The merchants paled instantly, realizing "it" referred to the tiger demon. Though terrified beyond measure, Ji Yuan maintained outward composure.

He closed his dry eyes, focusing on the approaching paw-steps - heavy yet precise, crunching leaf litter with predatory grace. Night birds fell silent as unnatural winds whipped through temple cracks.

"Roar!!!"

The ground-shaking growl sent merchants collapsing to their knees. Sweat soaked Ji Yuan's rags as he confronted reality - against this supernatural predator, their survival seemed impossible.

The tiger's voice rumbled like subterranean thunder: "We dwelled apart, never crossing paths. Why intervene?"

Ji Yuan's heart hammered. This was no ordinary beast. Steeling himself, he adopted an authoritative tone: "Though our domains never overlapped, I owe Zhang Shilin for his kindness. His life stays under my ward."

Silence stretched. When the response came, it carried bestial frustration: "For weeks your stench reeked of death. Why now breathe vitality?"

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Ji Yuan's mind raced. Three truths crystallized:

The original beggar's body had neared death

His transmigration revived it

The tiger perceived this metaphysical shift

Summoning memories of cultivation novels, he answered slowly: "Facing oblivion, I found rebirth through epiphany."

Outside, claws tore earth. The tiger recalled the heaven-rending lightning strike days prior - celestial wrath that nearly crushed its demonic core. Now realizing the thunder's source, awe tempered its hunger.

"Master..." The title emerged unbidden, "This humble Mountain Lord Lu has cultivated a century without guidance. Might you... impart wisdom?"

Ji Yuan nearly choked. Fifty-three human lives confessed through gritted fangs! Yet he pressed on: "How many have you devoured?"

"Fifty-three." The admission came reluctantly. "But only sturdy adults, never children or elders! Just as humans hunt beasts!"

Merchants whimpered. Ji Yuan's legs trembled, yet his voice held firm: "True cultivation requires temperance. Cease human consumption henceforth."

The tiger's growl deepened. "And if I refuse?"

Ji Yuan gambled everything on bluster: "Then our waters shall mix - with heavenly lightning as the flood."

Silence. Then - scraping claws retreating. Winds shifted as the predator withdrew, leaving final words: "This Mountain Lord Lu... will contemplate your teaching."

As dawn's first light breached the temple, eight merchants and one half-blind immortal collapsed in shared tremors - alive through borrowed celestial authority.