Volume 2: The Source of Life Chapter 14: Tang Ning Er

  It's almost noon, and the sun is shining brightly in the sky.

  Before I ran, I threw away all the burdens that dragged down my speed, including food and water.

  I felt a bit hungry, so I picked up the small knife and started to deal with the field mouse that I had caught on the way. After disemboweling it, cutting off its head and feet, peeling off its skin and removing its bones, I swallowed this field mouse alive.

  I buried those miscellaneous leftover things in the ground to prevent being tracked, and then I chose a direction and slipped away.

  On the way, I finally had some free time and thought about the motives behind Kaka's actions.

  It's always easy to be wise after the event, this is a common disease of human beings.

  I didn't have to think much and I guessed why Kakabu did this.

  That day, when I refused her proposal to kill Lin Muxian and help me remove the Soul Servant Seal, the clever Kaka Bu guessed how much sincerity I had in cooperating with her.

  Promises have no binding effect on me, and I know that. But to outsiders, my words and actions are very much like those of a introverted person with a sense of responsibility who keeps his promises.

  Kakabu initially thought so too, which is why she endured for so long before proposing a collaboration with me. However, my careless and casual agreement made her realize this point, and soon changed her original attitude.

  From this point of view, Kakabu is not only clever but also excellent.

  Kakabu knew I agreed to help her kill Kaya was just a formality, so in order not to waste time, she only used this method today to force me onto the path of opposing Kaya.

  At the same time, KakaBu doesn't have to worry about me revealing her secrets.

  Because she has already made her position clear, she and I are on the same side. Even if it's now, this stance won't change.

  She and I have a common enemy, Kayas. Today's trouble is just to make me confront Kayas earlier.

  That is to say, when I need it, she will definitely help me. How can I betray her in such a situation?

  At least with her help, Lin Muxian could hold on for a little longer.

  After figuring this out, I felt relieved.

  Without the burden of Lin Mie Xian and Ka Ka Bu, my walking speed in the forest increased by more than double. In less than half a time unit, I returned to that grassy area, but of course, not in the original direction.

  After passing through quickly, a small river comes into view, with undulating mountain ridges stretching out as far as the eye can see.

  This must be where the Soul Masters live!

  At the moment I crossed the small river, the surrounding environment suddenly gave me a sense of eeriness.

  It's as if... hmm... I feel at ease! There's a sense of joy in my heart, and the feeling of being confined that I had when I was trapped between the world of the living and the dead has completely disappeared.

  Won't you be using some kind of large-scale soul device again?

  I carefully looked around, and indeed, on this side of the river, there was a wall-like thing that was vaguely visible. The scattered spiritual energy in the air hit the wall and bounced back.

  It dawned on me that this must be a means of preventing the spiritual power inside the Ma Bu mountain range from spreading to the outside world. Although it can't completely block it, being able to control part of it is enough.

  The place I entered was still a primitive forest, and I followed the small river to explore deeper. Where there is water, there must be people.

  After about an hour or so, I finally found some footprints of someone walking.

  Judging from the footprints, this person is slightly thin and not too tall.

  I crept away cautiously, turned around a low-lying area, and in the distance between the branches of trees, I saw a thin figure with its back to me.

  What a young man!

  A head of scattered short hair sprinkled on the forehead, long eyebrows and clear eyes, probably around twelve or thirteen years old, at this moment he is leaning against a branch, gazing into the distance.

  On the horizon, the gradually tilted sunset spills down a layer of golden light, dyeing this forest with a mysterious red glow.

  Squeak... Squeak...

  A fluffy little head poked out from the boy's arms, somewhat like a lynx kitten, with two curious eyes looking in my direction, as if containing a hint of misty light.

  "What's wrong, Puffpuff?" The young man smiled gently on his delicate face and patted its head softly.

  Squeak... Squeak...

  Again a few soft calls, but the voice already had a few points of certainty, staring at me with big eyes.

  "Is anyone there?" The young man understood its meaning and asked softly in this direction.

  "What a clever little guy!" With a sigh in my heart, I walked out with a smile on my face.

  "Hello, excuse me... where is this place? Uh... I think I'm lost."

  The young man smiled slightly shyly and said, "Hello, this is the forest area of Tangjia Village, and in front is Tangjia Village."

  As they spoke, the young man climbed down from the tree with very practiced movements, but his body was not particularly agile.

  Golden Lotus?

  Staring at the top of the young man's head, I was stunned!

  Lin Mou Xian is a third-level Soul Master, with a silver lotus flower on his head that has not yet bloomed. Brad is a fourth-level Soul Master, with a silver lotus flower on his head that has half-bloomed.

  Kaka's heavenly talent is extraordinary, her hair is adorned with a silver lotus flower, its petals are blooming beautifully.

  And this unknown young man had a golden lotus flower floating on his head, what's going on?

  On the surface, I didn't seem very surprised, staring at the pet in his arms that had a head like a lynx and a body as chubby and tender as Garfield.

  "What is this little thing?" I asked.

  "Are you talking about Puff?" The young man's shyness disappeared when asked about his pet, and he gently stroked its head, smiling: "I just picked it up the day before yesterday, I don't even know what it is, do you know, uncle?"

  "Big brother?" Although I've lived for many years, my appearance still looks like a 17 or 18 year old young man, it's more suitable for him to call me "brother".

  I didn't get stuck on the title, I mumbled and said: "I haven't studied spiritual beasts, um... maybe it's some kind of hybrid."

  Before the young man could respond, that little thing suddenly poked its head out and chirped at me a few times. The young man hastily comforted it, saying "Pu Pu don't be angry, you're so cute." After that, the young man showed me an embarrassed smile again, "Pu Pu is very sensitive, Uncle, please watch what you say in the future! Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself, hehe, my name is Tang Ning Er."

  In a casual conversation with Tang Ning'er, I got a general impression of this so-called Tang Family Village.

  Tangjia Village is located in the southeastern corner of the Ma Bu mountain range, adjacent to the Yunyao School, a school that only accepts female disciples. As a result, many young men from Tangjia Village also cross over the ancient ridge and run to the Qiangzu Men on the other side of the mountain to undergo trials, with the hope of passing the assessment and becoming a member of the Youhun School.

  Claiming to be a lost outsider, I easily gained the simple Tong Ning'er's trust and agreed to take me to Tongjia Village to clarify the direction.

  However, at this time, although it was already dinner time, Tang Ning'er didn't have the joy of going home for a meal. Her footsteps were slow and sluggish as she walked ahead, and her enthusiasm for chatting with me also became more scattered as we got closer to the village.

  "It's so late, can I go to your home for dinner?" I shamelessly made this uninvited request. But I believe that with his personality, he will agree.

  "Uh, this...," Tang Ning'er suddenly hesitated, "My home... um... isn't very convenient."

  I was stunned, it shouldn't be like this!

  Before I could continue to make small talk, Tang Ning'er suddenly smiled at me shyly and said, "I'll head home first, the tallest house is the village chief's, ask for directions and leave quickly." After that, she ran off.

  Watching him walk away with his slender figure, I couldn't help but reveal a hint of a smile. This little guy must have some issues!

  Didn't go to find the village chief, according to Lin Miao Xian's introduction, the residents of Ma Bu mountain range don't move around much, but after all, there are only so many people, a hundred or so villages, 700,000 to 800,000 people. It's not difficult to fool Tang Ning Er, but if the village chief really knows someone from Fang Jia Village, it would be troublesome.

  I quietly followed behind Tang Ning and touched her back.

  Tangjia Village was built on a mountain, with only one small road leading inside. On both sides of the road are hills and mountains.

  I stood on the hill, gazing far away at Tang Ning'er, and only when he entered his home did I memorize the location and shift my line of sight. I'm not stupid enough to sneak into a village where everyone knows each other so well that even a stray fly can tell them apart before nightfall.

  It's no wonder that Tangjia Village is so small, geographical environment is an important factor affecting social structure. The living environment of the Ma'anshan Mountains is not suitable for many people to gather, so it forms a social form with villages as the main body.

  With nothing to do, I took out Peter's soul device and played with it. These are two rings, all black, the shape is not unique, there are only some small patterns on the ring. I brought the ring in front of my eyes for a closer look, but could only vaguely determine that these patterns were regular.

  These two rings have completely different functions. One can emit several red halos and is a deadly weapon, while the other can cause people to suffocate with its terrifying white halo.

  To be honest, I prefer the latter. However, unfortunately, I can no longer distinguish which ring is that soul equipment.

  I fiddled with it for a bit but couldn't get the hang of it, so I took out the so-called powerful soul device that I had stripped from Brad last time and took another look at it.

  It was a red gem-like object with a flowing light belt on it, and the waistband was very ordinary, made of fine linen.

  According to Lin Muxian, the first step in mastering a soul artifact is communication. This step is simple and only requires injecting spiritual energy into the soul artifact, bringing it to a common frequency. However, I don't have any circulating spiritual energy within me, so I'm stuck on this simple first step.

  The sky gradually turned black, and the village was lit up with lanterns one after another. Looking down from the hill, the lights twinkled in the dark village like a black silk ribbon embroidered with gems.

  I quietly got up and slipped away.