Chapter 6 - 2

Chapter 6 - Greengrass Town

"Your name?" inquired a disciple stationed at the front gate. He appeared to be about my age, clad in a blue uniform signifying his status as an inner disciple, with a notebook and brush in hand.

"Liu Feng," I replied.

The gates to exit the sect loomed large, as if crafted to welcome giants. Towering, marble-white walls extended as far as the eye could see, encircling the colossal mountain upon which the Blazing Sun Sect was erected.

"Reason for leaving?" the disciple queried.

"Visiting a mortal town," I stated.

The disciple nodded and handed me a wooden badge the size of my fist. "You're free to go. Remaining absent from the Sect for more than a month with a badge like that will lead to your presumption of death and your name being eliminated from the Sect's Archives."

Such a condition existed? For a xianxia sect, they had numerous security measures in place. Yet, I surmised that such things were necessary for a sect to be around for millennia, or however old the Blazing Sun Sect purportedly was.

A shiver coursed down my spine the instant I stepped beyond the sect's confines.

The air itself felt different, lacking a certain... presence. It defied precise description, akin to a weightiness in the atmosphere, yet not quite.

Shaking my head, I dismissed such musings. It was likely a barrier I had crossed, because giant marble walls weren't useful against most Monstrous Beasts or Cultivators. Nevertheless, they served as a tangible boundary of the Blazing Sun Sect's perimeter.

Glancing back at the Blazing Sun Sect, I couldn't help but marvel at the mountain's immense size. The upper half of the peak was covered in clouds and was barely visible.

"Mount Everest has nothing on this," I muttered, turning around to walk the stone path leading toward the world beyond.

Liu Feng had sparse memories of the terrain surrounding the Blazing Sun Sect. Nevertheless, following the main road should eventually lead to a town, city, or civilization.

Yet, taking over such a grand mountain, the Blazing Sun Sect was exceptional. Though back then, it was probably more of a powerhouse since the founder, the Blazing Sun Immortal, was still around.

While less exciting than martial techniques, the history of this world was still noteworthy. For instance, the fate of the Blazing Sun Immortal remained shrouded in mystery.

History here wasn't quite as forefront as the one in my world where everything was written in books. After all, there were still people alive from many historical events.

It was like asking Judas about Jesus.

Also, Nascent Soul Realm cultivators often disagreed on events dating back a thousand years. Which offered quite a diverse perspective on historical occurrences.

If I ever ascended to the echelons of power where I needn't fear ancient monsters swatting me out of existence. I was going to ask the elders so many things. But such things would take a while, even if I somehow survived to reach that kind of power.

I took out a sack of coins the size of my fist from my inner pocket and inspected its contents. The bag was still brimming with gold coins that Liu Feng had received from his family before going on his journey to join the Blazing Sun Sect.

If I were ever low on gold, a mere request would suffice to gain another sack like this. No questions asked.

Liu Feng had never truly valued such assets, deeming an ample supply of mortal currency commonplace. Nevertheless, he scarcely used the gold, favoring the currency of cultivators: spirit stones. Hence when I took over, he only had a single spirit stone. In truth, his family had bestowed upon him a dozen spirit stones, giving him an advantage over his peers. Regrettably, he squandered them on acquiring resources for cultivation, thereby advancing from five-star Body Tempering to seven-star within a year.

It was kind of a waste of resources on his part. With ten spirit stones, I would have paid for access to the library's second floor. Yet, Liu Feng had planned to attain inner disciple status, which granted entry to the second floor for free. No doubt in his mind spending spirit stones for such privilege equated to a waste of resources.

An hour passed as I traversed the road, encountering no other soul. The formidable silhouette of the Blazing Sun Sect mountain loomed in the distance.

Why was the road deserted? Shouldn't merchants ply their trade or carriages ferry provisions like food and clothing? By mortal standards every damn cultivator was rich.

Though the Blazing Sun Sect's mountain was colossal, sustaining itself should be implausible.

Or was it?

What insight did I know about this xianxia realm? Perhaps they cultivated crops within a subspace, although the existence of such domains was questionable at best. Liu Feng had no recollection of something like that existing, but storage rings were a thing, so maybe it wasn't impossible.

Still, why were there no signs on this damn road? How did disciples navigate without them?

Pressing onward, I quickened my pace to a jog. After running past a dense forest, I arrived at a small town.

One notable feature of towns and cities in this world was their large stone walls. To lack such fortifications was to extend a direct invitation to Monstrous Beasts to feast upon the populace.

Living near a dominant force like the Blazing Sun Sect afforded a semblance of security, and the likelihood of a Monstrous Beast sighting was low. Nonetheless, the risk was never entirely zero percent, and mortals stood no chance and were defenseless even against the feeblest Monstrous Beasts.

A lengthy line had formed at the front gates, including individuals from diverse backgrounds. Some bore the appearance of weary farmers returning from toil in the fields, and others looked like merchants accompanied by their mules. I joined the line, assuming my place alongside the others.

A dozen guards clad in chainmail and armed with spears were at the gate. As our eyes met, one of the guards looked shocked.

Before the line could progress, the guard who had noticed me hurried over, his face fraught with urgency. His anxiety instilled a measure of unease within me.

Had I looked suspicious?

"Honorable Disciple! There is no need for you to wait in line. Blazing Sect Cultivators will always be welcome in Greengrass Town," the man announced.

Ah, of course. I had forgotten for a second. I was no longer a nobody, at least amongst normal people.

"Thank you," I conveyed my gratitude, pressing my palm against my fist in a gesture of respect.

The guard looked at my hands momentarily before offering a nod, a smile gradually gracing his features.

"Follow me, please. I will serve as your guide," the guard instructed.

"Of course, sorry for the trouble," I acknowledged, falling into step behind him.

"This is no trouble, honorable cultivator. It is my honor to serve you."

As we crossed the threshold into the town, the scene unfolded with vibrant activity. Bustling thoroughfares were pedestrians and carriages weaving through the streets, friends engaged in lively talks, and street urchins sold strange flowers.

"If it isn't too much trouble. Can you tell me where I can find a vendor to buy small animals like turtles," I asked politely.

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The guard cast me a discerning glance, his gaze narrowing in contemplation. Eventually, he nodded, "I know just the place."

"That's good. How much would it cost to buy something like that?" I asked as we proceeded down the cobblestone path. Several passersby cast furtive glances in my direction, their gazes lingering upon my gray attire. Some even took a discreet step backward, their demeanor betraying an air of uncertainty. It seemed apparent they had encountered cultivators before, and a few among our kind likely left a less than favorable impression.

"At most, a few coppers," the guard replied.

"Coppers?" I realized I only had gold coins. "Could you perhaps direct me to a place where I might exchange a gold coin for some silver and copper?"

I had what some would call rich people problems.

The guard froze before chuckling nervously and saying, "Of course, the Merchant Hall should offer such services. Hopefully, without any of the outrageous fees banks have."

He abruptly changed directions in the middle of the road, heading toward what was likely the Merchant Hall. I followed along at a safe distance, mindful to remain beyond the reach of his spear.

I couldn't shake the thought that perhaps the guard was leading me into an ambush. If so, I was prepared to strike swiftly and decisively, aiming to incapacitate him with my first move. Even in death, the Blazing Sun Sect would seek revenge on my behalf. After all, they had their reputation to uphold, even for a mere outer disciple like myself. Besides, I had cousins who were inner disciples.

In a world where betrayal and treachery were all too common, it was prudent to assume that everyone harbored some ulterior motive. There were countless tales of siblings turning against one another for cultivation resources.

To some, such ruthlessness might seem cruel. Yet, to any open-minded observer, the signs were glaringly obvious.

In clans where children were pitted against one another, cousins and brothers fought for resources, and even uncles could become adversaries, was it any wonder that familial bonds were often fragile?

Behaviors learned in childhood often persisted into adulthood. And with leaders boasting lifespans stretching hundreds, if not thousands, of years, the pace of change crawled at a snail's pace, if it even occurred at all.

"So, how's life as a guard?" I asked, trying to take my mind off things.

"A bit boring, but better than most. While it would be dangerous in any other town, there are no beasts here due to the Blazing Sun Sect, and people don't cause trouble for the same reason," he replied.

By "people" the guard clearly meant other cultivators. But he was being polite about it.

*******

Mao Zhi had served as a guard at Greengrass Town for nearly a decade, witnessing an array of cultivators passing through its gates. It was a double-edged experience, the best and worst part of his job.

He encountered arrogant cultivators, some sadistic, and others kind-hearted. A few attempted to exude an air of mystery, which Mao Zhi found rather absurd, especially when they were clearly young outer disciples, still just kids. However, he refrained from pointing out such observations directly to their faces.

This time, Mao Zhi encountered a different kind of disciple—someone genuinely interested in the life of a guard. The youngster asked questions as if conversing with an old friend, and Mao Zhi couldn't help but reciprocate, fostering a friendly atmosphere.

Despite the cordiality, Mao Zhi remained cautious, mindful of the risks associated with dealing with cultivators. He had no desire to leave his wife a widow or his daughter an orphan.

Yet, he couldn't ignore the youngster's respectful demeanor.

"By the way, there seem to be no cultivators around here. Do you deal with them often, or is this the usual pace?" the youngster inquired.

Mao Zhi shrugged, "Usually, cultivators outside the Blazing Sun Sect don't venture here. Even the entrance exams are conducted in the nearby city. This way, we maintain strict security measures."

Things had changed since the ascension of the new Sect Leader half a millennia ago. He had ensured that if Blazing Sun Sect disciples sought to explore the mortal world, they would converge here, minimizing conflicts with external cultivators.

At least, that was what people said. It wasn't like even Mao Zhi was around to see such changes.

The mayor of Greengrass Town for the past century used to be an elder of the Blazing Sun Sect and still fostered deep ties with the sect. As a result, sect disciples seldom caused trouble, and any transgressions were swiftly addressed by the governor.

The more he talked to the young man, the more Mao Zhi felt the mystique surrounding the sects and cultivators gradually dissipate.

"Here we are. Apologies, but guards aren't permitted beyond this point. You'll have to proceed alone," Mao Zhi gestured toward a temple-like structure, where elegantly attired individuals adorned with peculiar golden ornaments frequented.

Several merchants cast furtive glances their way but stifled any covetous thoughts upon noticing Liu Feng's Blazing Sun Sect attire.

In the eyes of the sects, mere merchants amounted to little more than inconsequential figures, paying annual fees for the privilege of existing within their domain. Regardless of one's wealth, antagonizing a cultivator spelled potential destruction.

"Thank you," Liu Feng acknowledged, tossing a golden coin in Mao Zhi's direction.

Mao Zhi caught the coin instinctively, staring at it in disbelief.

A guard's salary in Greengrass Town was considered substantial, yet this single gold coin surpassed a month's wages.

Before Mao Zhi could express his gratitude to Liu Feng, the latter had already vanished into the Merchant Hall. Minutes later, he emerged with a sack brimming with copper and silver coins.

"Thank you," Mao Zhi bowed, ensuring Liu Feng understood his appreciation despite the briefness of their interaction.

Liu Feng waved off Mao Zhi's concerns with a smile tinged with amusement. "Don't fret about it. We're both friends here."

"Then, as one friend to another, you are quite strange," Mao Zhi remarked, intrigued by Liu Feng's uncommon demeanor. It was unusual for someone of Liu Feng's status to engage with him in such a manner. After all, cultivators typically held themselves aloof, commanding obedience without question.

"I tend to treat people as I wish to be treated," Liu Feng replied with a nonchalant shrug.

Once again, Mao Zhi found himself baffled by Liu Feng's behavior. While the young man spoke of the sect in a matter-of-fact manner, demystifying its aura, Mao Zhi couldn't help but harbor a growing curiosity about him. Liu Feng's nonchalant demeanor suggested he considered his conduct entirely ordinary.

Were there more cultivators like him? Perhaps only the arrogant ones frequented Greengrass Town.

However, Mao Zhi opted to keep his musings to himself, sensing that Liu Feng harbored his own agenda. He had no intention of disrupting his companion's plans.

"Do you know where I can buy a turtle?" Liu Feng inquired as they made their way toward the marketplace.

"Of course," Mao Zhi replied.

As they strolled, Mao Zhi couldn't resist asking, "If you don't mind my asking, why do you need a turtle?"

"It is a requirement for one of the techniques I'm training. A spiritual turtle would have been better since they're somewhat attuned to Qi and have better cultivation potential. But even tamed turtle Monstrous Beasts, considered one of the weakest kinds of monstrous beasts, are way too expensive for me to buy. They would cost at least dozens of spiritual stones."

"Why not search for one yourself?" Mao Zhi suggested.

"Finding a live turtle Monstrous Beast in the wild is challenging," Liu Feng explained as he purchased a turtle from a raw food vendor. He cradled the creature in his palm, noting its small size.

"I'm gonna name you Speedy," Liu Feng smiled, attempting to pet the little turtle, only to receive a snapping bite. Thankfully, Liu Feng's cultivation level spared him any harm, while the turtle recoiled from its failed attempt.

"Careful there, little guy. Don't go breaking your teeth," Liu Feng advised the turtle.

Did turtles even have teeth? Also, the name 'Se Pi Di' sounded bizarre and awkward when spoken aloud.

"Thanks for everything, Mao Zhi," Liu Feng expressed his gratitude, placing a hand on Mao Zhi's shoulder, sincerity reflecting in his eyes. "If I ever make it big as a cultivator, feel free to say hi."

"Are you suggesting I leech off my cultivator friend for life?" Mao Zhi quipped.

"Exactly," Liu Feng affirmed, beginning to walk away. "No need to escort me back, I've memorized the route. Use the gold I gave you to take a break from the soul-sucking boredom of your everyday job."

As Mao Zhi watched Liu Feng depart, he couldn't help but smile. He had been so nervous when first meeting him.

What a genuinely amiable fellow. Liu Feng was the type of person who effortlessly made friends. It was a bit weird for a cultivator, as they were usually solitary creatures and were said to cut off any ties to the mortal world.

"Ahhh! Master!" A nearby voice pierced the air, jolting Mao Zhi from his reverie.

Turning around, Mao Zhi spotted a young man roughly Liu Feng's age. Unlike Liu Feng's polished appearance, the newcomer wore disheveled clothes, a black coat draped over his shoulders. Despite the bustling market, the young man's red hair made him stand out, but otherwise, he was average-looking and wouldn't even stand out in a crowd.

Though, was he screaming? And who was he speaking to? Also, why was he constantly glancing at his side as if somebody was there?

Approaching the red-haired man, Mao Zhi observed the curious gazes directed their way. As a guard, he was obliged to address public disturbances.

"I can't believe the Blazing Sun Sect's acceptance trials aren't held in the nearest town! It doesn't make sense," the red-haired man sighed. "But at least we didn't come here for nothing, as you spotted that Earth Grade Technique, master."

Who was he addressing?

"Young man, could you refrain from talking to yourself?" Mao Zhi interjected, his pleasant mood tempered by the need to maintain order.

What was with the talk of an Earth Grade Technique?

In any other setting, such behavior might provoke violence, even though it likely stemmed from the young man's evident mental illness.

After all, stumbling upon an Earth-Grade Technique was unheard of.

"Ah, right. Sorry, I'm not used to it yet," the young man apologized, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

The first order of business after parting ways with the guard was to purchase a new set of clothes and change into them. Wearing the Blazing Sun Sect uniform attracted undue attention, which I preferred to avoid for what I planned next.

Since I found myself in the city, there were certain matters I wished to attend to. There was little chance I would take the unnecessary risk in the near future to travel out of the security of the sect.

Moreover, there was something I had contemplated at the back of my mind. I wanted to do my own research into things rather than read it from books. Books only taught someone so much.

Research thrived on data, and if I could get my hands on it, it would satiate my curiosity with the added benefit of helping me with cultivation.

For instance, what was my true strength? I knew I had the strength of a seven-star Body Tempering cultivator, but how did that translate into actual numbers? How much stronger was I than the average individual?

Setting up a rug on a sparsely populated merchant street, I called out, "Step right up! One copper coin for each man who dares to strike the palm of my hand. A single punch, and you can go about your business."

Some regarded me with curiosity, while others dismissed it as mere spectacle but lingered to witness the outcome. It didn't take long for the first challenger to emerge—a taller-than-average man bearing a distinctive scar across his forehead.

"So, a punch to your palm earns me a copper coin?" he inquired.

"Indeed, give it your all," I replied, extending my palm.

Without hesitation, he drew back his fist and delivered an aggressive blow. Yet, upon impact, his strike abruptly halted, leaving him visibly perplexed.

"Y-You," he stammered, his complexion paling. "Are you a cultivator?"

"No," I countered with a friendly smile. "However, in my youth, I chanced upon a Mortal Grade martial manual—a worthless technique known as the Steady Palm Art. It serves only to block punches, and even then, my lack of cultivation prevents me from fully mastering it. Hence, I've pursued a path of research, and this experiment is part of it."

He appeared wary but accepted his payment as I flicked a copper coin toward him.

Following this public display, a steady stream of participants approached, each eager to test their strength. After dozens had taken their turn, I folded the carpet and departed.

While some onlookers seemed tempted to follow me, I swiftly navigated toward an alley, increasing my pace. Should anyone attempt pursuit, they would have a hard time keeping up with me. I had already ascended to the rooftop by the time the first observer peered around the corner.

I soared through the air, propelled by the sheer force of my momentum as I leaped from one rooftop to the next. The wind whispered against my skin, a gentle caress that danced with the strands of my hair, imbuing each leap with a sense of fluid grace. With every angle, I felt the world fall away, a weightless sensation enveloping me in exhilaration.

As I picked up speed, the rooftops blurred into a mosaic of shadow and light, a silent witness to the bustling life below. Eventually, my airborne journey led me to a dimly lit alley, where the remnants of broken walls and abandoned buildings mingled with the garbage.

I scrunched my nose as the air hung heavy with the smell of decay.

Amongst the discarded trash, feline creatures prowled, their eyes gleaming like embers amidst the darkness. The cats moved gracefully, traversing the slumps of garbage while keeping their eyes on me. As if assessing if I was a threat.

Setting the carpet upon the ground, I shed my clothes, reverting to the familiar garb of the Blazing Sun Sect gray cloth uniform. With a sense of purpose, I hurried toward the gates, intent on leaving before drawing undue attention. However, upon reaching the gates, Mao Zhi, the guard who had accompanied me earlier, was absent.

He should have already been here by now. Maybe he took my advice to heart and took a break?

"Excuse me, but where is Mao Zhi? We parted ways in the city. Did his shift already end?" I inquired, noting the discomfort in the guards' expressions.

It had taken Mao Zhi some time to adjust to my presence. Which was understandable, given my outsider status. But, I had no desire to cultivate an air of mystique.

In my experience, genuine camaraderie was often better than formal authority. People would have an easier time telling something to a friend than their boss.

"Honorable Cultivator," one of the guards approached, bowing respectfully, with his comrades following suit. "Mao Zhi is chasing some thug that broke the town's laws."

"Is he chasing anyone dangerous?" I inquired, considering offering assistance to my newfound friend, Mao Zhi. If the threat was manageable for a guard, it would likely pose little challenge to a cultivator.

"No, he was just chasing some crazy homeless guy who talks to himself," the guard explained.

"In that case, I shall take my leave and leave you to your duties. Have a nice day," I bid them farewell and strode out of the town gates, ignoring the lingering stares that trailed my departure.

The lush fields beyond the town stretched wide, living up to its name as Greengrass Town. I strolled leisurely, absorbing the tranquil scenery and relishing the purity of the air.

Once sufficiently distanced from prying eyes, I settled onto the grass. The blue sky stretched like a vast blue canvas. While the day looked good to have a leisurely picnic, duty called, and I could not afford to stay here any longer.

Retrieving the small turtle from my pocket, I gently placed it on the ground.

"Stretch your legs a bit and enjoy the fields, Speedy. Just make sure not to walk too far away," I advised, allowing the creature a moment of freedom amidst the tranquil landscape.

Turtles made excellent pets. They didn't wander off, had a long lifespan, and conveniently fit into pockets.

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Taking out a couple of berries I had gotten from the merchant after he sold me the turtle, I gave them to my newfound companion. Speedy devoured the treats with gusto, even attempting to nip at my finger in his enthusiasm.

Indeed, turtles were easy to care for, given their diet of easily accessible foods like various fruits and vegetables.

While dogs might be hailed as man's best friends, turtles were the best pets.

Okay, I was making shit up here. But I already felt a connection with Speedy.

Leaving him to his explorations, I retrieved two notebooks—one dedicated to my insights on cultivation, and the other was blank, freshly procured from the town.

Following the town's experiment, I gleaned a rough estimate of the average human's capabilities, a vital metric for comparison.

Initiating my observations, I recorded the quantifier "one," representing the average human capacity in something, serving as a benchmark for future evaluations.

Putting the notebook down, I tested my strength and punched my palm with pure power and no technique. Just like I had the men in the town attack.

I struck my palm a dozen times with full power to get a rough estimate of my pure strength. Which left a red mark on my left palm from how many times I had hit it. After that, I did some other tests with speed, flexibility, and stamina.

Despite a cultivator's excellent control over their bodies and all the tests I had done, there was still a minor margin of error.

With meticulous detail, I documented every aspect gleaned from my observations, including my own status:

Name: Liu Feng

Age: 16

Talent: C (fifty-three spirit root branches)

Cultivation: Body Tempering (seven-star)

Strength – 7.5

Agility – 7.2

Endurance – 7.1

Qi – 0

Techniques:

-Piercing Fang Fist (Mortal Grade)

-Rushing Bull Step (Mortal Grade)

It was like my own status page, a record of my progress. If I ever wanted to check my progress, I could write down the rough differences and read the progress with my own eyes.

"My Walmart version of a gamer's status page," I muttered.

However, it would be a bit annoying since I would have to manually measure the changes instead of just calling out; 'status page'.

As the hours waned and the stars illuminated the night sky, I wrote down everything I had learned in my recent journey. It might not be any ground-breaking knowledge, but it was a start.

Speedy clambered onto my shoulder, determined to engage in his favorite pastime: nibbling on my ear. Despite his efforts, my resilient skin thwarted his attempts.

"One day, Speedy, we'll be best friends," I mused aloud.

Hearing his name, Speedy tried chewing on my ear even harder. Which was ticklish. Hopefully, the little guy wouldn't hurt his jaw trying to bite too hard.

He reminded me of my cat in my previous life, the guy didn't like anyone getting closer to him. But eventually he would get comfortable with me.

After a leisurely stroll, Speedy eventually grew tired after nibbling my ear and succumbed to slumber.

In the peaceful night, the only sounds were the chorus of crickets and the gentle rustling of leaves.

A part of me entertained the idea of setting up camp and getting some training done. But the risk of exhausting myself in this wilderness was a problem.

Despite my battle against the temptation of training, there was an undeniable tranquility in walking through a forest at night. Enveloped by the starlit expanse and breathing crisp air.

Any fear of the dark was gone at the thought of how I could crush a tree with one punch.

Yet, after roughly thirty minutes of reclusive strolling, the silence shattered with the telltale shuffle of bushes.

My instincts immediately flared, and I debated reaching for a rock, prepared for whatever might come out.

"You can come out now," I called out. It could be just an animal or simply the wind. But if I was wrong there was no one to see my embarrassment.

The bushes parted to reveal a man brandishing a bow, his gaze fixated upon me with a poised arrow. His disheveled appearance—tousled hair, earth-stained nails, and a scar adorning his lip—hinted at a rugged life, more akin to a farmer than a warrior. Yet, appearances were often very deceiving.

"Drop your belongings and walk off," a commanding voice resonated from behind a nearby tree, unveiling a towering figure wielding an ax. Another assailant emerged, armed with a spear, ready for a fight.

This was the eureka moment where I realized how much I needed any form of scouting technique. If non-cultivators could evade my detection, I stood at a huge disadvantage against other cultivators.

What if a cultivator decided to ambush me? I had to keep an eye out for an ambush in the future.

Contemplating their motives, I weighed the possibility of them being cultivators. However, that was unlikely as they didn't recognize my uniform. Nevertheless, this was an opportunity to test my techniques on live targets—no one would miss some bandits disappearing into the night.

*******

Tufei was a farmer from a nearby village rarely visited by outsiders. Despite what they were doing, he didn't consider himself a bandit. But his actions proved otherwise.

He aimed his bow at the seemingly defenseless man, his heart racing amidst the chilling sensation of cold sweat trickling down his back.

Unsettling unease gnawed at Tufei's gut despite how they had cornered the young man. It felt as though they were gazing into the eyes of a dangerous beast, and they had just put their hands in its mouth.

Glancing at his second brother, who had the ax in hand, Tufei voiced his concerns. "Futou, something feels off about this man. He doesn't look bothered by any of this. What if he's one of those cultivators?"

Even under the threat of their weapons, the "victim" kept an air of amusement, akin to a child toying with insects in their front yard.

"Cultivators go around by flying on swords, not walking around like common mortals. Everyone knows that!" Oftu interjected, his apprehension apparent despite his words as he tightened the grip on his spear until his fingers turned white.

Indeed, they had seen cultivators fly over their village while standing on swords. Said cultivators were once revered as deities until a merchant visited and proved to them that cultivators were no deities.

Despite Oftu's assertion, a sense of fear lingered, manifesting in tightened grips and wary gazes.

Only Futou exuded unwavering confidence, bordering on recklessness, as he dismissed their uncertainties. He looked ready to swing his ax. But this was how Futou had always been.

Their goal was simple—rob some rich guy and then return home to provide for their mother. Since the merchants rarely came by their village, they knew little about the world around them. Tufei was nervous in more ways than one because of that.

"The guy is just acting calm. He is obviously bluffing!" Futou's determination wavered between conviction and self-assurance, his resolve evident in clenched teeth and furrowed brows. "He thinks we are just a group of village hicks who know nothing!"

Well, they were village hicks, Tufei thought. However, maybe his brother was right. Always being too careful was one of his weak points. Despite the poor situation in the village, Tufei was the one who had been too afraid to come out and try banditry.

"Screw this!" Futou's frustration erupted into action, his ax cleaving through the air in a wild arc aimed at the man they were trying to rob.

Tufei held his breath as the ax approached the strange man. The younger man didn't blink, and their worst fears were confirmed when the man grabbed the ax blade mid-air and stopped it from moving an inch. Despite Futou being larger than their 'victim' by many times over, said victim didn't even budge.

The steel ax trembled, cracks spread around it, and the stranger's eyes widened, "Oh? What is this? I didn't think I was strong enough to destroy iron with my hands. At least the readings didn't show so. Was the average human in this world stronger? Except for the physical advantages of simply doing more physical labor, making them a bit stronger... But that shouldn't be such a big difference that it would lead to something like this."

The man rubbed his chin thoughtfully and crouched down, picking a piece of the broken ax off the ground and looking at it in a trance as if he were in his own world. Futou was frozen in place, looking in a trance at whatever remained of the ax handle in his hands.

But the man didn't seem to pay much attention to it. His gaze settled on them, and he smiled, "Sorry, I'm not usually so arrogant or rude as to ignore someone. But this really surprised me. Where do you get your weapons from? Maybe their metal was just that shoddy?"

The way he spoke was so polite that one might have thought he was just an unassuming and well-mannered neighbor's son.

They immediately dropped their weapons, or whatever was left of his ax in Futou's case. Tufei's mind worked a thousand miles a second as even his bow seemed to move in slow motion as it fell to the ground.

Was this it? Was this how they died? Who would take care of their mother?

Within two breaths, the three brothers were on their knees with their foreheads on the ground. Tufei could smell the green grass, and sweat trickled down his nose. But he didn't dare look up, no matter what!

"Please spare our lives!" Tufei begged, and his two brothers followed along.

"Why do people think that bowing would solve any problems?"

Those words were like a bucket of cold water splashed over their heads. At that moment, Tufei knew the odds of them surviving plummeted.

Maybe running away would work, he wondered.

But such foolish thoughts disappeared as soon as they came. This wasn't someone they could fight or run away from.

There was no other solution; their fates were in someone else's hands, and there was next to nothing they could do about it.

"The way I see you guys is that you're scumbags with no redeeming quality. Honestly, a part of me is thinking of using you as a way to get used to killing humans. It is bound to happen anyways since this is that kind of world," he sighed regretfully, but the cold look in his eyes did not lie. They weren't dealing with the kind of guy who would spare their lives. "After all, what better victims for this than some murderous bandits nobody would miss."

This was it. Tufei knew that they were going to die.

In a way, he was okay with this. Sure, he wanted to live. But either way, life didn't have much in store for him.

Even if he continued living, what was there to look forward to for the rest of his life? He had no dreams other than living and maybe finding a good wife. He would have had to still spend whatever remained of his life doing back-breaking labor on the farm.

But what he did regret about this was pulling his brothers along to their deaths also. This had been his idea after the previous long winter.

As the oldest brother, it was his responsibility to protect his younger siblings.

However, even if he gave up his life and tried to buy time for his brothers to escape, there wasn't much he could do against someone like that young man.

Was he even young to begin with? Sure, their victim looked young, but it would be no surprise if he was some centuries-old monster.

"We never killed anyone," Tufei stated.

Sure, they had robbed people. But that was less troublesome than actually killing someone.

If someone was robbed on a road, they would never cross that pathway again, at worst. However, if someone died, then their families would come out looking for their pound of blood and flesh.

They were simple farmers and not gangsters who could scare people into not taking revenge.

Sure, their reasons for not killing people might not have been done with the best intentions in mind. But this was the only thing Tufei could think of that would even have an inkling of a chance of buying them some time.

"Never killed anyone? Well, that changes things. Even I think that killing for simple thievery is a bit extreme. Also, it isn't like you guys would have been much of a danger to me to begin with, and are likely to continue being so," he rubbed his chin. "Then again, your brother did swing his ax at me without an ounce of hesitation. What do you have to say about that?"

The guy was actually listening to what he was saying?! Tufei had assumed the man was playing with them, as some predators did with their prey.

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Relief washed over Tufei, and he felt like crying. But they weren't in the clear yet, so he hurriedly added, "My brother was just panicking, great lord. He has always been a fool who would jump at things like this. He only did it because he thought we were in danger and he would gladly give his life for us."

"You don't need to call me 'great lord' or anything like that. It feels weird," the man glanced at the biggest brother, "Were you really trying to protect your brothers."

Futou had the common sense to nod and not interrupt while the strange young man continued, "Would you say he is someone prone to anger and a danger to those around him?"

"No! Never!" Tufei insisted a bit too loudly. He realized he might have messed up when the man frowned.

Did that annoy the cultivator? Were they going to die just because their older brother spoke too loudly? Tufei cursed internally.

They were still on their knees, ready to bow their heads to the ground once more. The young-looking man sighed. "It seems like my assumptions were quite wrong. I fell for the oldest mindset in the book of vilifying and demonizing my enemies."

Tufei had no idea what to say to that, so he just kept his mouth shut, and when he noticed his brothers were about to say something, he sent them a glare.

If someone had nothing good to say, sometimes it was better to keep their mouths shut. Tufei had learned this lesson in the village the hard way. It was the kind of lesson everyone would learn after a certain age. His brothers were coming up in their twenties, but even they hadn't been taught this lesson yet.

The young man hummed, which sounded like the reaper getting closer, "Do you have anyone who would miss you? Be careful not to lie to me. I have a technique that can help me detect lies. If even one lie is detected, I will kill you all."

"Yes," Tufei answered carefully.

Did a technique that could detect if someone was lying even exist? He didn't know. But he saw no reason why this man would lie to him.

"Oh, before I forget," the young man disappeared from his previous place, and Tufei only saw a blur. The next thing he felt was something flicking him in the forehead and appearing behind him.

Tufei touched his forehead, where he felt a stinging pain, and his brothers copied his movement. Showing something similar had happened to them. The cultivator had touched them all before any of them could react.

"I have just placed a curse on all of you, one that will bring about your demise in horrific ways should you commit evil acts," the man smiled. "Believe me, the deaths won't be quick. I'm not a sadistic individual, but the creator of this technique certainly was. Can you imagine? He was hailed as a saint during his lifetime."

"What do you want from us?" Tufei stuttered. He had never fathomed the existence of such a technique before. Yet, as a youth raised in an isolated village, he was beginning to grasp the vastness of the world.

But what choice did he have except to trust the stranger? This man could kill them all before they even blinked. Why would he bother lying to them?

"I want you to guide me back to your village," he declared, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"Yes, my lord—... sir," Tufei rose to his feet. His brothers followed suit as they treaded away from the rough pathway and toward the village, weaving through trees, bushes, and obscure forest trails imperceptible to the untrained eye.

They had traversed these woods since childhood, knowing them like the backs of their hands. They were familiar with the perilous areas inhabited by strange beasts and monsters. Tufei contemplated leading the young cultivator to one of these dangerous locales.

But guiding the cultivator and his brothers to such a place would likely result in their deaths. What if the cultivator easily killed the monster? It would only lead his brothers to death. Tufei preferred to rely on what he had seen with his own eyes, and the young man didn't seem cruel or a sadist.

"You know, you guys are very fortunate you didn't encounter other cultivators," the young man remarked. "I know some cultivators who like exterminating entire family lines for even the slightest offenses. Most of the people who traversed the road I was on would have been cultivators at the same stage as I am. So you truly were lucky not to encounter any of them."

"We…" Tufei contemplated his next words very carefully. "We have only been doing this for less than a month, and you're the sixth guy that we tried to rob."

"Then that is even better luck, as there is still a chance you didn't offend the mortal family of some cultivator or someone like that," the man nodded. "I understand how hard life can be sometimes. Before I became a cultivator, I too was just some average working man. Though the closest thing to compare my job to would be something like a scribe, so working in the fields must be even harder."

"Not like we had much of a choice after the long winter," Tufei nodded and stopped in his tracks.

What had he just said?! Why was he talking to this man like he was just some friend when he had clearly threatened them with death not even a dozen minutes ago? He had gotten so absorbed in the atmosphere and the way the cultivator acted that he had talked to him like an equal!

Tufei swallowed and glanced at the cultivator, praying to all his ancestors and Gods that he hadn't taken offense. To his relief, the cultivator continued acting as if nothing had happened.

Not long after, they arrived in the village, which consisted of straw and mud houses situated on the side of a mountain and close to a small river. With less than a hundred inhabitants, the population dwindled each year due to Monstrous Beasts or migration to the nearby Greengrass Town in search of opportunities.

Tufei had contemplated doing the same at one time, but lacking funds and special skills, he found himself limited. His cousin had ventured there but returned, finding little opportunity for village folk like them, who weren't even considered for labor jobs like construction.

As they walked to their own house, Tufei glanced at the people around them, pondering. Whatever it was, he hoped the cultivator wouldn't unleash his wrath on the innocent.

"Mother, we are back," called out Oftu, spear still in hand.

Their elderly mother, who relied on a walking stick to move, emerged from the hut, her familiar friendly smile lighting up her face. "Oh, how was your hunting trip?" Then her gaze shifted toward the cultivator. "Who is this? Is he one of your new friends?"

Tufei felt a lump in his throat as a bead of sweat rolled down his cheek. He felt trapped between a rock and a hard place. Their mother remained unaware of their banditry, believing their excursions to be hunting trips where they sold their goods to wandering merchants and returned with coins.

"Mother… We…" Tufei began, his heart weighed down by the impending confession.

How could he tell his mother that despite her sacrifices in raising them after their father's death, they had turned to banditry?

But before Tufei could utter another word, the cultivator stepped forward.

The people in the village showed no fear towards the sibling trio upon their arrival, meaning they were likely honest with what they told me. Especially now, observing their palpable nervousness around their mother.

As the bow-wielding brother began to stutter, I stepped forward, clasped my fist against my palm, and bowed slightly to show respect. "Hello ma'am, my name is Liu Feng. Sorry if your sons weren't able to get much hunting done today. I was lost, and they kindly offered their assistance."

It was evident the trio cared deeply for their mother, and her gentle gaze and amiable demeanor revealed she would never condone her sons' criminal activities. I could use this in the future as blackmail in case I needed these guys to do something.

"Ah, don't worry. My sons have always been helpful, and sometimes their kindness is rewarded. But the true reward for good deeds lies not in this life, but the next," she remarked.

Next life? Did the common folk in this world believe in an afterlife or deity? Liu Feng's clan, as per his memories, revered their ancestors and clan founder, but never delved into concepts like deities. It seemed the general populace believed in things that immortal-seeking cultivators like him would disregard.

"Then I'm sorry to intrude further, but could I stay the night?" I inquired. With darkness descending, attempting to rest in an unfamiliar forest seemed dangerous. Despite the unlikely presence of threats, given the Blazing Sun Sect's efforts to purge the area of dangerous beasts. But even their influence had its limits.

"Oh, you must be similar to the young girl who visited earlier today. She was searching for someone, but you don't match the description," she nodded. "Regardless, I've prepared some rice porridge. You're welcome to have some."

Young girl? There was someone else before me? I got the impression this village was desolate and rarely visited by outsiders.

It was clear they were poor, and taking from such a kind old woman didn't sit right with me, so I shook my head. "No, but thank you for the offer. A healer advised me to abstain from eating for the next two days as I consumed some tainted food in Greengrass Town."

"That sounds dreadful," the old woman's expression shifted to concern. "Is everything alright?"

Now, I felt a pang of guilt for deceiving her. But it was too late to retract now; I had to forge ahead. "Yeah, just some unscrupulous food stand that the authorities have shut down. Apparently, the vendor was peddling spoiled pig meat salvaged from butcher shop trash."

However, my fabricated backstory wasn't what troubled me. The individual searching for someone set me on edge. This proximity to the Blazing Sun Sect hinted at potential danger, and there was a good chance the other party was a cultivator.

Would an enemy from a rival sect dare to venture so close? It seemed improbable, yet caution was warranted. "Did they describe the person they were looking for?"

The old mother shook her head. "I have no idea. She only spoke with the village elder. It seemed like she was in search of something."

"And where might I find this village elder?" I inquired.

"Just up the hill there. His home isn't any grander than ours, but it has the high ground," she chuckled as if reminiscing about some private joke.

I nodded. "Then I will go and talk with him. It would be impolite to arrive in someone's village without the elder's knowledge. I'm a stranger, after all."

"Oh, don't fret. I doubt he would mind," she reassured me.

Nevertheless, I smiled and added, "I prefer to stay on the side of caution. I had a negative experience in a village once, so now I always take precautions. Also, I should inquire about the arrival of merchants or caravans. Perhaps I could secure passage with one to reach a nearby town."

"You are right," she nodded. "Nowadays, the forests around here have grown much more dangerous. Did you know that a couple of years ago one of the lumberjacks in the village died?"

No, I did not know. Because I just came to this village.

Despite my thoughts, I kept my smile and nodded politely. My previous life experience in handling old people came in handy, "Really? Poor man."

"I know, right. His poor wife was pregnant with their third child. Her family was taking care of her as she had to move back in with them, but her mother also died during the long winter. Horrible stuff all around," she continued telling me other stories and tragedies of where people died.

Old people sure loved their stories. But hopefully, if I ever become old enough to ramble like this, the youngsters will be polite about it. Treat others how I would want to be treated in this situation.

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I would have liked to know if my sons were two-bit criminals, but that would not solve anything.

"Mother, I will take Liu Feng here to see the village elder. Futou broke his ax trying to fell a tree, and Oftu is going to help him get a new one. See you later," Tufei said, sending an uncomfortable smile my way.

His mother hadn't called him out on it, so she probably couldn't see that well at that age. With a nod, she sent us away while inviting me once more for dinner, and I had to refuse again. After we were a dozen steps away from the mud hut, Tufei leaned in and whispered, "Thank you for not telling my mother about our deeds."

"I see no need to punish the elderly for the mistakes of their foolish children," I said. "Also, at that age, learning that her sons were going around acting like hoodlums can't be good for her heart."

He nodded and once more said a quiet thanks.

The village elder's house really wasn't that much different from others. Except that it was at one of the higher altitude houses on the mountain they had built their village.

Either this village elder was truly corrupt, or they were all just that poor. It was probably the latter.

Tufei walked up in front of me and knocked on the rough wooden door. A thin old man opened it. He had a long beard and falling white hair, and used a cane to walk around. He looked like someone who already had one foot in the grave.

"What do you want?" The old man frowned at them.

I stepped up, "Hello sir, my name is Liu Feng, and I was wondering—"

"I don't care about your name," the old man interrupted me.

He was one of those grumpy old men and already seemed angry. But I knew how to handle such people and didn't react to his provocations. "I heard a girl came around here looking for someone. Can you describe what she or the person she was searching for looked like?"

The village elder's frown deepened, and he looked me up and down. "That ain't just some girl. She was a cultivator. She said she was looking for a young man with crimson red hair who talks to himself."

A chill went down my spine.

Someone talking to themselves? She was a cultivator? Had I stumbled upon some kind of cultivation cult soon-to-be battleground? That's what most of the crazy dangerous cultivators usually were a part of.

"If it's not much of a bother, can you tell me what she looked like?" I asked, trying to calm myself.

"Well, she was a beauty, that's for sure," he smiled. "But not like any other beauty, she stood out with dark hair with strands of silver. She was beautiful like jade... Heh, a jade-like beauty straight out of legends."

As soon as the words "jade-like beauty" left the old man's mouth, my decision was already made.

Yeah, I was getting the fuck out of here. I wanted none of whatever that stuff was!

Turning toward Tufei, I said, "Tell your mother I said goodbye and thanks for the dinner offer, but something came up."

"Uh, okay?" Tufei's response sounded more like a question.

He was confused, and I couldn't blame him.

I came here to determine whether the bandits had people who cared about them and to guarantee they would choose the right path from now on. The former, I had already figured out. They were not mere fourth-rate villains from some xianxia novel; they were real people with families, loved ones, and their reasons.

As for them choosing the right path from now on, that was somewhat dubious, depending on whether they believed my curse on them was legitimate. It was not, of course. It was merely a fabricated technique conjured on the spot, bolstered by a contrived backstory about its saintly creator.

Having achieved half of my objective, I was fairly sure they wouldn't continue their former ways, at least not out of fear. If they did, they would inevitably encounter someone who wouldn't tolerate their behavior, and by then it was no longer my concern.

But when jade-like beauties became involved, it signified the start of some craziness. Something I wanted no part of and had no curiosity about. After all, curiosity killed the cat, and unlike felines, I didn't have nine lives.

As for resting during my journey, I was a cultivator. Though still in the early stages of cultivation, I should be capable of enduring days without sleep without suffering short-term physical or mental degradation.

"Welp, I have to go now," I declared, propelling myself off the ground and dashing out of the village and into the forest. I stopped when surrounded by greenery and far away from the village. I tried to catch my breath and exhaled a sigh of relief.

I focused on my heightened senses, listening intently for any signs of pursuit. However, there were no unusual sounds, only the familiar rustling of leaves in the wind. The absence of crickets or any other insect noise was strange.

Then, a small earthquake rumbled, causing the ground to shake violently, nearly causing me to stumble. This was followed by a massive explosion that sent me tumbling to the grassy ground. I scrambled to my feet and stared toward the village, where a mushroom cloud billowed into the sky.

The explosion was dangerously close to the village. For a fleeting moment, I entertained the idea of rushing to help, but what emerged from the mushroom cloud stopped me in my tracks—a gigantic boar, towering over the trees like an apartment building.

The monstrous beast's thunderous roar echoed through the forest, uprooting trees with its sheer power. In the face of such a mighty creature, my previous notions of power paled in comparison.

Monstrous Beasts possessed at least a bit of Qi, and beasts were typically stronger than martial artists of equivalent stages. This beast, at least a Qi Gathering level Monstrous Beast, presented a formidable threat. I stood no chance against it.

Part of me yearned to intervene and aid the villagers, but the beast was still some distance away. However, there lingered the looming possibility that it could charge toward the village at any moment.

But what could I realistically do? Even if I mustered all my strength, the beast would likely shrug off any attack as if it were nothing more than a scratch.

I had momentarily forgotten the absurdity of Xianxia Worlds—the vast differences in power between individuals even just a single stage apart.

Fuck!

Now, a moral dilemma was in my hands. While it was evident that I wouldn't be able to save the entire village if disaster struck, I believed I could at least rescue some of the villagers, particularly the children.

However, while I wouldn't label myself heartless, there was a limit to the risks I was willing to take for strangers. My lips felt dry, and my body remained frozen in place as every instinct screamed against moving even a single step toward such imminent danger.

But then, a sudden chill enveloped the air, diverting my attention from thoughts of my next move. A large crystal formed above the Monstrous boar, causing it to roar in response, its steamy aura swirling around its massive form.

As the crystal shimmered in the moonlight, I managed to get a clearer look at it—it was no crystal; it was a giant icicle. Despite my weakness compared to the beast, the icicle descended and pierced the creature straight through its spine, exiting from its abdomen.

What the fuck had I stumbled into?

With the villagers now safe, there was no longer a reason for me to wrestle with moral dilemmas. Whatever food shortages they might have faced would now be resolved by the colossal beast that had been killed in their backyard.

With the innocents secure, I turned on my heels and sprinted in the opposite direction. The trees blurred past me as I pushed my body to its limits, propelled by the agility of Rushing Bull Steps.

Though I knew I would likely have to deal with pain for days to come from abusing Rushing Bull Steps, I felt I had no other choice. The battle would undoubtedly draw the attention of any nearby cultivators, and the situation could quickly escalate into a bloodbath—a scenario I wanted no part of.

Cultivators were greedy, and I knew there was a high probability of encountering death battles, even if I were fortunate enough to avoid many cultivators noticing me—something I highly doubted.

As I continued to flee, I gradually began to tear off my sect uniform. There was no telling how many enemy cultivators or spies lurked around the Blazing Sun Sect, ready to exploit the chaos. They might seize the opportunity to target Blazing Sun Sect disciples amid the turmoil.

Trees blurred around me, and I tried to run as fast as possible when a sharp, swishing sound sliced through the air. Instinctively, I ducked, narrowly evading a metal sword that whizzed over my head.

My heart almost jumped out of my chest as I looked up and saw my reflection in the steel blade.

This was a situation I had thought about countless times. But reality was often quite different from what the mind conjured up. There was little time for thinking, so I relied solely on my instincts.

I retaliated with a swift kick, but the attacker did a backflip over it and dodged swiftly in mid-air. But I rotated my hips, built momentum, and sent another kick toward his face. There was no chance for him to dodge this time.

But as my kick connected, he barely blocked it with the side of his sword. With deft grace, he landed on a nearby tree branch.

His wavy dark hair was pushed to the side by the wind, revealing his intense, dilated brown eyes.

His sword gleamed in the sunlight as he tightened his grip on it, its edge seemingly razor-sharp. The weapon emitted no Qi, indicating it wasn't an artifact—otherwise, I would have been in serious trouble.

No words were exchanged between us; none were needed. He had made an attempt on my life, and unlike the bandits I encountered earlier, this guy was a genuine threat.

There was an invisible connection between us, and for that brief moment I wasn't sure if it was just my delusions, but it felt like I could understand this man's intentions.

Was this the so-called learning to know another person through fighting?

Either way, it was clear that neither of us would emerge from this encounter unscathed.

Clad in simple attire, he bore the semblance of a rogue cultivator unaffiliated with any sect, or perhaps he, like me, concealed his sect association.

With a crouch, the sinister feeling around him intensified. The branch below his feet trembled and shattered into pieces as he shot toward me like a bullet.

I leaped backward as his sword sliced downward, effortlessly cleaving through the branch I had stood on like a razor, leaving behind a clean, precise cut.

His swing left him momentarily exposed. I seized the opportunity and kicked off another tree, charging at him and using the Piercing Fang Fist technique. As the air around my fist twisted and whooshed toward his face, his eyes widened, a grimace contorting his features as he barely raised his sword to block the attack.

A resounding thud echoed through the air as he was thrown backward, accompanied by the clanging of metal. A sudden, piercing pain shot up my arm, and warmth trickled down my elbow.

The man crashed through a nearby tree but rose to his feet almost immediately, showing no visible signs of damage. From what I could discern, he possessed strength comparable to mine—a seven-star body-tempering youngster, likely accustomed to killing foes swiftly with decapitating blows. Prolonged battles didn't seem to be his forte.

Glancing down, I observed a deep gash spanning from wrist to elbow on my right arm, blood gushing forth in alarming quantities. Panic surged through me.

How had I been cut?

A chill went through my heart. I hadn't even seen the blade strike me!

Could it be some sort of Sword Technique?

Struggling to quell my racing thoughts, I took deep, shaking breaths—a futile attempt to calm myself in the face of bleeding out. Despite the gruesome wound, I felt no pain.

Was the blade poisoned? Some creatures used numbing agents to mask their venomous bites. I prayed that it was merely adrenaline dulling my senses.

Observing the man as he crouched, it became apparent that neither of us possessed extensive experience in prolonged combat. However, unlike him, I lacked any experience in taking a life. Yet, that was what I needed to do.

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Clarity settled over me, my heart rate steadied, and my senses sharpened to an acute edge. I could almost feel the rhythm of his heartbeat, the rhythm of his breaths. Poison, blood loss, and pain could wait—the immediate threat demanded my full attention.

Why worry about something that could kill me later when there was something that could kill me right now?

Yeah, all I had to do was move. Just keep moving!

As the man lowered into a crouch, his hand pressing into the ground, it became evident that he was preparing to employ a movement technique. His posture was unusual for a swordsman, suggesting he lacked a suitable technique for his discipline. Likely opting for the only choice available to him.

This revealed quite a lot. The chances of this guy being a young master were slim to none, meaning no one was backing him up. Otherwise, he would have gotten himself a better technique.

His fingers dug into the grassy dirt, muscles in his thighs bulging, veins pulsing along his palms.

Amidst the flurry of techniques racing through my mind, the many dozens of them I had memorized while reading in the sect's library one stood out—The Burst Tiger Step.

With a flash, he surged forward, akin to a wild beast in pursuit of its prey. While his speed was remarkable, true mastery of the Burst Tiger Step demanded a quadrupedal stance, a limitation that hindered its full potential.

Unlike the Rushing Bull Steps I had chosen, the Burst Tiger Step distributed pressure evenly across four limbs, allowing for agile movements even in rough terrain. However, like many techniques, it possessed vulnerabilities. Its feline-like assault left the user vulnerable mid-air, unable to evade a counterattack—a weakness I had accounted for in my selection.

Bending my legs, I initiated the Rushing Bull Steps, the world blurring around me as tunnel vision set in. With the target fixed before me, his mid-air vulnerability presented an opportunity. The forest landscape shifted, and for a fleeting moment, I debated targeting his head. Yet, even airborne, he could evade such an assault with a simple tilt.

The chest was the obvious target…

There was no time to think. The next thing I knew, my fist sank wrist-deep in blood. I could feel the bone and soft fleshy things touching my hand.

By the time I realized what happened, my opponent was staring at me wide-eyed. He coughed a mouthful of blood, some of it splattered on my face, and it smelled like copper.

Small chunks of flesh slid down my face, and I used my injured hand to wipe it off. What was left was small chunks of flesh in my hand.

Did he cough out a part of his lungs?

I pulled my fist back, blood squirted and chunks of flesh and pieces of lungs came with it. The guy's gaze met mine as a tear rolled down his eyes as his body plummeted to the ground. I picked off the pieces of flesh from my fist and tried to wipe the sticky blood away, but it left a red smudge.

I had to put up with this and the flesh bits under my nails, as there was no water nearby to wash it off.

Staring at his body and caving in the chest, something rose up my throat. "Ugh!" I leaned against a tree and threw up.

But in that moment of weakness, something shifted in the grass and someone came out.

Shit! Why did I waver here!?!

I hurriedly pulled my fists back up, the taste of vomit still in my mouth, and the feeling of wanting to throw up went away. Though I blocked the first attack, a cracking noise rang out as I flew back and smashed into a tree. A painful tingle went through my arms.

I looked down, hoping they hadn't been broken.

Thankfully, they were okay, except for the black swelling in the middle of my forearms where the hit had landed. Though the attack hadn't broken my arms, there were probably some cracks along the bones.

I looked at my new opponent, and unlike my last one, this was a female. She had long dark hair in a ponytail, cold dark eyes, and a lanky body with a long face.

"Leave this body to me, and you can go," she stated coldly.

I narrowed my eyes on her.

How should I deal with this? She obviously couldn't be trusted and it would be foolish to turn my back on her.

I was wounded, yet she refrained from attacking.

Why was she hesitating?

She had been observing the skirmish between me and the man, so she likely smelled an opportunity to kill me. However, despite the repulsion I had felt witnessing the man's gruesome death, I remained vigilant.

Fear coursed through my veins. There was little chance I would win this with these injuries. But I straightened my stance, and a facade of false bravado enveloped me like never before.

"Why extend such an offer?" I smirked. "Aren't you confident in taking me down? Believe in yourself a bit more, young lady. Self-confidence is key."

Whether this bravado stemmed from the original Liu Feng or myself was unclear. Perhaps it was a weird fusion of both. Regardless, an irrational and angry opponent was easier to deal with than a calm and rational one. Even if these insults failed to provoke her, each second of rest I gained after exerting myself was an advantage. Moreover, engaging in verbal sparring soothed my nerves.

"You talk mighty well for someone who was just throwing up for killing someone. What kind of man does that?" She muttered, assuming a pugilistic stance, her silver brass knuckles dripping with red liquid—a telltale sign of previous murderers because that wasn't my blood.

Her choice of weapon suggested she was a fistfighter. However, I remained vigilant for any potential tricks. Though it would be mighty inconvenient for her to go through all this trouble just to give the wrong first impression.

"What can I say? Deep down, I'm a tender-hearted man who recoils at the sight of blood," I sighed, shaking my head in mock regret.

Her eye twitched, her grip on the brass knuckles tightening.

Did she think that not being a murderous maniac was something to be ashamed of? Well, maybe it was in this world. It was a stark reminder of the harsh realities of this world, where strength often dictated one's fate.

This situation reminded me of an old saying: It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war.

Here I stood, akin to the hapless gardener thrust into the midst of battle. If I hoped to survive, I needed to shed the guise of passivity and embrace the mantle of a warrior now! Not next year, or next month, or even tomorrow… I had to do it now!

My arms bore the scars of the previous skirmish, the gash inflicted by the man's blade reminding me of my vulnerability. Meanwhile, my legs felt numb from the untrained use of Rushing Bull Steps without the accompanying defensive technique I had intended to master.

"Talk about a shitty day," I muttered under my breath, casting a glance at the man's lifeless form, his chest caved in.

Normally, the sight of his wide, lifeless eyes would have repulsed me, yet now, I felt an eerie calmness. My stomach no longer churned. The only concern occupying my mind was the enemy before me, intent on killing me.

There were no thoughts of the uncertain future or the enigmatic jade-like beauty who likely lurked nearby. My sole preoccupation was with ending this girl before she ended me.

How odd. The notion of taking someone's life didn't evoke the slightest hesitation within me. Perhaps the awareness of the inevitable necessity of such actions in this world dulled the shock they should have elicited.

"You know, when a woman attempts to slay a handsome young cultivator, she often finds herself joining his harem in the end," I jest.

She gritted her teeth. "Well, you're far from handsome."

Oh, the xianxia girl had some comebacks? Never thought I would meet someone like her in this world. Under different circumstances, perhaps we could have been friends. Regrettably, her unwavering intent to end my life left me no choice but to reciprocate in kind.

"You're breaking my heart, lady," I retorted, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

Her response was immediate. With silent grace, she surged forward, her movements fluid and deadly. Her eyes burned with a palpable intensity, sending shivers down my spine.

The girl's nimble footwork made it seem like she was hopping from blade to blade of grass. Her strange movements made no sound, and it was hard to read from her steps what she would do next.

But the strangest thing was that despite how she was dancing on the grass, there was no sign she had stepped there. A testament to her skills and stealth, her techniques were more suited for assassination.

How intriguing. These techniques revealed quite a lot about her. What kind of sect taught their disciples assassination techniques? Also, why wasn't she running? While it might be hard for her to be able to defeat me without a surprise attack, it was still quite clear that if she wanted she could escape.

"What kind of footwork is that?" I inquired, even as she drew her fist back. Unfortunately, my Rushing Bull Steps lacked the versatility to evade her attacks, a flaw I resolved to address in the future.

As she lunged forward, her left brass knuckle grazed my chest, tearing through my robes and leaving a deep gash. Her frustration was palpable as she cursed under her breath and prepared for another assault.

"Oh? That was the wrong move, little lady," I taunted, my voice dripping with feigned confidence as I sought to goad her into making a fatal error. The tension was heavy between us.

Despite how hard she tried to hide it, it was clear as day she grew angrier.

I smiled and continued talking, "Now that you've lost the advantage of charging speed, there isn't much difference between us."

The air crackled around my fist as I swung at her head, ready for the gruesome outcome if my blow landed true. However, my hand went straight through her head.

An after-image?!

"As if a peasant like you would ever know anything about good techniques," she snorted and appeared next to me.

In the blink of an eye, pain exploded through my ribs as her fist connected with a force that sent me hurtling through the air. I could feel something crack, likely a rib, and prayed it wasn't something more vital like an organ.

I was not elated to find out what this would feel like once the adrenaline wore off.

With my arm still bleeding and no means to staunch the flow without risking further injury, I realized the need to be better prepared for such encounters in the future. Bandages would have been a wise addition to my arsenal.

It wasn't like she would have stood by the side and waited for me to stall my bleeding.

Despite every instinct urging me to flee, I held my ground, acutely aware that showing her my back would seal my fate. I was determined not to meet death again so soon, especially when I had barely scratched the surface of what this world had to offer.

I had no idea what Qi was like or how it felt using an earth-grade technique.

The girl cautiously encircled me. I kept my eyes on her while also keeping my ears open in case she had a companion attempting to exploit a moment of distraction to finish me off in a single attack.

Everything about her pointed to her being an assassin for hire. If I were to hazard a guess, her assignment likely involved eliminating individuals in the vicinity. Judging by her strength, she was probably tasked with dispatching disciples or ordinary mortals who stumbled upon whatever was happening here.

Now that she had lost her element of surprise, she stood little chance against me. Even the afterimage technique was a one-time use, and we both knew it wouldn't work a second time.

"You can't get out of here alive," she stated, her breath trembling as she glanced at my legs and arms. "This place will be razed by forces much stronger than us. So why not surrender, and I'll ensure your death is painless."

Oh? Was she already offering compromises?

I mean, it wasn't much of a compromise, but still significantly different from her earlier stance. Perhaps she was on a deadline? Or she didn't want to linger longer than necessary? Or it was a combination of all these factors.

How intriguing. I was beginning to think I wasn't even her primary target. Was her assassination target the other guy I killed? Well, it was clear now that she wouldn't have let me leave, considering no assassin worth their salt would allow their actions to be exposed.

Bringing my fists up, I assumed a defensive stance and crouched. The girl's eyes widened, and she retreated, positioning half her body behind a tree.

A bead of sweat trickled down her cheek, and her eyes dilated, as if she were awaiting something.

Oh? Now, that was interesting.

"I think I know what's happening here," I grinned, attempting to conceal the jolting pain coursing through my body, and how the only arm that wasn't bleeding like a fountain had started swelling and was hard to move. "You watched me use my technique against the sword wielder and now fear I might use it against you. Why? Are you not confident in your speed to dodge it?"

Of course, she wasn't, because if Rushing Bull Step had the kind of weakness where it was slow enough to be dodged by someone at just the Body Tempering stage, I wouldn't have chosen it. Neither would I have chosen it if I hadn't seen the potential to mitigate its weaknesses and transform it into something more.

But now wasn't the time to experiment.

Unlike the protagonists in xianxia novels who often pull out new techniques they've never used before out of thin air, doing so in reality was incredibly risky. I hadn't attempted to change directions mid-way while using Rushing Bull Steps because I could risk breaking my legs. That wouldn't bode well in any battle, let alone one to the death.

I crouched down and charged at her; she instinctively jumped to the side to evade.

"Shit!" she exclaimed, realizing too late that it was just a normal charge. I hadn't used Rushing Bull Steps.

I crouched down again and activated Rushing Bull Step, leaving her no room to dodge as she was almost within arm's reach. Despite her efforts to lean to the side, my fist still landed on her side, and I felt her flesh yield as her ribs snapped like the strings of a guitar.

The young woman grunted and was sent flying, crashing against a tree and shattering it into a thousand pieces. As the dust settled, she struggled to her feet, wincing in pain as blood leaked from her side, and bones protruded.

Despite her agony, I maintained my distance, ensuring not to get too close as my legs throbbed with pain and shook. Using Rushing Bull Steps a fourth time in a row would be a gamble I wasn't willing to take. While I preferred to end her life, I wasn't prepared to risk mine just to take her down with me.

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However, I still preferred to eliminate her rather than leave the possibility of her surviving and seeking revenge after becoming stronger.

Suddenly, before I could gather my thoughts and strategize the next move, there was a massive explosion in the distance. It was the kind of explosion that one saw before hearing it, and before either of us could react, the shockwave sent us both flying off the ground, like ragdolls, propelled far away despite our efforts to hold on.

Yep, this was my sign to get the fuck out of here. This was way above my power level! Whatever was happening out there, I wasn't even their target. Yet I was still flung away by the aftershocks of whatever the hell that was.

Instead of resisting the blast, I used it to my advantage as it pushed me away. I leaped from tree branch to tree branch, putting as much distance between me and the epicenter as possible. I didn't bother turning around to see what the explosion was about, and I had long lost sight of my opponent in the chaos.

I had hoped to search the clothes of the man I killed in case he had an antidote on him. But if I had been poisoned, symptoms would have already surfaced by now. No one in their right mind would coat their blade in a poison that acted days later, with no benefit in battle. If that had been the case, he would have fled immediately after cutting me, knowing the poison would do the job for him.

He might have just been a battle maniac, but if that was the case, using slow-acting poison on his blade made even less sense.

Now, all around me were trees forming a maze-like path, and I had no clue which direction would lead me back to the road toward the sect.

Did I even want to return to the road?

Damn it, I had tried to get out of there as soon as I heard about the jade-like beauty, yet here I was, caught in the aftermath of whatever the hell was happening. It was almost enough to make me want to cry!

But showing weakness on a battlefield was dangerous, and that wasn't a lesson I needed to learn twice.

Soon, there were no more trees to jump from, and I landed in a grassy field.

What the hell was I supposed to do now?

The pain from the fight, the cut-up arm, probably a broken rib, torn leg muscles, and a couple of concussions... It all hit me at once, and for a split second, everything went blank as I fought the urge to collapse and cry out in agony. My body shook, as my mind was overwhelmed by the sensation of extreme pain.

But who knew if any more enemies were lurking around? So the most comfort I allowed myself was a soft whine, the only release before I refocused my senses, wary in case the girl had somehow tracked me.

Okay, back to business. No thinking about the future, just concentrate on the present.

Distracting myself from the pain was easier said than done. I was half-tempted to pass out here. But that would mean almost certain death, and I wasn't ready to die yet.

First things first, I needed to address my injuries.

The cracked ribs, barely-working legs, and the concussion were beyond my immediate control. However, the gash on my arm, bleeding profusely, demanded attention.

Tearing off a strip of cloth from around my mundane disguise, I fashioned a makeshift bandage and wound it tightly around my arm, somewhat stopping the bleeding.

Now, I could only hope that a cultivator's immune system was superior to that of a regular human. There were no records of cultivators falling prey to common ailments like colds, and the diseases they were susceptible to tended toward the supernatural and rare.

Recalling what little medical knowledge I had gleaned from the sect's library, most of it centered around identifying poisonous mushrooms and herbs with healing properties. However, information on common herbs was scarce in the cultivator's domain.

One thing was certain: once I emerged from this ordeal alive, I wasn't leaving the sect for a long while!

Surveying my surroundings, I heard nothing but the rustle of leaves, and the only notable sight was a distant smoke cloud.

Yes, getting further away from here seemed like a good choice.

…

A whole day passed, spent running in the opposite direction of whatever had caused that explosion. Only then did I feel comfortable enough to pause by a clear stream of water. Also, I no longer had much of a choice as it felt like any minute now, I would pass out.

Carefully, I removed the cloth from my injured arm, inspecting the wound. The blood around it had hardened, and the injury seemed to have closed somewhat. I could move the arm with discomfort but was grateful for having a cultivator's physique, which likely meant a more robust immune system and faster recovery. Either that, or I got lucky for some reason.

As I began to undress and assess my injuries, a little turtle poked its head out from one of my inner pockets, attempting to nip at my finger.

"I almost forgot about you, little guy," I chuckled while checking to ensure that the two books I always carried were undamaged. Thankfully, they remained intact. While my Status Book served as a record of my stats and for future reference, my information book, containing all the knowledge I had gathered about cultivation, was more important.

Standing naked, I cautiously dipped my toes into the water, feeling a chill shoot up my spine and my teeth chattering.

Well, it seemed my cultivator's body didn't shield me from the cold as I had hoped. A disappointment, perhaps an overreaction, but I had grown accustomed to the superhuman capabilities my body now possessed.

Washing every part of my body, I tended to my wounds, ensuring there were no lasting injuries. Aside from the cracked bones in my arms and possibly cracked ribs, everything else seemed to be healing well, particularly the cut in my arm.

"At least I didn't suffer a concussion from colliding with all those trees," I remarked to the little turtle, still rummaging through my clothes. "Isn't that right, little guy?"

Speedy's only response was to continue chewing at my clothes.

Was Speedy already in his rebellious teenage phase? Kids grow up so fast these days.

I reminisced about the younger years of my last life when even the internet was not a big thing yet, and not everyone had a smartphone.

Not a phone in sight, and people were experimenting with weird substances, burning things, and getting drunk. I never understood why people complained about the younger generation always being on their phones. It was better than the shit we did.

Shaking my head, I stopped reminiscing about the old days. A part of growing up was always reminiscing about those good old days. Imagine not having to worry about work or taxes. Unironically, it was one of the main reasons why I liked this world so much; at least someone had a chance to have the power to do whatever they wanted, and the few could win against the interests of the many. However, it also had the disadvantage of the crazy few getting into power.

As I washed off all the blood and dried myself, I put my clothes back on and then laid down on the grass, feeding the little turtle some grass and tree roots.

Carefully, I ripped the long sleeves out of my clothes and made them into rough bandages, washing them before setting them on some stones near the stream to dry. I looked around, making sure the grass was tall enough to hide my form, and then lay down.

After a while, Speedy stopped fighting and no longer resisted my love. The little guy lay on my shoulder and snoozed off while I stared at the deep blue sky.

It was early in the morning. The sun wasn't bright enough to hurt my eyes yet, providing a pleasant view of the sky.

Wait, was space the same in this world as in my last one? Had any sword-flying cultivator attempted to reach space?

With such questions in my mind and pondering the wider world, I waited for my new bandages to dry and put them on. After that, I did some stretches to ensure no underlying injury would affect my mobility. Finally, I put the little turtle, who had gotten a taste of freedom during our stay, back into my pocket.

"Don't worry, Speedy, if I ever make it as a big-shot cultivator, I will buy you a mansion and get you a harem of turtles," I reassured the little guy as he peeked his head out of my pocket.

I set off and ran through the grasslands until I stumbled upon a rough road with carriage tracks, which I followed westward. There wasn't much else I could do, so I walked along the tracks until I finally reached what looked like a town.

It had high walls tinted pinkish-red with dark markings along the walls, likely some inscription or array. Or perhaps it was just there as a bluff to deter low-level cultivators from causing trouble. Either way, I wasn't going to try and find out.

As I approached the gate, two men in crimson medieval armor with dark swords in their hands kept their eyes on me. Unlike Greengrass Town, there was no long line waiting to get in.