In the afternoon, sunlight filtered through the towering ancient trees of the Duantian Mountain Range, casting mottled patterns over Xu Shang. His steps were light yet resolute, and his heart was filled with a deep eagerness for a challenge.
Xu Shang hoped to find a Spirit Beast in this vast mountain range and temper himself through combat. Just as he was fully focused on searching for an opponent, a sudden flurry of hurried footsteps and terrified screams shattered the tranquility of the mountain forest. Xu Shang’s heart skipped a beat; he immediately turned alert and rushed swiftly toward the source of the sound.
Breaking through a dense thicket, Xu Shang was met with a shocking sight: a young woman was being hunted down by a fierce Spirit Beast. The beast was massive, with deep brown fur and a ferocious gleam in its eyes. Every one of its strikes carried the force to tear through the air, clearly making it no ordinary adversary. The woman was evidently at the end of her strength, covered in wounds and stumbling with every step.
Without a moment's hesitation, Xu Shang vanished in a blur, reappearing right between the woman and the Spirit Beast.
Raising his index finger, Xu Shang flicked it forward, driving the beast back. Sensing the threat posed by Xu Shang, the beast halted its pursuit and shifted its full attention onto him.
With an angry roar, the Spirit Beast lunged straight at Xu Shang. Nimble of foot, Xu Shang deftly evaded the beast's charge while countering with a stroke of his index finger. A beam of light flashed like lightning, aimed directly at the beast's vital spot. The beast's attacks were fierce and savage, each swing carrying immense power as if it intended to tear Xu Shang apart. Yet Xu Shang was far more refined; every movement he made carried the sound of breaking air, landing with pinpoint accuracy on the beast's weak points.
As the battle dragged on, every thrust of Xu Shang's finger was infused with his inner qi. As his fingertips grazed the air, they emitted a sharp, whistling sound.
Spotting an opening, Xu Shang jabbed his finger straight into the beast's abdomen. The Spirit Beast let out a painful roar before finally collapsing to the ground, motionless.
With no time to spare for the fallen beast, Xu Shang immediately turned and strode toward the injured woman. He discovered that her injuries were extremely severe, and she was already unconscious. Her body was covered in deep claw marks, and blood had stained her clothes red. Xu Shang knew that without prompt treatment, her life could be in danger.
Quickly hoisting the woman onto his back, he searched for a relatively secluded cave and gently laid her down. Xu Shang then retrieved some medicinal herbs and fresh water from his pack to tend to her wounds.
His movements were gentle yet practiced. First, he crushed the herbs, blended them with the water, and then delicately applied the mixture to the woman's cuts.
Guarding the unconscious Ling Zhuer inside the cave, Xu Shang knew that ordinary herbs could only alleviate her pain; if he wanted her to recover more swiftly, a more special method was required. He had no choice but to employ the Demon Lotus Divine Art.
Through his cultivation, the Demon Lotus Divine Art had reached a level where it could condense lotus petals possessing miraculous healing properties. Not only did these petals contain the essence of his inner qi, but they also absorbed the spiritual qi of nature, granting them magical efficacy in healing wounds.
Taking a deep breath, Xu Shang calmed his mind and began circulating the Demon Lotus Divine Art. As his hands moved gracefully and his inner qi flowed, an illusory demon lotus slowly blossomed in the palm of his hand. At his mental command, several lotus petals emitting a faint glow drifted gently from the heart of the blossom.
Xu Shang carefully placed these petals onto the woman's wounds. Though her body remained slightly rigid from the pain, her graceful figure was still clearly discernible. Her form was lithe, and even in unconsciousness, she exuded an air of elegance.
The moment the demon lotus petals touched her wounds, they began to slowly melt into her skin. The inner qi and spiritual qi within the petals went to work, permeating her body with a warmth and gentleness that stimulated her life force.
Under the treatment of the demon lotus petals, the woman's wounds began to heal at a visible speed. The deep, bone-visible gashes gradually smoothed over, while the swelling and bruising slowly faded. Her breathing grew steadier, and the look of agony on her face gradually eased.
After a period of treatment, the woman's breathing stabilized completely, and a hint of color returned to her cheeks. Seeing that her condition had improved, Xu Shang sat down beside her and quietly watched over her.
Her face was soft and delicate, her skin as white as jade, and her long hair draped over her shoulders like a dark, glossy waterfall. Even in unconsciousness, one could sense its smoothness and luster. Her lips were slightly pale, yet still full and soft.
The woman's eyelids fluttered slightly before she finally opened her eyes. She felt a warm current circulating through her body, and the pain across her frame had drastically subsided. Finding herself lying inside a cave, with a strange young man sitting beside her, she saw Xu Shang looking at her with concern, while a slowly rotating, illusory demon lotus hovered nearby.
A trace of bewilderment and wariness flickered in her eyes, but as she met Xu Shang's caring gaze, her guard gradually melted away.
"Who... who are you?" she asked weakly, her voice laden with gratitude.
Xu Shang smiled faintly and replied, "My name is Xu Shang. I saw you being hunted down by a Spirit Beast just now and stepped in to save you. How are you feeling now?"
The woman nodded gently, a flash of gratitude crossing her eyes. "Thank you for saving me. My name is Ling Zhuer. If not for you, I might have..."
Xu Shang waved a hand, dismissing the courtesy. "Seeing injustice on the road and drawing one's sword to help—it is only right. Your injuries are still severe, so you need to rest well. I will stay here and guard you until you make a full recovery."
A warm glow washed over Ling Zhuer's eyes. She knew that in this unfamiliar place, she had truly encountered a good person. Closing her eyes, she drifted peacefully into slumber.
Xu Shang sat quietly to the side, standing watch over Ling Zhuer. From time to time, his gaze swept across her beautiful face, stirring an indescribable emotion within his heart.
Over the next few days, Xu Shang tended to Ling Zhuer with meticulous care. Every day, he gathered fresh herbs for her, gently applied the poultices, and prepared simple yet nourishing meals for her to eat.
As Ling Zhuer's body gradually recovered, she began to open her heart to Xu Shang, sharing her own story. As it turned out, Ling Zhuer hailed from a prominent family in the Western Regions, where a group of clansmen lived in seclusion from the world.
Ling Zhuer had ventured out this time for the sake of tempering herself. The powerful figures from her family were originally supposed to accompany her, but she had never expected them to turn out to be traitors. She had ended up coming here alone, only to suffer an unfortunate ambush by the Spirit Beast.
Xu Shang listened in silence as Ling Zhuer recounted her tale, a deep sense of curiosity stirring in his heart regarding her background.
Finally, Ling Zhuer's injuries healed completely. Standing at the cave entrance and feeling the gentle breeze brush against her cheeks, her heart swelled with gratitude and reliance toward Xu Shang.
Looking at the ethereal and refined young woman before him, Xu Shang smiled and said, "Ling Zhuer, your body has recovered, and it is time for me to leave."
Hearing these words, a flicker of reluctance flashed in Ling Zhuer's eyes. She turned around, fixing her gaze intently on Xu Shang as if pondering something.
"Big Brother Xu Shang," Ling Zhuer whispered softly, "over these past few days, you not only saved my life but also cared for me down to the smallest detail. I don't know how to repay you."
Xu Shang waved his hand with a smile. "Miss Ling Zhuer, there is no need for such formalities. The reason I saved you was purely out of instinct. In this Duantian Mountain Range, everyone should help one another and face hardships together."
A resolute glint appeared in Ling Zhuer's eyes as she continued, "Big Brother Xu Shang, I know you are a righteous person. I have a request, and I hope you will grant it."
Xu Shang looked at Ling Zhuer and nodded. "Go ahead. As long as it is within my power, I will do my best to help you."
Taking a deep breath, Ling Zhuer said, "I hope you can escort me back to the Western Regions. Although I have recovered, my own strength is still far too weak. With your help, I should be able to return safely to my family."
Xu Shang fell silent in contemplation for a moment. He knew that this journey would be fraught with danger and challenges, yet he also understood that Ling Zhuer's request was not unreasonable. Meeting her expectant gaze, he finally nodded.
"Very well, Ling Zhuer, I agree," Xu Shang said. "I will accompany you back to your family. However, we must make preparations first to ensure our journey is safe."
A radiant smile blossomed on Ling Zhuer's face, for she knew that with Xu Shang's assistance, the danger would be vastly reduced.
"Thank you, Big Brother Xu Shang," Ling Zhuer said gratefully. "Rest assured, I will prepare thoroughly and won't be a burden to you."
Xu Shang smiled and nodded, and the two of them began discussing their subsequent action plan. They decided to search for useful resources and information within the Duantian Mountain Range before embarking on their journey to the Western Regions.
In the days that followed, Xu Shang and Ling Zhuer explored the Duantian Mountain Range together. They foraged for herbs, hunted for food, and even crossed paths with various Spirit Beasts to hone their martial arts and inner qi. Every challenge brought them to a deeper understanding of one another, further cementing the trust and friendship between them.
As time passed, Ling Zhuer's cultivation also underwent a remarkable breakthrough, elevating her to the First Stage of Inscription Splitting. Xu Shang, meanwhile, needed to consolidate his current realm, so his cultivation level remained unchanged.
At last, fully prepared, Xu Shang and Ling Zhuer set off on their journey toward the Western Regions.