Chapter 3: Entering the Village

Blacky rubbed his tummy as he suddenly felt hungry.

“If only I could reach the Elemental Warrior Stage.. Then I would be able to gather energy into my body.” Blacky truly looked up to Elemental Warriors for this reason.

According to the Spiritual Warrior book, Elemental Warriors had to gather energy from the world. Unfortunately not much else was mentioned other than small details. For instance they could refine energy to meet their body’s needs.

Blacky suddenly reached into his robes, pulling out a block-like loaf of bread.

Blacky took a sniff of the bread and began to appreciate it. He ate the loaf of bread within seconds, appearing like it was his first meal in years. He then shut his eyes calmly, and he displayed the Meditation Technique he learnt from his teacher.

The Meditation Technique wasn’t going to help him reach Spiritual Warrior Stage, but at the very least it would help sort out his mind. The Spiritual Warrior book had stated one must have a clear mind before consuming a pill.

Blacky sat down in meditation for a total of Five hours. A strange white gas came out his nostrils. Blacky held onto the brownish pill completely ignoring its stench. Currently he was only focused on successfully refining the pill.

“Teacher told me to swallow this pill, although he said there was a chance it might be a failed product, I must not give up. I must become an Elemental Warrior who never gets hungry.” Blacky then tossed the pill directly into his mouth and swallowed it.

Blacky shut his eyes and began to feel out his body. There was an awful taste in his mouth for a moment. Ten minutes passed by and he couldn’t detect any changes. As more time passed he felt more and more depressed but refused to give up.

If the pill could help him improve just a little bit, then it would still be worth the effort.

After another ten minutes, Blacky felt slightly ill. A strange ringing noise entered his ear, and then his heartbeat started to race. Blacky clenched his teeth as his body suddenly felt immense pain.

Blacky’s eyes opened which were glowing red. “No more hunger I must endure!”

A minute went by, and Blacky felt warm waves of heat surging through his body. “This is it!”

The pain was now gone, and Blacky could feel his body’s strength soaring. The strange heat caused his body strength to rise. A minute later his body emitted cracking sounds. He then entered the first level of the Spiritual Warrior Stage.

“I’ve done it!” Blackys face lit up. “I still feel the burning sensation within my body. Hopefully, I can improve some more.”

Blacky remained motionless, the burning sensation was slowly dying down. Blacky suspected the strange heat would soon be absorbed by his body.

Blacky was not surprised when the strange burning sensation was gone. Suddenly he felt the urge to vomit but dark red blood was coughed out instead.

Blacky was kneeling on the floor looking at the blood underneath him. He clenched his fist and then punched the floor!

*Rumble* The entire cave trembled and cracks appeared under Blacky’s fist. Using the momentum he shot up to his feet. His body emitted strange cracking sounds during all his actions.

“Hahaha.. What failed product? The pill has allowed me to breakthrough once again. I’m now a level two Spiritual Warrior.” Blacky felt a surge of satisfaction.

Blacky’s overall physique didn’t change too much. He seemed slightly buffer, and taller. Even so he still appeared skinny.

Blacky shot towards the exit of the cave. He didn’t take a single glance at the tree, instead directly jumping off the cliff. Blacky enjoyed the wind running through his hair for a moment.

With a bang Blacky landed on the floor, a small stone under his feet was crushed into bits. Blacky barely noticed.

“How boring, I’ve stayed within the cave for too long this time.” Blacky felt as if cultivation was a complete chore.

“Hahaha, Tifili Village watch out, there is no stall that can hide its goods from me!” Blacky laughed as he thought about stealing from the village.

“Even so, I need to be cautious of the village guards. Blood Red is a level three Spiritual Warrior on level above me.” Blacky smiled disdainfully although he might be weaker, they were considered within the same boundary, early stages of the Spiritual Warrior stage.

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Blacky reached into his robes and pulled out a few dart-like objects. They appeared to be made from rocks and wood. Blacky had created them himself after once being taught by Old Man Black.

He carried five or so on him. His black robe was a gift from his teacher. It was extremely useful due to having many pockets within. There was a flagon of water and even food stored inside.

Blacky held one of the darts between his fingers. He stood about ten meters away from the tree which reached up to the cave. Blacky used all his strength the throw the dart at the trunk of the tree.

Bang!

The dart pierced into the trunk of the tree, leaving a large gap surrounding the area where the dart landed.

Blacky took a glance at the result with satisfaction. In the past he could only get the darts to stick on the tree. Unfortunately he wouldn’t be able to reuse the dart.

Blacky sighed as he looked up at the setting sun. With a few leaps he climbed up the cliff and easily reached the cave. He took a glance at few of the papers Old Man Black had left behind.

Blacky didn’t have a great idea on the matters regarding the Bounty Hunter Association. Old Man Black stated that they handed out missions. When one completed the mission, they would then be rewarded.

One could also request a ‘hit’ or setup a mission. Of course they had to pay an appropriate fee, and also have a reward.

Most of the missions involved assassinations and other nefarious tasks. Blacky was originally a thief, and had no issues with taking on such missions. Currently Blacky needed resources to cultivate. If he only meditated then he would not make any rapid progress.

Blacky decided to have a proper rest before heading out to Tifili Village. Currently the sun had already descended, and it was too dark to travel.

Blacky had a small rest, and then he woke up before sun rise, entering meditation.

Blacky left the cave and headed towards the East. Tifili Village was only minutes away from the mountain range. Before Blacky left he scrubbed his robes with a strange minty smelling plant.

His black robes were filled with a few supplies for his travels. Old Man Black thought him how to keep his clothes smelling clean, without washing them.

Blacky was familiar with the location, reaching the Tifili Village gates shortly. There was a black scarf covering his mouth and nose.

This was because he was a fairly well known thief. Although the village had thousands of villagers, he didn’t wish to take unnecessary risks.

Blacky scaled the village walls, his eyes darted around the area. After confirming no one was around, he jumped over the two meter tall fence easily.

The sound of bustling human activity was heard immediately. Blacky slipped into the crowd. After which he began walking in a certain direction.

Blacky arrived at the Eastern side of Tifili Village after a short walk. This part of the village was filled with beggars. One could also find people who had hidden their appearances, similar to Blacky walking around the area.

Blacky turned a few corners before reaching a fairly old looking building. Blacky glanced around, but found no information regarding the building anywhere. He pushed open the door, and then entered the building. The stench of alcohol entered his nose.

There were a few seats and tables within. Blacky concluded that this place was similar to an inn.

Within the inn, there was a disguised man who sat in one of the corners and casually sipped on wine. His eyes paused for a moment on Blacky, and then went back to his drinking.

Other than him, there was a man at the counter filing paperwork. He appeared middle aged and well presented.

“Kid, what’re you looking for?” The man at the counter spoke out, without glancing at Blacky.

“I’m looking for Eryx.” Blacky carefully examined the man’s reaction.

“Well you’ve found him. What do you want?” The clerk whose name was Eryx, observed Blacky for a moment.

Blacky immediately reached into his robes, then he pulled out a few pieces of scrunched up papers.

Eryx took a glance at the paper unenthusiastically. “So you’re Old Man Blacks disciple.”

Blacky nodded in acknowledgement feeling more eased.

“What level has your strength reached?” Eryx asked.

“Second level Spiritual Warrior.” Blacky replied honestly, he considered himself to be not bad.

Eryx’s continued to question Blacky. “Age, name?”

“Sir I’m only fifteen, you can call me Blacky.”

This time Eryx’s expressionless face showed slight surprise. He was impressed Blacky reached his current stage.

“Old Man Black must have put a lot of effort in training you.” Eryx sized up Blacky he wrote a few things on a piece of paper, and then stored it away.

“From now on you can be considered a Hunter. Wait here for a moment there is something Elder Old Man Black left for you.” Eryx turned around and gestured Blacky to follow him.

Eryx pulled out a heavy bundle of keys, after which he led Blacky to a door. Eryx then went up a set of stairs, while Blacky followed from behind.

…

Currently there was a white haired youth standing outside of the Bounty Hunter Association. Next to the youth was a large figure wearing robes which covered him head to toe.

The youth looked exceedingly handsome and noble, seemingly like a scholar. But his small white colour pupils made him emit a sense of coldness.

The black clothed figure appeared extremely respectful to this youth. “Young Master Cool Breeze, please reconsider going back to the Sect. The Sect leader is not too happy..”

The white haired youth called Cool Breeze snorted, “Nonsense, you should already know what’s going on within the Sect. There’s only trouble for me there if I return now.”

“Elder Dark Eyes be at ease, could it be there is any danger for me in this place?”

“I’ll be back sooner or later, and I’ll settle those grudges, for now I need to stay away.” Cool Breeze then walked into the Bounty Hunter Association. There was hidden killing intent radiating from his body.

Dark Eyes watched on, but didn’t follow him inside.

…

Blacky was looking at images of faces on a wall, all of these people had a bounty on their head.

Eryx on the side was explaining the basic rules of the Bounty Hunter Association. Suddenly Eryx’s body trembled. He turned around and rushed down the stairs.

Blacky followed Eryx down in confusion.

Eryx ignored Blacky, and his shocked eyes looked towards the white haired youth who just entered.

Eryx immediately went up to the youth and bowed. “Welcome Young Master.”

The white haired youth was naturally Cool Breeze. Cool breeze nodded, and then turned to look at Blacky who was following behind Eryx.

“Who’s this?” Cool Breeze pointed at Blacky, smiling coldly.

Blacky couldn’t help but feel chills go down his spine. He stared in shock at Cool Breezes icy eyes.