Chapter 9: Well Water Does Not Offend River Water

The peddlers froze for a moment, then their faces drained of color as they all realized what "it" referred to.

Ji Yuan was also terrified. In fact, he was far more afraid than the peddlers, his breath catching with a slight tremor. Yet, he managed to maintain his composure on the surface, appearing much calmer than they did.

The distinct sounds of four paws versus two feet walking on the ground were clear. Ji Yuan closed his eyes, which were already dry and aching, to better focus on his sense of hearing.

The sound was faint, yet heavy, like padded paws compressing earth and dry leaves. The creature's four limbs landed in an alternating rhythm, as if it were taking a leisurely stroll.

Ji Yuan wondered if it was his imagination, but the surrounding wind and the rustling of plants seemed to intensify. All the night birds in the forest had fallen silent, as if too terrified to utter a sound.

Could it be a tiger? Or even a tiger spirit?

Ji Yuan's tattered clothes were drenched in sweat. As the paw steps drew closer, he increasingly doubted what little defense the few people inside the temple could offer.

The other occupants of the Mountain God Temple were completely still, not daring to breathe. They clutched their weapons tightly, huddled behind the campfire, and stared rigidly towards the temple entrance.

Though they lacked Ji Yuan's acute hearing, they sensed the change in the wind and noticed how the surrounding foliage and tree branches swayed erratically, without any discernible direction.

The atmosphere was suffocatingly oppressive, and beads of sweat glistened on the faces of all the peddlers.

“Roar~~~~~~~”

A fierce tiger's roar echoed from just outside the temple. In an instant, the forest was disturbed, and birds scattered. Numerous night birds shrieked, flapping their wings as they flew away.

Naturally, those inside the temple were even more terrified; many felt their legs give way.

By now, no one harbored any hope that Old Jin or anyone else was still alive.

Ji Yuan's mind was in utter turmoil. Both the previous spirit servant and the current imposing presence proved that whatever was outside was definitely no ordinary tiger.

These lily-livered individuals beside him, along with himself—a terrified, useless, half-blind man—would all be on their knees even if it were an ordinary tiger, let alone a mighty tiger spirit.

But before Ji Yuan could indulge in an internal tirade, his thoughts were interrupted.

“You and I have kept to our own affairs; I have not trespassed into the Mountain God Temple. Why do you help them?”

A deep, resonant voice, mingled with the tiger's low growl, emanated from outside.

Ji Yuan's heart lurched. It really was a damn tiger spirit!

However, Ji Yuan quickly collected himself. The information embedded in the voice made his mind race like lightning. He processed countless possibilities at an unprecedented speed, all within a few breaths.

After their initial fright, the peddlers instinctively looked at the beggar beside them.

‘Damn it, we're in this cursed place, and we're going to die anyway. Might as well take a gamble!’

Ji Yuan gritted his teeth, shaking off his previous fear and subservience, and spoke with a strong, resonant voice.

“Precisely because you and I keep to our own affairs, I paid no mind when that scholar spirit servant arrived. However, Zhang Shilin is a man of good character; I accepted a bowl of hot water from him, a small kindness for which I am indebted. I will not allow him to die like this.”

Having uttered these words in one breath, Ji Yuan's heart hammered uncontrollably, thumping like a machine gun with its trigger held down.

A moment of silence fell outside. Ji Yuan felt as if his heart would leap out of his throat if it lasted any longer.

It seemed some question had been pondered for a long time. The heavy, guttural voice, accompanied by a beast's snarl, spoke again from outside. However, the words that followed had nothing to do with whether it ate people.

“Though I have never met you, I've been aware that your deathly aura has deepened significantly over the past month since your arrival. Why, then, are you so full of vitality now?”

Ji Yuan subtly let out a breath of relief. It was a good sign that the creature hadn't simply charged in without further provocation.

His mind raced, desperately taxing his intellect to ponder the tiger spirit's question.

Considering the previous words, Ji Yuan first confirmed that he had indeed undergone a 'soul-transference,' meaning he had taken over someone else's body. Moreover, the tiger spirit's question implied at least three key elements.

First, the fierce tiger resided deep in the mountains, and the beggar lived in the Mountain God Temple; the two had never met face-to-face.

Second, it was possible that the beggar was not originally as simple as he seemed, which was why the tiger spirit hadn't harmed him. Of course, it could also be that it disdained eating disabled individuals or possessed a strong sense of cleanliness.

Third, and this was the core of the tiger spirit's confusion: the beggar should have been on the verge of death. Ji Yuan's transmigration, however, made the beggar appear vibrantly alive in the tiger spirit's perception.

Ji Yuan now sought only one outcome: to bluff the tiger spirit, ensure everyone's safety, and, most crucially, his own.

Some time had passed, and it wouldn't do if the entity outside grew impatient. Ji Yuan decided to go all out. Stories he had read and various grandiose fantasies quickly flashed through his mind, creating the outward impression that the beggar had remained silent for a moment before speaking.

He deliberately slowed his speaking pace.

“There’s nothing that cannot be said. Amusingly, back then I knew my time was short and was simply waiting to die here. Yet, unexpectedly, I gained a new understanding and was reborn from death itself.”

Outside the temple, the fierce tiger's eyes widened, and its sharp claws excitedly dug into the earth. 'Reborn from death, reborn from death'—easy to say, but even the tiger spirit understood that the underlying implication was truly terrifying.

Two days prior, it had witnessed thunderbolts falling from a clear sky—an intimidating aura and unpredictable divine might unlike anything it had ever seen, far beyond ordinary thunderstorms and lightning. At that moment, the tiger spirit had even collapsed limply in its cave.

Today, the tiger spirit suddenly understood: the source of that lightning was here!

It was a beast that had cultivated into a spirit; how arduous and difficult such a path was!

And the person in the temple, whom it had previously thought to be an ordinary beggar, was not only capable of achieving rebirth from the brink of death but must also possess an incredibly profound cultivation realm.

Truth be told, this was the first cultivator the tiger spirit had ever encountered. But even with just this one example, it understood that this individual was far from an ordinary practitioner.

At this moment, knowing full well it was a monstrous anomaly to humans, and aware of the potential danger of lingering, the tiger couldn't help but ask, a mix of eagerness and apprehension in its voice.

“Sir, how do you view my cultivation?”

Then, perhaps realizing how abrupt it had been, it immediately added:

“I have cultivated in these Oxkui Mountains for over a hundred years, without guidance or support. Now, I have exhausted all methods and can make no further progress. Sir, would you, would you be willing to offer some guidance? I, Lu Shan Jun, would be eternally grateful!”

It had even resorted to honorifics. Clearly, from the address to the tone, there had been a significant shift. Concerning the fundamental path of cultivation—a matter greater than the heavens—the tiger spirit could not afford to be anything but cautious, as its cultivation had been stagnant for a long time.

Of course, even the tiger spirit understood that inquiring about cultivation methods was a taboo. Demonic beasts and birds of prey typically struggled through years of self-realization and self-cultivation, finding joy in even the smallest achievements and never easily sharing them with others. Thus, when it cautiously questioned the inscrutable beggar in the temple, it sought only a small pointer.

Since there was no irreconcilable enmity between them, it was only natural to seize the opportunity to seek instruction.

It was also thanks to the spirit servant, Scholar Lu, that the tiger spirit had learned a degree of human etiquette and customs. It believed it had conducted itself quite politely.

However, its apprehension and unease made the fierce tiger pace nervously from side to side after speaking, gazing expectantly into the temple. Simultaneously, it prepared itself to either counterattack or flee at maximum speed should the person inside suddenly attack.

Ji Yuan had originally expected the tiger spirit to be more aggressive, but unexpectedly, it had become somewhat refined and verbose. He couldn't even imagine a large tiger outside speaking in such a pedantic manner.

Dismissing these absurd notions, Ji Yuan composed his racing emotions and spoke again, this time at a much slower pace.

“May I ask, Lu Shan Jun, how many humans have you consumed since you began your cultivation?”

Ji Yuan knew very well that in such a situation, the more one panicked, the less one should show it. Instead, it was crucial to project appropriate assertiveness.

Upon hearing the question from inside the temple, the fierce tiger outside was momentarily flustered, nervously digging its claws into the earth without realizing it. Then, suddenly remembering something, it let out a sharp snort.

Whoosh~~

A current of illusory mist flowed out, then coalesced into a human figure before them—it was Scholar Lu.

The fierce tiger glanced at the Mountain God Temple, dimly illuminated by the flickering firelight, and whispered to the scholar spirit servant.

“You heard what was just said, right? How should I answer to not miss this profound opportunity? If you can help me this time, I promise to release your soul to return to your homeland!”

However, Lu Shan Jun had no idea that Ji Yuan had heard his every low whisper. This further made Ji Yuan realize the extent of the tiger spirit's preoccupation with what it perceived as the profound mysteries of cultivation.

Scholar Lu bowed slightly to Lu Shan Jun, then looked towards the Mountain God Temple.

“Before, when I went to the temple to lure people, he prevented them from falling into a deep sleep. But this time, he hindered me because of Zhang Shilin. This person acts according to his true nature; such individuals despise lies, especially a master. Lu Shan Jun, it is best to answer everything truthfully. You must not deliberately deceive to achieve your goal.”

Hearing this, the massive, fierce tiger actually furrowed its brow, its expression showing a slight struggle and conflict. Then, it shook its head before speaking towards the temple.

“I dare not deceive you, Sir. My cultivation has been stagnant for a long time, and I had no choice but to supplement it with human consumption. I have consumed fifty-three humans… But my consumption of humans is like humans consuming birds and beasts. I harbor no desire for wanton slaughter; I do not eat when full, I do not eat those who do not disturb me during the day, and I only consume young and strong individuals, never the old, young, sick, or disabled!”

Oh my heavens! It has eaten 53 people!

Although Ji Yuan's sharp question earlier was merely a casual inquiry to prompt further conversation, upon hearing the answer, his legs felt somewhat weak. The peddlers beside him were even worse off, several of them trembling and gasping in fright.