C19 Returning

The warrior, now missing his left arm, couldn't help but let out a scream of agony. The excruciating pain drove him to madness for a brief moment.

Wei Lulin had exerted all his might in a single, powerful slash. The effort had drained more than half of his physical and Spiritual Force, leaving him visibly exhausted. Yet, he didn't pause after collapsing to the ground. Clenching the steel blade in his left hand, he stepped forward and, turning swiftly, sliced through the warrior's abdomen, ending his life there and then.

During the battle, Wei Lulin had eyes only for his opponent. But upon witnessing the gruesome scene, he was overcome with nausea. Moreover, having taken a life for the first time, a wave of fear washed over him.

As someone from the modern world who had found himself in this strange reality, he had never experienced anything remotely close to killing, not even slaughtering a chicken. His reaction was entirely understandable.

"If I hadn't killed him, he would have killed me. I did it in self-defense," he reasoned, trying to quell his revulsion. After a moment of reflection, Wei Lulin managed to find a justification that brought him some peace of mind.

It was a simple rationale, but effective. Gradually, his conscience eased, and he grew accustomed to the carnage before him.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to approach the body, let alone stoop down to search for any valuables.

To his disappointment, the vanquished foe had been destitute. There were no Spirit Stones to speak of, only a single Spirit Locking Stone of inferior Spirit Strength, something Wei Lulin had long since deemed unworthy of his attention.

Besides the Spirit Locking Stone, the man had carried only a handful of gold coins.

"You're truly destitute. It's no surprise you still wielded a common weapon at Qi Refining Stage Level Three. You had it coming," Wei Lulin muttered with disdain, spitting on the lifeless body.

Then, he froze in shock.

He had adjusted to the act of killing far too quickly. Just minutes before, he had been repulsed, but now, not only had he come to terms with taking a life, he was instinctively scouring for spoils of war.

"Do I really have the potential to be a killer?"

He couldn't bear to let his mind wander any further, fearing he would succumb to the inner demon that haunted him. He knew he couldn't stay there any longer. Without a second glance at the fallen body, Wei Lulin turned and made his way out of the Endless Forest.

He was now entering a region frequented by Low Rank Grade Ten Magical Beasts. Given his current strength, as long as he remained cautious, he wouldn't face much danger. Consequently, he traversed this stretch of the forest without incident.

Dusk was setting in. Wei Lulin had set out from the lair of a Grade Nine Magical Beast at dawn and didn't emerge from the Endless Forest until nightfall.

Gazing back at the Endless Forest, Wei Lulin was overwhelmed with a mix of emotions.

Despite the constant danger and the ever-present threat to his life within the forest, it was there that he had managed to heal his meridians in just one month and elevate his prowess to the Qi Refining Stage Level Two.

A month had passed since he left the shop, and Wei Lulin was eager to return. Shaking off his reverie, he quickened his pace toward Lindorin Town.

Though merely a town, Lindorin boasted a population of over one hundred thousand. The town was alive with light, from bustling taverns to vibrant gambling houses, making for an enthralling nightlife.

As Wei Lulin took in the illuminated Lindorin Town, he felt a profound sense of returning to the world of humanity.

He observed the crowded taverns and inhaled the enticing aromas of food and wine wafting out. His mouth watered at the thought.

Despite his intense hunger and the temptation to indulge in a hearty meal at a tavern, he pondered the Wei family's reaction to his month-long absence. What plans might they have for him now?

Having spent a year in Lindorin Town and never venturing far, he had become intimately acquainted with its streets and establishments.

Soon, he reached Wei's Pharmacy.

The sight of the familiar sign and architecture sent a surge of anticipation through Wei Lulin.

Circumventing the main entrance, he approached a small side door and knocked vigorously.

"The shop is closed. If you need something, come back tomorrow," came a voice from within after a lengthy silence. Growing impatient, Wei Lulin knocked several more times until he finally heard someone stir inside.

The voice struck Wei Lulin as unfamiliar; it belonged to neither the shopkeeper nor any of the five guards.

"Hello, my name is Wei Lulin. I used to work here as a shop assistant, and I'd like to speak with the shopkeeper." Seeing the reluctance to open the door from the inside, Wei Lulin had no choice but to state his identity and his intent.

Once Wei Lulin announced who he was, a hush fell over the courtyard. Soon after, he recognized the shopkeeper's familiar voice.

"The person outside is your senior. Open the door quickly."

With the sound of that familiar voice, the tightly closed wooden door swung open promptly. The shopkeeper, his hair graying, stood before Wei Lulin.

"Shopkeeper, I've returned!" Wei Lulin, who hadn't been in touch with anyone for a month, was visibly moved, his voice quivering with emotion.

"Good, it's great to have you back. Come inside, and we can talk," the shopkeeper said, equally moved to see Wei Lulin before him.

The shopkeeper had spent over a year living with Wei Lulin, who, despite his inability to cultivate, was incredibly intelligent and eager to learn. With Wei Lulin's diligent oversight during the past year, the shopkeeper had been able to devote more time to his own cultivation.

"Lulin, the family assumed you had perished in the Endless Forest, so they sent someone from a side branch to replace you," the shopkeeper said, gesturing to the young man with a scowl on his face, not even bothering to introduce him by name.

Clearly, there was no warmth between them.

He then added, "Lulin, he's taken over your room. For now, you'll stay in mine. There's something I need to discuss with you."

Wei Lulin wasn't upset about losing his room; he knew that once he was able to cultivate again, his High Level Grade Eight cultivation talent would surely secure his return to the Wei family headquarters.

For the time being, he had to dedicate himself entirely to his cultivation practice, without any further distractions.

"Of course, shopkeeper. I have much to discuss with you as well," Wei Lulin replied, nodding. He followed the shopkeeper and together they headed to his room.