Dawn.
As the sun bathed the entire world it's blinding golden sun, a few people was already seen outside doing practices and exercises. The city was now bustling with activity. People was now opening up their businesses while some was starting to chew on their breakfast.
The smoke from the chimneys of the house was now gradually lifting up to the air. Carriages containing goods was now at the city's gates.
While all of these are happening, a young man with a face full of sweat was sitting on top of a boulder on Hell Moutain.
Seijou was trying to comprehend and learn the skill, Earth Shattering Fist which his master gave him. He had his own reasons on why he picked the skill to train and learn.
First, this skill is the easiest one among the 4 skills that was given to him. Given his current situation where he was at an unkown place where he was training, learning a powerful skill which only requires a little of spiritual qi can save him in dangerous situations.
He started to read and understand on how this Earth Shattering Fist works the night before and was now accustomed to how it operates.
Seijou got down from the boulder as he went to a nearby tree. He gathered the qi along his body and focused it into his hands, from his shoulder all the way to his fingertips. He then punched on the 40 meter tree with all his might.
Swoosh!
"Eh? I didn't even manage to leave a hole?"
Craaackkkkk--
The tree split onto multiple sections slowly as it eventually fell down the ground with a loud thud.
Seijou looked dumbfoundedly at the thick tree which was now lying on the ground as he forced a smile on his face.
"This.... this is way too terrifying.." Seijou muttered as he took a deep breath.
After the testing of the skill, Seijou resumed his morning training. He was now getting more and more used to the temperature here.
Growl~~
"I'm hungry..." Seijou said weakly as he folded his tent and put it in his bag. He was now going to move upwards the mountain where he will continue his training.
After only walking for 15 minutes, Seijou immediately stopped on a certain area on the mountain as he hid, slowly waiting for something.
Once he left where he spent the night, Seijou felt that someone was watching him. He didn't think too much about it but it eventually started following him. He looked for a nice area to plan his ambush and eventually found a spot.
Seijou readied his skill and was now on full alert. His senses was turned on to the maximun.
Rustle~
A figure suddenly leapt towards the area where Seijou was hidden.
Bang!
Seijou blocked the attack with both his hands while jumping back off a few yards away.
He looked at the figureand instantly recognized it. He was facing against a black leopard which was famous for its strength and speed. It was a mid-level Earth Stage beast. The fangs in his mouth was extremely sharp which was made into high-quality knives in the city.
Beasts are considered to have levels based on their strengths and intelligence. The ranks/levels are: Earth Stage, Heaven Stage, Saint Stage and Emperor.
The leopard was bearing his fangs on him angrily as it was preparing for another attack.
Seijou was sizing up his opponent as he thought of options on defeating it.
Suddenly, the leopard leapt towards him again as it did a swipe with its paws which made a screeching sound.
Seijou immediately slided to the side and did a roll. He then immediately stood up and launched a counter-attack.
He pounced at the black leopard and used his skill, the Earth Shattering Fist.
"Huaaaa!" He muttered on a low breath as his fist was coming closely onto the leopard.
With only a few centimeters away from the target, the leopard suddenly dodged to the side with a fast speed and swiped his paw with long and sharp nails at Seijou.
After missing his attack, Seijou was caught off-balance, making the leopard's swipe extremely accurate which made Seijou flew 10 meters away while coughing blood. Without even thinking, Seijou jumped up and rolled on the ground. There, he saw the leopard which was in his position where he fell down.
Looking at the sharp gaze from the leopard, Seijou was extremely calm and confident. He drew out his knife and prepared his qi.
Seijou stepped onto the ground hardly and jumped forward, launching him into the black leopard. He then punched his left hand towards his opponent with the skill on it, while his right hand was ready to slice of the neck of the leopard who will eventually dodge to the other direction.
As he guessed correctly, the black leopard jumped to the side. Prepared for this, Seijou used his knife and slit the throat of the leopard.
After landing a critical blow, Seijou launched forward again and punched the already laying leopard with his skill.
The black leopard who was bearing his fangs earlier with a look of pride earlier on his eyes was now currently laying on the ground motionless.
Seijou then sat down on a tree and replenished his energy. At least for now, he will have a day's worth of food.
"I thought I wouldn't use my knife.. what a pity. But I'm lucky my dad had the time to teach me how to wield one." Seijou said to himself. "Well, I'm also lucky that leopard didn't blew into smithereens when I punched it with my skill. Otherwise I'll go find food which takes a lot of time."
30 minutes later.
The sound of wood crackling can be heard while smoke slowly went up in the air carrying a wonderful aroma.
Seijou was currently cooking the black leopard he ate. Of course, Seijou skinned it, dissected and chopped it into pieces. He knows how to cook as his father also trained him in these aspects.
He was currently reading the manual about the skill blink. He was trying to comprehend it and was testing it. But after a while, he gave up as his appetite was aroused. He then walked towards the fire and carefully lifted the juicy meat and put it in his mouth.
The oil seeping inside the meat gave Seijou the feeling as if it was melting in his mouth. The taste was extraordinary as he couldn't help but chew faster.
"Delicious!" Seijou praised.
...
After almost eating the whole thing, Seijou finally stood up as he clutched his belly.
"I'm so full. I think I'm gonna die." Seijou murmured as he was wearing a pained expression on his face.
Sssss--
Rustle~ Rustle~
Swoosh!
Seijou instantly jumped towards the side as a flying object struck on where he once was.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Three more objects came flying towards Seijou as he dodged all of them with extreme difficulty.
"Who's there?!" Seijou shouted.
After he shouted, there was only silence, until a few rustles can be heard once more as it eventually turned into nothing.
"He left?" Seijou said in a low voice while his heart was filled with rage while his senses was still on full alert.
He was sure that the guy was an assassin, and after failing to kill him, he eventually fed. He knew that learning of the assassin's existence, Seijou won't have a peaceful time training on the mountain again. He needed to be extremely careful from now on.