108. The Criminal on the Loose II

Two months passed in a blink of an eye and Clay is currently engaged in a conversation with one of the scholars in the library.

“Are you sure this portion was translated correctly?”

“It could also mean Dao but if it does indeed mean Dao, then this book would not rot in the archives. The Barnacheans are shamanic tribes and their methods of cultivation is cruel and barbaric. While they did fall during the Kulfagar Demon invasion, they should still have living descendants within the Kingdom of Ufka. If you want a better translation of this book, your only option is to travel southeast. Although I cannot guarantee those descendants preserved their ancestral inheritance.”

Clay smiled at the scholar’s reaction. He took out three bottle then said, “I don’t know how to thank this scholar but I hope these bottles of pills can make up with your time.”

The scholar was surprised he almost flipped from his chair upon seeing the pills. “There is no need. You have already spent significant amount of points …”

“Please I insist. They are consumables and they can always be produced.”

“Then I won’t be polite.” The scholar wanted to refused but his hand moved anyway.

Clay thanked the scholar and walked towards the exit of the library.

Scholars is one of the small percentage comprising Auxiliary disciples who receive commissions. For a person to have vast knowledge about geography and cultures, Clay did not need to ask what that person has been through. That scholar probably attended thousands of examinatiosn and when he finally landed his dream job, he got assigned to a post where his knowledge would decay because no one even knew he existed.

The look in that scholar’s eyes felt he had been appreciated for the first time. And it is the reason Clay gave 3 bottles of Low Quality Body Forging Pills. Clay can always ask around for answers but that scholar proactively volunteered to help him research on re-growing his arm so he decided to invest on the scholar while he is still in the sect. He has other questions but it will have to wait until he re-grows his limb back.

There are different types of healing pill recipes in the sect and many of them are powerful and could treat life threatening wounds but medicines that could re-grow a limb is limited and the ingredient are scarce as well. And it has been two months since Clay waited for the book to be completely translated.

Before the Great War, that is if the translation of the book is correct, then some ancient Elven tribes have already touched the Realm of Grand Dao and the Barnacheans Elves specifically are a tribe with an unusual practice in passing their down their Dao Comprehension towards future generations. The tribe leader would use a portion of his blood which is infused with Dao Power during pill concoction. Once formed, the successors would cut off one of their arms then eat the healing pill.

Some of the successors would die in the process and a few would heal without any improvement in their strength but there is always 1 or 2 who would manifest and inherit the Dao Comprehension of their elder.

This rite of passage had been observed and envied by other cultivators but the success rate of concocting the pill had always been a mystery. The ingredients had been changed numerous times but no matter which kind of alternative medicine or ingredient used, the success rate is still less than 1 percent and those who have been successful were still disappointed that they have not gained the power of Dao.

The scholar did find him the recipe modified by humans and he has already made preparations to venture outside. He already used Jesha’s connections to have a Mage accompany them in collecting the ingredients.

Clay walked towards the gates of the sect where Jesha was waiting.

If it was possible, he wanted to commission other disciples to do the job but based on the expected monsters to be encountered, one must be at least a Peak Late Foundation Establishment or higher to ensure the success of mission. And he does not have many points to hire such level of cultivator.

Left with no option, he will do it himself starting with the easiest ones. He must travel northeast where Mana and Spiritual Qi meet.

“I’ve already contacted a 4TH circle Mage. We will meet him in two days.”

“Good. Let’s move out.”

The two rode a carriage together. Later they will travel by air.

“How’s your cultivation?” Although Clay can confirm it with his Godly Eyes, he still asked to avoid sounding like an officious curious creep.

“I have your pills to thank and I am doing just fine.” Jesha made a casual remark and it looks like she wants to say something but stopped herself.

“Find a perfect time to breakthrough. I feel more comfortable having stronger allies around me during this trip.” Clay handed a bottle of Qi Enhancement Pills. He saw the flow of Qi within Jesha and she is already on the verge of reaching Late Qi Condensation.

Jesha timidly stored the pills in her spatial ring and looked towards the window of the carriage like she was troubled.

On the other hand, Clay did not make it more awkward so he did the same. There were times he wanted to make small talks but Jesha had always maintained her distance and similar to all other Elves he encountered, she doesn’t see him as equal. He does not know how long Jesha is going to stay with him and judging from her actions, this Elf wants to wants to maintain a give-and-take relationship which he is fine with since he plans on leaving the sect once his arm grows back.

What he is concerned of though is that on Jesha’s Qi pathways, there is a small foreign mass of Qi he saw using his Godly Eyes. As someone who had been tracked using Soul Seals, he is wary about other forms of Markings be it Seals placed on one’s soul or an Aura Mark like that of Jesha’s. Usually these Marks are imbedded on a token like necklace or ring but to have it inscribed within one’s body, this is the first time he is seeing one.

From his understanding, Jesha should be a descendant of some powerful figure and that explains the Mark but somehow he has this inexplicable feeling that that Mark will bring him an unknown trouble. Unless he is wrong about Jesha’s identity.

Clay had gone through countless life and death situations and he felt like he had develop an ability to perceive danger and he is having a bad premonition just looking at that Mark on Jesha.

*Sigh

Clay exhaled softly and hoping he is wrong.

Sunset came and they got off the carriage and started walking past a hill. Since they are taking a shorter route, they have to pass through Laka Forest on foot.

“We’ll camp here tonight. If you can, use this chance to breakthrough.” Clay found a flat area on top of a hill and summoned a tent then started camping. He had already inspected the area with his Godly Eyes and did not find any nearby beasts. His eyes did notice traces of lurking beasts from afar but he was not worried one bit as they are Qi-based monsters which he can easily subdue.

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Meanwhile, Jesha did not enter the tent and found a spot near the tent and sat on a meditative position then eat one of the pills Clay gave earlier and started circulating her Qi to prepare for a breakthrough.

Clay knew how boring it will be so he gathered a few scattered dried branches of wood nearby then started a bonfire. Although it was not needed, he wanted to have a feel of an actual night camping for once. During his past lives when he found himself wandering forests, he would either dig a cave or sleep atop random tree branches like a primitive ape.

He summoned a jar used to preserve medicinal essences but instead of it containing medicines, it contains tea granules which Jesha prepared prior their travel. Using his Essence Flame, he controlled it to boil the water inside a white ceramic cup.

He did not mind the mud-like substance that formed at the bottom of his cup and sipped his tea.

*Uhah

Clay watched the fire dance and as it slowly spread from the center and turns the burning logs into ashes. Since he has nothing to do while guarding Jesha, he played around with leaves and sticks he could pick on his side and compare which ones burns faster.

It was not fun but certainly is better than watching someone connect their Qi pathways and breakthrough. He remembered the first time he had to observe someone he nearly turned mad just waiting and observing from the side. It was like watching a dew drop accumulates but will never drop. “What a torture!”

Hours later Clay added more dried branches to fuel the bonfire. Jesha on the other hand had already broken through and is stabilizing her strength.

Clay wanted to refill his cup but before he could place new batch of granules, he sensed a group of cultivators flying from the distance and judging from their trajectory, they should be passing above their camp.

He wanted to ignore it but then he felt a trace of killing intent and is slowly getting stronger as it gets closer.

He is confident he has not offended anyone that would make someone wants to kill him. Especially in the sect, his existence may enrage a few but not to the point they would resort to killing. He wanted to believe that killing intent is not directed to him but after waiting a few more seconds, he is certain there is trouble.

Clay stood up and looked towards the incoming guests.

“Hey Jesha? I know this is not a good time but did you offend anyone recently?”

Jesha knew that Clay should not disturb her but the fact Clay did, she opened her eyes and quizzically asked, “I’m not sure what this senior is saying?”

“I think someone wants us dead or rather, you. Someone wants you dead and they are quite the powerful figures.”

Jesha was still confused but when the killing intent has gotten strong enough, she stood up as well and drew her sword.

Clay on the other hand suddenly recalled the foreign Qi residing on one of Jesha’s Qi pathways and when he activated his Godly Eyes, he saw how that Qi Node where the Mark was left is now integrated with Jesha’s cultivation after breaking through to Late Qi Condensation.

He now understand where his bad premonition was coming from. It appears that the Mark is a trigger-type and it was not place by someone who cares about Jesha’s safety but actually the opposite.

Moments later, an oppressive aura appeared above them.

“I’m quite impressed you have sensed our arrival.”

An Early Core Formation expert whose hair is brushed up, accompanied by 9 Peak Foundations Experts floated above them. The expert felt it just found its prey and wanted to assert dominance by jumping at the center where Clay and Jesha were standing however just before he could leap, the expert felt a trace of unfathomable Dao aura coming from Clay so he landed on the ground and kept and good ten meter distance in front of Clay.

*Whish

Clay looked at the strongest person of the group softly landed on the ground.

“We are disciples from Rising Cloud Sect. Whatever this is, I think there is a misunderstanding somewhere.” Clay greeted and slightly bowed and clasped his fist. Though it looks like he was being polite, he did not dare lower his guard and sensed the locations of everyone surrounding him.

He is glad the enemies are cultivators however this leader in front of him seemed to have formed a Sword Heart that even the sword on his waist has is exuding that mighty power.

The Core Formation expert is an experienced Dao Practitioner and had become wary of the aura Clay released so he did not rush.

“My name is Darwus, a vassal of Ulfinar Circle Mages. That woman with you was originally a Mage. She had undergone Mana Cleansing to escape her crime. And her crime is forbidden experiments involving Goblin which accidently teleported to Manaar Kingdom.” Darwus is carefully assessing Clay’s true strength as he talked.

“Regardless of her crimes, I ask this senior we have a fair trial in our Sect and…”

Before Clay could finish his sentence, he felt Jesha throw something in the air and at the same time, he saw Darwus drew his sword and made an outwards slash.

WHOSH!!!!

Clay felt how Darwus imbued his sword with Sword Dao and Clay thought he was the target of the attack so he fully activated his Dao Powers as well and wrapped it around his body to protect himself.

*Boom

The unknown object Jesha threw exploded in the air and scattered thousands of poisoned needles everywhere.

Darwus and his companions were prepared and were about to activate their protective aura and defensive weapons however at that exact moment when the needles were flying everywhere, Clay’s release of his immense and monstrous Dao Powers createdan outward ripple disrupting everyone’s flow of Qi which delayed their response causing them to be hit and pierced by those needles.

*AhhhhRRRRgggh

*AhhhhRRRRgggh

After the explosion, Clay heard guttural voices around him including Darwus who was struggling like something was struck on his throat.

Clay did not lower his guard as he looked at the needles on the ground near his feet. His aura had successfully deflected at least twenty needles that flew towards him earlier but it appears his release of power may have had affected everyone’s defensive Qi.

His heart is racing fast.

Just moments ago, although he was confident he could subdue them all, he was hoping they will resolve the matter peacefully however it never occurred to him that Jesha was holding such a powerful and dangerous weapon but more importantly, he felt how his aura disrupted and suppressed everyone’s ability to defend themselves.

Clay ran towards Darwus hoping he could save him but before he could touch him, Darwus twitched then stopped moving.

Such horrifying poison!

In mere five seconds, the poisoned needled killed a Core Formation Expert.

Clay turned towards the spot where Jesha was standing earlier.

“Good god!”

Clay exhaled slowly. Who would have thought his travelling companion would perish as well.

Earlier, Darwus drew his sword and released a sword slash and it directly sliced Jesha into two. He looked around for any survivors but his Godly Eyes could not see anyone alive.

“Damn this luck.”

Clay had seen more gruesome deaths and some of them were cause by him especially when he squeezed his enemies to death so what he is seeing now is nothing compared to the dismembered bodies he had encountered before.

Clay calmed himself and assesed the situation. From the looks of it, he will be forced to get rid of evidences to clear his involvement.

He finds it unbelievable things have resulted this way. In a split second, everything had become a mess. It was not his intention to have everyone killed and it’s too late to regret anything.

Clay is weighing his options.

He does not know what crime Jesha commited but if it does involve Goblins, it is not something that can easily be forgiven.

From his understanding, every Fortress east of Manaar Kingdom had been fortified because of a suspected sighting of Goblin and it is probably the same Goblin which Jesha may have experimented on then later caused him to lose his arm. If not because of those powerful figures who came to the rescue when he activated the Leaflet Distress Communicator, then his life should have had already ended.

Considering Darwus and his companions now all dead, if he goes back to the sect, then it would only be a matter of time before he will be executed as well. He can already foresee how everyone related to Jesha will be beheaded not because of an actual involvement but because that person had been in contact with her.

The second option is to clear all evidences but he will always be under suspicion once he gets back to the sect without Jesha. And even if he does not return, there is no telling if the sect may issue search for both of them which means that once someone finds him, they would still question the Jesha’s whereabouts Jesha.

And the last option is to fake his death.

Clay inspected Darwus dead body using his Qi. After a few seconds, he retrieved two spatial rings hidden under Darwus’s undergarment. After that, he extended his Qi towards the other dead bodies including Jesha’s and collected all their spatial rings.

Later, Clay erased the restrictions in all of the rings and looked for one particular item. After a minute of scrutiny, he smiled upon confirming that one of the rings had an explosion talisman.

Clay has no time left. He reckons that reinforcements will arrive soon.

He raised his left hand and shaped his aura into a sharp knife.

*Whisssskk

Without the slightest hesitation, he cut off his left arm and used his Qi to apply presssure to prevent his blood from spilling over. He then floated and threw his arm not far from the scene and when his arm hit the ground, Clay activated the explosion talisman.

*Boom

His arm flew off again and now that scene looks like he had been decimated by an explosion. Clay did not remove the ring on his arm to even make it more believable. He needs to make it look like a normal robbery and that the perpetrator is not interested on a lowly cultivator’s spatial ring.

But for the others, he looted everything.