In the heart of the spirit forest, amidst the flurry of activity surrounding the competition for spirit grass and animal cores, Eric and Ria found solace in each other's company, a world away from the tensions and rivalries of the sects.
"Look, I've found something!" Ria exclaimed with a childlike excitement, holding up a brightly colored fruit.
Eric laughed, his eyes crinkling in amusement. "That's a Fireberry. Delicious, but it has a kick."
"What do you mean by Kick? Does it hurt?" She asked with an innocent look.
"No… It's just affect your thinking and your body will heat up. You might force me to some naughty stuff." Eric replied with a sly wink.
She immediately tossed the fruit away and hide her face with her hands as he cheeks got pink with shyness.
As time passed, together, they explored the forest, their laughter echoing through the trees. Eric, with his vast knowledge and skills, captured several beasts with ease which will taste good.
Using the countless riches and spirit ingredients from his storage ring, he prepared a special meal for Ria. The aroma of the cooking filled the air, a reminder of the simple pleasures amidst their complex lives.
As they ate, Ria looked at Eric with a warm smile. "I never knew the forest could be this peaceful," she said, her heart light and content.
"It's all about perspective," Eric replied, his gaze softening. "Sometimes, stepping away from the chaos helps us see the beauty in simplicity."
Their afternoon was spent in tranquillity, Eric guiding Ria through combat techniques and Qi manipulation methods to aid her cultivation. Despite her adeptness in magical arts, her cultivation level needed nurturing. Eric was determined to build a solid foundation for her, choosing a slow and steady path of development.
Meanwhile, in the dense heart of the spirit forest, a treacherous plot was unfolding, orchestrated by the ambitious Sen Vinci, the sect elder of Vinci sect who is leading the mission.
Two of his most skilled disciples, Zanar and Velkin, had been tasked with a dark mission - to eliminate Princess Lanner of the Clark Sect and disguise the murder as a tragic beast attack. Sen Vinci's intent was clear: to weaken the Clark Sect for the upcoming Royal competition conducted by seventh abode and elevate the status of his own.
Zanar and Velkin, driven by loyalty and the promise of rewards, moved through the forest with silent determination. They were adept in the arts of stealth and combat, their cultivation levels finely tuned for such sinister tasks.
Princess Lanner, unaware of the impending danger, was deep in the forest, her attention focused on gathering rare spirit herbs.
As Zanar and Velkin positioned themselves for the strike, a shadow loomed overhead. The Rank 6 Raka beast, a formidable predator of the skies, had been subtly influenced by Ria's Kin clan arts, guided by Eric's strategic planning. Its mission was singular - to protect Princess Lanner at all costs.
The moment Zanar leaped towards the princess, the Raka beast descended like a bolt of lightning. Its massive form blocked the assassin's path, its talons bared and eyes ablaze with a protective fury.
Velkin, taken aback by the sudden appearance of the beast, hesitated. This moment of indecision cost him dearly, as the Raka beast unleashed a powerful gust of wind from its wings, knocking him off balance.
It made a streak attack with its claw, cutting Velkin's legs at the knee joints. Loud painful cries covered the surroundings.
Princess Lanner, realizing the gravity of the situation, drew her weapon, her heart pounding with the adrenaline of the unexpected attack. But the Raka beast was a whirlwind of protective instincts, its movements a blur of speed and power.
Zanar, regaining his composure, unleashed a barrage of Qi-infused strikes, hoping to fend off the beast. But the Raka beast, empowered by the protective intent imbued in it, was undeterred. It countered every move, its raw strength and agility overwhelming the trained assassin.
In the next instant he also fell on the ground with his limbs cut.
"Help me… help me… someone… please…" the cries of two Vinci sect disciples reverberated in the empty forest. But there is no one to protect them from this peril situation.
The forest echoed with the sounds of the skirmish, a deadly dance of predator and prey. Princess Lanner, though skilled in her own right, knew that without the Raka beast's intervention, she would have been gravely outmatched.
Princess Lanner, catching her breath, looked up at the majestic beast, a silent prayer of thanks in her eyes. The beast, with a final protective glance towards her, took to the skies, disappearing into the canopy.
Later, Princess Lanner, shaken but unharmed from her encounter, hurriedly ran and regrouped with few of her sect disciples. The news of her narrow escape from the Vinci sect's assassination attempt spread quickly among the group.
On other side, Richard is leading the mission to collect more spirit grass and animal cores along with few of his companions.
Young master Richard, you should teach a lesson to that new girl. How dare she defy your command? She dare to support that horse servant against your word. One of his underling complained while walking beside Richard.
"Yes, young master, during the journey also she ignored our group. She didn't even respond to your orders." Another disciple added, adding fuel to the fire.
" Don't worry. She is just a small fry. I'll make sure she pays for her insolence," he fumed. "And that horse servant, he'll regret crossing me. But first you guys help me in creating a good image before the princess. If we could win this competition, I can approach the princess with some confidence." Richard declared as fire a Qi arrow towards a rank 4 beast.
The other disciples remained silent, unwilling to challenge Richard's influence within the sect, despite their internal disapproval of his intentions.
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As evening approached, the sect members began to gather near the Mad Witch plant, each proudly displaying their collection of spirit grass and animal cores. The air was thick with anticipation and unspoken rivalry, a stark contrast to the peaceful moments shared by Eric and Ria in the depths of the forest.
Unbeknownst to the others, Eric and Ria remained in the forest, choosing to prolong their time away from the competition. They sat beside a gently flowing stream, the sound of water a soothing backdrop to their conversation.
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PETERPAN