Returning

"Don't worry too much about that, it will help me get those skills when we return back to the sect. As for the hassle, after today we can just leave it in the barn." Sej was acting mysterious on purpose to give the impression that he was a capable leader who could take care of things.

Everything was then ruined by Sam who ostentatiously says "So you got a girl who you like and wanted to give her a present. What is she a senior in the sect so you might get rewarded by doing this?" As he joked with Sej, he realised that Sej did not say anything as a comeback. Taking a look at Sej, he saw him blushing slightly and lowering his head.

"It's not like that, you would not understand," Sej replied in a quiet voice.

Sam, Henry and Caras's jaws dropped simultaneously. "no way Sej" Henry continued, no way, no way, no way, the wait is this where you got your weapons from as well. A gift from a senior you told us." At this, Sej paled, who knew lying could be so hard. To cause such a large misunderstanding from a few unintended actions and words.

On seeing his face turn pale, it was almost light an admission of guilt. The team's jaws dropped further. Not knowing what to do now, Cara asked a third question after remembering what Sej said before and that the skill Sej learnt was more suited for females.

"Is that where you got your skill as well." On hearing that those words, Sej fell into despair.

The team was no longer shocked by this. Cara was faintly disappointed but Sam and Henry wanted to know more.

"So where did you meet her?" Sam asked followed by Henry "how old is she? Followed by Sam again "what's her cultivation like?" and then Henry again "what's her name? Sam asked, "Is she beautiful?"

The final question was by Henry " what is she like?"

"It's not what you guys think. Let me explain!" Sej shouted. Silence prevailed in the area, followed by howls. Remember that there was blood on the ground, the team paled and made a break out of the area. Luckily they got out in time before being surrounded by beasts.

"Go on Sej, explain," Cara said accusingly when they got to a safe area and took a seat.

Taking a big breath Sej began "look ok. It is not what you think. The three-tailed fox is for someone, a girl called Emily but we are not dating. It is more of a business type of thing. I can't go into specifics ok. Can we just leave it at that point, please? Sej was almost begging at this point.

Cara snorted but said "fine whatever" Sam and Henry were also not satisfied and thought that they would investigate this girl called Emily with Cara when they got back.

Soon a week passed and it was time to return to the sect. During the week of constant fighting, the team killed a total 68 monster beast. This included one middle-grade stage one monster beast called a 'fire python'; it was a snake with a shiny red scale that was 2 meters long. It was very fast and if bitten, fire poison would be released from its fangs causing a person to feel like they were being burned alive. Though the poison is deadly to mortals, if you are in the marrow refinement stage, it is lethal.

Of course, Sej and the team had to be very careful when they faced it and Sam even got his arm broken. That was when the team decided that it was time to return. They gained enough but with a major injury like Sams that would take at least a week of recovery with a healing elixir, it was time to back.

Over the week they also found some basic herbs called Refinement grass and Darkshade flowers. There were only 5 refinement grasses and 2 Darkshade flowers. Refinement grass was the main material for Body refining pills and several types of body refining elixir. Each one can sell for 3 Essence crystals. Darkshade grass was actually the main ingredient of the Body purifying pills, the price was higher at 5 essence crystals per flower.

The return journey to the sect was quick and uneventful. Submitting the 45 beasts to the sect to complete their assignments the group then decided to sell the rest of the beast to the Apail family, so they stopped by the heavenly pills pavilion.

On entering the store, Sej separated from the group, telling them that he had to buy something quickly. Sej went to talk to the employee who took him to see Emily last time as he had no way of contacting her. She never left him a method. The rest of the team went to sell the goods they acquired.

On finding the employee he was searching for, Sej approached and whispered, " I need to talk to Emily, can you talk to the guard to let me through." As with any major establishment, guards or security systems were in place to not allow outsiders to trespass on important areas housing storage or administration matters.

"No," it was a short and simple reply showing no respect. The employee was even looking at Sej with disdain.

Seeing this, Sej was angry but did not lose his tempers. "In that case, can you tell her that I am looking for her."

"No, you should leave." Another short reply without a care in the world came from the employee. It seemed that this person had a unique background to support him or maybe Emily asked him to ignore Sej. There was also just the chance that he did not care.

"Listen here friend," Sej was very annoyed now but still kept quiet. "I have a gift for Emily, I am sure you would not want to stop me from giving her a present right." Sej attempted to make him fear the repercussions of his action.

"Go away" was the reply. "You have no power here and she asked you not to return. Can't follow simple instructions."

"oh, and what does my coming here have to do with you. If I never came here, would that not be suspicions. Who are you anyway?"

Sej failed to notice anything special about the guy in front of him. He thought he was a normal shop clerk at first but on second look, he noticed that he was slightly older than the other employees. Also unlike the others who were at the body refining stage, or normal mortals, he could not see the cultivation of this clerk.

"Who I am is not important. Now leave." The clerk turned and left without caring about Sej, returning to the group with a scowl plastered on his face Sej was thinking of how to contact Emily and also what should be done with the annoying guy.

"What happened to you Sej," Sam asked on seeing expression.

"Nothing, don't worry about it. Just had some bad service. How much did you earn?" Sej quickly got over what just happened as he thought about their harvest.

"Hahaha, we got 145 Essence crystals." Henry laughed while smacking his stomach.

"The low-grade stage one beast sold for a standard of 5 essence crystals each, the fire python went for 10. Along with the herbs. We made a fortune."

" Good, take out 25 and then split the rest between them." Sej proposed. That way we can each get thirty crystals and can store up the rest for use as a whole team. This will be considered a team fund for the entire group.

" I am alright with that, but what would we use it for?" Cara asked.

" I don't know, stuff like travel expenses if we go far away or for headquarters for when we move out of our current residences. We should save money for this now." Sej answered before continuing" While we are here, you should get some cultivation pills and look around for any equipment you may need nearby. Getting some weapons and armour would help improve our combat strength."

The group agreed before heading their separate way to buy what they needed. Sej did not need to buy anything specific so he took the three-tailed fox and returned home. It was about time he started using the resources that the Apail family provided him to get stronger. As for Emily, he would have to think of a way to contact her.

Soon his residence came into view. On entering his house, he smelled a jasmine fragrance in the air and was alerted to someone's presence. In the living room on the sofa that Sam brought from a store, a beautiful figure came into view with a navy blue dress, diamond earring and high heels. Sej was dazed and frozen to the spot. Emily was sitting there sipping a piping hot cup of tea. Her charming voice spoke out,

"So what do you want?