Wei Yuan was carried by two villagers, passing through Stone Peak and navigating several twisting paths.

The surroundings grew increasingly desolate, with sparse vegetation and the sun casting a harsh glare, making the villagers' breathing sound even heavier.

Turning back to look at Pufeng Mountain, the once lush grove of locust trees had all been burned to ash.

The mountain was barren, looking from a distance like a lonely stone statue.

As the two villagers walked, they spoke with a sense of gratitude: "Luckily, Pufeng Mountain was burned; otherwise, we wouldn't dare take this shortcut.

Taking the long way, it would take one or two days to get out of the mountains and into the town.

Immortal Witch Zhu said it's all because of the blessing of the River God; otherwise, Pufeng Mountain wouldn't have caught fire. More offerings to the River God, and we can't go wrong!"

The one speaking was the younger voice.

Wei Yuan clung to the basket's edge, observing the villagers through the gaps in the lid.

The young voice belonged to a thin, dark-skinned youth, while the rough voice was a stocky man.

Their conversation made Wei Yuan increasingly angry.

What "River God's blessing causing the fire on Pufeng Mountain"? It was Mr. Chen who eradicated the ghost from Pufeng Mountain!

The villagers had a clear path to town now, yet instead of seeking prosperity, they were abducting children. What wicked people!

Wei Yuan made a mental note of the so-called "River God" and continued for another half hour.

Listening to their conversation, Wei Yuan learned that the thin youth was named Shun Zhu, and the stocky man was Tie Li.

The Immortal Witch Zhu they mentioned was the village shaman, revered by all as "Immortal Witch," believed to communicate with gods and spirits.

Immortal Witch Zhu was quite mysterious, performing rituals not just for the River God but for the Mother of Embryos as well.

Tie Li said, "My wife hasn't borne a child in five years, so this time after selling that hedgehog, I'll ask Immortal Witch Zhu for a cup of Divine Water..."

Shun Zhu spoke with a hint of fear: "But Uncle Tie Li, the children born from drinking Divine Water... they all grow scales. Do you really want to seek Divine Water?"

While listening with keen ears, Wei Yuan secretly memorized the path.

This time, his cultivation had greatly increased, reaching the Third Transformation. Initially full of chivalry, he had set out to do good deeds.

But now, he gradually sensed that this journey might be fraught with hidden danger.

He immediately withdrew into the basket, reaching for the book box behind him.

Inside the box were some talismans left by his teacher.

Reluctant, Wei Yuan took out two, but feeling a bit regretful, he put one back, finally keeping just one tucked close to his chest.

The breathing of the child in the basket grew increasingly weak, appearing quite pitiful.

Wei Yuan crouched before the child, clasping his hands together, opened his pointed mouth, and exhaled a wisp of milky-white essence into the child's nose and mouth.

He had a heart full of compassion, never imagining that this breath would cause the child in the basket to suddenly open his eyes.

In a flash, the situation changed drastically.

The seemingly weak child opened his mouth and inhaled, and Wei Yuan's essence flowed into the child like a burst dam.

Wei Yuan was treating with his own demonic essence, which contained powerful life force; even a small exhale could heal a dying, weak human.

He could eventually regenerate this essence through cultivation.

However, a sudden, massive loss of essence could not be withstood even by a demon body like Wei Yuan's.

His demonic power would diminish, and his essence would deplete, at best damaging his foundation, at worst leading to immediate death.

And all these changes happened too quickly for Wei Yuan to react.

And even if he realized later, it was already too late to escape.

Wei Yuan was both shocked and furious, managing to utter only one word: "You..."

Before he could finish, he felt an overwhelming weakness.

Just before losing consciousness, Wei Yuan saw the child in the basket flash a sinister smile full of sharp teeth.

Above, a hand lifted the basket's lid, a blood-red talisman slapped onto Wei Yuan's head.

Two voices laughed together.

Tie Li said, "This little demon is really stupid, actually having compassion for humans. Immortal Witch Zhu said, kind-hearted little demons have more spiritual nature and fetch a higher price."

Shun Zhu exclaimed, "Uncle Tie Li, then aren't we going to make a fortune?"

"More than a fortune! Look, the Holy Child's arm is growing back halfway!"

Shun Zhu was excited, "It's really growing back. This little demon can actually regenerate a human arm. Wonderful! Then can he also heal my mother's eyes?"

"That can't be certain. The Holy Child is not a mere human; he grew an arm, but for us... ow!"

Before the words were finished, Tie Li suddenly let out a cry of pain.

The Holy Child in the basket abruptly extended his elongated neck, resembling a snake's neck, and bit down on Tie Li's left wrist.

Tie Li was terrified and in pain but dared not struggle.

He could only allow the Holy Child's sharp teeth to pierce his flesh, and after about ten breaths, the Holy Child had drunk his fill of blood.

Licking his lips with satisfaction, the child retracted his head into the basket and closed his eyes again.

Once his eyes and mouth were closed, he resumed his previous quiet appearance, like a sweet, innocent child.

Who would have thought this seemingly ordinary, even pitiful child was something so terrifying by nature?

Tie Li's face turned pale, his lips white as paper, drenched in cold sweat.

He suddenly set the basket down on the ground and knelt, trembling, his voice unexpectedly reverent and quivering.

"Thank you, Holy Child, for removing my affliction, cleansing my filth, stopping my bleeding, and curing my illness. Please rest, Holy Child."

After speaking, he knelt and bowed.

Looking at his wrist, the holes from the bite were healing at a speed visible to the eye.

This, perhaps, was what he referred to as... "stopping bleeding and curing illness."

Though the wound on his wrist was healed, the weakness from massive blood loss persisted.

After bowing, Tie Li struggled to stand.

The Holy Child in the basket remained with eyes closed, breathing quietly, truly like he was asleep.

Tie Li looked at Shun Zhu, who sensibly knelt and said, "Uncle Tie Li lacks the strength to carry the Holy Child. I, humble Shun Zhu, humbly request a change of bearers for the Holy Child."

He bowed three times. Seeing the Holy Child asleep without any other reactions, he quickly hefted the basket onto his back.

After smoothly lifting the basket, the two villagers sighed in relief together.

No one noticed a flash of eerie light in the basket, covered by the blood-red talisman paper on the little hedgehog's chest.

Tens of miles away, Chen Xu stepped onto Stone Peak and suddenly felt a flutter of anxiety and distraction.

He clutched his chest, seeing his waist Spirit Garden Pouch in good condition, immediately extracted the Spiritual Cicada Jade Robe and wrote a question:

"I wish to find my friend Wei Yuan; which way should I proceed?"

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