Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
"Hu"
Xu Xiaofei flew far away before finally stopping to catch her breath.
Fortunately, no one was chasing her, and she was still alive.
Xu Xiaofei, having preserved her life, began to feel regret again. She still hadn't seen that person's face... She could only wait for another opportunity.
The other person who had sealed his Divine Consciousness was also strangely familiar. That person's presence was too strong; Xu Xiaofei actually felt a hint of fear in her heart, but beyond the fear, she wanted to get closer to him. Moreover, she felt sympathy for him and wanted to share his pain.
Xu Xiaofei wasn't sure why she had such complex emotions toward him.
Perhaps everything was related to the memories she had lost.
If there were a chance, she truly hoped to become friends with that person!
Of course, Xu Xiaofei did not forget that both of them were from the demonic sect.
Not everyone in the demonic sect was a villain; these two didn't seem like it at first glance. But it seemed that every time someone from the demonic sect showed up, bad things immediately followed.
Could it be that this time the White Tiger invasion was also their doing?
Xu Xiaofei thought for a moment and shook her head.
The legend of the White Tiger had been passed down for many years; this time, the people in the Village hadn't noticed anything unusual, so this matter should have nothing to do with them... hopefully.
If the demonic sect really was involved, it would surely lead to great trouble.
The light brightened.
The clouds floating above the mountains had unknowingly dispersed, and looking out, one could see far into the distance.
Xu Xiaofei discerned the direction and flew toward the White Tiger Stronghold.
Oh, isn't that Lu Zhi Feng?
After flying for a while, his keen eyes spotted a familiar figure in the forest below.
What was he doing sneaking into this wild area without taking a break?
Lu Zhi Feng hadn't changed his clothes; he was still dressed in the same outfit from last night, holding a jug of wine and carrying a large branch of blooming Osmanthus, as if he were about to meet someone secretly.
Xu Xiaofei had been lost in thought earlier and hadn't had time to come out from the Concealment Tower. Since he had run into Lu Zhi Feng, he decided to stay hidden and quietly followed him.
He was always impulsive and didn't feel ashamed about stalking others.
Before long, he had followed the solitary Lu Zhi Feng into a secluded valley.
It was hidden because the valley was quite narrow, with towering rocks overhead and tall trees, making it difficult to spot from above.
In the Mountain Valley, there seemed to be a stone altar built of bricks.
There was a Path leading to the altar, with statues standing on either side at intervals. These Statues varied in appearance and their expressions were lifelike.
At the end of the Path stood a tall Stone Carved Deity: a spirited and handsome young man, with a giant tiger lying at his feet. This should be the Ancestor of the White Tiger Stronghold, along with his white tiger companion.
Although the white tiger had betrayed him, it was still carved alongside him when the Statues were made, remaining together for eternity.
Xu Xiaofei watched as Lu Zhi Feng first offered simple prayers to the Ancestor before turning back to stop at the other end of the Path, in front of a statue located at the very end.
His wine, flowers, and fresh fruits stored in a Cosmic Bag seemed to be offerings for this person.
The way he placed his offerings was more careful than when he faced his Ancestor, showing even more reverence.
After arranging everything, he stood up and gazed at the Statue in front of him.
Suddenly, he reached out his hand and touched the face that, although carved with great liveliness, remained cold and stiff.
"Big Brother, wait for me," his eyes were gentle, but his words were filled with determination. "I will definitely obtain the First Warrior this time and stand in the same position as you... I will! You have waited for me at Ancestor for forty years; do you miss me? I miss you, and I can't wait any longer."
"Forty years... has been too long, too long."
Lu Zhi Feng murmured to the silent Statue all by himself.
"Even though I have been immersed in sword techniques for these forty years, striving to improve my realm without distraction, I sometimes feel that these days are too hard to bear... Counting the days while waiting for the White Tiger to appear has truly been tormenting... Fortunately, it will all soon come to an end. I can sense that the power of that White Tiger has already diminished significantly; tonight will be its demise."
He let out a soft sigh. It was a sigh of joy.
"Big Brother... when we meet again, will you be surprised at how much I've grown? I have been chasing after your footsteps, and perhaps now I already possess the strength to compete with you! If you don't believe it, we can have another match; you won't need to go easy on me anymore."
He continued to murmur something in front of the statue. Xu Xiaofei could no longer hear clearly.
All he could discern was that Lu Zhi Feng's voice was getting lower and more enchanting.
It no longer sounded like a younger brother speaking to his elder brother.
— It was the sweet talk of a lovesick person.
Every word he spoke was heard clearly by Xu Xiaofei.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
From this perspective, it seemed that Brother Rong had little hope... However, since Brother Rong had little hope, there was still hope for Brother Wei.
After all, he felt that Brother Wei had a different kind of affection for Brother Rong. Brother Wei was certainly good to him as well; perhaps due to their age difference, he was especially accommodating. But his kindness towards Rong Han was of another kind altogether.
It wasn't obvious at first, but as soon as Lu Zhi Feng appeared, it was as if he could see through everything.
Xu Xiaofei sighed inwardly and suddenly came to a realization.
—Wait, what did Lu Zhi Feng just return?
He would soon meet his elder brother. His elder brother, Luzhi Tuan, was nothing more than a stone statue now, seemingly having passed away. Did every "First Warrior" of the White Tiger Stronghold have to die?
That seemed a bit strange... Perhaps he had guessed wrong.
"Elder brother, we will meet soon. I will take my leave first and go practice my sword," Lu Zhi Feng lingered in front of the statue for a moment before softly saying.
Xu Xiaofei hid in the Concealment Tower, watching him turn and leave.
Practice sword?
Now he could sneak a peek at Lu Zhi Feng's unique sword techniques, which he seemed to have immersed himself in deeply.
However, Xu Xiaofei felt a bit embarrassed about spying on someone else's words and actions, especially when it came to this kind of behavior that resembled stealing skills.
So Xu Xiaofei did not move.
After waiting for a while, until he could no longer sense Lu Zhi Feng's presence, he flew out from the tower.
Staying in the tower felt a bit stifling.
Xu Xiaofei landed in front of the Statue and took a look at that face.
It did seem somewhat similar to Lu Zhi Feng... only the features were more refined, and the expression was gentler than he had imagined.
A gentle breeze blew by.
The fruits neatly stacked in front of the statue were blown off, rolling to the side.
He had never seen such crimson, dripping fresh fruit; perhaps it was a local specialty from the mountains.
"What kind of fruit is this?" Xu Xiaofei murmured. "It looks delicious."
He bent down to pick it up, intending to return the fruit to its original place.
"Roar—"
Xu Xiaofei froze.
Turning around, he saw a gigantic white tiger coldly staring at him.
The deep green eyes of the tiger glowed even in its white fur, emanating a chilling light that made his heart race.
Wasn't this white tiger supposed to have gone back to its cave? How did it end up here?
Could it be… that he had inadvertently revealed his presence when he was startled by the people from the demonic sect, and the white tiger followed him?
It didn't matter how it had followed him; what mattered was that he was no match for this white tiger!
Earlier, it had looked down on him, but now, for some reason, it radiated a murderous aura.
"Hey, let's talk," Xu Xiaofei raised a hand slightly. "It doesn't have to come to blows, right? Look, I have a Meat Spirit Mushroom here. I've heard that beasts love to eat it; it's much tastier than human flesh..."
He pulled out a Meat Spirit Mushroom from his Cosmic Bag and tossed it over.
The white tiger did not catch it but lowered its head to look at the Meat Spirit Mushroom, momentarily stunned.
Taking advantage of its distraction, Xu Xiaofei summoned his Flying Sword and fled on it.
The roar from behind suddenly echoed again.
The Flying Sword beneath him abruptly came to a halt.
Xu Xiaofei turned back and locked eyes with the pair of tiger-like pupils, and suddenly his gaze became dazed.
He felt dizzy.
A shadow drifted out from the deep pupils of the White Tiger and fell into his heart's lake.
It stirred up an endless whirlpool...
The ground spun, and his vision flipped.
His consciousness gradually faded away.
He was like a falcon with a broken wing, plummeting from mid-air.
...
Two figures flew down in front of the White Tiger Stronghold, landing in the Stone Pillar Forest.
They exchanged glances and shook their heads.
"Where on earth has this kid gone? Why hasn't he returned yet?" Wei Xuanfeng said, "Does he really think he's just out for a leisurely stroll? What an idiot!"
His words were harsh, but there was a hint of worry in his brow.
As dusk fell, the warriors in the Village had donned their armor and hidden themselves in the Stone Pillar Forest, waiting for tonight's battle.
Yet, Xu Xiaofei was still nowhere to be seen. Wei Rong and the others had been searching for him for quite some time.
Rong Han comforted, "Xu Xiong is quite capable and clever; I believe he will be fine. Perhaps he is just lingering in some picturesque spot for a while."
Although the two did not express it, they were both somewhat worried that Xu Xiaofei might have encountered that white tiger.
However, according to reports, the white tiger was nocturnal and rarely appeared during the day...
As they spoke, Lu Zhi Feng approached.
He had not rested all night but still looked spirited.
The long knife hung diagonally at his waist, and he carried himself like a drawn sword—sharp and fierce.
He asked, "Has that Xu Brother not returned yet?"
Rong Han nodded.
Lu Zhi Feng said, "He might just be lost. There are no particularly formidable beasts in this forest; with his skills, he should be able to handle it."
He glanced at the two of them and continued, "It's getting late; I won't urge you to set out. Please return to the Village to rest. The white tiger will be slain tonight, and you can stay as long as you like."
"Brother Lu, what are you talking about?" Rong Han replied. "Of course, I want to stay and fight alongside you."
Wei Xuanfeng added, "If he stays, I will stay with him."
Lu Zhi Feng remained cold and indifferent, showing no appreciation for their intentions.
"I insist that this battle should not involve outsiders. Please return; after my victory, I will come to toast and apologize to you!"
"You..."
The suppressed anger within Wei Xuanfeng nearly erupted once again.
But he suddenly saw a person. In surprise, he instantly forgot his anger.
"Brat, finally know to come back? Rong and I have been looking for you for half a day!"
He shouted at the figure that had fallen from the sky.
"Xu Xiong, it's good to see you safe," Rong Han also said.
The one who came was naturally Xu Xiaofei.
Xu Xiaofei did not respond to their greetings.
He had originally tied his hair up, but now a strand had come loose, falling over his forehead and blocking his eyes, making it difficult to see his expression.
He silently landed beside the three of them. Aside from the sound of breathing, he was almost as silent as a puppet.
This was not at all like his usual style. Wei Rong was about to ask what was going on when he suddenly spoke.
"Get out of the way!"
At the same time, he raised his hand and thrust a sword toward Lu Zhi Feng's chest.
This sword strike was incredibly swift and ruthless!
Lu Zhi Feng was caught off guard, and the other two were equally shocked.
The sword wind stirred the loose hair on Xu Xiaofei's forehead, allowing them to see the pair of eyes that had been obscured—surprisingly deep emerald green!
They glowed with an eerie light.
It was the greenish glow of ghostly fire.
It was also the divine light in the eyes of the Eerie White Tiger.
Fortunately, Lu Zhi Feng reacted quickly. With his rich experience in battle, when Xu Xiaofei thrust his sword forward, he managed to narrowly avoid it by half an inch.
The cold blade tip passed diagonally through his side.
He also drew his sword. The fierce aura of the blade instantly spread out.
Xu Xiaofei's first strike missed, but the momentum of the sword continued to press relentlessly toward him.
"Xu Xiong, what are you doing!" Rong Han was momentarily stunned and then joined the confrontation.
It seemed that Xu Xiaofei had fallen under some kind of spell.
His own consciousness appeared to be blurred; he could not control his actions.
After succumbing to madness, Xu Xiaofei wielded his sword recklessly, and his spiritual power surged dramatically.
He didn't even glance at Rong Han and Wei Xuanfeng; every strike was aimed directly at Lu Zhi Feng.
It seemed he was determined to kill him!
Xu Xiaofei disregarded his own safety, but the three confronting him could not ignore him and dared not strike too hard against him.
In this constrained situation, they were forced into a desperate predicament.
After exchanging dozens of blows, Lu Zhi Feng finally seized the opportunity to strike out with his sword, knocking Xu Xiaofei unconscious with the back of the blade.
Wei Xuanfeng caught the unconscious Xu Xiaofei and checked his pulse, probing into his internal energy. He sighed and said, "This guy has indeed been manipulated by some secret technique."
"Is that so? I wonder if he will wake up after a good sleep," Rong Han replied.
He looked at Lu Zhi Feng again.
Lu Zhi Feng's face was pale, and with his support, he sat down on the ground.
The injury under his rib was serious, though not fatal. His chest was instantly stained red.
Rong Han said, "I'll apply medicine for you."
"Thank you."
He unfastened Lu Zhi Feng's outer garment, applied the medicine to his wound, and carefully bandaged it with cloth strips. His movements were gentle and skilled.
After applying the medicine, he said, "Let me help you back to rest."
"Back to rest?" Lu Zhi Feng chuckled upon hearing this, "At this point, how could I possibly go back to rest?"
He took it for granted.
Rong Han was taken aback for a moment, but then, his usually gentle temperament surged with a wave of anger.
This anger manifested as a faint blush that rose to his fair cheeks.
"Do you still want to stay and fight? Are you trying to throw your life away?"
"That's right," Lu Zhi Feng replied, "Even if I have to give up my life, I must stay today."
Suddenly, he took something out of the Cosmic Bag and brought it to his mouth, swallowing it in one gulp.
The movement was too quick for Rong Han to stop him.
"What... what did you just eat?"
"Just a powerful healing medicine," Lu Zhi Feng replied nonchalantly.
The effect of this elixir was indeed quite remarkable.
As soon as he took it, color returned to his face. The weak aura around him also regained its strength.
However, Rong Han was an experienced veteran. He knew that such potent medicines often came at a terrible price—the injuries might heal temporarily, but they would leave lasting ailments in the body.
"Why do you have to go this far? I heard that you are after the title of 'First Warrior'... Is that title really worth it to you..."
Rong Han paused.
He could no longer continue.
Though it was Lu Zhi Feng's body that was injured, it felt as if the pain struck deep in his heart.
"Of course it's worth it," Lu Zhi Feng said. "I've been through this; this matter is more important than my life. You wouldn't understand because you don't truly know me."
Rong Han's feelings were something Lu Zhi Feng had somewhat grasped, but he couldn't respond and chose to pretend he didn't notice.
He decided to make his tone even colder.
"Is that so?" Rong Han said dejectedly. "I don't know enough about you... I truly don't understand what it is you're seeking."
The expression on his face made Wei Xuanfeng unable to watch any longer.
"Rong!"
Rong Han shook his head, pressed his lips together, and quickly concealed the look of despair. He then said, "Since that's the case, I won't stop you... But you can't stop me either; I will stay tonight. I won't interfere in your battle with the White Tiger; I'll just guard your safety."
He had to remain steadfast and unyielding.
Lu Zhi Feng realized he couldn't handle him and sighed, "Do as you wish."
……
Xu Xiaofei slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the dark beams of the ceiling.
Where is this? How did he end up lying here?
His whole body felt vaguely sore, as if he had been in a fight, but it didn't seem too serious.
After a while, he gradually began to remember.
This was the home of that Aunt from the White Tiger Stronghold.
He sat up. He could still clearly recall the last pair of strange, soul-stirring tiger eyes he had seen... After that, everything felt like it was separated by a layer of gauze, like the moon in a mirror or flowers in water, indistinct and unclear.
Oh no! He slammed his fist on the bed.
In his dazed state, it seemed he had ambushed Lu Zhi Feng and even wounded him. He hoped Lu Zhi Feng wasn't hurt too badly; he needed to check on him and apologize...
That white tiger controlling him to harm others was probably also afraid of Lu Zhi Feng's swordsmanship, wanting to eliminate this formidable enemy first!
Without Lu Zhi Feng, tonight's combat power would indeed be greatly reduced.
Xu Xiaofei got out of bed and put on his clothes.
Looking through the half-open window, it was already deep into the night. With his keen hearing, he could still hear the sounds of battle in the distance.
He pushed open the door and walked downstairs, momentarily taken aback.
Sitting by the wooden table was a person. It was that Aunt who made delicious scallion pancakes; she was still mending clothes by the dim light of an oil lamp.
Hearing Xu Xiaofei's footsteps, she turned to look.
"Hey, are you awake? It's still early, you can sleep a bit longer."
"No, I'm going out to take a look. I won't be able to sleep anyway," Xu Xiaofei replied. "Aunt, aren't you going to sleep?"
As soon as he said this, he realized that Aunt was probably anxiously waiting for her son to return and wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully.
After chatting with Aunt for a bit and confirming the location of Lu Zhi Feng's home, Xu Xiaofei walked out.
Strangely, he didn't stay inside to recover?
Xu Xiaofei stood in front of the empty, silent building, lost in thought for a moment.
He vaguely remembered that Lu Zhi Feng had sustained serious injuries. If he were to force himself to confront the White Tiger in such a condition, it would be almost like seeking death. However, judging by what he said in front of the statue at Luzhi Tuan, perhaps he really intended to fight despite his injuries...
Suddenly snapping back to reality, Xu Xiaofei activated Spatial Technique and flew toward Village.
He didn't want Lu Zhi Feng to die because of him!
Halfway there, he encountered a crowd rushing toward him.
Most of them were covered in blood, but their faces showed signs of joy and their spirits were quite high.
Wait, isn't that—
Xu Xiaofei caught sight of the massive white tiger with fur gleaming like satin, being carried by two strong men toward the gate of White Tiger Stronghold.
A gruesome gash ran through its abdomen and back, nearly splitting it in half.
It seemed the White Tiger was already dead.
White Tiger Stronghold will soon have a new “First Warrior” born.
“Brother Xu!”
“Xu Xiong.”
Wei Rong and the other two had noticed him, flying out from the crowd and stopping in front of him.
Rong Han said, “It seems you are better now?”
Xu Xiaofei replied, embarrassed, “I’m fine now and won’t randomly attack people anymore. I still need to apologize to Brother Lu.”
“We know it was an unintentional mistake, and we have already apologized on your behalf,” Wei Xuanfeng said, “but you really should personally apologize to him… even though I don’t like him very much!”
He did not hide his annoyance towards Lu Zhi Feng.
Xu Xiaofei found Lu Zhi Feng in the crowd.
He was surrounded by others, chatting and laughing heartily, clearly in a good mood.
His steps were steady as he walked, showing no signs of having been seriously injured.
Xu Xiaofei was taken aback.
He almost doubted whether his sword had actually struck… but the reactions of Wei Rong and the others told him he had not misremembered.
A normal person's recovery wouldn’t be this good. Did Lu Zhi Feng take some kind of secret medicine to heal?
He stepped forward, cupped his fists in both hands, and sincerely apologized.
In the future, if there is a need for him, he would do his utmost.
Lu Zhi Feng waved his hand, as if he hadn't heard what was said at all and didn't care.
The victorious Villagers returned joyfully and noisily, and Lu Zhi Feng seemed to be the greatest contributor among them, the recognized hero.
He appeared indifferent to the admiration and praise from others.
His heart had flown far, far away.
His eyes were not on the group of people around him.
—Perhaps he was looking beyond the mortal realm!
Xu Xiaofei could only step aside. It seemed that he would have to find another opportunity to do something for Lu Zhi Feng in the future.
He didn't know if he would have such an opportunity again.
"They're holding a celebratory feast in the village. Should we go join the fun?" Wei Xuanfeng suggested.
"Sure," Rong Han replied.
"Sounds good, let's go! I can already smell the wine and meat!" Xu Xiaofei agreed without hesitation.
To be honest, he was also hungry.
A jug of wine, a plate of meat, a flatbread—he wanted a bit of everything.
Moreover, this celebratory feast should be quite lavish.
The banquet was set up in the largest open space in Village. A bonfire had been lit.
There was strong liquor, golden-brown roasted meat, musicians playing instruments, and handsome young men and beautiful girls taking turns singing and dancing.
Three good friends also sat down by the bonfire.
People kept coming to toast them; the villagers of White Tiger Stronghold were quite hospitable.
Surrounded by the crowd and unable to break free, Lu Zhi Feng surprisingly came to find them.
He even poured an extra cup for Rong Han.
"This cup of wine is to thank you for your past care. Feel free, I'll drink first as a sign of respect."
He brought the cup to his lips, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one go.
Rong Han also silently emptied his cup.
After Lu Zhi Feng left, he sat down again, but a thick fog lingered in his eyes.
He seemed to sense something and felt a bit uneasy, which Xu Xiaofei noticed as well.
What did Lu Zhi Feng mean by standing in front of the statue?
He thought he should inform Rong Han, but telling him might only add to his worries.
Xu Xiaofei scanned the area and spotted the boy from White Tiger Stronghold who had led them home, and an idea formed in his mind.
He stood up and walked over to the boy.
Sitting next to him was the boy's cheerful Grandma. Xu Xiaofei smiled and nodded at her, then leaned closer to the boy and whispered a few words. The two of them then left the open space where the banquet was set up.
Xu Xiaofei led him to a secluded corner away from others.
"Xu Dage, what important matter do you want to discuss with me?" the boy asked curiously.
Xu Xiaofei said, "I want to ask you, are you hiding something from us? Lu Zhi Feng is your First Warrior; what will happen to him?"
The young man was taken aback and hurriedly waved his hands, "What could possibly happen... We have always held great respect for our tribe's warriors."
However, when Xu Xiaofei saw his reaction, he knew he wasn't telling the truth.
"Don't lie to me. I know he will go to a very far place and no one will see him again, right?"
The young man opened his mouth, seemingly stunned.
"You... how do you know?"
"Is it really true?"
Seeing that his lie had been exposed, the young man had no choice but to speak honestly, "Xu Ge, it's not that I don't trust you, but this matter cannot be discussed with outsiders. Since you already know so much without knowing why, I will tell you, but you must not tell anyone else."
"Okay, don't worry! You can tell me!"
Xu Xiaofei even swore an oath.
The young man then said, "Actually... every time a First Warrior is chosen, a ceremony is held where the warrior drinks the blood of the White Tiger and eats its flesh, using the skin shed by the White Tiger as a cloak... Because the immortal White Tiger has Celestial Blood flowing through it and possesses Ancient Divine Power, after the ceremony, the warrior can gain its strength and rapidly elevate their realm... then ascend overnight. The already divine Ancestor senses this and will come to guide him."
He said with a bitter face, "You must never tell outsiders this secret! If outsiders learn of the White Tiger's secret, it won't be our people who get a chance when the White Tiger appears next."
"I see... This method of Ascend to Immortality is quite simple and convenient. If outsiders find out about it, who knows how many would fight over it."
To ascend so easily probably wouldn't result in becoming a proper deity. It wouldn't be based on one's own strength but rather seizing the abilities of spiritual beasts. Such things have happened before, but most who became deities were often heretical or evil gods...
Of course, Xu Xiaofei only dared to think this in his heart and didn't voice it in front of the young man.
It seems that Luzhi Tuan ascended over forty years ago and has since vanished without a trace. If Lu Zhi Feng wants to follow in his footsteps, he can only strive to become this "First Warrior."
He can achieve his wish, which is not bad.
"Alright, don't worry. I have sworn that I will never go out!" Xu Xiaofei patted the young man's shoulder and smiled, "As for myself, I have never thought of relying on such means to ascend. This is your opportunity at White Tiger Stronghold, and it may not be suitable for me. If my Master and Senior Brother find out that I'm not practicing properly and just dreaming about easy gains, they might break my legs."
"Is your Master and Senior Brother very strict?" the young man asked, blinking.
"Ahem... Actually, they are not strict and treat me well," Xu Xiaofei coughed and said, "It's just that sometimes I unintentionally cause some trouble, which makes them worry."
The Discussion Conference is coming soon, and I wonder how Senior Brother's swordsmanship is progressing?
I believe he won't have any problems!
Senior Brother has always been reliable, much more so than myself.
This matter I've learned about should probably be told to Rong Han.
Lu Zhi Feng will disappear after tonight. I shouldn't leave Brother Rong hanging.
Knowing Lu Zhi Feng's whereabouts, I think... he will be happy for him. Even if he isn't happy, he won't worry about him.
Xu Xiaofei sincerely informed the young man of this matter, obtained his consent, and released a messenger copper sparrow to fly to the banquet to summon Rong Han.
Rong Han also made an Inner Demon oath and listened as the young man recounted the situation.
He remained silent for a long time before speaking: "Is that so? No wonder I felt something was off with him today..."
Lu Zhi Feng disregarded his serious injuries and took forbidden medicine to force himself into battle; he could not agree with or understand that.
Thinking this way, everything made sense.
Rong Han still carried the scent of alcohol on him, clearly having drunk quite a bit.
Suddenly, he smiled: "So that cup of wine he specially offered me tonight was a farewell drink... There will be no next time, and no next cup."
The young man seemed to sense something and said, "Brother Feng is still having fun with everyone. Why don't you go say a few words to him?"
"No," Rong Han shook his head, paused for a moment, then shook his head again. "He has nothing else to say to me, and I... have nothing to say to him anymore. Nothing matters anymore. This matter should not have been known to outsiders like us, so I can't even congratulate him, can I?"
Nothing matters anymore; everything... feels too late.
Back then, when he was lost in the mountains as a child, it was he who brought him back to the Rong Family.
When he was extremely hungry, Lu Zhi Feng caught a fish from the river and roasted it himself; the taste is something he still remembers.
In the end, it will all become irretrievable memories...
Returning to the banquet, Rong Han continued to drink quietly.
Xu Xiaofei knew that he was silently watching Lu Zhi Feng.
This was the last moment.
Wei Xuanfeng was still confused. Xu Xiaofei didn't want him to ask further and pulled him along, saying, "You drink one cup, I drink one cup," as they chatted aimlessly.
No matter how lively the banquet is, there will come a time to disperse.
The bonfire had died down, leaving only a patch of cold ashes. The empty plates and cups were cleared away.
Everyone sent their hero Lu Zhi Feng to a house outside the village.
This should be the place where the ceremony would take place.
During the ceremony, it seemed that no one was allowed to disturb. After watching Lu Zhi Feng enter the house, everyone gradually left in small groups.
The boy who informed Xu Xiaofei of the truth urgently said to them, "Hurry and leave! This is also a rule passed down by the Ancestor; if you spy, you will be punished!"
The three had no choice but to leave.
Punished? Xu Xiaofei didn't quite believe it. But he didn't want to make things difficult for the boy.
He turned back and took a glance at the house that stood alone in the deep night.
Was Lu Zhi Feng really about to ascend to immortality?
...
Inside the house was a large stone table, its surface smooth enough to reflect a person's shadow.
Two bright red candles, one on each side, were still burning faintly.
In the center lay the massive body of the White Tiger.
Lu Zhi Feng drew the long knife from his waist, its tip glinting with light.
He bled it, consumed its flesh, and finally draped half of the skinned White Tiger pelt over himself...
His hands moved steadily and skillfully as he did all this.
He was not only an excellent swordsman but also a skilled hunter; how to process the beasts he hunted was something he had long mastered.
Although the wound on his chest still throbbed faintly, he treated it as if it were just a mosquito bite, not concerning himself with it at all.
This White Tiger was indeed cunning, having manipulated someone to ambush him beforehand.
Unfortunately, what he intended to do was something that no one could stop.
The blood was pungent, and the smell of raw meat was even stronger. As he wrapped the tiger skin around himself, the intense stench of blood filled his nostrils, making it almost impossible to breathe.
Lu Zhi Feng did not care.
These mundane troubles would not leave a trace in his heart.
Elder brother...
I am about to meet you!
He felt as if the blood within him was burning, and the spiritual power in his Qi Sea was swirling wildly.
His body gradually filled with a strength he had never dared to imagine before.
Was he about to ascend?
He was merging with the power of the white tiger.
He was the white tiger, and the white tiger was...
In this moment.
A fragment of consciousness lingering in the flesh and blood of the deceased white tiger floated into his mind.
He could sense the fragmented thoughts of the white tiger from its lifetime.
How is this possible... how could this be?!
He suddenly lowered his head and looked at his blood-stained hands.
These hands, he realized, had quietly sprouted fur, and his nails had grown sharp and long, transforming into a pair of tiger claws...
"Ah—"
He looked at the pair of "hands" in disbelief.
Suddenly, he let out a heart-wrenching scream.
It turned out to be a deception... everything was a deception!
There was no such thing as Ascend to Immortality, and his beloved elder brother had never roamed freely in the Immortal Realm.
—Tonight, he had killed him with his own hands!
Moreover, he had eaten his flesh and drunk his blood.
Who could do something more heinous to their loved one than this?
His consciousness gradually became blurred.
In his madness, he could vaguely sense a powerful Divine Consciousness eroding him.
It wasn't that he had gained the power of the White Tiger; rather, the White Tiger had obtained a fresh *Sacrifice.
The tiger skin draped over his back had already fused with his spine.
"Give your body to me."
A voice tempted him like this.
"I know you harbor resentment, but this is the fate of the people of White Tiger Stronghold. The power of the White Tiger is both a burden and a responsibility that must be passed down."
"Otherwise, something extremely terrible will happen."
"No... I absolutely refuse!"
Lu Zhi Feng suddenly struck his chest with a palm.
He could no longer go on living.
He also did not want such a tragedy to be reenacted in the lives of his juniors.
But he could not bring himself to do it. That Divine Consciousness forcefully stopped him.
...
"So that's how it is. This trend is truly terrifying."
High above, Shen Jinglan observed the scene below and spoke.
"Although it's terrifying, none of the victims can speak out because they have all turned into White Tigers," Spirit Sword Destiny said.
"Why did their Ancestor set such a rule?" Shen Jinglan looked at him.
He seemed certain that Spirit Sword Destiny would know.
Spirit Sword Destiny did not answer directly, only saying, "The leader will understand if he continues to watch."
"Boom!"
The building below suddenly collapsed, and a White Shadow flew out from within.
It was likely that to the villagers of White Tiger Stronghold, this was the manifestation of Lu Zhi Feng's Ascend.
Shen Jinglan took a glance and saw him clearly.
His body had mostly transformed into that of a tiger, with patterns appearing on his face, yet he stubbornly retained a human appearance.
The expression on his face was such that anyone would find it hard to look at him for long.
"He was supposed to fully transform into a White Tiger, but he has only changed halfway. It seems something went wrong," Shen Jinglan said.
He then glanced at Spirit Sword Destiny.
Spirit Sword Destiny replied, "Do you think I did this, Master? Well, I did add some seasoning to the pot of soup I fed the White Tiger. That seasoning is harmless to your body."
Shen Jinglan smiled and said, "Even if it were poison, if you cooked it for me, I would still eat it."
"However, although I meddled a bit, the key issue is that Lu Zhi Feng himself did not want to merge with the White Tiger, which is why he ended up in this half-human, half-tiger form."
Spirit Sword Destiny was speaking the truth.
Even without his interference, in the original plot, Lu Zhi Feng would have failed to transform into a White Tiger.
This led to subsequent events.
Spirit Sword Destiny continued, "Master, you are well-read; have you ever seen an ancient Nightmare?"
"I have heard of it but have never seen one."
"You will soon see one," Spirit Sword Destiny said. "As long as the White Tiger is around, the Nightmare will not dare to show itself. Now that Lu Zhi Feng refuses to inherit the power of the White Tiger, the Nightmare is about to reveal itself."
Comment 0 Comment Count