As he walked, Ji Tianwei found a place that caught his attention. The path had taken him far from the village; now, only mountains and dense forests were visible. The mountain itself was enveloped in a powerful spiritual aura, its vibrations so strong they could be felt all the way to Ji Tianwei's body.
In the forest, illuminated by moonlight near the mountain and a ravine, the whispers of cultivators could be heard. As Ji Tianwei walked toward the source of the sound, he peeked from behind a towering rock surrounded by thick bushes.
"Release that spiritual plant, kid. I saw it first," a man's voice cut through the quiet.
Ji Tianwei squinted, his hand stroking his chin. The man was wearing a red robe with a fire emblem. Was he from a sect? Why would he steal a spiritual plant? Ah... most likely to be refined into a pill. Sister Bing Ying once taught me about this, but I'd never seen that plant in person when she explained it.
"What did you say?! I found it first! If it's in my hands, it belongs to me. Do you understand?!" the other cultivator retorted, his tone defiant.
The young man seemed a bit stubborn. A clan disciple, perhaps? He wasn't wearing a sect robe. A fight was inevitable, but damn, I couldn't sense their cultivation realms, Ji Tianwei grumbled to himself.
"If you don't release it, I won't hesitate to kill you. Hand over the spiritual plant," the first cultivator said, a cold look in his eyes.
"Kill me? Is that the nature of sect people? Why are you so arrogant? Are you only brave enough to fight a young person like me?" the young cultivator scoffed.
Hey, hey! Hurry up and fight! I want to know what realms you're both in. A small smile appeared on Ji Tianwei's face. Or... what if I just interrupt and pretend to be lost? I want their souls to boost my cultivation anyway.
"Kid, do you even know what that plant is? It's very important to me as an alchemist, and it will be used by our sect to create a Grade Four Pill. You're not an alchemist, so what use is it to you? Wouldn't it be a waste? Hand it over to me, and I'll trade you a Grade Two Healing Pill. How's that?" the man reasoned.
"Our clan has an alchemist, too, and I need this! Do you understand, old geezer? I'm from the Yuan Clan. Have you ever heard of it?" the young cultivator sneered.
The Yuan Clan? Is that a great clan? I've never heard of it in the village, but why does this kid seem so proud of it? Is it really that powerful? Ji Tianwei wondered.
"Who hasn't heard of your clan? I don't care. If you get in my way, take this, 'Single Fire Arrow Technique!'"
He created a bow of fire. The flames were a bright blue as he pulled the bowstring and released a single arrow that shot toward the young cultivator.
"Whirling Wind Technique!" the young cultivator roared. "Aren't you afraid of causing trouble with us, old geezer? We can sue you and have you thrown in jail." He wiggled his fingers, and a strong wind began to swirl around his body.
In an instant, the fire arrow struck the wind vortex. The arrow vanished as it was consumed by the technique.
"Is that all your power, old geezer? I'll let you know, I'm at the eighth level of the Nascent Soul realm. A measly attack like that is nothing to me. Ha... I feel embarrassed for even saying I would sue you. You deserve to be killed by my hand. This is what happens when you cross our Clan," an arrogant tone came from the Yuan Clan cultivator.
Wow, this is what I've been waiting for! Ha ha! So that's his realm. He's so arrogant, but I don't hate it. What will that old geezer do next? Is he in the same realm? Hurry up, I can't wait! Ji Tianwei thought to himself, his eyes gleaming.
The old cultivator said, "Haha, okay, let's see how arrogant your mouth is, kid." With a quick move, he launched the "Triple Fire Arrow Technique!" In an instant, one fire arrow split into three. Whoosh! The three arrows scattered in different directions.
Seeing that, the young cultivator retreated three steps while wiggling his fingers. "Three Directional Wind Vortex Technique!" he shouted. Wind extended from his body and charged at the arrows. He then ran to the side while moving his fingers and whispered, "Wind Slash! Haa!" At that exact moment, a wind slash appeared from his right hand. Swish! The slash spun and shot forward quickly.
The old cultivator yelled, "Fire Shield Technique! Seven Fire Arrow Technique!" The two techniques were released in succession. First, a fire shield blazed, forming a circle that rose from the ground to protect his body. Then, he pulled back a single, massive arrow and launched it. In an instant, the arrow broke into seven parts, charging in all directions toward the young cultivator.
The collision of their techniques caused trees and rocks from the cliff to shatter and burn. The ground around the young cultivator was pitted with holes that emitted blue flames, and the wind grew stronger from the impact of the two techniques.
The young cultivator looked around, then returned his gaze to the old cultivator with a sinister tone. "You see? Even nature itself rejects your weak fire. You just need to surrender, old geezer. Your destiny cannot fight against the will of our Clan."
Hearing that, the old cultivator merely grunted. He dusted off his robes and replied with a cold stare, "Don't talk so much, kid. You haven't seen my true strength yet."
The wind from the young cultivator's technique reached Ji Tianwei's position, causing a tree branch to snap and fall. Ji Tianwei's hand instinctively shot out, deflecting it with a cold ripple of energy. A bead of sweat traced a line down his temple. Damn, will I be discovered?
The two cultivators paused for a moment, then narrowed their eyes as they looked toward the towering rock near the tree and thick bushes.
Realizing he had been spotted, Ji Tianwei quickly hid behind the towering rock. His expression turned serious as he pulled a face-changing artifact from a ring on his little finger. I'll use this artifact if they come here. If they dare to anger me, I'll pretend to be a fool and let them take advantage of me. When the time comes, I'll wipe out their entire clan or sect. Isn't that a huge advantage for me? Hehe.
The old cultivator turned, pulled back his bowstring, and yelled, "Single Fire Arrow Technique!"
The fire arrow shot quickly toward the towering rock where Ji Tianwei was hiding.
Ji Tianwei swiftly used his face-changing artifact, altering his appearance. Just as the fire arrow hit the rock, he pretended to be thrown back. Craaaakk! He crashed into a tree, screaming, "Aaaaarrhhhh!" He clutched his right shoulder and whimpered, "Are you trying to kill me? I'm just lost... have mercy on me."
He tried to whine for sympathy, displaying a new, foolish and ugly face. He also quickly changed his clothes using his shadow technique.
The old cultivator raised an eyebrow, saying, "Lost? Are you trying to fool me? This place is very far from any settlement, and you say you're lost? What do you want? Why is a kid here? I can't even sense any spiritual energy from you. Isn't that suspicious?" He stared coldly at Ji Tianwei.
Meanwhile, the young cultivator stared at Ji Tianwei, thinking to himself, If this turns into a three-way battle, it'll be difficult for me. This fight will drain my Qi and overwhelm me. He realized there was something strange about Ji Tianwei.
"If that's true, what will you do, old geezer? And it's true, I don't have any spiritual energy because I can't cultivate. Are you satisfied?" Ji Tianwei whimpered in pain, blood flowing from his nostrils.
The old cultivator narrowed his eyes. He took a step, then quickly turned toward the young cultivator. "Fire Spear Technique!" he yelled. In an instant, a spear appeared in his right hand, and he quickly swung it toward the young cultivator.
The young cultivator, who was too focused on Ji Tianwei, was slightly startled. He tried to dodge, but the fire spear's speed was too fast. The spear hit his right hand just as he was about to release a technique.
Splat! Blood and fire wrapped around the young cultivator's right hand. His fingers were severed and the fire gnawed at his skin. He yelled while cursing, "Bastard! You damn old geezer!"
He flung his hand, then continued, yelling, "Wind Wrap Technique!" He pointed his left hand at his right, and the wind began to envelop his right hand, causing the fire effect to disappear. Woosh! Woosh!
He ran while summoning a healing pill from a ring on his left ring finger, then quickly swallowed it.
"Haha, now who looks pathetic? Hurry up and hand over that Spiritual Plant, kid!" the old cultivator shouted, laughing loudly. He raised his hand and yelled, "Mountain Splitting Fire Spear Technique!" A massive fire spear appeared above him, making the surrounding air feel scorching hot. Trees burned and a bright light enveloped the forest. A cold and arrogant tone came from him, "If you don't want to die."
"Damn it! Are you at the Spirit Severing realm?" the young cultivator exclaimed. He thought, his jaw clenched, Do I need to escape using this teleportation talisman my uncle gave me? Cold sweat beaded on his temples.
Ji Tianwei, watching them from under a tree while holding his right shoulder, said to himself, Whoa... is that what a Spirit Severing realm technique looks like? Should I try to help that young cultivator? He thought hard.
Ji Tianwei stood and wiped the blood from his nose. He then walked forward, raising his injured right hand. Instantly, his wound healed completely. He called out, "Hey, cultivator! Do you need my help?" While pointing toward the young cultivator, he smiled wide, showing all his teeth, and his eyes shone with a dangerous sharpness.