Chapter 71: Chapter 71: The Dart Master Xingyuan in the Ruined Temple_1
In the ruins of a temple, Wang Linchi sat down to rest.
What? Go up against the Evil Tiger based on the Ghost Woodman’s directions? Am I crazy?
It’s true that there are no gains without risks, but he hadn’t planned on doing the basic Secret Realm mission at all. No matter how vast the riches, he couldn’t take them out.
So naturally, he chose a different direction and prepared to leave.
After walking for about three hours, he finally skirted the mountain and found a ruined temple at its foot where he could rest.
Good thing I stuffed plenty of food and water into my Storage Treasures, along with some clothes and medicine. Still, it feels like it’s not enough, Wang Linchi thought, feeling somewhat relieved after checking his two Storage Soul Devices.
Most of the food consisted of modern, vacuum-packed cured products and puffed snacks—heavy in oil and salt, and high in calories.
While it seemed unhealthy, it was invaluable in a wilderness environment; light meals might not provide him with sufficient nutrients.
Most of the water came from sugary drinks, enough to replenish his energy.
Naturally, he wouldn’t store items like rice, flour, or oil in his Storage Soul Device; what he packed was mostly snack-type food.
The clothes were for changing. The medicine, fortunately, included anti-inflammatories and painkillers—substances that could pass for miracle drugs in ancient times.
Normally, even if swept into a Gigantic Secret Realm, one wouldn’t have to worry about losing contact. The Court, to maintain its ’initiative,’ would undoubtedly use certain treasures to pull him. Unfortunately, these weren’t normal circumstances; no one had expected a Gigantic Secret Realm to manifest in the middle of a battle.
For instance, Yan Ming King had used an exceedingly precious permanent traction treasure on his female confidante, ensuring he wouldn’t lose contact within the Secret Realm. Wang Linchi, however, lacked such a privilege.
It wasn’t much, but it was enough for his immediate needs. Unless he was so unlucky as to not find a town, he wouldn’t have to worry about survival.
About half an hour later, as the sky began to darken, Wang Linchi used a lighter to start a fire in the ruined temple.
It was precisely the encroaching darkness that made Wang Linchi decide against continuing his journey.
More importantly, a light rain seemed to have started outside, making Wang Linchi a bit uneasy.
Upon closer inspection, the rain appeared to be black.
Black rain... From a distance, I’d have thought it was oil, Wang Linchi muttered, shrinking further into the temple.
He then used the temple’s tables and benches to construct a large, sheltered bed, lest the rising water flood the floor while the rain poured down from above.
Using his Soul Kind·Hall of Thoughts and Soul Kind·Soul Courtyard, he had inspected the black rain. It wasn’t mere rainwater but was tainted with something unknown. He didn’t want to risk touching it, lest it cause some pathological change or infection.
I should try not to sleep too soundly tonight.
Not resting was out of the question. After a day of fleeing and descending the mountain, it was natural to be exhausted.
If he didn’t rest, he wouldn’t have the spirit to continue his journey the next day.
JINGLE JINGLE~
Just as he was about to fall asleep, he heard the distinct sound of horse bells.
Wang Linchi’s eyes snapped open, and he sat up instantly. The Soul Seed Page·Fanciful and Fickle was prepared. If he turned his head and saw a ghostly face, he would immediately unleash it to make its face ’blossom like a peach flower’ from the impact.
Fortunately, no ghostly face appeared. Instead, he saw a faint light outside the ruined temple, growing larger.
Through his Soul Vision, Wang Linchi could discern that the approaching party possessed something capable of repelling the black rain.
A caravan or some sort of escort team, Wang Linchi observed. About ten people in total—quite a large group. The Soul Vision granted by his Soul Kind·Soul Courtyard naturally included abilities such as night vision and dark vision.
It was, after all, an Excellent Level Soul Kind synthesized from multiple Excellent Level Soul Kinds.
They should be human, right? Wang Linchi wasn’t entirely certain, so he remained vigilant.
The group soon arrived at the ruined temple. They were all burly men, wearing Dou Li hats and Suo Yi raincoats—this Rain Gear was what repelled the black rain.
Wang Linchi was certain these items must be treasures. Of course, in the hands of an Awakener, they would be considered Soul Devices; the two were essentially equivalent.
"Little brother, you are truly unconventional," the leader of the burly men said, momentarily stunned upon seeing Wang Linchi’s setup; Wang Linchi’s makeshift bed was indeed distinctive.
"We are from the Xing Far Dart Bureau, just passing through and seeking shelter for a moment."
With that, he instructed his subordinates to start a fire and prepare food, making no mention of leaving or anything else. The implication was clear: they were staying for the night.
However, they didn’t try to take Wang Linchi’s spot, instead settling on the other side of the temple.
"We’ve heard there’s an Evil Tiger in these mountains that devours people, often using a Ghoul to trick travelers. Those on watch tonight must be extra careful," another burly man from the Dart Bureau called out, his voice loud and clearly a warning.
This wasn’t a reminder for his own Dart Bureau members, but a warning directed at Wang Linchi.
They suspected Wang Linchi was a Ghoul controlled by the Evil Tiger; otherwise, how would he dare to spend the night alone in such a desolate place?
This was an indirect way of telling Wang Linchi: We know you’re a Ghoul, so don’t try any tricks. Tonight, we’ll all mind our own business. After tonight, whoever you want to harm is your affair.
Wang Linchi understood the implication but didn’t ask any questions, merely heightening his vigilance.
He had thought he’d left the Evil Tiger’s hunting range, but it turned out he was still within it.
The Dart Bureau group soon had hot soup and rice. However, they didn’t drink alcohol or make loud noises. Instead, they spoke in hushed tones and moved with restraint.
Seeing a group of burly men behave in such a manner looked somewhat comical.
Wang Linchi didn’t find it amusing. On the contrary, his wariness increased. These men traveled extensively and undoubtedly had their own methods for survival. If he were to mock them rashly, he might be the real clown.
Being stared at by Wang Linchi made the Dart Bureau members somewhat uncomfortable. The leader spoke again, "Little brother, would you like some food to warm yourself?"
"No need, I’m not hungry," Wang Linchi replied, shaking his head. He truly wasn’t hungry. He had already eaten dinner, which consisted entirely of meat, and was still feeling a bit queasy from it.
The reason he was observing them was that his Soul Vision perceived their shadows as somewhat indistinct, as if something was concealed within.
Whatever was hidden seemed to be a single entity, connecting all their shadows.
"Did you bring something into this temple that you shouldn’t have?" Wang Linchi asked directly.
"Little brother, you must be joking. We brave the wind and rain constantly; how could we possibly carry something we shouldn’t?" the dart master chuckled.
However, seeing Wang Linchi’s serious expression and furrowed brow, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his mind.
"I wonder if little brother has noticed something? Forgive our dull eyes, but we can’t see it. Could little brother enlighten us?"
This dart master wasn’t an arrogant man, so he asked politely; after all, their lives could be at stake.
"Your shadows. Don’t you notice anything unusual about your shadows?" Wang Linchi didn’t speak cryptically but directly pointed out the problem he had observed.