The journey into the forest was the most mind-numbing experience Jiang Tao had encountered in recent memory. Slowing down his pace so the crimson fish contingent wouldn't fall behind made him much more annoyed about having them around.

They had only been walking for a couple of hours and they were already flagging. Tao could feel the frustration mounting as they trudged through the thick underbrush.

The Crimson Fish School martial artists seemed out of their element in the dense forest. Their armor clanked noisily, each step reverberating through the silence of the woods. Tao's patience was wearing thin as he glanced back at the group, their faces flushed with exhaustion.

I'm not sure what I was expecting but it's definitely not this. He thought in irritation

“Can we stop for the night?” an annoying voice called, “ We've been walking for 6 hours”

Jiang Tao sighed heavily at the whiny voice of Xie Ran, who seemed to have reached his limit. The man’s complaints had become a constant soundtrack to their journey, only adding to Tao’s mounting frustration. He turned to face Xie Ran, doing his best to suppress his irritation.

“Stop complaining, Xie Ran-”

“My lord cultivator, Xie Ran is right we have been traveling for quite some time, and the forest shows no signs of letting up. We should make camp for the night,” another martial artist, Li Zhao, chimed in, his voice laced with fatigue. Other voices chimed in as well.

Jiang Tao’s brow furrowed. The group’s exhaustion was beginning to outweigh the urgency of their task. He glanced over at Yixing, who had been eerily silent throughout the journey.

His friend had completely offloaded all things regarding the mortals onto him, it was petty. Sure, Yixing could be a bit aloof, but it seemed like he was deliberately avoiding dealing with the martial artists.

He was starting to understand Yixing's point on how different the cultivator world was more and more even martial artists couldn't compare.

“Fine,” Tao said, resigning himself to the situation. “We’ll set up camp for the night. But I want everyone to be ready to move at first light. We’ll scout ahead.”

There was a murmur of relief among the martial artists as they began to set up their tents and gather firewood. Tao could see that even the simplest tasks were a struggle for them, their movements slow and clumsy.

He wanted to be empathetic as a person who had lived as an average peasant but this couldn't be the best they could do.

As the martial artists settled in for the night, Tao made his way to Yixing who was perched on a large rock a little ways from the camp, staring out into the forest with an inscrutable expression.

“You're taking this better than I expected,”

“Of course, this is a very novel experience, Brother Tao, it's not always I get direct insight into the ways of mortals. You're irritated because of your familiarity but don't forget you're a dragon amongst men now temper your expectations.” Zhou Yixing said with a small smile.

“Oh? Your attitude with Lord Bai Yuxi was quite different”

Yixing snorted, “That oaf is a cultivator albeit a failed who thinks himself our equal besides I've come to learn even a powerful dragon cannot repress a local snake,”

Jiang Tao shook his head with a wry smile. “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you? Watching them struggle while you sit back and observe.”

Yixing’s smirk broadened. “It’s a rare opportunity to witness the true grit of mortals. Their struggles, their limitations—it’s all so... revealing. Besides, it’s not like I’m completely indifferent. I do have some sympathy for their plight.”

Tao raised an eyebrow. “Sympathy? From you? That’s a surprise.”

“Hey! I’m considering your rebukes and being kinder to them,” He said in playful indignation.

Jiang Tao chuckled at Yixing’s mock indignation. The air around them was thick with the smell of burning wood as the campfire crackled and popped. He took a seat next to Yixing on the rock, his expression thoughtful.

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“I suppose I should be grateful you’re not completely heartless,” Tao said, shaking his head. “I'm contemplating just racing ahead and dealing with whatever beast is the problem.”

“Why don't we do that then?” Yixing asked

“Are you sure?”

“Of course, it's obvious they don't want to be here and we want to get it done as quickly as possible”

Jiang Tao studied Yixing's expression for a moment, weighing his friend's words. The idea of leaving the martial artists behind and tackling the problem head-on was tempting, especially given their slow progress.

“You’re right,” Tao finally said, nodding. “It would be quicker if we handled this ourselves. But we can’t just leave them without a plan.”

Yixing waved a hand dismissively. “We’ll leave them with clear instructions. Have them set up a defensible camp, and we’ll take care of the beasts. It’s not like they’ll be in danger if they stay put.”

Tao sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I suppose you’re right. It’s just... I feel responsible for them.”

“That’s because you’re too soft,” Yixing said with a smirk. “But fine, if you’re worried, we’ll give them detailed instructions. They can hold their ground while we do the real work.”

Tao gave a reluctant smile. “All right, let’s do it.”

They stood up from the rock and made their way back to the camp.

Jiang Tao cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the Crimson Fish School martial artists. The flickering light of the campfire cast long shadows on their tired faces, their earlier relief now tinged with apprehension as they awaited his instructions.

“We’ve decided to press forward and deal with the spirit beasts on our own,” Tao began, his tone firm but reassuring. “You will remain here and fortify the camp. Make sure the perimeter is secure and keep the fire burning throughout the night. The beasts are more likely to approach under cover of darkness, but the flames should deter them.”

A murmur of concern rippled through the group, and Xie Ran, the most vocal of the bunch, stepped forward, his face etched with worry. “You're abandoning us in the forest? I knew you cultivators were black-bellied scum. You lead us here to die!”

Jiang Tao’s eyes narrowed at Xie Ran’s accusation, but before he could respond, Yixing stepped forward with a calm demeanor.

“You court death,” He said his eyes landing on Xie Ran who paled at his gaze. A heavy pressure settled on the gathered martial artists as Yixing unleashed his intent.

“You are nothing but shrimp soldiers and crab generals. What we’re offering you is a chance to keep your lives while we deal with the real threat.”

Xie Ran’s face paled further under Yixing’s intense gaze, and he stepped back, stammering. “I—I didn’t mean to offend…”

The rest of the group seemed to shrink under the same pressure, their earlier complaints silenced by the palpable aura emanating from Yixing.

Threats work, I have to keep that in mind.

Jiang Tao nodded, appreciative of Yixing’s effective display of dominance. They took a moment to ensure everything was in place before heading out into the forest.

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The cool night air felt exhilarating as they soared through the forest, walking was for plebs movement arts were where it was at. Yixing’s technique was especially cool he stepped on the air as if it was solid ground.

“What type of beast do you think we’re facing?” Yixing asked.

“Likely a peak foundation stage spirit beast. Shouldn’t be too hard to face with two of us” Tao answered.

“I’ll trust your assessment brother Tao you certainly have more experience than me when it comes to spirit beasts”

The statement was sobering and reminded Jiang Tao of how far he’d come, from the son of hog farmers to a fledgling cultivator. It was amazing.

The trees thinned out, and the landscape shifted to rocky terrain as they approached a steep cliffside.

The air was cooler here, carrying the scent of damp earth and moss. Tao slowed his pace, signaling for Yixing to do the same. They landed softly on a large boulder overlooking a narrow ravine. A lazy river lay at the bottom and on the other side a tall mountain loomed.

“Wait” He whispered to Yixing, as he closed his eyes and focused extending his spiritual senses outwards.

His consciousness spread through the forest like ripples in a pond. He could feel the faint tremors in the earth and the distant rustle of leaves, but nothing in the way of their mark. All he could pick up on were mortal creatures.

“Nothing,” Tao sighed, opening his eyes and glancing over at Yixing.

Yixing nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Perhaps we should adjust our approach—”

He was interrupted by a sudden, guttural roar that echoed through the forest. The ground trembled slightly beneath them, and a heavy pressure weighed on the air.

Tao and Yixing immediately tensed, their eyes snapping towards to mountain peak ahead.

What the hell was that!? He thought panicked. That isn’t a foundation stage beast.

“Brother Tao,” Yixing began. “This isn’t worth it.”

He turned to face his friend “What?”

“There's no point in risking our lives for an inconsequential mortal village. We can find another way to Twilight Flame sect,”

“You mean we should abandon them?” he asked. “That’s not right, they’ll die”

“We’re cultivators, not heroes we are beyond mortal but we can still die! Our lives are a thousand times more important,”

He gritted his teeth, unwilling to concede. He might be a cultivator now but he wasn't so heartless as to live thousands to die to such a beast.

“Fine! Go, I’ll face it alone,” he said before jumping across the ravine.

“Jiang Tao!” Yixing shouted astonished by his willfulness.

“Great sage help me.” He prayed before following and clearing the jump to the other side