Chapter 07 : Journey to Tai Shan Mountain (2)
T
he sun began to set, casting long shadows over Tai Shan Mountain. As night fell, Ye Tian found a sturdy tree to climb once more, resting high in its branches for safety. The forest grew quiet, with only the distant sounds of nocturnal creatures echoing through the darkness. His body ached from the day's exertion, but he knew rest was crucial. Tomorrow, he would continue his search for the rare herbs he needed.
At dawn, Ye Tian resumed his exploration, pushing deeper into the wilderness. As the morning wore on, he came across a small cave tucked into the side of a hill. A faint, ethereal glow emanated from within, piquing his curiosity. Cautiously, he approached, and as he peered inside, his eyes widened in surprise. A flock of White Spirit Grass grew near the entrance of the cave, their soft glow lighting up the dark space.
This herb was incredibly valuable—its essence was known to strengthen one's cultivation and was particularly potent in refining qi. Ye Tian stepped closer, but his excitement quickly turned to caution as he felt a powerful presence nearby.
From the shadows of the cave slithered a large snake monster, its scales shimmering dark green, eyes glowing with a cold intelligence. Its cultivation level was higher than Ye Tian's—he could feel the oppressive aura radiating from it, a beast of at least a higher realm than him.
Ye Tian tightened his grip on his sword, knowing that this would not be an easy fight. He studied the snake carefully, waiting for an opportunity. He had fought beasts before, but this one would require a different approach. Rushing in recklessly could lead to his death. He slowly circled around the cave entrance, searching for a blind spot in the snake's vision.
After finding an angle where the snake was less aware of his presence, Ye Tian leaped into action, aiming a strike at the beast’s side. His sword slashed through the air with a sharp whistle, but the snake was quick to react, coiling back and snapping at him with lightning speed. The battle began in earnest, with Ye Tian using his agility to avoid the snake's strikes while landing blows where he could.
Despite his efforts, the snake's thick scales absorbed much of the damage. It lunged at him with a venomous bite, forcing Ye Tian to dodge and roll. They fought for some time, the cave filled with the sound of clashing steel and hissing. Soon, Ye Tian found himself growing weaker. The snake's attacks were relentless, and one strike finally caught him off guard, sending him crashing against the cave wall.
Blood trickled from his wounds, and pain coursed through his body. He was heavily injured, and the snake, sensing its victory, began to close in. Desperation set in as Ye Tian scrambled to hide behind a large rock, his mind racing. What could he do? His cultivation wasn't enough to defeat the beast in direct combat, and he was running out of options.
Suddenly, an idea came to him. He recalled the five elemental qi circulating within him and focused on his control over fire qi. Gathering what strength he had left, Ye Tian infused his sword with the scorching fire qi, making the blade glow with intense heat. He took a deep breath and concentrated, channeling all his energy into a single, decisive attack.
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With a sudden surge of determination, Ye Tian sprang from his hiding place, slashing his sword toward the roof of the cave. The fire qi blast struck the stone above the snake, causing the sharp rocks to crack and break loose. With a rumble, the rocks came crashing down onto the snake's body.
The snake hissed in pain as the jagged stones struck its vulnerable spots. Its movements slowed, and finally, it collapsed under the weight of the falling debris, its life force fading.
Panting and clutching his side, Ye Tian staggered forward. The beast was dead. He had won, though just barely.
Without wasting any time, Ye Tian extracted the core from the snake's body. The core was valuable—it contained condensed spiritual energy that could be used in alchemy or cultivation. After collecting the White Spirit Grass and ensuring he had gathered everything he needed, Ye Tian knew it was time to return to the sect.
He had achieved his goal, but the journey had taken a toll on his body. His wounds throbbed painfully, and he knew he needed medical attention as soon as possible.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon once more, Ye Tian descended the mountain, his heart resolute. The wilderness had tested him, but he had emerged stronger. Now, it was time to return to the sect and continue his path to becoming eternal.
After descending from Tai Shan Mountain, Ye Tian made his way back to the sect, his body aching from the intense battle with the snake monster. He clutched the White Spirit Grass and the snake’s core close, knowing these items were too precious to reveal. Upon reaching the sect, he first headed to the Exchange Hall to trade in the other herbs he had gathered during his journey.
The Exchange Hall was bustling with disciples, as usual, some looking to trade their hard-earned points for resources, while others made exchanges for rare herbs and treasures. Ye Tian entered quietly, his worn-out appearance catching the eye of the elder overseeing the hall.
He stepped forward, presenting the herbs he had collected. Among them were several lesser-known herbs like Iron Leaf Fern and Dragon Root, but nothing as valuable as the White Spirit Grass he had carefully hidden in his robes. The elder, a sharp-eyed man with a long beard and an inquisitive expression, examined the herbs closely.
“You’ve brought back quite a haul this time, Ye Tian,” the elder remarked, raising an eyebrow. “Most low stage disciples struggle to find even half of these. How did you manage to gather so much?”
Ye Tian had anticipated this question. He couldn’t afford to reveal the truth about the snake monster or the White Spirit Grass, so he quickly made up a story.
“I got lucky,” he said, maintaining a calm demeanor. “I ventured deeper into the wilderness than usual and stumbled upon a secluded area where the herbs were growing in abundance. I spent a good amount of time there collecting them before heading back.”
The elder squinted slightly, clearly not entirely convinced, but after a moment, he nodded. “Fortunate, indeed. Be careful not to push your luck too far. The wilderness is dangerous, especially for someone of your cultivation level.”
Ye Tian smiled politely and nodded in agreement, though he remained guarded. The elder didn’t press further, and after calculating the value of the herbs, he handed Ye Tian his points. The White Spirit Grass and the snake core remained safely hidden, untouched.
After finishing at the Exchange Hall, Ye Tian returned to his residence, grateful to have escaped further questioning. He planned to cultivate in seclusion and make full use of the resources he had obtained.
As he entered his room, he noticed something unusual—a letter was placed on the small wooden table near the window. It wasn’t there when he had left for the wilderness. Curiosity piqued, Ye Tian unfolded the letter and read its contents.
"Two days from now, meet at the Practical Exercise Ground. You will see what happens if someone goes against me."
The message was unsigned, but the intent was clear. Someone within the sect had targeted him . Ye Tian’s eyes narrowed. This duel could be an opportunity, but it was also a potential threat. He had to be prepared, physically and mentally.
Folding the letter, he placed it aside. He had two days to recover and ready himself for the upcoming challenge. With a deep breath, he sat down to cultivate, gathering his energy and focusing on refining the spiritual power he had acquired from the snake core.
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