Days down

The first of the 4 days, Majid was excited. Finally, he gonna fight a real fight, his life would be on the line. The shine on his eyes could burn one's eye, he trained all day long, his high stamina exhibiting its brilliance. He stopped only a few times to recover and revise his fights.

As the day neared its end, he wasn't able to improve by much. All he could do is receive blows time and time again, at least he was able to guard most of the time. He wasn't disappointed though, his goal was somewhere else. He needed to rid himself of fear as soon as possible, he didn't want to be crippled when the time comes. How many people die meaninglessly because of it, fear is only good for weak people, they need it to run as fast and far as possible. For those who want to be strong, its a burden they must dispose of. He made important gains in this regard, he didn't hesitate anymore, he faces the attacks with a clear mind.

It was getting easier for him to receive the blows each session. After the hard sessions, come the little fox spar, even though he was weaker, his speed wasn't lacking. He found it hard at the start to outperform him, but he could easily evade its attacks.

Majid used the nights to recover and think about the fight scenarios with the ape. What if the fox escaped or got defeated, what if they defeated it easily... He eliminated unlikely scenarios and focused on the important ones.

The next morning, his body was aching pleasantly. He gave that to meditation, it helped him recover a great deal. His eyes didn't lose their shine, like a mirror reflecting the sun, he was ready for another round. An idea got to him, he knocked on his head, 'system shows me my status'.

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soul: 10

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Isn't 10 freaking awesome, he was depressed before when he saw his unknown soul power. Unlike people of this world who got the chance to train it early on, he didn't have the chance to train it, so it would be extremely low. He tried to bury his excitement, he didn't want to jump to conclusions, that way he won't be disappointed later. It was too late for him though, the idea already got the best of him.

'System how's my soul in comparison to others'

[the user soul is extremely superior to his peers]

His cheeks started to burn, his breaths on the rise.

'How about this Lee Xiaode'

[the host's soul power is estimated to be around 3]

'What! doesn't that mean that my soul is top-notch...'

'System how was his soul compared to others'

[The host's soul power was above average]

He didn't f*** care why was that, whether it was his age,

gift, or whatever else, it was a freaking awesome. Grateful that he finally got a decisive MC like advantage over the rest, he danced the thrust dance, along some Elvis's legs, and others. His head nodded like a chicken flowing an unexisting beat.

'Wait, wait...' this might be another clue to figure out how to train his soul, he can't ignore it. he kept it for later, to think about this carefully. This damn system, how much he wanted to improve his soul! yet the system didn't help him with some soul-based reward.

Looking at the Foxes, he smiled as a glint shot by his eyes but he soon lost interest. His system wasn't omnipotent, he would be able to apprise them, he still looked at the little fox, 'system, apprise'.

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'System apprize'

[apprizal ongoing… wait]

Name: Little Fire Fox

Age: 4 months

Level: 1 Layer Beast Core

Strength: 2

Agility: 6

Toughness: 2

Vitality:1

Stamina: 4

Senses:3

Qi: 20

Soul: 6

Elements Affinity:

Fire: 6

'It really worked!' he nodded his head, he can estimate as much based on their fights, the system must have done some analysis, but 4 months and already this powerful. 'Wait 4 months,' he wasn't sure if the mother fox mentioned this before, but he didn't give it much thought, as he was curious to look at her next.

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Name: Mother Fire Fox

Age: 3 year

Level: 3 Layer Beast Core

Strength: 8/10 (injured)

Agility: 10/12 (injured)

Toughness: 9

Vitality: 3/6 (injured)

Stamina: 4/8 (injured)

Senses: 12

Qi: 140

Soul: 10

Elements Affinity:

Fire: 16

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'Wow! Respect,' with those states, he understood why he was screwed over. And that fire affinity was insane, it rendered him mediocre! let's not talk about the Qi.

He looked at her "Do you have names, the narrator is tired of using little, bigger..!"

"No, we don't need them"

"Mind if I gave you some?"

Her closed eyes open as she raised her head "...go ahead!"

"How about Foxa and Foxo, easy right!" a frown replied to his lazy naming, so he gave it serious consideration this time.

"How about Fiery for you as fire, and Foxy for him for being smart" This time her forehead remained still, he took it as an OK!

"So Fiery should we start"

He was proud that he was able to take on those states of hers head-on. Even though she didn't use her full power, she didn't go easy on him either, this day he set his eyes on evading. He regretted that not soon after, he suffered something close to his first fight, he takes relief in their short sessions.

After each battering session, Foxy capitalized on the chance to give him a beating of his own before he recovers. But the little fox success rate diminished continuously, Majid even scored some successful evasions against Fiery, giving him hope.

The third day he started to feel pressure, he didn't improve as much as he hoped. The Ape beast is slower than Fiery, but he shouldn't be that slower at his level. And the ape was stronger, he wouldn't go easy on him either, if he got hit, it might be it, game over.

He meditated for a little bit, before engrossing himself in his training again. His success kept rising throughout the day giving him small doses of confidence. Before evening, he no longer receives any direct hits anymore, he either evades or guards them. That didn't say he didn't get battered but it's still a better resulted. His eyes lightened the surrounding when he checked his states, both his strength and agility increased by one.

His happiness didn't go on, he didn't notice it at first because he was exhausted mentally. His success wasn't due to his growth alone, Fiery was losing her power as well. He stopped his spar sessions with her when he checked her stamina, her stamina decreased by 2 points, if he continued it might affect her vitality. He hoped it could recover the next day, he still needs her help.

Majid wasn't the only one who improved Foxy benefited quite a lot. Nevertheless, Majid toyed with him with ease at that point. Once he got used to his body's full potential, their states' difference left no surprise, he could easily remain in his blind spot, frustrating the little guy.

The 4th day, his face was pale, he wasn't able to calm himself anymore, his heart kept ticking rapidly, short of breath. Still, he continued his usual routine with Fiery before he started to toy with the little fox, he got audacious enough to try some feints on the little fox. He was desperate, he needed to try some blow but neither of the foxes could take his blows, one is faster and the other is weaker. So he would go into the little fox blind spot dealing as many blank punches, and thrusts, as he could before Foxy could react, then he moved into his next blind spot.

"Is that you young master Xiaode, it's really you, you're alive..." rushing steps flickered behind him.

"I was barely able to recognize you"

Majid didn't have the time to look after his look nor his hygiene, his long disheveled hair got even worse, dirt runs all over this body. He didn't care though, his eyes widened before a smile spread through his mouth.

'Human...'

This was the first human being he saw, he wasn't a threatening one to boot, the boy's voice was like music in his ear. He brushed aside the fright it caused him like it never happened. The boy was around the same age as him, a rugged brown robe was loose, covering his body, his thin hands were holding a straw basket. His shining black eyes full of vigor was the only fresh part on his triangular face, small brows, and ticks lips gave off a funny presence.

Suddenly the gears of his mind stopped upon a realization before it spun crazily again, a frown contracted between his brows. the first idea that comes to his mind was to kill the boy in front of him. A shiver runs down his spine, but that wasn't the end. Many cruel ideas followed, should he hold him hostage until he finishes this Quest, should he threaten him to keep his mouth shut. Whether it was his ideas, Xiaode's, or part of human selfishness when cornered. Either way, it was a part of him, and it scared him.

The boy looked confused at the sharp change of Majid's mood, one of his legs stepped backward. Majid recovered his neutral countenance, he shot a welcoming smile at the boy. his gears not stoping.

'What's his name, what's his name' he wanted to cry, his first impression is already ruined by his looks. But no matter how hard he tried, the damn name just won't come to his mind.

"...Ahem, Hello! fellow disciple, how are you?" Majid was smiling but his eyes were intense, many worries clashing in his mind. He was eager to ask about the clan and rumors about him, but he needed to remember the damn name first.

"...you're flattering me, young master Xiaode, thank you for asking, this lowly disciple is doing fine," said Tamao, his eyes wide.

'Was the boy Xiaode arrogant or something! did I make a mistake,' he calmed himself. he was dealing with a boy, no need to faze.

"What are you doing here fellow disciple!" he said baying more time.

"...ah, I am doing my daily assignment, gathering some herbs"

Majid gave up, Teemao may not like it, but it was better to ask for his name at that point, then addressing him differently. He can ask him nicely, it would be more impolite not to ask, and Xiaode can't know all the names of the outer disciples.

"Outer or inner we are indeed fellow disciples, excuse me! may I ask your name".

"Oh! this disciple's name is Lee Teemao," Teemao was surprised the whole time for some reason. Majid mind was working at full speed keenly reading Teemao reactions. Xiaode wasn't an arrogant young master, he wasn't keen either on associating with outer disciples. Even inner disciples didn't treat them with respect, much less core disciples. The boy must have a sense of inferiority, that explains his surprise, maybe if he treated him nicely, he would open up to him.

"Fellow disciple Teemao, do you maybe need any help!" It's out of the blue, but the boy didn't have any reason to suspect his sincerity. He just wanted him to feel good, feel like Majid would help him in the future. If he could make him feel indebted to him, he would be more agreeable.

"...Thank you, young master, for your courtesy" Teemao was out of words.

"No, I'm serious, if you need my help now, or in the future, at the clan, don't hesitate to ask me. You can drop that young master, I'm no longer one, just call me Xiaode". Majid was at least confident in tricking a little kid. He could guess what a boy like him needed the most, no doubt a backing. The normal disciple didn't know the inside story, so he would just assume Majid being modest.

"I will remember that, young master... fellow disciple Xiaode"

While Teemao was speechless again, Majid tried to come up with some ideas to solve this problem. He can't let the boy reveal his survival to his enemies. Should he ask him to communicate with his father's supports, no no, it wasn't a good idea. He's otaku archive, no even in real life, how easy for people to turn their back on each other, who would remain in a sinking boat. Men are forced to remain in movies but that isn't the point. He can't trust anyone. Even this little Teemao. He can only ask him directly to keep his secret, but how. The boys in this word matured earlier but he can't count on that. Other than making a good impression, unless he found a reasonable reason to ask for his cooperation, it won't do.

"Young master, may I ask what happened!" Teemao leaned forward, his eyes squinting a bit, the colors on Majid started to change, the bags under his eyes darkening, he can't say just anything.

"Of course, but can you tell me, what happened at the clan"

Teemao didn't seem to suspect him, as he told him everything without hesitation. The mentor who was overseeing his trial reported that they were both attacked by some unknown cultivators. When he was able to shake his opponent, he looked for Xiaode but he couldn't find any trace of him, everyone in the clan assume he was dead. Hearing this Majid wasn't happy about this. It looks like being alive was a piece of big news in the clan, he wasn't sure he could keep the boy's mouth shut. He was nodding his head, but his mind was elaborating his own story, a smile flickered on his face.

"Indeed that what happened, and I was saved by this friend here," he looked at Fiery. Teemao looked at Fiery before he looked back at him, he sidestepped slowly until she hid behind the young master.

"I kept in the forest, I feared that they would be waiting for me at the entrance of the city. I think they are the same people who injured and killed my father". Majid lowered his head, he wasn't confident in his acting, so he hid his face from Teemao letting the later imagination work for him.

"Yeah, I understand, I'm sorry about your father!" Teemao droopy eyes gave him more confidence.

"Don't mind, I already got over my grievance".

"Who exactly is these guys!" Teemao's reaction this time made him overjoyed, he wanted to dance, it means that he bought his cheap acting of sadness and kindness. He was sympathizing with him, he didn't feel good about playing a kid, but his life was on the line here. And now came the crucial moment.

"I don't know either, that's why I hope you keep it a secret, me being alive. If it gets known, they would look for me, and they might look for you to guide them..." he didn't mention what's gonna happen to Teemao after he guides them, so he won't look forceful, the boy would figure out that much. He looked at Teemao with a smile, he's eyes following his every breath.