Chapter 123: The Ambush

With a flick of his sleeve, a flash of purple light darted across the air, severing the ropes that bound the Sky-Winged Demon Tiger. Freed, the beast immediately sprang up from the ground, baring its fangs and emitting a low, guttural growl, its demeanor fierce and savage. Just as it prepared to charge, Yin Tianfang pressed a hand down, stilling it.

Seeing this, the old man frowned. He looked from the severed ropes to Yin Tianfang, his eyes revealing a flicker of caution.

"It was my own rashness; I hope you will forgive me, fellow Daoist," the old man said, his tone suddenly softening as he bowed and cupped his hands in apology.

Yin Tianfang remained silent, and the atmosphere in the clearing grew awkwardly heavy. The men behind the old man began to look indignant, but before they could act out, a single sharp glare from the old man checked them.

The old man looked at Yin Tianfang once more, bowed again, and said, "I shall take my leave now." With a wave of his sleeve, a long sword materialized in the air. He and his companions leapt onto the blade and sped away.

"Uncle-Master, why didn't you attack that brat just now?" the middle-aged man asked after they had flown several dozen miles, his expression still full of resentment. "He was far too arrogant. Even after you apologized, he didn't even react."

"Had I made a move, not only would I have fallen, but all of you would have died there as well," the old man replied, casting a cold glance at the man. "Tianyang, you must remember that one cannot judge a book by its cover. The age of a cultivator cannot be determined by appearance alone."

"To you, he seemed young, but do you know his true age or his cultivation level? To act recklessly is to invite your own destruction."

The old man looked back, and seeing that Yin Tianfang had not pursued them, his tightly coiled heart began to relax. He turned to the middle-aged man and the youths. "Remember, in all things, one must think thrice before acting."

"Understood, Uncle-Master."

They responded in unison, their eyes filled with shock. They had never imagined that a youth who looked barely over twenty could make their Uncle-Master so wary. Was it possible that he was some ancient monster who had cultivated for countless years?

Back in the forest, Yin Tianfang watched them depart with a calm expression. But long after they had disappeared from sight, he suddenly stumbled, his face turning deathly pale.

Seeing this, the Sky-Winged Demon Tiger leaned closer, bracing him against its body. Watching Yin Tianfang’s pallor, the beast felt a strange sensation stir within it.

In the past, Yin Tianfang had provoked the tiger while trying to pluck a spiritual herb, leading to a chase in which the tiger was bested and forced to sacrifice its soul-blood to become his mount. The tiger had undoubtedly harbored deep hatred for him.

Yet, seeing Yin Tianfang in this state, that resentment flickered and dimmed.

The Sky-Winged Demon Tiger had clashed with the old man and knew his strength; in his current state, Yin Tianfang would not have survived a single strike from him.

Yin Tianfang had been bluffing—a move of extreme risk. Yet he had done it, because had he not appeared, the tiger would have been in mortal danger. The beast understood that Yin Tianfang had risked his life to save it. A complex array of emotions flooded its heart, and its feelings toward Yin Tianfang became increasingly muddled and profound.

Moments later, having regained a shred of strength, Yin Tianfang stood up and headed toward the dilapidated valley. The spirit-gathering formation was gone, and the spiritual energy in the valley was beginning to dissipate, though it remained far denser than in the surrounding areas.

Upon reaching the valley, Yin Tianfang immediately sat cross-legged. He formed a seal with his hands, and the surrounding spiritual energy surged toward him. His golden core spun rapidly, absorbing the energy with the intensity of a whale drinking the sea. The Sky-Winged Demon Tiger lay by his side, eyes scanning the surroundings with vigilance.

A full day and night passed before Yin Tianfang finally opened his eyes. The energy he had depleted was fully restored, and his aura was even slightly stronger than before.

He swept his divine sense across the area, his brow furrowing slightly. He could sense several demonic beasts lingering nearby. He soon realized they had likely been drawn by the convergence of spiritual energy during his refinement of the Spirit-Splitting Pill.

He rose to his feet and walked out of the valley. With a surge of his powerful divine sense, he swept the area; under the pressure, the weaker beasts retreated until they vanished beyond his reach.

However, Yin Tianfang soon noticed that one beast had not retreated.

*Whoosh.*

A figure leapt from the dense forest, reeking of blood. As its massive frame landed, the ground trembled. A potent demonic aura, thick with the scent of carnage, drifted into the air.

It was a formidable demon ape, covered in dense, needle-like fur, its copper-bell eyes burning with ferocity.

"Roar!" With a heaven-shaking bellow, the ape beat its chest, the sound echoing like a war drum.

"Roar!" Behind Yin Tianfang, the Sky-Winged Demon Tiger stepped forward, its own roar shaking the mountains and forests, in no way inferior to the ape’s cry.

Locked in a gaze, the two beasts radiated intense killing intent and savage hunger. Two mighty auras erupted into the sky, colliding and whipping up fierce gales.

The Sky-Winged Demon Tiger let out a roar, its body suddenly swelling until it matched the size of the ape. Yin Tianfang stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves, stepping back, observing the scene with a calm expression.

"Fellow Daoist, come out," Yin Tianfang said quietly. His earlier sweep of the area had revealed no trace of anyone, but that did not mean no one was there. The ape was strong, yet under the pressure of his divine sense, it had chosen to reveal itself rather than retreat, and even after appearing, it had not attacked.

From this alone, Yin Tianfang knew that someone must be directing the beast.

Demonic beasts lived in harsh environments and were far more sensitive to danger than many cultivators. The other beasts had fled the pressure of his divine sense, yet this one had not. It was highly suspicious.

Yin Tianfang scanned his surroundings, searching carefully, but still found no trace of an intruder. His brow furrowed deeper.

Suddenly, a cold glint struck toward his back—silent and without warning, aimed straight for his heart.