After following Gaya's instructions for several hours, the golden rays of sunlight began to grace the horizon. The sun ascended like the unfolding of a delicate flower, painting the world with its scarlet and tangerine hues. Among the dancing raindrops, it added a blush of warmth to the ethereal scene. As Micheal gazed at the illuminated clouds, he felt a sense of belonging and peace like never before.
In the distance, nestled amid the lush forested hills, a gleaming white strip caught his attention ā undoubtedly the waterfall Gaya had mentioned. At a distance, the waterfall resembled a serene white ribbon flowing over rocky outcrops.
Approaching closer, the sound of the waterfall grew steadily louder, ultimately becoming a deafening roar. Micheal ventured further until he was enveloped in the plume of water vapor hanging over the plunge pool. Within minutes, he was as soaked as if he had been caught in a torrential rainstorm. His hair clung to his head and face, but his spirits remained untouched as he stood in awe.
"It's beautiful."
Without delay, he leaped into the water, eager to revel in nature's gift after a night of walking and combat.
While swimming, he noticed Gaya transforming into her human form and gracefully swimming towards the bank to exit the water.
When she fully emerged from the water, Micheal's eyes widened in astonishment. Until now, he had only seen her in dim lighting, never experiencing such clarity in his view.
Her tall, slender figure possessed the grace of a Victoria's Secret model. Her calm and emotionless blue eyes resembled the tranquil sea. Despite her wet hair, he could discern the beauty of her long, wavy raven-black locks, glistening like finely woven black silk.
Though he had encountered countless beautiful models and actresses in his previous life, none could rival the woman before him. Her imposing beauty, grace, and composed femininity surpassed them all. Her dignified arrogance spoke of high status and influence.
"Why are you looking at me like that, human?"
Micheal was relieved that his lower body was submerged in the water as he swallowed hard.
[Warning. The host is displaying beta male behavior.]
"Screw you, system. Look at her. Any guy would drool at a woman like her."
"Quit staring and hand over those pills."
She yelled, waving her hands. Her wet white dress transformed into a golden one, as if she intended to flaunt her beauty. She meticulously adjusted her dress and tied her hair into a ponytail.
However, he knew that if she sensed he found her attractive, she would become even more arrogant and conceited. So, he decided to tease her.
"You probably shouldn't have left the water; it might have done some good for your face."
"What did you say?"
A flicker of anger flashed across her face, and smoke seemed to billow from her nostrils.
"Are you deaf, girl? I said the water might have been good for your face."
"YOU!"
As soon as he repeated his comment, her face turned red with rage. She began searching for a stone or pebble to throw at him, while Micheal made sure the system didn't overreact to such a trivial matter.
"What are you looking for, mud? Planning to do a mud facial?"
"I'm going to kill you, you bastard!"
"Well, then, you're headed in the right direction, showing your ugly face to me."
He relished provoking her further, pushing her closer to the point of leaping into the water to attack him. His taunt about her appearance had left her so incensed that it wouldn't be surprising if smoke began pouring from her nostrils and mouth.
Finally, she grabbed a fist-sized pebble from the ground and hurled it at him.
"I'm going to pelt you to death, you jerk."
He chuckled, watching her scramble around, collecting stones to throw at him like a child at play.
Meanwhile, at the bottom of the water, a girl with an air of grace and beauty was seated. Her surroundings appeared to be sealed off, and she was deeply engrossed in her cultivation. The atmosphere around her unclothed form brimmed with power, exuding a bone-chilling aura.
Sensing an abrupt disturbance, the girl's eyes shot open.
"Who dares to intrude upon my domain and disrupt my cultivation?"
She furrowed her brows and shot towards the surface like a torpedo.
Back on the shore, Micheal purchased two healing pills and handed them to Gaya, who eagerly consumed them with a childlike grin.
"Alright, come back to your usual spot."
He extended his arm toward Gaya.
"I'm too lazy to walk anyway."
Quickly, she transformed into a small ball of light and merged into his arm, while the black tattoo reappeared.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, he sensed someone approaching him at high speed.
[Imminent danger!]
The system's warning message blared in his mind just in time for him to leap out of harm's way.
Boom!
The tree behind him shattered into splinters, and the shockwave sent him tumbling.
"What the heck just happened?"
Gaya exclaimed as he slowly picked himself up from the ground, only to find a girl standing there, brandishing a sword.
She appeared to be around 15 or 16 years old, with arched eyebrows and a delicate oval face. Though she couldn't quite rival Gaya's beauty, she was undeniably attractive. In this world, as Abras had explained, female cultivators often possessed exquisite features due to their cultivation purifying their bodies.
However, her current expression did her no favors. Her eyes blazed with anger, making her seem far from friendly or approachable.
Judging by her cultivation level, he understood why the system had issued the warning. She was a Body-Strengthening Stage Level 4 cultivator, and her formidable aura left no doubt that he had no chance of defeating her, at least not in his present state.
"Who is this girl, and where did she come from? Oh, crap."
Gaya's tone conveyed recognition.
"Get out of here, human. This is bad."
"Was that a mistake?"
He glanced at the obliterated tree beside him and asked the girl, hoping for an explanation.
Despite her continued fury, her expression remained unchanged. Who wouldn't know that this was her sacred cultivation spot? The entire kingdom was aware that the Green Valley Waterfall near Rivertown belonged to her. Yet, this intruder had come with the intent of spying on her training and cultivation. Even though she possessed great power and he had no chance of defeating her, he showed no fear.
How could he? Back on Earth, his name sent shivers through the entire underworld. They had even coined a saying: "If Ghost knows your name, it's already too late."
"Yes, it was a mistake. It was a mistake not to finish you off with that first strike."
"I don't know who you are, but I believe you've mistaken me for someone else."
"That arrogant woman won't heed your words, human. Get away from here."
Gaya urgently advised him as he kept his gaze fixed on the girl.
"Next time, make sure you have the right target before attacking."
He couldn't afford to lose face, not with a system like the Badass System at his disposal, for goodness' sake.