Page 49: Staying and being Free

Days left before the sect's martial and alchemy competition: 153/152 days

Red flames have engulfed the entire camp. From a distance, the combination of red flames and black smoke created a scenematic view of the previously house-filled area to a lake of fire. As the raid group walk away from the place, the tall evergreen- like trees slowly blocked the view of the burning huts, fences and bodies. Everyone was quiet for the entire walk back to the village camp. There was no laughter, there was no long conversation, only the sound of the boots crushing some dried leaves and twigs found on the ground can be clearly heard.

After six hours of fast paced walking, they were able to reach the village. Just like the previous, everyone put up their tents except Long Bai. Since the camp was meant for the night's rest, Long Bai returned to his designated place in the village. Just as he was supposed to enter his hut, something was different.

There was no hut but instead, a larger house. It was twice bigger than the previous building on that spot. Instead of the original cone shaped roof, the current one resembles an A-type roof. The body of the house changed from circular to a square-ish design with a bigger door. Long Bai stood outside for a moment, unsure if he should enter or not. After a while, Feng Shangyuan came rushing with a big smile.

"Master Bai, do you like it? we didn't have enough time so this is what we were able to finish. Everyone from the village contributed something during its construction. The kids even tried to make some decorations. We will make it more grand in the future. Please look inside."

It was fascinating. Long Bai was surprised that just a day, they were able to improve such hut into a large dwelling. The idea of putting all their efforts for him was already enough to touch his heart even though he won't be staying at the place for a long time. But since it is everyone's will, he can't just decline.

Looking inside, the interior was wider and at the middle was the core- forming array which he built. Now, there is a bed located at a compartment behind the central area. this seemed to be the improvement. They were able to extend the room with an extension of 4m x 4m. Before he could do anything, he plunged straight to the inviting bed and slowly surrendered to its softness. The village chief who was watching didn't continue what he was supposed to say when he noticed that Long Bai had already closed his eyes. That night was hundred times more peaceful than the night they previously had. Even the disciples who were at the camp outside the village, they were thankful for the silent night which enable them to properly rest.

It was the next morning but was still to early, Long Bai has already been standing in front of the elder's tent. Long Bai knew that the team will be early for departure going back to the city so before everyone will move, he decided to speak with them.

"Senior Kai, I would like to remain in this village for a while. I still have some things to research which might take a month or two."

Yang Kai, who became the presiding leader didn't even thought of what he said and immediately agreed. Since he doesn't have a good impression of Long Bai, it would be better that he would just stay further away from him (or her*).

"I understand. I'll report this to elder alchemist. anything else?" Yang Kai rather not interested furthermore just wants to end the conversation.

"Ahh." Long Bai detected the annoyance in Yang Kai's voice. "You don't need to bother yourself with such minor things. I'll handle it myself."

Yang Kai returned inside the tent and resumed his business of whatever while Long Bai did the same, just on the opposite direction.

After returning from the camp site, Long Bai didn't go out of his house the whole day. Even when the raid team began their return, he didn't bother looking. The whole day, Long Bai spent his time sorting his information.

[STATUS

Cultivation: Bone tempering layer (early- 3rd)

Core grade: Unique (multi-elemental)

Gate Channel opened: 1/8

-Gate of strength

Skills

Movement skills:

~Flash Steps (mastered)

~Ghostly steps (perfection)

*You can't hide your presence but your movements are as silent as the lonely night.

-can be evolved when requirements are met

Martial art skills:

~Sword of Twelve Critical Strikes (mastered)

~Sky Sword of Critical Strikes (perfection)

-sky tier

-can be evolved when requirements are met

~Blazing Sky Palm (advanced success)

-sky tier

-can be evolved when requirements are met

~White Dragon's Martial skill (intermediate success)

-sky tier

-can be evolved when requirements are met ]

*Merchant City Central Market

A young lass wearing a red robe is currently strolling the streets of the city on a hot afternoon. Wearing a bright colored outfit under the bright skies, she appeared like a playful fairy who came down from heaven just to roam the streets. Although such appearance strikes the most from her, the wooden sword on her waist painted a different picture from the previous sight. Rather than a fairy, it seemed like a young goddess of war has come to play with the mortals. Her bright aura just naturally attracts anyone who passes their sight on her, the young, the old and even the married were defenseless with her charm. 9This was Yue, the sect master's third disciple who is now at the 9th layer of flesh tempering.

Just this morning, Yue was granted a day- off to visit her friends from the other residences. As soon as the sect leader allowed her, she did not waste even a second and dashed off towards the door. First thing, she decided to go to the market to buy some things to be brought as greeting gifts. While walking leisurely, she heard an interesting story. Men who were resting on a public shade were sharing some current events.

(standby 1)"You heard the news? They said that the bandits that were killed near a small village were actually part of the Barbarian's den that's why a group came back to request a raid team from the sect. The raid team is supposed to be returning anytime of the day now."

(standby 2)"Ah, yeah! I heard they even ask an elder to accompany the team since they've learned that the barbarian's boss was at the middle levels of the bone tempering layer. Since an elder is going with them, there's no reason for the raid to fail."

Yue took interest in the content of the story and decided to solicit some more information. As she moved closer to hear more, the men noticed her trying to eavesdrop on their discussion. Yue was caught red handed but still tried to act innocent.

"Ahh, dear uncles, it's really hot today. Staying in a shade like this is really comforting. Hei!." After speaking, she made a V-sign while smiling. By the way, she learned this from Long Bai from some time ago. The uncles who were smiten by her charms had gone speechless.

"Pretty young lass, we don't mind if you join in though? These uncles will tell you what they know. By the way, what's your name?"

"Ohh, dear uncles. I can't really tell you but you can call me little pretty."

Yue brought out 5 red shards from her pocket and offered it to the three uncles in front of her. If it was the old Yue, she would never talk to these people and give such amount of crystals. However, gaining her current strength and learning some truths of the world prompt her to act accordingly. Lately, she had learned how to gauge someone's strength by detecting the amount of inner essence they have. Although it has not been perfected yet, her current abilities were enough to check these uncles she's dealing with. Her judgement? They are harmless, they're not even cultivators at. That is the reason she's nice and carefree around them.

"Aiyo! Little pretty is a goddess after all. If only we can have a daughter like you."

"Little pretty, do you want to hear what we were talking about a while ago?"

"Please do tell, dear uncle."

"Alright, where do we start?

Ahh! I know. More than three weeks ago, a subjugation group was formed to investigate and purge some bandit action on a certain village. Fifteen cultivators of mostly at the middle layers of visceral tempering and two alchemists join together for this quest. According to the first report that I heard, they were able to locate the bandit lair and exterminate them but they've learned that they are just part of a bigger syndicate, the barbarian's den. Two weeks after, a raid group was formed and they are expected to return today."

"Brother, I heard that both alchemist who joined were grade 2 rank. One of them was a middle-aged one while the other is related to Senior alchemist Wei." One of the uncles added.

"Oh! you mean the one who lives at the far side of the mountain? Yes, I believe so." Another one supplemented.

While hearing the information, Yue was trying to patch up the pieces, trying to get the specifications. Her head was having creases while thinking. 'Hmm? Far side of the mountain? Isn't that senior Zhang Li's alchemy house? If that's the case, senior Li must be the other grade 2 alchemist. Wait, does this mean brother Bai is alone? Oh yes! I should hurry then.'

Yue dashed instantaneously after making some conclusions. "Thank you dear uncles. I'll need to go now!" Rushing on the streets with gleeful smile, the people who saw her thought a little goddess jist flashed by. Back at the shade, one uncle suddenly spoke.

"Ahh! I forgot to tell, the other alchemist who was related to senior alchemist Wei was a young man who now became an apprentice. It was the young man who defeated alchemist Mo in a bet."

"You idiot! Why did you forget it? She could have given us more crystals. Ai, there's no use. We let a chance go by from a little goddess."