Waking up the next morning Haiyang didn’t want to delay. He ran up his tree and started to cultivate. This was how he lived for six more days, a cycle of cultivating, training, and going to the market with Shizi.

Haiyang didn’t focus on completing each and every imprint. He was only getting the basic parts with a good solid foundation. This way with the use of the medical bath the hardest part, strengthening them, could be done easier.

The sun imprints on his muscles were at the peak of the late stage. His bones, blood vessels, and organs were at varying levels of late stage. His Dantian and qi pathways were at the peak of the mid-stage. He was in a really good place to enter seclusion and finish strengthening.

On the seventh day, Haiyang awoke from cultivation at his normal time of about 2 pm. After cultivating for 5 or so hours he was even more ready for seclusion. He climbed down the tree and sat in the grass waiting for Shizi.

Haiyang sat there under his tree relaxing. He let the wind brush his fur and felt the cool air savoring each moment. He sighed wondering if this is what the future would be like.

Finally, Shizi walked out of his study with a cheerful smile. This same smile he always held after cultivating. Shizi walked over to Haiyang stopping at his side before sitting and enjoy the same breeze and cool air.

Haiyang woke from his stupor when Shizi sat down. Haiyang got up and carved a crude herb character, hoping his intentions would get across.

Shizi understood and said, “I’ll have someone get the herbal bath ready. It should be ready by the end of the day. Also, since you’re about to enter emulsion why don’t we go to the training ground for a bit.”

Haiyang happily nodded.

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At the training ground, just as usual, Haiyang did the strength test with the Copper Crown Tree. The results were different this time. He now had the strength of a low 2nd rank to a mid 2nd rank cultivator.

Shizi quickly fetched Ruodian to see what his cultivation was like. To which he responded with mid 2nd rank. This was the closest these two have been in cultivation since their first bout.

The two of them immediately stepped into the stone arena. Both of them carried a great amount of excitement. With a small bow of sorts, they got into their battle stance.

Both filling their legs with qi dashed out toward the other. With they were about to meet they sent out a punch or swipe respectively. Qi filled their hand/paw and when the silver-clad claws meet the red imbued fist there was a slight boom!

They both took a step back but this time Haiyang took the initiative. He jumped towards Ruodian clawing towards his stomach!

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Ruodian chopped down onto Haiyang’s back. Haiyang was sent smashing into the ground!

Haiyang got up and dashed to the right before jumping at Ruodian! He lands just in front of Ruodian with one paw on the ground. He filled that one paw with a good amount of explosive fire qi! He then exploded out headbutting Ruodian in the stomach!

Ruodian was knocked two steps back! He quickly recovered dashing back toward Haiyang.

Haiyang jumped to the left to avoid the assault but Ruodian was good.

Ruodian shifted all his weight to his right leg and kicking with his left. He hit Haiyang dead on sending him flying a few meters away!

Haiyang landed but started to slide back so he dug his claws into the stone. Leaving a small trail of claw marks. Imbuing his legs with yang qi he leaped out. His speed was 10% faster with yang qi than with yin qi. His yin qi, though, was much sharper so he constantly had his claws infused with yin qi. In only a few seconds Haiyang was in front of Ruodian catching him by surprise.

Ruodian stepped to the left trying to avoid Haiyang’s charge.

Haiyang exploded qi from his right paw into the ground sending him to the left. He raised his yin qi clad claw and swiped. His attack struck and caused three deep cuts on Ruodian’s chest. They started to bleed profusely.

Ruodian covered his hand in red qi and chopped at Haiyang’s back. Sending Haiyang smashing down into the stone arena causing spider web cracks half a meter around him.

Roudian stumbled backwards leaving a trail of blood. Barely making it three steps back he fell unconscious.

The crowd of guards stared blankly. They didn’t know how a low level fight between clan members would end up like this.

“You idiots! Quickly get them to the infirmary GO GO GO,” Shizi yelled!

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Haiyang’s eyes twitched as they slowly opened. Bright sunlight pierced his eyes making them close quickly. Slowly his eyes grew accustomed and he could open them. He craned his neck to look around the room.

He saw the all too familiar infirmary. He saw Ruodian laying on the bed next to his with his chest wrapped in bandages. There were even a few red blood stains seeping through.

Haiyang felt bad so he rolled off the side of the bed and jumped into Roudian’s. He placed his paw on Roudian’s chest. He focused his yang qi on the wounds trying to make the cells reproduce faster. This would cause them to heal the wound faster.

Soon the wound stopped bleeding but wasn’t completely healed. Haiyang gave a small tired smile and made his way back to his bed. He collapsed from qi exhaustion.

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Hours later Haiyang awoke to the sun starting to set. He looked to his side and saw Roudian in a meditative pose. Knowing that he was alright Haiyang got up and started heading for the door.

“You’ve gotten stronger very fast,” Roudian said without opening his eyes, “This time you forced both of us to the infirmary...Not bad not bad at all!” Roudian even started to laugh at the last part.

Haiyang nodded and smiled before leaving and continuing his way to Shizi’s courtyard.

When the moonlight started to shine Haiyang arrived at the courtyard. He walk into his cultivation room and when he opened the door the wall of heat and medical scent blew out.

In the little pool of water, well now look like liquid fire, shone a bright red color.

Haiyang walked to the edge and took a deep breath. He smiled and stepped in ignoring the uncomfortable heat. He sat down and started to meditate.