Duty-Bound Arrow

As the assassin's dagger sliced through the air, Ming Ren raised his sword in defense. However, a sharp whistle pierced the tension as an arrow flew from the shadows, aimed directly at the cloaked figure's head.

Vsssssh!

With lightning reflexes, the assassin raised his left hand, activating a Spirit Gate Shield Rune embedded within his cloak. The rune shimmered, forming a barrier that deflected the deadly projectile.

Ming Ren's brow furrowed. This level of defensive runes meant his earlier attacks could have been easily thwarted if he had targeted the assassin instead of the spirit beast.

"Who goes there?!" the assassin roared, his voice laced with caution.

"...He blocked it?!" The archer, astonished by the assassin's defense, quickly prepared another arrow.

Seizing the opportunity, Ming Ren lunged forward, his sword aimed at the assassin's heart. But once again, the cloak shimmered, activating another rune barrier that intercepted his attack.

"Ugh…!" the assassin grunted, surprised by the sudden assault. He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a volley of arrows from the unseen archer. As he retreated deeper into the cave, the archer prepared to give chase, but a deep rumble from the earth stopped him in his tracks.

The cavern shook violently, and cracks appeared in the walls. A narrow crevice opened, just wide enough for the assassin to slip through. He vanished into the darkness, sealing the passage behind him.

"What…? A secret passage?" the archer, the rugged elder from the Bow Clan, frowned in frustration.

"Consider yourself lucky this time," the assassin's voice echoed from within the hidden passage. "Soon, another entrance to the mountain will open. If you seek my head, you'll have to come from above now. Hahahaha! Don't take too long. I may not wait forever."

As the voice faded and the tremors intensified, Ming Ren knew they had to act quickly. He grabbed the fallen spirit beast's core and sprinted towards the survivors. "Elder, grab those who are still alive! This cave is collapsing!"

The elder didn't hesitate, scooping up the remaining survivors and fleeing alongside Ming Ren. They burst out of the cave just as the entrance crumbled behind them, the earth trembling violently.

Ming Ren collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. He circulated the One Breath Luminescence Law, attempting to replenish his depleted reserves. However, the parasitic spirit bugs continued to drain his energy, their influence growing stronger.

"I thank the elder for your assistance," Ming Ren said, his voice weak but sincere.

The elder, still bewildered by the events that had transpired, struggled to comprehend the situation. "I can't believe it… Is it true? That man is part of a group attempting to weaken the country? A 'Young Lord' and these spirit bugs… It's hard to believe."

Ming Ren recounted the events in the Vagrant Woods, explaining the origins of the plague and the insidious role of the featherwing spirit bugs.

"I still can't believe it," the elder muttered. "That chaos with the spirit beasts was caused by them?"

"I don't think they did it directly, but it was definitely a consequence of their actions…" Ming Ren replied, choosing to omit his own role in the incident.

"And if we don't kill the one who escaped, will the parasites spread and kill everyone?" the elder asked, his voice trembling. Despite his efforts to sense any shifts in the spiritual energy, the elder's perception yielded no discernible changes. "I don't feel anything…"

"I don't believe he can breed more parasites," Ming Ren reassured him. "He likely used the spirit beast to breed them and then hosted them within his own body. This suggests he possesses a unique bloodline..."

"So there won't be any new parasites, but the existing ones will continue to spread?" the elder clarified, his brow furrowed with concern.

"Yes, as long as he lives, the bugs will live," Ming Ren confirmed. "They have been planning this for a while. If he wants us to enter the mountain… it won't be easy to kill him."

"Young man, who exactly are you?" the elder inquired, his tone filled with astonishment. "I was quite a distance away, yet I heard his words as if he spoke directly to me. It felt like... spiritual sense."

Ming Ren smiled. "I was born with an abnormal soul…"

Satisfied with his decision, Ming Ren reasoned that it was the most prudent explanation. Though disclosing such information still carried risks, he understood that cultivators who could harness the potential of an abnormal soul were exceedingly rare. Barring malevolent soul cultivators, Ming Ren was confident that the allure of an abnormal soul wouldn't lead to any undue trouble.

The elder's eyes widened in understanding. "So that's how you found us before…"

Ming Ren nodded.

The elder pondered for a moment, his expression conflicted. "This information is too important. It must reach the royal family. However, I only have a short-range communication jade token, and I cannot risk it being intercepted. I must go in person. But if we don't kill that figure, I am also doomed…"

He looked at Ming Ren with a questioning gaze. "Young man, are you planning to pursue him?"

Ming Ren nodded.

"In your current condition? You possess remarkable strength, but you are only at the Body Tempering Realm," the elder cautioned. "I wish to assist you, but…"

"There's no need to hesitate, Elder," Ming Ren reassured him, extending his spiritual sense to transfer a pill formula and giving the elder the spirit beast's core as an ingredient, "This is a Spirit Gate Cleansing Pill formula. It will eradicate the parasites. The Royal Family should have no trouble producing it."

The elder was astonished. "This... How?"

"It's from Great Doctor Xu Tian," Ming Ren lied smoothly. "He's back in Big Ox Village treating the villagers."

"Great Doctor Xu Tian!" the elder exclaimed, suddenly understanding. "He was there… Everything makes sense now. With this, I won't hesitate any longer. Young man, this will be a great merit for you. You don't need to risk your life. Come with me to Radiant Bridge City, and we'll request aid and hunt that bastard down."

Ming Ren shook his head. "I fear he will be long gone by the time help arrives. He knows his plan has been exposed, yet he still tried to lure us into the mountain. Something tells me there's more to this."

"It's possible," the elder conceded. "But it will still be dangerous. I will ensure you receive due credit for your actions. I haven't seen such selfless behavior in a long time."

The elder clasped his hands and bowed deeply. "I am Gong Bo of the Bow Clan from the Royal Capital. I thank you in the name of my clan and the royal family."

"I am Ming Ren, from the Bright Clan of Bluecloud City," Ming Ren responded, returning the bow.

"Bright Clan? Why does that sound familiar… Oh," Gong Bo's eyes widened in recognition. "I see. How… surprising. To think someone from an expelled clan would go to such lengths for others."

Ming Ren shook his head. "I'm doing it for myself, Senior."

"Either way, you are helping others," the elder remarked, handing over his arm bracer, quiver, and bow to Ming Ren. "Take these. I don't know how skilled you are with a bow, but in your current state, it will help you conserve energy. It's a first-rank bow."

"Senior, thank you," Ming Ren bowed once again.

"Be careful," Gong Bo cautioned. "The enemy's equipment was of a very high level. To deflect our blows with a barrier and even conceal his presence… The power behind him must be significant, perhaps even second rank."

"I will not be reckless," Ming Ren assured him with a smile. "May the Heavens grant you speed."

With a final nod, Gong Bo dashed off, knowing time was of the essence.

Ming Ren turned his attention to the survivors, pondering how best to help them. Despite their lack of external injuries, their Qi had been drained, and the spirit beast's poison had seeped into their bodies.

He circulated the One Breath Luminescence Law, gently drawing the featherwing spirit bugs from their bodies into his own. With precise acupuncture techniques, he stimulated their vital points, restoring their vitality. He then provided them with detoxifying and Qi pills, offering them a chance to recover.

The survivors, two weathered men and a resilient young man, gradually regained consciousness under Ming Ren's care. Gratitude and relief filled their eyes as they expressed their desire to seek refuge at a nearby encampment. Despite the ordeal they had endured, a glimmer of hope remained. 

"I will escort you there," Ming Ren offered, his voice laced with concern.

However, the survivors exchanged hesitant glances. "We appreciate your offer," one of them replied, his voice tinged with resignation, "but it's best if we go alone. The place we're headed... it's not safe for outsiders."

Understanding their concerns, Ming Ren nodded and watched as they departed, their figures fading into the distance.

'I must wait for the entrance to the mountain to open,' he thought, his body feeling heavy with the parasitic burden. 'In a few days, my bloodline won't be able to resist the weakening effects. There's no point in staying idle. I should explore the area for valuable resources.'

Restless and unable to cultivate, Ming Ren set off to explore the mountain, his keen eyes scanning the rugged terrain for any signs of useful herbs, ores, or other materials. His spiritual sense proved invaluable, guiding him towards hidden clusters of rare medicinal herbs and veins of precious spirit metals.

However, amidst his search, a familiar presence caught his attention. At the edge of his spiritual sense, he detected the unmistakable aura of Bao Shi and his group, locked in a fierce battle. This time, however, the air was thick with the scent of death, and the outcome seemed uncertain.