The baby was almost charred black, having been burned by the fire.
The old man quickly placed a hand on the baby’s chest to check if it was alive, but from the looks of it, there was no way it could have survived those flames.
Just before the old man could examine the baby, a piercing whistle came from the horizon and a silver streak quickly approach the village.
Seeing the old man in the air, the silver streak turned and headed for the old man.
Coming to a stop in front of the old man, the silver light faded away to reveal a young man in white robes with a long sword on his back. He looked like a heroic youth of the younger generation.
Sensing the fluctuation from this youth, the old man guessed he was in the late stage of the Foundation Realm.
Judging by his looks, he was no more than eighteen.
For someone to reach the late stage of the Foundation Realm before even turning twenty was pretty rare. He must be from a reputable sect or even one of those well-known academies on the Continent.
The old man’s guest was confirmed to be correct as the youth cupped his fists and introduce himself.
“Senior, this young one’s name is Gong Mo. I am an Inner Disciple of the Celestial Academy. May I know senior's name and whether it was senior responsible for killing these Demonic Cultivators?”
The youth said as he looked at the dozens of headless demonic disciple corpses.
The old man was surprised to hear that this youth was from the Celestial Academy, the number one Academy. The Celestial Academy was very far away from this place, practically on the other side of the Continent.
There was no way one of its disciples would respond to an attack on this small village much less reach here in such a short period of time.
The old man however didn’t put much thought into it, and he bowed and said.
“This old man's name is Luo Dong, but people call me old man Luo. Indeed, I was the one who killed these demonic cultivators.”
The youth upon hearing the old man’s name had his eyes light up.
“So it was senior Luo. I’m on an extended mission from my Academy and while staying in this area, I could hardly walk two steps and not hear senior's name being mentioned, along with the outstanding deeds you’ve accomplished. I truly admire people like you in the cultivation world.”
The youth bowed his head once again, his tone filled with pure admiration.
Seeing the youth's reaction, old man Luo was startled.
He heard about how disciples from the big academies were arrogant and looked down on rogue cultivators like him. But not only was this youth courteous, but he also acted politely and bowed to him respectfully.
From this, old man Luo could guess this youth had a good upbringing.
Waving his hand, old man Luo said.
“My deeds are nothing compared to the big Academies like yours. If not for powers like your Celestial Academy, the Demonic Cult would have run rampage across the continent a long time ago, it is this old man that should be grateful.”
Hearing how humble old man Luo was, the youth's respect for him grew even more.
After sighing, the youth looked at the massacred mortals and hatred flashed in his eyes.
“I intercepted the distress call of this mortal village being attacked, but to think I was too late. These demonic cultivators are just too unbridled. Just because these villages are out of range for our Righteous Faction sects and clans, they purposely target them. If not for senior Luo, I would have happened upon a scene with only these mortals' mutilated bodies.”
The youth cupped his fists once again.
“My conscience can rest easy knowing that these vermins suffer for their actions, thank you senior.”
While the youth's respect for old man Luo grew, so did old man Lou's respect for this youth.
Not many people in his position would go out of their way to help a small mortal village like this. Especially since it seemed as if he was putting off the mission he came to this area for.
Even if he never came here and just allowed the sects in this area to handle the situation, no one would blame him too much. But he still went out of his way to come.
This youth would reach far, not just because of his talents but because of his admirable disposition.
The youth soon looked away from the carnage in the village and turned to the baby in old man Lou's hand.
His Soul Sense instinctively swept out to check the baby’s condition, but sensing not a scrap of life from it, the youth shook his head and then said sadly.
“Not even a baby could be speared, how cruel is the cultivation world.”
Even though the youth said that, it was not out of nativity but a reluctant acceptance of the state of the world.
“Senior Luo, I should be taking my leave now. I hope to meet senior once again under better circumstances.”
After saying that, the youth went to turn around to fly away, but his body suddenly froze.
Both he and old man Luo quickly turned their gazes to the baby with shocked expressions.
The reason for that was the fact they notice the baby had moved slightly.
It was only for a moment, but cultivators like them saw it clearly with their Soul Sense.
Old man Luo quickly placed his two fingers on the baby’s chest, and after a moment he looked up at the youth in shock.
“He's actually alive.”
Old man Luo muttered before and his actions didn’t stall as he immediately began sending a stream of Qi vitality into the baby.
The youth forgot about leaving and watched old man Lou's actions for the outcome.
After some time, the baby once again twitch before immediately began releasing a cry.
Hearing the volume of the baby’s cry, both old man Luo and Gong Mo were speechless.
“This child is extremely resilient. To think it would not only be alive after such deadly injuries but even have the strength to let out such loud wails.”
Gong Mo said as he looked at the crying baby in wonder.
Old man Luo nodded and said.
“This child’s mother and father were killed. Since I had helped his father in the past and was even considering taking him as my disciple, there is a bit of karma between us. I’ll take him in and raise him like a grandson, if he has his father's talents then I will teach him how to cultivate. With such a strong will to live, he would be extraordinary.”
Gong Mo didn’t say anything and only nodded his head as he stared at the baby.
“Senior, do you know the baby's name?”
Old man Luo shook his head.
“His father’s name was surnamed Fang, so I suppose I’ll name him Fang Chen.”
“Fang Chen…”
Gong Mo mumbled the name before he flipped over his palm and handed a storage ring to old man Luo.
“There are some healing and strengthening elixirs inside this storage ring, as well as Basic level techniques. There is also a jade slip with my spirit imprint inside. If this child ever grows up to become a cultivator, have him participate in the Celestial Academy's Disciple Selection Ceremony. Even if he fails the qualification, I can request my grandfather who is the Vice Headmaster of the Outer Academy to let him enter. Afterward, I’ll check up on him but it all depends on his hard work.”
Old man Luo was first surprised, but he still took the storage ring and said gratefully.
“Thank you, Young Master Gong. If this child decides to become a cultivator, I’ll surely give this storage ring to him.”
Gong Mo nodded with a smile on his face before he turned and flew off. He didn’t worry about old man Luo would take the things inside if the child decides not to become a cultivator. As Core formation Realm cultivator, the only thing valuable would be the storage ring, but he had plenty to spare.
Old man Luo watch as Gong Mo disappeared over the horizon before he looked down at the baby that had calmed down.
“Your luck is not bad little kid. I’m sure you’ve inherited some of your father’s cultivation talents, and with your abnormal Will Power, I bet you’ll accomplish this old man’s wish of making my Sword Formation renowned across the Continent.”
Old man Luo smile and said as he wrapped a cloth protectively around the baby. He then turned and flew off into the distance in search of a nearby cultivation city.
Even though the elixirs Gong Mo gave could help heal the baby, he need to find someone studying the Dao of Medicine to help this child recover his slightly damaged meridians.
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