Chapter 55: Refuge in a Mountain Village

The morning in Nier Cheng arrived unusually early.

Aikesi stood on the city tower, watching the eastern horizon turn pale with the first light of dawn.

"My Lord Aikesi," the garrison commander approached and bowed respectfully. "Captain Leinuo and the others have already departed for the Didu."

"They left before dawn. He asked me to tell you that great kindness needs no thanks, and he will repay it in the future."

Aikesi nodded, his gaze still fixed on the distance: "Is the road safe?"

"Your humble servant dispatched a squadron to escort them; it should be no problem." The commander paused, then asked cautiously, "Regarding Prince Yulin's matter—"

"Report it truthfully," Aikesi said lightly, turning to look at the commander. There was little emotion in those crimson eyes. "If His Majesty asks, say I killed him. If he is dissatisfied, let him come find me."

The commander's body trembled slightly. Daring not to speak further, he lowered his head and retreated, the sound of his footsteps gradually fading on the stone pavement.

Aikesi turned back toward the outside of the city, his hands resting on the rough battlements.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, a long-unheard mechanical voice suddenly rang in his mind.

"Ding—Sign-in function triggered. Detected that the host successfully rescued the key character Leinuo, altering the original tragic ending. Triggering special scene sign-in."

"Sign-in successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining a rare treasure from the Aizesilasi world—Random Teleportation Scroll."

"Random Teleportation Scroll: A masterpiece by a Great Mage of Aizesilasi. Tear it apart to teleport randomly to any location within a hundred thousand kilometers. A one-time consumable; the scroll vanishes after use."

Aikesi was slightly stunned, then overjoyed in his heart. He could feel something new in his chest, thin and folded like parchment. He reached into his chest, his fingertips touching the rough surface of the scroll, which still seemed to retain a faint Magic Rune fluctuation.

This was truly a pillow sent when sleepiness struck. What he lacked most now was a means to preserve his life.

He had just stowed the scroll and was about to descend the city tower when his expression suddenly changed.

Two powerful auras were approaching rapidly from the north, their speed astonishing.

The Radiant Church!

Aikesi understood instantly. He had caused such a huge commotion in Nier Cheng, with flames shooting to the sky and holy light exploding; everyone within a hundred li could see it. The Church's spies nearby must have discovered it long ago and reported it overnight.

"They came very fast," he murmured. Without hesitation, he leaped into the air and sped southward. His form turned into a crimson streak of light, cutting through the morning sky and leaving a long trail of fire behind.

He knew he could not stay in Nier Cheng. A battle between Saint Domain experts would be enough to flatten this small city. There were still thousands of soldiers here, and countless innocent civilians; he could not let them die with him. He had to draw them away.

Aikesi pushed his speed to the extreme, his internal Magic circulating wildly, with flames forming a thin shield around his body.

His entire person turned into a streak of firelight, cutting through the vast sky.

But the auras behind him grew closer and closer.

"Aikesi Yan!" A hoarse voice rang out behind him, as grating as a broken gong. "You cannot escape! Under heaven or above, no one can save you!"

Aikesi looked back and saw two figures pursuing at astonishing speed. One was a bald old man wearing a dark golden robe embroidered with blood-red cross patterns at the hem. His face was withered, his cheekbones high, his eye sockets deep, and his eyes glowed with a cold, dark light. This was Wusennuo, the Grand Inquisitor of the Judgment Tribunal of the Radiant Church. The other was an ascetic in a gray robe, the spiritual leader of the ascetics, Luoye.

Two Saint Domain Peak experts!

Aikesi's heart sank. Although he too was at Saint Domain Peak, he had only recently entered this realm. Wusennuo had been famous for thousands of years, and countless heretics had died at his hands. Luoye was an old powerhouse at Saint Domain Peak. In a one-on-one, he might have been able to maneuver, but against two, death was certain.

"Wusennuo, you certainly think highly of me," Aikesi sneered, his voice scattering in the wind. "To send two Saint Domain Peak experts just for me alone, the Church really knows how to spend big."

A flash of coldness passed through Wusennuo's eyes, and a cruel smile curled his lips. "You killed six angels of our Church; you deserve to die ten thousand deaths. Moreover, your soul will be imprisoned and burned in the holy fire for ten thousand years as a warning. Today is your day of death!"

Before his words had fully faded, his form suddenly accelerated, turning into a streak of black light as he lunged at Aikesi. The dark golden robe rustled loudly in the wind, and black flames surged from his palms, emitting a nauseating stench of decay.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Wusennuo's figure split into four. Four "Wusennuos" attacked simultaneously, each lifelike, with identical auras, making it impossible to distinguish the real from the fake. They sealed off Aikesi's escape routes from four directions.

Aikesi's expression changed. His hands moved swiftly to form seals, his fingers fluttering like butterflies as Magic poured out from within his body. The flames around him erupted violently.

"Fire Wall!"

Four Fire Walls appeared out of thin air, each three zhang high and one chi thick. The scorching heat caused the air to begin distorting. The Fire Walls surrounded Aikesi completely, forming a temporary fortress. The black flames clashed with the crimson flames, producing a grating hissing sound, like thousands of venomous snakes hissing.

"Boom!"

Struck by the shockwave, Aikesi was sent flying backward. He spat a mouthful of fresh blood, tracing an arc in the air.

His chest throbbed with intense pain. He barely managed to stabilize his form, but before he could catch his breath, Luoye's attack had already arrived.

"Luoye!" Wusennuo barked, his voice carrying urgency.

Luoye said nothing. His gray robe remained motionless in the wind, yet his speed was astonishing. His form turned into a streak of white light, instantly appearing before Aikesi. His palm pressed against Aikesi's chest.

"Light Judgment!"

"Bang!"

Aikesi was struck by this palm and sent flying sideways, crashing into a small hill like a cannonball, shattering the hill directly. Debris scattered, dust rose, and trees were snapped off at their roots. He struggled to stand up from the rubble, covered in blood. Several ribs in his chest were broken; every breath felt like knives cutting. His left arm had lost all sensation, hanging limp at his side.

"The gap is too great," he thought bitterly, fresh blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. Wusennuo and Luoye were both powerful figures within Saint Domain Peak, likely having entered this realm for over a thousand years. Their application of Strength Profound Mystery had reached a level of divine mastery.

Flee!

Aikesi forcibly drew in a breath, his internal Magic surging wildly. Ignoring the worsening of his injuries, he fled madly southward. He dared not fly in a straight line, constantly changing direction, sometimes diving, sometimes climbing, sometimes plunging into the mountains and forests, trying to use the terrain to shake off the pursuers behind. But Wusennuo and Luoye were too fast, and their coordination was flawless. Every time he managed to put a little distance between them, they quickly caught up again.

In another clash, Aikesi's left arm was burned by Luoye's holy light. The flesh and skin were torn open, bleeding profusely, revealing white bone within. He gritted his teeth, suppressing the pain deep in his heart, and continued to flee. Blood spilled from the sky, dripping onto the leaves, a gruesome sight.

"If this continues, death is certain." Aikesi gritted his teeth, his left hand trembling as he pulled the Random Teleportation Scroll from his chest.

The parchment was already soaked in blood, but the Magic Runes upon it still emitted a faint glow.

This was his only hope now.

"Die!" Wusennuo's voice rang out from behind. Four black shadows lunged simultaneously, the black flames dyeing half the sky ink-black. Luoye attacked at the same time, a pillar of white light splitting down from the sky, carrying an aura of total destruction.

Aikesi hesitated no longer. With his last ounce of strength, he tore the scroll apart.

"Rip—"

"6"

A strange power instantly enveloped his entire body. The space around him began to distort and spin. The sky, the earth, the trees, the pursuers—all turned into blurred light and shadow, like a spilled palette of paint. He felt his body moving at extreme speed, so fast that even his consciousness struggled to keep up. Scenery flashed past his eyes: mountains, rivers, forests, towns—

Everything turned into colorful streaks of lines.

"This is—"

Before he could react, that power dissipated. The surroundings became clear again, but they had changed completely.

Aikesi crashed heavily to the ground, his whole body in agony. He struggled to lift his head and found himself deep within a great mountain. Dense forests surrounded him, ancient trees towering into the sky, blocking out the sun and moon. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, forming golden pillars of light. In the distance, a stream flowed with a gentle murmur, its sound crisp and pleasant. The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, the dampness of the soil, and the sweet fragrance of wildflowers.

"Where is this?" he asked, looking around in a daze, his voice hoarse and weak.

A random teleportation within a hundred thousand kilometers; he didn't know where he had ended up. But at least, he was safe for the moment. Neither Wusennuo nor Luoye, no matter how powerful, could possibly cross a hundred thousand kilometers to find him in such a short time.

Aikesi lay on the ground, gasping for air in great heaves, every inch of his body aching. His chest, left arm, back,

legs—wounds were everywhere. Blood stained his robes red, mixing with the mud, making him look utterly wretched.

"Truly wretched," he said with a bitter smile. He tried to sit up, but the movement aggravated his wounds, making him grimace in pain. He could only lie on his back, looking up at the sky above, fragmented by the leaves, a deep sense of powerlessness rising in his heart.

Just then, a sound of light footsteps approached, stepping on fallen leaves and making a rustling sound.

"Who are you? Why are you here?"

The voice was clear and pleasant, like a spring in the mountains, or like the wind blowing through wind chimes. Aikesi turned his head and saw a young girl standing not far away, looking at him with confusion.

She was about seventeen or eighteen years old, her emerald-green long hair cascading down to her waist like a waterfall, shimmering with a soft luster in the sunlight.

Her clear eyes held a hint of emerald light, like the elves of legend, or like the lake water flowing deep in the mountains. She wore a simple white long dress, the hem stained with dew and grass blades. In her hand, she carried a bamboo basket containing a few medicinal herbs, still bearing fresh soil.

Her features were as exquisite as a sculptor's most perfect work, yet she did not seem distant; instead, she possessed the warmth of a neighborly girl. Her skin was pale, almost translucent under the dappled sunlight, revealing fine blue veins.

"I—" Aikesi opened his mouth, momentarily unsure how to explain. He couldn't possibly say he had been chased by two Saint Domain experts from Nier Cheng and had used a Random Teleportation Scroll to escape here. That sounded too absurd.

The girl tilted her head and looked at him for a while, her gaze falling on the bloodstains all over his body. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly. Suddenly, she squatted down, reached out, and touched his forehead. Her fingers were cool, carrying the fragrance of medicinal herbs.

"You are injured, and very seriously," she said, her voice carrying a hint of concern. Her clear eyes reflected his wretched appearance.

Her hand was cool, and it felt comfortable against his burning forehead. Aikesi momentarily forgot to answer, just staring at her blankly. There was no fear on that face, no disgust, only pure concern, like that of an angel unacquainted with the ways of the world.

"Don't move," the girl said, setting down the bamboo basket in her hand. She formed a seal with both hands. Her ten fingers were slender, her movements elegant and fluid. A faint white light gathered in her palms.

Light Magic!

Aikesi's heart tightened. In this desolate mountain wilderness, someone actually knew how to use Light Magic?

The light sank into Aikesi's body. Shattered bones began to heal, torn muscles regrew, and scorched skin gradually recovered. He almost groaned aloud, his tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxing.

After a moment, the girl withdrew her hand. Fine beads of sweat seeped from her forehead, and her face was somewhat pale. She breathed lightly and said, "I can only stabilize your injuries for now. To heal you completely will take time. Your injuries are too severe; several have even damaged your internal organs."

"That's enough." Aikesi sat up and moved his arm, surprised to find that most of his injuries had already healed. Although there was still a faint ache, it no longer hindered his movement. He looked at the young girl and said seriously, "Thank you. May I ask who you are?"

The young girl smiled gently, her smile like mountain flowers blooming, pure and beautiful. "My name is Monika. And you?"

"Aikesi."

"Aikesi?" Monika repeated his name, tilted her head to think for a moment, and laughed. "What a strange name. Where are you from? How did you get such severe injuries? There are no towns within a hundred li around here; the nearest village requires crossing three mountains."

Aikesi gave a bitter smile. "I was being chased and fled all the way here."

A hint of surprise flashed in Monika's eyes, ripples forming in her emerald gaze. "Chased? Who wants to kill you? This is the depths of the Magical Beast Mountain Range; ordinary people simply cannot enter."

"People from the Radiant Church," Aikesi said without hiding it. He had no reason to lie to the girl who had saved him.

Monika's expression became somewhat subtle. A hint of complex emotion flashed in those emerald eyes, but it quickly returned to calm. "The Radiant Church—why do they want to kill you?"

Aikesi fell silent for a moment, then said, "I killed one of their people."

He did not elaborate, and Monika did not press further. She simply stood up, brushed the dust from her skirt, her movements as light as a butterfly. "It is not safe here. Come with me first. My father and the others live in the mountains; it is very safe there. We are very familiar with this mountain range; outsiders cannot enter."

"Your father?" Aikesi hesitated somewhat. He was currently a target of the Church's pursuit and did not want to implicate innocent people.

Monika seemed to see through his concerns and smiled. "Don't worry; my father is a very good person. Besides, your injuries are not fully healed; you need to rest quietly. If you go out like this, whether you encounter Magical Beasts or people from the Church, it will only lead to death."

Aikesi thought for a moment and nodded. "Then I will trouble you."

Monika turned and led the way ahead, with Aikesi following behind. The mountain path was rugged, covered in gravel and tree roots, but Monika walked very steadily, obviously extremely familiar with the place. She occasionally looked back to check if Aikesi was following. Her emerald-green long hair fluttered gently in the wind, carrying a faint scent of grass and trees.

"Do you live here alone?" Aikesi asked, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding dense forest. He could feel that many Magical Beasts' auras were hidden within this forest, but they seemed to be deliberately avoiding them.

"No," Monika shook her head, her voice light and cheerful. "There are many people in the village. My father, Uncle Mile, Uncle Haiwode, and Uncle Xijinsen—they are all very good people. We have lived here for many years and have not had contact with the outside world for a long time."

Aikesi's heart stirred. Who else could be living in a secluded village deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range? He vaguely had a guess but did not voice it.

The two passed through a dense forest, and the view suddenly opened up. A quiet small mountain village appeared in the valley, with cooking smoke curling up and the sounds of chickens and dogs audible. The village was not large, with only a few dozen households. The houses were built from mountain stones and wood, simple and natural. At the village entrance stood a huge old tree, its canopy like a cover, shading a large area. Under the tree, several children were playing. Seeing Monika, they happily ran over.

"Sister Monika is back!"

"Sister Monika, who is this person?"

The children gathered around Monika, looking at Aikesi curiously, their eyes full of innocent inquiry.

Monika smiled and patted their heads. "He is a guest. Go play, don't make trouble."

The children looked at Aikesi curiously for a moment, then ran off laughing and joking, their laughter echoing through the valley.

Aikesi followed Monika into the village and suddenly felt several gazes fall upon him. Those gazes did not carry hostility; they were purely observational, even carrying a hint of curiosity. He looked up and saw several villagers standing by the roadside, looking at him curiously. They were dressed simply, but everyone's aura was steady and restrained, obviously not ordinary people.

"Don't be nervous," Monika said softly. "They are just curious. Outsiders rarely come here; you are the first."

Aikesi nodded and was about to speak when he suddenly saw a middle-aged man in a gray long robe walk out of a house.

"Monika, who is this?" The middle-aged man looked at Aikesi, his gaze lingering on him for a moment.

"Father, his name is Aikesi. He was seriously injured; I found him outside the village," Monika explained, then said to Aikesi, "This is my father, Desili."

Desili!

Aikesi's heart shook. Desili, the former leader of the ascetics of the Radiant Church, now an unparalleled expert living in seclusion here.

According to the original setting, this person was a Saint Domain Limit expert, only one step away from becoming a god!

"Aikesi greets Mr. Desili," he said quickly, bowing respectfully.

Desili looked him up and down, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "A Fire Saint Magus. Young man, you are extraordinary.

To reach this realm at such a young age, even across the entire continent, you are a rarity."

"Mr. is too kind," Aikesi said modestly. He knew that in front of an expert like Desili, any arrogance would be laughable.

Desili smiled slightly and looked at Monika. "You treated his injuries?"

"Mm," Monika nodded, lowering her head somewhat shyly. "But they are not fully healed. His injuries were too severe; I could only stabilize them for now."

"Then let him stay here for now," Desili said, looking at Aikesi with a gentle gaze. "We will talk again once his injuries are healed. Although this place is remote, it is quiet, suitable for recovering."

"Thank you, Mr." Aikesi felt a sense of relief. With Desili's protection, at least in the short term, he was safe.

Monika led him to an empty stone house. The stone house was not large but was clean and tidy, with a stone bed, a wooden table, and several chairs. A lamp sat on the table, and through the window, one could see the distant mountains and the sky.

"You'll stay here." Monika pushed the door open; sunlight spilled through the window, casting warm patches on the ground. "Tell me what you lack, and I'll go find it for you. Quilts, clothes, food—I'll bring them all to you in a moment."

"It's already very good." Aikesi looked at her and said earnestly, "Thank you, Monika. If not for you, I might already be dead in the woods."

Monika's face flushed slightly; she lowered her head, her emerald-green long hair obscuring her profile. "You're welcome. Rest well; I'll come back later to bring you food."

With that, she turned and walked away quickly, her steps light as a fawn. Her emerald-green hair fluttered gently in the wind; her skirt brushed against wildflowers by the path, lifting a few petals.

Aikesi stood at the doorway, watching her back disappear at the end of the village road. A strange feeling suddenly surged in his heart. That feeling was very unfamiliar, indescribable, as if something were quietly taking root deep within him.

"What are you thinking?" Desili's voice suddenly sounded behind him, gentle and calm.

Aikesi came to his senses, shook his head, and said, "Nothing. I just feel that this place is very quiet, very safe."

Desili smiled, his gaze profound. "Quiet because it is far from the clamor of the world; safe because it contends with nothing. But sometimes, this quiet and safety can also be broken." He paused, looking at Aikesi. "Was your injury inflicted by people of the Church?"

Aikesi fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Yes. Wusennuo, the Grand Inquisitor of the Judgment Tribunal, and Luoye, the leader of the Ascetics."

Desili's expression did not change in the slightest, as if those two names were merely strangers to him. "Wusennuo, Luoye—both old acquaintances. I am very familiar with their methods. It is already no small feat that you escaped from their hands."

"Just luck," Aikesi said.

Desili looked at him once, his gaze laden with meaning. "Rest well and heal. Once your wounds are healed, I have some questions I wish to ask you."

"Very well." Aikesi nodded.

Desili turned and left. After walking a few steps, he suddenly looked back at him, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny. Aikesi felt somewhat uneasy under that gaze, yet did not know why.

In the distance, Monika was gathering medicinal herbs in her own courtyard. Occasionally, she raised her head to glance this way, then quickly lowered it again. The afterglow of the setting sun bathed her profile, gilding it with a golden halo; a faint, barely perceptible smile seemed to play on her lips.

Aikesi sat before the stone house, gazing at the distant mountains. The mountain wind brushed his face, bringing the scent of pine and earth. He suddenly felt that being injured was perhaps not such a bad thing.