Page 10: Raid and Improvements
Upon close up inspection, the population in the nest has significantly decreased. For the past days, thinning the cloud rats' number has only been the objective. Now, the only thing that's left to do is to take down the rest. From the previous count, the nest was approximated to have at most 8 to 10. Now with the last hunt for that nest, the goal has changed and is aimed at the rat's leader.
Ling Tian leads the subjugation. Since Yue and Ah Mu are not yet well versed in the killing, Ling Tian appointed them as dismantler of the nest while Ling Tian positioned himself in front of the nest's entrance to take on any cloud rat that goes out while Ling Bai stood at the back to take care of any runners.
"Remember, when the largest go out, focus on encircling it. Don't worry about the rest. Long Bai and I will do the attacking. Yue! Ah Mu, get ready!"
Ling Tian gave the order to start dismantling. Not a few seconds after, the small cloud rats began to run away from the commotion. Ling Tian who was in front swung his weapon aiming at the necks of the runners.
"Long Bai, how many was your count? I got only two."
"I managed to kill two. They were too apart which makes it difficult. There were three that managed to escape. There should be two more inside" Watch out! I think its the leader!" Long Bai warned Ling Tian.
From the entrance of the nest, everyone saw two large bodies charging at Ling Tian. At that moment, everyone realized that they miscalculated. Thinking that there would only be one last strengthened cloud rat, they thought of confronting it head-on. Contrary to that, two of them came out charging at high speeds.
Long Bai who was behind Ling Tian reacted fast and plunged at the two enraged cloud rats. He had no choice but to activate it.
Ling Tian was lying on the ground with blood all over his clothing. The rest didn't know how to react to his situation. Although he was on the ground, his weapon which was pointing upwards has impaled the cloud rat and as the cloud rat struggled with its remaining life, blood sprayed onto Ling Tian giving him a blood bath.
After a moment of silence, everyone just started laughing.
The group collected their spoils, six carcass, and two red essence shards. Ling Tian who was done taking the shards out of the cloud rats approached Long Bai.
"Brother Bai, take these two shards. You save me back there. If not because of you, I might have suffered a terrible wound." Ling Tian offered the two shards with his blood-stained hand while giving a thankful look.
Long Bai was pleased by Ling Tian's gesture. Responding to the gesture, he just took one shard. In Ling Tian's heart, his doubts and questions about Long Bai have been cast away. All that's left is thanks and trust.
"Brother Ling Tian, I just did what I can. If it was you, I believe you'll do the same."
Ling Tian almost hugged his brother Bai but then immediately stopped himself. It was just then that he noticed his bloody appearance from his kill. Looking at the spoils, he was never been overjoyed in his entire life since being with his parents.
"We managed to collect a shard for each and besides, we have so much meat. With the remaining time that we have, we can start preparing ourselves. If we can become stronger, all of us might be able to enter the inner court. Brother Bai, we'll rely on you to teach us your martial skill. Once we enter the sect, I will find a way to repay you."
"Me too! Yue and Ah Mu agree! "
"Then what are we waiting for, it is almost dark. We must have a feast tonight."
That night, everyone ate with much gusto and filled their bellies till they can't take any more. The night passed with delight and the stars were the witness of such glee.
When morning came, everyone was in high spirits. This time, Long Bai became a teacher of the three. Yue has already moved onto the attack strikes after having a certain mastery of the defensive strikes. Ling Tian and Ah Mu on the other hand are still practicing the defensive strikes since they just started. Originally, Bai was supposed to teach Ah Mu another technique however Long Bai's knowledge of the other martial art was lacking. It can be detrimental to teach something incomplete and such a flaw can cost a life. This was Bai's reason as to why he opted to teach the same skill.
Looking at everyone's progress, Bai was satisfied with the rate of improvement. All that's left now is for him to find a way how to open the system. Since everyone has their own thing, Bai decided to take out that cave he saw last time, and to do that, he would need time. Thus, he told the rest that he would go to the forest.
"I might return tomorrow or the day after so just continue your practice. You don't need to worry, I'll just train myself in the outer forest."
"You're skillful brother Bai but still be careful. If you'll not return after three days, we won't hesitate to look for you in the forest." Ling Tian responded seeing that the other two shows worry. If something happens, Ling Tian believes that the skill he saw last time would allow him to escape as long as he stays in the outer forest.
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Long Bai traced back the path that leads to the entrance of the cave. Last time, he did make some marks to make it easier for him to find the place.
'Good thing I made some preparations last time. If not, it might have taken me more time to locate this place.'
Bai reached the place and settled at a nearby tree. He was planning to make a second observation of the Purple- Maine cats before executing the plan. Although there are few of them, five or six members can overpower him easily. While observing, Bai settled down on a large branch and brought out the red shard in his pocket.
'Alright, let's absorb this. I wonder how much my strength will improve? Here we go.'
[System alert: Essence is absorbed through the body. The system has utilized 80% of the essence shard to integrate the energy into your body.]
'Eh? So the efficiency was that low? There was no even prompt of the system showing. But still, this essence is too good, I feel stronger than before. Let's do some workout to adjust with the newly gained strength.'
Throughout the entire day and night, Bai practiced his skills while observing the cave. Although he did nothing yet to the cats, he gained more than he thought.
[System notice: Your skill proficiency of the 'Sword of twelve strikes' has reached the advanced state.]
[System notice: Your skill proficiency of the movement skill 'Flash steps' has reached the perfect state. You have mastered the skill. Skill evolution is updated.]