Journey of True Cultivation Arriving to the Village

Walking along the stone path for several days, Yuan finally arrived at the village near the Thirty Mist Plants Forest. From his position, he could already see the outskirts of the forest, its towering trees casting dark shadows over the ruined settlent.

The village itself was in terrible condition. Half of it looked like a ruin, while the other half was outright destroyed,only a few buildings remained standing.

The demonic beast's attack must have been truly devastating.

But then, a question arose in Yuan's mind.

If the monster was strong enough to destroy nearly the entire village, how did anyone even survive?

Sothing didn't quite add up. If the demonic beast had the strength to wipe out structures, it should have easily been able to kill every single person here.

Was there sothing else at play?

Suppressing his curiosity for now, Yuan continued forward, closing the distance between himself and the ruined village. Soon, he was just about a kiloter away from the shattered village gate.

Standing at the entrance were two armored n.

Both were clad in heavily damaged armor, their chest plates and shoulder guards cracked and broken, revealing the worn fabric underneath. Each had a sword strapped to their hip, but the weapons seed well-used and poorly maintained.

They had already noticed Yuan's approach. Their gazes locked onto him, cautious yet hopeful,but the mont they saw the bright green robe he wore, their expressions shifted.

This robe signified his identity.

At the very least, they hoped it did.

As Yuan approached within ten ters, one of the armored n stepped forward and, despite his nervousness, spoke in a voice that attempted to sound authoritative:

"Stop! Please state your business in our Woodcraft Village!"

Woodcraft Village, huh? Yuan mused.

That confird he was in the right place.

With a composed smile, he responded, "Hello, I am an inner disciple of the Howling Wind Sect, sent under the sect's orders to eliminate the demonic beast. Can you guide to your village elder?"

The armored man's eyes widened in shock upon hearing that Yuan was an inner disciple of the sect.

The last ti the Howling Wind Sect sent their noble disciples, they had only been outer disciples. And now, an inner sect disciple had arrived,did this an he was an even higher ranked noble cultivator?

The armored guard knew little about cultivation, but one thing was clear,this person standing before him was far above his status.

Without hesitation, the man bowed deeply, his voice filled with exaggerated reverence:

"Oh, noble sir from the Howling Wind Sect! Please excuse this foolish one for questioning you! I beg for your forgiveness!"

Seeing his partner bowing, the other guard followed suit, lowering his head hastily.

"Please spare my foolish partner as well, noble sir!"

Yuan, of course, saw right through their forced display of submission.

Who wouldn't?

But instead of calling them out, he simply chuckled, his tone lighthearted as he addressed them.

"What is there to apologize for? You were simply doing your duty,ensuring the safety of your village. In fact, I comnd you for your commitnt to your task as gate guards!"

Hearing these unexpected words of praise, the armored man beca visibly flustered, his previous nervousness shifting into genuine respect.

Straightening his posture, he quickly nodded and said, "Then, noble sir, please follow . The elder will surely welco you warmly!"

With that, the guards turned toward the village, leading Yuan inside.

Yuan nodded his head and smiled brightly, following behind the armored guard as he led the way.

However, as they walked deeper into the village, Yuan truly saw the extent of the devastation.

Every house was damaged. Not a single one was left untouched.

The sight made him sigh loudly, his expression darkening as anger began to simr within him.

"How terrible," Yuan whispered under his breath, turning his gaze away from the destruction, unwilling to look any longer.

His reaction didn't go unnoticed.

The armored guard glanced at him from the corner of his eye, watching the shift in Yuan's expression.

This was unexpected.

The last ti a noble disciple from the sect ca, they didn't care about the village's suffering. They simply asked about the demonic beast's location after eting the elder, without sparing so much as a second glance at the destruction.

But this disciple… he looked angry. He looked sad.

Seeing that, the guard couldn't help but smile behind his broken helt.

At least soone from the sect cares.

The two didn't take long to reach the elder's house—though, calling it a house would have been generous.

It was nothing more than a large white tent, hastily set up in place of a destroyed ho.

Along the way, they passed by several villagers, each one looking haunted by the attack.

Even though it had been months ago, the fear was still fresh in their eyes, as if they were still living in their nightmare.

There's sothing strange about this.

That thought lingered in Yuan's mind, making his sharp eyes narrow.

His caution heightened, his senses becoming more alert.

The village… the situation… sothing was off.

Sothing wasn't right.

The armored guard stood before the white tent, cleared his throat, and called out loudly:

"Elder Rein, please allow us to enter! A noble sir from the Howling Wind Sect has arrived to slay the demonic beast!"

A gruff, irritated voice snapped back from inside the tent.

"Brat! Who gave you permission to shout outside my tent?!"

The armored guard flinched, his tone becoming more respectful.

"My apologies, Elder Rein. It is . Please allow us to enter."

A short silence followed before the sa angry voice grumbled again.

"Tsk! Fine, fine! You've already disturbed , so co in already!"

With that, the armored guard lifted the tent flap and stepped inside, with Yuan following close behind.

Inside the Elder's Tent

Yuan glanced around the interior, taking in the surroundings.

The tent was simple yet cluttered. A wooden table stood in the center, surrounded by a few old chairs. Nearby, there was a small bed, and all around the tent, books and scrolls were scattered ssily, piled haphazardly on the floor.

At the far end, seated on a creaky wicker chair, was an elderly man with graying hair and sharp eyes, his face scrunched into a permanent scowl.

He glared at the armored guard before speaking, his tone still carrying no trace of politeness.

"Brat, what do you want this ti?"

The armored guard quickly straightened his posture and reported.

"Elder, a noble sir from the Howling Wind Sect has arrived today. He has taken the mission to slay the demonic beast that has tornted us for months!"

The elder's thick brows lifted slightly, only now noticing Yuan's presence.

His scowl softened, and he cleared his throat lightly, adjusting his posture in his chair.

"Ah… excuse my earlier deanor. I have been overwheld with stress due to this situation, Senior. Please, tell what you wish to know about this damned beast. I will aid you however I can."

Yuan rely flashed his usual bright smile, his expression filled with a sense of assurance and calmness.

"Elder Rein, there is no need for apologies. Who wouldn't be under imnse stress in such dire circumstances? Allow to introduce myself. I am Yuan, an inner sect disciple of the Howling Wind Branch Sect. I have been assigned to this mission by the sect to slay the demonic beast that has already claid the lives of five of my junior disciples and to free Wood Craft Village from its terror."

Yuan's voice carried a tone of righteousness and elegance, each word spoken with confidence.

Elder Rein's eyes widened slightly, clearly taken aback.

"Sir Yuan is an inner sect disciple… and at such a young age! You must be an exceptionally talented mber of your sect!"

The old man sighed, shaking his head as his expression turned weary.

"anwhile, I… have only managed to awaken three of my senses, and for years now, I have been unable to break through to the fourth. Haah… what a pitiful old man I am."

His voice was laced with regret, as if lanting his own lack of progress.

As the old man spoke, he muttered sothing under his breath about his cultivation base being stuck at the third awakening.

Yuan simply shook his head and smiled.

"Elder, although you are only at the third Mortal Awakening stage, you are still alive. As long as you live, you can still reach the fourth, the fifth, or even the Blood Purification stage! Nothing is impossible. There are no hopeless paths, only people who have lost hope in themselves."

Of course, Yuan was spouting pure nonsense. At the elder's age, reaching the Blood Purification stage was nearly impossible. The only way he could achieve such a breakthrough would be by consuming a peak grade pill capable of completely rejuvenating his body,and such treasures were beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.

The elder let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head.

"Hahaha! Sir truly knows how to lift one's spirits! ? Reaching the Blood Purification stage? That was a dream I abandoned long ago! But I must thank you, Sir Yuan, for giving a glimr of hope… Perhaps, before the end of my days, I might still reach the fourth awakening stage!"

His laughter filled the tent, and for the first ti, his voice lacked the bitterness it once carried.

Yuan, however, rely sighed and looked at him with a tinge of sadness.

"Elder..." He started but then fell silent, choosing not to say anything more.

There was no need to state the obvious. Elder Rein was already half a step into the grave. His hair was completely white, his beard long and frail, and the only trace of vitality left in him was in his dim but resolute eyes.

Sensing the shift in the conversation, the elder cleared his throat and smiled warmly.

"So, Sir Yuan, what kind of assistance do you need?"

At the sa ti, the armored guard standing nearby remained speechless. He had been completely forgotten by Elder Rein, as if he were nothing more than a shadow in the room.

He simply stood there, trying to comprehend the strange conversation that had just taken place.

With just a few words, this young man had turned the ill-tempered, grumpy elder into a completely different person!

And not only that,he understood nothing of their discussion!

Awakening? Senses? Blood Purification stage?

To him, it all sounded like otherworldly nonsense. Yet, despite his confusion, he held his tongue and remained still, his presence completely overshadowed by the exchange between Yuan and Elder Rein.

"Elder Rein, what I need is very simple. I want to know exactly what happened here." Yuan t the elder's gaze, his voice steady and firm.

Elder Rein nodded slowly, a solemn expression settling on his aged face.

"Very well. Let us discuss the terrible calamity that has befallen our Wood Craft Village over a cup of tea. Please, take a seat at the table."

With that, Elder Rein moved to retrieve a pot of tea and so dried tea leaves. As he reached for them, his sharp eyes caught sight of the armored guard still standing in the room.

"Hmph! What are you still doing here? Be gone!" The elder waved his hand dismissively.

The armored guard didn't hesitate,he bowed quickly and walked out of the tent without a word, relieved to escape the conversation that was beyond his comprehension.

Now alone with Yuan, Elder Rein prepared two cups of tea, moving with practiced ease despite his old age.

Yuan remained seated at the wooden table, his expression calm and patient as he observed the elder's careful brewing process. The room fell into complete silence, the only sounds being the quiet rustling of tea leaves and the faint bubbling of boiling water.

Minutes passed. Five, to be exact.

Then, at last, the tea was ready.

Elder Rein poured a dark, rich liquid into both cups and gently slid one over to Yuan.

The aroma was strong and earthy.

It was black tea.

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