This...
This pressure was the same type master used when forcing my tribulations.
It felt several times stronger but at the same time so very subtle that I could only feel it on the small of my back.
"Master... I've come to save you!"I said in a whisper even though I know she couldn't hear me.
The pressure suddenly intensified, a tremendous roar of hou threads and killing intent rolled over the trees and me chilling me to the core.
What?
Did master...
But that was killing intent!
"Master... why?"
The force became like a sharp blade and instinctively, I released the dormant ki stored in my core creating a ki-shroud which covered my whole body dancing like a wild flame protecting me from the sharp pressure.
This was something I had never done before and with its subtle protection I could start to slowly understand a faint trace of the law of wind.
If I could comprehend this it would be no doubt one of the biggest steps I've taken in my cultivation!
With this the sharp force faded again to merely a warmth over my lower back.
The shroud waned and became a near invisible film of light covering me.
Did master do this?
Was she teaching me even now?
Slowly I focused and sat with my legs crossed.
This was an opportunity that shouldn't be missed. If i was right and I think I am, there should be a second wave right about now.
The second wave shook the trees violently.
The light membrane that covered me seemed to react to the force. Becoming more violent with the force that pressed in on me reducing the outward pressure a little each time.
Controlling the amount of ki it took to maintain the blue glowing ki-shroud became more challenging with each wave that came and left but I could feel that my comprehension of it was growing immensely.
By the thirtieth wave it was clear that if I didn't keep the ki-shroud up that I would undoubtedly be reduced to shreds.
This law of wind is too overbearing.
It carry's a sharp edge so thin that it could undoubtedly cut through the ki-shroud if I relaxed my concentration even a little.
But with the increasing pace and strength of each wave, leaving to escape was impossible now.
Wave four…. Hundred.
A small drop of blood leaks from my lips as I forcefully rotate the remaining ki in my mutated golden core to minimize the amount used each time.
My ki reserves had begun to reach a low that I never though was possible and there wasn't enough time to convert hou into ki between each wave.
Would I run out if ki and lose the shroud's protection before the force dissipated?
.... ...-@-.... ....
The waves pass through the trees now like the breath from a giant's snores.
The wind like razors rustling the tree's leaves. But cutting none.
Then…
Finally the last wave faded and I opened my eyes.
My comprehension of this law had grown by leaps and bounds!
Wind is life, life is power. The law of wind is flexible yet sturdy, blunt yet sharp.
The ki-shroud radiated a light blue to the now constant rotation of the ki in my mutated golden core.
Standing I took a deep breath, I was able to absorb hou again and slowly turn it into ki and as the ki in my core slowly grew closer to its former volume slowly it subtly pushes the boundary of the golden core, Its boundary had grown by at least fifty percent!
Then even as this happened a soft yet slow force became apparent to me. What's it always like this?
The ki-shroud around me slowly lifting me from the ground. The natural feeling from the wind which cradled me lingering around me like a soft pillow and all fear melted away.
This?!
I… I can fly!
But more than that the wind obeyed me!
Concentrating I pushed ki to my left hand raising it slightly before slashing downwards with little effort.
A soft wiz and a thump later a couple of large tree groaned loudly as they came crashing down hard! I had cut a path through the dense over-brush and trees leaving an empty clearing, fallen trees and stumps using just the force of the wind!
Did i just comprehend the law for wind? How is this possible? The law of wind isnt self sustaining. So just how did i use it like that?
"W…wow!" I stated mostly to myself.
"Raaagh!!!"
Without warning a loud voice had blared across the now open void of trees left by my wind blade, it was one of anger.
"The fool who attacked me better be getting his neck ready for my blade!"
There were others here?
I tried to duck out of sight but was betrayed by the ki-shroud which had lifted me several feet from the ground. I hadn't gotten used to the idea of this technique yet not to mention how to control it.
"You!" stated a slim and chiseled dark-skinned white haired dragon-born with tall white horns dressed in clothes that made him out to be an upper class individual.
He stood a quite a ways from from me at the edge of another clearing opposite of the path.
I had been warned to avoid individuals like this since they were almost always one of the young masters of wealthy families, cultivated very carefully with no resource spared.
This meant that he was undoubtedly strong.
Without warning he appeared beside me his blade in mid-swing moving swiftly towards my neck!
Another movement technique!?
The collision of blades resonated with a resounding clash showering us both with sparks!
I had instinctively pulled the short sword i had out to parry just in time.
but the force behind his blade was much too powerful especially for someone who jumped to attack me mid air!
This guy's strength is no joke!
Damn it!
The ki-shroud dissipated leaving me falling as I shifted my weight mid-air to parry another lethal sword strike which launched me to the ground.
The weight of his sword, it would be impossible to exert that amount of strength if he wasn't at a higher realm than stage two body refining!
Did I kick a hornet's nest?
Just how unlucky can I be?
I rolled out of the fall, regaining my footing before I had come to a halt using my left hand to steady myself, the badly damaged blade in my right hand poised in a position to attack or defend in any given moment with him landing gracefully a few feet away.
"Huh?" he stated pointing his blade at me. "A human? Are you one of lady Shia'k's people?"
What? Is he not surprised that I'm inside the iron region's borders being a none dragon-born?
Do I go along with this story?
"Are you deaf?"
This definitely wasn't an opponent I could defeat right now with my current strength, the safest bet would be to play along.
"You are correct, I am here under orders from lady shia'k, I mistook you for someone with ill intentions. My apologies." I stowed my blade.
"Your strength is not bad for a human and knowing lady shia'k's strange tastes i must say that despite that her methods are incredible, forging you a human slave to such an extent." he sheathed his blade.
"Since this incident is my fault I'll let this matter go for now but your master, She is aware that this is area belongs to My profound star holy-land isn't she?"
"Yes, she is." I replied.
"Strange, don't you all religiously refer to her as the high queen?" He thought a bit before "Just make sure she pays me a visit later, she know's other factions aren't allowed in here without the permission of the great iron blooded king or queen Jiya. Hmph!" With that he left.
After I had made sure that he'd left I sat.
No that would be soft-serving it. I fell on my ass.
He had just mentioned jiya and the iron blooded king…
No I can't afford to be distracted now.
My breathing was ragged. My ki was still under the threadhold of normal, I was forced to parry such in human attacks and what's worse, my blade…
I pulled it out.
It was badly chipped along the cutting edge.
Damn this cost over 400 amber pieces!
Ugh!
I let the blade fall and looked at my hands, they were shaking, visibly and my palms were bruised.
I ignored the pain and took up my broken short sword re-sheathing it.
Either way, I couldn't afford to be waiting here any longer.
Breathing in I stood and gathered my strength. For now it's probably better I hurry back to the others.
Slowly I gathered my ki and formed the ki-shroud. While I couldn't control it enough to the point where flying would be possible, dashing on the other hand was a completely different matter.
I slowly channeled the soft side of the law of wind and dashed forward. The wind in my hair and the flurry of green the trees painted flew by in a flash!
This was… incredible!
It was a lot like ice skating except I had to land every so often to change my direction by using the hard side of the law of wind.
Soon enough I had arrived.
The sight that greeted me only pulled a single word from my lips as I gazed up in amazement.
"What?!"