Extinguished Flames

 Xu Yueping remained silent until they left Silver Vine Town. Charging into the shadowy forest, he slammed his fist against a massive tree, sending snow cascading from the branches.

 "If I didn't have a family to care for, or if I were twenty years younger..." He panted heavily, his arm trembling slightly. "I would have taken Feng Yi'an's life today, even if it cost me my own!"

 The humiliation from the private chamber still burned on his cheek. As a man, the disgrace was unbearable.

 Yet family obligations and middle-aged pragmatism forced restraint. Clenching his fists, he muttered: "The fire of youth has been extinguished by life's burdens."

 Qin Ming struggled to find comforting words, his own emotions churning.

 "Uncle Xu, don't torment yourself. Evil deeds always reap consequences."

 After a long silence, Xu exhaled sharply. "Let's return."

 Snowflakes continued drifting through the night air. To lighten the somber mood, Qin Ming initiated casual conversation along the trail.

 "Why hasn't the mountain cleansing begun?"

 "Negotiations with the mountain's mystical creatures are ongoing," Xu replied grimly. His expression darkened as he revealed: "The Patrol Team is preparing catalytic solution. In three days, they'll pour it into Twin Tree Village's Fire Spring."

 The implications were clear - this accelerant benefiting Dark Moon Seeds would devastate fire fields.

 "Did other villages consent?" Qin Ming pressed.

 Xu sighed. "Three resisted, suspecting the seed conspiracy after years of failing crops. But pressure prevailed. Only Green Mulberry Village holds out - the Patrol fears the master who taught Er Bingzi advanced cultivation."

 "The mid-month approaches." Qin Ming gazed at the brooding sky.

 Both knew the Patrol congregated only during lunar phases. Their thoughts scattered as crimson glow illuminated the path ahead.

 A colossal bovine creature emerged at the crossroads, its scarlet mane shimmering with inner fire. The three-horned beast stood taller than two men, but its rider commanded greater awe - a three-meter-tall warrior with blade-sharp eyes that swept over them dismissively.

 The crimson behemoth thundered toward Silver Vine Town, leaving deep imprints in snow.

 "A living titan!" Qin Ming marveled.

 "A different cultivation path," Xu explained. "Premature Rebirth disrupts growth cycles. Only aristocratic clans can sustain such aberrations with resources."

 Qin Ming recalled cultivation lore: The ideal Rebirth age was 15-16 for balanced foundation. Early transformations risked gigantism and early demise - unless supported by vast wealth.

 "They walk the Colossus path," Xu added. "The rider likely hails from Crimson Dawn City."

 As they discussed secondary Rebirth characteristics, Qin Ming steered conversation toward Patrol Leader Fu Entao.

 "Don't even think about confronting them!" Xu wheeled on him. "A novice like you stands no chance against twice-Reborn cultivators!"

 Qin Ming raised placating hands. "Merely theoretical discussion, Uncle Xu."

 Their hunting attempts grew perilous. Xu nearly fell to a mutant Spike Panther's ambush. "The wilderness grows unstable. Mountain cleansing can't wait!" he gasped, inspecting the 500-pound carcass covered in dagger-like quills.

 Returning to Twin Tree Village, they found children's laughter absent. Even the Fire Spring's glow seemed dimmer.

 Qin Ming stood vigil by the spring, his gaze piercing the mountainous darkness. "Three days until catalyst delivery... You leave no room for survival."

 Under moonless sky, he began strategic reconnaissance. Snow masked his trail toward Patrol outposts.

 The target compound glowed faintly on adjacent peak - crude lodges built around fading Fire Spring. Movement flickered between structures, accompanied by monstrous shapes: A golden mastiff with tiger-like stature, and the infamous Snow Ape lounging in sacred waters.

 Qin Ming's jaw tightened. This creature had maimed villagers - broken ribs, torn limbs. Old Qian had succumbed to ape-inflicted wounds mere hours prior.

 At dawn's mourning rites, Patrol members arrived bearing false condolences. Feng Yi'an's crocodile tears disgusted the elders. Shao Chengfeng's declaration - "The murderous beasts are slain" - turned Qin Ming's stomach.

 As the hypocrites departed, their plotting carried on the wind: "Use him to probe the dying Blood Bamboo Spring..."

 Back home, Qin Ming methodically sharpened his woodsman's blade. Steel whispered promises against whetstone.