NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 131: Blood in the Air
"Thank you, miss. If I ever have the chance in this poor life of mine, I'll gladly repay this favor," Wen Ran bowed sincerely to the girl. She responded gently, only asking him to take care and cautiously sent him on his way. But just before he could leave, she offered one last piece of advice:
"Please, be careful of Ice cultivators in the future, especially since you walk the path of fire. Others might not show you the same kindness as today," she gently advised, her eyes lingering briefly on Wen Ran's face. "It's really my senior sister, Xue Feng, who you should thank." Her lips curled into a faint, tender smile. "Although she appears cold and indifferent, her heart is as warm as your flame. Perhaps now, we both owe our lives to her." Yao Li's gaze drifted downward, and Wen Ran could sense deeper meanings hidden beneath her words and the stories and burdens she chose to carry alone. Yet, he had no intention of uncovering them, wishing only to escape this troublesome place as swiftly as possible.
He bowed politely once more, maintaining a weak and weary appearance as he slowly moved away from the cave, stepping back into the dense cover of the forest until his figure was completely swallowed by the shadows.
Yao Li's clear eyes lingered in the direction Wen Ran disappeared, genuine worry evident on her delicate face. She sincerely hoped he'd remain safe, knowing he might have perished had they not discovered him in time. "Have a safe journey, stranger," she whispered softly to herself, her heart heavy with a longing for freedom that her own fate denied her. With a resigned sigh, she turned back to re-enter the cave, returning to the confines of the world she knew too well.
Meanwhile, safely concealed by the lush greenery, Wen Ran finally straightened his back, rolling his shoulders and stretching to relieve the lingering numbness that the freezing conditions had left in his muscles. A sly grin spread across his lips as a cold chuckle escaped him internally. These idiots were far too easy to fool. Truly, I must thank the heavens for placing so many fools in this world. I'll have the time of my life conning every last one of them… hahaha...
But for now, Wen Ran knew he needed to quickly leave the area. Scanning his surroundings, he carefully chose his next direction, plotting the safest route to continue his mission. I'll head north from here... probably. Damn, that master of mine... Couldn't he have at least provided a map? Wen Ran cursed inwardly, frustrated but determined to keep his composure and sanity as he ventured deeper into the unknown.
But it still puzzles me... how exactly did those cultivators enter this place? They didn't even seem that surprised to see me here. Could it be that there are multiple sects existing within this pocket dimension? That's the only logical explanation. If this dimension solely belonged to my sect, the resources needed to sustain it would be astronomical. Such a boundless world would drain an immense amount of spirit crystals unless it could somehow remain self-sufficient...
Wen Ran's mind spun as he journeyed deeper into the mountain range, eventually realizing his resources were dwindling quickly. Finding food became increasingly difficult—this particular region appeared strangely sparse of wildlife and edible plants. Although he still had some pills and leftover provisions that could sustain him for another week or so, the hunger began gnawing at him. His current cultivation level was simply too low to withstand prolonged periods without nourishment, yet not high enough to live purely off spiritual energy as he'd effortlessly done in the past.
It's been so long... far too many years since I last felt such hunger... A painful memory flickered through Wen Ran's mind, bringing a brief shadow across his face. "Back when my brother and I..." He paused, correcting himself softly, the bitterness evident in his voice. "My dead brother..." he repeated quietly and heavily, as pain and lingering hatred intertwined within his heart. Wen Ran still deeply loved his brother, yet the thought of eventually slaying his own kin for revenge haunted him relentlessly. Revenge knew no reason, and Wen Ran had already sworn to see it through to the very end.
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Despite his hunger gnawing at him relentlessly, Wen Ran had no other choice but to clench his teeth and move forward, forcibly pushing away all the negative emotions that threatened to drag him down. He couldn't afford to let exhaustion win… not here and not now.
His footsteps echoed quietly through the rough terrain until he eventually stumbled upon a dark valley nestled deep within the mountains. The place reeked of beasts, blood, and raw danger, sending a shiver crawling down his spine. Wen Ran felt wary at first, his instincts whispering caution—but the rumbling in his stomach soon drowned out any rational fear, driving him forward without hesitation.
The distant sounds of battle and fierce roars echoed ominously, the clash of steel ringing like a call to action. Wen Ran's instincts flared to life, urging him onward, his legs moving almost on their own, leading him closer to the chaos.
He breathed in deeply, the heavy scent of blood filling his lungs, stirring something primal inside him. His eyes sharpened, his pupils narrowing into predatory slits, his voice low but fierce as he muttered quietly under his breath.
"This place... so much blood in the air... Perfect, I finally have a chance to satisfy my hunger." A wicked smile appeared on his lips, excitement surging within his heart. The hunger that gnawed at him was no longer merely physical, no, it became the hunger of a hunter, the drive to fight, to conquer and to survive.
The sounds of battle grew louder, more distinct, and Wen Ran quickened his pace, his expression fierce and determined. Whatever awaited him ahead, be it beast or cultivator, he would face it head-on, after all, his path was one that had always been paved with blood.