156: Monster disaster? Find the mayor

Listening to the guest, Lin Zifeng learned one piece of information:

There were monsters nearby, and they had eaten many people. For some reason, the Town Chief hadn't found any Golden Saber Sect disciples to come down for seven or eight days.

Monsters were also one of the dangers in the “wild” of the Ling Jue Realm.

The Ling Jue Realm was abundant in spiritual energy, and ordinary wild beasts were already very powerful, not to mention monsters that had developed sentience and self-awareness.

Furthermore, over a long period, various races of monsters had emerged, forming a community with specialized inheritances.

He even heard that some monsters had “established sects.”

And above monsters, there was another existence: demons. Unlike monsters, which developed sentience from wild beasts, demons were born from nature, nurtured by heaven and earth.

Every demon possessed extremely special exclusive abilities, and their talents were never poor, but their numbers were simply too few.

Many people might not even see a single demon in their entire lives.

Lin Zifeng entered the teahouse and went straight to the second floor.

He approached the table where guests were still discussing the topic.

“Excuse me! I just heard you talking about monsters… Could you tell me more in detail?” Lin Zifeng directly approached them.

“Who are you?” The guests at that table were three middle-aged men. Judging by their attire, they looked quite luxurious, seemingly merchants. They looked at Lin Zifeng with puzzled expressions.

“I am Lin Zifeng, a disciple of the Immortal Crane Sect!” Lin Zifeng said.

“A person from an immortal sect!” The three middle-aged men exchanged shocked glances. One of the stout merchants immediately smiled, his eyes narrowing into slits. He enthusiastically invited Lin Zifeng to sit in the empty seat next to them: “Come, come, come! Sit! Let’s eat and drink together, and we’ll tell you all about these monsters!”

The three were local merchants, and they were very troubled by these monsters, because if the problem wasn't solved, their caravans would have a very hard time!

Some recent caravans had been attacked, and many people had died. Deaths were a minor issue; the real fear was not being able to retrieve the goods, which would result in huge losses!

They had also considered asking rogue cultivators for help, but Peaceful Town was remote and small, so there were few rogue cultivators.

The Golden Saber Sect’s services in this regard were also expensive.

They were somewhat helpless; the idea of hiring “immortals” as bodyguards was not unique to them.

Coupled with the “many monks, little gruel” situation, and the fact that “immortals” rarely undertook escort missions—and if they did, they wouldn't be very strong ones, generally only at the first or second stage of Foundation Establishment.

Above that, they generally wouldn't do it, as it was “beneath them,” and the remuneration was truly a bit meager.

Lin Zifeng’s appearance immediately gave them “hope.”

At the very least, with a “disciple of an immortal sect” present, they wouldn't be utterly defenseless against the monsters!

Indeed, monsters were like cultivators; to ordinary people, they were simply two different species.

A cultivator at the first stage of Foundation Establishment could kill ordinary people as easily as killing chickens...

Even though this world had a high power level, and even if the ordinary people of this world were thrown into Clarissa's world, they would be comparable to a Formal Knight.

However, the cultivators in this world were even more formidable.

Moreover, this first stage of Foundation Establishment—Body Refinement—didn't mean you reached it just by exercising your body.

Instead, it involved breaking through the physical limits of ordinary people, and even undergoing a change in life essence through body refinement!

Furthermore, it was an all-around enhancement of physical fitness. Although there was no profound energy, practicing martial arts and boxing, for example, involved absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to improve the physical body, rather than simply training to achieve physical strength.

This also meant the importance of talent. In terms of cultivation, it was the importance of spiritual roots.

This was also why, even a cultivator at the first stage of Foundation Establishment would be called an “immortal” by ordinary people.

To ordinary people, cultivators were indeed like immortals.

The stout merchant chuckled and asked Lin Zifeng: “Um, Immortal, are you interested in these monsters?”

“Of course! If I weren’t interested, I wouldn’t have approached you.” Lin Zifeng nodded and said: “Tell me what you know!”

Lin Zifeng planned to take charge and make a name for the Immortal Crane Sect. The easiest way was to “meddle in others’ affairs.”

In modern terms, it was exposure!

“Alright!” The three merchants nodded and then recounted the monster situation to Lin Zifeng.

This matter originated ten days ago.

Recently, many commoners had died in the outskirts, and various caravans had been attacked.

According to the survivors’ eyewitness descriptions, their attackers were wolf-like creatures, but their bodies were as large as oxen, with black fur and two tails.

They had all reported it to the Town Chief, and the Town Chief said he had already sent people to find the Golden Saber Sect.

However, ten days had passed, and more and more people were dying, but still no “immortal sect disciples” had come to resolve the issue.

Many merchants here were now worried and distressed, as their businesses had been significantly affected. Some merchants had even left the area, risking their lives to escape this region.

“Alas! It’s too difficult!” The stout merchant sighed and said: “Immortal, how about we take you to see the Town Chief and discuss how to resolve this matter? Don’t worry! If you can help us, besides the town’s reward, the three of us brothers will also prepare a generous gift for you!”

“Alright! No problem! Then take me to see the Town Chief!” Lin Zifeng smiled and nodded, then said to the three merchants.

“No problem!” The stout merchant and the other two merchants exchanged joyful glances, then immediately paid their bill and left.

They led Lin Zifeng towards the largest house in the town.

“You again? We’ve told you, the Town Chief is already working on this! But the Golden Saber Sect hasn’t sent anyone down... We wouldn’t dare constantly urge an immortal sect!” The two guards at the Town Chief’s house said helplessly when they saw the three merchants approaching again.

These merchants had come countless times over the past few days.

They were very familiar with them.

“Hey, hey! Today we’re not here to urge, but to bring an Immortal from the Immortal Crane Sect! To discuss with the Town Chief how to deal with that monster!” The stout merchant waved his hand and said.

“Oh?! An Immortal from the Immortal Crane Sect?!” Although the guards hadn't heard of the Immortal Crane Sect, immortal sects were numerous. Even the weakest immortal sect, no, even rogue cultivators, they wouldn't dare show any disrespect!

Simply because they were ordinary people.

The two guards looked at Lin Zifeng, who was surrounded by the three merchants.

He was very young! One could even say he was tender, but they didn't have any hint of disrespect.

One must know that immortals didn't look young or old; some immortals were hundreds of years old and still appeared youthful!