The Next Morning
True to her word, Lian was able to stand, though she leaned heavily on a makeshift crutch Snow had fashioned from a sturdy branch. The break in her leg was still healing, but the spiritual pills had accelerated the process.
Snow led the way, his movements quiet and efficient as they slipped through the dense undergrowth. The forest was alive with the sounds of morning—chirping birds, rustling leaves, the distant babble of a stream.
They traveled in silence for a time, Snow keeping an ear out for potential threats while Lian focused on keeping up. Despite her injury, she moved with a certain grace, her training evident even in her weakened state.
After an hour, Lian broke the silence.
"You're a swordsman," she said, more a statement than a question.
Snow didn't look at her. "Yes."
She tilted her head slightly. "But not just any swordsman. You move like someone who's trained in a sect."
Snow's steps didn't falter, but his grip on his sword hilt tightened slightly. He had hoped to avoid this topic.
Lian seemed to catch on to his reluctance and didn't press. Instead, she changed the subject. "The city we're heading to is called Red Lotus City. It's a major hub, ruled by several sects and noble families."
"Dangerous?" Snow asked.
Lian gave a small shrug. "Depends. If you stay low and don't attract attention, it's a good place to disappear. But if you get caught up in sect affairs…" She glanced at him. "Well, you seem like the type that trouble follows."
Snow didn't deny it.
They continued in relative silence, covering as much ground as Lian's condition allowed. Snow made sure to stay off the beaten paths, avoiding any signs of travelers or patrols. He wasn't sure how far the Wei Clan's influence extended, but he wasn't about to take chances.
The journey through the dense wilderness stretched on, day blending into night as Snow and Lian pressed forward. She was recovering quickly, but her pace was still slower than Snow's usual speed. He didn't complain—having a guide to Red Lotus City outweighed the delay.
Each morning, Snow hunted spirit beasts, his sword carving through them with ruthless efficiency. The more he fought, the more he honed his control over the Chaotic Essence Cultivation Technique, a forbidden method that thrived on destruction.
With every beast he slew, he absorbed the lingering traces of negative energies within their cores, using it to refine his qi. It was a brutal, dangerous path—one that carried the risk of corruption if his will wavered. But Snow had no other choice.
By the fifth day, his cultivation had surged to the first level of the Qi Condensation Realm. Yet, it wasn't enough.
Wei Jian was at the Qi Solidification Realm.
4 full realm above him.
The gap was still too vast.
That night, as the moon bathed the forest in silver light, Snow sat cross-legged near their hidden camp. Lian was already asleep, exhaustion taking its toll on her body As they were traveling at rapid pace
Snow exhaled, letting his mind sink into his cultivation.
The shadows around him seemed to thicken as he pulled in the yin energy from the surroundings as well as absorbing the negative energiesand resentment from the beast he killed earlier, forcing them to merge with his core. Unlike ordinary cultivation, which sought balance and harmony, this method thrived on conflict. His veins burned with raw power, his qi turbulent and wild.
His dantian churned as he tempered the energies within him, refining them into something usable. Every cycle of refinement brought him closer to his goal, his foundation stabilizing despite the instability of his method.
Stronger. I must become stronger.
Minutes turned to hours. The negative energy twisted around him, sinking into his meridians, fortifying his body, sharpening his mind. His senses expanded—he could hear the distant growls of spirit beasts, feel the heartbeat of the forest itself.
When the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Snow finally exhaled, opening his eyes. The killing intent that had surrounded him faded, and he slowly rose to his feet.
His body felt lighter. His movements sharper.
But it still wasn't enough.
Lian stirred beside the dying embers of the fire, rubbing her eyes before looking up at him.
"You were cultivating again," she muttered, still groggy. "You don't sleep much, do you?"
Snow didn't respond immediately. He simply turned, stepping past her and towards the fire ..He put some meat to grill and then sat in silence waiting for it to be ready.Lian went to freshen up and returned sitting across Snow
Suddenly snow looked at her and said " we should get going as soon as we finish eating"
Lian sighed, watching as him across the fire. She didn't know what kind of cultivation Snow practiced, but something about it unsettled her.
There was a weight to him. A sharpness that only came from walking the edge between survival and destruction.
And as they continued their journey, she had a feeling she was traveling with someone far more dangerous than he let on.
The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and smoldering wood. Snow and Lian ate in silence, the crackling of the fire their only companion. The roasted meat was tough but filling, providing them with enough strength to endure another long day of travel.
Lian was still observing Snow, her sharp eyes studying him as she chewed. Though he moved with calm precision, she could sense something… off. His aura was turbulent, as if barely contained.
Whatever cultivation method he practiced, it was not one she had ever seen before.
Snow, however, remained indifferent to her scrutiny. After finishing his meal, he extinguished the fire, scattering the embers with the heel of his boot. Without another word, he stood and adjusted the strap of his sword.
"Let's go."
Lian nodded.They traveled deeper into the wilderness, moving westward. The forest gradually thinned, giving way to rocky terrain and sparse vegetation. Snow remained alert, his senses stretched thin for any sign of danger