Chapter 32: A Night of Murder Beneath the Dark Moon and Rising Winds

After learning where Lin Tian lived, Yin Tianfang calmly returned to his own quarters. Entering his room and closing the door behind him, he sat quietly on his bed and began to cultivate in silence.

At present, Yin Tianfang had already reached the fourth level of the Qi Condensation stage, and was not far from the fifth. However, a breakthrough was not something to be achieved in a single day. Compared to most cultivators, Yin Tianfang’s progress could be called astonishingly swift. After all, neither the Green Mountain Sect nor the Profound Dao Sect would ever allow their disciples to consume the flesh and blood of demon beasts every day—especially not those fierce and powerful ones.

Compared to humans at the same stage, demon beasts were doubtless much stronger. Their method of cultivation was different; most of the spiritual energy they absorbed from the world became infused into their flesh and blood, making their bodies remarkably robust and brimming with vital essence.

As a result, the cultivation speed of demon beasts was naturally much slower. However, their lifespans far exceeded those of humans, offsetting their slow progress with time.

Over the past three months, Yin Tianfang had eaten the flesh and drunk the blood of demon beasts. The essence he absorbed far surpassed that of any spiritual herbs or ginseng, allowing him to reach the fourth layer of Qi Condensation in a mere three months.

But now, having left that place, Yin Tianfang had to rely on his own efforts to cultivate, and his progress inevitably slowed. Moreover, at the fourth layer, the essence of demon beast flesh and blood no longer had much effect on him.

“The path of cultivation lies in perseverance. Advancing too quickly isn’t always a good thing,” Yin Tianfang murmured softly, opening his eyes in the quiet room.

By now, dusk had fallen. Yin Tianfang gazed calmly out the window at the fading light. He did not continue cultivating, but sat quietly, waiting. Only when night had fully descended, and after another half hour had passed, did Yin Tianfang finally rise, slip out the door, and head down the mountain path in silence.

Once he had left the North Bank Peak, Yin Tianfang stood by the Clear Water River. With a slap to his storage pouch, a flying sword shot out. Lightly tapping his toe on the ground, he leapt onto the sword and, skimming just above the river’s surface, sped straight toward the main peak.

The main peak stood at the center of the Clear Water River, dividing its flow. Below the mountainside were countless layered courtyards, a grand sight from afar. To the south were the residences of the female disciples; to the north, those of the men. Yin Tianfang steered his sword around the southern side and headed straight for the northern section.

Landing on the northern steps, he employed a technique to conceal his presence, slipping silently into the cover of the nearby forest. After sprinting swiftly among the trees for a short while, Yin Tianfang stopped and crept close to a secluded courtyard.

This courtyard was similar in design to the others, though its furnishings were far more luxurious.

This was Lin Tian’s residence. During these days in the Profound Dao Sect, Yin Tianfang had learned from various mouths that Lin Tian had joined the sect for the sake of a woman—Nolan.

Lin Tian’s family, the Lin clan of Skywind City, was a house of ancient lineage. He had no need to join the Profound Dao Sect to practice cultivation. Yet for Nolan’s sake, he had forsaken his birthright as the Lin family's eldest son, coming instead to the main peak of the Profound Dao Sect as an outer disciple.

Upon learning all this, Yin Tianfang understood why Lin Tian was so concerned about his relationship with Nolan. Lin Tian’s feelings bordered on obsession. No doubt, he would try to eliminate any disciple who grew close to her.

Outside the courtyard, Yin Tianfang pressed himself against the wall, listening intently for any movement within. Yet after a while, all remained silent.

After a brief moment of thought, Yin Tianfang lightly vaulted the wall and landed inside the courtyard. It was pitch dark, with no lights burning in any of the rooms. He frowned.

“Could he be out?”

Just as this thought crossed his mind, footsteps and voices sounded from outside the courtyard. Yin Tianfang’s expression shifted; with a flicker, he vanished into the shadows. The outer door opened and two figures entered—a young man and a middle-aged one. The young man was Lin Tian.

“It’s been so long, and the Heaven’s End Hall still hasn’t finished the job?” Lin Tian’s voice was tinged with anger.

The middle-aged man quickly replied, “Young master, that’s why I’ve come. The Heaven’s End Hall contacted me—they want to raise the price.”

“On what grounds? The old Daoist set the price at the start and promised three days. Yet so many days have passed without news. Is the Heaven’s End Hall all talk?” Lin Tian snapped.

“Please, young master, calm yourself,” the man urged. “We can’t afford to offend the Heaven’s End Hall. Besides, the price hike is understandable—everyone they sent to kill that boy is dead.”

“The weakest of them was at the fifth layer of Qi Condensation, and they were skilled in stealth and assassination. Yet after leaving the temple, none returned, and their soul jades have all shattered,” he explained.

“All at least fifth layer? How could that be?” Lin Tian’s brows furrowed, sensing something was amiss.

“The Hall claims the boy’s residence is the lair of a ferocious bird. That beast is terrifyingly powerful. After the initial failure, the old Daoist went to investigate himself, but admitted he wasn’t a match, so he withdrew.”

“What level is that bird?”

“The old Daoist says it’s close to the Foundation Establishment stage.”

“So strong?” Lin Tian was startled. A bird about to reach Foundation Establishment was indeed terrifying. Few at the Qi Condensation stage could hope to oppose such a creature, unless they were all at the ninth layer—and even then, success was far from certain.

“The old Daoist said that since they accepted the task, they’ll see it through. But since your information cost them dearly, you’ll have to compensate them,” the middle-aged man reported.

“How much?”

“At least ten thousand spirit stones.”

“Why don’t they just rob me? Ten thousand spirit stones—even if I sold myself, I couldn’t raise that!” Lin Tian raged.

“The old Daoist says he’s already invited a Foundation Establishment expert from the Heaven’s End Hall’s headquarters in Clear Water Nation. Once they deal with the beast, if you can’t pay, he’ll go straight to your clan in Skywind City to find your father.”

“That damned old bastard!” Lin Tian snarled through gritted teeth.

Hidden in the darkness, Yin Tianfang had heard every word, and his heart sank. He didn’t know much about the Heaven’s End Hall, but he understood that the demon bird was in grave danger. Even in the Green Cloud Sect and the Profound Dao Sect, Foundation Establishment elders were few in number. Yet the Heaven’s End Hall had dispatched one to hunt the beast.

“I must go and warn them at once. But before that, I’ll kill Lin Tian to forestall any further trouble!” With that thought, Yin Tianfang formed a hand seal, and his flying sword flashed like a cold star, shooting straight for Lin Tian.