Chapter 1888: Midnight Watch

After a while, Ye Liuyun finally lowered the crossbow bolt in his hand, then led Zhao Ming Cheng onward.

"What was that just now?"

Zhao Ming Cheng asked.

"A porcupine.

It spotted us, but didn't dare to come.

It was twenty to thirty steps away, then it walked off!"

Ye Liuyun said softly.

"Then why didn't you shoot it dead?"

Zhao Ming Cheng said with some regret.

"The crossbow bolt can't kill it; its hide is rough and its flesh thick, very hard to pierce! Even if we fought it and killed it, could you carry it?"

Ye Liuyun retorted.

Zhao Ming Cheng finally understood.

She was already exhausted carrying that giant python; if she dealt with the porcupine too, she'd have to crawl.

Ye Liuyun and Zhao Ming Cheng walked on for a while longer, and Ye Liuyun launched a palm strike from afar.

Then Zhao Ming Cheng heard the roar of a ferocious beast.

Ye Liuyun immediately slashed with a sword.

"Awo"—the sound Zhao Ming Cheng heard was a wailing cry of a wolf‑like beast, probably wounded.

Afterwards, Ye Liuyun led Zhao Ming Cheng to the base of a tree.

This time, Ye Liuyun didn't have Zhao Ming Cheng climb the tree; he climbed himself and retrieved the bag.

Then, with Zhao Ming Cheng still carrying, Ye Liuyun led her back safely to the ruined temple.

Zhao Ming Cheng just set down the beast meat she was carrying when Ye Liuyun extracted the corpse's core pill and told her to toss the corpse out.

"Throw it farther away, don't attract the beast!"

Ye Liuyun added another reminder.

"Damn it, you really treat me like a servant!"

Zhao Ming Cheng cursed inwardly, but could only obey; after all, she couldn't beat Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun took the opportunity to check the Martial Cultivator's pill count, already over 150 pills.

"This haul turned out pretty good!"

Ye Liuyun thought so and swallowed another pill.

Now the pill began to take effect, helping him refine his Physical Body.

He immediately began repairing his armor.

To lighten the load, he simply removed the arm and leg armor, fashioned a large leather sack for pills and storage, and slung it on his back.

After Zhao Ming Cheng threw the corpse out, she returned to rest.

"Tonight you stand guard at the door; after two hours I'll relieve you!"

Ye Liuyun said to Zhao Ming Cheng.

"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"

Zhao Ming Cheng retorted.

"Fair enough! Then go outside and stand guard at the door!"

Ye Liuyun said that offhand, then lay down against the wall far away, ignoring her completely.

Zhao Ming Cheng only walked to the doorway, not stepping outside.

The temple was lit by fire; if she went out, she'd become an easier target—she couldn't see the beast, but the beast could see her more easily.

Soon, cries and even fighting sounds of beasts came from outside, seemingly very close to them.

Ye Liuyun was startled awake and immediately readied his crossbow bolt.

"I told you to toss the corpse, where did you throw it?"

Ye Liuyun asked Zhao Ming Cheng.

"About a hundred steps away!"

Zhao Ming Cheng said apologetically.

"You... didn't I tell you to throw it farther?"

Ye Liuyun was almost furious.

"I was afraid of encountering a beast!"

Zhao Ming Cheng explained.

"There were no beasts in the forest then, so I felt safe sending you!"

Ye Liuyun said helplessly.

"Ding!"

The outer warning line rang, and Ye Liuyun and Zhao Ming Cheng fell silent.

He quietly approached the window, slipped the crossbow bolt through a gap in the wooden shutters, and aimed at a Demon Wolf.

The Demon Wolf froze, looking toward the ruined temple.

It seemed to realize it might have hit a trap, that an ambush could be here.

It waited patiently for a while; seeing no movement inside, perhaps also very patient, it withdrew immediately without approaching.

Ye Liuyun's Golden Pupil saw clearly that the other Demon Wolves had almost devoured those three corpses.

After circling for a while, the pack of Demon Wolves left together, no longer eyeing the temple.

A group of Demon Wolves have already left.

After they left, Ye Liuyun told Zhao Ming Cheng, then lay back down.

Should I go move those few corpses farther away?

Zhao Ming Cheng also felt somewhat apologetic.

If you want to die, go ahead! Now is the time when ferocious beasts are most active.

Moreover, those three corpses have already been eaten by the Demon Wolves down to just skeletons!

Ye Liuyun said that, then continued to sleep.

He also needed to seize the time to rest, preparing for tomorrow's battle.

However, he remained wary of Zhao Ming Cheng, not daring to fall into a deep sleep.

Fortunately, although these Martial Cultivators also need some sleep, since True Essence remains, they don't need to sleep especially long.

Before dawn, Ye Liuyun got up, let Zhao Ming Cheng sleep a while, then he took another pill, found a stone, and began sharpening his blade.

The blade he just seized has suitable weight and length for his use, but it's not sharp enough.

After sharpening the blade for a while, he then started roasting meat.

After eating his fill, the sky became fully bright, then he woke Zhao Ming Cheng and let her roast meat for herself to eat.

He, meanwhile, closed his eyes to nurture his spirit.

Zhao Ming Cheng, on the other hand, slept very soundly.

If only there were water to wash my face!

Zhao Ming Cheng also sighed.

There's water in the vat, it's clear water, usable!

Ye Liuyun said with his eyes closed.

Ah?

Zhao Ming Cheng then ran over, and indeed there was clear water inside.

Your eyes are really impressive! How did you cultivate them?

Zhao Ming Cheng asked admiringly.

Ye Liuyun, however, did not respond to her.

She didn't mind, directly cupped water in her hands to wash her face, and then also needed to wash her hair.

Martial Cultivators can normally use True Essence to push away dirt on their bodies, but after coming in, she went a long time without cleaning herself, her hair became clumped in strands, completely losing any appearance.

You've made yourself so pretty, are you afraid I'll harbor ill intentions?

Or are you afraid you won't attract other Martial Cultivators?

Ye Liuyun asked at that moment.

Zhao Ming Cheng also froze, then immediately splashed the water she had cupped onto the ground.

She also immediately realized: "Yeah! Safety is more important; as for appearance, we can talk about that after we go out!"

She then wiped her hands on her clothes, and then rubbed some dust on her face.

Then she asked Ye Liuyun, "What are we doing today?"

Rush to the arena, and incidentally hunt Martial Cultivators.

How long does it take from here to the arena?

Ye Liuyun asked her.

About one or two months... Zhao Ming Cheng estimated.

You don't know the way?

Ye Liuyun, hearing her uncertain statement, couldn't help but open his eyes and stare at her.

I know the direction, how can that count as not knowing the way?

Zhao Ming Cheng also defended herself with some lack of confidence.

Ye Liuyun withdrew his gaze, merely saying lightly: "Today you have no pills."

Hurry up and eat the roasted meat, we're setting out!

If there aren't any, then there aren't any!

Zhao Ming Cheng hasn't yet realized the great efficacy of the pills.

Most people who come here treat the pills as a money-making resource; few are willing to just eat them outright.

And these pills, if not taken continuously in sufficient quantity, their efficacy does not accumulate, so the body-refining effect is not obvious.