Lilia stopped when she couldn't breathe anymore. She rested her hand against a tree trunk. Her throat and chest burned. Within a month this body had to build some form of endurance.
When she calmed down for the most part, she looked around her. Everything was black. The moonlight saw hidden by thick over shrubs. She could only faintly make out the outline of trees and something else.
The more she blinked the more she could define a distinct glow and energy from certain trees. Something told her this was qi energy. Where she was there wasn't much abundance but she could see where the abundance of it was. Small organisms fluttered nearby. She could feel the cold energy.
There was one large source that attracted her eyes the most. Out of curiosity, she wanted to see what beast had that amount of energy.
******
"I've always wondered why it was you never left this verse but now it all makes sense."
"Father."
Two eerily handsome men stood on a tree branch watching the soon to be unfolding events. If one didn't pay attention, they would think they were twins with similar silvery hair and dark clothes. But on further inspection, one could tell who the eldest was.
"Don't you think what you're doing is a bit cruel, even by my standards?" The father asked
"What must be done will be done."
"Without qi or weapon, she'll be dead faster than you can blink and don't think if cheating me again."
Ezer made a face. What his father said made sense. He should give her a weapon.
******
Lilia couldn't see the outline of objects anymore, only their life energy and qi energy. She detected several animals but they stayed at bay from her.
Lilia was so fascinated with this new vision of hers. Thus would make collecting energy crystals with qi so much easier. She doubted the original Lilia had this gift. At least Ezer thought of her.
She reached the source of the strong qi and smiled. It felt different from the energies she felt earlier. This was more pure, more condensed. This may be a source.
Based on what Ezer told her earlier she could consume this energy. But if she could say honestly, she only remembered half of what he said.
The next best thing was to just go for it.
She reached her palm to the glow. The surface was biting cold but bearable with smooth but large lumps. It curved over and sloped all the way to the ground.
Sssss
She felt a stream of hot air and quickly withdrew her had.
What is this!
She wished she had some light so she could see and seeing qi was not helping.She took a few steps back. Before she entered she was able to see the shadows of everything. She needed to tone down the qi.
She focused her vision. Slowly, a neon yellow outline became clear all around her. She could see the trees and sleeping birds and small nocturnal animals. They all seemed to be turned to her but not too close.
She looked at the area where the strong qi was. Even though she saw many grotesque things in her life, snakes weren't something that existed in her world.
The stone she was touching with interest wasn't a stone but the boulder sized head of a snake. How could there even be creatures this big. This wasn't the prehistoric times! She wanted to wash her hands but she then noticed the eyes of the snake was directly trained on her.
She didn't think this amount of action was possible in such a short span of time. She didn't think her previous life held so much madness.
First she finds herself in the middle of nowhere with a madman who took advantage of her. Then she takes over someone else's life who has been living through hell. Before she could properly sit and reflect on what she should do next, a mob ran up on her and dragged her off to god knows where. Oh and that was her first introduction to her new family. Then she had to run for her life. Now here she was about to have a face off with a mega snake. She was tired. This was too much stimulation.
She couldn't do this. No more running and she didn't want to fight. She moved back slowly and broke into a sprint. She heard leaves rustle and trees snap. If she had a weapon she wouldn't feel so bad but for the first time in two lifetimes she felt a little afraid of death.
Where was that Ezer. Didn't he say she was important? She was about to meet the king of hell for real this time. That serpent needed to be trapped. An idea came to mind. She slowed down a bit. She wasn't certain how long this snake was but she had to act fast.
She made a wide turn. She looked back. From the side she could not see the end of the snake. She just needed him to tangle himself.
She jumped over a midpoint. She was careful to avoid as much trees as possible. They would act as pins in her plot.
The serpent followed the human. He was having a good rest when he began to feel his cultivated qi lessen. Imagine his surprise when he saw the little human standing next to him. What kind of thief was so daring.
He had hundreds of years cultivation. Hr never knew anything was capable of stealing qi. He thought out was a god but when he realized it was human he almost lost it. He would not give his qi away. Anyone who dared to take it must die.
He watched as the little nymph zigzagged between trees and dodged under branches. She was more agile than the stiff hunters that became his meal.
As Lilia ran, she saw a flash of bright silver. She couldn't tell what it was the first time but she ran a few more times to get a full picture.
Was that an axe?
Haha. The serpent was having a joyous chase. It seemed this human lost with directions. It kept running in circles, continuously jumping over the serpent's body. It wouldn't be long before disorientation and exhaustion over took it and he could jump in for the kill.
Hah-
Yoink.
Just as the serpent was about to go for the kill, he suddenly found he could not move. His body was completely in knots.
When he tried to pull free he found that he was wrapped between to many trees.
Fine! It may be smart but this serpent king had years of experience. He still had his cultivation. But where did that brat disappear to? He could no longer sense his life force.
Lilia stood far away from the serpent. She wasn't sure how long her little trick could last for.
She remembered the axe. She walked over to the tree with the shiny metal. She wondered which poor soul left such a good piece of utility behind. She was certain that person was dead.
She didn't give much thought and tried to pull the axe out the tree. To her surprise it gave way.