Chapter 29

"Chuan-gege, let me introduce you!"

Huang Rong enthusiastically introduced both sides, first pointing to Qu Lingfeng and the others and saying to Ning Chuan: "This is my senior brother Qu Lingfeng, this is fourth senior brother Lu Chengfeng, fifth senior brother Wu Mianfeng, sixth senior brother Feng Mofeng!"

She then pointed to Ning Chuan and said to the four, her tone brimming with pride: "This is the brother who saved me— he's incredibly powerful!"

"And he even has his own name!"

"Oh? He has his own name?"

Upon hearing this, Qu Lingfeng and the others were utterly astonished.

They had heard from Huang Rong that this black snake was sentient, but they never imagined its intelligence was so advanced that it even had a name.

This completely surpassed their understanding of ordinary exotic beasts.

Even legendary spirit beasts or divine beasts might not display such wisdom or human-like awareness.

After their astonishment, Qu Lingfeng and the other three immediately bowed solemnly to Ning Chuan with clasped fists.

Though they were human martial artists and naturally held distinctions between humans and beasts, before this creature who had saved their little sister's life and displayed such divine marvels, they showed ample respect and gratitude.

"Brother Ning, thank you for stepping in and saving Rong'er's life!"

"We, your fellow disciples, are deeply grateful!"

Qu Lingfeng spoke sincerely, his tone filled with genuine thanks, not the slightest hint of pretense.

He knew well that, given Huang Rong's nature, she would never rely so heavily on an exotic beast unless truly facing mortal peril.

Lu Chengfeng also spoke gravely: "Brother Ning, your righteousness moves me. I, Lu, deeply admire you."

"Rong'er is our junior sister; saving her is saving us all."

"This debt of gratitude, we shall forever remember."

Wu Mianfeng and Feng Mofeng also voiced their thanks, their attitudes deeply respectful.

Their gazes toward Ning Chuan held not only curiosity but a trace of awe.

Ning Chuan sensed their sincerity and felt a growing fondness for these four.

He gently swished his tail, signaling they need not be so formal.

He could sense that these four were utterly unlike Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng, whose faintly cold aura and hidden calculations lingered in their eyes.

These four, at least for now, were worth befriending.

After the pleasantries, the atmosphere grew much warmer.

Huang Rong chattered beside them, recounting Ning Chuan's many marvels—how he could read characters, even showed interest in martial arts—earning repeated gasps and exclamations of wonder from Wu Mianfeng and Feng Mofeng.

Qu Lingfeng smiled and said: "Brother Ning, it's quite coincidental—we four brothers sailed out under our Master's orders to hunt down the Black Mountain Three Evils plaguing the Eastern Sea."

"Those three evildoers plundered merchants, slaughtered fishermen, and were utterly ruthless; their martial arts were formidable. The eldest wielded a brutal Mountain-Splitting Palm, the second excelled in poisonous Sand Palm, and the third was unmatched in Lightness Skill, moving with elusive stealth."

"Our Master heard of their deeds and flew into a rage, ordering us to eliminate them—thus cleansing the Eastern Sea Wu Lin of evil and restoring its honor."

"After days of grueling pursuit and battle, we finally slew all three villains, upholding the prestige of Taohuadao and fulfilling our Master's expectations."

He paused, then drew from his robe an old, worn manual, its cover inscribed in ancient seal script with the characters "Lion's Roar," the ink faded and blotched with age.

He extended the manual toward Ning Chuan.

Of course, Ning Chuan had no hands to take it; Huang Rong, understanding at once, reached out to receive it.

"We also seized many spoils from the battle, some strange and unusual items."

Qu Lingfeng continued, a faint smile in his eyes: "I heard from Rong'er that Brother Ning possesses extraordinary intelligence, can read human script, and has a keen interest in martial arts."

"This manual is a Sound Wave Cultivation Method called Lion's Roar—I found it by chance in the Black Mountain Three Evils' lair."

"Legend says this martial art originated from a branch of Songshan Shaolin, later entered the Central Plains, passed through many hands, and eventually fell into the possession of the Black Mountain Three Evils."

"This martial art is peculiar: when cultivated to a Profound realm, it emits a deafening roar that shatters the spirit, its sonic waves crushing all before them with immense power."

"Moreover, it does not demand exceptionally high internal energy—merely a robust physique and extraordinary lung capacity can unlock considerable power."

"I believe your physique is so strong and your breath so enduring, far surpassing ordinary humans—perhaps this art could benefit you."

Qu Lingfeng had considered this thoroughly.

He knew Ning Chuan was an exotic beast; ordinary sword, fist, or kick techniques would hardly suit him, and cultivation methods requiring precise internal energy flow would be impossible to master.

But this Sound Wave Cultivation Method seemed to forge a different path, not entirely dependent on human meridians, instead emphasizing vocal technique and breath control—perhaps allowing Ning Chuan to achieve unexpected results.

Huang Rong took the manual and flipped through it curiously, seeing strange breathing diagrams, vocal formation instructions, and descriptions of sonic vibrations—each appearing profoundly arcane.

Her eyes sparkled with Curiosity and expectation—she wondered how her Chuan-gege would fare learning this art, whether he could truly roar like a lion, which would surely be magnificent.

Lu Chengfeng also spoke: "Brother Ning, you saved Rong'er—we truly don't know how to repay you."

"I have here a piece of Black Gold Cold Iron, retrieved from a deep-sea wreck—this metal is exceptionally hard, infused with chilling energy, and quite extraordinary; ordinary blades cannot harm it."

"I intended to forge it into a suitable weapon, but have yet to find a master craftsman."

"If Brother Ning does not refuse, I offer this Black Gold Cold Iron to you."

"Perhaps… it might enhance the protection of your scales?"

He ended hesitantly, for crafting armor or weapons for a snake was indeed bizarre.

Should it be fashioned into scales? Or set into fangs?

That required careful thought.

Wu Mianfeng scratched his head and said earnestly: "Brother Ning, I have nothing valuable, no knowledge of rare treasures."

"I only like practicing Fist and Kick Techniques, building strength."

"But I'm strong—if you ever need help, say with moving heavy objects or needing a hand, just say the word!"

"I, Wu Mianfeng, will never refuse!"

He thumped his solid chest, radiating sincerity.

Feng Mofeng, more resourceful, said: "Brother Ning, I enjoy collecting rare herbs and minerals, and have some knowledge of them—I occasionally brew elixirs."

"I'll keep watch—if I come across any rare treasures, spirit objects, or medicinal herbs suitable for you, I'll surely find them for you."

His words struck a chord in Ning Chuan's heart.

They also understood that giving a gift to a snake was indeed no easy task.

Ordinary gold, silver, jewels, and divine weapons were likely of no use to it.

They could only think of ways using heavenly treasures or special items.

Seeing the sincere gazes of Qu Qu Lingfeng and the other three, Ning Chuan felt even kinder in his heart.

These four were truly thoughtful.

Especially the Lion's Roar manual Qu Qu Lingfeng gave, which stirred something in his heart.

Although his strength had greatly increased, his inability to speak human words remained a huge obstacle.

Often, inconvenient communication easily led to misunderstandings and unnecessary trouble.

Since the Lion's Roar was a sonic martial art involving vocal techniques and the use of vocal cords and throat,

perhaps... he could use his heaven-defying comprehension to draw inferences from this manual and deduce a method to speak human words?

Thinking of this, Ning Chuan was suddenly Full of expectation for this Lion's Roar manual!

He gently bumped his snake head against the manual in Huang Rong's hand, indicating he accepted the gift and expressing his gratitude to the four.