Body command feeding world

As the last rays of the setting sun were swallowed by the ridge of Black Wind Ridge, an intense, impenetrable darkness spread across the sky. Wu Wei, holding Ya Ya's hand, walked along the increasingly rugged gravel path. The air was thick with a musty, damp, earthy smell, making their nostrils ache. Just as dusk was about to fall, a corner of a dilapidated eaves appeared faintly in the mist ahead, with withered vines climbing the gray tiles—it was an abandoned mountain god temple.

"Let's rest here." Wu Wei stopped and looked up at the dilapidated temple. The temple door was half-closed, and the faded painted images of deities remained on the decaying wooden pillars, eroded by time into mottled patches. He tried to call out to Shu in his heart, but there was only silence deep within his bones. The faint thoughts that had once appeared were like stones sinking into the sea, without any response. Wu Wei frowned slightly, and his Yangyan blood essence subconsciously circulated through his meridians. The spear shaft trembled slightly, as if reminding him that there was no disturbance around him.

Ya Ya clutched his clothes tightly, her little face full of exhaustion, but she remained silent, understanding. Wu Wei bent down, picked her up, and strode into the dilapidated temple. Just as he crossed the threshold, a muffled "boom" came from behind him. Looking back, the night had spread out like ink, completely enveloping the mountains and fields. The path that had been barely visible just moments before was now swallowed up by the thick darkness.

The dilapidated temple was empty and crumbling, with broken bricks and withered grass scattered on the ground. Half of the central altar had collapsed and was covered in dust. Wu Wei put Ya Ya down and let her sit on the edge of the altar, while he, carrying his spear, surveyed the temple. In a corner lay a pile of dry branches, likely left by a previous passerby. He took out a flint and struck it, quickly producing sparks. The dry grass crackled as it caught fire, and a bright orange flame rose rapidly, dispelling the darkness of the dilapidated temple with a warm glow.

In the flickering firelight, Wu Wei caught a glimpse of a gray shadow darting around the corner. His eyes narrowed, and with a light tap of his toes, he shot forward like an arrow, his right hand flashing out and precisely seizing the shadow's neck. It was a plump mountain rat, covered in gray fur, squeaking and struggling. Wu Wei carried the rat back to the fire, drew his short blade from his waist, and moved with the swiftness of flowing water—holding it down, skinning it, cleaning it, and washing it clean—each step displaying the precision and decisiveness of a marksman. The soft sound of the short blade slicing through flesh was exceptionally clear in the silent, dilapidated temple. Ya Ya watched curiously, but without the slightest fear, simply obediently moving closer to the fire to make room for Wu Wei.

"Sit still and watch the fire." Wu Wei skewered the cleaned mountain rats onto a sharpened stick and placed it beside the fire to roast. The grease dripped from the stick, sizzling in the flames and gradually releasing a fragrant aroma. Ya Ya nodded, her little hands cupping her knees, her eyes fixed on the dancing flames, occasionally glancing at Wu Wei's back, her eyes full of dependence.

As night deepened, a whooshing sound came from outside the dilapidated temple, accompanied by a viscous, surging noise—the evil mist had arrived. Thick, black mist surged like a tide over the temple's threshold, condensing into rolling black waves at the entrance, only to be repelled by the warmth emanating from the fire, lingering three feet away as if fearing the aura of Yang Yan. Wu Wei glanced at the evil mist outside, his expression calm and undisturbed. His Yang Yan blood essence flowed steadily within him; should any evil spirit dare to rashly intrude, his Rending Flame Spear would instantly pierce the darkness.

Just then, a long-lost tremor suddenly came from the depths of his bone marrow, and Shu's thoughts crashed into his heart like ice beads: "There is the aura of bone essence."

Wu Wei's eyes sharpened, and his fingers tightened slightly around the spear. Just as he was about to rise and investigate, the sound of hooves and wheels rolling came from outside the dilapidated temple, breaking through the wind and the surging of the evil mist, heading towards the temple. Startled by the noise, Ya Ya instinctively shrank behind Wu Wei, her small hands tightly gripping the hem of his clothes.

"Creak—" The temple door was pushed open from the outside, and the malevolent mist was dispelled by a brute force. Several figures, carrying a chilling aura, walked in. Leading the way were three riders, all dressed in tight-fitting clothes, with sharp blades at their waists. Their horses, though panting heavily, were alert, their nostrils emitting white breath. Behind the riders followed a carriage. The carriage was pitch black, and a yellowed talisman was pasted on the door. The talisman was drawn with intricate patterns and emitted a faint spiritual light, isolating the surrounding malevolent mist.

"I need a place to hide from the night, please forgive me." The lead rider was a burly man with a thick beard and a loud voice. His gaze swept over Wu Wei and Ya Ya in the dilapidated temple with a scrutinizing look. The two men behind him also warily sized up Wu Wei, especially when they saw the black iron spear beside him, a hint of fear flashed in their eyes.

Wu Wei didn't speak, only nodded slightly, but his gaze fell on the burly man with the thick beard. A flash of Yangyan Blood Essence appeared in his eyes. He could clearly sense that the blood essence within this man's body was exceptionally thick, with a metallic texture as it flowed, far surpassing the hunters of Qinglu Village, and even stronger than the evil leader he had first encountered—this was the aura of a Martial Master.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged man in a brocade robe stepped down, followed by two attendants. He appeared refined and cultured, yet also possessed the competence of a martial artist. His gaze swept across the dilapidated temple, finally settling on the mountain rats roasting by the fire. He smiled and said, "This brother certainly knows how to find food. The mountain rats of Black Wind Ridge are quite tender."

Wu Wei remained silent, only taking the golden-brown roasted mountain rat off the grill, cutting off a small piece with his short blade, and offering it to Ya Ya's mouth. Ya Ya hesitated for a moment, glancing at Wu Wei, then at the newcomer, before taking small bites of the food.

The burly man with a thick beard walked to the fire, rubbed his hands together, and softened his tone: "Judging from your attire, you're also heading across Black Wind Ridge? To be honest, Black Wind Ridge is rife with evil spirits at night, and it's not easy to cross alone." He paused, then pointed to the carriage behind him, "We came from Rock City in the south, and we're on our way north to take care of some business, so this is on our way."

"Rock City?" Wu Wei finally spoke, his voice low and inquiring.

"Exactly," the middle-aged man in the brocade robe replied. "Rock City is located on the southern slope of Black Wind Ridge. It's the only city in this area and a gathering place for Blood Essence Awakeners. There's a 'Suppressing Evil Division' in the city, which specializes in issuing missions to slay evil spirits and find resources. Completing missions earns rewards and supplies, and you can also exchange them for cultivation resources." He glanced at Ya Ya, seemingly understanding something. "Brother, you're with a child, so you must be looking for a safe place to settle down, right? Rock City isn't exactly peaceful, but at least it has city walls and formations for protection, which is much safer than wandering in the mountains."

Wu Wei's heart skipped a beat. Having Ya Ya with him was indeed inconvenient; the road ahead was treacherous, fraught with danger, and Ya Ya could be in peril at any moment if left by his side. If he could settle her in an inn in Rock City, she could be far from the fighting, and he could search for the fragments of the Origin without any worries. Moreover, as a gathering place for Blood Essence Awakeners, Rock City might offer more clues about the Origin fragments and provide him with the resources needed for cultivation, allowing him to further improve his spear skills and Blood Essence.

"Thank you for informing me," Wu Wei said slowly, a hint of relief in his voice.

Seeing his softened attitude, the burly man with the thick beard smiled and said, "We're all in the same boat, it's only right that we look out for each other. Let's rest here tonight and set off together at dawn, so we can look out for each other."

Wu Wei didn't refuse, he simply nodded. He placed the mountain rat back on the fire, his gaze drifting towards the darkness outside the dilapidated temple. The evil mist continued to churn, the aura of bone essence was faint, and Shu's will once again subsided. He gripped his spear tightly, the Yang Flame Blood Essence quietly circulating within him—Rockstone City might be a turning point on this journey, but he knew that no matter what lay ahead, his spear would always be his only protection for himself and those around him.

By the fire, Ya Ya finished the rat meat in her hand, leaned against Wu Wei's leg, and her eyelids grew heavy. She listened to the adults' conversation, and although she didn't quite understand, she could feel that Wu Wei's aura had softened, and her unease gradually dissipated. The night was deep, and the firelight in the dilapidated temple was warm and bright, illuminating the figures of everyone and the unknown road ahead.