"Truly a demonic wolf..."
Standing on the rooftop, Xu Taiping looked toward Yanglusi Mountain and discovered a large demonic wolf rapidly running through the forest.
At first, he was not too surprised, as the introductory transmission jade slip had already mentioned that in this vast mountain range, apart from the areas designated by the sect for residence, demonic beasts could appear anywhere.
However, gradually, he began to feel something was not quite right.
Because soon he saw a second and a third demonic wolf, all chasing in the direction of going down the mountain.
"Is there anyone who can save me!"
Just as Xu Taiping was curious about what these three demonic wolves were chasing, a woman's cry for help suddenly echoed through the mountains.
Hearing this, Xu Taiping's earlobe trembled slightly. He then channeled his true qi to his eyes and focused on the direction from which the sound came.
This was the method taught in the martial technique "Piercing Arrow" to enhance one's vision.
As this spell was cast, the scene a mile or two away in Yanglusi Mountain became clear in Xu Taiping's eyes. He soon discovered a frail woman running frantically through the forest, trying to evade the pursuit of the three demonic wolves.
"Where does this sister come from? I don't remember there being any cultivators near Green Bamboo Residence?"
Xu Taiping was very puzzled.
"Who can, who can save me!"
At this moment, the woman ran out of the forest and began to rush along the path leading out of the mountain toward Green Bamboo Residence.
The three demonic wolves were still chasing her, and it seemed they were about to catch up.
"Is there anyone? Is there anyone in the courtyard ahead? I'm injured, help, save me!"
The woman, holding her bleeding shoulder, shouted as she ran, clearly having noticed Green Bamboo Residence.
"Never mind, no more thinking, saving her is the priority."
Xu Taiping shook his head, then took down his bow and arrow, began to nock an arrow, and drew the string. Using the qi channeling method from "Piercing Arrow," he gathered the Residual Afterglow true qi from his dantian to the arrow.
In an instant, a layer of ice covered the arrow.
Just as the nearest demonic wolf was 500 meters away from Green Bamboo Residence, Xu Taiping released the fully drawn bowstring and the arrow.
Accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, the arrow, enveloped in Residual Afterglow true qi, struck the demonic wolf's forehead and pierced through it.
After mastering how to use Residual Afterglow true qi, the power of Xu Taiping's arrows had far surpassed the last time.
The demonic wolf let out a惨叫 and fell to the ground.
The other two demonic wolves, upon seeing this, were frightened and fled back into the forest, no longer daring to pursue.
The woman was clearly startled at first, but when she saw the two demonic wolves flee and noticed Xu Taiping standing on the roof, she burst into tears of joy.
"Thank you, young hero, for saving my life."
The woman almost tumbled and crawled to the front of Green Bamboo Residence's courtyard.
From her tense expression, it was clear she was still fearful of the demonic wolves.
"The two demonic wolves have fled, you don't need to worry."
Xu Taiping, standing on the roof, turned to look at the woman at the gate.
This woman, about 15 or 16 years old, was petite and had a delicate and charming appearance, much like the young ladies from Xu Taiping's hometown.
"Yes, thank goodness you were here, or I would have become the meal of those two demonic wolves."
The girl first patted her chest in fear, then asked Xu Taiping with gratitude:
"May I ask, what is your name, young hero?"
"My surname is Xu, my name is Taiping. You can just call me Taiping."
He was still standing on the roof, holding his bow and arrow, and his eyes clearly showed a hint of caution.
"Little hero Taiping, I am Liu Qingmei, a registered disciple of the outer sect of Qingxuan Sect. A few days ago, I came to the nearby mountains to gather herbs on a spirit bird but got lost. I also lost my Cloud Piercing Flute. When I encountered those demonic wolves, I had to run for my life and was eventually chased here."
The girl said this while taking out a bronze mirror from her chest.
Seeing this bronze mirror, Xu Taiping's caution immediately lessened.
This Spirit Mirror is only possessed by outer sect disciples, and the woman's possession of it verified her identity.
"May I ask, little hero Taiping, can Qingmei stay here for the night? The sun has already set, and I am injured, making it very inconvenient to travel at night."
The woman pleaded with Xu Taiping.
Xu Taiping was about to agree, as he had already confirmed her identity, but before he could finish speaking, his eyes inadvertently glanced at the woman's shoes.
This woman was wearing a pair of embroidered shoes with a thousand-layer sole, which looked like ordinary cloth shoes. However, when Xu Taiping combined this with what she had said earlier, he felt something was off—
These shoes were too clean.
"Regardless of whether wearing such cloth shoes is suitable for gathering herbs, the fact that her shoes are still intact after being chased by the demonic wolves for a whole day already proves she was lying."
Xu Taiping thought to himself.
"Sister Qingmei, my home is quite simple, you might not be comfortable staying here."
Xu Taiping leaped to the top of the courtyard gate and said without showing any emotion.
"Little hero, you are joking. I am in such a dire situation, how can I be picky? Besides, although my family was well-off when I was young, by the time I was ten, our family had fallen into decline. After coming to Yunlu Mountain, I have become accustomed to a simple life. I just need a place to stay, I won't be picky."
Liu Qingmei said with a bitter smile.
The woman spoke with genuine emotion, and if Xu Taiping hadn't already seen through her lie, he might have felt sympathy for her.