Later That Year: Cliff Warden Trials, Part 3
Time Until First Rift Appears: 5 Years, 2 Months, 1 Day
When one thought of a talking beast, the image conjured was often majestic, dignified, maybe even wise. Creatures from tales of old, filled with wrath or indifference, but never this—a gigantic ape whose singular desire seemed to be smashing us into the stone floor. Really not what I signed up for.
“You guys heard it too, right?” Rin shouted, narrowly dodging the massive paw of a yeti as it tried to crush him against the wall.
“Yeah, I heard it,” Goruo grunted, landing a solid punch to the middle yeti, though the creature barely flinched. “Yip,” Linhua added, her rope dart swinging around another yeti’s foot in an attempt to trip it.
“Great, so, uh… what do we do about it?” Rin dodged another swipe, managing to slice the yeti under its arm, though his blade barely nicked the thick hide. “Do these things feel different to you?” he called, his voice echoing through the cave. Because they sure as hell feel stronger.
“They’re definitely not the same,” Goruo answered, blocking a brutal swing. His knuckle dusters collided with the creature’s arm, but it absorbed the blow like a wall of muscle and fur. “Stronger. Way stronger.”
Linhua’s rope dart wrapped around a yeti’s ankle, and she tugged with all her might, trying to unbalance it. “They’re not just stronger—they’re smarter, too!” she yelled as the creature dragged her a few feet before she released her hold, barely dodging its next swing.
“Perfect.” Rin muttered, slashing at his own yeti. His daggers barely pierced its hide, the shallow cuts oozing sluggishly. This is going to be a long fight.
A growl from the massive yeti echoed through the cave, the vibration settling deep in their bones. The sheer weight of its presence felt crushing, the air thickening, making it harder to breathe, harder to think.
“Fall back!” Rin shouted, moving toward the center of the cave where Goruo and Linhua were regrouping. We need a plan, fast.
“Fall back to where?” Linhua snapped, her eyes scanning the cave’s confines. “There’s no place to run. No other tunnels when we came down here, and if we try to flee, this thing will be on us in seconds,” she gestured to the other yetis surrounding them.
The massive yeti lumbered forward, its crimson eyes fixed on them. Each step was a slow, steady reminder of its overwhelming power.
“I’m open to suggestions,” Rin muttered, keeping his gaze on the behemoth. Because getting crushed isn’t on my list today.
“Try harder, then,” Linhua shot back, recoiling her rope dart and aiming it at the nearest yeti, which dodged the strike.
Goruo cracked his neck, facing the massive yeti with steely determination. “If we’re going to take down this big bastard, we’ll need to hit harder.”
“Harder?” Rin scoffed, ducking another swipe from the smaller yeti. “Great plan, Goruo. Should write a strategy guide.”
“Just trust me,” Goruo growled, barreling toward the alpha yeti. His gauntlets sparked with qi as he poured everything he had into his fists. That familiar reckless glint flashed in his eyes—a glint that had saved them more times than Rin could count, even if it often got them into worse trouble.
“Goruo, wait—!” Linhua shouted, but he was already in motion.
The alpha yeti swung its massive arm, the force behind it like a landslide. Goruo ducked low, rolling beneath the blow with surprising agility. Rising, he threw a qi-fueled punch into the yeti’s ribcage.
The impact rang through the cave like a gong.
For a split second, hope flickered in Rin’s chest.
But then, the alpha yeti glanced down lazily at the spot Goruo had struck, cocking its head with a low, rumbling growl.
Goruo staggered back, panting, fists still raised. “That... did nothing.”
The yeti let out a bellowing roar, and before Goruo could react, its massive arm came down like a hammer. He raised his arms to block, but the blow sent him flying into the far wall, the impact shaking the entire cave as chunks of ice and stone rained from above.
“Goruo!” Linhua’s scream echoed as she sprinted toward him. But the alpha yeti wasn’t done; it charged forward, massive fists raised to crush him where he lay.
Rin surged forward without a thought, his daggers flashing as he leapt between the yeti and Goruo. He slashed at the beast’s arm, hoping to distract it, but it felt like striking steel. The alpha barely registered his attack, its focus unwavering on his fallen friend.
“Get up, Goruo!” Rin yelled, slashing again and again, trying to cut deeper, trying to draw blood. “Get up now!”
Goruo groaned, struggling to his feet, his face pale and blood trickling from a gash above his brow. But he wasn’t fast enough. The alpha’s shadow loomed over him, and for a heart-stopping moment, Rin thought this might be it. Not like this...
Then Linhua’s rope dart sliced through the air, wrapping around the alpha’s wrist just as its fist came crashing down. She yanked hard, channeling her qi to add extra force, and, for the first time, the alpha yeti actually paused.
Not for long, but it was enough.
Goruo rolled to the side just as the alpha’s fist smashed into the ground, leaving a crater where he’d been moments before. The force of the strike sent a shockwave through the cave, knocking Rin off balance and tumbling across the icy floor.
“That was… close,” Goruo panted, clutching his side as he regained his footing.
“Too close,” Rin agreed, wiping blood from his lip as he got to his feet, wincing. Every part of me hurts, and we haven’t even scratched the surface of this thing’s strength.
“Any more bright ideas?” Linhua asked, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she recoiled her rope dart, eyes fixed on the alpha, already preparing for another strike.
“We need to isolate it. The others are covering for it, and we won’t stand a chance if we fight them all at once.” Rin scanned the battlefield—the massive yeti and its three underlings. One was injured, its wound still bleeding sluggishly. A rough plan formed in his mind. Here goes nothing.
“Goruo, you still good to fight?” Rin asked, knowing the previous attack must have drained his qi. The tall boy nodded. “I’m good.”
“Linhua,” Rin said, turning to her, “I need you to distract the big one. You’re the fastest, and you’ve got range.”
“Are you kidding me? What am I supposed to do—tickle it?” Linhua snapped, her voice laced with frustration, but beneath it, he could hear the edge of fear.
“Just keep it off us as long as you can!” he barked, keeping his tone sharp. There was no time for comfort; Linhua understood that. She recoiled her rope dart with a flick, eyes narrowing as she eyed the alpha yeti.
“Fine. But when we’re done, you owe me the biggest feast in the city,” she muttered, focusing her gaze on their massive foe.
“Deal.” Rin turned, locking onto the injured yeti. “Goruo, with me!”
The alpha’s growl rumbled through the cave, shaking the walls, but it didn’t charge—it didn’t need to. Meanwhile, the injured yeti staggered, blood seeping from the wound Rin had inflicted earlier.
Goruo’s breathing was labored, his muscles trembling from the qi he’d already burned. He wiped blood from his brow and gave Rin a firm nod, fists clenched around his knuckle dusters.
They moved without hesitation.
Rin darted to the right, Goruo to the left, moving in tandem as they’d done countless times. The wounded yeti, slower now, snarled as it swung at Rin. He rolled beneath the attack, coming up to slash at its exposed side. This time, his dagger dug in deep, the sound of tearing flesh filling the air.
The yeti roared in agony, staggering back as Goruo launched himself in from the opposite side. His fist struck the creature’s temple, and it stumbled, blood spraying from its mouth as it dropped to one knee.
“Now!” Rin shouted, leaping forward. He drove both daggers into the yeti’s neck with every ounce of strength he had left, twisting the blades. The beast’s eyes rolled back as its body shuddered, finally collapsing in a heap.
One down.
But there was no time to catch his breath before the next yeti lunged at them, its eyes blazing with fury. It rushed forward, claws outstretched, forcing Rin to dive to the ground to avoid being torn in half.
“Focus!” Goruo yelled, charging the second yeti, though his movements were sluggish, his qi drained. The yeti swatted him aside with ease, sending him crashing into the cave wall with a sickening crunch.
“Goruo!” Panic surged through Rin, but he couldn’t check on his friend. The yeti was already advancing, fists raised. He barely managed to dodge, the ground shaking under the impact.
His legs burned, his breaths came in ragged gasps, and his daggers felt like dead weight. No qi, no backup… Just me against this thing, and I’m running out of time.
“Linhua, how’s it going?” he called, not taking his eyes off the yeti. The alpha was still lumbering toward them, its presence a reminder of their impossible battle.
“Busy!” Linhua shouted from somewhere behind him, her rope dart whistling through the air as she tried to keep the alpha at bay. “You focus on not dying!”
“Helpful,” Rin muttered, gritting his teeth as he steadied himself. He had to end this fast.
The yeti lunged again, its claws aiming for his head. Rin ducked beneath the swing, sliding between its legs and slicing at its calf. It howled, spinning to face him, but its movements were slower now—predictable.
Pressing the advantage, he darted in and out of its reach, cutting wherever he could. Each wound bled sluggishly, the creature’s resilience almost limitless, but it was weakening. It had to be.
The yeti reared back, its fist coming down in a desperate attempt to crush him. Rin dove to the side, but the blow clipped him, sending him skidding across the icy floor. Pain exploded in his side, and he coughed, tasting blood.
Damn it.
Before the yeti could land a final blow, Goruo forced himself up, his face pale and breathing labored, yet his eyes burned with fierce determination.
“Get away from him!” he roared, charging forward. Despite the strain, qi faintly glowed around his fists as he delivered a powerful uppercut to the yeti’s jaw. The creature’s head snapped back, momentarily dazed.
“Finish it!” Goruo yelled.
Without hesitation, Rin summoned every last ounce of strength, leaping forward to drive his daggers into the yeti’s throat with a savage twist. Blood sprayed as the beast let out a final, gurgling roar before crumpling to the ground.
Two down.
He collapsed to his knees, gasping for air, vision swimming, and his body screaming in protest. But there was no time to rest.
The alpha’s still coming.
“Rin, move!” Linhua’s shout snapped him back to reality. She was still dodging the massive yeti, her rope dart barely keeping it out of reach, but she was tiring fast. The alpha’s sheer size made it hard for her to maintain the distance.
Forcing himself to his feet, Rin staggered toward Goruo, who leaned against the cave wall, one arm wrapped around his ribs. Goruo gave him a weak grin.
“Still alive, huh?” Goruo’s voice was strained but light.
“Don’t count me out just yet,” Rin replied, managing a grin, though it was mostly for show. They were in bad shape, and both knew it.
“What now?” Linhua’s voice, tight with exhaustion, called out as the alpha edged closer, patience thinning. It was only a matter of time before it caught her, and then they’d have no chance.
“We need to take it down. Now,” Rin said, swallowing the fear that clawed at him. “Goruo, can you still fight?”
Goruo grimaced but nodded. “I’m not done yet.”
Rin glanced at Linhua, who was barely dodging the alpha’s massive swings. “We need to bring it down, but we can’t face it head-on.”
Keeping her distance, Linhua gave a tired but determined nod. “What’s the plan?”
Rin quickly scanned the cave. The walls were jagged, and the ceiling looked fragile, some places held up by ice rather than rock.
This is going to be risky.
An idea formed, and he knew it was a long shot, but it was all they had.
“Linhua, maneuver toward the cave entrance,” he shouted. She nodded, moving in a half-circle, backward and forward—a deadly dance. Now, for Goruo.
Rin ran to him, where he still propped himself against the wall. “This is going to sound insane, but I need you with me on this one,” he said, voice as serious as he could muster. Goruo nodded. “What do you need?”
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Rin pointed toward Linhua and then up at the ceiling. The light of his Quartz Crystal wasn’t bright enough to fully illuminate the spot, but Goruo caught his meaning.
Goruo’s eyes widened. “You’re insane.”
“Yeah, probably,” Rin admitted, moving toward Linhua, who was struggling to keep the behemoth at bay, her rope dart whipping in distraction. “When I give the signal, ram into it as hard as you can!” he shouted, not waiting for a response.
“Linhua, on my signal, wrap its legs and pull as tight as you can!”
“Wait, what do you mean—” Her protest faded as she did what he asked, moving away. The yeti fixed its gaze on him. Its hide had only minor scratches—Linhua’s blade, even sharpened, barely dented its thick skin.
Rin looked back to his comrades, grim determination settling over him. I might not be a cultivator, but I won’t be a coward. “Oi, big man, let’s dance!” he bellowed, charging forward. His legs burned, and the ground trembled beneath the yeti’s thunderous steps. Its eyes locked onto him, gleaming with primal fury, but he couldn’t afford to hesitate. With a sharp turn, he dodged its tree-trunk arm as it smashed into the ground. Shards of ice and stone sprayed across his face, but he forced himself onward.
The adrenaline blurred the pain and exhaustion, bringing tunnel vision. Every instinct, every scrap of training he’d endured roared to the surface. His world shrank to nothing but the next move, the next step. The massive yeti lunged again, and he threw himself to the side, rolling under its swing. It was fast—unnaturally so—but he was quicker.
He slashed whenever it came too close, dodging and weaving for what seemed like hours, until he saw it—the damage accumulating, cracks spreading where the ice held the ceiling above.
“Goruo! Now!” he shouted, positioning himself near the cave wall. His heart pounded in his ears, drowning everything else. This is it.
With a mighty bellow, Goruo slammed into the yeti’s side, his whole body behind the strike. The beast teetered, unbalanced, and in that brief moment, Rin saw an opening. Without thinking, he lunged, slipping between the yeti’s legs, his hands scraping the ice as he dove for its massive paw.
The moment it crashed down to swat him, he twisted his body, using its momentum against it. He yanked the paw toward the cave wall with all his strength.
CRACK!
T
The yeti’s fist crashed into the ice-covered rock, sending tremors through the cave. Above, the ceiling groaned, cracks spidering through the fragile ice layer.
It’s working. But not yet. I need more.
Rin darted back as the yeti howled in frustration, lifting its fist to strike again. Good, just a little more. Another dodge, another smash against the wall. Each impact sent more cracks through the ceiling, chunks of ice beginning to fall like deadly hail. His breath came in ragged gasps, every fiber of his body screaming to stop. But he couldn’t—not yet.
The yeti reared back, preparing for one final strike. His limbs felt heavy, his vision blurred at the edges. Dodging wasn’t an option anymore. But he didn’t need to.
“Linhua!!” Rin shouted.
He didn’t need to look to know what was happening. Linhua’s rope dart sliced through the air, coiling around the beast’s legs in a blur of motion.
“Linhua, pull!” he screamed with everything he had.
Her rope tightened, yanking the yeti’s legs out from under it. The beast stumbled forward, right where he needed it.
With one last surge of energy, Rin threw himself at the cave wall, slamming into it with all he had. The ceiling buckled from the combined force, ice giving way with a deafening crack.
A split second later, the ceiling collapsed.
Tons of ice and rock thundered down, crashing into the yeti and the floor in a cataclysmic roar. He barely managed to hurl himself backward as a massive chunk of ice smashed into the spot where he’d stood. The yeti let out one final, earth-shaking roar before the ice buried it, the sound fading into the deep, cold silence of the cave.
Rin slumped against the wall, chest heaving, his whole body trembling with exhaustion. The rumbling of the cave’s collapse slowly died out, leaving only the distant sound of falling ice. It was over.
Goruo emerged first from the settling dust, coughing and limping but alive. Linhua stumbled over next, pale but with eyes blazing with fierce determination.
Rin gave them a weak smile. “Told you it would work.”
Goruo huffed, a grin spreading across his bloodied face. “You’re still insane.”
Linhua let out a breathless laugh. “But it worked.”
Rin leaned his head back against the wall, letting the cold seep into his skin, calming the fire that still raged through his veins. “Yeah... but I don’t think I’ll be dancing with any more yetis anytime soon.”
The three of them stood there for a moment, savoring the brief quiet.
It didn’t last long. Goruo spoke up. “Uh, I know you just said you wouldn’t be dancing with yetis anytime soon,” he said, and Rin nodded absently. “Well, you might have to. Do you know another way out of this cave?” he asked, voice innocent, and Rin froze.
Thunder’s toenail… I screwed up.
Seeing the horror dawn on Rin’s face, Goruo peered deeper into the cave. “Thought so.”
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Lu Ri ran as fast as he could, barely sparing a glance at the perilous pass. His eyes scanned for tracks, relief washing over him when he saw them still visible, cutting through the snow and ice. Just my luck that on the day of the trials, something weird would happen.
He shook his head, continuing his sprint. But as he neared an outcropping, he slowed. Some of the ice looked disturbed, with large swathes partially melted, just beginning to freeze again.
The tribal girl and the big lad must have stopped here to recoup their qi. Or… maybe they used movement techniques and had to cultivate before pressing on. He frowned, noting the absence of any signs of struggle. In either case, they were here not long ago. Following the tracks, he made his way up toward a ridge where a cluster of boulders overlooked a plateau.
Massive bodies of ape-like beasts—yetis, he thought—lay strewn across the plateau, each one brutally slain. Some had been torn in half, others mauled almost beyond recognition, and a few reduced to red and white smears on the ice.
This wasn’t Rin’s team, he realized, a bead of sweat forming despite the biting cold. His team was skilled—among the best he’d trained in many moons—but this level of brutality? No young cultivators could have done this.
He trudged forward, boots sinking into the snow and slush, until he found some faint impressions in the frost. Massive tracks, larger than any he’d ever seen—even bigger than those of the dead yetis scattered around him. Not just ordinary beasts, then. Something far worse had passed through here.
But what truly caught his attention were the smaller prints trailing close behind, weaving in and around the yetis’ enormous steps. He squinted, glancing between the fallen beasts and the fresh imprints in the snow.
The smaller tracks… they were those of hyumans.
All right… at least they’re alive. I have no idea why they would be trailing whatever did this, but at least I know they’re alive… for now.
Without hesitation, he rushed forward, following the trail, completely oblivious to the figure hovering silently in the air just above him—a boy watching with an amused gleam in his eye.
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Okay, maybe dropping a cave on the massive beast wasn’t the best idea, I thought, looking at the massive pile of rock and ice. But what was I supposed to do, let me and my friends die? No. Though, maybe if a few rocks had fallen on Linhua’s head, that would’ve been swell, especially considering the tirade of expletive-laden curses she’d unleashed. The way she was going, she’d put any barmaid or tavern regular to shame. I sighed.
"I said I’m sorry, didn’t I?" I held my hands up in surrender. "Look, I know this isn’t the best—" I tried to explain, but Linhua cut me off.
"Not the best? Look at where we are, Rin! We’re in a cave, surrounded by ice monsters who would happily stomp us into paste," she snapped, glaring and gesturing toward the roaring yetis in the distance. "And your brilliant idea was to, what, trap us inside with them?"
I rolled my eyes. "No, the plan was to stop the massive ice ape from smashing our skulls in. Or have you forgotten?" I pointed to the three of us. "We’re weak. I’m barely acceptable in a fight, and you two are only in the Body Tempering stages." I heard Goruo mumble something about “only” being in the Body Tempering stage, but I ignored him and continued. "I did what I thought was right in the moment. I agree, I didn’t think it through, but at least we’re alive," I said with a grin.
But my grin faded when Goruo added, "For now."
I shot the massive boy a glare. "What? It’s the truth." Looking back at Linhua, I could see she agreed with me but didn’t want to admit it. It was that same look Mei Mei—no, it’s not Mei Mei anymore, but Yanmei Ling—used to give me when we argued and I was winning. She’d get all angry and stomp off, leaving me completely confused.
Girls!
"Fine, whatever," she huffed and marched off to sit at the furthest part of the cave wall, but still close enough that the Light Quartz illuminated her.
Girls!
I shook my head and went to stand by the massive beast’s remains. "You think it’s dead?" I asked as Goruo limped up beside me.
"I think so, or else we’re about to meet our ancestors today."
I looked at him wryly. "Since when does the great Goruo believe in the gods and the afterlife?"
"Well, after I got smooshed by an ice ape," he said with a grin.
I burst out laughing. "‘Smooshed,’ you say?"
"Yeah, didn’t you see? Man, that was close." He chuckled. "So, what’re we going to do now? Are we waiting for the Cliff Wardens to dig us out?"
I shook my head. The old man had said they’d only intervene if we were practically dead. "I don’t think we can expect any help from the Cliff Wardens anytime soon."
"Yeah, I thought the same thing. So, we go down?" He gestured toward a winding corridor that looked like it could lead straight to the underworld. I nodded.
"But first, we need to recuperate. Did you eat this morning?" I asked, and he nodded. I called the same question to Linhua, who also nodded, and I sighed in relief. "Good. Are you guys going to cultivate? I can stand watch." Just then, a sharp ache lanced through my body. "Or… maybe I’ll sit and take watch."
"Sure, probably for the best. Who knows what’s waiting for us at the bottom of this cave," Goruo agreed, settling against the right wall while Linhua, still brooding, sat closer but not too close—everyone knew that cultivators cultivating too close together could lead to unwanted side effects if their qi wasn’t compatible. Or at least, that’s what I’d heard. Seeing my friends settled, I sat down and took out my small pack.
Inside were some ointments for abrasions. I took off my robes, wincing as the material scraped against my cuts and bruises. Naked from the waist up, I started slathering the ointment on the deeper cuts and abrasions that just wouldn’t stop burning. It stung a little, but the relief was worth it. Afterward, I put the ointment back in my bag and glanced back toward my friends, still seated in meditation.
I took out the remaining items from my bag: two grain food pills.
I shuddered, holding one between my fingers. It was no larger than a pebble, but every time I took one, it felt like swallowing sludge. Grain food pills were meant to sustain cultivators for long periods, especially in places like this where food was scarce. They kept you going, but by the gods, the taste was enough to make anyone reconsider their life choices.
Thank you, Mrs. Chuu
With one pill, we’d be sustained for at least three days, no real need to eat. But the taste… I hate these things!
Bracing myself, I threw the food pill into my mouth, the acrid taste exploding on my tongue like muddy, bitter sludge that refused to dissolve. With a great force of will, I swallowed, keeping perfectly still as I waited out the nausea. The last thing I need is to end up like one of the Chu brothers, puking like a fountain. I chuckled at the memory of that disaster.
Looking at the second pill, I grimaced before putting it back in my bag. Feeling steady enough, I shifted to a lotus position, closing my eyes and focusing on the breathing technique my father had given me. It wouldn’t make me a cultivator, but as Master Lu Ri always said, "Your father gave that breathing technique to you for a reason. Don’t doubt that."
And so I won’t.
My train of thought broke when a combined shout came from behind me. Goruo and Linhua jolted me back to reality, and I jumped up, unsheathing my daggers in one smooth motion. Master Lu Ri would be proud.
"What is it? More yetis?" I scanned the cave, but nothing seemed out of place.
"The Qi… it’s wrong," Linhua panted, looking pale. I frowned. There was definitely a strange sensation permeating the air, but nothing visible explained it. "What do you mean?" I asked.
Goruo was the one to answer. "You know how Qi works, right?"
I wanted to snap back but held my tongue. Both of them looked ill, almost sickly. "Yes," I gritted out.
"So you know that no matter the ratio of earth, ice, and frost Qi, they never fuse together to make something else."
I nodded. "That’s correct. So what?"
Everyone knows that.
"Well, in this cave, it’s different. It feels like the Qi is combining and… changing."
"That’s impossible," I said, my mind racing. Qi was everywhere, from the sun’s rays to the smallest dust speck. If you put water Qi and fire Qi together, you wouldn’t get “steam Qi” unless both the elements themselves combined to create steam. So for Qi to be combining here? It’s fundamentally impossible.
The fact that they even thought it could happen was...well, ridiculous. But I knew my friends, and neither of them were prone to exaggeration.
Ok maybe Goruo was
"So what are you guys saying?" I had a feeling I knew but didn't want to be the one to utter it
"We cant cultivate" they said in unison "Well we cant cultivate in here at least" Goruo said as he waved towards cave
Well Yeti shit
"This is not ideal" i said in the most master Lu Ri way I could "If you guys cant cultivate...." I left it at that both of them knew the upcoming fights and I believe that there definitely will be more fights they wont be able to assist or maybe Linhua could as she is just out of energy but Goruo took the brunt of the Beasts attack and he needs time to at least be able to move slightly better then he would right now
How can I get them up and ready - I stopped and grinned
Bless thee Mrs Chuu
"Did you guys bring any provisions I asked" both of them still breathing heavily looked confused
"No but I did bring some ointments and the like" Linhua said looking towards Goruo he just put his hands in the air I should've figured
"Well you guys are in luck" as I open my bag up and took the small pebbled sized Grain food pill from my bag
If they looked sick now they looked down right ill with some sort of malaise
"You have got to be kidding me" Goruo said and I just smiled wider I took one of my daggers and cut the pill in half after tossing each of them the their half
"Bottoms up" I said and they stared daggers at me "Come on" I motioned Goruo was the first to pop the pill in his mouth followed by Linhua just like me they went deadly still as they chewed and swallowed the it
Both of them shivered "Thanks Rin Goruo" said almost inaudibly as he sat back down in a lotus position to cycle the qi that was contained in the pill it might fill him up to bursting but it was better then nothing.
I looked towards Linhua she just "hmphed" as she to starting cycling the energy in the pill I rolled my eyes
Girls!!
It didnt take them long to cycle the energy as there was not alot of it inside the pill but it was better then nothing
"Ah that feels better" Goruo was the first to come out of his meditative state soon followed by Linhua
"Thanks Rin" she reluctantly said but quickly followed it up with " Do you think whatever is happening with Qi is effecting the Yeti's?"
"Definitely" I said as I looked towards the rubble where the beast was crushed "My worry is that you guys cant cultivate in here is it localized anomaly or-" I was cut off by Goruo
"Nope nadda" he said "Rin buddy I respect that big brain of yours but we dont have time to ponder its great mysteries lets and save the lecture yeah" he said with a mock smirk I just chuckeled
Yeah I guess I could go off on tangents I guess
"OK well I think we are as ready as we are going to be" Linhua was the first to move towards the other end of the cave where who knows where it lead to
I just nodded "Yea how you feeling Goruo" he flexed his bicep at me ugh meathead
Guess he is feeling better
"You taking the vanguard Linhua" i asked she nodded as I tossed the light quarts her way it made shadows dance this way and that as it tumbled through the air
"Goruo your with me on the flanks Linhua will track the Yeti's and well lets hope there isnt anymore of them" the boy nodded as he filed in next to me behind Linhua but then a thought struck me
"Does anyone have like a empty vial or-"
"We are in a cave Rin do you honestly think-" This time it was Goruo who cut Linhua off "Actually i have an empty bottle not sure what was in there originally" he said with a grin I returned "Thanks Goruo I can always count on you" I said as I locked eyes with Linhua she just rolled them
"So what you need it for" she deadpanned
I didn't answer her, just headed straight to the cave-in, where the dark blood had pooled in thick, sluggish rivulets. Scooping some into my hand, I marveled at the strange consistency. It was unlike any blood I'd seen before—it clung to my fingers in a heavy, quivering way, thick yet yielding, almost as if it was caught between states.
It reminded me of the way soup thickens over a low fire when left to boil for too long, forming that strange skin on the surface, only here it was darker, almost glistening like polished stone in the light. When I moved my fingers, it trembled but held its form, neither fully solid nor liquid, sticking to itself as though bound by some unseen force.
Even the blood is weird
I uncorked the bottle Goruo gave me and poured well more like stuffed the blood inside after which I closed it once again shaking my hand off taking some melted ice to hasten the cleaning.
When I returned to Goruo and Linhua, they both looked at me as if I’d just plucked a dragon’s tooth. “Are you seriously keeping that?” Linhua whispered.
“If we want answers, we might need it,” I replied, sealing the vial and slipping it back into my bag. “Besides, it’s dead, right? What harm can it do now?”
Linhua raised an eyebrow. “Well, you’re the one carrying it.”
With a quick roll of my eyes, I motioned for her to get into formation. “Come on, let’s move. The Cliff Wardens might not be coming to help us, at least not anytime soon so if there’s an exit down that way, we’ll need to find it ourselves.”
The cavern was darker and quieter than before, the air thick and heavy with the strange Qi that seemed to cling to everything like an invisible fog. The further we descended, the sharper the feeling became—a sensation like wading through molasses. Every movement felt slowed, every breath slightly labored.
As we rounded another bend, a faint glow flickered in the distance. It was cold, blue-tinged light, almost like the sheen of moonlight on frozen water. And the sound… a low, rumbling hum that resonated through the rock, making the walls seem to pulse in time with our steps.
When we finally stepped out into an opening, we froze.
Below us, in a massive, ice-laden chamber, thirty yetis lumbered this way and that. Each of them radiated a level of power far beyond what we’d seen before, their muscles bulging with an unnatural strength, their bodies infused with the eerie glow of corrupted Qi.
But it wasn’t the yetis that made me hesitate. No, in the center of them was something worse far far worse
You got to be kidding me!!