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Chapter 091 - Magical Creatures

Blue and Micro listened attentively as Feng continued to speak, though Micro was unable to chew his carrots quietly enough not to annoy Blue.

“Kang managed to cultivate an Amber core before he ever spoke to another cultivator, learning by watching, reading whatever texts he could acquire.” Feng went on.

“He joined the Tiger Moon Sect during an open trial and took every opportunity to pursue strength through knowledge.”

“Such a story...” Lena marvelled.

“I never guessed-”

“He didn't leave the sect in disgrace. He left because it no longer served the path he chose.” Feng said.

“But was he any less the master you knew when he left? No!”

Feng's voice suddenly filled with energy and passion which shook the room.

“He was Master Kang, not some figurehead of a corrupted sect!” Feng shouted.

“Nor will I be used to prop up the remains of a hopeless group of whining children who lack the will to find their own path to walk!”

“Then the sect...” Lena cried.

“If your only obligation is to prop up the honour of a sect, why bother cultivating?” Feng said, his tone once again calm.

“I don't recall the child called Lena being so easily distracted from her path. I have no memory of you ever hesitating to leave the group when you sought a greater challenge. You weren't fully grown before you sought out the wandering Amber Tiger Art Dungeon!”

“You're not suggesting...” Lena whispered.

“Are you saying that I should leave the sect...?”

“I'm saying that I'm surprised you've let it hold you back so long.” Feng replied with a look of pity.

“Your strength was never of the sect's making, nor was your honour.”

The strength seemed to leave Lena's body as she looked down at the table in silent contemplation. Feng looked at her with a kind smile, but offered no words of comfort. Micro continued to fill himself with the carrots from Feng's garden, and Blue nodded slowly as she observed Feng and Lena.

“Cultivators sure do waste a lot of time for how fast you die of old age.” Blue sighed, disturbing the heavy silence at the table.

“Pixies don't think much?” Micro asked.

“I've been thinking a lot recently, but I still don't really enjoy it...”

Lena ignored their remarks as she quietly considered Feng's words, and Feng turned to smile at the odd pair to his left.

“You both make a good point.” Feng said.

“And I see you've both come a long way in a short time.”

“Don't bother trying to comprehend the potential of a pixie.” Blue scoffed.

“Indeed.” Feng laughed.

“A cultivating pixie is difficult to fathom, even with one in front of me. And you?”

“Me?” Micro asked.

“Yes, you.” Fend repeated.

“To think a farm tool's soul in an artificial human vessel could come so close to cultivating an Amber core in so little time.”

“I had lots of help, but I still have a lot of Core Cards left to master.” Micro replied, smiling widely at Feng's praise.

“I'm in the Fire Mountain Turtle Sect right now, though I still need to find an Amber level sect that knows about the Serpent Art.”

“Indeed, the oath that binds your core is beginning to react to its progress.” Feng nodded while inspecting Micro's core with glowing eyes.

“The Water Serpent Moon Sect may be worth a visit in the near future. The cards you currently hold should suffice as means to enter their temple and seek their counsel.”

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“Didn't they poison your friends?” Blue asked with a suspicious glare.

“You may find both friends and enemies in any group of cultivators.” Feng replied.

“Are there signs?” Micro asked.

“How do you tell them apart?”

“I'm afraid that is something one must learn, rather than something one can be taught.” Feng replied.

“Just avoid people who want you dead.” Blue shrugged.

“That's a start.”

“Master Kang really would have enjoyed your company...” Feng said.

“He was often bored by the tedium of life in the sect. It's an honour to witness a genuine adventure unfolding before two young cultivators. There is much to learn from those in your position.”

“Thanks, Feng.” Micro replied happily, while Blue rolled her eyes at Feng's kind tone.

“Might I ask why you seem to possess twice the number of souls as before?” Feng asked with an eyebrow raised.

“A lot has happened!” Micro laughed.

“The Fire Mountain Turtle Sect was very kind, and they invited me to fight in a tournament in the Imperial City. There were more obstacles than roads on the way there, but I made it eventually. The tournament was interesting, but it turned out to be a trap, and we were all sacrifices for a hero summoning.”

Feng looked to Lena with a surprised look, but she only nodded silently to affirm what Micro had said.

“I see...” He mumbled.

“I managed to catch the soul intended for the hero, and it's sleeping under my soul right now.” Micro said while tapping his chest lightly.

“I'm a little worried though, because it ate a big piece of chaos energy recently. I hope it doesn't get a stomach ache...”

“In so little time, you made a core grand enough to host two souls in harmony...” Feng whispered in awe.

“It's suddenly easier to believe in your quest to transcend the boundaries of reality...”

“There's always a road home.” Micro nodded.

“Though your eye needs the attention of a skilled healer...” Feng added with a frown.

“I looked too closely at chaos the other day.” Micro replied, bringing his hand to his reddened left eye.

“It doesn't hurt anymore, but walking without depth perception has been difficult.”

Feng suddenly turned to Lena once more with an enthusiastic smile.

“I think I have just the idea for you.” He announced to Lena.

“An idea...?”

“Accompany young Micro to the Water Serpent Moon Sect!”

“What would that...”

“It's time for you to see your sect from the outside.” Feng explained.

“When Micro's business there has concluded, I expect you will have discerned your own path.”

“If it is your will, I shall make it so.” Lena replied earnestly.

“Please, don't treat me like the leader of a sect.” Feng said, waving his hand in front of his face in displeasure.

“I only wish the best for little Lena.”

“Master Feng...” Lena said, tears forming in her eyes.

However, they were interrupted by the sound of an explosion not far from the cabin that caused their ears to ring. Splinters sprang out of the wooden floor as the small building buckled in the shockwave. Micro, Blue, and Lena flinched as the cabin settled, but Feng turned slowly to face the door which had swung open.

“There are two of them.” Lena said, standing up and releasing a strong defensive aura.

“They aren't something you can handle in your current state” Feng added, standing up with a weary sigh.

“They definitely aren't from around here.” Blue said, climbing onto Micro's head and closing her eyes to concentrate.

“They smell like blood... and that chaos stuff...”

“Do you think they'll leave us alone?” Micro asked, but Feng had no time to answer.

The roof of the wooden cabin was suddenly swept away faster than Micro could see. Even with his skin hardened by the Armour Trait, the wave of dust and splinters that pelted Micro made him flinch in pain. Blue was already in his pocket by the time Micro had raised his hands to deflect the debris, while Feng and Lena had taken no time to brace themselves with energy.

Micro opened his eyes and immediately understood how the roof was swept away with such ease. Towering above the roofless cabin were two creatures much larger than the dragon he had met, but they resembled no creature in particular. At first he thought they resembled bears, with coarse black fur and large claws, but their necks were long and twisted horns adorned their wolf-like heads. But their most imposing feature were the scaly wings which flapped behind them with the force of a storm.

“Into the woods!” Feng shouted, grabbing Micro by the arm and dragging him to the door with more strength than Micro expected of the old man.

Lena followed close behind as another of the giant monsters' hands swept away the rest of the house. Micro had no time to look behind him as he began to run quickly enough to keep up with Feng and Lena as they sprinted into the dense woods, but he knew the monsters were close behind by the sound of trees being crushed beneath their weight as they chased after them.

“Can you defeat them?” Micro asked Lena as they ran.

“Not even at my full power!” She shouted back.

“Blue! Can you get us far away from here?” Micro then shouted down to the pixie in his pocket.

“Blinking three humans? No chance!” Blue replied.

“They're strong, but they're only beasts!” Feng called out.

“I didn't live this long to be done in by a couple of wild animals!”