chapter 21

*growl*

""!!!!""

they both got attentive as they heard the growling of the hungry beast, that lurked over them for a while.

*whoosh*

"A wolf?" Ethan exclaimed as the beast suddenly appeared in front of him.

but Yaling seems frozen on the spot.

*growl* the wolf dashed towards them without wasting any time.

"haah, Yaling.." Ethan jumped over to the side while grabbing her by the waist, they both escaped from its fangs.

but unfortunately, the horses weren't that lucky and became cannon fodders.

"arghh.. " Yaling came back to her senses,

"Ethan! 5t.. it's a 5th stage beast!"

Ethan widened his eyes, "5t-5th stage? tsk."

Ethan stuttered while looking at the wolf beast.

it was only 2 meters tall, not that different from the low-rank beasts, but his aura tells something else, it has a cultivation base of 5th stage foundation establishment.

"argh.. it's only been a few hours and.." Ethan took out Lily, from the storage pouch and unsheathed from the scabbard.

[yo! what's up? missed me?]

'i need your help lily, this time it is a 5th stage one, can you help me deal with this?'

[of course, I still have a lot of essences, but be sure to feed me if you need help in future.]

'thank you Lily I knew that you are the only one I can rely on.'

[hehhe..]

Ethan was grateful to lily as she was willing to share some of her own energy when fighting with the 4th stage guy.

because Ethan doesn't have any qi except the remaining tiny bit of yang qi, Lily used her own qi to complete the 3rd stance of the technique.

as an ex-unknown rank cultivator, Lily was exceptionally strong, even with her soul trapped in her own sword, she was far stronger than a 5th stage cultivator.

"Yaling, try to avoid the attacks, I will take him on."

the beast looked back at the duo, the only point of victory with this beast is agility.

even though its swift speed is very dangerous, its strength is a whole lot different level than both.

"argh.."

the wolf dashed towards Ethan as Yaling moved away for a sneak attack.

"death march sword formation, 1st stance..."

moving his sword at a terrifying speed Ethan landed 30 slashes on it, in 1 sec.

*grooowwwwl*

the wolf beast growled as a few cuts appeared on his chin and front legs.

Ethan, passed by it, while the wolf landed on his spot.

....

"Ethan!! you can't.. I will call for help"

"huh? "

*whistle..*

*squeeel*

they both looked to the sky, a large shadow of a bird on the ground.

"little Xiao! here.. this is your opponent."

*squeeeel*

the eagle landed on the ground gazing at the wolf.

they both looked at each other, it's to expected as they both are 5th stage beasts they don't want to take a risk without knowing the latter's strength.

*howl*

the wolf beast howled as the atmosphere turned silent.

"it's not good, it must be calling for backup, let's leave this place at once."

before she could say anything Ethan grabbed her by her waist and pulled over her to the giant eagle.

the eagle understood the situation and flew away with both of them on its back.

but as they were flying at a distance, Ethan glanced back.

"huh! that was a close call, see there.."

Ethan pointed towards the pack of wolves that are gathering before the 5th stage beast.

"see.. how dangerous it is? let's go back!"

Yaling said looking at Ethan,

"no! we are already here don't worry, I gave you the life-saving talisman remember? just use it if you feel any danger."

she looked at him angrily,

"Why are you so persistent? just let the elders do it. what if-"

"haah.. if you want you can go back, I am not stopping you or something."

she widened her eyes before gritting her teeth, she was very pissed off by his stubbornness.

"i am definitely going to report everything to Her Grace. once we are back."

"sigh.."

_____

deep inside the forest, somewhere near a cave.

"haizx.. master? what should we do now the cracks are merging at a very fast pace, it's impossible to bring our second unit."

a man with dark purple skin and pointy ears could be seen sitting on a branch while looking at his boss.

"mm.. don't worry we have to reach our next destination, this is our only chance, the divine palm sect has another crack, it must be in their forbidden areas."

the man sitting on the boss bowed and disappeared at the same time.

"now.. what we have here? " the woman who was sitting on the chair.. his master. stood up and glanced in a certain direction.

______

back to the duo.

"Yaling... you are worrying too much, let's go to the mountains flying, then we will begin our 'search'."

"Tsk, do whatever you want just don't get yourself killed."

Yaling was very pissed off but she didn't say anything, not only he is her responsibility, but also her only friend.. yeah, for a loner like her the eagle a.k.a. little Xiao is her only friend and family.

....

after another hour they reached a lake deep inside the forest.

"Hey! look there... "

Ethan pointed at a huge stone structure middle of the lake, it looked really beautiful as a lot of small birds were sitting on the mossy stone structure.

Yaling looked at the structure very carefully, she was lost in thoughts as Ethan shook her by her shoulder.

"Yaling? what is this?"

"i-it's nothing.. I think I have seen something like this before, but.."

"really? so it's not a random structure?"

"well, I don't know.. more importantly, where are you planning to find the- what is it again"

she said changing the question,

"hehe.. it's Supreme yang lotus, I only know that it grows in a very hot climate, and if it is a lotus I think... a hot spring?"

she was feeling a bit restless, something about this forest telling her to run away asap.

As for Ethan he already knows...

<< ding >>

<< alert! demonic qi detected. >>

Ethan was surprised but at the same time was curious.

"demonic qi.. what is it?"

<< demonic qi is the stronger version of the yin-yang fusion qi. only demonic beings can cultivate this qi, as humans have weaker physics compared to demons. it's recommended host not mess with this for the time being. >>

"ah.. that's bad"

looking at Ethan mumbling Yaling pondered.

"what is it?"

"nah.. nothing."

"let's-"

as she was cut by Ethan, couldn't finish her words.

"shhh"

they both crouched near the bushes.

looking at the lake, they both felt a little pressure, but that lifted immediately.

"what is it?" she asked in a low voice.

"there.. "

Ethan pointed to the water surface, that vibrated a little, and waves flowing from a certain point.

suddenly the stone structure in the middle started to shake, but that's not all.. the river surface become foggy.

a round craved formation appeared on the stone, shining a little with dark purple light.

"Ethan.. what is this?" Yaling's heart is beating faster and faster, subconsciously she grabbed him by his shoulder.

"I don't know.. looks like some kind of teleportation formation? maybe this stone is an altar." Ethan was still very composed.

"What should we do? let's leave this place ASAP!"

"... I have a bad feeling about this, bring out the talisman, and be prepared if something were to happen tear it immediately okay?"

"..un"

The formation slowly turned into a dark coloured circle,

*ssshhhh*

with a sudden noise, a figure came out of the circle, emerging from the dark round portal a man stood on the top of the stone.

he was wearing a full set of weird-looking armour, with a spear in his hand.

Looking at the man they both felt a chill down their spine.

they took a glance at each other, ready to tear the talisman at any time, looking at the figure the only word that came out from their mouth is...

'he is strong'

it looked at the same level as the man fought with Ethan before...

"it's no use he must have sensed us already, use the talisman and get out of here," Ethan said.

"Okay let's go-"

"I can't I have something to do.."

"what do you mea-"

"don't worry he shouldn't be much stronger than the guy at the dragon gate."

"b-but.. that's" now she remembered how strong he was, is it really the trash from the Williams? she thought.

"don't worry i know my limits, i won't be fighting him, anyway."

"no! I won't, if you really are that strong, you will protect me anyway.."she said while crossing her arms, with a pouting face, making her breasts jiggle.

"sigh.. fine."