"Oh yeah? Well I'm gonna make sure that you're fucking dead!" one of the two people that I scouted out (specifically, one of this Sect's inner disciples,) yelled out and raised his sword. The guy had been fighting against the other one for who knows how long and just by looking at them, I'm starting to think that they probably didn't even spend most of their time fighting at all...

His enemy, another cultivator but ultimately not one of those ninja-like people clad in all black is the same as him, well, I'd say that they're exactly a copycat of each other- "HA!" the guy exclaimed and pointed his sword at his enemy, "you fucking think that you can kill me?" he started cackling, "I? One of the best that the Poison Bandits can offer?!"

The bandit's robes fluttered as he circulated his Qi, and a black aura started to surround him, "Fear me," He said with a malicious grin.

And I did, my heart suddenly started racing and my breathing started to harden. I tried to control my breath, concerned that the bandit is gonna discover me because of it. The more that I looked at the bandit, the more that I got scared and I wasn't the only one-

"I- this petty trick?! HA!" even when sweating and looking scared, the inner Sect disciple stepped forward with confidence and arrogance written in his face, "I have faced the heavenly trial of activating my Spirit Root and this much is nothing!" the disciple grit his teeth and after a brief moment, his eyes started to glow red.

He eyed the bandit like a hawk, his eyes watching for every twitch of his muscles, "As I said earlier, you're dead!" and then the disciple disappeared from his spot only to reappear right next to the bandit two seconds later, "DEAD!" he screamed while he slashed his sword.

The bandit dodged the hit, but barely, "so you were keeping this to yourself all this time?" the guy said, smirking. "You're still shivering, though, so are you sure that you can even beat me?"

Words of confidence struck the disciple and he took a step back, his red eyes flickered, "I will."

Then they clashed again.

I watched the scene with apprehension and awkwardness, it's exactly like what I expected when I first got here but why do they act so different compared to that black-clad guy I killed? 'Was he the exception?' I asked while observing the fight between the two cultivators. The way they moved and how much power is in each hit made it obvious that they're in the Body Refinement stage and I expected that much when I went here.

The two continued to clash, hitting each other with swords that barely even scratched their bodies. I looked down and stared at mine, and subconsciously, I reached out to touch the wound on my right arm, pain climbed up my arm and it started to shudder, the sword followed, releasing a soft hum.

Odd. I thought. There's the dagger too.

Again, I looked at the two cultivators and just how bizarre it is that they can't scratch each other with their weapons. At best, they'd probably be able to give their enemy minor internal bleeding but nothing more than that.

Well, whatever. I stood up from my spot and readied my sword, my Qi surged and ran through my entire body, I felt cold but at the same time, I was able to think clearly. The Qi continued to move until it reached my right arm, an itch crawled through its length as my wound started to heal. The Qi continued to move and eventually reached my sword.

The weapon started to hum and I could see that flakes of frost is starting to form on the weapon's surface. I gazed at the two other cultivator's weapons. Those swords don't have this.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Was that the answer? Did I just get lucky enough that I managed to find a weapon suitable for Qi? I don't know, but I want to. I'd need to find another one of those ninjas first though.

I sucked in a puff of air, then released it. Mist came out of my mouth. "Hoo..." I heaved cold air.

I took one last look at my sword before stepping forward, then I ran-

"What?!" had been the bandit's reaction when I came out of the blue and tried to hit him with my sword, "You dare-" I didn't let him talk and just continued to slash, I don't know how to use a sword but looking at him fight had taught me enough.

Don't over-extend your slash and stop it before it goes too far. I mentally reminded myself of what I saw and a bit of force on my wrist, causing the sword to stop moving halfway through my swing. Then I pulled it back and swung the other way but the bandit dodged. Just like that, I repeated the pattern, fanning my slashes in front of me in the shape of a fan.

My eyes widened as I dodged a strike I eyed the sword that was close to stabbing me in the face for a second before I recovered. When I turned back to the bandit, I saw a smirk in his face, "you're predictable." he mocked, "untrained!" he yelled and I flinched.

Then the world suddenly stopped, overtaken by my loud heartbeat. I was scared. Right, his aura.

I didn't even realize it because I felt way too calm. I smirked when it dawned on me as for why that is and that got the bandit to look angry. "What?! Are you mocking me?!"

In response, I increased the circulation of my Qi until I started to shiver, the air around me got colder and I felt the Qi that isn't mine started to dissipate, eaten up to fuel the ice forming around me.

I swung my sword and blue light followed it's arc. That same light turned to snow a second later, "Hoh? So you also have an Awakened Spirit Root?" the other Sect Disciple said as he finally barged into our fight, he swung his sword while aiming for the bandit but the guy dodged it by jumping back. "Say, I haven't seen you before, what Pavillion are you from?"

I didn't reply and charged the bandit, "Ah, so you must be from the Poison Pavillion then?" he nodded in satisfaction while staring at me, "That explains why my Qi is slowing down, it is exactly like I am poisoned." He turned to the bandit that I'm fighting, "but I must say, you should probably not affect me with it yes?" he said calmly.

FUCK! HELP ME! I yelled internally. I was gritting my teeth while fanning my sword in front of me, it kept the bandit at bay but it's also tiring. I kept an eye on both the disciple and the bandit's hand.

When I saw the hand move, I stopped swinging and pulled back my sword, preparing myself to dodge an attack. The bandit thrust his own weapon forward and I dodged it.

He smirked, "You're good!"

No I'm not! I'm just paying attention!

Oblivious to my thoughts, the bandit spoke, "You remind me of those Death creeps." he said while dodging another one of my swings.

If you're gonna keep talking... I thought while slowing down my movement. I put a foot forward and slashed, then I took another step but readied my free feet for a lunge- There!

"Why don't you join-" I stopped my swing directly in front of him when he started talking again and then I pulled it back, and then I thrust it forward.

My sword piercing his chest cut him off and he stared at me with wide eyes, he started laughing, "I see." he said before glowing black, "I have served the bandits well."

Even in death he wouldn't stop talking and I heard his words even as I ran away as fast as possible, "Good job!" the other Sect Disciple said to me when he caught up, "and be careful, these bandits explode into poison mists when they think that they're life is in the line."

YOU THINK!?

Something exploded behind me and I ran even faster. Seconds later, a stench so bad that I had to cover my face with the collar of my shirt blew my way.

When I was sure that I wouldn't die from whatever it was that the bandit did, I stopped and started panting. "I like your sword," I looked up and stared at the smiling Inner Disciple. Right, he's still here.

I stood straight and the water that built up on the collar of my shirt thanks to my icy breath started to drip down, I'm tempted to change it but I have to deal with something first, "Thank you," I replied, "I got it from one of the invaders,"

The discple nodded in understanding, "I see!" he gave me a beaming smile, "then I shall search for a sword like that as well!"

I watched him leave in silence. Wow, grave robbing really is just an option instead of a crime here huh?