Dawn
"I cannot linger, that Foundation Establishment cultivator. If he comes after me, I'm done for."
Li Wei approaches the impaled figure cautiously. The bone spires are solid, stained with blood. He retracts the spires slowly. The body slumps to the ground, lifeless. Li Wei examines the body closely. Blood seeps from the wounds, pooling on the ground. The young man's face is twisted in agony, eyes wide and glassy. His white robe is torn and bloodied.
The pouch is made of sturdy material, intricately woven with tiny symbols that suggest its magical nature. Li Wei tries to open it, but the clasp doesn't budge. He applies more force, his frustration growing, but it remains stubbornly shut. Intrigued by its resistance, he sets it aside for later examination.
He turns his attention to the necklace, noting the teeth strung together with a simple but strong cord. Each tooth is different, some sharp and others blunt, hinting at their origins from various beasts. He slips it over his head and immediately feels a difference. His muscles seem to respond faster, and his movements become more fluid and swift.
"This is how the young cultivator managed to catch up to me so quickly", he realises, the utility of the necklace now apparent.
Li Wei stands, testing his newfound speed by moving around the small clearing. His steps are light and swift, covering ground with ease. The boost in speed is a valuable asset, especially given the dangers still lurking in the forest.
He secures the pouch to his own belt, determined to unlock its secrets later. For now, the necklace's benefits are clear and immediate. Li Wei takes a deep breath, the night air cool against his skinN. The forest is quiet once more, the earlier chaos replaced by an uneasy calm.
"Returning to the sect poses a significant risk; Senior Huo might decide to kill me. Staying outside, however, means facing the White Crane Foundation Establishment cultivator, a certain death. Weighing my choices, it's safer to return to the Bone Ash Sect and hope Senior Huo doesn't notice my presence. The White Crane disciple has too many methods, and I'm convinced that the bird was used to track us. Nobody can beat a cultivator an entire realm above."
Li Wei runs at full speed back in the direction of the Bone Ash Sect. The necklace around his neck grants him incredible speed, making him faster than a horse. His enhanced movement feels effortless, his breathing steady due to his robust constitution. He realises this is likely because of his 9th level Qi Condensation status.
The forest blurs around him, trees whipping past as he navigates the terrain with ease. The moonlight guides his path, casting long shadows on the ground. His footsteps are light, barely touching the earth before propelling him forward again. The air is cool against his face, the wind rushing past as he moves swiftly.
Li Wei leaps over fallen logs, ducks under low branches, his movements fluid and precise. He feels the surge of energy from the necklace with each stride, his speed unmatched. The forest seems to part for him, his path clear and unimpeded.
Hours pass, but his pace doesn't falter. He marvels at his stamina, attributing it to his advanced cultivation level. The landscape changes as he travels, from dense forest to open fields, and he maintains his relentless pace.
He passes through small villages, the inhabitants unaware of the figure speeding past in the dead of night. His footsteps are silent, his presence a fleeting shadow. The sense of urgency drives him forward, the need to return to the sect paramount.
As he moves cautiously through the forest, he thinks, "Dao Feng and Lin Yue... one of them is likely doomed. Whoever the Foundation Establishment cultivator went after is dead for sure". He accepts this as normal.
"The three of us were no great friends. Better one of them die than me."
The sky begins to lighten, the first hints of dawn appearing on the horizon. Li Wei's speed remains constant, his determination unyielding. The necklace continues to work its magic, enhancing his every step.
The journey back to the Bone Ash Sect is quicker than the journey there, but it still takes a considerable amount of time. Li Wei's enhanced speed allows him to cover ground rapidly, his movements fluid and swift. The landscape changes from dense forest to open fields and then to the familiar terrain near the sect.
The sky transitions from night to dawn and finally to the bright light of day. Li Wei maintains his pace, each step purposeful. The countryside blurs around him, villages and towns passing by in a flash. He barely registers the curious glances of the villagers, focused solely on reaching his destination.
As the day progresses, he begins to see the signs of the sect. The path becomes more familiar, the landmarks he remembers from his previous journey now appearing at regular intervals.
The sun is high in the sky when he finally sees the gate of the Bone Ash Sect in the distance. Relief floods through him, but he doesn't slow down. He pushes himself harder, determined to reach the safety of the sect as quickly as possible. The gate looms larger with each step, their imposing structure a welcome sight.
As Li Wei approaches the gate, a guard steps forward, blocking his path.
"My mission was a failure," Li Wei states, keeping his voice steady.
The guard looks unimpressed. "Internal Affairs Hall deals with that. Take out your bone shard from the pile."
Li Wei moves to the side, locating his bone shard among the others. He retrieves it.
Another guard raises his arm, signaling that he can pass. Li Wei nods in acknowledgment, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety as he steps through the gate and enters the sect grounds.
As he walks through, he keeps his head down, trying to avoid drawing attention. The sect is busy with disciples going about their routines
"I need to stay vigilant", he thinks, aware that any encounter with Senior Huo could be fatal. "Move quickly, reach the cave without incident."
He navigates the winding paths. The sun casts long shadows.
Finally, he reaches his cave and slips inside. Things are as he left them. He sets his belongings down and sits on the bedding, taking a moment to catch his breath. The journey has been long and fraught with danger, but he is back within the sect's walls.
"The threat from Senior Huo is ever-present, and I must be prepared to act if necessary", Li Wei thinks. "For now, focus on the immediate need for rest and recovery. The encounter with the White Crane disciple has left me physically and mentally exhausted."
He lies back, staring at the ceiling, thoughts racing.
As he drifts into a light sleep after days of staying awake, the familiar sounds of the sect bring a sense of normalcy. The distant chatter of disciples, the rustle of leaves, and the faint hum of activity are comforting.
Li Wei wakes in his cave, the familiar surroundings bringing a sense of comfort. He feels a small sense of accomplishment from his recent sect assignment and admires the tooth necklace he obtained.
He spends the entire day trying to open the mysterious pouch he found. The pouch is made of a sturdy, intricately woven material, resistant to all his attempts to open it. He tugs at it, but the pouch refuses to yield. Concerned about breaking it, he carefully examines the symbols and craftsmanship, noting the fine details that suggest a magical seal.
"This must be opened another way. There has to be a method", he thinks.
Frustrated yet determined, he decides to pour his own qi into it. The moment his qi flows into the pouch, he feels a slight resistance, then a shift. The pouch responds, the symbols glowing faintly. Encouraged, he concentrates harder, directing a steady stream of qi into the pouch. The resistance lessens, and the pouch begins to warm under his hands.
To his surprise, items start to emerge. First, three luminescent stones, glowing softly, unlike anything he has seen before. He examines them, marvelling at their otherworldly radiance. Next, a few manuals, their covers adorned with intricate designs. Lastly, a bow with a luminous blue string appears, but it lacks arrows.