Chapter 133

Chapter 133: Did a Heretic Cultivator Come Here?

Shen Sang Ruo tensed up and said: “Is this the strange aura of a Heretic Cultivator?”

The scent on the pit’s rim had blown away, but deeper down, traces still lingered.

The Bamboo Bear kept sneezing because the reek was too strong.

Its black eyes went deep, and it quietly clenched its paws.

Fang Yu gasped: “What? Did that Heretic Cultivator come here again?”

He growled: “I knew it. Only a bad person would do something so rotten. Too hateful.”

Since the heart core had been taken by a Heretic Cultivator, Shen Sang Ruo had no way to get it now. She said: “Let’s return to Wuqing Stockade first. That Heretic Cultivator is very active in the Phantom Mirage Domain. Maybe we can find clues later and take the heart core back from him.”

Fang Yu shook his head and said: “It’s such a pity about this Protean Wood. Such a good tree, wrecked by a Heretic Cultivator.”

Shen Sang Ruo’s face grew heavy with regret. In the end she could only sigh and say: “Let’s go.”

Faced with a cut life line, even a Spell Cultivator had no way to fix it.

They turned to leave.

But the Bamboo Bear paused, lifted its paw, and sent a streak of spiritual light from its claw tip into the life line. Then it turned and followed them.

After the two humans and one bear left, the Protean Wood’s broken life line actually began to heal.

They headed back to Wuqing Stockade.

When they passed the patch of Bloodtear Jade Bamboo, she cut some more as payment for the little bear’s help.

When they reached Wuqing Stockade, there was still one day before the Floating Cloud Tower would open. Many people had already gathered, and every inn was full.

Luckily, Shen Sang Ruo had booked a room in advance, so she checked in right away.

She had only booked one room; meeting Fang Yu had been an accident.

Fang Yu waved it off as a small matter and went to get his own room. Somehow, he managed to book one too.

Watching the rare sight of the black and white ball sitting on the table crunching Bloodtear Jade Bamboo, Shen Sang Ruo wondered if she should send it to the Conservation Office now.

Bringing this little puff around drew far too much attention. Back in Wuqing Stockade, almost everyone who passed stared at her for a long time.

She had already learned where the Conservation Office was.

She tied a storage pouch for Bloodtear Jade Bamboo around the bear’s neck. The cord was almost too short.

Then she picked up the little ball and said: “Thanks for leading the way. Now it’s time to take you to the Conservation Office.”

But the Bamboo Bear seemed to understand. It writhed like a rolling rice cake, its whole body saying no.

She couldn’t help laughing and said: “Fine, fine, then stay a few more days.”

She steadied her tone and added seriously: “But after the Floating Cloud Tower opens and then closes, you can’t keep being stubborn. You must go to the Conservation Office.”

The Bamboo Bear stopped struggling and went back to chewing. As for the second half of what she said, it pretended not to hear. [No way am I leaving.]

At dawn the next day, Shen Sang Ruo arrived beneath the Floating Cloud Tower, with Fang Yu and the Bamboo Bear coming along.

When Fang Yu learned she wanted help from the Old Shaman, he came to try his luck too. One more person meant one more chance to be chosen by the Old Shaman.

By then, the crowd drawn by the Old Shaman’s fame had packed the space in front of the Floating Cloud Tower.

Using amazing skill, Fang Yu squeezed through with Shen and the Bamboo Bear and got them to the front row.

Do not ask how. It was a skill he had trained by fighting for spirit meals in the Joyous Union Sect.

Shen Sang Ruo gave Fang Yu a thumbs up.

The crowd buzzed, and many eyes landed on the Bamboo Bear on her shoulder.

Fang Yu rose on tiptoe and asked: “Big sister Sang Ruo, when will the Old Shaman come out?”

Shen Sang Ruo answered: “It depends on his mood.”

She added: “The Old Shaman is the most freewheeling. He only said the Floating Cloud Tower would open today. It might be morning, or it might be night.”

He wilted and asked: “Huh? Then what standard does he use to pick who gets in?”

Shen Sang Ruo replied: “Whoever catches his eye.”

Fang Yu muttered: “This old man is really odd.”

She said with a smile: “People with great skill often have a temper.”

After that, Fang Yu asked no more.

He tried to play with the Bamboo Bear using a stick of Bloodtear Jade Bamboo, but the little one hardly noticed him.

Luckily, the Old Shaman seemed to be in a good mood today. Half an hour later, a sound came from the second floor of the Floating Cloud Tower.

With a creak, the door opened.

People shouted: “He is coming,” and “The Old Shaman is here!”

The crowd boiled, all eyes turning to the second floor.

A tall man with hair hanging loose stepped out. Layered robes gave him a mysterious air.

He wore a mask, hiding his real face.

The Old Shaman let his lazy gaze sweep over the crowd, and the noise died at once.

No one dared risk a bad impression and getting passed over.

He seemed to enjoy being admired. He lifted his hand the slightest bit, and the crowd burst into cheers again.

Someone exclaimed: “Has the Old Shaman already chosen someone?”

But he drew his hand back and lifted it to his head, only to smooth his hair.

That one fake move made the crowd gasp again.

Behind the mask, the Old Shaman’s lips curved in a wicked smile. [Being able to act cool no matter what I do feels great.]

Fang Yu tugged her sleeve and asked: “Big sister Sang Ruo, is this a proper Old Shaman?”

Shen Sang Ruo said: “I think… probably?”

The Bamboo Bear in her arms wriggled, then crawled onto her shoulder to get comfortable.

She said: “Let’s keep watching.”

Even if the Old Shaman looked a bit silly, his skill was well known.

He tossed out several more fake moves. Just when he was enjoying himself, his eyes fell on the Bamboo Bear on Shen Sang Ruo’s shoulder.

The little bear chewed slowly. Its bead eyes flicked to him once, then drooped again.

That look seemed to say: [What are you staring at? Never seen a Bamboo Bear eat bamboo?]

That single glance made the Old Shaman shiver. He stumbled and nearly tripped, his left foot catching his right.

He straightened his crooked mask and steadied himself, then stared at the black and white creature like he had to be sure of something. [How did this Little Ancestor end up here, and why is a woman holding it?]

Feeling his gaze, Shen Sang Ruo looked a bit surprised.

Fang Yu said excitedly: “Big sister Sang Ruo, the Old Shaman seems to be looking at us.”

Shen Sang Ruo guessed: “He is probably looking at the Bamboo Bear.”

She felt that the Old Shaman’s messy gaze turned sharp for a heartbeat, then pulled back. Even his whole vibe suddenly became proper.

Bamboo Bears were rare, but a man who had lived for hundreds of years could not have never seen one. He shouldn’t react like this.

She looked at the little bear lost in its bamboo and thought: [Does it have some special trait?]