CHAPTER 79: THE COMING OF THE SNOW RAM

Zen breathed heavily, steam puffing from his mouth as he placed his hands on his knees. Though his body was slumped, he kept a close eye on the mannequin lying flat on its back, as white dots of snow began to accumulate on its chest. The mannequin trembled and began to unnaturally get up.

“Stop!” Zen said. It was the sixth time in a row he had defeated the mannequin and he doubted he had the energy to take it on for seventh round that night, especially since the snow had begun again. He fished out his storage stone as he walked closer to the mannequin, then watched it disappear in yellow balls of light as it was pulled into the stone’s storage area.

He placed the stone back into his pocket as he made his way home. He felt more relaxed walking home, knowing he did not need to look over his shoulder. Xaun Bao had finally been expelled and moved off the premises of the school and without his leadership, his lackies and Zen’s own former friends did not bother him. It seemed they were not that interested in tormenting him or anyone they deemed his friends.

Zen sighed when he thought of friends, or how he did not have any. He had no doubt that the coming holidays were going to be very boring. A big ape then landed on his shoulder causing him to smile. “Well, at least I won’t be alone, heh, Shibi.” He rubbed Shibi’s head.

He walked into his dorm room and collapsed on his bed, closing his eyes in an attempt to shut out what Deng Ai and Ao Li were talking about. However, their words still travelled to his ears unbidden.

“Apparently, a few snow ram have been spotted in the White Woods.” Deng Ai said. “Experts believe that they have bred a more this season, allowing them to pick up their numbers a bit.”

“Again why would I care about such things?” Ao Li said as he combed his hair.

“Come on, this Province was named after this mystic and elusive creature.” Deng Ai said. “It’s body is said to posses great properties. Its horn apparently produces a pearly liquid made of elemental and ki energy and could help with cultivation by leaps.”

Zen jerked to a sitting position upon hearing this. “Is-Is that true? The liquid produced by its horn can help cultivation?”

Deng Ai was surprised that Zen was listening but he nodded anyways.

“Don’t think about it Wag Zen,” Li Ao said. “May I remind you that Snow Ram’s with that particular ability are very powerful.”

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“Pfft, I wasn’t thinking about anything.”

“Really? Cause you have the look.”

“The look?”

“Yes, the look that says your infected with Cultivator’s Greed.” Li Ao explained further upon seeing Zen’s confusion. “It when cultivators hear about some powerful elixir that promises shortcuts to power and therefore risk a lot to get it.”

“I must admit,” Deng Ai said, “Although that liquid does sound enticing, it would be far too dangerous to try and get it.”

“I’m going to do it,” Zen said. I need to do it, he thought to himself. He thought of the advantages of advancing with his cultivation so that he was at least in line with his peers or even better, pull ahead of them. But he needed someone who was smart to accompany him. “Hey, Deng Ai, do you want to…”

“No,” Deng Ai said. “Although I’d love to see a Snow Ram in person, I doubt any journey with you will end just at looking at it.”

“Hmm, fine. I’m sure I can find someone who will go with me.”

It was the following day. Zen trekked down the snowy mountain after his morning cultivation session that he had started to do along with Deng Ai and Li Ao, albeit separately from his roommates as they were not really that close. He hated cultivating in the cold… he hated he cold itself but he knew there was a lot of catching up he had to do in terms of his cultivation. On his way down, he took a long detour to the other section of the mountain that had the residences of all the top students, particularly one residence in particular.

When he knocked on the door, he was greeted by a surprised Jao Cong.

“Hey, coz!” Zen walked in, unbidden. As soon as he was in the confines of the property, Shibi leapt off his shoulder and began to explore the area.

“Wang Zen, may I help you?” Cong said.

“Yeah,” Wang Zen handed a rolled up paper over to him.

He unrolled the paper and red the contents, which were printed under the image of a goat with long horns. “The Snow Ram.”

“Yes,” Zen nodded. He had obtained the image from one of his very rare trips to the library. “Apparently, more have been spotted this season. I want us to go to the forest and see it for ourselves.”

“What? Wang Zen… I don’t know…”

“Come on, Coz! Your not going home for the holidays, neither am I. Why don’t we just do this together.” Zen said. “It will be fun. Our own little adventure.”

“What about school work, Wang Zen?” Jao Cong said. “Shouldn’t you be studying for your subject tests. I remember once you said…”

“That doesn’t matter,” Zen said.

“Why?”

“Cause of this!” Zen thrust his fist out and it was immediately followed by a shower of greyish white sparks of ki.

“Dazzling Jab!” Jao Cong exclaimed. “B-But how?”

“After I saved Deng Ai from Xaun Bao, he decided to reward me by telling me the secret of reading the scroll. It’s a weak punch but considering I’ve mastered it, I’d say I’m set to pass this period.”

“Dazzling Jab is not a technique focussed on strength.” Cong said. “And besides, I was planning to read…”

“You can always read later but this… this may be a once in a lifetime thing. Come on, Coz, don’t you want to see the namesake of this province with your very own eyes.”

“Hmm…” Cong continued to look at the image. “Well, it does look very interesting. Fine!”

“Great!” Zen said. “As soon as school closes, we’ll leave. Pack your bag, Jao Cing, for we are going to go on an adventure!”