Such as the first time an adventurer have found a trunk of gold, same thing can be described upon seeing a luminescent room filled with golden walls, plants and furnitures. But sat on a couch of golden linens, as soft as a baby's bottom was a half naked man. He was a hairy creature but it complimented his well-built physique and the scars that cannot be unseen by the naked eyes almost as if these were badges of honour. It was a warrior being awarded with a life time worth of wealth especially for those who had has such a gentle side of themselves as well. Though his arms used to only carry pounds of steel armor and leather for protection, now his arms were bare and there laid a small-creature. Though small, it's golden scales, white horns and small cries took all of the man's attention.
Ling Hou himself could not believe how much he had changed that he found himself nursing an injured spiritual beast back to health! Though small, this is a beast in sheep's clothing. He shrugged, it looked no more than a young beast and cried and argued like an infant, in his eyes. Suddenly, a sensation of a tingling feeling made the man secure his arms tightly around the spiritual beast when he felt a familiar presence based on that person's Qi. It was not strong but it was strange. It reminded her of that short-haired child, who wore a royal robe but looked more of a barbarian and yet once again, her manners could match a noble from a scholar's household. 'A mid-ranked martial warrior in a short span of eleven days! How could it be her?'
And then he remembered the sight of a massacre' s aftermath outside the cave. The Kirin was one mid-ranked spiritual beast and though it is, it's lightning speed and horn should be more than enough to kill that girl. Unless it had underestimated her, thinking its petrification ability was enough to take her life away?
If Celes could hear his thoughts, she would start laughing as she exclaimed with disbelief, "Bang on!"
Not to forget, the Ratatas* were numerous but how did she obliterate them? He sighed. She is a gifted one.
Ling Hou has always believed in his institution and instincts. Almost all of the time, they were right. But seeing such young girl unscathed and living in a dangerous forest was out of his expectations. Especially a strange one with the reason that a genius like her should not be in this forest but in the empire's most powerful sect, the Wisdom Sect. She should be coveted by the masters right now for the sake of passing on their most treasured enlightment and techniques.
Thoughts about the gifted youth filled his head! 'Why was she here? Did her family abandon her? Did she ran away from home? Who is she? How did she quickly level up? But once again, why would they thow her to tne mouths of these beasts? Anyway, she is so rare but a diamond in the rough. If I could take her in and teach her, maybe I could ask for her techniques in exchange?'
He secretly wept for the youth's fate while feeding the little beast with a bottle of milk he had somehow stored in his storage. 'Right after this one, I will check on her,' he thought to himself.
Just as he planned he located her but in the place he dreaded. 'Of all places?' He had just ran away from there! And did not feel like it at the moment. If he was a little girl from the modern era, he might as well be excessively pouting and groaning whilst crossing his arms over his chest and stomping his feet while unable to come up with a decision.
A helpless groan escaped his lips. The baby dragon itself could sense the familiar atmosphere that a small cry has made past its tiny rows of razor sharp teeth. Sensing the little creature's discomfort, the man tucked him into his bag, hidden beneath his cloak. And proceeded to search for the little girl.
Thinking back about he had treated her, she must have felt desperate enough to stay inside the cave. Guilt flashed in his lazy eyes that hid a glint of chivalry but at least were clear like water and gazed forward with a strong heroic sense. Ling Hou wanted to find her immediately but the reason cannot reach one's heart. It was due to the fact that her terrifying speed of cultivation made him curious. And maybe, she can be of some help. This forest was too gloomy for him. For wise yet lazy men like Ling Hou, knowledge was the sword that can slay past strength and level of cultivation, yet at the same time, people had to work smart, not too hard. Her safety came next but at least it was second! He tried to convince himself but failed so miserably. "Enough about me!" He ordered as if he and his conscience were two people.
As he traced his path down to her location, he could feel multiple deep slits on the walls as if it was stabbed so many times but nothing sort of a serious situation. He shook his head as he knew it could not be done by spiritual beasts. The girl surely does have her times of crazy.
As he had said, he found a figure leaning against the altar for support while throwing a dagger midair, watching it make full circles for a few rounds before falling back between her palms by its handle. A small smile pulled her lips but stretched even wider when the girl spotted him. "Hi neighbor," she greeted, her tone casual yet weak. Her almond eyes glimmered in a sudden glee.
The expression she had, for a cautious person like him, he could not help but see a malicious creature in her. 'Like a fox,' he thought so Ling Hou waved his hand but dared not to move any closer. "It seems like you're injured?"
Her tattered clothes may have been covered by the elegant robe but the multiple lacerations that each of the beasts have swung towards her made her bleed. Blood seeped through the thick, silk robe disgracing the elegance of such luxurious clothing. Not that a cultivator invested into increasing their power may be too worried about. A little task as simple as this should be quickly done within the blink of an eye. More importantly, the girl was crouched against the stairs before the altar looking as if it was based on attained comfort from that position while she was slowly healing. Celes had taken her refined medications ahead of time. Her pills were barely helpful yet unfortunately she had yet to refine nor even gather herbs for flesh and bone recovery. Though such injuries were not life threatening but it greatly hindered Celes from many of her activities even as little as cooking. Back in her previous lives, she could barely remember getting injured beyond small, shallow cuts. Celes never had to cure herself because her subordinates were always shielding and supporting her. Not to forget that in her second life, she owned and commanded her own hospital.
She sighed and nodded. "I am but are you offering a hand to help this poor neighbor?"
Though fox-like, she was just a little girl. The man indeed wanted to as he had more questions to ask her. A girl like her who looked no older than 16 should not be dying immediately. Moreover, he had yet to inquire some questions from her.
For a moment, he thought about her answer. It was sort of a casual remark but her tone was too nonchalant as if it was a trap. Therefore, he did not move. "I don't wish for anymore hostility. But you seem to be very much alright living here?"
The girl noticed his unwavering shield that instant so in return, let out a scoff as if to mock him. Not like Celes herself could possibly touch a stray hair on his body! She was a thousand folds inferior in strength compared to a late-stage martial supreme. 'Is he trying to play dumb?' she could not help but think and roll her eyes at him.
Looking at the bearded man, he looked like a person of justice that his eyes were sharp and sickening at the same time. So sickening because it reminded her of those people who were so annoying in her previous lives, they had to act so brazenly and kept on blindly believing and justifying their righteous missions. It annoyed her so much because one pest lead to that boy's death.
"What's wrong with being alive in this forest? Don't I have the right to live?" She vented out. For such a non-chalant girl, Celes knew herself well but it was not enough to hide the bitter undertone of her cold remark. Her smirk almost disappeared from sight but re-emerged as quick as it did disappear. She watched his impatient face try to make out a proper response yet was rendered speechless.
She was right and she knew it. Celes tilted her head as she waited but none came out so she continued. "Now that we're clear, how'bout you lend this little friend your help?"
Like a stiff and confused doll, he marched to her side then pulled her up. His gaze did not leave the blood-stained youth's clothes. They lingered to the tail of her robe in silence.
"Why are you here?" He finally asked.
'How absurd. He may be a thousand fold stronger than me. But common sense did not play well in his part.' She scoffed. "Kill me or not for offending you great sir, but you kicked me out of that pretty house and I found my little place here."
His brows furrowed but relaxed awhile later anyway. It was only because he completely understood what she meant. "It is all you fault!" Not that it reached his heart.
She was well-mannered but can be outrageous as well. "You are a good candidate," he began only to draw a small expression of surprise on her face, "You seem to have been busy stabilizing your foundation and increasing your strength. However I could see a lot of repercussions."
"Are you suggesting what I'm thinking?" She smiled.
"Speak."
"You want me to be your disciple, no?" And when she saw that the man remained silent, Celes was quick to grab and shake his hand with hers to seal the deal. Though she had been a strong cultivator in the past, it had already been two lifetimes since she had cultivated. Each life had different environments. "This disciple looks forward to learning from you teacher."