Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In terms of speed, Wutian and Han Tian were a tad quicker than the burly man and the Seven-step Killer Snake.
While the burly man leaped across 1,000 feet with each step, which was about the speed of the snake, Wutian and Han Tian were running at over 1,100 feet per step. If this was their natural speed, then they would pull away as time went by.
However, they achieved this speed only because they had consumed the Wind elemental essence elixir, which could only provide enough juice for ten breaths. If they still could not run far enough to be out of the burly man’s field of vision, they would be in deep shit.
The remaining two miles were their lifeline. They could not afford to waste a second. They summoned their essence Qi from their Sea of Qi to boost their speed.
Wind blowing past them was as sharp as a blade. Little Tian held on to Wutain’s neck tightly. Silverish light shimmered and essence Qi transformed, pierced through the air like a sword, helping him to reduce drag.
“The burly man seems to have not spotted us. Keep your head low so he couldn’t see us,” said Han Tian.
The forest was dense, and the terrains were hilly. When traveling at speed, it was hard to spot them. The Seven-step Killer Snake was using its instinct and still tailing and gradually catching up.
After three breaths, they traveled an extra one mile. As they looked ahead, they could vaguely see the river. They were excited. If everything went as planned, they would get away.
“Strangely, the Seven-step Killer Snake has been moving at the top of its speed all this while. Could it be in pursuit of prey? What thing could move faster than the snake?” The burly man mumbled to himself thoughtfully.
“Something is not right!”
The burly man sped up, moving as quick as lightning. On his feet were thirty indistinct white lines, each of which was as thick as a chopstick and emanating a fuzzy glow. They were wavy and extending right into his Sea of Qi.
He ran in the forest, making 1,200 feet per step, gradually catching up with those in front.
“Not good! The burly man has picked up in speed. We have got to move faster. Less than half a mile left!” Han Tian was shocked when he knew that the burly man did not run at his top speed earlier.
The current in the river was not strong. The water was crystal clear. A ten-foot-long fish jumped out of the water and splashed the water a dozen feet high into the air.
The sun was rising, shining its ray into the forest floor, driving the cold away and warming up the air.
But the three did not feel any warmth. Instead, they felt as if they were in an icy valley, chill eating into their bones. They leaped over a giant tree and landed behind a massive rock, then rapidly approached the river.
Three hundred feet, two hundred feet, one hundred feet…
“Hmm?” The burly man was puzzled. There was no demonic beast in front of the snake, then what was it chasing?
With the flick of his hand, invisible energy shot out, hitting the massive rock up ahead. The rock shattered, and the shrapnel brought down a large number of trees.
Right at that moment, Wutian and Han Tian jumped into the river in tandem, trying their best not to cause too much splash.
The water was deep, about a thousand feet, and extremely cold. They hid underwater, holding on to a rock at the bottom. Their bodies shivered big time, face pale.
“Damn it! Where did it go?” After shattering the rock, the burly man did not see Wutian and others but only the Seven-step Killer Snake. It stopped right at the riverbank, eager to try jumping into the water.
The snake hissed as it saw something from the corner of its eye, a hint of fear flashing in its eyes. It quickly jumped into the water and disappeared from sight.
“What a shame. Once this beast matures, it could rival the master of a clan.” The burly man came to the riverbank. He did not jump into the water, just shaking his head before spinning around and left.
But little did he know that a funny scene was unfolding underwater.
When the Seven-step Killer Snake swam to the bottom and saw Wutian and two others, excitement lit up in its eyes.
It pursued them so relentlessly because of the scent of the two humans. It was a special divinity, the aura of the naturally born divine being. If it could eat them two, it would surely achieve some terrific evolution.
The Seven-step Killer Snake moved at speed, the underwater environment not affecting its speed at all. It approached the two in just a breath, opening its mouth and revealing its four glinting fangs.
Wutian hissed. He could not retaliate earlier because of the burly man. Now that they were underwater, the situation had changed.
Bang!
He freed his right hand and struck out, broke the fangs of the snake and sent it flying backward. Bubbles formed as if the water was boiling.
The Seven-step Killer Snake was furious, its eyes even more frosty. It charged at Wutian, striking him with its tail. Its powerful energy turned the water in the surroundings into a vacuum, and the river stopped flowing.
Wutian appeared nonchalant. He remained stationary but just struck out his hand to grab the tail. With his cultivation in the Ninety-nine Ultimate Realm, his power was not something that the snake could withstand. Its skin cracked and blood oozed out, turning the water red.
The snake hissed in pain, its tongue flicking uncontrollably, the frosty look in its eyes evaporating and replaced by fear. This human in front of it was too powerful for it.
Wutian’s hand clenched at its tail like a pair of iron tongs. The Seven-step Killer Snake struggled to fight back, stirring the water and mud up. But it still could not get away, its wound becoming large as more blood rushing out of its body.
It hissed, begging for mercy, its eyes looking as if it was trying to please him.
The noise and blood stink of the battle had attracted many water beasts. Among them were a ten-foot-long black carp, a water snake fully covered in glinting scales, a vicious alligator that was as black as iron, and an octopus that looked like a soil bag. They quickly came and surrounded the three.
Just when Wutian and Han Tian were about to act, Little Tian lunged ahead of them. It shot out like an arrow, its teeth glinting. Blood spurted, and the river turned red.
One water beast after another got bitten. But they did not die. Little Tian had no intention of killing them.
In less than ten breaths, Little Ten returned to its position. It stood on Wutian’s head, one hand on its hip and the other pointing at those water beasts like a parent scolding his kids.
Those water beasts quickly bowed down, reverence filling their eyes.
Little Tian looked not very pleased and waved its claws impatiently. Those water beasts exchanged a look with each other before kowtowing and wailing as if they were saying something.
Again, Little Tian waved its claws and snarled with a hint of displeasure in its eyes. Seeing this, those water beasts fled with their tails between their legs.
At this time, Wutian relaxed his furrowed brow as the scent of the burly man was quickly disappearing. He must have left.
He gripped the Seven-step Killer Snake and swam to the surface slowly. Poking his head out of the water, he scanned the surroundings and the burly man was nowhere to be seen. Only then he breathed a sigh of relief and swam to the other side of the river.
Not long after, they all got out of the water. They could not help but shiver because of the cold. Essence Qi flew in their bodies and drove out the cold, only then they started to feel the warmth return.
“It was a close call!” Han Tian patted his chest, then looked at the Seven-step Killer Snake. “It was all this beast’s fault. You caused me to lose two Wind elemental essence elixirs. I am going to eat you alive as compensation.”
The snake hissed in fear. It suddenly bounced up and bit at Wutian’s hand as it tried to flee.
“Wutian got furious and struck the Seven-step Killer Snake with his hand, knocking it out. He tossed the snake to Han Tian. “Clean it and make a snake soup.”
“Yee-haw!” Han Tian caught the snake and ran to the river excitedly. It cut open the snake and washed it. “What did those water beasts want to do just now, Little Thing? Why were they kowtowing to you?”
Hearing that, Little Tian grinned from ear to ear, standing on the ground and gesturing. After looking at it for a long while, only then the Wutian and Han Tian figured out what that meant. Little Tian basically said, “They wanted to become my underlings, following me to explore the continent.”
“Done.” Han Tian got back to his feet. He had skinned the Seven-step Killer Snake, exposing its tender meat, which glistened in the sunlight. Its meat was a tonic, beneficial for the cultivation.
“Then why didn’t you agree? It would make you look like an important person if you have a group of minions following you!” Han Tian mocked as he took the snake meat and moved at speed toward Ironstone town.
Little Tian snarled and faded into a silverish light to catch up with him.
“What are you doing, Little Thing? It is for making snake soup.”
“Caw, caw!”
Two hours later, the three of them finally arrived back at the Ironstone town gate. People had put up tents here, some having friendly matches, some sitting alone on the ground, practicing breathing methods, and some just having casual chats.
“Hello, mates, it looks like you have just arrived. Do you have anywhere to go? If not, you are welcome to join the Rookies Alliance.” Someone came up to invite them.
“Rookies Alliance?” Wutian was puzzled.
“When a rookie joins the Yan Clan, bullying is inevitable. So they come together and watch each other’s back to protect themselves and fight for resources.”
“You are right. The life of rookies like us is hard in the Yan Clan. If we don’t come together, things will only become harder. Are you two interested to join us and contribute to the alliance?”
The one speaking was a young man, around their age. He had long red hair swept back behind his head, looking quite a mess but eye-catching at the same time. His facial features were distinct and angular, always with a smile on the face. His dark pupils were clear and sending out a good impression.
“I am sorry, friend, we need to go to the town.” Han Tian declined tactfully.
“Fine. If you encounter any trouble here, just let me know. Our alliance will come to your rescue. My name is Xu Yan, you two, my friends?”
“Guyu!”
“Han Tian!”
The two cupped their fists.
“Guyu, Han Tian. This place isn’t a village. There are all kinds of people here. Avoid trouble as best as you could. As the saying goes, if you are patient in one moment of anger, you will avoid a hundred days of sorrow,” said Xu Yan.
The two forced a smile and cupped their fists again. “Thanks for the heads-up. See you.”
They then slowly entered the town gate.
“Look at you, Wutian. Your clothes are tattered, dirty hair sticking out in all directions as if you haven’t showered for a year. You look a sight, man! Even the flies would find you disgusting.” Han Tian mocked.
Wutian shook his head but said nothing.
Soon, they came in front of the Zhaos’ residence. The four guards at the entrance saw them and thought there were beggars, wanting to chase them away. Right then, Wutian and Han Tian flashed their emblems, and the guards were taken aback, face changing. They immediately stepped aside with utmost respect.
The two were still too dirty and smelly. Those who walked past would pinch their nostrils, look at them with weird expressions, and keep away from them as far as they could. If not for their trust in the Zhao family, they would have really thought these two guys were some outsiders trying to sneak into the residence.