"Sigh, this world is too dangerous!"
Chu Ning lay on the ground of the broken temple, reflecting on the experiences of the past month since he crossed over.
Starting as an orphan raised on the charity of others was already a rough start. Who knew that the village would face a cultivator's magical combat on that very day, leading to the tragic deaths of many ordinary people.
Chu Ning was fortunate enough to survive and realized that this was a cultivation world. Whether he wanted stability or longevity, the only path was cultivation.
Thus, Chu Ning embarked on the path to seek immortality. Over a month had passed, yet he hadn't seen a trace of it.
Luckily, he found this broken temple today; otherwise, he'd be sleeping on the mountaintop again.
"Hmm? Someone's coming?"
Just then, Chu Ning faintly heard voices approaching and realized they had already arrived outside the broken temple.
His body instinctively curled up a bit behind the incense table.
Although the space under the incense table was empty and didn't provide much cover, Chu Ning still tried his best not to attract the attention of the newcomers.
After all, he didn't know who they were or if they posed any danger.
With vigilant eyes watching outside, Chu Ning tightened his grip on the incense ashes in his left hand and the stick in his right.
The temple was not lit, but fortunately, Chu Ning had been inside long enough to grow accustomed to the dark. Plus, with a bit of moonlight, he could see a faint outline from under the incense table.
Two figures entered the broken temple, and their conversation became clearer.
"Cai Fu, what kind of route did you choose? If it weren't for there being a temple here, we'd be suffering outside tonight."
A young man's voice came through, laced with a hint of dissatisfaction.
Soon, another younger voice timidly replied.
"You're right to scold me, Young Master. You've suffered. I thought this was the nearest road to Cyan Creek City."
Maybe because of the mild reprimand, or perhaps due to Cai Fu's words, the young master's tone eased considerably.
"Hmm, once we settle in Cyan Creek City and the Cyan Creek Sect's selection begins, I'll participate and once I pass, I can officially join the sect and practice cultivation, ascending to immortality."
Cai Fu quickly chimed in, "Young Master, you're highly gifted, you'll definitely pass the selection."
Listening to this, Chu Ning felt a surge of excitement. He hadn't expected to overhear information about cultivation here, so he perked up his ears to listen closely.
The young master was quite pleased with Cai Fu's words and spoke with added excitement.
"Yes, I unintentionally found our family's body refining method this time, surely it's the guidance of my ancestors. Otherwise, I wouldn't have decided to sell everything and head to Cyan Creek City."
"I just don't know if I've mastered this Body Refining Art well enough before the selection, and whether it'll affect the outcome."
Cai Fu reassured him, "Don't worry, Young Master. Practice it diligently over these days; you surely can."
"Hmm." The young master hummed lightly and then said, "Cai Fu, go gather some firewood and start a fire."
Chu Ning furrowed his brow slightly, realizing that if they started a fire, he would undoubtedly be discovered.
Though the two of them didn't sound like bad people, logically they shouldn't harm him, but he feared they'd drive him out.
"Yes, Young Master." The servant Cai Fu responded, but the next moment, his tone suddenly changed, shouting:
"Who's there?"
Had he been discovered? Chu Ning clenched his hands once more.
But soon, Chu Ning realized the question wasn't directed at him.
Because Cai Fu seemed to shout toward the temple's entrance, and that young master, who had been facing away, also turned his head.
"Someone there?"
Chu Ning widened his eyes to look outside and then saw...
A cold glint flashed as Cai Fu stabbed a dagger directly into the young master's stomach.
"You... you... why?"
The young master slowly turned his head, managing only to say one sentence before collapsing dead on the ground, eyes wide open in disbelief.
Inside the broken temple, Cai Fu's sinister voice echoed.
"Why? Our family has served yours for generations, serving faithfully. You've had access to the family's secret technique, yet you always hide away to practice alone? Why can't I participate in the selection to enter the Immortal Sect?"
As this eerie voice resonated, a cold wind blew into the broken temple.
The draft sent a shiver down Chu Ning's spine.
"Who's there?"
Even though Chu Ning only made a slight sound, Cai Fu swiftly turned around.
He lit a flint and started approaching the incense table.
Chu Ning instantly felt uneasy. If they had discovered him earlier, they might have only kicked him out of the temple. Now, having witnessed Cai Fu's evil act, he undoubtedly faced the danger of being silenced.
Lying on the ground, he was completely vulnerable.
Chu Ning slowly stood up, his face expressing fear as he recited:
"I didn't see anything! I didn't see anything!"
Seeing Chu Ning was just a fifteen or sixteen-year-old vagabond, Cai Fu sighed with relief.
"Filthy beggar, do you think I'll believe you?"
His face was twisted with a sneer, holding a flint in one hand and a dagger in the other, slowly approaching Chu Ning.
Chu Ning took a step back, but behind him was the incense table, leaving him with nowhere to retreat.
Just as Cai Fu was about to reach him, Chu Ning's eyes widened suddenly, staring behind Cai Fu as if seeing a ghost.
"You... you're not dead?"
Upon hearing this, Cai Fu turned around in horror to look behind him.
But there was no one there. Realizing he was tricked, Cai Fu quickly turned back, only to receive a face full of incense ashes.
"Ah!"
Instinctively, Cai Fu dropped what he was holding, and his hands reached up to rub his eyes.
Seizing the opportunity, Chu Ning swung the stick with all his might at Cai Fu's head.
"Bang!"
Taking advantage while Cai Fu clutched his head and staggered back.
Chu Ning quickly picked up the fallen dagger and took a step forward, stabbing it forcefully into Cai Fu's abdomen!
"You, you..."
Cai Fu uttered the same question his young master had, then slowly fell to the ground.
Unlike his master, Cai Fu couldn't see due to the incense ash, dying with clear eyes.
"Whew!"
Chu Ning stepped back cautiously, holding the dagger pointed outward, breathing heavily to calm his racing emotions.
Even with his decent mental resilience from his past life, he still felt somewhat terrified at this moment.
After a few minutes, once Chu Ning had stabilized his emotions somewhat, he kicked Cai Fu's body with his foot to ensure he was truly dead. Only then did he breathe a long sigh of relief, intending to promptly leave the broken temple.
But after just a few steps, Chu Ning stopped.
"Didn't they mention some Body Refining Technique?"
Remembering the content of their conversation, Chu Ning gathered his courage, cautiously searching Cai Fu's body, finding a map and some broken silver.
Next, he approached the young master and retrieved items hidden in his clothing and bundle.
He found some gold and silver coins and a small booklet.
With the flint's light, Chu Ning saw a few words written on it.
"Nine Tigers Body Refining Art"
Picking it up and casually flipping through, Chu Ning hadn't even had time to read carefully when a line appeared in his mind.
[Nine Tigers Body Refining Art (0/100)]
Golden Finger?
Chu Ning felt a surge of joy. Now wasn't the time for detailed reading, so he quickly tucked it into his coat and hurriedly left the broken temple.