"It is all thanks to the immortal's efforts. If the immortal had not intervened, this demonic beast would have likely persisted for another hundred years!" Jiang Dahe said with a solemn expression, repeatedly emphasizing.
Lu Fan was quite pleased with his words and approached the wolf king. "Since we didn't catch any prey today, let's take this wolf king back. It will provide the villagers with a good meal!"
"That might not be appropriate!" Jiang Dahe quickly interjected. "According to the rules of the White Dragon Dynasty, we ordinary folk are not qualified to consume demonic beasts. Such creatures are meant to be handed over!"
"What kind of rule is that? Isn't that outright discrimination!" Lu Fan exclaimed indignantly. "I killed this demonic beast, so I decide who gets to eat it!"
Jiang Dahe was somewhat reluctant but could not refuse Lu Fan. He was also curious to taste whether the meat of a demonic beast differed from ordinary meat.
Before long, they were carrying the wolf king down the mountain, their faces beaming with smiles. With the wolf king dealt with, Lu Fan would no longer have to fear hunting on the mountain.
They soon arrived at Niutian Village, where the villagers gathered around them.
"Dad, what did you hunt? It's so big!" Da Hu exclaimed, "Are we going to have a feast today!"
"Brother Jiang He, what is that? Is it a wolf? That's amazing!" several women commented, their admiration evident. After all, in this world, strength commanded respect, and those with sufficient power were honored everywhere.
"This is the wolf king, the demonic beast from the mountain!" Jiang Dahe explained. "It's all thanks to Immortal Lu. If he hadn't acted, my life would have been in danger. Now that he has resolved our peril, we no longer need to fear going up the mountain!"
"Did Big Brother take it down?" Da Hu asked with delight. "Big Brother is so amazing, so amazing!"
The women beside him also looked on in surprise. They hadn't expected Lu Fan to possess such skill, capable of slaying demonic beasts, something ordinary people could not achieve.
"Immortal!" Many in Niutian Village exclaimed, their reverence for Lu Fan deepening. They knew very well how esteemed the status of immortals was, and it made sense that he would be on the mountain, perhaps having encountered some trouble that led to Jiang Dahe saving him.
"Immortal?" Xiao Hua, standing amidst the crowd, looked at Lu Fan's figure, her expression shifting slightly. "No wonder he was indifferent to me. I never expected him to be an immortal!"
"Everyone, please, I am not an immortal," Lu Fan said repeatedly. "I am just an ordinary person, like all of you."
However, the villagers dared not presume familiarity and treated Lu Fan with utmost respect. They had never encountered such an approachable immortal before.
"Uncle, go and stew this wolf!" Lu Fan instructed. "Let the villagers have a taste of demonic beast meat!"
The villagers exchanged glances, their brows furrowing slightly. According to the rules of the White Dragon Dynasty, they, as commoners, were not entitled to eat demonic beast meat. They did not object to this rule, as under normal circumstances, they would never be able to slay a demonic beast, let alone eat its meat.
"I'll go and stew it now!" Jiang Dahe nodded, his gaze calm. Since Lu Fan had spoken, he had nothing to hesitate about. After all, the mountains were high and the emperor far away. Although they were subjects of the White Dragon Dynasty, in Niutian Village, they were merely villagers, and no one would know.
Jiang Dahe shouldered the wolf king and left, with many villagers joining to help, creating quite a stir.
Meanwhile, at the village entrance, several figures on horseback approached. They appeared quite young and exuded vigor. The horses were adorned with silver inlays, indicating their considerable value.
"Immortals! Immortals are here!" someone at the village entrance shouted. The villagers quickly knelt, their eyes filled with awe.
Lu Fan observed the scene, his brow furrowing slightly. He could tell that the men and women on horseback were no ordinary individuals; their aura was so powerful that he felt he was left far behind.
Jiang Dahe looked flustered, unsure of the visitors' purpose, but he was clearly uneasy.
"Have you seen anyone pass through here? Wearing black clothes and with injuries!" a woman inquired, her gaze sweeping over the villagers of Niutian Village.
The villagers, like ants, remained prostrate on the ground, daring not utter a word.
"I have been in the village the entire time and have not seen any person in black," Lu Fan replied, his expression composed. These individuals, though young, possessed strong auras, and he dared not provoke them.
The woman on horseback glanced at Lu Fan, then exclaimed in surprise, "I never expected to find a Spirit Master in such a small village of the White Dragon Dynasty!"
"Indeed, it is somewhat surprising!" another man commented. "I heard even the peerless prodigies of the Clear Water Sect have not reached this level."
"There are many experts throughout the land. Merely a Spirit Master can only exist in such a desolate place," another woman stated. "We should hurry and pursue the person in black! If we miss the opportune moment, we will be held accountable by our superiors!"
With their words, they turned and departed, not lingering in Niutian Village. The villagers of Niutian Village remained prostrate, not daring to rise rashly. Facing the immortals, they did not even dare to look directly at them.
"They've left!" Lu Fan announced. "Everyone, there's no need to be afraid!"
Upon hearing his words, the villagers cautiously looked around and finally relaxed.
"Immortals are indeed immortals. If you hadn't answered just now, we wouldn't have known how to respond!" The villagers of Niutian Village praised Lu Fan profusely, flattering him greatly.
"Who were they?" Lu Fan asked. "Why did they come here?"
"Those people were likely not from Clear Water Town!" Jiang Dahe offered. "Their auras were even stronger, suggesting they are more powerful immortals!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly and said no more. He was not entirely familiar with the system of this world, but the woman's mention of being a Spirit Master likely indicated a realm of cultivation.
Not long after, Jiang Dahe finished stewing the wolf, and the villagers of Niutian Village gathered around, appearing quite cheerful. After all, this was their first time tasting demonic beast meat, and their excitement was palpable.
"I've heard demonic beast meat is very good for the body!" a man chuckled. "It's considered a great tonic. Brother Jiang He, you must eat more!"
The disciples of Niutian Village erupted in laughter. Even Xiao Hua, with a sweet smile, cast a glance at Lu Fan from the corner of her eye, seemingly quite smitten.