Chapter 34: A man close to nature

Carrying Li Liang, Lu Jing, and two other unconscious Ning Clan members through the forest was no easy task. The weight of their bodies, combined with the exhaustion from the battle, made each step a challenge.

Yet, the beauty of the forest provided a welcome distraction. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the distant calls of exotic birds. If it weren't for the dire circumstances, it would have been a serene and peaceful journey.

Wang Mie, Ning Rong, and I worked in tandem, our movements synchronized as we navigated the forest paths. The recent battle had left us all weary, but there was a sense of camaraderie that hadn't been there before. It was as if the shared struggle had forged an unspoken bond among us.

"Hey, Ning Feng," Wang Mie began, her tone uncharacteristically sweet. "You’re so great at formations. Could you teach me sometime?"

I almost stumbled at the unexpected shift in her demeanor. Wang Mie was usually so formal and reserved. This sudden sweetness felt out of place, almost creepy. I glanced at her, trying to gauge her sincerity.

"Um, sure, I guess," I replied hesitantly. "Why the sudden interest in learning from me , Your master is also a grade 2 formation master?"

Wang Mie’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Well, after seeing you in action today, I realized you are much better than him." She said without a hint of hesitation.

Damn , that old bastard might cough up blood in the xianxia way if he hears this but it it feels like music to my ears.

" And honestly, you make it look so easy." She said with a hint of respect.

I chuckled nervously, still unsettled by her change in behaviour. "Easy, huh? It’s all about practice and understanding the principles. But yeah, I can show you a few things."

As we continued our trek, I couldn't shake the feeling that this ordeal had brought us closer together. The way Wang Mie was now interacting with me, the way Ning Rong had fought so fiercely—it all felt like we were finally becoming a united team. Despite the creepy sweetness, it was a welcome change from our usual formality.

"Ning Feng," Ning Rong’s voice broke the silence. "How come you weren’t affected by the basilisk’s illusion?"

I smiled, appreciating the curiosity in her eyes. "I created a qi-dispersing rune with a fire concept. It essentially burns away qi, and the illusion was too widespread to overwhelm it. It’s a peak grade 1 rune, so it’s quite effective."

Ning Rong’s eyes widened in admiration. "That’s incredible! I didn’t know you could create such runes."

I shrugged modestly. "It’s just something I’ve been working on. I designed it myself. Formations and runes can be incredibly powerful if used correctly." On the side, Wang Mie's smile faltered as it gave way to shock, her mouth falling agape.

I chuckled. "I've had enough fun for today. Any more, and she might actually die of a heart attack," I thought. She already knew a lot about me because of this whole ordeal. This wouldn't make much of a difference, but it sure felt good to brag in front of someone who actually knew its worth instead of a certain silver-haired brat who made fake expressions just to show me she knew how amazing I am when she didn't know jack.

"How did you even come up with that?" Wang Mie asked, still processing the revelation.

I smiled, feeling a bit smug. "A lot of trial and error. And a lot of late nights. But it was worth it. Having the right tools can make all the difference in a fight."

As we walked, the forest seemed to close in around us, the trees growing taller and the underbrush denser. Despite the challenges, there was a sense of peace in the natural beauty surrounding us. The vibrant greens of the leaves, the soft rustle of the wind, and the occasional splash of color from wildflowers all combined to create a picturesque scene.

"So, what’s the next step for you?" Wang Mie asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

I thought for a moment, considering my answer. "I have some experiments I want to conduct, and a lot of reading to catch up on. This whole ordeal has given me some new ideas."

Wang Mie nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "Sounds like you’re never bored."

"Not if I can help it," I replied with a grin.

As we neared the edge of the forest, the weight of our comrades seemed to grow heavier. The entrance was in sight, and the thought of rest was almost overwhelming. Despite the exhaustion, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. We had faced incredible odds and come out on top. Our bond as a team had strengthened, and I had gained new insights that would fuel my research for months to come.

"Hey, Ning Feng," Wang Mie said again, this time her tone more serious. "Thanks for saving us back there."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"No prob-" I was about to reply when I felt my vision blur. The world around me started to spin, and I stumbled, barely managing to stay on my feet. I could hear Wang Mie and Ning Rong calling my name, their voices distant and echoing.

"Ning Feng!" Wang Mie shouted, panic evident in her voice.

I tried to respond, but my words came out as a slurred mumble. My legs gave out from under me, and I felt myself falling. The last thing I saw was the concerned faces of my friends, and then everything went black.

............

When I finally regained consciousness, I found myself lying on the ground, surrounded by the others. Ning Rong was kneeling beside me, her hand gently resting on my forehead.

"He's waking up," she said softly, relief evident in her voice.

I groaned, trying to sit up. "What happened?"

I saw that the previously fainted Li Liang and the others were already back on their feet. It looked like everyone had recovered some strength.

Before I could speak, the sky was suddenly illuminated by bursts of color. Explosions echoed through the forest, each one a brilliant flash against the green canopy. Vibrant greens and dark reds dominated the spectacle, painting the surroundings in an eerie, otherworldly light.

"What’s going on?" I asked, squinting up at the sky as another explosion rippled through the air, this time a brilliant green, casting an emerald hue over the trees.

Li Liang's expression turned serious as he watched the display. "It looks like a battle. Judging by the intensity and the colors, it might be our master. There’s no way he didn’t keep an eye on us."

A dark red explosion followed, the shockwave causing the trees to tremble. The red light was almost sinister, casting long, ominous shadows. The ground seemed to shake with each blast, the air thick with the scent of burned leaves and earth.

"Master must be fighting someone really powerful," Ning Rong said, her voice tinged with worry. "These explosions... they’re too intense for anything else."

The sounds of the explosions continued, each one punctuated by flashes of light. Some were bright green, shimmering with an almost calming presence, while others were dark red, violent and foreboding.

The sky was a chaotic mix of these colors, each explosion a testament to the fierce battle taking place somewhere nearby.

As we watched the sky, the ground beneath us began to tremble. The entire forest seemed to come alive. Trees and plants started glowing with vibrant hues, their leaves shimmering in a spectrum of colors. Branches stretched and twisted, extending toward the distant battle as if driven by a will of their own.

"This... this is incredible," I whispered, a sense of awe washing over me. "This must be the mid-level Concept of Nature. To think such power can command the very forest itself."

Wang Mie, wide-eyed, nodded in agreement. "It’s like the entire forest is responding to the battle. I've never seen anything like this."

As the ground continued to rumble and the trees moved with an almost sentient grace, I felt a deep admiration for the power on display. The Concept of Nature at this level was not merely about controlling plants; it was about commanding the life force of the entire forest, bending it to one's will in a harmonious yet formidable dance.

"We need to move," Li Liang said, urgency in his voice. "If our master is fighting, we can't afford to be caught in the aftermath."

Ning Rong and Wang Mie helped support me as we began to make our way through the shifting forest. The path was no longer clear, as roots and vines crisscrossed the ground, making our journey treacherous. Despite the chaos, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of it all. Each step we took was accompanied by the radiant glow of the flora around us, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

"Stay close," I instructed, trying to keep my voice steady despite the awe and fear warring within me. "We don’t know what else might be out there."

As we moved, the sounds of the explosions grew louder, and the light show in the sky became more intense. The air was thick with the scent of burning wood and the metallic tang of blood. It was a stark reminder that while the display of power was beautiful, it was also deadly.

"Do you think father can handle this?" Ning Rong asked, her voice tinged with worry.

"He has to," Li Liang replied, his expression set in grim determination. "There's no other option. We need to trust in his strength and focus on getting ourselves to safety."

I nodded in agreement, though the anxiety gnawed at me. The master's power was immense, but the enemy he faced was clearly no ordinary foe. As the forest continued to morph around us, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of respect for the master. To command such power was beyond anything I had ever imagined.

The forest itself seemed to be guiding us, the trees parting just enough to allow our passage while still creating a protective barrier around us. I could feel the master's influence in every movement of the plants, his control extending even to our safe passage.

"Let’s pick up the pace," I urged, feeling a renewed sense of urgency. "We need to get out of here before things get even more dangerous."

But just as we were about to move, everything calmed down. The trees in front of us parted and leaned sideways, creating a path filled with flowers emitting iridescent light. It was as if the forest itself was welcoming us.

"What's going on now?" Wang Mie muttered, her eyes wide with awe and suspicion.

Before any of us could respond, a figure appeared above us, floating in the sky. A somewhat old-looking cultivator with white hair gazed down at us with interest. His presence was commanding, his robes flowing gracefully as if untouched by the chaos around him.

"Who is that?" Ning Rong whispered, her voice barely audible.

The old cultivator descended slowly, landing softly on the flower-strewn path before us. He looked at each of us in turn, his eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"Greetings, young ones," he said, his voice smooth and calming. "I am an Elder Qian of the Heaven Dao Sect ."

Elder Qian's aura was overwhelming, yet there was a gentleness to it that put us slightly at ease. I could feel the immense power radiating from him, a testament to his mastery over the nature concept.

"Are you here to help us?" I asked, still wary but hopeful.

Elder Qian smiled. "Indeed. I sensed the disturbance in the forest and came to investigate. It seems you have been through quite an ordeal."

"Thank you, Elder Qian," Ning Rong said, bowing respectfully. "We were just trying to find a way out after battling the silver basilisk."

Elder Qian's eyes twinkled with amusement. "A silver basilisk, you say? Quite the formidable opponent. And yet, here you all stand, battered but alive. Impressive."

"We were just lucky," I admitted, glancing at my companions.

With a wave of his hand, Elder Qian summoned a gentle breeze that washed over us. I felt my fatigue easing, my wounds healing. It was as if the forest itself was lending its strength to us.

"Thank you, Elder Qian," I said, feeling a sense of relief.

But he didn't look at me he was looking at Ning Rong with some hidden anticipation.

Damn what is up with this old pervert thinking.

"So, are you Ning Rong of the Ning clan?" He asked .

"Yes" Ning Rong replied warily. He nodded and waved his hand and all of us were lifted in mid air.