40: Chapter 40 The Spirit Child

Three days later.

Deep in the Limestone Cave, by the pool.

Wu Li squatted on the bluestone, eyes closed, his Demon Power slowly circulating throughout his body.

His Second Stage cultivation was still consolidating, and the power of his Blood Pupil's transformation was slowly becoming familiar; the slight restlessness left behind during his Breakthrough was being polished away bit by bit.

"Caw caw~"

Outside.

Black Feather fluttered his wings, flew to the outside of the Limestone Cave, and respectfully lowered his head.

"Old Ancestor!"

Wu Li opened his eyes and looked in the direction of Black Feather.

"What is it?"

Black Feather raised his head, glanced at Wu Li, then lowered it again, hesitating before speaking: "Old Ancestor, that... the Gray Rat Spirit from Wanhui Mountain, has found us."

"Hmm?"

A flash of surprise crossed Wu Li's eyes.

That Grey Rat Demon?

Back then, when he was discovered by the Yunshan Sect Disciples on the outskirts of Wanhui Mountain, and the rat pack was slaughtered, he thought that rat had already died.

He didn't expect it to still be alive, and to have actually tracked him all the way here.

"It certainly has a tenacious life."

Wu Li murmured.

"He also said..."

Black Feather paused, "He also brought a piece of good news, wanting to offer it to the Old Ancestor, begging for the Old Ancestor's protection."

Wu Li tilted his head, a gleam of interest flashing in his bean-sized black pupils.

That rat was actually quite interesting.

"Let him in."

Wu Li's voice came from deep within the Limestone Cave, calm and indifferent.

Black Feather received the order, turned around, and flew out of the Limestone Cave.

A moment later, a rustling sound of footsteps came from outside the Limestone Cave, accompanied by slight panting.

The figure of the Grey Rat Demon appeared at the entrance of the Limestone Cave, his grayish-brown fur covered in mud and dead leaves. He looked disheveled, and his small eyes were darting around, taking in his surroundings.

He walked into the Limestone Cave, his gaze sweeping over the pool, the bluestone, and the light barrier of the Spirit Gathering Array, finally landing on the black crow on the bluestone.

Wu Li was squatting there, his feathers black and shiny, exuding a cold, metallic luster, but that faint pressure made the Grey Rat Demon's body tremble violently.

Second Stage.

The Grey Rat Demon's pupils shrank sharply, and his heartbeat skipped a beat.

He clearly remembered that a few months ago at Wanhui Mountain, this crow was only at the Late Stage of the First Stage.

In just a few months, he had actually broken through to the Second Stage.

And he himself, having fought for his life to escape, had mostly recovered from his injuries, yet his cultivation was still stuck at the First Stage Mid-level, without any progress.

The gap had widened even further.

The Grey Rat Demon's Adam's apple bobbed, he swallowed his saliva, and squeezed out a flattering smile on his face.

He bent down, all four claws on the ground, his posture humble to the extreme, his voice shrill and fawning.

"Old Ancestor Crow, this little one has finally found you!"

"You don't know how much suffering I've endured along the way, how many dangerous mountains and evil waters I've crossed, almost losing my life several times..."

Wu Li didn't speak, his bean-sized black pupils looking at him coldly.

The Grey Rat Demon's smile stiffened for a moment, but quickly returned to being fawning.

He continued: "The Great King is wise and martial, with an extraordinary bearing. I haven't seen you for a few months, and you've actually broken through to the Second Stage!"

"I knew that following the Great King would definitely be the right choice!"

"The Great King is a Heaven-chosen Yao, destined to dominate one side. That I can serve by your side is a blessing I've cultivated over several lifetimes..."

Wu Li still didn't speak, just tilted his head, a trace of amusement flashing in his eyes.

The Grey Rat Demon talked until his mouth was dry, and seeing Wu Li had no reaction, he smiled awkwardly and finally stopped.

His small eyes darted around, then he lowered his voice and said: "Old Ancestor, I've been digging tunnels all the way here with my descendants, and I haven't been idle. I've been scouting around and actually heard some incredible news."

"I don't know if you know, Old Ancestor, but at the foot of this mountain, there is a small village called Qingshi Town."

"When I was passing by there, I heard news that a Spirit Child had been born in this village, a Born Spirit Body."

Wu Li's pupils contracted slightly.

"It is said that when the child was born, the room was filled with light, Spiritual Qi soared into the sky, and the Spiritual Qi for dozens of miles around was stirred up."

The Grey Rat Demon's small eyes were sparkling, "Once this news came out, it was blocked by the Human Race. Currently, only a few nearby Sects are sending people rushing to Qingshi Town, wanting to snatch this Spirit Child back to be their Disciple."

Wu Li didn't speak, a brilliant light flashing in his bean-sized black pupils.

A Born Spirit Body is hard to encounter in ten thousand years.

Someone like this would get twice the result with half the effort when practicing any Cultivation Technique, and is a Genius that all major Sects fight over.

In his previous life, during the Age of Dharma Decline, he didn't even have a chance to hear of such a Physique.

Of course...

This kind of Spirit Body is a treasure to the Human Race Sects, but to the Yao Race...

It is also a Heaven-sent Opportunity.

A newborn Spirit Body has no cultivation at all; even a wild beast with the right Opportunity could devour it, let alone a Yao Race that has become a climate in the mountains.

The Grey Rat Demon observed his expression and continued: "I was thinking, this news might be useful to the Old Ancestor."

Wu Li was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, his voice hoarse and calm: "A Spirit Child is born, a Born Spirit Body."

"What kind of Human Race Cultivator do you think such an existence will attract?"

The Gray Rat Spirit heard this and lowered his head even further, because he also knew that those who could come were definitely not easy to deal with. First or Second Stage Yao Beasts going there would almost certainly be courting death.

"Hmph."

"Get out."

"Considering you are still somewhat useful, let Black Feather find a place for you."

The Grey Rat Demon heard this, a flash of ecstasy in his eyes, and he nodded and bowed repeatedly: "Thank you, Old Ancestor! Thank you, Old Ancestor! My life belongs to the Old Ancestor from now on. I will go through mountains of blades and seas of fire, and I will never frown!"

Wu Li didn't speak, just waved his wings.

The Grey Rat Demon sensibly retreated a few steps, turned around, and walked out of the Limestone Cave.

His steps were much lighter, his tail held high, and the mud and dead leaves on his grayish-brown fur were still falling off, but he didn't notice, his heart full of the joy of having survived a disaster.

Outside the Limestone Cave, the moonlight was like water.

Black Feather was squatting on a stone pillar. Seeing the Grey Rat Demon come out, he fluttered his wings and flew down, landing in front of the Grey Rat Demon, and tilted his head to look at him.

"Follow me."

Black Feather's voice was hoarse and cold. He spread his wings and flew toward the outskirts of the Stone Forest.

The Grey Rat Demon quickly used all four claws, following closely behind, passing through the dense gaps between the stone pillars, bypassing several collapsed giant rocks, and arriving at a low-lying area on the edge of the Stone Forest.

Here, it was backed by a thick stone pillar, shielded by rocks on three sides, with only one side leading to an open area.

"Just here."

Black Feather landed on the top of the stone pillar, looking down at the Grey Rat Demon.

"Manage your descendants well. Without orders, you are not allowed to enter the depths of the Stone Forest, and you are not allowed to disturb the Old Ancestor's Cultivation."

The Grey Rat Demon nodded quickly: "Understood, understood! How would I dare to disturb the Old Ancestor's Cultivation? I will just stay here and not go anywhere."

Black Feather nodded, said no more, spread his wings, and flew back to the depths of the Stone Forest.

The Grey Rat Demon squatted at the foot of the stone pillar, let out a long breath of turbid air, his small eyes darting around, sizing up his surroundings.