Xing Wuye rode swiftly, his gaze fixed on the dense forest ahead. Behind him, the sky continued to flash and crackle with the overwhelming powers of the sect leaders, clashing with the dark fog and soul-devouring techniques of the pale youth. The ground itself seemed to tremble, as if even nature recoiled from the battle's violent intensity. But Wuye had no time for distractions; his only thoughts now centered on securing the rewards he had fought so hard to retrieve.
I need to find a secluded place—somewhere I can refine this pill and focus on understanding this new technique, he thought, his expression as impassive as stone as he urged the wolf to a faster pace.
The forest loomed before him, thick with old trees, their twisted roots weaving through the underbrush like dark veins. As he passed beneath their canopy, the cacophony of the conference fight began to fade, replaced by the murmur of rustling leaves and distant calls of forest creatures. Wuye kept his senses sharp, aware that chaos often brought opportunity to thieves and ambushers.
It wasn't long before his instincts were proven right. Ahead, the shadows shifted, and he spotted three daoists emerging onto his path. Their expressions were dark, predatory smiles flaring as they took notice of him. Each bore the telltale marks of those who were less interested in the formalities of a sect and more in exploiting the current bedlam to claim spoils for themselves.
Wuye's eyes narrowed as he assessed them. Not my usual audience, he thought dryly, but there was no time for a direct confrontation. He tightened his hold on the wolf's fur and turned sharply, maneuvering through the trees with practiced skill. Behind him, the three daoists gave chase, their footsteps growing closer as they raced through the underbrush.
With a flick of his wrist, Wuye scattered small bursts of qi, leading his pursuers into the path of nearby skirmishes. The forest was alight with ambushes, disciples and rogue daoists alike taking advantage of the chaos. Wuye steered his pursuers skillfully into the conflicts, weaving them through battles as he sought to shake them off. Two of the daoists stumbled into a clash between another group of cultivators, momentarily caught in the fray. Shouts and flashes of light erupted as they were forced to defend themselves.
But the third daoist, his movements fluid and deliberate, avoided the ensuing clashes with ease, staying hot on Wuye's trail.
Wuye's heart turned cold as he glanced back and saw his lone pursuer closing in, unwavering. It seems I underestimated him, he thought, likely someone at the Foundation Building stage to dodge so swiftly and keep up at this pace.
As they continued deeper into the forest, Wuye turned his attention toward the ground, searching for any signs of larger beasts that might be inhabiting the area. He needed something powerful enough to distract, or better yet, turn on his relentless pursuer.
The forest grew darker as the trees clustered more densely, their trunks gnarled and ancient. Wuye's eyes fell on a patch of disturbed soil, the subtle claw marks gouged into the earth, fresh and jagged. Broken branches hung low over the trail, several snapped cleanly in half as if under immense force. He leaned down, observing faint tufts of coarse fur caught on a rough tree bark. There was a faint scent in the air, something earthy and rank, tinged with the unmistakable musk of a massive beast.
He gave a faint, knowing smile. Perfect.
Quietly, he veered off the trail, careful to stay just far enough from the beast's markings so as not to stir its awareness. The distant roar of the creature echoed through the trees, growing louder with each step. His pursuer, undeterred, followed in the exact same direction, keeping Wuye firmly within his sights. Wuye's suspicions were confirmed—this was no ordinary daoist.
His sensing abilities are keen, Wuye thought, He likely noticed the beast by now, or at least suspects. Yet the pursuer's intent gaze showed no hesitation, only a cold, predatory focus.
Wuye took a deep breath, steeling his nerves. Foundation Building daoists are different, he noted, his tone inwardly cold and analytical. Not only are they more perceptive, but they have enough stamina to keep this chase up indefinitely. Which means…
With a sharp tug on the wolf's reins, Wuye spun around, surging toward his pursuer with a fierce burst of speed. The daoist's face flashed in surprise, but only briefly. He held his ground, poised to counter the sudden charge. In the next instant, Wuye released a controlled burst of qi from his palm, aimed squarely at the daoist's feet, sending up a spray of dirt and rocks as the qi collided with the ground.
The daoist stumbled slightly, eyes narrowing as he regained his footing. But before he could react, a tremendous roar shook the forest, and from behind a dense thicket of trees, a massive beast lunged forward. It was a monstrous bear-like creature with coarse black fur, towering over both men, its eyes gleaming with a savage, unbridled fury.
The daoist's expression shifted to one of alarm as the beast barreled toward him, drawn by the sudden disturbance. Wuye gritted his teeth, pushing the wolf to its limits as he surged forward, the beast now hot on the daoist's heels.
As he rode, Wuye pressed his wolf mount faster, feeling the powerful muscles beneath him strain as they surged past his pursuer. The wolf leapt, clearing the daoist and gaining a significant lead. Behind him, the beast's attention shifted, its dark eyes zeroing in on the daoist left in its path.
Wuye glanced back briefly, satisfaction glinting in his gaze as the beast's massive jaws snapped down where his pursuer had once stood, forcing the daoist to dodge desperately. A fitting distraction, he thought, his expression cold and calculating. He turned his focus forward, guiding the wolf deeper into the forest, shifting his path northward.
After several miles, Wuye finally slowed his pace. The trees had thinned, giving way to a rocky landscape dominated by a low hill that jutted out from the surrounding earth like the edge of a blade. He dismounted, pressing a hand to the wolf's side to calm its ragged breaths. Wuye took in his surroundings, studying the terrain with a critical eye.
This will do, he thought.
Taking a deep breath, he lifted his fist and summoned a wave of qi, focusing it into his Gale Burst Fist. He struck at the foot of the hill, the impact blasting through the rocks and carving a rough opening in the stone. Satisfied, he entered the newly formed hollow, reinforcing the walls with another burst of qi to create a makeshift cave. As he settled inside, the forest's muffled sounds lent a sense of eerie quiet to the secluded area.
He exhaled, finally allowing himself a moment to relax as he released the wolf from its harness, restraining it just outside the cave's entrance. It growled softly, but Wuye ignored it, knowing the beast would not stray far while still bound to his command.
Taking his seat within the cave, Wuye drew out the pill, studying it intently. The glossy surface shimmered faintly, promising a surge of power unlike anything he had felt before. He felt his pulse quicken, but his expression remained as cold and detached. Raising the pill to the light, he whispered to himself, his voice a calm murmur.
"Finally...time to rise."
With a final glance at the pill, he closed his eyes, sinking into meditation as he prepared for the next phase of his cultivation.