Side Story: Companion of the Earth Phase (I)

The five elements Dao was a popular cultivation path across the world. It was used by many sects to develop a variety of cultivation arts, some that even surpassed multiple immortal realms. It could be considered the foundation of the Great Dao.

The advantage of the five elements Dao, known as Wuxing, was that one would have a solid foundation in these elements and have few weaknesses. The downside was that the length of cultivation could be five times as long.

Chen Wentian, as Ming He, faced this difficulty. As the young master of the Eastern Light Clan, he had all the resources a Spirit King Realm sect had to offer. Even so, he was struggling to find five suitable Dao companions to cultivate the First Light of Zhulong.

"Brother Ming, is this the place?" His female companion asked.

She was Hu Xing of the Great Bear Tribe, a wild cultivator attuned to the wood phase. Since wood naturally restricted earth, they were here in search of a companion of the earth phase.

Here... was a nondescript farming town within the mountains. Even though there was little flat ground, the people here managed to shape the land to their needs, creating flat terraces that went all the way up the sides of the steep hills. Every terrace was flooded with fresh spring water and they were in the middle of planting rice.

"This should be the place. When we meet that person, let me do the talking."

"Brother Ming…" She pouted and clung to his arm, "How can you say that?"

Chen Wentian looked her up and down and then scoffed. She was taller than him by a few hairs. She didn't wear ordinary clothes, instead opting for tiger fur that draped off of her broad shoulders. Her arms were uncovered and showed off her excellent musculature. She was akin to a wild huntress and would scare off most people at a glance.

"Hmph, why do I have to accompany you to find a second wife? Life is so unfair."

"Don't try to sound cute, it really creeps me out." This earned him a slap on the arm, "Ow, woman. Don't you know how to control your strength?"

The two continue to bicker as they walked up the winding mountain path. They eventually arrived at the village and told the village chief that they were there to find someone named Liu Mingjia. They had discovered her name through the Eastern Light Clan's information network. Apparently, it was because of her that this insignificant village managed to increase its rice production by ten times in a few years.

They followed the village chief up a hidden trail. They walked through a bamboo thicket and came to a bubbling mountain spring that formed a clear pond. There was nobody there except for a figure sitting crossed-legged on the shore. Their features were hidden by a wide hat with a veil circling the brim. But from their figure, it obviously belonged to a woman.

The village chief retreated far away while Chen Wentian and Hu Xing walked up to a safe distance behind the woman.

"To make Chief Han so frightened, you two are not ordinary people." When she spoke, her voice was mellow and calming, "If you don't have a good reason for interrupting my meditation, my response will not be kind."

"Miss Liu Mingjia, you are someone I have been looking for for a long time." Chen Wentian said respectfully, "My name is Ming He of the Eastern Light Clan. I have heard of your work to improve the land here, to make the soil ten times more fertile. Such a thing is impossible without great talent with the earth attribute. I am in need of someone like you."

Liu Mingjia slowly stood up and turned around. Her face was still obscured but he was able to get a better look at her figure, very feminine and very seductive. Her outfit was a mix of green and brown, making her seem in tune with the land.

"You?" She asked mockingly, "And why exactly do you need me?"

He answered evenly, "I am cultivating the ultimate art of the Eastern Light Clan, First Light of Zhulong. It requires me to have five Dao companions, each one aligned with one element of Wuxing. I want you to become my Dao companion of the earth phase."

Liu Mingjia threw her head back and laughed, "Ridiculous, how utterly ridiculous. I have never heard of anything so funny. Here I was, minding my own business. You two barge in, trying to get me to join some kind of weird harem. No thanks."

"Impudent!" Hu Xing said before Chen Wentian could respond. She stepped in front of him and clenched her fists menacingly, "My Brother Ming is the top disciple of the Eastern Light Clan. He will step into the Spirit King Realm and become the next clan head. You are not allowed to refuse and you are not allowed to be rude!"

Liu Mingjia threw her arms out and drew an axe, "You… are telling this granny what she is or isn't allowed to do? Are you tired of living?"

Hu Xing raised her fists, "Fuck your granny, you're not even older than me. If you want to fight, let's fight!"

With a surge of spiritual energy, Hu Xing's fists turned into tiger paws while her feet also transformed. She leaped forward and slashed with her sharp claws.

Clang!

Liu Mingjia blocked with her axe but the force sent her three steps backward. Hu Xing wasn't affected and immediately attacked again. Her partial beast transformation art gave her tremendous speed and strength.

"What a brute." Liu Mingjia muttered.

"Say that again!" Hu Xing shouted in anger.

"Brute, ugly brute!"

"You bitch!"

The two women fought for ten rounds without a clear victor. Hu Xing was fast but Liu Mingjia's defense was top-notch. In terms of cultivation level, they were both at the 10th Level of the Spirit Initiate Realm. Neither could overpower the other.

Hu Xing's fighting style was wild and reckless and she would occasionally receive a wayward cut or two from the sharp axe. However, her wounds would barely bleed before they healed at unnatural speeds. Liu Mingjia, on the other hand, was completely spotless. Even her robes were undamaged.

The battle continued for ten more rounds and then another ten. If one had to judge a victor, Liu Mingjia was more skilled. She could have won if it were not for the consideration of elements and elemental suppression.

Hu Xing's beast transformation art was naturally aligned with the element of wood while Liu Mingjia cultivated the element. In Wuxing, wood naturally had the ability to control and suppress earth. And so, Liu Mingjia would never be able to beat Hu Xing like this.

"Alright, alright. I'm tired of fighting. Let's stop and talk." Liu Mingjia finally said.

"Heh, call me elder sister and I'll stop." Hu Xing retorted.

Unexpectedly, Liu Mingjia obliged, "Elder Sister Hu."

Hu Xing looked at her opponent with a funny expression before laughing, "Little Sister Liu, you can't take it back now."

"I won't."

Chen Wentian's head spun from the turn of events. The two women had been fighting so seriously and all of a sudden, they became so friendly. He sensed something was amiss but couldn't figure it out.

"Say, Elder Sister," Liu Mingjia nudged Hu Xing and gestured towards Chen Wentian, "Since you are following this block of wood, he should be quite strong."

Hu Xing laughed some more, "He really is a block of wood. But he is strong and pretty handsome."

Liu Mingjia studied Chen Wentian from head to toe and then snorted, "My master told me this day would come, that one of these Eastern Light Clan bastards would come for me, just like how they came for her. I tried to hide but you still found me in the end. But I am not going to follow you so easily."

She picked up her axe again and pointed it at Chen Wentian, "Elder Sister says you are strong. She should have been bullied by you, right?"

Hu Xing nodded eagerly, "He bullies me constantly."

"Surnamed Ming!" Liu Mingjia said valiantly, "Sending Elder Sister Hu to fight me instead of doing it yourself. Is this how a real man behaves? If you think you are so good, then why don't you beat both of us at the same time!"

"Oh! Great idea!" Hu Xing said and showed her claws.

"Damn it…" Was all Chen Wentian could utter before both of them attacked.

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