I heaved a heavy sigh. At least the healing potions hadn't been wasted.

I took a look at my surroundings, hoping that it was actually the one I'd been looking for instead of any other place. Thankfully, I hadn't gone to some other part of the cave when running and was right back where I needed to be. Lying there on the ground, I knew what I needed to do next. I had to meet back up with everyone and make sure they didn't notice my blood or the like. Especially Master Shin, he'd know what happened if he saw me. I couldn't risk that, for now.

I stood up, giving the place where the wolf had run off to a final look before leaving. The creature had left, fortunately. However, this whole escapade had revealed far more out what I needed to do than anything I'd done so far. I was weak. And that weakness would get me killed if I didn't change anything.

I had to do something; I needed power. And for that, I needed to train and become strong enough to kill wolves like this with ease.

I stepped on the leaves and made way back where I thought everyone should be. The tunnel was dark and foreboding, but the light from the Gu on my hand was more than enough to illuminate my way. The passageway was a narrow one, but there were enough spaces for me to go through. It was tight at places due to having collapsed earlier, but I could manage. The journey through the cave was a quiet one.

Rounding a bend, I found myself faced with the wolf, again. I twitched, letting out a surprised yelp. However, in the next instance, the wolf vanished as if it had never existed. What was that? Had that been a figment of my imagination, or had I truly seen it?

I walked on, making sure to keep an eye on the surrounding walls and floor for any more illusions. If that wolf had appeared again, I was sure I could take it on. However, it just turned out to be my imagination as nothing actually came in front of me. However I did end up looking around a few times to make sure there was nothing. I'd gotten paranoid.

Finally, I found the others. Master Shin and the kids were waiting at the entrance of a wide-open area, and a little farther ahead, I could see the opening, the way out of the caves. I looked at the disciples. Some sat, some stood. However, everyone was worn out, with sweat coating their bodies. They seemed fine, though, just tired. There were a few injured, but I didn't think they were serious. I looked over at Master Shin, and he was stroking his beard while facing everyone. He had a slight smile on his face, his eyes were closed - I wondered how he was seeing.

I relaxed a little, slipping into some new robes from my Inventory and cleaning myself off. After that, I waited. I couldn't just go in without Master Shin noticing. It would be better to just walk into them when they started walking or something. I had no intention of drawing any more attention.

Sitting there, I focused on my Eclipse Heart, and found myself inside my inner world. There, I looked around for the Heart. There was nothing but darkness in her, save for one dot of light, the Eclipse Heart. It was a beautiful little thing, and it was glowing brightly, however, not as brightly as I'd want it to. I came near and focused on it. I'd leveled up. However, that worked. There was a small membrane, a layer of some kind, around the Heart. I couldn't figure it out. I had no clue as to what it actually did, but it was good knowing I could level up regardless.

Or should I call it Layer Up?

I chuckled at the lame as fuck joke and got out of my inner world in time to see the disciples stirring as Master Shin spoke to them. I'd missed his speech or whatever but that seemed hardly relevant. I wanted to rest, and most importantly, I wanted to figure out the wolf, and everything here and kill them off to grow stronger.

"Thankfully, we have lost only two disciples this time, to their own stupidity. However, take this as a lesson and be ready all the time. Never let your guard down. You're lucky, no actual beast came our way and the ones who did were all lowly creatures. Still, keep alert and make sure to always be prepared." He moved his gaze all over the disciples. The disciples, a few of them, seemed a bit down, with their heads drooping, but the rest were listening to Master Shin intently.

"Why, I see some of you have realized the need to become strong. I'm glad." Master Shin smiled, then continued. "Do not worry about any we lost, it is how the world works; they were too weak. We will now leave and make our way back. We have a few more days in this place, and it'd be a pity to lose any more of you." He gave everyone a look, then turned to leave, beckoning everyone else. "Let's go now, for today this is it. Prepare for our next expedition when you're resting, instead of dilly-dallying."

He started walking away, followed by the disciples, who began walking behind him. It seemed they were all tired. Well, they were just children, after all. They had grown a lot since I'd first met them, and some even had the strength to face off against death. Shrugging, I slipped into the crowd of people, blending in, and left the cave behind.

It took no longer than a few minutes for me to spot the rabbits they'd laid out, and another moment before I was stepping on one. I sighed. Today had been a long day. My body ached all over even after chugging down the potions I had. Not to mention the mess I'd made out of my clothes. It stung the old me from the Before to be doing that, despite having enough luxury to simply not have to worry about clothing at all. I looked at the moon above, shining brilliantly through the red mist. It pierced through parts of the mists, shining intensively.

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The rays of moonlight through the thick red mist, it appeared almost magical. It was a beautiful sight. The sky had a purple hue, with the moon and the stars visible through a thick blur of red fog, twinkling and shining through the dark veil, and the red mist, a crimson glow, covered most of the night sky. The sight was almost a perfect one, save for the eerie atmosphere that hung over the entire place, and the spirals of mist swirling around in the air.

We reached the town and headed back to our places, each one of us. There was silence between the disciples. A few of them were murmuring, but most were too tired to speak or talk. It was almost as if they were lifeless puppets. Had a hard time, it seemed. Well, not like killing animals, and seeing others of your own kind getting killed as kids is not traumatic.Master

Shin said some words, and the disciples dispersed, making way to their homes. I too walked away. There was no need for me to stay there anymore.

The journey back to my mansion was a quiet one. It seemed no one was up, which was odd in and of itself given that this town rarely slept in times like this - then I recalled how this time, the expeditions had come rather unannounced due to the current circumstances so the people were rarely ready for this. I shrugged and entered the mansion. There were lights on, but I quickly beelined towards the bathroom and washed myself. After that, I checked my wounds, and they were gone. There was no trace left, aside from the obvious scars.

I walked back to my room and collapsed on the bed, exhausted. Biscuit wasn't here, I frowned. Maybe the little cat was out exploring the city. I shrugged and got up. I needed to eat, and I was starving, not for food - I hardly needed to eat due to being a Cultivator - but due to missing taste of eating something. I was going to go grab something, when a noise from the backyard, the training field, stopped me in my tracks.

Someone was there.

I frowned and quickly made my way towards there. I could hear someone moving around. As I approached the garden, the sounds grew louder, and finally, I could hear the person - or people - moving around clearly. They were fighting?

Just as I entered, Renji slipped under a slash from Biscuit. Her claws glinted like blades coated in blood and her body was covered in dirt in a few places. The cat was fighting - or, rather, giving pointers - to my disciple. She was teaching him something, it seemed, and he was listening. I could see it in his eyes, and the way he was trying to fight.

How... odd.

Renji was a bit clumsy, but the speed at which he moved was rather commendable. Well, nothing less is expected from someone under Biscuit.

I stopped that whole train of thoughts and myself.

Something was so very wrong about this situation. My cat was fighting Renji.

What the hell?

I'd seen them do this before but it was hardly not absurd.

The wind rustled around Renji as he feigned a hit. He moved a step back, and Biscuit lunged at him. However, he was faster, for once, and he ducked under her claw. I was about to step forward when he spun and punched her square in the chest. She meowed, loudly, not in pain, but in... praise?

What the hell?

Renji, too, screamed, jumping away.

"Ow, that hurt!" he yelled, rubbing his hand. Biscuit, too, shook her head. Then she started licking her paw before her eyes fell on me.

I smiled. "You've grown a lot, Renji."

He jumped, startled, and turned around to look at me. His mouth was hanging open. "Ah, master, I didn't notice you coming."

I braced for impact and Biscuit lunged at me. However, she wasn't angry. Instead, she was happy.

She rubbed herself against my leg and purred. I picked her up, finding Noodles slithering up my hand. Where had she come from? I shook my head.

"Where's Kai?"

"He's sleeping, I think."

"What were you doing here, then?"

"...Training."

"With a cat?"

"Yes." Renji coughed as Biscuit hissed at me. I laughed, knowing full well how capable she was.

"Well, let's get going to sleep. I'm tired and have things to do tomorrow. Gather here early."

He nodded and walked away. I was exhausted, and a good night's sleep was all I needed.

With Biscuit with me, I went back inside, first making sure to wash her much to her protest at this hour of the night. Once I was done, I returned to my room, changed into my bedclothes, and collapsed onto the bed.

This had been a long day.

***

I woke up with the sun shining right through my window, straight onto my face. I blinked, then sighed. The sunlight felt warm, and my bed was really comfy, I didn't want to move, and the idea of sleeping some more was tempting, but I needed to wake up. I sat up, yawning, and stretched. It was a beautiful day, with the sun shining and the red mist appearing almost pink in the light in the distance. It was quite a view.

My bones creaked and cracked as I stretched. I froze. What. I looked down. What was this? I moved my arm. Why was my body making such noises? I was young!

Biscuit meowed.

I looked at my skin and there were hints of something black, the color of ash, underneath. What was happening? I didn't understand. Not this impurities expelling bullshit.

I sighed. I had a lot to do today, and this was not how I wanted to start it.

After washing myself and getting ready, I left my room. Biscuit was with me, as usual, and was following me.

In the backyard, I found Renji and Kai training with each other. They were sparring. Their movements were fast and precise, and the way they dodged and attacked was almost fluid. I felt embarrassed as their teacher. I hadn't really taught them much. Oh well, damn the traditions. I'd considered what I wanted them to do, and it was quite needed for them to learn to actually fight and gain experience.

"Renji, Kai," I said as they finished. They turned to face me. I smiled. "You'll be joining me on an expedition in four days, but for now, we'll have to make sure you're trained enough to fight with me. Let's get started, shall we?"