Chapter Thirty-Six: The Unwelcome Guest Arrives

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The repeated impact against the door jolted Fang Xiao from his sweet slumber. Before he could even grasp what was happening, the half-open window suddenly swung up, and a shaggy donkey's head poked in from outside, mouth wide open, braying loudly.

The sound was thick with indignation.

Fang Xiao was momentarily stunned. He wasn’t fully awake yet and wondered if he was hallucinating. His sluggish reaction stemmed from the fact that, last night, he had broken through to the Divine level in “Dragon and Tiger Posture,” which had drained his spirit greatly, so he slept particularly deeply. He still hadn’t slept enough.

After a while, Fang Xiao finally awoke fully amidst the urgent braying. He leapt up, smiling helplessly as he opened the door and said, “Alright, I’ll get you something to eat right away!”

It was peculiar, really. The big blue donkey couldn’t speak human language, yet Fang Xiao somehow understood what it wanted.

No sooner had Fang Xiao spoken than the donkey ceased its racket. It sidled up to him, rubbing its face against his arm in a fawning manner, its wet tongue slurping noisily.

Fang Xiao was thoroughly amused by the shameless creature. He patted its head, then took his satchel and pulled out a beast-hide pouch.

Upon seeing the pouch, the donkey’s eyes glazed over, drool slipping uncontrollably from the corners of its mouth.

Fang Xiao untied the pouch’s cord and fished out a pill the size of a longan fruit. The pill was amber-hued, perfectly round, and emitted a strong medicinal fragrance.

According to the Taoist Pang, this was a Spirit Nourishing Pill meant for magical pets. The donkey could only have one a day.

Fang Xiao felt that this pill was to the donkey as the widow Qin was to Taoist Pang—a temptation neither could resist.

Otherwise, why would it act so greedy?

He was about to feed the pill to the donkey when its damp tongue shot out impatiently, snatching the pill away in a flash.

With a gulp, the pill was swallowed.

Ugh—

Fang Xiao wiped his hand on the donkey’s head, disgusted by the saliva.

The blue donkey twisted its head and trotted proudly to the shade under the trees, paying Fang Xiao no further mind.

Fang Xiao understood now. This creature only cared when it needed him, completely ignoring him afterwards—a true opportunist!

He couldn’t be bothered to argue with a donkey, so he shook his head and headed to the kitchen with his satchel.

Soon, Fang Xiao emerged carrying three freshly heated lunch boxes and sat in the courtyard for breakfast.

As always, his meal consisted of the same trio: buns, dumplings, and braised pork, all refreshed by his military satchel.

While Fang Xiao was enjoying his breakfast, the blue donkey, lying beneath the trees, caught the scent and trotted over, eager to curry favor.

Its large eyes stared curiously at the lunch boxes.

This time, Fang Xiao showed no courtesy, swatting it away: “Scram!”

The donkey tilted its head, eyes brimming with tears. It brayed twice in grievance, then slunk back under the trees, head hanging in dejection.

Fang Xiao refused to indulge it, continuing to savor his meal.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Just then, the temple’s main gate was struck with tremendous force. The door frames trembled, sending dust cascading down.

Who could it be?

Fang Xiao had just stood up when he heard a loud voice outside: “Open up! Stop hiding in there!”

Clearly, trouble had arrived.

Fang Xiao instinctively furrowed his brow, his right hand slipping into the satchel to grip the iron spear.

He strode over and opened the gate.

Before him stood two Taoists in green robes.

One was tall and burly, his leopard-like eyes and bristling beard lending him a fierce air.

“You!” the bearded Taoist barked, glaring. “Where is Xuan Pingzi?”

A wave of aggression surged toward Fang Xiao.

Any ordinary person would have been frightened into collapse by such a thunderous shout.

Yet Fang Xiao, though young, was fearless by nature, and having cultivated “Dragon and Tiger Posture” to the Divine level, he was unfazed by the man’s aura.

“The master isn’t here,” Fang Xiao replied calmly. “Come back tonight if you have business.”

Taoist Pang was always a restless soul, often disappearing without a trace. Today, he had vanished again.

The bearded Taoist clearly didn’t believe him, rudely shoving Fang Xiao aside: “Move!”

Seeing such rudeness, Fang Xiao instantly raised his fist, striking the Taoist's palm.

It wasn’t an intentional attack, but perfectly timed and precise. A surge of force erupted from within him!

Bang!

Fist and palm collided, and the bearded Taoist staggered backward several steps, nearly tumbling off the steps.

“Brother!” his companion exclaimed, rushing down to support him.

Fang Xiao, by contrast, remained rock-steady, his posture rooted like a bow drawn tight, exuding a calm, mountain-like presence.

“Bold!” the bearded Taoist roared, his face flushing a deep red.

He shook off his companion, suddenly raising his right arm, index and middle fingers together in a sword gesture, pointing at Fang Xiao as he shouted, “Freeze!”

At that moment, Fang Xiao stepped over the threshold, hand gripping his utility belt, showing no reaction to the spell cast by the Taoist.

The bearded Taoist was momentarily baffled.

He pointed again: “Freeze. Freeze for me!”

Still no effect.

The other Taoist looked on in astonishment.

His senior had spent years mastering the “Binding Spell,” his skill unmatched among peers. Yet now he couldn’t immobilize a young martial artist.

It was incredible!

Fang Xiao possessed no trace of magical energy and was far too young to be a martial master. By rights, he shouldn’t be able to resist such a spell.

Yet the impossible was happening before their eyes!

After three failed attempts, the bearded Taoist was utterly shocked.

But his experience in magical duels was vast. Instantly, he leaped backward, left hand silently gripping a talisman, preparing to cast another spell from a safer distance.

The next moment, he saw his junior, above the steps, sent flying like a severed kite.

At the same time, a shadow, accompanied by a howling wind, flashed down like lightning, striking at him from above.

The bearded Taoist was startled, dodging aside in haste.

Smack!

His reflexes were quick, but the shadow was quicker, landing a fierce blow on his thigh.

A gleaming steel buckle rebounded, the five-pointed star embossed upon it shining brilliantly!

“Ah!” The bearded Taoist let out an agonizing scream.

His eyes nearly bulged from their sockets, his face contorted with unbearable pain, veins popping on his forehead.

The pain was so intense that his magical energy lost control, and the talisman in his left hand exploded, turning into a blazing fireball.