Chapter 28: Passing Down the Technique
After galloping for over an hour, the lush wheat fields began to thin, giving way to a vast expanse of rolling green mountains. The An Nan Ridge loomed ahead, its peaks stretching endlessly into the horizon.
"Mu Lan, that must be An Nan Ridge up ahead, right?" Mu Feng asked, his gaze fixed on the sprawling mountains.
"Yes, Young Master Feng," Mu Lan replied, her expression serious. "But we shouldn't venture too far. It's said that fierce beasts and even creatures from the Yao Clan inhabit the deeper parts of the ridge. It's extremely dangerous."
As if to affirm her warning, a long, mournful howl echoed through the distant mountains. Everyone paused momentarily, their expressions tightening.
Mu Feng frowned and glanced at the descending sun. "We'll set up camp here for the night. Tomorrow, we'll head into the mountains."
The others nodded in agreement, preparing to rest. But before they could fully settle, a staggering figure emerged from a narrow mountain path and collapsed nearby.
"Brother Feng, there's someone over there!" Mu Kuang called out, already dismounting to investigate.
Mu Feng and the others followed. The man, clad in a tattered animal-hide vest, lay motionless, his body battered and bloodied. His chest bore deep claw marks, the flesh torn and oozing fresh blood—a clear sign of an attack by a large predator.
Mu Feng knelt and checked the man's pulse. "He's alive. Mu Kuang, bring some water!"
Mu Kuang quickly handed over a water flask. Mu Feng gently poured water into the man's mouth. After a few moments, the man coughed weakly and opened his eyes, his expression filled with panic before relaxing at the sight of human faces.
"Thank... thank you," the man rasped. "My name is Wang Sheng. Thank you for saving me."
"There's no need to thank us," Mu Feng said calmly. "Brother Wang, what happened to you?"
Despite his ragged appearance, Mu Feng could tell this man was no ordinary traveler. He possessed a faint yet discernible flow of Yuan Qi, marking him as a cultivator. His exact level, however, was hard to discern.
"I'm a herbalist," Wang Sheng explained, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "I came into the mountains with two companions to gather herbs. We were ambushed by a Blood-Furred Tiger. My companions... didn't make it. I barely escaped with my life."
"Blood-Furred Tiger!" Mu Kuang exclaimed. "That's a fierce beast!"
Wang Sheng nodded grimly. "Yes. That creature must be at least Purple Mansion Realm. None of us stood a chance."
The group fell silent. Fierce beasts were a tier above ordinary creatures. While wild beasts were known for brute strength, fierce beasts possessed Yuan Power, making them exponentially more dangerous. Some, like the Blood-Furred Tiger, were known to rival experienced cultivators.
Beyond fierce beasts, there were also Yao Beasts, capable of taking human form and known collectively as the Yao Clan. Relations between humans and the Yao Clan had always been fraught with tension and conflict.
"Brother Wang, I'm sorry for your loss," Mu Feng said, offering the man a meat pastry from his pack.
Wang Sheng wolfed down the food, visibly regaining some strength. After finishing, he stood shakily and cupped his hands. "Thank you for your kindness. A word of advice—don't venture more than thirty miles into the ridge. Beyond that point, fierce beasts roam freely. I owe you my life, but I must take my leave."
With that, Wang Sheng bowed and limped off into the distance.
The group watched him leave in silence. After a moment, Mu Lan spoke hesitantly, "Young Master Feng, do you still plan to go into the ridge? If there are fierce beasts like that tiger, we might not stand a chance."
"I have to," Mu Feng replied firmly. "But you and Bai Ziyue should head back. Ziyue, you've yet to develop your Yuan Qi, and venturing deeper would put all of us at risk. Mu Kuang and I will continue on our own."
"No, Brother Feng!" Bai Ziyue protested. "I'm staying. If there's danger, we'll face it together."
"Me too," Mu Lan added, her voice steady. "I won't leave."
Mu Feng sighed, exasperated but touched by their loyalty. "This isn't about bravery. If something goes wrong, you two could become liabilities. I can't let that happen. Go back, focus on training, and when you've reached the Ninth Yuan Vein, I'll bring you along next time."
Reluctantly, Bai Ziyue and Mu Lan agreed and began their journey back, leaving Mu Feng and Mu Kuang behind.
That evening, the two young men sat by a crackling campfire, the flickering flames casting long shadows on the surrounding rocks. Mu Feng's expression was solemn as he turned to Mu Kuang.
"Mu Kuang, we have only two years. If we want to surpass our peers at the academy, we must push ourselves harder than anyone else. Do you understand?"
Mu Kuang nodded, his usual cheer replaced by quiet determination. "I understand, Brother Feng."
Mu Feng hesitated briefly before continuing. "I'm going to teach you a technique, but you must swear to never reveal it to anyone. If word gets out, it could cost us both our lives."
Mu Kuang's eyes widened in surprise but quickly filled with resolve. "I swear on my life, Brother Feng."
"Good." Mu Feng pressed his palm against Mu Kuang's back, guiding a thin strand of Yuan Qi into his body. "Close your eyes. Memorize the route this energy takes within your veins."
Mu Kuang did as instructed, his face scrunching in concentration. Mu Feng carefully traced the pathways of the Shura Scripture, repeating the process several times to ensure Mu Kuang committed it to memory.
After withdrawing his hand, Mu Feng recited the scripture's incantations, explaining its intricacies in detail.
"This is... different from the family's Iron Blood Core Technique," Mu Kuang said, puzzled. "It feels much more complex."
Mu Feng grinned mischievously. "You'll see its power soon enough. Tomorrow, we'll put it to the test in the mountains."
As Mu Kuang lay down to rest, Mu Feng remained seated, entering a meditative state. He focused on absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy, refining his Yuan Qi to further strengthen his veins.
The next morning, the golden sunlight bathed the rugged landscape of An Nan Ridge, its peaks veiled in morning mist. Securing their horses in a nearby grove, Mu Feng and Mu Kuang shouldered their weapons and stepped into the vast, untamed wilderness.
Their trial had just begun.