Chapter 76: The Divine Demise of the Incantation

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Only the immortal cultivator, Akemu, seemed unfazed, his head nodding slightly, as if he had returned to the days of his youth. Though his heart surged, the dryness in his eyes was punctuated by flashes of light. Yet when he looked around at the villagers, their eyes brimmed with hardship and sorrow.

Nearby, the wounded crowded together, their bodies covered in scars, and waves of agonized cries echoed through the air.

Shen Bingxue watched and listened, unable to bear it any longer. She frowned gently and took out a jar of medicinal pills. “Elder, these pills possess certain healing properties; distribute them to those in need.”

“Thank you, thank you so much!” The lines on Akemu’s face quivered with intense emotion. After so many assaults, many wounded had died, but now, with these pills, lives could be saved. He had heard of such pills before, but never seen them. He knew well—they were said to possess the power to bring the dead back to life.

Sun Qi glanced at Shen Bingxue, unconsciously holding his breath in awe. He had once managed an apothecary and recognized the pills she offered: second-grade Spirit Nurturing Pills, each worth at least a hundred low-grade spirit stones. Yet she handed them out to ordinary folk without hesitation.

Li Mu landed slowly from the flying shuttle and spoke to the delighted Akemu, “Wait, these pills must not be taken just yet.”

It was like pouring cold water over his head. Akemu stared in surprise, gripping the pills tightly, and looked at Li Mu with confusion. “Immortal, do you have advice?”

Shen Bingxue shot Li Mu a resentful glance with her jade-like eyes. “Hey, Manager Li, those are my pills. If I wish to give them, I will.”

Li Mu shook his head, “Shen Bingxue, calm yourself; I’m not saying they shouldn’t be given.” He turned to Akemu, “Ordinary bodies are weak, and wounded ones even more so. They cannot withstand the potent spiritual energy of a second-grade pill. If they take it, it will do more harm than good.”

“Oh?” Shen Bingxue froze, surprised. “Elder, it’s my fault—I almost put you in danger.”

She pondered ways to help, forgetting that mortals could not benefit from pills crafted by cultivators.

Akemu’s face fell, sighing as he returned the pills. “It’s not your fault; we thank you for your kindness, but alas, fate is not on our side. More deaths among our tribe—such is destiny.”

Li Mu shook his head again, frowning deeply. “No need to return them. Shen the Apothecary has no shortage. If you cannot bear the strength, dissolve a pill in water and distribute it among the wounded. Though the effect will be weaker, it will still aid in healing.”

Akemu listened intently, almost kneeling in gratitude. “Truly, thank you, Immortal and Apothecary. This grace, the Shenmu Tribe will remember forever.”

Shen Bingxue glanced at Li Mu, “Why did you not say it sooner? I almost blamed myself.” Yet her gaze held no reproach, only a nod of acknowledgment.

Li Mu smiled and turned to Akemu. “Previously, did spirit beasts disturb the tribe in this manner?”

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He was somewhat puzzled; these horned hounds seemed fearless, not even retreating before the flames they should have dreaded.

Akemu divided the pills, frowning, and answered with sorrow, “Not so. When the forbidden formation was intact, they would flee. Now, I do not know why; unless they are destroyed, they will not leave.”

Li Mu nodded slightly, observing the spirit beasts. If they weren’t being controlled, then their habitat must have changed, forcing them to seek a new home. Whatever the cause, it was not his concern for now—finding a spiritual vein was urgent. If not for cultivation, there was little point in anything else.

“Once the forbidden formation is restored, all should be well,” Li Mu reassured him.

Akemu watched the wolf-head house with worry. “If only one among them could become a cultivator like you, Immortal. May the Wolf Spirit protect us.”

“Elder, are there mountains or caves nearby?” Li Mu inquired.

Akemu, who had lived in the Great Wolf Plains for nearly a century, was unlikely to be ignorant of the terrain. Hearing Li Mu’s words, he replied promptly, “Yes, to the northwest, several hundred li away, there is a large mountain called Stone Mountain, but...”

“But what?”

Akemu hesitated, “It is infested with wild beasts, and dark currents abound. No one goes there—any who approach perish.”

Li Mu was secretly pleased.

Where there is a spiritual vein, there are always many spirit beasts, for they love places rich in spiritual energy. For example, Deyang City was built atop a spiritual vein discovered by the Jade Iron Sect, after they drove out or slaughtered the spirit beasts—like the eye bats and marsh lizards—that once inhabited it.

“This place must be the same,” Li Mu said. “Do you have a map?”

Akemu shook his head, “If you truly wish to go, Immortal, I’ll have Mukwa guide you. Riding wolves, it will take two or three days. But it is truly dangerous; please consider carefully.”

“No matter; it’s settled. Mukwa need not go far, just show us the way and I’ll call him back.”

Li Mu made his decision, then quietly sat to restore his true energy.

Akemu did not argue, slowly approaching the wolf-head house, kneeling and praying fervently. The villagers gathered, wounded and whole alike, their eyes fixed upon the closed wolf-head door.

“May the Wolf Spirit protect us, may the Wolf Spirit protect us…”

Within the house, all their hopes remained.

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Half an hour passed.

The door to the house opened.

A frail youth emerged, carrying a child of eight or ten, walking slowly.

All eyes focused on them, unmoving, bodies trembling slightly. Afraid to show disappointment, no one spoke; the atmosphere shifted subtly.

The slender youth’s face was streaked with tears. He knelt before Akemu, saying words Li Mu could not understand.

Akemu exhaled, stood slowly, and turned to face everyone.

Tears streamed down his face, his heart shaken as he cried out loudly.

“The Wolf Spirit has protected us! It has truly happened!”

Joy exploded; everyone jumped and shouted, their voices resounding in the air. The mood transformed, villagers circled the house, calling out as if dancing, yet it was a prayer.

“Burn the house—offer it to the Wolf Spirit!”

Seeing the house being destroyed, Li Mu turned away suddenly.

Shen Bingxue could not bear to watch, closing her eyes and sighing.

They understood, within that house, at least a hundred youths and children had perished—all but one who had learned the way of cultivation, the rest sacrificed for the tribe.

Yet this one could become the future guardian of the Deep Mountain Tribe. Even in adversity, the tribe could endure and continue.

A harsh, cruel choice—but one that was worth it.