Meeting Xian
The tilapia bones were arranged neatly on the leaf where the grilled fish had rested before Karsha arrived. Having eaten his fill, Karsha decided to take a break before continuing northward. Despite the woman's warning about the forest, Karsha dismissed it as mere jest, so after resting for two hours, he resolved to bathe for the first time in many months.
Although he occasionally cleaned himself using his water bottle, the presence of a river now compelled him to take a proper bath. Knowing he would soon be reentering human civilization and mindful of the impression he would make, Karsha understood the importance of presenting himself well.
Emerging from the river minutes later, he felt rejuvenated. He then utilized his system to don his leather armor, enhancing his appearance to appear more human. Glancing around, he searched for anything else that might prove beneficial in the long run, but his efforts yielded nothing.
"If Michael's words hold true, I'll be able to sell the carcasses of the beasts I've slain once I reach a human settlement," Karsha mused aloud. With curiosity piqued, he peered into the 'Nine Calamity' space ring and was surprised to discover several items inside.
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< Brown Ivy Cotton Robe >
A simple and ordinary garment crafted from pure cotton. It absorbs heat, providing comfort to the weary wearer. Additionally, it possesses a self-healing ability, eliminating the need for stitching when torn.
Note: Before venturing into the human world, ensure you bathe and dress in appropriate attire.
"Tsk, quite the sassy one," Karsha chuckled, retrieving the brown robe. The system disengaged his armor and outfitted him in the robe. "Much more comfortable," he remarked before reentering his consciousness into the ring.
"Hmm, 10,000 gold coins. Is that all she can do?" Karsha muttered as he peered inside the ring. Remarkably, he discerned the quantity of gold coins with just a glance. Initially surprised, he opted to dismiss the thought and focus on being more productive.
He proceeded to transfer the ring containing all the gold coins he pilfered from the Slave's mine and poured them into the Nine Calamity Soul Ring. "25,000 gold coins. I suppose I'll manage to sustain myself for a while; Michael always used to say that gold coins hold greater value than copper and silver."
All his decisions stemmed from the knowledge he absorbed from his son. Michael had a penchant for web novels, so Karsha would occasionally pose questions to connect with him. He never imagined he would require this knowledge one day. Nonetheless, he let go of that thought and proceeded to identify the other items in the ring. However, there was one item he couldn't identify, and since the system was barely operational, he decided to revisit it later.
< Stamina Pill >
-- Consume to get back a portion of your stamina instantly
Purity level: 98%
Rank: Common
Quantity: 100
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< Health Pill >
-- Consume to get back a portion of your health instantly
Purity level: 97%
Rank: Common
Quantity: 100
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< Mana Potion >
-- Consume to get back a portion of your mana instantly
Purity level: 99%
Rank: Common
Quantity: 100
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"Well, I guess she did leave some goodies, too. Thank you, Hell Sister," Karsha remarked. He then began moving toward the north, following the instructions of the old lady. He understood the necessity of crafting a convincing backstory. With the slave mine temporarily destroyed, he knew the owners would be on high alert. Thus, he needed a compelling narrative, and if necessary, he would resort to bribery to expedite his entry into a town. Slowly but steadily, he started bridging the 10-mile gap, as the lady had advised.
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"Damn you, Wang Jun. I will kill a Tier 4 monster and show you and your demented subordinates that a Xian shouldn't be trifled with," a boy of Karsha's age cursed as he continued to traverse the forest, displaying a mix of annoyance and determination.
"I shouldn't have trusted those good-for-nothing sons of bitches," he muttered again, his anger tangible. He then sighed before tightening his grip on his sword. "Just a Tier 4 monster will suffice. This alone will catch Sister Mei's attention and secure my place in the Blood Expedition."
The young man, lost in his frustration and complaints, remained oblivious to the 3-meter-tall lion-type beast sneaking up on him. "I will show them I am worthy...Huh!" he exclaimed abruptly, leaping forward to evade a claw attack from the Felroar Lion, a Tier 5 monster.
"Ahhh, a peak Tier 5 Monster. I am finished," the boy lamented, his mood shifting to one of pity. A mere Level 3 Grandmaster stage cultivator, how could he possibly fare against a Peak Tier 5 Monster?
Although the Tier 5 monster was comparable to a Grandmaster stage cultivator, it was a well-established fact that monsters were generally more resilient than humans. With stronger bodies and thicker skin, they posed a formidable challenge. Killing them while in the same rank was exceedingly difficult, and for someone who had been complaining just moments ago, he realized he had unwittingly landed himself in a precarious situation from which escape would not be easy.
"Why am I plagued by such misfortune? Betrayal, and now facing a monster I couldn't possibly dream of defeating," he muttered, tightening his grip on his sword. "But to return to my family, I'll confront you with every ounce of my being." With determination fueling his resolve, the young man charged at the beast.
The beast roared in response, matching his aggression as it charged toward him. They clashed, and despite being sent flying backward, the boy managed to draw blood from the creature.
He swiftly rose to his feet, only to be met by a sudden claw slamming into his back out of nowhere.
"Cough, Cough," he coughed out blood as his body collided with a nearby tree. Despite the pain, he refused to surrender, repeatedly rising whenever thrown aside. His unwavering determination overshadowed the agony coursing through his body as he searched for an opportunity to strike.
Yet, the monster's speed proved insurmountable. Felroar Lions were renowned for their swiftness and devastating attacks. Thus, the boy persevered through the relentless assault, enduring each blow while waiting for an opening that seemed elusive amidst the creature's relentless onslaught.
"I'm sorry, Mom, Dad, Big Sister, Little Ying. Brother couldn't keep his promise of becoming the best in the world. I hope you don't miss me too much," the boy murmured as he closed his eyes, preparing for the beast to claim his life.
Seconds stretched into minutes, yet he still felt his head firmly attached to his neck. Tempted to open his eyes, a part of him urged against it, and he complied, keeping them shut.
"I assume you came here to kill a beast. If you don't want it to die by my hand, then perhaps it's time you awaken and finish the job yourself," a voice spoke, prompting the young man to snap his eyes open.
His gaze landed on Karsha, seated atop the wounded monster. "Staring won't kill it, little brother," Karsha remarked, extending his hand and offering a dagger to the bewildered young man, who couldn't believe what he was witnessing.
Since he had come to kill a beast, he didn't want to miss out on the drop and core. Thus, he moved swiftly, taking the dagger from Karsha and driving it into the lion's neck.
Perhaps due to still being in a state of shock, he continued to stab the lion even after it had long been deceased. "That should suffice, young brother; the beast is already dead," Karsha remarked with a smile.
"Thank you, senior brother. I am Xian from the Sunlight Sword sect," he introduced himself, still catching his breath. "And may I know the identity of this esteemed elder brother?" he inquired.
"I am Karsha, merely a solitary traveler passing through," Karsha replied, offering his water bottle to the parched young man. "I think I am lost and would appreciate your guidance to the nearest town," he added.
"The nearest town is just 2 miles in that direction," the boy informed him, returning the water bottle to Karsha. "Since you've aided me in completing my trial, I intend to return to the city soon. If you wish, we could journey together," he proposed, expressing his desire to acquaint himself with the young man before him and, if possible, extend an invitation to their sect.
He was teetering on the edge of death, and if not for Karsha's intervention, he would have likely perished. In his eyes, Karsha was his savior, his benefactor. Feeling indebted, he desired to repay him before parting ways. Little did he know, that Karsha could have saved him sooner but opted to wait for the most opportune moment, wanting the boy to experience the trials he faced.
Karsha saw the boy as a potential means to gain entry into the city and, perhaps, glean more insights into the world of cultivation. Whatever the boy thought, Karsha had already factored into his plans. He calculated everything before making his move. He has been observing the body for the past three hours waiting for the most opportune time to strike.
"Very well, I'll journey with you," Karsha agreed, offering to accompany the boy. "I'm intrigued to learn more about the test you underwent and, if possible, obtain some information about your sect."
"I'll gladly share, big brother," the boy responded enthusiastically.
'Hold on, when did I become 'Big Brother'...' Karsha mused to himself, noting the sudden change in address.