The Guandi Legend: Temple of Triumph

Chapter 4: Entering the Yunlu Mountains

"Knock, knock, knock."

With the sound of knocking, Chen Lian's eyebrows twitched slightly. He walked towards the courtyard door, calling out, "The door isn't locked, come on in."

Chen Lian knew it must be Zhang Xun coming to get more medicine, having used up his supply. Given Zhang Xun's talent, it was unlikely he had broken through in just one month. In Chen Lian's experience, for Zhang Xun to achieve a breakthrough, it would take at least three months, especially considering the numerous hidden injuries in his body that needed healing to withstand the impact of true qi during a breakthrough.

As the courtyard door opened, Zhang Xun stepped in with a posture and demeanor markedly different from before.

Chen Lian was somewhat surprised by this change; Zhang Xun’s current state didn't seem like someone who had come to ask for more medicine.

Thinking that Zhang Xun was probably embarrassed about not making a breakthrough and was putting on a brave face, Chen Lian said, "It's normal not to have broken through in a month, especially with the hidden injuries you have. I’ve prepared two portions of ointment for you. Don't hesitate to ask for help; no need for formalities with me."

For Chen Lian, Zhang Xun was the child of a dear friend, and he intended to provide care where he could.

Before Zhang Xun could speak, Chen Lian had already turned to fetch the medicine.

However, Zhang Xun immediately spoke up, "Uncle Chen, there's no need. I've already broken through to the Martial Apprentice level."

Hearing this, Chen Lian was internally shocked. He didn't think Zhang Xun would lie about such a thing. Given Zhang Xun's modest talent and many physical ailments, coupled with a weak foundation since childhood, it was astonishing to hear him claim a breakthrough to the Martial Apprentice level.

Chen Lian decided to verify Zhang Xun's claim. He grabbed Zhang Xun's arm, and with his palm, he sent a surge of robust qi and blood flowing into Zhang Xun's meridians to sense whether a breakthrough had indeed occurred.

As Chen Lian's qi and blood spread through Zhang Xun's body, he indeed felt a new, albeit not very strong, flow of qi and blood, indicating a recent breakthrough. It seemed Zhang Xun had genuinely advanced to the Martial Apprentice level.

Chen Lian's heart surged with surprise. He had underestimated Zhang Xun's talent, never expecting such a rapid advancement. He spoke seriously, "Remember not to tell anyone about your breakthrough. You should understand why."

"From now on, just continue your cultivation as planned. I'll prepare the medicinal ointment for your practice. Focus on your training."

Zhang Xun understood Uncle Chen's intention to keep his progress concealed, especially since there were those in Yunlu Village who had their eyes on him. His qi and blood had just started to consolidate, and he was not yet adept at fully harnessing it.

Now that he had obtained the special "Demon Dispelling Fist" technique and experienced its terrifying speed of cultivation, the most important aspect was that killing creatures would yield their life essence, aiding his own cultivation.

He needed to understand the situation in the mountains and attempt to hunt the beasts there.

Zhang Xun asked, "Uncle Chen, I'd like to know about the distribution of beasts in the mountains. I just want to understand what kind of creatures are there, and I won't act rashly."

"Since you've broken through to Martial Apprentice, you can certainly explore the outskirts of the mountains. Just avoid the demonic beasts, and you'll have some leeway from the ordinary ferocious beasts."

Chen Lian went into the room and, with his left hand as sharp as a blade, plunged his fingers into a stone brick. With his robust qi and blood, he extracted it.

"Crack."

After removing the brick, he revealed a piece of beast skin and took it out. He wouldn't have revealed this detailed map of the mountain's outskirts, which contained all the information about the distribution of ferocious beasts and aged medicinal herbs, if Zhang Xun hadn't achieved the Martial Apprentice level. This map could easily fetch a hundred taels of silver if sold, but for the sake of nurturing Zhang Xun, it was just a map.

Zhang Xun took the beast skin map handed over by Uncle Chen and opened it to see a clear depiction of the periphery of the Yunlu Mountains. The inner areas were marked with a bright red "Danger" sign.

"Remember, the interior of the Yunlu Mountains is extremely perilous. Without the strength of a Martial Artist, it is absolutely not allow to enter. Even for me, entering would mean almost certain death," Chen Lian warned solemnly. "Without the power of a Martial Artist, it’s impossible to defeat the demonic beasts. The gap between ferocious beasts and demonic beasts is vast."

Zhang Xun carefully stored the map, assuring, "Don't worry, Uncle Chen. I've just broken through to Martial Apprentice, and I'm well aware of my own strength. I definitely won’t put myself in danger."

"By the way, it's time to give you the hunting token. Since you've broken through to Martial Apprentice, it's better to hand it over to you now."

Chen Lian took out the token from his bosom and handed it to Zhang Xun. The hunting token was jet-black, with the character "Hunt" engraved on it, along with the words "Golden Dragon" and an indecipherable stamp pattern on the back.

Holding the palm-sized token, Zhang Xun was surprised by its unique material, having expected it to be made of ordinary wood or stone.

"Keep the hunting token safe. When you reach the ninth level of Quasi-Martial Artist, take it with you to the county town," Chen Lian advised, confident in Zhang Xun's cultivation talent. He believed it wouldn't take long for Zhang Xun to advance to Quasi-Martial Artist. Until then, steady cultivation was key.

Understanding Zhang Xun's intention to enter the Yunlu Mountains, Chen Lian knew he was aware of the dangers, as long as he didn't venture too deep into the mountains.

In Yunlu Village, along the village road leading towards the Yunlu Mountains, the mountain ranges stretched and intertwined, shrouded in clouds and fog, a territory no ordinary person dared to enter.

Walking along the village road towards the mountains, the path grew increasingly faint. Soon, Zhang Xun found himself in a dense forest. He took out the map and, after careful study, realized he had reached the edge of the mountains.

This was the territory of the Swordburst Tiger, a creature about three meters long and one meter tall, known for its lightning-fast movements over short distances.

Additionally, with its sharp claws, ordinary people stood no chance against it; anyone who encountered a Swordburst Tiger usually faced a fatal end.

The strength of a Swordburst Tiger was roughly equivalent to the second level of a Martial Apprentice. Being a ferocious beast, it was much more fierce than humans in many aspects. Even a fully armed Martial Apprentice would have to exert full effort to confront it.

Zhang Xun thought to himself, "This will be a good test of the Demon Dispelling Fist's power and also confirm the effectiveness of absorbing the essence of living creatures."

A roar echoed from deep within the dense forest. Following the sound, Zhang Xun cautiously approached. He saw a Swordburst Tiger in a clearing, alongside a wild boar covered in wounds, its neck revealing a chilling white bone.

The Swordburst Tiger was devouring the flesh of the boar, replenishing its strength.

After observing, Zhang Xun noted that the Swordburst Tiger was covered in wounds from a recent battle, likely possessing only half its usual combat strength.