Chapter 156: The Terrifying Sun God

The cave was exceptionally dry, completely free of venomous insects and pests. Seeing such a comfortable environment, Li Ting felt her tension ease considerably.

The elderly monk, Xuyun, pointed to a patch of open ground nearby. "Benefactor, you may rest right here!"

Li Ting nodded, walked over to the open space, and sat down. Then, she quietly watched the old monk.

Meanwhile, Master Xuyun walked over to a straw mat, sat down upon it cross-legged in the full lotus posture, and closed his eyes to meditate.

"Li Ting, be careful of this old monk!"

Zhao Feng's voice suddenly echoed in Li Ting's mind.

Li Ting was momentarily stunned, followed by a surge of anger.

"Zhao Feng, you damn idiot, you're finally responding!"

Zhao Feng awkwardly rubbed his nose. "Li Ting, I'm sorry. I almost fell into the demonic path just now, but I'm fine now!"

Li Ting frowned. "Why are you fine now?"

Zhao Feng's expression turned solemn. "From the moment you made contact with this old monk, I sensed an unusual magnetic field! This old monk possesses profound mastery in Chan meditation. Influenced by his meditative power, my mind was brought back to a state of right mindfulness!"

"So, I was pulled back by his meditative energy."

Li Ting looked bewildered. "Meditation? Does true Chan meditation actually exist in this world?"

Zhao Feng rolled his eyes. "If this world even has immortal cultivators, why wouldn't meditation exist?!"

Li Ting awkwardly rubbed her nose. "Fine!"

Li Ting asked, "You told me to be careful of this old monk—what on earth is wrong with him?"

Zhao Feng's expression grew grave once more. "What you are looking at is not a human being at all!"

Li Ting blinked. "What do you mean?"

As Li Ting carefully pondered Zhao Feng's words, a sudden chill ran down her spine, making her hair stand on end.

"Y-Y-You're saying he's not human?"

"Correct!"

Li Ting shrieked inwardly. "Then what is he?! Could he be... a ghost?"

Like a startled hare, Li Ting tensed her entire body.

Zhao Feng rolled his eyes. "What are you thinking? How could he possibly be a ghost? There are no ghosts in this world! Besides, ghosts are just humans transformed after death, what's there to be afraid of?"

Li Ting breathed a sigh of relief. "Then what is he?"

Zhao Feng softly spat out two words: "A Yang Spirit!"

"What?!"

Li Ting stared at Xuyun in shock.

Xuyun, meditating with his eyes closed, sensed Li Ting's gaze and slowly opened his eyes.

He offered Li Ting a benevolent smile—or rather, a smile directed less at Li Ting and more at the Zhao Feng residing within her body.

"H-He-He!" Li Ting was too shocked to speak.

"How could he possibly be a Yang Spirit?"

"How can a Yang Spirit be cultivated to this extent?"

Zhao Feng shook his head. "I was extremely shocked at first as well. After checking repeatedly, I am certain I haven't sensed wrong; this is indeed a Yang Spirit!"

Li Ting was utterly astounded. "This is simply unimaginable. How can a Yang Spirit be cultivated to such a realm?"

"Hah!" Zhao Feng let out a breath. "Even within the Immortal Sects, not everyone can successfully cultivate a Yang Spirit. Moreover, I have never heard of anyone whose Yang Spirit could be cultivated to this degree!"

Zhao Feng's eyes shone brightly. "Furthermore, a Yang Spirit like mine can only hide inside someone else's body. This old monk's Yang Spirit is the true embodiment of an external incarnation!"

"Tsk tsk tsk!"

Li Ting clicked her tongue in amazement.

Zhao Feng was in no better shape. Both of them had been completely shaken by the old monk before them.

"Coo!"

"Coo-coo-coo!"

"Flap, flap!"

Just outside the cave lay the boundless, ancient deep mountains and forests. Turtle doves on the trees fluttered away, emitting cooing sounds.

"Rustle!"

"Rustle, rustle!"

Zhao Feng suddenly opened both eyes. "Someone is coming!"

Li Ting's entire body tightened like a spring-loaded rabbit. "Is it Li Guang?"

"Yes."

Zhao Feng replied calmly, a trace of killing intent lingering in his words.

However, in just a split second, the magnetic field in the air seemed to grow serene.

The killing intent in Zhao Feng's heart melted away like ice and snow. His restless heart also grew pure and tranquil.

Zhao Feng looked at the old monk in astonishment, knowing that it was the monk's meditative power influencing him.

Master Xuyun spoke slowly, "Benefactor outside, come inside and rest for a while!"

Li Guang was filled with doubt and unease; he had completely failed to sense that there was anyone else inside the cave before him.

He looked at the dimly lit, flickering cave, hesitated for a moment, and slowly raised his right leg.

"Crack!"

A dry twig on the ground snapped.

"Flap, flap!"

It startled a flock of turtle doves into flight.

Li Guang stepped into the flickering cave and froze instantly.

Li Ting, inside the cave, was staring at him with a gaze that seemed capable of murder.

The old monk sat cross-legged in the full lotus posture, his hands forming the supreme meditation mudra, eyes half-closed as he meditated.

Li Guang felt a mixture of doubt and apprehension.

He looked at the old monk. "Master, this is my cousin. She ran away from home, and I am here to take her back!"

However, hearing this, Li Ting nearby let out a disdainful chuckle.

By now, Li Ting was no longer afraid.

After all, she had the recovered Zhao Feng inside her, and this mysterious old monk outside.

Li Ting crossed her arms and quietly watched Li Guang put on his act.

Seeing her attitude, Li Guang frowned.

Li Ting looked entirely composed and didn't even try to run away. Could it be that she believed this old monk could protect her?

In truth, Li Ting's real source of confidence wasn't the old monk at all, but the fully recovered Zhao Feng.

Killing Li Guang would be a matter of mere minutes for Zhao Feng.

At that moment, however, the old monk spoke.

Lowering his eyebrows, the old monk said with a chuckle, "Are you a descendant of the Tang Emperor?"

Li Guang was somewhat startled. "How do you know?"

Li Guang glanced at Li Ting, assuming she must have told the old monk.

"Hahaha!" The old monk smiled. "I have some acquaintance with him."

Both Li Ting and Li Guang frowned.

Neither of them understood who the "him" the old monk referred to could be, and naturally, neither of them connected it to the Tang Emperor.

Li Guang cupped his fists. "Master, may I ask if you have some acquaintance with my cousin?"

The old monk shook his head and smiled, offering no further explanation.

Seeing the old monk's attitude, Li Guang grew even more puzzled.

However, even if the monk had some ties to Li Ting, it could not stop his plan.

Li Guang slowly unslung the bow and arrow from his back. "Master, it is getting very late, and it is unsafe for my cousin to remain outside. I must take her away!"

Master Xuyun shook his head with a faint smile. "If you take her away, I won't stop you, but it won't bode well for you to lose your life here!"

"Heh!" Li Guang smiled grimly, a fierce arrogance in his expression. "My life is extremely precious!"

Xuyun shook his head in silence.

Li Guang turned to Li Ting. "My good cousin, come with me now!"

Li Ting dusted off her clothes and stood up. "Sure, I've been waiting impatiently!"

Suddenly, Li Ting's expression turned bizarre.

The reason was that Zhao Feng's Yang Spirit had just said, "My cultivation power cannot be used!"

Li Ting's smile froze on her face, and she hurriedly asked, "What's going on?"