Chapter 6: A Dangerous Encounter

Wei slowly scanned his surroundings, looking around at the vast trees in the forest. The entire forest seemed to glow with a pleasant light, the forest seemed lusher than before and every single aspect of it seemed to be livelier. Just by gaining access to my mental qi my senses have improved by leaps and bounds, I feel like my eyes are that of an eagle. I need to find out as many of the uses of mental qi as I can but for now I better get out of here!

Wei quickly stood up and dusted himself off. Very quickly he noticed that he had left a very large and obvious trail through the Ancient Forest. All the more reason to hurry. Wei quickly retraced his steps looking all around for any of his belongings which he had abandoned in his race to obtain the heavenly treasure. His head was constantly swiveling, on the lookout for his sword and walking stick. Wei also couldn’t resist furtively looking into the sky – feeling that cultivators would fly down at any moment and capture him. 

Do I still need the sword, it’s a standard issue for nobles and could belong to anyone, plus I’ve barely used it… and it probably can’t be used to track me? Wait! These are cultivators – probably powerful ones, it’s better to err on the side of caution. I have to find it.

Slightly concentrating Wei drew out his mental energy in the hope that it had some searching capabilities. His mental qi slowly emerged, however its capabilities were severely reduced. Not only was it very slow but even its slow movements were heavy and sluggish – lacking maneuverability. Lastly and most importantly it was of no help in searching.  As I expected using divine sense to be aware of all of your surroundings is a special technique. It was a small hope that simply spreading my mental qi across an area would allow me to know all that was touched by it.

The mental qi is so weakened when it comes outside! I really need to do more research on it. For now, though I should focus on finding the sword.

Wei quickly found out that the mental qi when active sped up his thought process and improved his focus. In his excitement, he tried to use his refined mental qi for an even bigger boost but to no avail. It seemed the amount of power mental qi could give was limited. But by what? True Qi? Mental Qi Techniques? Or all of them. What am I missing? His refined mental qi could work just as well as his normal mental qi in improving his mind but for some reason it couldn’t exit his body. Realizing that the mental qi was essentially useless in its weakened state Wei activated his refined mental qi and used his increased focus to look for the sword in the most efficient manner.

After a few moments Wei found the sword half buried under a clump of fallen leaves. Without even cleaning it up he strapped the sword to his side and continued following the road that would lead him to out of the Ancient Forest.

A few minutes later Wei realized that the surrounding trees were very familiar – he was getting very close to the city. Once I get out I’ll have to get a ride from a carriage and immediately get back to the manor. I’ll have to practice as much as possible with my mental qi before the awakening ceremony. Then I’ll—

Crunch!

Wei reached for his sword instinctively drawing it from its scabbard.

What was that!

After gaining control of his mental qi Wei’s senses had become much more acute. The sense of touch, smell and sight had adjusted fast, quickly becoming something not to be concerned with. But the hearing, the hearing was different. After a couple of minutes Wei would feel that he had got it, that he was used to his new hearing, but would be proven wrong once more. Perhaps it was because of the forest itself? It seemed to be almost dead silent, but at times the sounds flourished.

Crunch! Crunch!

The second time having been listening harder – and concentrating. Wei heard it clearly, it was coming from in front of him- the sound of bones being broken. The sound of a predator feasting. Wei’s first instinct was to run, but he knew that would only alert whatever predator was eating. Most animals had better sense than humans and Wei didn’t doubt that if he made a ruckus it would check out the source of the noise. What am I doing? In this situation what good would running do? My body is weak. Most humans can outrun me never mind a predator! And the sword. I know I did it instinctively to feel safe but it won’t save me here. I only have basic training, I have to escape!

Swiftly sheathing his sword, Wei slowly took a detour around the sounds of carnage, making sure to keep his footsteps steady despite the sickening sounds of tearing and crunching Wei progressed ever closer towards the exit of the forest. Just as he saw was almost out of the forest the sounds stopped completely.

The complete lack of sound was very disconcerting. The steadily darkening sky only added to its effect. Wei felt a tremor run through him, although he was frightened he didn’t allow himself to stop walking, his walking stick making various sounds as it found purchase on the varying terrain. Wei got into a rhythm focusing only on putting one foot in front of another and making sure to place the walking stick correctly so as to keep his footing.

Suddenly he heard a sound from the trees. The leaves rustled and a few branches creaked.

As soon as he heard the sounds in the trees Wei had a faint premonition what animal it could be. Pointedly ignoring the movements in the trees, Wei strove forward slowly and steadily.

The sounds persisted.

Wei paused and so did the sounds, on and off until finally he grew tired of it. Sitting on the ground, Wei crossed his feet and put his cane on his lap. He could feel a twinge in his mental qi, followed by a familiar sensation of feeling distinctly uncomfortable and vulnerable.

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Its watching me.

Feeling the gaze of the beast upon him Wei scanned the trees trying to find the beast but to no avail. Night had fallen and his enhanced sight didn’t seem to apply to night vision. Shadows crept along the floor and Wei’s paranoia increased. While sitting on the floor Wei projected an air of easy confidence seemingly at ease with the situation, inside however he was panicking and plotting at a dizzying speed.

I have to use my mental qi, it’s the only way.

Very quickly several plans were thought up by Wei and just as quickly discarded.

Think.

Think.

In response to his inner turmoil Wei’s mental qi slowly seeped out visible only to him. The unexpected reaction startled Wei out of his plotting and he paid attention, watching as his colorless mental qi slowly pervaded the area around him with him as its epicenter. Wei watched as it lingered in the air seemingly doing nothing.

Didn’t it move on its own accord. Why stop now he thought annoyed.

Interrupting his thought session was the strong movement of the mental qi behind him. Turning around Wei saw a massive panther crouched several feet behind him looking at him – seemingly as if it had present the entire time. It was 4 feet tall, with gold eyes and pitch-black fur that was adorned with flecks of red. Blood Wei inwardly realized. Its maw was dripping with blood fresh from its kill, and Wei watched with a sort of sick fascination as a single drop fell to the ground. Instantly soaked up by the surrounding dirt until it wasn’t even noticeable.

Only when the drop of blood had dried did Wei realize he was getting distracted.

Why was that?

Holy shit, it just appeared out of nowhere. With fur that dark I’m not surprised I couldn’t see it, but why couldn’t I hear it? Without my mental qi, I would be a goner.

While thinking Wei’s eyes had not left the panthers frame and as he looked at its face he saw that it was intently watching him. Wei felt a deep panic take hold of him, it was the feeling of a predator when it came face to face with its prey. A primal fear that occurred when a person realized the absolute surety of their demise. A feeling of weakness, Wei hated that feeling, it ate at him like maggots in his bones, a painful and disgusting sensation he knew he had to eliminate. But to do anything first he had to calm down. Slowly focusing himself, Wei concentrated on his mental qi to calm himself, immersing himself in feeling his mental qi.

But instead of calming him down, focusing one hundred percent on his mental qi made him enter an incredible state.

He felt like he was floating on a cloud. Free of all worry and troubles.

He could feel his mental qi in its entirety like a small tranquil lake in his mind, a power completely at his command. In this state, he felt almost no emotions, sure he could feel them – but not strongly, as if they were in the background. They couldn’t affect him at all.

He quickly called on his refined mental qi and it answered, flowing through his body and brimming under his skin.

The panther that had been still until this moment suddenly moved, it stalked towards him moving in a graceful and smooth manner. As it moved towards him on all fours Wei realized the reason he had reacted so seriously when he noticed the panther.

It had an intelligent glimmer in its eye.

Even the most intelligent animals were only slightly more aware and discerning then most animals. They understood simple things and had a sharper instinct because of it.

But this panther was intelligent. It had thoughts beyond food, shelter, mating and survival. Now that he paid attention he could clearly see it. The way it carried itself and how cautious and perceptive it was.

This panther was a spirit beast.

Luckily for Wei it seemed it was only at the beginning stages and had just recently started cultivating. If it was a middle or late stage beast he would’ve been a goner. Never mind a Demonic Beast. But now since it was a young spirit beast, he had a chance. Spirit Beasts were beasts who had through some fortune, luck, or simply observing cultivators learned how to absorb the energy of heaven and earth; True Qi. Of course, some Spirit Beasts were taught by other Spirit beasts but these were the minority. Spirit Beasts were not willing to teach other beasts how to cultivate unless they were its offspring’s and sometimes not even then.

Cultivating was usually harder for Spirit Beasts than it was for human cultivators or Demonic Beasts.

However just because they gained True Qi and intelligence didn’t mean they automatically become knowledgeable. In fact, spirit beasts had to be at least mid - level in their cultivation before their intelligence equaled a human.

The only chance Wei had was to bluff. Almost all of the things I can think of to do with my mental energy, I can’t at the moment. I know no techniques and without them my options are sorely limited. I’ll have to fake it out. Hopefully since it’s still not too intelligent it will fall for it and leave me alone.

Straightening his back and squaring his shoulders Wei looked the panther straight in its eye and ignored the twinge of fear that shot through him when his eyes met the golden gaze of the panther. Forcefully stopping the shake in his fingers Wei slowly drew out his sword.  

Only at this moment do I realize that my apathy towards my death was complete bullshit. My sickness was gradual, a slow death. I got used to it and had hope that I would find myself a cure. That was all a lie, I always had hope, a chance for a better life. But now. Now this is really life or death!

Everything will be decided in this instant. Whether I live or die depends completely on myself.

He focused completely on his image trying his best to portray an image of confidence and appearing completely at ease. With a careless gesture, he pointed the sword directly at the panther and smiled a wide provocative smile.

“I will give you until the count of ten to leave this place, or else I will kill you!” Wei threatened the panther waving his sword to and fro, the steel shining in the moonlight. Wei’s voice was loud and confident. I don’t even know whether it understands human speech. But based on its intelligence it should be able to understand the general gist.

So, drawing on all of his courage Wei stood as straight as a pillar looking straight at the panther, his mouth curled up in a smile – wide enough that he was sure the panther would see it, then he waited.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

Seven.

Seeing that the panther wasn’t making a move Wei in a seemingly suicidal move slowly walked towards it. Immediately the panther backpedaled seemingly startled. Wei pressed his advantage taking ten more steps in rapid succession. The panther was showing hesitation and so Wei took the initiative, casually increasing his gait, trying to the scare the panther into running.

Come on bolt already! Just run away. I probably don’t even taste that good sick as I am.

Just as Wei was gaining confidence the situation took a turn for the worse. A sharp glint appeared in the panther’s eye and without a moment of forewarning it suddenly bared its sharp teeth and started running right at him!