Chapter 42: The Watchful Cloud Wing Bird

Chapter 42: The Watchful Cloud Wing Bird

"You are too complacent. This kid is smart and not easy to deal with. Don't let your imminent success be thwarted by underestimating him," suddenly, a voice of another young man echoed in Doctor Mo's mind.

Doctor Mo's face turned cold, his expression freezing over like an icy winter morning. He retorted sharply, "Yu Zitong, keep your nose out of my business. I don't need your lectures. If I succeed, you will benefit as well. But the technique you provided still seems flawed. Do you want something to go wrong at the critical moment?"

The voice seemed fearful of Doctor Mo. After hearing his threat, it quickly explained, "How could there be a mistake? Haven't you tested it on animals? The one that died was due to your unfamiliarity with the technique. Its death shouldn't affect your plans."

"Hmph! It had better be so. I can't afford more practice, or I would have had greater confidence," Doctor Mo said, recalling his last experiment. The final bit of doubt in his heart dissipated.

After finishing his words, the voice seemed to learn from its earlier mistake and remained silent. Only Doctor Mo continued his neurotic self-talk, making the atmosphere in the room particularly eerie.

Meanwhile, Eli found himself in an inconspicuous ravine, even more secluded and hidden than the meeting place with Rain. The terrain formed a narrow strip, flanked by two steep peaks, creating a narrow passage. Dense undergrowth blocked both ends of the ravine, making passage impossible. The only way in or out was a secret rope hanging from the shorter peak.

The ravine was filled with thick thorny bushes, covering most of the ground except for a small clearing where Eli could stand. Above, countless unknown vines wove together, forming a natural green canopy, ensuring that no one passing by could see him below.

Eli placed his belongings under a massive rock and moved to the center of the clearing. He closed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then opened them with a determined expression, whispering, "Let's start with the hardest, the Soft Bone Technique."

And so began Eli's solitary path of training. He had no idea that a yellow bird perched on a nearby branch had been watching him tirelessly. As long as Eli showed no signs of escaping, the bird did not fly back to report to its master.

Time flew by, and four months passed in a blink. The ravine appeared empty, with no sign of Eli. The yellow bird remained unperturbed, preening its feathers, seemingly oblivious to its monitoring duties.

Suddenly, a gray bird flew through the vines above and into the ravine. It circled a few times before landing on a wooden stake at the edge of the clearing, intending to rest before continuing its journey.

The yellow bird tilted its head, giving the newcomer a condescending look, its expression almost human in its disdain.

The gray bird, standing on one leg, scanned its surroundings and finally noticed its yellow counterpart. It spread its wings, seemingly wanting to join it.

Unexpectedly, a withered yellow hand descended from above, grabbing the gray bird. The sudden change terrified the bird, and it struggled desperately but could not escape the grip.

The gray bird then realized that the wooden stake it had perched on had transformed into a young man in a yellow robe. This boy, with dark skin and ordinary looks, smiled as he watched the bird struggle. When it was almost exhausted, he loosened his grip and said softly, "Go on, next time be more careful where you land."

Freed, the gray bird frantically flapped its wings and fled the ravine without looking back.

After watching the bird leave, the young man, Eli, stood still for a moment before murmuring to himself, "It seems my Concealment and Camouflage skills have improved. Time to practice the Chamber Assassin Technique."

He moved towards a newly built small wooden hut. Passing by the tree where the yellow bird perched, he glanced up.

He had noticed the bird's strange behavior over a month ago. It had been watching him from the nearby branches, seemingly very intelligent.

Initially charmed by its intelligence, Eli had tried various ways to lure it but failed. The bird seemed immune to his tricks, often giving him a mocking look, which made Eli smile wryly.

Frustrated, he had tried to catch it by force, but the bird always flew away at the last moment, only to return when he left. Eventually, Eli stopped bothering, suspecting that the bird might be a spy for Doctor Mo.

Yet, Eli couldn't bring himself to harm the bird. He had grown fond of its company and admired its spirit, preferring not to use cruel methods against it.

Meanwhile, Doctor Mo was in a stone chamber, drawing a strange array with beast bone powder. He was discussing something with the voice in his mind, completely unaware that Eli had discovered his surveillance method.

As Eli entered the wooden hut, he reflected on his progress. His Concealment skills had reached a satisfactory level, allowing him to move unnoticed. Now, he needed to focus on mastering the more complex assassination techniques.

Inside the hut, Eli lit a small lamp and spread out his collection of short swords and iron bells. He began to practice the intricate movements and timing required for the Blink Sword techniques. Each move needed to be perfect, each step calculated.

The night was long, and Eli's focus was unwavering. He moved with precision, his body responding instinctively to the training he had undergone. The yellow bird watched from its perch, a silent observer to Eli's relentless pursuit of perfection.

Hours passed, and the first light of dawn began to filter through the vines. Eli, drenched in sweat but resolute, continued his practice. He knew that time was against him, but he was determined to be ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

In the days that followed, Eli's routine became even more rigorous. He barely rested, pushing his limits in every session. The techniques he had chosen to master required not just physical prowess but also mental acuity. He needed to anticipate his opponent's moves, to strike with precision and deadly accuracy.

Eli's mind often wandered to Doctor Mo, the man who held his fate in his hands. He couldn't afford to fail. Each day, as he trained, his resolve grew stronger. He would not be a pawn in someone else's game. He would fight for his freedom, no matter the cost.

As the weeks turned into months, Eli's skills sharpened. He moved with the grace of a dancer and the deadly intent of a predator. The yellow bird remained his constant companion, a silent witness to his transformation.

Finally, as the end of the four-month period approached, Eli knew he was as ready as he could be. He had honed his abilities to a fine edge, prepared for the inevitable confrontation with Doctor Mo.

Eli stood at the edge of the ravine, looking out at the rising sun. The world seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the showdown that was to come. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his determination and the fire of his resolve.

He would face Doctor Mo, not as a captive, but as a warrior. The time for fear was over. Now, it was time to fight.