Page 5: Take and Give

Its been 3 minutes since the group entered the forest. While the group is carefully treading their path, Bai carefully observes the three. They've been cautious in their movements not to create any unnecessary sound to attract attention. Leading the trio was Ling Tian while Ah Mu keeps their group's rear safe. In Bai's eyes, their movements would hardly create any ruckus in the forest. Due to their careful actions, the noise coming from the forest masks their footsteps.

Five minutes of shadowing and observing the group, Bai is prompted to make a quiet halt. There was a huge pile of branches and twigs in the middle of the forest. After some time, the spectators can see numbers of cloud rats that come and go. Cloud rats are herb and fruit eaters and they are valued because of their thick fur. Because they are herb and fruit eaters, some would be able to develop essence as they chance spiritual herbs and fruits. A cloud rat that develops an essence becomes the leader of its population and every pile house would have at least two strengthened rats. However, no matter how much they eat, they would only be able to develop a red shard as their bodies are not designed to withstand the amount and purity of a higher tier essence crystal.

Bai was inferring as he watches the scene in front of him.

'It must have been their nest', Bai thought.

'Let's see how these kids will catch one of those. They look agile.'

Looking at the actions of the trio, they haven't made their move yet. It was as of they were waiting for something. A moment later, they saw a larger sized cloud rat coming out of the nest. Compared to the others, its size was at least 1.5x the size of the common population. It was also the same size as the one they brought in the market.

At that time, excitement can be seen in the trio's movements.

"Brother Ling Tian, I think that one will have an essence shard. What should we do?"

"Let's not be hasty, Ah Mu. If it enters the nest, there's nothing we can do to kill it." Ling Tian replied as he tightened his grip on the knife in his hand. Ling Tian remembered that last time, they were lucky to spot two strengthened cloud rats leave their nest. If they weren't able to corner it near a mountain wall, their speed alone won't help them touch those fast reflexes of the cloud rat.

"There, it's leaving. It's going to the direction of the stream. Let's follow quietly. As usual, let's corner it like the last time. Yue, Ah Mu, let's proceed carefully"

There was only one but its prospect is high. The group was planning to get food but a better offer showed itself on their doorstep. Long Bai followed the trio, watching and learning their actions as he tries to familiarize himself with the forest.

The cloud rat they followed paced slowly as it neared the stream. It might not have noticed any danger yet causing it to move in a lax manner. It has been 5 minutes and it was able to reach the stream and then came the surprise. The three jumped out of the bush and rushed towards the cloud rat. Ling Tian aims at the back of the rat while the two on Ling Tian's side were swinging the sticks in their hand randomly. Due to the sudden attack, the cloud rat was startled and quickly made a run to Yue's side. It was the weakest part of the formation and coincidentally, it was where the cloud rat chose to run to.

"Oh no!" Ling Tian did not expect the development and yelled.

"Little Yue, on your side. Watch out!"

Yue who didn't know what to do just kept swinging her stick weapon without aim. This gave the cloud rat an escape. It went past Yue but then a whacking sound was heard.

-- -- -- -- -- --

A Few Moments Before the Rat's escape

-- -- -- -- -- --

Long Bai took the stick that he found lying at the ground near to where he was hiding. He thought that he should also have a weapon just in case.

He was watching the three make their move. At that moment, Bai almost made a facepalm.

'What are you thinking? Shouldn't you have approached it with stealth as close as possible?' Bai's inner thoughts were screaming!

As he saw the Cloud nearing Yue, he was conflicted with the idea of helping the trio. He was trying to think of a natural way to approach the three. But still, if the cloud rat escapes, its also his loss. Without more thoughts, Bai readied his stick and launched a surprise attack in front of the escaping cloud rat then made a full vertical swing. It made a loud whacking sound.

Whack!!!

The cloud rat was hit on its head and immediately lost its consciousness.

If it was a child that did what Bai did, the cloud rat might have retained its sanity but because Bai possesses the strength of a teenager, the outcome was good.

Bai stepped forward and picked the unconscious rat. Ling Tian, being the most experienced in the trio group recalled himself from the surprised and pulled Yue towards his back.

"Hey! That's our catch. We followed it here! Do you dare snatch from us? Ling Tian was shouting as he points the knife towards Bai.

The trio was vigilant at Bai's movements. Bai picked the cloud rat and offered it to the trio. This surprised the trio, especially Ling Tian who was the most suspecting. In Ling Tian's eyes, the scrawny kid in front of them is not behaving normally. In this world that they live, Ling Tian has seen numerous incidents of killing, stealing, and other acts that disregard lives. It was always the survival of the strongest. 'Why would a winner give his prize to a loser?' Ling Tian thought.

Looking at the three pairs of watchful eyes, Long Bai replied.

"Please be at ease. I'm giving this as an apology. It was your prey in the first place. I happen to be hunting too and noticed you when you were cornering it. I can't just announce myself or you'll miss your catch but then this happened."

This was Long Bai's sudden script. He was not prepared to make a speech so it was what he thought at the moment. He was hoping they'll fall for it. Anyway, there will be other chances next time. What he needs more are information and companions to increase his efficiency of gathering cultivation materials.

The three looked at each other and came up with a consensus.

"Are you really serious about that? That cloud rat may have formed a shard. Will you still give it to us?

Bai faked a surprised look then replied.

"Ahem, brother. How should I call you? "

"Call me Ling Tian."

"Big brother Ling Tian, Honestly speaking, I would like to join your group. I am poor and hunting alone is difficult. Without the proper circumstances, I would not be able to catch this cloud rat." Bai still offering the animal in his hands.

Although being alone would have its benefits, being with such kids would definitely bring color to this frightful life he is in. Being an adult inside, he can't help but feel compassion for the children in front of him.

Ling Tian looked at the other two and it seems like they don't disagree. Maybe because the person in front of them is also poor like them, they might have sympathized with him.

"Alright, but once you join, you must follow our rules and share the same goal. We aim to collect our entrance fee for the upcoming awakening ceremony. What do you think?"

"Brother Ling Tian, among the kids from the slums, who doesn't have that dream? I on the other hand don't just dream big but also seek good companions. I would be glad to have good friends. My name is Long Bai. Please call me Bai"

Bai gave a sincere smile which caused the atmosphere to lighten.

"Since little Brother Bai is friendly, welcome to our family. Let's go back and have a feast tonight!"