Chapter 84: The Eccentric Dweller of the Cave

In the mountains, a massive white tiger was carrying a man along the rugged mountain path, moving with great caution to prevent the man on its back from falling off. Indeed, the white tiger was Bing Xiao, and the man it bore was none other than Lin Yanghao, whose meridians had suffered severe damage.

Bing Xiao had endured much hardship along the way; even walking required the utmost care, let alone tending to Lin Yanghao. However, because Bing Xiao was a beast of the same race as the spirit beasts, they had encountered no attacks or harassment from other spirit creatures. In addition, Bing Xiao had painstakingly sought out many medicinal herbs along the journey—herbs that could help heal meridian wounds—for Lin Yanghao. Yet, lacking the skills of a pill alchemist, Bing Xiao could only grind the herbs into poultices to apply as treatment. The effect was faint, but better than nothing; at least it offered some hope.

Nearly half a month had passed since Bing Xiao had left with Lin Yanghao, traveling all the way from the Seven Luminaries Sect to the far northern reaches of the Northern Ziyu Continent. This extreme northern region bordered the Beast Domain, and its environment was no less harsh.

Bing Xiao had brought Lin Yanghao here in search of a cure for his damaged meridians, having discovered the existence of a rare ice lotus in these parts. As for what this place truly was, Bing Xiao could not say.

The Heaven-Sacrifice Ice Dracotiger possessed a unique gift: an extraordinary sense for spirit herbs. While this talent was of little use to spirit beasts themselves, for human cultivators it was nothing short of miraculous. Thus, the Heaven-Sacrifice Ice Dracotiger had always been highly coveted and hunted by cultivators, both in the Spirit Realm and the Immortal Realm. Over time, these beasts had become increasingly rare, and even a juvenile Heaven-Sacrifice Ice Dracotiger could fetch an astronomical price. The value of an Immortal Beast realm Dracotiger as an ally was beyond measure, though Bing Xiao’s power had waned greatly. Of course, Lin Yanghao knew nothing of any of this.

Every species of spirit beast, upon reaching a certain level of cultivation, would reveal the unique talents of its race.

At length, Bing Xiao finally found a cave in this treacherous landscape, only to discover an old madman living inside. The old man was disheveled and filthy, his clothes in tatters—certainly, Bing Xiao thought, a lunatic. Yet, for some reason, Bing Xiao sensed a dangerous aura emanating from this madman. How could a mere mortal survive in such a perilous place? All signs pointed to this bedraggled old man being anything but ordinary. Bing Xiao was convinced the man was no commoner.

“Hm? A Heaven-Sacrifice Ice Dracotiger, is it? What a pity, what a pity—truly a pity!” The old man had clearly noticed Bing Xiao’s arrival and, with a single glance, recognized his identity, sighing repeatedly with regret.

“Who are you?” Bing Xiao asked warily.

To be recognized at a glance startled Bing Xiao, confirming the old man’s extraordinary nature. Instinctively, Bing Xiao took a step back. As a Heaven-Sacrifice Ice Dracotiger, he was well aware that he was a prize sought by human cultivators. His guard was instantly up, eyes fixed on the old man’s every move. With his strength so diminished, Bing Xiao knew he stood no chance, even if Lin Yanghao were not a burden—there was no way he could escape. For a moment, he was at a loss for what to do.

“Don’t worry. Since you have already chosen a master, I have no further designs on you. Even if I did capture you, it would do me no good. But how about we make a deal?” The old man, perceiving Bing Xiao’s wariness, began to speak.

It was true—each spirit beast could only form a bond with a master once in its lifetime, never a second time. That was why the old man had sighed with such regret.

“Speak,” Bing Xiao replied. Though relieved, he remained vigilant. He knew all too well that human cultivators were cunning by nature.

“If you can retrieve the ice lotus from within the Beast Domain for me, I will heal the boy on your back. How about it?” As it turned out, the old man’s goal was the same as Bing Xiao’s: the ice lotus.

“How do I know you’re not trying to trick me?” Bing Xiao was no fool. The old man’s words alone were not enough to send him searching for the ice lotus. Who knew if this was just a ploy?

“My name is Dan Chen. That should be proof enough that I am not deceiving you,” the old man proclaimed with pride.

“Dan Chen? Who is that? I’ve never heard of you. Are you supposed to be famous?” Bing Xiao’s response nearly made Dan Chen cough up blood. Only then did he recall that his reputation meant little to a talking, mutated Heaven-Sacrifice Ice Dracotiger. It was only natural that Bing Xiao knew nothing of him. Thus, Master Dan Chen decided to compromise once more, as he was still in dire need of the ice lotus.

“How about this: I will first help wake the boy, and then you can go find the ice lotus for me. Is that acceptable?”

Bing Xiao considered it. If this man could indeed awaken Lin Yanghao, then perhaps his words were true. If Lin Yanghao went without treatment much longer, trouble was sure to follow. Fine, he decided, I will trust him this once. With that, Bing Xiao agreed to Dan Chen’s proposal.

Dan Chen took out a dark green pill and fed it to Lin Yanghao. If one looked closely, one could see a deep pain between Dan Chen’s brows—it was clear how precious the pill was. “Watch over him. Within the hour, he will certainly awaken,” Dan Chen said, then pressed hard against a stone wall. A hidden door opened in the rock.

Dan Chen departed, and the stone door closed behind him.

...

“Lin Yanghao, you’re awake? Wonderful! That old man was telling the truth after all!” As an hour passed, just as Dan Chen had promised, Lin Yanghao awoke.

He felt as though he had just emerged from a long dream, one filled with warmth, care, and gentle attention. With the slightest movement, pain shot through his body, and memories of all he had endured at the Seven Luminaries Sect flashed through his mind, ending with the moment he coughed blood and lost consciousness.

“Bing Xiao, was it you who saved me?” Opening his eyes, he saw Bing Xiao’s face alight with excitement. In that instant, Lin Yanghao understood—it had been Bing Xiao caring for him all this time, from the moment he fainted until now. No wonder he had dreamed of such warmth.

Looking at Bing Xiao, Lin Yanghao’s heart was filled with gratitude and a tinge of guilt. In the past, his attitude toward Bing Xiao had been harsh, yet Bing Xiao had shown him nothing but devoted care.