Chapter 86: The One-Horned Dust Mouse

Seven days had only steeled Dao Sansheng’s will. His tenacious face was etched with defiance; though he had walked for a long time, his resolve had not diminished in the slightest. On the contrary, his conviction had only grown stronger.

Rustle, rustle, rustle…

There was something moving beneath the leaves ahead. Dao Sansheng saw the foliage shifting, and a sound emanated from the earth below. As he drew nearer, the commotion grew louder and more pronounced. He approached with utmost caution.

His leg was not yet healed; should he encounter a fierce spirit beast, escape might be impossible. He carefully used his cane to push aside the leaves.

Beneath them was nothing at first—just a deep gully. Dao Sansheng dug further, only to reveal a long tail. He traced the tail’s length, pushing away thick soil and leaves, until at last he unearthed a spirit beast over three meters long. What on earth was this creature?

Its body resembled a cat’s, but it bore the head of a mouse. Its entire form was covered in red fur, and atop its head was a single horn. What manner of beast was this? Dao Sansheng used his cultivation detection lens.

Name: One-Horned Earthdust Rat (Mutated)
Ability: Aura of Yellow Wind
Rank: Fourth-tier Spirit Beast
Habitat: Mountains and forests
Weakness: Its horn

It was swift in movement, typically attacking with sharp claws. When fleeing, it released a yellow gas (“Aura of Yellow Wind”), filling its surroundings with billowing dust as it burrowed swiftly into the ground, vanishing beneath the earth.

So, one must not allow this creature to burrow; perhaps it knows the way out of this place, having lived here for so long.

With lightning speed, Dao Sansheng lunged forward and grabbed the beast by its horn. The One-Horned Earthdust Rat, just about to escape, immediately surrendered, nuzzling Dao Sansheng’s hand as a sign of submission.

Dao Sansheng unleashed his spiritual sense, pressing his formidable Golden Core stage consciousness upon the creature. The rat curled into a ball beneath the immense power, and only then did Dao Sansheng reach out with his mind to communicate with it.

"Become my steed. Pull my cart and help me leave this place. Do not entertain other thoughts, or I’ll shatter your horn."

Dao Sansheng’s expression was fierce as he brandished his cane threateningly. The One-Horned Earthdust Rat, upon hearing this, rolled twice on the ground, shook the dirt from its fur, and chirped with delight, signaling its agreement.

Dao Sansheng produced several spirit stones, crushed them, and began to absorb their energy in meditation. The One-Horned Earthdust Rat scampered over, nestling against his leg and eagerly drawing in the spiritual power as well.

Clearly, the little creature was fond of spirit stones too. Dao Sansheng crushed a few more, placing them before the rat, then closed his eyes to meditate. He needed to forge a wooden cart, but first, he must replenish his spiritual energy.

Time slipped by unnoticed; three hours had passed when Dao Sansheng’s cultivation drew to a close. The One-Horned Earthdust Rat had long since finished absorbing the spirit stones and was now curled up asleep against his leg, snoring in a strangely comical way.

Opening his eyes to see the little creature at his side, Dao Sansheng stood up quietly. He gathered several trees nearby and began constructing his cart. Four large trees were quickly felled. Dao Sansheng drew a magical dagger and shaped the wood; soon, three planks were ready. Fortunately, the timber was thick enough to make two wheels.

Assembly took another half hour. Thankfully, his childhood spent watching the local carpenters had left him with some experience, and soon the cart was complete.

Finding several long vines, Dao Sansheng twisted them into ropes and harnessed the One-Horned Earthdust Rat. Success at last.

He communicated with the creature through spiritual sense, and the little beast started forward. At last, Dao Sansheng could cultivate while riding. He crossed his legs in meditation, channeling spiritual energy to heal his injuries.

After half a day, he found the wound on his backside was nearly healed. The little beast, after hours of running, showed no sign of fatigue. Judging by the small trails left behind, it seemed there were people nearby—he might be close to the exit.

Dao Sansheng, somewhat elated, grew even more excited upon spotting a small thatched hut ahead. Could he finally be free? Better to inquire first. Cautiously, he entered.

The hut was empty, but scrupulously clean inside, without a speck of dust; someone must live here. Perhaps they had just stepped out and would return soon.

The One-Horned Earthdust Rat, hitched to the peculiar wooden cart, lay asleep at the doorway. Dao Sansheng sat quietly indoors for an hour, but no one arrived.

As time passed, he realized there was no miasma within the hut. He leaned against the table and, without realizing, drifted off to sleep.

A man with a dark green gourd on his back entered, and, seeing Dao Sansheng slumbering at the table, could not help but laugh aloud.

“Ha ha ha… It’s been years since I’ve seen another soul. But when my spirit beast, the One-Horned Earthdust Rat, was caught, I knew you had fallen down here—just like I did thirty years ago, likely out of curiosity about the treasures within this cave, and, like me, were pushed in. Or perhaps you came by your own folly.”

He took a swig of wine and laughed again, then looked toward the doorway at the One-Horned Earthdust Rat.

“Really, have you lost all sense of discernment in your eagerness to get out? You told me he was at the Golden Core stage! I even set traps and poisoned the house, only to find he hasn’t even reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Never mind. Since you completed your task, I’ll let you out.”

With that, the gourd in his hand enlarged, a cloud of black mist enveloped the wooden cart, which quickly rotted away to dust and scattered in the wind, vanishing behind the One-Horned Earthdust Rat.

The man took a few more gulps of wine and soon began snoring.

The freshly freed One-Horned Earthdust Rat scampered inside and curled up at Dao Sansheng’s feet, lying across his shoe and falling asleep once more.

“You! Meeting someone just once and you’re already so attached?” the man exclaimed, having just awoken to see his spirit beast sleeping at Dao Sansheng’s feet. He flew into a rage.

This was the companion who had followed him since childhood, the spirit beast that had stayed by his side ever since he was framed and trapped here—now, it lay at another’s feet.

The little beast woke with a start, squeaking and scurrying back and forth, tugging first at the man’s trousers, then Dao Sansheng’s, darting between the two.

“All right, all right, I’ll save him. Satisfied?” the man grumbled. Over the years, several people had fallen into this place, lured by curiosity or the hope of finding rare materials. Almost all had been discovered by the One-Horned Earthdust Rat, enticed closer, then poisoned by him so he could take their spirit stones, cultivation techniques, and elixirs. But never before had he seen his little companion behave like this toward anyone.