Chapter 15: Demonic Cultivators

The man, broad-shouldered and towering, wore a set of worn yet durable clothes that had clearly seen their share of hard labor. His name was Lin Rou, a grizzled veteran of 57 years, with lines of experience etched into his weathered face like an old map. Despite his age, his muscles rippled beneath his tattered shirt, the signs of decades of toil and battles hard fought. As the grandson of the village elder, Lin Rou carried the weight of his family's legacy with quiet pride. His presence alone was a constant reassurance to the villagers, especially during these troubling times.

The peaceful rhythm of village life had been shattered by a series of inexplicable disappearances. No one dared to venture far into the forest after dark, fearing the unknown lurking in the shadows. Lin Rou, along with a rotating group of watchmen, stood guard each night, his sharp eyes ever vigilant, scanning the edges of the forest where the light met the dark. The village, Lin Village, was a secluded settlement, nestled deep within the untamed forest, surviving for generations by living off its rich, though sometimes perilous, resources.

Tonight, Lin Rou sat across from Jiang Feng, his large build casting a long shadow over the small fire. He tore into the meat of a wild beast with practiced ease, its juices running down his rough fingers as he ate without hesitation. Feng, who was much younger and leaner, watched with interest, tearing a piece for himself. The rich scent of the roasted meat filled the air, and Feng's stomach growled in response. The meat was teeming with spiritual energy, its power almost tangible.

"No wonder this guy looks so bulky," Feng thought to himself. "If they eat meat like this every day, their bodies would be filled with enough energy to strengthen their blood and muscles."

Both man and boy ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Lin Rou was not the talkative type, especially not these days, with the recent unrest weighing on his mind. But when he had the chance to grab a bite, he didn't hesitate, trusting that the boy wouldn't mind if he helped himself. Such was Lin Rou's straightforward nature, honest to a fault, and unbothered by the unspoken rules of etiquette.

After swallowing a mouthful, Lin Rou finally broke the silence. "Say, kid, where are you from? How did you end up here, and not in the belly of one of these beasts?"

Feng paused for a moment before responding, tearing into another piece of meat as if the question were of little consequence. "Some wild beasts attacked us while we were traveling. A few of us were killed, and the rest of us scattered in different directions. I just got lucky, I guess."

Lin Rou grunted, eyeing Feng skeptically. "I see. You must be a lucky one, then. Only ten percent blood purification and you managed to make it this far... that's something."

Feng didn't respond to the unspoken doubt in Lin Rou's voice. At only ten percent blood purity, someone like him shouldn't have been able to survive in the wilderness alone. But Lin Rou didn't press him, so Feng let it slide. The older man's quiet appraisal continued as they ate, though Feng could sense the lingering suspicion.

As Feng finished his meal, he felt a subtle change within himself. The spiritual energy from the meat was being absorbed into his bloodstream, merging with the little blood essence he had cultivated so far. His blood began to flow more rapidly, like a wild river pushing against its banks. For a brief moment, Feng felt as if a dragon was awakening inside him, struggling to break free of its constraints. Then, just as suddenly, the feeling passed, and his blood settled, its glow intensifying.

Feng exhaled slowly. His blood purity had increased.

Lin Rou, who had been watching him closely, smirked. "Not bad, kid. Fifteen percent blood purity after eating one meal? You must be from a sect with talent like that."

Feng smiled to himself, not confirming nor denying the statement. Lin Rou was trying to probe him for answers, but Feng wasn't about to reveal the truth of his Eternal Flame Codex, the cultivation method that allowed him to refine his blood with such speed. Instead, he let the mystery hang in the air, as if he were some enigmatic genius from a hidden sect.

"It's nothing," Feng said dismissively. "You're not bad yourself, already reaching the third stage of Essence Condensation."

Lin Rou stiffened slightly, his eyes narrowing. The boy had seen through his cultivation level so easily, something that only experienced cultivators should be able to do. He leaned back, his posture subtly shifting as if preparing for an unexpected move.

Feng, sensing the shift in the air, quickly changed the subject. "Tell me something. Do you know what's been causing the beasts to go wild recently? Could someone be behind all this?"

Lin Rou, still wary, relaxed his guard slightly as the topic shifted. His face darkened as he recalled the recent events that had plagued the village. "It could be someone's doing. Not long ago, some of our scouts found a lake deep in the forest... filled with the corpses of wild beasts, mixed with human remains. We suspect demonic cultivators are at work, but so far, it's just speculation."

Feng's eyes narrowed at the mention of demonic cultivators. He had heard rumors of their twisted practices—how they used the blood of both humans and beasts to fuel their unholy techniques. If demonic cultivators were truly behind the unrest in the forest, then this was far more dangerous than he had anticipated.

"And what's the village's plan?" Feng asked, his tone more serious now.

Lin Rou glanced at the boy, the firelight flickering in his eyes. "We've strengthened our defenses, but if it's truly demonic cultivators, we'll need help. Our village is small... we won't last long if they come in force."

Feng nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. The tranquil night had suddenly taken on a more ominous tone. The village was sitting on the edge of a blade, with enemies lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike.

As the fire crackled between them, Lin Rou's gaze drifted toward the dark forest beyond the village walls. "Keep your wits about you, kid. This place isn't as peaceful as it seems."

With this, the tension between Feng and Lin Rou builds, while the larger threat of demonic cultivators is introduced, setting the stage for future conflict and intrigue.