Time passed, and soon a week had gone by. Kael didn't do much except for cultivating and hanging out with Draven every once in a while. " Stage four, that took longer than I thought. But I have nothing but time." Kale said as he stretched. 'After buying the sword and using the cultivation room, I still have forty credits left, let's see if I can find a cheap skill in combat hall,' he thought as he took his new sword and left.
On his way to combat hall, he ran into Varn. He was escorting two disciples to administration hall with a stern face. "Hello, senior brother. " Kael greeted him. Vern turned to look at him for a moment, "Oh, you were with the group of new students the other day." He said with a smile. "How has the sect been treating you?" He asked, "The sect has treated me well." "That's good," Varn said as he nodded his head. "Well, I have some matters to take care of," he said as he pointed at the two disciples who lowered their heads. "Let's chat some other time." "Another time then," Kael said as he bid him goodbye and went on his way. 'I wonder what those two did,' He thought as he walked.
He soon arrived at combat hall and went straight to Instructor Joel's office. "Oh, you want to look for a skill?" Instructor Joel asked as he closed the document he had in his hands. "Yes, that's right." "Do you have credits?" "Yes." " Then follow me." They went to the same room as last time.
Kael went and placed his hand on the crystal ball and started to browse through the catalogue of skills and their prices. He looked for a while until one skill got his attention, ' silken grasp, a binding skill that forms threads made from essence that tighten as the opponent struggles, and it's only thirty-five credits. If I had this skill, taking down that gold-horned lizard would have been much easier.' Kale was elated just from reading the description and purchased it without a second thought.
The skills information appeared in his mind. He activated it as ten strands of essence like fine silk appeared, connected to each of his fingers. "Silken grasp, not bad," instructor Joel said as he opened the door and they walked back to his office. "Kael, what stage are you at right now? Joel asked as he sat down. 'I can't tell him I'm at the fourth stage, he would just get suspicious of me. A child with no background and no special talent reaching the fourth stage this quickly. 'After contemplating for a bit, he finally answered, "I'm currently at the third stage." Kael said. Instructor Joel's face brightened up, and he clasped his hands together. "Hahaha, that's wonderful, continue being diligent with your cultivation." " Thank you for your praise, I will," Kael said with a short bow. "Nonsense, you've been here for over a week and have already reached the third stage, that deserves praise." Instructor Joel said as he leaned back on his chair.
"We received a mission to guard a travelling caravan. I'm responsible for putting together the team. Would you like to be part of it?" Instructor Joel asked with a playful smile on his face. Kael coughed and said, "Thank you, but I don't think I'm strong enough for that kind of mission." "Don't worry, I wouldn't suggest it if it were a dangerous mission. Treat it like gaining experience. So what do you say?"
"Did I mention the reward is one thousand credits?" Instructor Joel added. "One thousand credits?" Kael repeated, not sure he heard it right, and instructor Joel nodded. He remembered his remaining credits and suddenly thought it wasn't such a bad idea. 'I need more credits if I want to continue using the cultivation rooms and get more skills. Man dies for wealth, birds die for food.' He then steeled his resolve and agreed to join the team.
"Perfect, there are four others and with you that makes it five." "Who are the other four?" Kael asked. "Just members of our combat hall, maybe you know some of them. You'll be leaving after one week, so prepare yourself. I'll tell you the rest of the details that day, that's all. You can leave now." Instructor Joel said as he picked up the document he had placed on his table and continued reading it. Kael bowed and left.
'Only one week left, I should prepare as much as I can. I'm close to comprehending the first form of the heaven cleaving sword path, I should be able to comprehend it by the time we leave. I will have to try and break through to the fifth level by then, too.' Kael sighed as he thought about the busy week he was going to have, but a look of determination flashed across his face. 'I'll go to mission hall and pick some missions to earn the credits fast. I'll have to practice the first form out in the wilderness, too, after all combat is the fastest way to improve. Then I'll rent a cultivation room when I get back.' Kael thought as he went to his place and packed a few necessities before going to Mission Hall.
He looked at the missions available and found one that he could manage. 'Obtain the gull of a grimeback, according to the memories I obtained, grimebacks usually reside in swampy areas. They fire a toxic sludge that can melt iron when threatened and have good camouflage.' "I'll take this one," He pointed at it, while handing the list back. "Ok, wait a minute," the youth said as he disappeared into the back, then came back with a metal cylinder that had a small array at the bottom and handed it to him. "It's to preserve the gull," the youth said after he saw Kael looking at the array. With everything he needed, he left the sect.
'According to the map, there is a swamp about a day's travel from here. With my speed and endurance, I should make it before evening.' Kael thought as he put the map back and started sprinting. 'There has to be a better way to travel than this. I'll have to visit the library and read some books on beast taming.' Kael thought as he remembered the time he rode on the griffin. He increased his speed, leaving behind a trail of dust.
"Was that a person?" A young boy asked his father after Kael passed them, leaving them in a cloud of dust. "It is, that was a cultivator, only they can reach those speeds." His father said as he looked in the direction that Kael was heading. " Can I become one too?" the child asked with stars in his eyes. His father chuckled, "Sure, when you're old enough." The child jumped with joy as they continued walking.
Kael, who had been running for the better part of the day, spotted a town at the edge of his vision. He slowed down and took out his map.' This should be Willowest town, the swamp is just ahead.' And with that, he increased his speed again until he reached Willowest. It was a town with rural roads and timber homes that gave a sense of old comfort.
He walked the streets, looking for anything that might interest him. 'Oh, almost forgot I have this with me.' He thought as he pulled out a golden horn, the one he had taken from the gold-horned lizard he killed. He had forgotten about it when he returned to the sect. 'Let's see if you're worth something.' He said as he entered an antique-looking shop, it smelled of pinewood and old leather.
An old man sat at the counter, half asleep. The moment he heard the door open, he sprang up and looked at Kael. "Are you buying or selling?" He asked. "Selling," Kael said as he placed the horn on top of the counter.
The old man picked it up and inspected it. "The horn of a juvenile gold horned lizard, and it appears to be in good condition." He said as he put it back on the counter. "I'll give you twenty silver coins for it, no negotiations."
Kael frowned a bit after hearing the price, but still agreed to it. The man reached into his money sack and counted twenty silver coins before handing them to Kael. Kael took the money and put it in his bag, then left.
'I should look for a place to rest and cultivate a bit first, before heading into the swamp.' He thought as he wandered around looking for accommodations. He found an old inn that had rooms available and rented one for the