It really is a demon wolf...

Standing on the roof tiles and gazing out toward Yanglu Mountain, Xu Taiping spotted a massive demon wolf tearing swiftly through the ancient timber.

Initially, he wasn't overly surprised. The Novice transmission jade slip had explicitly warned that within these vast mountains, aside from the warded residences established by the Sect, Demon Beasts roamed freely.

Gradually, however, a creeping sense of unease settled in his stomach.

Because soon after, a second, and then a third demon wolf broke through the tree line, all surging furiously down the mountain slopes in a coordinated pack.

"Help! Somebody help!"

"Is anyone there? Please!"

Just as Xu Taiping wondered what prey could possibly drive three demon wolves into such a frenzy, a woman's desperate cries pierced the mountain silence.

His ears twitched. Without a second thought, he channeled his True Qi directly into his eyes, his gaze locking onto the source of the screams like a hawk.

This was the exact Qi circulation method detailed within the Piercing Willow Arrow manual, designed to exponentially enhance the practitioner's vision.

As the technique took hold, the terrain of Yanglu Mountain over half a mile away snapped into razor-sharp focus. He quickly pinpointed a frail-looking woman sprinting blindly through the underbrush, desperately evading the snapping jaws of the three demon wolves.

Where did she come from? I don't remember any other cultivators residing near the Green Bamboo Residence.

A knot of profound confusion tightened his brow.

"Somebody! Please, save me!"

At that moment, the woman burst from the tree line. She scrambled onto the winding mountain path, sprinting directly toward the Green Bamboo Residence.

The three demon wolves remained in relentless pursuit, their massive strides rapidly closing the final gap.

"Is anyone there? Anyone in the courtyard? I'm wounded! Please, save me!"

The woman shrieked, clutching a blood-stained shoulder as she ran. She had clearly spotted the walls of the Green Bamboo Residence.

Forget it. Don't overthink this. Saving a life takes priority.

Shaking off his doubts, Xu Taiping smoothly unslung the ironwood bow from his back. He nocked a shaft, drew the heavy string to his cheek, and activated the Piercing Willow Arrow technique, dredging Canxia True Qi from his Dantian, spiraling it up his arm, and directly into the arrow.

In the blink of an eye, a biting layer of frost crystallized over the iron arrowhead.

Twang!

Just as the lead demon wolf crossed the five-hundred-yard mark from the courtyard, Xu Taiping decisively released the taut string.

Whoosh!

With a violent shriek that tore the air, the frost-wreathed shaft became a blur of white light. It struck the lead demon wolf dead-center in the forehead, blowing cleanly through its thick skull in a single, devastating strike.

Infused with Canxia True Qi, the raw penetrative power of his archery had evolved into something utterly lethal.

"Awoo..."

The massive beast let out a pitiful, gargled whine before collapsing headfirst into the dirt, dead on impact.

Witnessing the instant execution of their pack leader, the remaining two demon wolves skidded to a terrified halt. Tails tucked firmly between their legs, they turned and bolted back into the safety of the dense timber.

The woman flinched violently at the sound of the skull-shattering impact. But as she watched her pursuers scatter, her tear-filled eyes drifted upward to find Xu Taiping standing tall upon the roof tiles. Relief washed over her features, and she openly wept with joy.

"Thank you! Thank you, young hero, for saving my life!"

She practically crawled the rest of the way, stumbling and scrambling until she collapsed against the locked gates of the Green Bamboo Residence.

Judging by the way she kept shooting terrified glances over her shoulder, the trauma of the hunt was still fresh.

"Those two demon wolves have already fled. You are safe now,"

Xu Taiping called down from his vantage point, his gaze sweeping over the exhausted woman at his gates.

She appeared no older than fifteen or sixteen. Her stature was petite, her features delicate and refined—strikingly similar to the pampered daughters of the wealthy noble families back in his hometown.

"Yes... thank the heavens you were here, young hero. Otherwise, I would have surely been torn apart and devoured."

The young girl patted her chest, shuddering as she forcibly calmed her breathing, before looking up at him with a gaze brimming with absolute gratitude.

"Might I inquire as to my savior's name?"

"My surname is Xu, given name Taiping. You may simply call me Taiping, Sister."

Xu Taiping replied coolly.

He did not lower his guard. He remained planted on the roof, his grip tight on his ironwood bow, his eyes narrowed with a faint, lingering wariness.

"Young Hero Taiping, I am Liu Qingmei, an outer Sect disciple of the Qingxuan Sect. A few days ago, I chartered a spiritual bird to gather herbs in the surrounding peaks, but I tragically lost my bearings. To make matters worse, I dropped my summoning flute during the trek. When I stumbled upon that pack of demon wolves, I had no choice but to run for my life, which eventually brought me to your doorstep."

As she spoke, the young girl reached into her robes and produced a familiar bronze mirror.

Recognizing the artifact, the tension in Xu Taiping's shoulders visibly relaxed.

That Profound Mirror was exclusively issued to outer Sect disciples. The fact that she carried one all but verified her identity.

"Young Hero Taiping, might I impose upon you for shelter tonight? The sun has already dipped below the horizon, and I am gravely injured. Traversing these mountains in the dark would be nothing short of suicidal."

The woman pleaded, her voice trembling like a frightened doe.

"Alright... wait."

Xu Taiping was just about to agree, having confirmed her Sect affiliation. But before the words could leave his lips, his gaze flicked downward, inadvertently catching sight of her footwear.

She wore a pair of meticulously embroidered shoes with thick, multi-layered cloth soles. On the surface, they appeared to be standard, everyday footwear. However, when juxtaposed against her harrowing tale of survival, alarms began blaring in Xu Taiping's mind.

Those shoes were completely spotless.

Even ignoring the sheer idiocy of wearing embroidered cloth shoes to traverse rugged mountain terrain for days to gather herbs... the fact that she was supposedly chased through dense forest by demon wolves, yet her shoes remain pristine and perfectly intact, proves she's lying through her teeth.

Xu Taiping’s inner voice was cold and analytical.

"Sister Qingmei, my dwelling is incredibly austere. I fear you wouldn't be accustomed to such harsh conditions."

Xu Taiping hopped down from the roof, landing soundlessly on the solid lintel of the courtyard gate, his tone perfectly even and unbothered.

"You jest, young hero. I have fallen to such a wretched state, what right do I have to be picky? Besides, while my mortal family was somewhat wealthy during my early childhood, our fortunes collapsed by my tenth year. Since arriving at Yunlu Mountain, I've long grown accustomed to the bitter asceticism of Sect life. A simple roof over my head is more than enough. How could I ever complain?"

Liu Qingmei offered a weak, self-deprecating smile.

The girl spoke with such raw, heart-wrenching sincerity that had Xu Taiping not already seen through her glaring physical inconsistencies, he might have actually felt a pang of profound sympathy.

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