Wu Tian gave a faint smile at Soul Reaver's words. A demonic sword… telling him to save someone? The irony was almost amusing.
"And why should I do that?" Wu Tian asked, crimson eyes glinting with interest.
"That young man is a child of fate. Saving him now will benefit you greatly," Soul Reaver replied, tone unwavering.
Wu Tian's brow twitched. A child of fate?How could a sword detect something like that?This weapon was far more mysterious than he initially assumed.
Still, the explanation didn't satisfy him—nor did he care to follow cliché story logic.
If the boy was truly a child of fate, wouldn't it be more beneficial to wait for him to use his life-saving treasure… then take it for himself and ensure no future threat could grow?
After all, most protagonists preached hypocritical righteousness. The moment they learned someone absorbed human souls, they would draw their swords in the name of "justice."Unless, of course, they were the naïve friendship-first type—the hammer-and-rabbit archetype.
"Your time is running out," Soul Reaver pressed. Its voice was sharper than usual, tinged with an uncharacteristic urgency.
Wu Tian glanced down at the battle below.The young man was nearly defeated—yet oddly calm, as if he still hid something.
"Well, protagonists always carry life-saving treasures," Wu Tian murmured. "I should watch him up close… and take all his opportunities."
With that thought, Wu Tian's figure vanished.
BOOM!!
He reappeared directly above the demon wolf, stomping onto its back with enough force to crack the ground beneath. A shockwave tore through the forest.
The peak third-rank wolf let out a shrill cry, like a pup having its tail crushed.
The young man—moments from death—stared wide-eyed in disbelief at the figure that had suddenly descended from the sky.
Wu Tian looked down at the wolf beneath his foot, lips curled into a thin smile.
"Jackpot."
Qi surged from his sole into the beast's body, condensing into a dark vortex. Something was being pulled out.
CRACK—SHHAAAA!
The wolf's demon core was forcibly ripped free, the silver-green orb flying into Wu Tian's hand before being stored away with a flick of his finger.
Normally, demon cores only formed in fourth-rank beasts—equivalent to a human's golden core. But occasionally, a peak third-rank beast on the verge of evolution—like this silver-horned wolf—could condense one early.
Wu Tian had previously obtained a core from a demon scorpion, but it had been cracked and practically worthless.This one… was pristine.
The wolf died instantly, its body shriveling like an emptied leather sack.
Wu Tian lifted his foot, dusting off nonexistent dirt with a relaxed expression, as if he had merely plucked a wild berry.
"Daoist brother, forgive me for taking your prey." Wu Tian smiled as he casually stored the wolf's corpse into his ring.
The youth—face caked in dried blood, body shredded with wounds—stared at Wu Tian with a tangled expression. After several breaths, he let out a soft laugh, weary yet sincere.
"It's fine, Daoist brother. You… saved my life. Naturally, the corpse belongs to you."
Wu Tian examined him from head to toe—cracked ribs, deep gashes, blood still seeping.
"With that condition, how are you still calm?" Wu Tian frowned. "Don't tell me you're just relying on luck? Or… do you have a life-saving pill?"
The young man froze for a heartbeat, then nodded quietly.
Wu Tian crossed his arms, tone mild but heavy with subtle pressure."If you have one, use it. Your life matters more. And don't worry… I won't take anything from you."
The youth stiffened—then visibly relaxed.He drew out a jade-green pill from his ring and swallowed it without hesitation.
WHOOSH—
Warm energy spread through his body. Wounds closed. Breath steadied. Color returned to his face.
Wu Tian observed in silence, eyes narrowing slightly—evaluating the pill's quality.
Not bad… equivalent to a mid-grade spirit recovery pill.This boy was clearly not from a low background.
Once stable, Wu Tian asked casually,"So tell me—why did you come this deep? With your cultivation barely at mid Qi Condensation, wandering into a peak third-rank wolf's territory is… foolish."
The young man sighed, expression mixed with anxiety, determination, and faint guilt.
"I… needed several herbs for something important." His fists clenched. "I only intended to gather them. But after finding them, I ran into a demon wolf that had… begun forming its core."
His face reddened—whether from shame or frustration."Because that core would greatly help me refine a certain pill, I… tried to fight it. But its strength far exceeded my expectations."
He lowered his head."And you know the rest, Daoist brother. I almost died."
Wu Tian nodded slowly, a faint smile tugging at his lips—a smile filled with interest, mild amusement, and a sliver of caution toward this mysterious youth.
So… an impulsive young alchemist.Did he carry some hidden expert in his ring?Was that why Soul Reaver insisted on saving him?
Small schemes began spinning in Wu Tian's mind.
"So," Wu Tian asked lightly, "have you collected all the ingredients you need?"
The young man shook his head. "Actually… one last ingredient remains."
Wu Tian raised a brow. "And that is?"
The youth inhaled deeply."I need the Silver Wind Herb—the final component to refine the Silver Wind Purification Pill. It grows inside a cave nearby… guarded by a peak third-rank demon beast."
Wu Tian's lips curved."Oh? What a coincidence. I'm in a good mood. How about I help you?"
The youth hesitated visibly… but after recalling how easily Wu Tian killed the wolf, he finally nodded.
"…Very well. I'll show you the way."
The young man led the way. Wu Tian followed behind, studying his every movement. Soon, they reached a cave where a cold wind howled from within.
A low growl echoed from the shadows.
A grey wind tiger—peak third-rank—emerged, eyes glowing pale blue. Its demonic aura filled the cave with crushing pressure.
The youth drew his sword."Brother Wu… let me handle this."
Wu Tian leaned against a boulder, smiling lazily."Go ahead. If things get truly dire, I'll intervene."
The young man gulped… then charged in.
The wind tiger's claws, glowing with cutting wind, sliced through stone. The youth narrowly dodged, unleashing a high-grade basic sword art.
But the gap in strength was too great.
Several strikes sent him flying, yet he stood back up again and again with stubborn determination.
After he nearly died for the third time, Wu Tian raised an eyebrow.
Enough.
He flicked out a wave of force—just enough to distract the tiger.
The youth seized the moment.
SHING!
His sword pierced the beast's throat.
The peak third-rank wind tiger collapsed.
The boy, panting heavily, managed a relieved smile. He harvested the Silver Wind Herb—a white-silver plant whose leaves fluttered as if touched by invisible wind.
He bowed deeply to Wu Tian.
"Thank you, Daoist brother. Without you… I would have died."
Wu Tian smiled gently. "It's nothing. Ah—here."
He took out the silver-horned wolf's demon core.
The youth instantly stiffened, wary. His hand even lifted slightly in defense.
Wu Tian chuckled."Relax. If I wanted you dead, it wouldn't require theatrics."
The boy flushed in embarrassment.
Wu Tian continued, tone relaxed yet layered with quiet calculation:"I saw the pill you used earlier. It wasn't low-grade. I assume you have ties to a skilled alchemist."
The youth's eyes widened—Wu Tian hit the mark.
Wu Tian smiled."I want to build goodwill. Consider this a gift—you just need to help me request a pill refinement from that alchemist… next month."
The young man let out a relieved breath, suspicion fading.
"…Alright. If that's all you ask, I accept."
He cupped his fists. "My name is Lin Yao."
Wu Tian mirrored him, faint smile still on his lips."Wu Tian."
The two exchanged nods—a budding connection that could one day become cooperation… or disaster for one of them.