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"It really is a demon wolf…"

Standing on the roof and looking toward Sheep Deer Mountain, Xu Taiping spotted a massive demon wolf swiftly moving through the forest.

At first, he wasn’t too surprised. After all, the introductory jade slip had already explained that in these mountains, aside from the designated sect residences, any area could potentially harbor demonic beasts.

However, as time passed, he began to feel that something was off.

Soon, he spotted a second and then a third demon wolf, all chasing downhill.

"Help! Help me!"

"Is there anyone who can save me?"

Just as Xu Taiping was wondering what the three demon wolves were chasing, a woman’s cries for help suddenly echoed through the mountains.

Hearing this, Xu Taiping’s ears twitched, and he immediately channeled his true qi to his eyes, focusing his gaze in the direction of the voice.

This was a technique taught in the martial skill "Piercing Willow Arrow" to enhance one’s vision.

As the technique took effect, the scene in Sheep Deer Mountain, about a mile away, became clear to Xu Taiping. He quickly spotted a frail-looking woman running desperately through the forest, trying to escape the three demon wolves chasing her.

"Where did this sister come from? I don’t remember any cultivators living near Green Bamboo Residence."

Xu Taiping was puzzled.

"Someone, please, save me!"

At that moment, the woman burst out of the forest and began running along the mountain path, heading straight toward Green Bamboo Residence.

The three demon wolves were still hot on her heels, closing in fast.

"Is anyone there? Is there anyone in the house ahead? I’m injured! Help me, please!"

The woman, clutching her bleeding shoulder, continued to shout as she ran, clearly having noticed Green Bamboo Residence.

"Enough overthinking. Saving her comes first."

Xu Taiping shook his head, then took the bow from his back, nocked an arrow, and drew the string. Using the "Piercing Willow Arrow" technique, he channeled the Remnant Glow True Qi from his dantian through his arm and into the arrow.

In an instant, the arrow was enveloped in a layer of frost.

"Twang!"

Just as the closest demon wolf was about 500 meters from Green Bamboo Residence, Xu Taiping released the fully drawn bowstring, sending the arrow flying.

"Whoosh!"

With a sharp whistling sound, the arrow, infused with Remnant Glow True Qi, struck the demon wolf squarely in the forehead, piercing straight through.

Now that Xu Taiping had mastered the use of Remnant Glow True Qi, the power of his arrows far surpassed what it had been before.

"Awoo…"

The demon wolf let out a pitiful howl before collapsing to the ground.

The other two demon wolves, seeing this, were terrified and fled back into the forest, abandoning their pursuit.

The woman, initially startled, broke into tears of relief when she saw the two demon wolves retreat and noticed Xu Taiping standing on the roof.

"Thank you, young hero, for saving my life."

The woman scrambled to the front of Green Bamboo Residence’s courtyard.

From her frequent, nervous glances backward, it was clear she was still shaken by the encounter with the demon wolves.

"Those two demon wolves have run away. You don’t need to worry anymore."

Xu Taiping, still standing on the roof, turned to look at the woman at the gate.

She appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, petite and delicate, with a charming and lovely appearance, reminiscent of the wealthy young ladies from Xu Taiping’s hometown.

"Yes, thanks to you, young hero. Otherwise, I would have ended up as food for those demon wolves."

The girl patted her chest, her face filled with lingering fear, then looked at Xu Taiping with gratitude and asked,

"May I ask your name, young hero?"

"My surname is Xu, given name Taiping. You can call me Taiping."

Xu Taiping replied.

He remained on the roof, still holding his bow, his gaze toward the woman tinged with wariness.

"Young hero Taiping, I am Liu Qingmei, a registered outer sect disciple of the Green Mystic Sect. A few days ago, I rode a spirit beast to gather herbs in the nearby mountains but lost my way. I also lost my Cloud-Piercing Flute, and when I encountered these demon wolves, I had no choice but to flee. They chased me all the way here."

As she spoke, the girl took out a bronze mirror from her sleeve.

Seeing the mirror, Xu Taiping’s wariness lessened somewhat.

This Mystic Spirit Mirror was only given to outer sect disciples. The fact that she had it confirmed her identity.

"Young hero Taiping, may I ask if I could stay here for the night? The sun has already set, and I’m injured. Traveling at night would be very difficult."

The woman pleaded with Xu Taiping.

"Sure… Huh?"

Xu Taiping was about to agree, as her identity had been confirmed, but before he could finish, his eyes inadvertently fell on the woman’s shoes.

She was wearing a pair of embroidered cloth shoes with layered soles. At first glance, they seemed like ordinary shoes, but after considering her earlier story, Xu Taiping felt something was off—

The shoes were too clean.

"Leaving aside whether such shoes are suitable for herb gathering, the fact that her shoes are still intact after being chased by demon wolves all day proves she’s lying."

Xu Taiping thought to himself.

"Sister Qingmei, my home is quite humble. You might not find it comfortable."

Xu Taiping leaped down to the gate’s lintel and spoke calmly.

"Young hero, you jest. Given my current situation, how could I be picky? Besides, although my family was well-off when I was young, by the time I was ten, we had fallen on hard times. After coming to Cloud Deer Mountain, I’ve grown accustomed to a simple life. As long as I have a place to rest, I won’t complain."

Liu Qingmei smiled bitterly.

The woman’s words sounded sincere, and if Xu Taiping hadn’t already caught her in a lie, he might have genuinely felt sympathy for her.

[--------------------------------------------]

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