Chapter Ten: Battling the Evil Cultist at the Foot of Mount Mang

After settling on a plan, the two of them proceeded to follow in an orderly fashion. Fortunately, although the dream manticore moved swiftly, it seemed inherently clumsy and entirely lacking in caution along the way.

They followed stealthily, concealing themselves with care, until they finally trailed the creature to a dilapidated old house. The dream manticore glanced around anxiously, and seeing nothing amiss, swiftly slipped its large frame through the door of the humble dwelling.

Judging by the broken gate and the modest scale of the house, this was clearly the home of a poor family; a sense of desolation hung over the place. The thought that the dream manticore would prey upon the destitute ignited a nameless fury in Bai Mu’s heart.

At that very moment, a sudden surge of sharp sword energy arose from his core, a force as fierce as it was unexpected, stabbing through his meridians. Instantly, it felt as if knives were flaying him from within, the pain crashing over him like a raging flood, overwhelming his senses and suppressing his cultivation.

A muffled groan escaped Bai Mu’s lips as he crumpled to the stone path, pale moonlight casting a ghastly sheen on his handsome features. Beads of sweat streamed down his face like rain.

“What’s wrong?” Ling Yan hurried to his side, her voice trembling with alarm.

“I… I…” Bai Mu managed to gasp, but just as suddenly as it had come, the excruciating pain vanished from within, the torrent of Azure Dragon sword energy slipping back into his core, hidden and silent once more.

Were it not for the sweat still pouring down his face, Ling Yan might have thought Bai Mu was playing some cruel prank. But she knew well that, despite his youth, Bai Mu was a prudent and serious man—hardly one to jest at such a moment.

With difficulty, Bai Mu wiped the sweat from his brow and, glancing at Ling Yan’s anxious face, said with lingering fear, “Just now, it seemed as if the Azure Dragon sword energy invaded me again—”

A low growl echoed from within the ruined house. In a blur of shadow upon the roof, the dream manticore’s hulking form shot southward, vanishing into the night.

“We’ve been discovered—after him!”

Bai Mu sprang nimbly to his feet and dashed south. Ling Yan, light as a feather, kept pace at his side, never letting the dream manticore slip from her sight.

Perhaps it was the injuries sustained earlier that day, or the exhaustion from so many restless nights without feeding on human essence in dreams, but after a time running through the southern mountains, the dream manticore’s speed began to falter, its strength flagging.

Seeing this, Ling Yan’s lips curled in satisfaction, a glint of murderous intent flickering in her beautiful eyes—it seemed her mind was set on ending the creature.

Bai Mu, ever quick-witted, hurried to catch up, analyzing the situation calmly: “Ling Yan, let’s slow our pace and keep our distance from the dream manticore.”

“Why?” Ling Yan asked, puzzled. Why squander such a golden opportunity? Shouldn’t they strike before the creature recovered its strength?

Between breaths, Bai Mu explained, “Our original plan was to wound him before he could harm anyone in their dreams, then let him escape by design so we could uncover the mastermind behind him, right?”

“Yes,” Ling Yan nodded, though confusion still clouded her face.

“But now that he’s been alarmed, our plan seems impossible to carry out,” she added, growing discouraged.

“Not necessarily,” Bai Mu replied with a mysterious smile. “Look at how he’s running—nowhere near as fast as before. It’s likely his old injuries have flared up, and he’s at the end of his strength. Without feeding on human essence tonight, he can’t heal. In his desperation, with us closing in, I’d wager he’ll try to lead us straight to his master for help.”

“And when that happens, why not seize the chance to destroy the true villain and end this for good?”

Ling Yan’s eyes sparkled with delight. “A brilliant plan, Bai Mu! You’re truly clever.”

Bai Mu chuckled, a bit abashed. “Let’s not celebrate too soon. That mysterious figure isn’t likely to be ordinary—if he can control the dream manticore, his power must be formidable. I do worry whether the two of us—”

“Don’t fret!” Ling Yan cut him off, brimming with confidence. “With the Azure Dragon sword in your hand and the Jade Cold Flute at my side, together we can surely vanquish all evil and bring peace back to the nearby villages.”

“Very well, let’s adapt to whatever comes.” With their strategy settled, the two quickened their pace, following the dream manticore like shadows in the night. Yet, intent on uncovering the villain behind the scenes, they did not pursue the creature with all their might, instead keeping a measured distance, neither capturing nor letting it go.

The foolish dream manticore, terrified by their relentless pursuit, was caught between fear and despair—unable to defeat them, unable to escape, suffering in silence.

After fleeing beneath the wild foothills for some time, the creature mustered its remaining strength, darted into a dense thicket, and vanished.

“After him!”

The pair glided into the thicket, searching all around.

“He’s disappeared?” Bai Mu muttered in bewilderment beneath an ancient tree.

“He’s hiding nearby, hoping to shake us off and seek his master’s aid,” Ling Yan whispered, lowering her voice. At the same time, she unleashed all her spiritual senses, scanning every tree, every flower and blade of grass in the forest.

A moment later, her deep, star-like eyes flickered with a hint of satisfaction.

Bai Mu saw her expression and understood at once.

He played along, exclaiming, “Ling Yan, it seems the beast has escaped. It’s the middle of the night—let’s get some rest, I’m exhausted!”

Ling Yan smiled knowingly, pretending to agree. “Chased him all this way and he still slipped through our fingers. Next time I catch that spirit-thieving beast, I’ll see to it his powers are destroyed!”

Their eyes met, and, feigning defeat, they turned and left the woods, heading back toward the village.

Only when the pair had disappeared did the dream manticore, trembling with exhaustion, crawl from its hiding place. Its cold, star-bright eyes swept the surroundings, then it dragged itself toward the southern foothills.