The four companions trekked for five hours before seeking a suitable resting spot for the night. They shared a meal of grilled fish caught from the nearby river. As darkness settled, the three women huddled around a crackling campfire, their voices weaving a tapestry of laughter and conversation. Bai Yu, however, opted for a different approach. He perched himself on a sturdy branch, dedicating the entire night to cultivation. As the first stars peeked through the darkening sky, Bai Yu remained absorbed in his practice, oblivious to the world around him.
The rising sun found the women stirring awake. Liu Ning stretched languidly, a wide yawn escaping her lips. "Still cultivating, huh?" she inquired sleepily, her voice thick with exhaustion.Chu Yao, with eyes barely open, mumbled, "Such a diligent fellow."After an hour spent sharing breakfast and lighthearted chatter, the group resumed their journey towards the mission objective.
"S-Senior Brother Bai Yu," Liu Ning stammered, a question brewing on her lips."Speak your mind," Bai Yu replied."Why do you cultivate even at night?" she pressed, her curiosity piqued. Bai Yu was about to answer when a jarring sound broke the silence – the sound of approaching footsteps.
Emerging from behind a thicket of trees were their intended targets – a bandit group. There were roughly thirty of them, most appearing to be at the Body Refining Realm. A closer inspection revealed a hierarchy within the group. The vice-captain stood out, having cultivated to the peak of the Blood Condensation Realm, while the leader exuded an aura of power, indicating he had reached the early Bone Forging Realm."A Bone Forging expert?!" shrieked Chu Ming, her voice laced with fear."This wasn't mentioned in the mission details!" Liu Ning exclaimed, a tinge of nervousness creeping into her voice.Before anyone could react further, a blur of motion tore across the clearing. Bai Yu charged straight for the bandit captain, shouting, "I will leave the rest to you".Chu Yao's eyes widened in shock as she witnessed his breathtaking speed. In a blink, Bai Yu unsheathed his sword and clashed with the bandit captain, who wielded a menacing saber. The meeting of blade and saber produced a deafening clang, sending a shockwave rippling outwards."You've got some guts, brat!" the bandit captain bellowed, his surprise evident.