The Osiria Orchid Blooms

After leaving GuangXi the next stop for the Caravan was Suzhou City which was within the territory of the Water Shroud Sect.

The area was blanketed in snow as the terrain was mostly mountainous. The city had large walls covered in frost and snow with brick-layered roads. Shops lined each street as plum blossom-like trees were all around.

It was a new experience for him to be surrounded by snow but the clothes he had were too light for this climate.

Since they reached Suzhou City the mercenaries' jobs were finished.

Madlenkosi also received his pay which was around 5 gold and 450 silvers. It seemed meager but this could support a villagers' family for years.

In the city, he went to the nearest trading area to get the appropriate clothing for the weather. He wasn't to the point in Body and Qi cultivation where he could ignore heat and frost.

After replacing his old coat with a white fox fur robe, he proceeded to leave the store to venture around the city.

He enjoyed traveling like this.

Though it may seem solitary, it gave him good inspiration when it came to cultivation.

He asked around and looked for Suzhou's Swift Eagle Agency to purchase a new Qi Technique. His current Technique wasn't of Earth Rank and it slowed his progression in comparison to his Body Cultivation which was now at the 7th Layer of Prana Gathering.

As he got there, it was quite a shock for the attendants to see Jīn children these days.

"Good day, Young Lord Jīn. How may we assist?"

"Do you have any Earth Grade Techniques?"

As the attendant looked to another, he replied, "Young Lord, most Earth rank Qi Techniques are usually held by Sects, we wouldn't able to easily get hold of them even if we wanted to".

With a sigh, he thanked them and left.

"Where the hell am I going to get an Earth Techniques?" He thought as he found an inn to cultivate.

Upon settling in he used a qi replenishing pill to cultivate. After a month later he broke through to the 8th layer.

As he continued to cultivate he noticed the speed at which his Qi cultivation was being left behind.

1 more Layer until I need to break through to the Heart Modification Realm, yet my Qi gathering is moving so slowly...

_________________________

Morning rose as he paid and left. Upon leaving he heard some females speaking in hushed tones of a soon blooming Osiria Orchid.

These orchids were known for purifying Qi as well as raising one's Qi cultivation.

He stayed outside within earshot as he was planning what to do with the information.

" Seems interesting enough."

He followed behind this group of 4 females from afar as they entered the Frozen Forest.

He used his 'Wind Tiger Cloud Dragon ' movement technique as he darted between the treetops. His white fox-fur robe billowed in the wind and the rings in his hair rung as their clattered together.

They seemed to be a part of the Water Shroud Sect due to the matching green robes and dewdrop insignias on their cuffs.

Once they reached their destination, they suddenly became cautious as they noticed a small opening.

A lake made its way into view as they stared at the flower within its center.

This lake surrounded a beautiful lilac flower as it was guarded by a type of ice serpent. The serpent had two small bumps on its head and some whiskers similar to a catfish.

It seemed this ice serpent was a BaleFrost Basilisk.

An enormous half-step Rank 4 beast.

Even his eyes widened as even he was taken aback by this discovery.

It seemed to be protecting this flower intending to evolve into a flood Dragon upon breaking through to the 4th Rank.

Madlenkosi rested his wrapped Taahkarr on his shoulder as he lightly tapped it.

Now, he was intrigued...

"How are they going to deal with this beast..."

The 4 females were of varying layers in the Qi Gathering Realm. The lowest being the 5th Layer and the highest being the 8th. He felt they should be strong enough but he was quickly shown otherwise.

The BaleFrost Basilisk was a half-step Rank 4 beast that condensed a beast core. This small change made it just as powerful as a normal Early Rank 4 Beast!

As the female disciples drew their swords they stabbed towards the beast in formation.

'All Water Flows To The Sea!'

As their Qi auras burst forth, the sword Qi converged on the Basilisk.

It thrashed as it was deeply wounded, its tail slamming towards the weakest within the formation!

The female disciples utilized their second sword formation technique.

'Waves return and Memories Pass!'

Their sword Qi converged onto the disciple under attack as she was able to fend off the attack.

With her arms shaking and full of sweat, she was shocked to see how powerful this BaleFrost Basilisk was!

The BaleFrost screamed as it noticed it was in trouble...

Soon another BaleFrost Basilisk that was at Peak Rank 3 appeared behind their encirclement!

Despair was seen on every disciple's face as they saw one behind them.

Kosi face-palmed as he said, "They didn't even look to see if it had a mate before going and attack it..."

As the disciples constantly fought the two serpents, they were slowly being overpowered even with their sword formation.

It would only be a matter of time before they either got seriously wounded or ran out of Qi...

"How troublesome," He stared down as he wondered if he should help.

Which was until the 8th Qi layer female disciple pulled out a brown and red paper as she threw it at the serpents, blasting them heavily before they made their escape.

After they left, Madlenkosi judged his strength against the two injured BaleFrost Basilisks. He figured he can easily win against one but two might be a problem.

He slowly stalked them back to their den as he untied his Taahkarr. He slowly raised it as he decided to launch a lethal attack against the head of the Peak Rank 3 Beast.

He had more assured to quickly kill this beast. As he leaped out, Taahkarr swung through the air which made it screech and vibrate!

All of this happened in the briefest of moments, as a staff shadow struck towards the skull of the Basilisk.

The Basilisks noticed his killing aura too late as he was already upon them!

*CRACK*

With an unresigned roar, the beast's head was split in two by the heavy staff. It limply fell to the floor as it's eyes glazed over in shock and grievance.

The other Basilisk went berserk as it attacked with all it had. Judging from its wounds, it seemed seriously injured as it continued to lose blood.

He planned to slowly whittle away at its strength as it continued to weaken. Kill them and eat them as he practiced his Body Cultivation.

A Peak Rank 3 and a Half-step Rank 4 would be extremely nourishing to him. The Orchid would be then used for his Qi cultivation to refine since his Qi wasn't as powerful as an Earth Rank one.

Once the BaleFrost Basilisk was too weak to fight due to its aggravated wounds, he quickly smashed its head with his staff. As he raised his head, " How funny the world works ".

His Qi cultivation was still within the 6th layer while his Body cultivation was in the 8th.

If he's lucky, with the bodies of both these beasts and the Osiria Orchid he'd be able to make multiple breakthroughs!

He made his way back to the den after retrieving the Orchid. He then covered the entrance to make a small cultivation chamber.

Now it was time for a long-awaited breakthrough...