https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-214-A-Celestial-Warning-and-the-Elder-s-Decision/12619305/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-216-Unnamed-Taoist-Temple-Torrential-Rain/12619307/
Chapter 215: A Narrow Escape
"So this is the village where that young man, Lu Qing, has been hiding?"
"This place is rather ordinary, yet it gave birth to such an extraordinary genius. The ways of heaven are truly profound and unpredictable."
The disheveled figure gazed at the peaceful village ahead, a strange light in his eyes.
Over the past few days, he had spent a lot of effort to find out where Lu Qing was, and then immediately rushed over without rest.
However, he didn't seem to sense any strong auras in the village.
"Are they away on an outing?" the disheveled figure muttered to himself.
He didn't rush into the village. He had heard that Lu Qing's master was a mysterious Innate Realm expert who had defeated Wang Cangyi of the Tiancang Sect with a single move. He had no idea how strong his master truly was.
With his current strength, even facing an early-stage Innate Realm cultivator would be difficult, let alone someone more powerful. It would be unwise to provoke them.
The disheveled figure decided to lurk outside the village for a few days and wait for an opportunity to present itself.
With his abilities, he could easily conceal his presence from even an Innate Realm expert.
Just as the disheveled figure was about to find a hiding spot on the hillside outside the village to wait patiently, he suddenly heard a conversation that made him pause.
"Aunt Ming, do you know where Qing and the old doctor are now? Have they left Cangzhou yet?"
"It's not that fast. Cangzhou is quite large, and the horse-drawn carriage they're traveling in doesn't seem like it can go very fast. It's only been two or three days, so they probably haven't left Cangzhou yet."
"Qing and the others are going to Zhongzhou. I wonder how far Zhongzhou is and how long it will take to get there."
"I don't know either. I've never left Cangzhou in my life, and I've only been to the county town a few times. But I heard from the elders in the village that Zhongzhou is very far away. It will probably take Qing and the others at least a year or half a year to return."
"So far away! I wonder if that little rascal, Xiaoyan, will cry on the way. Traveling is not an easy task. I wonder why the old doctor and the others had to go all the way to Zhongzhou."
"The old doctor and Qing are both martial artists. We can't understand the matters of important figures like them. Didn't you see that even the young master of the Wei family left with Qing? There must be a very important reason."
The disheveled figure turned and saw two village women with bamboo baskets chatting as they walked out of the village.
Thinking of their previous conversation, his heart stirred, and his expression changed immediately. He hunched over, and with his tattered clothes, he looked rather pitiful.
"Ladies, this old man has something to ask you."
The disheveled figure walked forward and stopped the two women, speaking in a weak voice.
"What is it, old man?"
The two women stopped when they saw an old man blocking their path.
"I heard that there is a divine doctor here who has a heart for healing and can cure all diseases. I've rushed here for several days to seek medical treatment, but I don't know where this divine doctor lives."
The disheveled figure's tone was weak, and his clothes made him look like he was suffering from an illness.
"Old man, are you looking for Doctor Chen for treatment?"
One of the village women was surprised when she heard this. "You're too late. Doctor Chen and his apprentice left on a long journey a couple of days ago."
"How could this be...
Chapter: The Looming Threat
The disheveled figure's face fell in disappointment as he asked, "I wonder where the old divine doctor has gone and when he will return. Can this old man wait here for him?"
One of the village women shook her head and replied, "I'm afraid that's unlikely. Old Doctor Chen and his apprentice have gone to Zhongzhou, which is said to be quite far away. It will probably take them at least a year or half a year to return."
The village woman looked at him with pity, sensing that the old man's health was indeed not good.
"Is that so? What a pity," the disheveled figure lamented, his eyes filled with regret as he turned his frail body as if to leave. Yet, a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.
"Wait, old man," one of the farmers called out, offering him two rice balls. "You must have come a long way, and I'm sure you haven't eaten yet. These are for my husband working in the fields, but please take them with you for the journey."
The other farmer added, "I have some food too. Please take it if you don't mind." Without waiting for his response, the two women stuffed the food into his hands.
"Be careful on your way back, old man. We have farm work to do," they said before hurrying off toward the fields outside the village.
The disheveled figure remained still, watching them leave until their figures disappeared beyond the village outskirts. He then glanced at the rice balls and vegetable buns in his hand and casually tossed them into the nearby ditch. Such lowly food was beneath him.
"Consider that your payment for your lives, bugs. After all, your lives are as insignificant as these rice balls and buns," he snickered. With a sinister laugh, the disheveled figure turned and strode away from Nine Li Village.
Normally, he would have killed anyone who had seen him. But these were merely harmless village women, posing no threat to him. Letting them live wouldn't cause any trouble.
Moreover, he sensed a powerful presence in the distant courtyard, suggesting a strong cultivator was residing there. Acting rashly might draw their attention, and he still needed to pursue Lu Qing. It wouldn't do to create unnecessary complications.
"Is that the Wei family's Innate Realm cultivator? He's quite capable. His cultivation is only half a step away from the Small Success stage of the Innate Realm," the disheveled figure mused. "But why are they going on a long journey at this time? Is it a coincidence, or is the will of heaven protecting you, Lu Qing?"
A strange light shone in his eyes as he continued, "No wonder you're the child of destiny. When danger looms, heaven's will protects you, allowing you to avoid calamity. But this only highlights your extraordinariness."
"If I can devour you, my root bone will surely undergo an unprecedented transformation." His eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Lu Qing, just you wait. You can't escape my grasp. You're destined to become my nourishment. Not even the will of heaven can protect you forever. When you fall into my hands, even the destiny you carry will be mine..."
The disheveled figure's cold laughter echoed as he disappeared beyond the outskirts of Nine Li Village, leaving only the rice balls and vegetable buns lying quietly in the ditch at the village entrance.
No one knew that a terrifying demon had just visited their village, and the villagers remained unaware that they had unknowingly escaped a calamity.
(End of Chapter)
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