Chapter 49: Prelude to Battle

Chapter 49: Prelude to Battle

49

Prelude to Battle

I

Hao Zhen sat on the ground, cross-legged, as he let the physical recovery pill in his stomach work its magic. He had just finished a training session with Tian Jin, and he could still feel his heart drumming in his chest as if in protest.

Tian Jin stood some distance away from him, going through sword forms. As usual, the other boy didnt appear even remotely tired or winded, even though they had been fighting for the past hour. Then again, even when there had only been a difference of a single level between them, things had been like this. Now that the difference was of two levels, the past hour might as well have been a stroll in the woods for Tian Jin.

Hao Zhen tried to follow Tian Jins movements with his eyes, paying attention as the other boy seamlessly shifted from stance to stance. Every time Tian Jin waved his sword, Hao Zhen could hear the soft, whooshing sound of the blade cutting through air.

Catching a hint of movement out of the corner of his eye, Hao Zhen turned to the side and saw Lan Yue standing up. He raised an eyebrow, and she simply nodded at him before making her way over to Tian Jin.

As she approached, Tian Jin looked at her, before returning his sword to the side, drawing himself up.

Lan Yues spatial ring flashed, and a sword appeared in her hand. She raised it, pointing its tip at Tian Jin. Lets spar, she said without preamble. She sounded eager, if not excited.

Tian Jin frowned at her. Then his eyes narrowed. You broke through?

Oh? Hao Zhen channeled spiritual power into his eyes, focused on Lan Yues spiritual aura, and then compared it to Tian Jins. They were just as intense, and Tian Jin had broken through to the fourth level of the Red Spiritual Realm yesterday. And that meant

Hao Zhen sighed, realizing that he was now two levels behind both of his teammates now.

Remaining silent, Lan Yue stared fixedly at Tian Jin, the hints of a smirk on her face.

In response, Tian Jin raised his sword back in front of him and gave Lan Yue a nod.

Lan Yue then spun on her feet, the smirk on her face now clear, and walked over to the other end of the clearing. Coming to a stop, she turned back around to face Tian Jin, before falling into a stance of her own.

Hao Zhen watched his two teammates intently. Even though this was only a spar, he felt his body thrumming with anticipation.

Lan Yue held her sword beside her body as she crouched low, the blade perpendicular to her body. Tian Jin held his sword in front of his body, slightly angled forward. Both of them wore expressions as sharp as the weapons they wielded. The setting sun cast the clearing in a dim, red light, its soft gleam reflected on the blades of his teammates.

Tian Jin and Lan Yue just stared at each other, and Hao Zhen could feel the tension building up between them. Their robesTian Jins blue, Lan Yues greenbillowed softly in the wind.

Then Lan Yue launched herself forward, moving so fast Hao Zhen could barely follow her with his eyes.

Within moments, she was in front of Tian Jin, her sword stabbing at his stomach. With minimal movement, Tian Jin snapped into action, flinging his blade downward and batting Lan Yues sword to the side. In one fluid movement, Tian Jin then brought his sword back in front of him, connecting the parry into a horizontal cut.

Just as Tian Jins blade was inches away from Lan Yues robes, a burst of spiritual power erupted from Lan Yues body, deflecting the blade. Lan Yue then lunged forward, moving past Tian Jin. Stepping out with her left leg, she used it to pivot herself around. As she twisted her body, she struck at Tian Jins back with her sword.

Tian Jin spun on his feet, putting his sword out in front of him just in time to meet Lan Yues. The blade of her sword still pressed against Tian Jins, Lan Yue threw herself forward, trying to stab Tian Jin in the shoulder. Effortlessly, Tian Jin pushed his sword harder against Lan Yues, redirecting it up and to the left.

Even as Lan Yues sword pierced past his head, Tian Jin moved his sword away from hers and brought it down on a vertical cut. Reacting instantaneously, Lan Yue leaned her body to the side, and Tian Jin cut empty air.

Lan Yue then struck again, and Tian Jin met her attack before making one of his own. Over and over they exchanged moves in an endless flurry of attacks, dodges, and parries.

Hao Zhen watched on, entranced. Everything Tian Jin and Lan Yue did, they used as the foundation for another movement, shifting their stance in a split-second. Not a single movement or action was wasted. There was a certain elegance to the way they fought, almost as if they were dancing. They moved in perfect sync, as if they had rehearsed this before.

We most certainly have already accumulated enough contribution points, Tian Jin said. Then he paused, focusing on Hao Zhen. Do you really think Du Qing will try something?

It depends, really. Hao Zhen said. In theory, Du Qing cant track us anymore, and he shouldnt be able to get out of the Inner Forest because of the eyes on him. But Like I said, tomorrows the last opportunity for him to do something. I think its better to prepare ourselves, just in case. Ultimately, it all boils down to what the Weave wants. If it wants Du Qing to find us, he will.

Tian Jin tensed up slightly, almost imperceptibly. Over the last few days, Hao Zhen had noticed that this was how Tian Jin always reacted whenever the Weave was mentioned. Even though Tian Jin seemed to accept the existence of the Weave, he clearly wasnt comfortable with it.

Right, Tian Jin said.

Hao Zhen turned to Lan Yue, who shrugged at him.

Seeing that the conversation was over, Hao Zhen sighed and closed his eyes, pushing his worries to the back of his mind. Taking another spiritual stone out of his spatial ring, he resumed cultivating.

III

The next day started as usual. Shortly after sunrise, they left the clearing and made their way through the massive trees, heading South, toward the entrance of the valley.

As usual, Lan Yue led the way, and every once in a while, shed stop and use her bloodline abilityor whatever magical ability she hadto communicate with the surrounding plants.

The only difference was, unlike in the previous days, she wasnt searching for nearby monsters or special magical herbs. Instead, she was making sure there werent monsters aheador other cultivators.

Besides their encounter with Du Jian and his group, they had come across other outer disciples in the forest in three other instances. Thankfully, none of those encounters had ended in conflictwhen the outer disciples they met caught sight of Tian Jin and Lan Yue, they promptly ran offbut that didnt mean a fight was off the table.

It was through those encounters that Hao Zhen confirmed that his soul was indeed the one that was darker than everyone elsesand not that Lan Yues and Tian Jins were lighter. Unfortunately, he hadnt had the opportunity yet to ascertain what exactly that meant for him.

Hao Zhen kept his eyes on Lan Yue as she came to yet another stop. Tian Jin, who had come to a stop beside him, also paid attention to their teammate. The three of them had already been walking for a couple of hours now. The sun hung high above, directly above their heads.

So far, nothing had happened, but whenever Lan Yue halted, Hao Zhen couldnt help but tense up.

After a few moments, Lan Yue turned around to face them. There was an a small smirk on Lan Yues lips, and predatory gleam in her eyes.

Hao Zhen wasnt sure he liked that look.

There are three cultivators heading our way, Lan Yue said, the eagerness in her voice almost palpable. She nodded towards the East. Two fourth-level redsouls, one third-level.

Some of the tension fled Hao Zhens body. Two fourth-levels and one third-level. Most likely, Du Qing and two other disciples of the Inner Court. No elders, apparently.

In their battle against Du Jian and his lackeys, they had been outnumbered two to one, and still came on toprather easily, at that. Inner disciples probably wouldnt be nearly as easy to take down as outer disciples, but he doubted Lan Yue or Tian Jin would lose to anyone at the same level as them. As for himself, as long as he wasnt up against someone two or more levels higher than himor multiple enemiesthen he was fairly confident in his chances.

Hao Zhen glanced at Tian Jin. The other boys reaction wasnt as strong or as clear as Lan Yues, but there was clearly a tenseness to himnarrowed eyes, tight jaw, clenched fists. All signs of anxiousness, but there was a gleam in Tian Jins eyes and and intensity to his gaze that made it clear that what he was feeling wasnt apprehension, but anticipation.

Hao Zhen considered his options. If they managed to run away from Du Qing and made it back to the sect, he was confident that theyd be able to bring the prime disciple down, one way or another. The smart, sensible decision would be not to take any chances and avoid fighting.

He didnt think there was even a remote possibility of convincing his teammates of that, however, so he didnt even bother trying.

Since that was the case, he could only do his best to minimize the risks.

How much time do we have? Hao Zhen asked, turning to Duo Lan, who had walked over to them and was now standing beside Tian Jin, opposite him.

They werent moving too fast. Unless they pick up the pace, a minute or two.

Hao Zhen nodded to himself. He spent another moment sorting through his thoughts, then said, All right. This is what well do.