptation of a heaven-grade cultivation law is too great for ordinary cultivators to resist.'

Closing his eyes, he resumed his cultivation, thankful that the night had not ended in bloodshed.