Leaving the Valley

The next three suns went by peacefully for the Iron-body Gorilla clan. Almost half the clan was able to make breakthroughs, and one even entered the divine class and became an initial-perennial.

Oli's days were spent in Trada's abandoned cave, kneeling and concentrating on controlling his essence to begin changing its nature according to his new technique. Oli was never alone for long thanks to Ania's visits and meal deliveries, so he didn't even try to inspect the contents of his void ring.

He made great progress and thanks to having a king-grade cultivation technique while he was young, his cultivation speed was ridiculous. He was already near his first breakthrough from initial-practitioner to low-practitioner and couldn't wait for Rathe to get back and get his father's soul technique.

The two finally arrived late in the morning and were showered with the news of everyone's breakthroughs. But Oli made sure to grab their attention by running up to Rathe and punching him in the back with the little essence he had. It wasn't enough to do any damage, but it made him turn around in excitement to feel Oli using his essence.

"You brat, you've already formed your core without me? And was that your old man's technique I felt? It was hard to tell because it felt like a bug bite," Rathe joked as he got Oli in a headlock and wrestled him to the ground. Though Oli had grown and was almost fully grown, he was no match for Rathe's broad build.

"Hey, Uncle Rathe hurry up and pass me my dad's soul technique. I've had to wait for you this whole time and now you're finally back," Oli begged him.

"Hold on, don't you want my Sundering Fist technique instead? You've seen me use it so many times I'm sure you'll master it in no time!"

"But that's only a perennial grade technique, while my dad's technique is a king grade," Oli wasn't able to say more because it felt like Rathe was pulling off his legs.

"What was that? I can't hear you say it again," he pulled a little harder, almost bringing Oli to tears. Rathe laughed and enjoyed the look on Oli's face until he felt sharp pain start in his back and crawl up his spine and was launched over ten krin into a few trees that broke and cushioned his landing. He scratched his head and yelled, "Ouch! Sis, what was that for? I was just playing with the brat."

"If that's what you call playing, let me give it a try, kay?" Ania's devilish smile scared Rathe to his core. The fearless and rambunctious Rathe's one major fear was his little sister.

"Ania wait; there's no need to go that far, right? Right!?" Rathe took Ania's Earthen Hammer art to gut and tried to run away from the protective Ania.

Oli went from absolute pain to absolute laughter at the sight of the proud Rathe running in terror from his mother. He got up and brushed the dirt from his fur, walking towards the running Rathe with his father's soul technique in mind.

"I can pass you the technique, Oli," Vloz spoke up to get his attention, "Rathe passed it to me earlier so don't worry about interrupting the entertainment, okay?" Vloz's aura passed the technique over to Oli, who jumped for joy to finally have the real technique. "Also, since you and everyone else have all finished making their breakthroughs, we'll be heading out immediately for the new territory. If it weren't for such a good show, I'd intervene so we can leave already."

"We're leaving now? Why so quickly?" asked Oli.

"We didn't have issues claiming the territory, but rumor has it that our new territory is the home of a well-known bandit group. Luckily, they're away on business for now but we need to beat them there to avoid any ambushes on the road. Is there something wrong with leaving so soon?"

"No, not at all. I was just curious," Oli wanted to push for another breakthrough before he left but it would be impossible to train if they're in a hurry to reach the new territory.

"Good, now if you'll excuse me, I think this we've had enough fun for now," Vloz directly stepped out, disappearing and reappearing between the brother and sister to stop their antics. Soon, the three of them appeared before the clan and made the announcement. In a matter of minutes, the entire clan was on the move. They followed the same pattern as before with a scouting party clearing the way, only this time it was Vloz who silently removed and assassinated anything that tried to get in the way.

Oli stuck with Rathe and Ania in the middle of the group, spending his time reflecting on everything that had happened recently and imagining what he'd achieve in the future. With that in mind, there was a spring in Oli's step.