Chapter 10: Unexpected Encounter

Time flew by, and Lin Tianming had been guarding Qingfeng Town for two months.

During these two months, Lin Tianming had only refined Bigu Pills twice. The first time, he produced thirty-eight pills. The second time, using three sets of Bigu Pill materials, he refined forty-two pills, bringing his total to eighty pills.

Every month, he consumed one Spirit Essence Pill. After refining two pills, his cultivation had improved significantly, reaching the late stage of the fifth level of Qi Refining, getting closer to the sixth level. He expected to break through to the sixth level in the next two months.

These two months had been filled with diligent cultivation. Apart from his rigorous training, he rarely left his residence. His progress was satisfactory.

At the beginning of each month, Lin Tianming would patrol the surrounding area of Qingfeng Town, covering a range of several dozen li.

He had not encountered any monsters, only a few wild beasts. He easily killed them and brought them back to Qingfeng Town, providing meat for the Lin family mortals, who were in awe of him.

These wild beasts, though descendants of demonic beasts, had severely degenerated bloodlines and could no longer advance. However, their flesh was rich in energy, which, when consumed by mortals, significantly increased their strength and vitality, making them healthier and able to live an extra ten years.

In the mortal world, although some practiced martial arts, fighting wild beasts alone was still dangerous. Lin Tianming's effortless kills impressed the Lin family mortals, who revered him even more.

One morning, as the red sun slowly rose, casting beams of light across the land, Lin Tianming stood in the square outside the pavilion. Many mortals knelt in respect.

Under their watchful eyes, Lin Tianming summoned his Green Bamboo Sword, leaped onto it, and soared into the sky, heading out of town.

As usual, he planned to patrol around Qingfeng Town, starting from its periphery, to check for any monsters that might harm the people.

Last time, he had patrolled a radius of about fifty li around Qingfeng Town. Today, he intended to expand his patrol to a hundred li, to better protect the area.

Outside the town, the morning fields were crisscrossed by rivers, and the lush green rice plants looked promising.

Many Lin family mortals were working in the fields, chatting and laughing as they tended their crops.

A boy, about ten years old, was nimbly harvesting crops. The year's yield was good, and an elderly man beside him, looking pleased, remarked respectfully, "We are fortunate to have the protection of our immortal ancestors. With good weather and peace, we can live and prosper."

The boy, confused, asked, "Grandfather, are there really immortals in the world? Did our family really produce immortals?"

"Of course, there are immortals. Over thirty years ago, when I was a child, even younger than you, I saw it with my own eyes."

"An immortal can fly, command the elements with a gesture, and has the power to move mountains and seas. In less than half an hour, a ferocious tiger, several meters long and deadly to many, was slain by an immortal. I will never forget it."

The old man spoke with fervor, his admiration and longing evident.

The boy, full of hope, said determinedly, "I want to become an immortal too, to protect our family and Qingfeng Town."

Hearing this, the grandfather became serious. "In a little over a year, it will be time for the family's spirit root test. We must make sure you get tested. If you can become an immortal, you'll join the family records. If I pass away, you'll have a secure future."

As Lin Tianming watched the joyful mortals working in the fields, he was infected by their happiness.

He continued westward, flying towards the Ziyun Mountain Range in Wei Country.

The Ziyun Mountain Range was a small range, covering only about a thousand li, less than a fifth the size of the Luoyun Mountain Range, with sparse spiritual energy.

Named for its cloud-like shape, the Ziyun Mountain Range had few demonic beasts, mostly first-tier, with rare second-tier ones that stayed within the range's core and seldom ventured out.

In vast Qingzhou, there were countless such small ranges, hence no major cultivation forces occupied the area.

However, as the number of cultivators in Qingzhou grew, with forces from other provinces extending their reach, Qingzhou would eventually become overcrowded, and its natural resources would deplete.

These were issues for the future.

Lin Tianming extended his spiritual sense, scanning the area within a few li.

Ahead, on a small mountain a few li away, he sensed two cultivators engaged in a fierce battle. Judging by the fluctuations, they were at least at the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Not daring to approach, he quickly retreated and hid in a small valley nearby, using a concealment technique to mask his presence.

A few li away, a red-robed cultivator shouted angrily, "Daoist Jin, I discovered that cave first! I proposed a six-four split after exploring it, but you want an eight-two split just because your cultivation is one level higher. That's too much!"

"If you want to take it all, just say so. Do you think you can bully me just because you're stronger?"

The white-robed man sneered and, without wasting words, summoned three spirit swords to form a sword array, sending them flying towards the red-robed man.

Startled, the red-robed cultivator summoned a hammer-shaped spiritual weapon, infusing it with spiritual power. The twin hammers turned into a red glow and smashed down on the white-robed man.

With a loud bang, flames erupted.

The white-robed man was forced back several meters, his clothes in tatters and blood at the corners of his mouth, clearly injured.

The red-robed man, his shirt completely torn, exposed his upper body, which bore several bloody wounds on his shoulders. If he hadn't been a body cultivator with strong vitality, avoiding vital areas, he might have been killed.

Both were shocked. With their enmity laid bare, reconciliation seemed impossible. They prepared for one final, desperate attack, hoping to kill the other and claim the cave for themselves.

The white-robed man summoned his flying swords, infusing them with spiritual power, causing them to glow intensely. He spat a mouthful of blood onto the swords, making their aura even sharper.

With a shout, he merged the three swords into one, sending it hurtling towards the red-robed man with deadly intent.

Unperturbed, the red-robed man held his twin hammers, a surge of spiritual power healing the wounds on his shoulders. His entire body exuded an indomitable aura.

Activating a secret technique, the red-robed man's body shone with golden light. Wielding his hammers, he charged at the white-robed man with astonishing speed.

The ensuing explosion was deafening, flames erupting in all directions. The shockwave uprooted trees and shattered trunks within a hundred meters, leaving the area in ruins.

As the smoke cleared, the white-robed man lay dead in a large pit, his body mangled beyond recognition.

The red-robed man, pale and exhausted, leaned against a stone, a large hole in his chest. He quickly took a healing pill and sat down to recover, his condition dire.

This brutal fight had been close. The red-robed man, despite being at the eighth level of Qi Refining, had only survived thanks to his secret technique.