Chapter 254: The New Bro Squad

Chapter 254: The New Bro Squad

Gan Salin ducked under an arrow, letting it whistle over his head until it smashed into a tree far behind. He coiled himself and sprang forward, his momentum carrying him over a fallen branch and into a roll, dodging a second arrow. The third found him in the shin, ricocheting off his ogre-leather armor and pushing him back.

Ouch! he exclaimed. Take this! Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!

He split into three clones and attacked.

He didnt really split into three. He just imagined he didand, thanks to his Dao Seed of Insanity, so did Nauja.

Arrows of wind were loosed from her bow. The string twang continuously. Her arms blurred. Each of Salins clones was darting to the left and right, bobbing, weaving, and generally doing their best to dodge. They hid behind trees and bushes, crawled on the ground, climbed the canopy. The forest was riddled with arrows. The trees became sieves.

The first clone fell on Nauja from above while another sprang at her from below. She jumped backward, letting the air carry her as she let loose two arrows, piercing the clones and making them dissipate into thin air.

But this success came with a cost. A third clone jumped on her from behindthe real one, ready to dig his open fingers into her back. Five Star Grasp! he shouted triumphantly.

Suddenly, his face fell. A tremendous gust of wind erupted under his feet, so strong that it couldnt possibly have been just created. It had been lying there in wait for a while.

He flew up, spinning wildly.

Youre predictable, Gan! Nauja shouted, turning around in mid-air and releasing another hail of arrows. Each aimed at one of his limbs, arranged in such a way that he could not dodge.

Impossible! Im the very definition of the opposite! he cried out in protest. He tucked his head and limbs in his chest, becoming a ball that dodged most of the arrows, though some grazed him.

That was the trick with Naujas arrows. Just dodging them wasnt enough. You had to dodge them widely, or she could use her wind to redirect them mid-flight.

One of the grazing arrows drew blood.

Ha! Nauja shouted. I wi

Salin finally crashed into the canopy feet-first. He pushed against it to launch himself back towards Nauja, who did not react in time, thinking she had won. But Salins wound was nowhere to be seen. The blood dissipated mid-air.

Salin hadnt really been hit. He just thought he had. Because he was insane.

He reached the forest floor in a blink, mid-flight swiping at the face of Nauja, who barely dodged in time. He landed in a crouch and kicked her legs from under her, then predicted the angle at which she would dodge, grabbed her throat, turned, and smashed the back of her head against the dirt. He then remained over her, panting, his claw-like fingernails poised to strike.

Nauja lay on the ground with a shocked expression on her face. The crowd, nine men and women, cheered.

You cheated, she finally said, frowning.

How can I cheat in a spar?

You never used that skill before. You saved it for the public match.

Oh, I must have forgotten about it. Because, you know, Im insane.

She rolled her eyes, then threw his hand from her throat and rose on her butt. Salin, who was already standing, reached out with a smile. She smiled back as she grabbed his hand and used it to stand.

Nice fight, she said.

You did pretty well yourself.

The crowd cheered again, shouting, Gan Sa-lin! Gan Sa-lin! over and over again, while he smiled and waved at them.

For the record, Nauja said between the cheers, his score against me is one win, nine losses.

But I got the last one! he replied, beaming. If we had been really fighting, you would be dead.

Oh well. If hes worth it, hes worth it.

Hey, big bro! he shouted, approaching Brock. The brorilla was lounging on a horizontal branch, letting three of his limbs hang down while his remaining hand held on to a banana hed gotten from god-knows-where.

Hearing Salins approach, Brock perked up. Bro, he said in greeting.

I just came to let you know I defeated Nauja in a spar!

Yes?

For sure, dude! I totally kicked her ass!

Brock smiled proudly. He put his banana down to give Salin a thumbs-up. Good job.

Salin felt a surge of pride at Brocks approval. Man, the Bro Dao is dangerous.

What about you? Are you training? he asked, jumping to the branch and taking a seat next to Brock. Or resting for our next hunting trip?

Training, Brock replied. No time. Big bro need me.

Dont overwork yourself, man. Jack prefers you being alive than strong.

Yes. But alive without strong is nothing.

Salin took a moment to digest that. I guess youre right. He shrugged. So, any progress? A new Dao Root, perhaps?

Brock shook his head. No. Difficult. But close.

Of course it is difficult! Only Lords have three roots, and theyve been cultivating for years, if not decades. Two is more than plenty.

Brock, again, disagreed. No. Two is few. Three is okay. Four is good. Big Bro perfect. I must perfect too, or I stay behind.

There was no self-pity in these words, no worry. When Brock claimed he would achieve four Dao Roots, he was simply stating a fact. Salin couldnt help but admire that.

Which ones do you have already? he asked. I was a scion once. I know stuff. Maybe I can help.

Bro. Very big. Then, work out. And he paused, trying to remember the word, tightness.

Thats not even a real word, big bro. Youre just shitting with me.

Brock winked.

Alright, well Maybe you could meditate on hard work? Or the Dao Root of the Staff, since you use a staff? Or stone? Or something to do with gorillas, trees, or bananas?

Brock shook his head. I no need help. I got this. I only say because you curious.

Salin had indeed been curious, which was why hed askedbut how did Brock know that!?

Man, big bro, how can you be so cool?

Brock pointed at his heart, then gave Salin a wide monkey grin. Heart!

The canine laughed. So did the brorilla. Then, Brock placed a hand steadily on Salins shoulder, looked him in the eyes with a confident smile, and said, Now, go. It is time. We hunt.

Yes, big bro! Salin replied immediately, jumping down and rushing to gather the others. He hoped everyone was well-rested. They were about to get even more levels! All of them!

And they called me mad Hihihi. Peak of the E-Grade, here we come!