The other party probably thought I had no idea about their presence there, which I found amusing. Why would someone attack me? My cultivation was concealed by my special robe, and a prudent cultivator wouldn't engage without assessing their opponent's power. Well, at least that's how I would approach the situation, but it seemed that the cultivators in this world were even more foolish than those portrayed in the novels I've read.
With swift, frog-like movements, I gracefully dodged the attack, swiftly evading the aggressor's reach. Taking a closer look, I observed his dark robe adorned with red accents, and his countenance exuded an air of malevolence. Despite his intimidating appearance, the youth only possessed cultivation in the seventh layer of the Qi Condensation realm, far below my own level.
Confidently, I positioned both hands behind my back, locking eyes with the bewildered youth. "May I inquire as to the reason behind this unprovoked attack? And why have you been tailing me all this while?"
Clearly taken aback, the youth involuntarily retreated a few steps. Evidently, he was intimidated after witnessing the extent of my power and now sought to escape the consequences. However, I had no intention of allowing him to slip away so easily. Recently, I had acquired a new technique—the Poisonous Thorn Needle. It possessed both speed and danger.
A minuscule black needle stealthily emerged from beneath my robe, cleverly concealed on my wrist. The youth remained oblivious to its presence until it was too late to evade, as the needle swiftly found its mark, piercing his neck with precision.
"W-What is this?" he exclaimed, confusion etched on his face.
The pain he experienced was likely minor, for the true peril lay in the poison that followed.
With a sly smile, I informed him, "I have poisoned you. You probably have no more than an hour to live. That's the consequence of launching an unprovoked attack against me."
"Bastard!" the cultivator yelled, launching himself towards me.
"Shadow Steps!" he cried, invoking a technique that manifested a shadow beneath his feet, intended to enhance his speed.
While it was an admirable maneuver, even with the increased swiftness, it proved inadequate to catch up to me. Focusing my Qi on my legs, I fortified them, feeling my veins pulsate with energy. As the ground crumbled beneath my feet, I gracefully leaped away from his assault.
"How can you be so fast?" the youth questioned, attempting to close the distance once more, only to halt abruptly, coughing up blood.
The poison had begun to take effect, intensifying his desperation to avoid succumbing to its venomous grip.
"Don't be foolish! If you kill me, the elders in my sect will seek retribution," he pleaded.
Ah, the classic ploy employed by desperate cultivators. Some spoke the truth, while others merely used it as a hollow threat. Regardless, why should I concern myself with their predicament? After all, it was he who initiated the attack, and now he would face the consequences.
"I shall come for you if I survive," the cultivator declared, preparing to make his escape.
Aware that the poison would inevitably claim his life, it would still be foolish to grant him more time to alert his comrades or elders. Thus, I swiftly closed the gap between us, utilizing my superior speed.
"Corrosive Shot!" I bellowed.
With a swift motion, the area beneath my mouth expanded, resembling the throat sac of a male frog. As I parted my lips, a potent green liquid surged forth, hurtling towards the cultivator. Though not as swift as the needle, it granted the cultivator a fraction of time to react, narrowly evading impact with his face. Yet, the corrosive liquid found its mark on his left arm, dissolving the skin, tendons, and flesh, leaving naught but bare bones.
"Ahhhhh!" he screamed in agony.
With the poison affecting his body and his left arm proven to be useless, the cultivator fell to his knees, having no strength to keep going. I walked toward him, picking up a small pouch from his waist—it was his Spatial Pouch.
I stared at him, ready to ask for his final words, but the cultivator was already unconscious. The damage dealt was too much for his body to endure.
"That's what you get for attacking me," I murmured, kicking the cultivator.
It was wrong, I know, but it felt good. I wasn't the type of person to let others bully me back in school, so why should I let that asshole try to kill me and go unpunished?
Anyway, I checked his Spatial Pouch, finding only a small number of low-grade Spiritual Stones and a few techniques belonging to his sect. Nothing too extraordinary, but I took them anyway.
The first problem was solved, but before leaving the area, I dragged the cultivator's body into a bush and waited to see if anyone would come looking for him. After spending thirty minutes behind a tree, closely watching every movement, no one came.
Lucky me.
It wouldn't be great for my training inside the Dark Wood Forest if other cultivators were chasing my ass. Having to fight the beasts inside the forest was already tough enough on its own!
I left the river area, venturing deeper into the woods. The day was coming to an end, so the breeze hitting my face grew colder, and the whole atmosphere became more tense with the night beasts emerging to seek their prey.
Everyone knew it wasn't the best time to be out, so my priorities shifted from just going deeper into the woods to finding a place to spend the night before it was too late. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a cave that perfectly fit my criteria.
It was small, not one of those massive caves that could potentially house all sorts of beasts. I thoroughly checked every single corner before making myself a campfire in the depths of the cave.
The cozy fire warmed my body, and the cooked Spiritual potatoes were awesome! It was only the first night, but I had survived!