" This is good, I can definitely complete a couple of my talismans here!" Young Song Xi said to himself with determination while standing beside the bed. " This place has unusual high density of spiritual energy, I got to take advantage of it! , I might even filled my self with so much spiritual energy that I can break through to mid level! I definitely wouldn't sleep if it's like this! " The cold water of the lake is still fresh in his mind. That shameful moments..tsk.
"Hah! I'll make sure that before I leave this land I will break through!" Then as if remembering something, he exclaimed with bright eyes, " I will surprise that sword maniac when we get home!ahahahha"
After snickering for a while, he sat on the bed then put a few talisman around himself. Moments later, he started to meditate and practice his spiritual energy. Gentle spirit energy started to come around Song Xi, though miniscule, it is flowing in steady rhythm through his veins and dantian.
One hour...
Two hours....
Before the third hour came around , Our young master started to nod off comfortably to the land of dreams. Rolling in clouds, relaxing in the warmness of it. The spiritual energy continue to be drawn to his body even in his deep sleep. Unbeknownst to anyone. A cluster of tiny dim light appears beside him like a stardust . Floating gently around the unsuspecting child. Sometimes touching him, sometimes float in ecstatic way. As dawn comes ,the tiny lights disappeared as inconspicuous as it appears,
After being pulled, Song Xi appears in a dim lit room. He instantly notice the dense flow of spiritual energy inside the room that is slowly dissipating. He looks around the room and saw a blooming flower in a small white vase sitting elegantly in the partially opened window. While the light from outside flooded the room . Near the bed there is a long table, on it is a small sword , pouches and some papers with writings that are thrown haphazardly . Looking at the bed that is nothing but tragic to look at, he saw young Song Xi lying eagle spread on the floor with one of his leg still above the bed. His black hair sticking out everywhere while his eyes are already opened in daze.
"Why is it already bright? I only closed my eyes few moments ago....nnooo!", Silent voice with full of remorse came from the lamenting young master on the floor.
" This little bro ... I can relate to that", Song Xi smirk when he realized what's happening,with his arms as pillows, he lay while floating above the rolling young Song Xi on the floor .
After lamenting for a while Young Song Xi stand up from the hard floor . He immediately wash his face and mouth,wear his robe ,then he take his sword and pouches that he just thrown the night before and go out to the cold hallways of the mansion.It is unusually quiet. He notice there are more guards roving and standing in their post.
On the North side where the main hall pavilion is located, he saw multiple sets of complicated sigyls floating in the sky covering the whole pavilion. Inside the circular barrier,the temperature is almost like springtime. In its grounds are rows after rows of thousands of Clan members in white silently murmuring chants. Tinklings of small bells that are being tug by gentle winds ,Lines of thick candles burning steadily. Then from the highest pavilion, the huge and old bell rang so loud it can be heard in the whole land for a few moments.
He heard from his mother . This day, The Fu Clan is having their ceremonial rites for their founding ancestor.
Song Xi just took a glance at the North pavilion then walk away .This ceremony is exclusively only for the Fu Clan members. His mother might be from the Fu clan but he still is from the Song Clan. Staying in the sacred land of Fu is one thing but attending their sacred ceremony is impossible.
Numerous guards in white robes are posted around the palace. Tight lip and straight backs, they strictly do their rounds . Even he had to be inspected and take out his Jade plate to prove his identity.
Tsk,even his cute bright smile don't have any effect to those walking brick. Well,who would want to stay in that boring place anyway.
After walking out of the palace , he found himself making his way towards the lake he found yesterday. The path noticably had thinner ice and he saw some footprints left on the snow.
"Oh? Is it that kid again?"
He walked nonchalantly but stopped in astonishment when he saw what is happening in the center of the lake!
"This kid! Do you have guts as big as that freaking lake!!?",
He can't believe what he is seeing!. The kid is having rows with an approximately hundred meters long snake in the center of that lake! And what's left him baffled is that the snake is emitting an almost foundation level cultivation! Foolish, foolish kid! You'll die out there without knowing what hit you!!! The last time he can't detect any cultivation in this kid's body, what can you do with a spirit beast that is thousand more powerful than you? Ah! Even I wouldn't dare confront a foundation level cultivation in my puny level!
The kid is currently standing on floating woods on the lake,probably what's left of a little boat or something while infront of the hissing snake! Both fist are ready to strike a punch, he had a look of bravery in him but that blindfold! The black thin cloth is covering his eyes! How can you fight when you can't see? Kid!? Are you trying to have a lucky shot out of your fist? Do you even know what you are fighting?.
Young Song Xi's young heart can't help but be utterly frustrated!ah! Why is it Everytime I met this kid he is always in trouble? Now I really need to look for help,I can't help you alone with this one !
He just turn his back toward the palace to get some help and about to run when a low Boom sound come from the middle of the lake!Song Xi worriedly look at the child only to be flabbergasted in what he witness.
"What!!!"
"You-...you-..... impossible!!!.."
"How can that be!?"
How can he not be shocked? This little kid with his thin body and small fist just smash that huge snake straight to its head! Just one punch! And that huge snake is blown far to lake side! The snake head is swaying from side to side as if it is dizzy . Even part of a scale has crack on it!
"An almost foundation level beast.... Blown away just like that. ..."
"Spirit beast like this is known for its thick skin for defense..., " He faintly said then look at the child small fist. " What kind of body does this kid have ?how can you cultivate something like that!?" His shock expression turned to a brightly glistening face of a person who find a mountain of treasures . "Just how old is this kid?that level of body cultivation. Hhmm, he might only be cultivating his body that's why I can't feel any spiritual energy from him. Who is his master? Hhmm...My physical cultivation is not that great, even in our clan ,body cultivation manual takes too long of a time to cultivate and not to the extent of crossing a whole level!. Hhmmm..." The little kid's mind started to calculates everything unconsciously, as if he is looking at fine wares and calculating how much he will profit!
Song Xi who is floating beside the shining brightly young Song Xi shakes his head after hearing this kid's musing and multiple hhmms
"Ah,that kind of look.. It's a look of a swindler who spotted your next victim... Where is the elegant Song Xi I know? Why can't I see even a shadow of him in this kid?"
A loud hissing sound wake Young Song Xi from his thoughts. The huge snake is bristling in anger with the little kid! It slitter and swim to come near the child in the middle of the lake. Its long huge body coil in circle while barring its poisonous fangs, ready to strike anytime.
Young Song Xi excitedly watch the showdown that is about to happen. A body cultivator versus an almost foundation level beast! But his fantastical expectations crushed when the snake strike so fast he didn't see it and even the kid in the middle of the lake didn't manage to react to it! The snake's tail strike at the kid fast with such force that it blew the child under the lake!
"Aahh! My body cultivation manual!"
Huge splash of water rise from the lake upon impact of the kid's body!
"Damn! Is that kid alright!?" Then he saw the huge snake dive down under the icy lake and pursue the child! A breathe later ,the snake rise from the water with the kid on its mouth! The kid is holding its maw to prevent it from gulping him down! Droplets of blood is already running on the kids thin arms.
Seeing the situation,Young Song Xi take out multiple talisman from his pouch, Each of it has a very complicated written spells inscribed on , he instantly activated one of it then with snap of his fingers, it flew towards the snakes face!
"Little brother! ,get out of there fast!", He said loudly as he can amidst the loud splashing of water. It looks like the kid heard him as he kick the Fang below his feet as heavy as he can to make a room and jump away from its maw before the talisman flew towards the snake face!
Upon touching the scaly face, the talismans explodes simultaneously! It is so loud people from the palace probably heard it! While the kid falls straight to the water. As the smoke from the explosion still covering the snakes head, chunks of flesh fell from it and some blood flowing in its body.
" Is it dead?" Young Song Xi nervously looks at the snake while internally screaming at himself, " Why am I impulsive? But that is a body cultivation out there! To think I attacked a spirit beast this powerful....aahh ! Greed! You will kill me! ! You stinky snake better be dead!
" Aiyah! You should just run...,hehe, that still very much alive and much angrier!", The Song Xi who is calmly floating while watching on side just laugh at the young kid.
Loud angry hissing sound comes from the clearing smoke that rattle the panicking Song Xi! Several scales of the angry beast is destroyed from the explosion. One of it eyes is even close and bleeding. One of its eyes looks at him dangerously and ensued Angry snarling hisses. Its long tails swept towards him so fast ,he didn't have a chance to run further away!
"Ah! little bro, why did you fight a thick scaly beast snake!? Why didn't you try worm beast instead?" Little Song Xi lamenting while nervously staring at the beast.
With a gulp he snap his fingers to activate another two talismans . It floats around him and made a shield!
" Hah! Mother said no one below foundation level can pass this kind of shield! Come! let's see if you can destroy my talisman!", Young Song Xi brace himself upon the impact of the tails strike.
Loud booming sound comes after! Then a laughing voice of a child.
"Hahahhaha! It works! It really works!hahahahahah! There's is no damage even a scratch! " Young Song Xi's eyes shines from excitement. " Who'd have thought? My talisman so awesome!ahahahaha"
His mother taught him how to make talismans long ago , after he cultivated to spiritual level ,he finally manage to pumped spiritual energy into it. But he didn't know it would be this good! Those sleepless nights are so worth it! Those few months of studying the sygils are damn worth it!
The angry beast towards him only becoming more violent! It's tail again and again strikes at him like whip!, Inside the shield is still the chortling Song Xi. After few minutes of continuous attack, the raging snake beast stop when it notice how Song Xi just activate another talisman after the previous one is showing signs of losing spiritual energy. The hissing sound it producing is so loud Song Xi already cover his own ears.
The beast lower its head to look closely at the child covered in thick translucent barrier. Its vertical irises is thinning from rage!
" What am I laughing for right now!? I need to get out here before I ran out of talisman! This beast will probably eat me alive at this rate", Young Song Xi nervously said to himself while looking at the snake beast opening its wide mouth exposing that sharp teeth. With his miniscule spiritual energy,he can only activate twelve talismans ,after that he will be drain. He already activated six talismans.
" Where is that little bro? He probably already escape by now ...." He did few hand gestures to activate two offensive talisman but before he even point it out to attack , the beast lunge at him fast! The whole barrier that forms a circular form around him is bitten whole by the snake beast!
" Ah! Shit!", He falls on his butt while looking at the sharp fangs that is trying to bit out his Barrier! Some slimy liquid is dripping from it that makes some cracking sound on his barrier!,He immediately snap his fingers to make the two activated talismans to explode!
From the thick smoke, young Song Xi flew riding his sword but the beast snake's tail is waiting for him!,Before the tail lands on his body , a medallion inside his sleeves automatically activate, it provides a layer of shield for him in times of danger!. The snake's tail lands on his body ,the attack is so heavy he was blown to the rock wall on the far side of the lake!
"Damn! This kid is lucky he had some treasures to protect himself or else he'll be dead by that attack." Song Xi said to himself while crouching beside Young Song Xi, around the kid is a thick crystalline wall and an activated medallion for another layer of protection.
The kid is still dizzy from the attack even with his layers of defensive barriers. But thanks to his treasures ,he is uninjured. He started to stand up while looking at the snake beast only to be shock by the situation in the middle of the lake.
In the split seconds of him being thrown away, that little bro already made his move! He didn't escape !The little kid is standing on the scaly long body of the beast holding a sword in his hand . And that sword is currently dripping with thick red blood from the decapitated snake beast head! He probably take advantage the time when the beast is distracted with him attacking it with talismans.
Little Song Xi glance at the simple black sword in the child's hand but he can't see anything special about it. But when he looked closely at the child he notice something.
" Is that the effect of his cultivation method?,but that's not important right now!" He stand and about to ride his sword when the child speak to him.
"Don't come near!"
"Huh???and why is that?" , Little Song Xi doesn't mind and stand wobbly in his sword.
"You can't! Don't come near me!!!" The little kid told him adamantly. He even shaking his head and stepping back at the same time. As if afraid he'll come close.
"What are you saying? I just want to know you. I am Song Xi, you?" Little Song Xi's voice is gentler than before as if befriending a delicate creature.
"I...I- I am no one!" Then turn and flee from him as if his tail is stepped on!
"Huh!? Oi! Oi little bro! Do you think my talisman is for free?!how could you flee when you still didn't pay me !?" Little Song Xi is so surprise with the kid reaction that he shouted whatever comes to his mind!
The little kid stopped and hesitantly look at his direction before saying
"But I am poor! I don't have any silvers on me..." , Little Song Xi's face brighten when he heard him.
Shameless! Do you think me , a Song main clan member accept the reason of being poor from anyone to avoid the payments I had to collect? No way little bro!
"It's ok! You can pay me with anything ! I even accept cultivation manuals"
"I don't have any... ", The little kid looks pityful, he looks uncomfortable talking at him, then remember the thing he is standing on.
" Can you accept beast body? Right, you accept anything,how about it, I already kill it for you. This beast had a good blood line and in good condition except the chop head,but the parts are still complete," Even with that cloth covering the child's eyes ,he can see how the child brighten up with the idea .
Little Song Xi almost puke blood when he heard that! Shameless! Shameless! Shameless! How shameless can you be? What would I need a snake beast for? I even help you kill it! And you even want it to be the payment? Just how much do you think a talisman is? You think its just some few golds?
Before he even snarled at the shameless child, the little kid already jump from the snake beast body to the shore . He looked at him and even said the most infuriating thing he heard today.
"Don't come near me again little kid" then run fast!even faster than the snake beast!
"My body cultivation manual...." Young Song Xi laments while riding his slow sword toward the beast body.
"hah! Kiddo,This sealed land is too little for you to hide from this young master...", He said with determination! He still got a few days of stay here in this land! He is confident to find that shameless kid again.
While standing on his sword above the dead snake beast body, he looked at the decapitated body and nonchalantly take out a small bottle, he opens it with a pop and the beast body automatically pulled and absorb inside.
"This still fetch me some silvers,where's the head? Ah there it is" , he is about to absord it inside the bottle when he saw a glint between the exposed sharp teeth of the Beasts.
"Huh? what's that?", With a stick from the floating woods around. He tried to give it a tug. The thing is all covered in blood, but after dipping it a little bit in the water, the blood came off and revealed a crystal gem.
"Eh? What's this?looks like a pendant," then uninterestingly proceed on absorbing the beast head with it into the bottle.
While thinking about what happened,he smile widely
"Everythings not all in vain after all!ahahahhahaha!", Of course! He get to test his talismans and it all works! Far better than he expected! Ahahahahha!
"That slit eyes and sword maniac would definitely be in awe of me when they find out my success in talisman making!hahahha!",
"Why am I too amazing?!"
Song Xi also laughed with the Young Song Xi in his side.
"Yes,yes,, you're amazing! Alright! ,And lucky too."
____________________________________________________________________
Zhen's pov
"That kid always in trouble Everytime we met....."
"I better not meet him again,"
"But he said, I need to pay him? ... And what did he mean by manual?"
" I better stay far away , "
"Eh, how did he enter this pocket dimension?",