Chapter 36: The Map of the Forest of Beasts

After Lin Feiyi left, Zhao Wentian felt a twinge of regret. Bringing Lin Feiyi along had been a mistake.

Still, if Lin Feiyi hadn't mentioned it today, Zhao Wentian wouldn't have learned that Wang Xuanwu was reckless enough to send Li Taixing—who had only been with the sect for a few days—to face hundreds of bandits.

He had quickly sent someone to investigate the situation, and when he found out that Wang Xuanwu had come back in a daze that evening, Zhao Wentian was too furious to wait. He stormed up Scarlet Peak Mountain to confront her directly.

But Wang Xuanwu amazed him in ways he couldn't have imagined. Her nonchalant attitude and her strange stories, like her disciple spying on her bathing, made him question if she even had a sense of shame anymore. Was she still a woman? Where was her decency?

The more he thought about it, the more disgusted Zhao Wentian felt, his face twisting into an expression as grim as mourning his dead parents.

"Sect Leader, look, the Great Elder is gone now. Shouldn't you take your leave too?" Wang Xuanwu said with a playful smile.

"Why? Are you so eager to get rid of me?" Zhao Wentian barked, clearly irritated. "Do you think I want to be here? This place looks like even the wild animals wouldn't deign to relieve themselves here!"

He waved his arm, gesturing at the sorry state of Scarlet Peak Mountain. "You, a Xuantian Sect Elder, have turned this place into a wasteland! Even a small tree can't survive here because you chop everything down and sell it as firewood! You even sell the grass to feed other people's cattle and sheep!"

"Tell me, is there anything immoral you haven't done?" Zhao Wentian's voice rose as he blew his beard in frustration.

Wang Xuanwu, unbothered, crossed her arms, her smile still teasing.

Zhao Wentian continued his tirade, his anger reaching its peak. Wang Xuanwu was a disgrace to the Xuantian Sect, yet she was also its treasure. The sect relied on her. Without her, they would face serious trouble.

As much as Zhao Wentian loathed her carefree ways, his feelings were complicated. He had been tasked by their master to watch over her, and over time, he had developed a love-hate relationship with this Fifth Junior Sister.

"Fifth Junior Sister, I don't know when you'll finally grow up."

"Brother, do you think I'm still young?" Wang Xuanwu teased, batting her eyelashes.

Zhao Wentian sighed deeply. "It would be wonderful if you could actually mature."

"Brother, I think you're exaggerating. These are just minor issues."

"Minor issues?" Zhao Wentian's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Then what do you consider a major issue?!"

Wang Xuanwu laughed. "Maybe the reason I haven't grown up yet is that I don't get enough nutrients. How about this? If you increase my monthly stipend tenfold or even a hundredfold, I'm sure I'll grow up much faster!"

"Get lost! Do you really think you haven't 'grown up yet?"

Zhao Wentian's eyes briefly flicked over her figure. Everything that should be big was certainly big, and everything that should be slim was properly slim. No man could resist her, that was certain. But instead of being a blessing, Zhao Wentian felt that if any king married her, it would only shorten his lifespan by decades.

"Alright, I'm done wasting words with you. Let me make this clear, within three months, your disciple must reach the Qi Gathering stage."

Originally, Zhao Wentian had considered allowing Li Taixing to just reach the Body Refining stage, but Wang Xuanwu's flippant attitude made him reconsider. He decided to raise the bar.

But at the mention of Qi Gathering, Wang Xuanwu frowned slightly. "Hmm, I don't think that's a good idea."

"What's wrong?" Zhao Wentian's mood lifted when he saw her discomfort. For some reason, seeing her struggle made him oddly satisfied.

"I think the Qi Gathering stage is too low. How about we aim for Foundation Establishment, or maybe even Golden Core?"

Zhao Wentian flew off, cursing as he went. "Fool! Fine! If your disciple doesn't make it by then, you'll be stuck guarding my tomb for the rest of your life!"

Wang Xuanwu watched him fly away, his curses still audible as he disappeared into the distance. She shook her head, sighing. "Senior brother is always so narrow-minded."

Had Zhao Wentian heard this, he would have come charging back in rage.

Afterward, Wang Xuanwu glanced toward Li Taixing's house. 'With Li Taixing's current condition, his strength is far too noticeable. If others catch on, it will only bring trouble for him.'

She crossed her arms thoughtfully. "No, he needs to undergo Closed Door Training for the next few months. He can't show himself to anyone, or it'll put him in grave danger."

'If anyone discovers what he's capable of, even ten lives won't be enough to save him.'

The more Wang Xuanwu thought about it, the more she recognized Li Taixing's potential. But she also realized she couldn't continue training him the way she normally would. He was different.

With that thought in mind, Wang Xuanwu pulled out a map and spread it across the table. "An ordinary training environment won't suit him. If he's to reach the Golden Core stage in three months, he'll need something... special."

Her eyes scanned the map before settling on a dangerous location. The Forest of Ten Thousand Beasts.

At that moment, Li Taixing was blissfully unaware that his master was preparing to send him into an even more dangerous situation.

Having nothing to do, he had decided to sleep early, resting after his exhausting mission at Dulong Village.

The next morning, Li Taixing opened his door and found that Wang Xuanwu was already gone. However, on the table outside, there was a stack of papers and a map.

"What's this?"

He picked up the map and was surprised to find that it was of the Forest of Ten Thousand Beasts. The papers beneath it were filled with detailed cultivation techniques and insights.

Finally, at the bottom of the pile, he discovered a letter addressed to him in Wang Xuanwu's handwriting.

Curious, he opened it.

The letter read: 'Apprentice, I know your physical condition is very unusual and different from others. That's why normal cultivation methods won't work for you. So, I've decided to send you to the Forest of Ten Thousand Beasts for training.

The Forest is dangerous, but I've provided a map for you. As for weapons and equipment, I originally planned to prepare something for you, but I feel that as my disciple, you should learn to be self-sufficient.

So, you'll have to handle that on your own.

Love, your master.'

"..."

Li Taixing stared at the letter, dumbfounded, black lines forming across his forehead.

"Master... your love is the kind that pushes me to my death," he muttered, feeling an overwhelming sense of dread.

Just as he had finished the perilous mission at Dulong Village, his master was already sending him into the Forest of Ten Thousand Beasts to be devoured by who-knows-what.

He couldn't help but wonder if he had wronged someone in a previous life, causing all this misfortune to befall him.

With a resigned sigh, Li Taixing sat down and began to study the cultivation notes Wang Xuanwu had left behind. Immersed in the writings, he was so focused that he didn't even notice when Wang Xuanwu quietly returned, watching him from a distance as he continued to memorize everything she had prepared for him.