Chapter 25: Expected Encounter

Chapter 25: Expected Encounter

25

Expected Encounter

I

Hao Zhen collapsed onto the ground like a sack of potatoes, face-first. For a moment he just lay there, in a daze, before he snapped out of it. Then, groaning, he pushed himself off the ground, getting on his knees.

Tian Jin stood in front of him, looking down, his expression blank. Get up, he said, his voice severe.

Hao Zhen took in a deep breath, gathering his strength, and shakily stood up.

Get into stance, Tian Jin commanded.

Hao Zhen closed his eyes, taking another deep breath, trying to ignore the aching coming from all over his body. He then opened his eyes and took a step forward, shifting his weight to his front leg as he raised his arms over his chest. He didnt think his stance was anywhere near perfect, but in his current state, it was the best he could do.

Tian Jin narrowed his eyes at him, frowning a little. Probably realizing that Hao Zhen wasnt capable of anything better, Tian Jin didnt try to correct his form. Instead, he said, Attack.

Steeling himself, Hao Zhen took three steps forward, pulling back his fist, then released it once Tian Jin was in range, twisting his body slightly as he did so, starting from his legs. His punch landed firmly on Tian Jins chest.

Tian Jin had no reaction, as if nothing had happened. Hao Zhen wasnt surprised. It wasnt as if he had been expecting anything. Still trembling, he took a step back, falling into stance again. He stared at Tian Jin, his head slightly ringing, vaguely aware that he had forgotten something.

You twisted your body, Tian Jin said, plainly, but you forgot to move your body forward together with your punch. You need to drop your weight, converting into the thrust. He paused, giving Hao Zhen a long, careful look before sighing. But I think thats enough for now.

Hearing that, Hao Zhen froze. Then his strength deserted him, and he dropped forward. Tian Jin swiftly stepped forward, catching him, before gently lowing him to the ground. Tian Jin then crouched down in front of him, placing a hand on his shoulder. You did well, Tian Jin said, the warmth back in his voice, a smile on his face.

Thanks, Hao Zhen said, weakly, between deep breaths. Hao Zhen then sent some spiritual power into his spatial ring, taking a pill out of it, before promptly swallowing it down. Moments later he felt a warm, wash over him, the aching pretty much disappearing, his exhaustion fading into mere weariness.

Magical pills werent his favorite thing about this world, but they were pretty high up there on the list.

Hao Zhen then pushed himself to his feet, Tian Jin leaning in slightly to support him as his body was still rather numb, before helping him back to the campsite, guiding him over to his chair.

Duo Lan, who had sitting in one of the other chairs with her eyes closed, opened her eyes and looked at them. She looked Hao Zhen up and down. Tough day again?

II

I think you can do it, Tian Jin said.

The three of them were standing beside a tree. A couple steps away from them, in a small clearing, was a large bear with deep black fur. It wouldnt have looked much different from a normal one if it werent for the spikes on its back, running down its spine.

It was a shifting claw beara first-level red-grade magical beast. Nowadays, they mostly ignored first-level monsters, concentrating on hunting second-level monsters, but upon coming across the bear, Tian Jin had had an idea.

Hao Zhen stared straight at the bear, taking in a deep breath, before turning to look at Tian Jin. Are you sure?

I am, Tian Jin said. Duo Lan stood a few steps behind them, keeping a lookout while using Spiritual Sight. They had decided that while they were wandering around the forest, one of them would always have Spiritual Sight active while keeping an eye out for monsters and other cultivators. And if it goes wrong, Ill be ready to jump in at any moment.

Hao Zhen returned his gaze to the monster. As a rule of thumb, five average first-level cultivators were required to slay a single first-level monster. Hao Zhen was a fairly average cultivator, so in theory, he was four people short.

Still, he did want to know how much he had grown, and this was pretty much a perfect opportunity. The monster was definitely strong enough to pose a challenge and then some more, but it was still one Tian Jin would be able to kill in an instant, so considering how fast Tian Jins reaction speed was, Hao Zhen wouldnt be in any dangerand he knew that, rationally.

Unfortunately, reason didnt translate into courage, and hed still have to face a magical beast on his own.

Still, Hao Zhen took a step forward, into the bears line of sight. Tian Jin had already been training him for a week. He couldnt back down now. The least he could do in return was try to prove that Tian Jin hadnt been wasting his efforts on him.

The bear stilled upon seeing him. Hao Zhen tensed. He had already been chanting the incantation of the Drifting Moonlight Method in his mind, and he immediately started channeling spiritual power into his skill seed. Then, just as he was about to attach an Ethereal String to the monster, Duo Lan suddenly called out, There are cultivators nearby!

Hao Zhen froze. The next moment, Tian Jin dashed into the clearing, and the monster immediately turned around and ran. Tian Jin didnt chase after it, instead coming to a stop beside Hao Zhen. Duo Lan ran over to his other side, staring straight ahead.

Hao Zhen took a moment to process what was going on, before activating Spiritual Sight himself. Then he saw itsome distance away, but rapidly approaching, he could see six human-shaped clusters of spiritual aura. Six cultivators, and judging by the density of their spiritual aura, which was similar to that of Tian Jins and Duo Lans, all six of them were at the second level of the Red Spiritual Realm.

Hao Zhen sharply breathed in. Maybe they were just a group of cultivators passing by, but chances were

He looked at his two teammates and saw that they were standing firm. Over the last few days, they had already discussed how theyd react when Du Qing finally made his move, and they had decided that if they thought they had a fighting chance, they would face it head-on instead of running away so as not to waste any energy trying to run.

Six second-level cultivators were definitely something Tian Jin and Duo Lan were confident in facing. Hao Zhen took in another deep breath, this time to calm himself down, before slowly letting the air out of his lungs, readying himself.

Moments later, Du Jian, flanked by five other cultivators, stepped into the clearing.