The Beast of the Yin Veined Woods

### Chapter 13: The Beast of the Yin Veined Woods

Ming Yue had been practicing his technique for a month now, and two months were left until the sect entrance examinations. During this time, he had made progress in his stealth training, but one realization struck him hard. "Why can't I happen to land accurately? Maybe it isn't accuracy. Now that I think of it, I don't even know any vital points," Ming Yue slapped his forehead, feeling foolish.

So far, he had been collecting animal hides during his stealth training and selling them all to Scholar Feng. "I wonder why he needs all those hides? Well, now that I think of it, winter is approaching. They could be sold at the market later on for a better price as they are used for blankets and all," Ming Yue thought. He had accumulated around 654 copper coins, roughly equivalent to six silver coins.

He knew that if he wanted a book about the human body's vital points, it would be expensive. Fortunately, he knew someone who might help him. "Scholar Feng, I'm coming," Ming Yue grinned.

Ming Yue went to Scholar Feng's house, knocked on the door, and slightly bowed. "Scholar Feng! I am here to ask for a favor."

Scholar Feng looked at Ming Yue and rolled his eyes. "This kid thinks he can show up at my yard anytime, does he?" he thought.

"Can you please lend a book, about the human body? If you have one," Ming Yue said as he cupped his fists.

"Do you have any money for it? It will cost you 50 silver coins," Scholar Feng said as he sipped his tea.

Ming Yue's mouth widened. He knew it would be expensive, but not this much. "Scholar Feng, you know we are close. How could you charge me? Can't you give it to me for free or something?" Ming Yue said, looking away, embarrassed.

Scholar Feng's eyes twitched violently. "This brat!" he thought. "Here's a deal. The villagers have been complaining about an issue with a beast reducing the yields of the Yin Veined Wood. The guards said they would deal with it, but as you know, they are incompetent. So, you should go, and I will give it to you for free," Scholar Feng said after lamenting.

Ming Yue's eyes turned serious. "Why me, old man?" Ming Yue asked, scanning with cold eyes.

Scholar Feng was shocked by the change in attitude. "Well, currently, some other beasts appeared far north. Fearing they would come here and destroy livestock, the guards journeyed there. You are the only one left, and if you agree to go, I will even give you a Dao sword. It's a peak-grade mortal weapon, very strong," Scholar Feng explained.

Ming Yue had no choice but to agree. The rewards were too enticing, and he knew this could be dangerous. He ventured into the forest, the path leading to the Yin Veined Trees. The trees were tall, with white sharp leaves, brown bark with azure veins that dimmed and lit in unison.

As he reached the center, Ming Yue saw a bear his size, white in color with blue eyes and blue claws, sleeping peacefully. The Yin Qi in the environment was drawing towards the bear. "So it's cultivating. Judging by the aura, it's likely stronger than me. But with the training I've been doing and the Rapid Viper Style, it's time to test it," Ming Yue thought.

He drew the Dao sword Scholar Feng had given him. The sword was beautiful, with a blue scabbard and symbols carved in blue. He steadied his breath, knowing the battle would be tough.

As he approached, the bear stirred, its blue eyes snapping open. With a roar, it lunged at Ming Yue, its claws swiping through the air.

Ming Yue dodged, barely avoiding the sharp claws. "Shit, this is bad," he thought. He needed to exploit the bear's weaknesses. Remembering his training, he focused on the Rapid Viper Style, aiming for vital points.

He struck with the Dao sword, aiming for the bear's neck. The bear moved surprisingly fast, blocking the attack with its forearm. The force of the impact sent Ming Yue stumbling back. "It's stronger than I thought," he muttered.

The bear roared again, its blue eyes glowing with fury. It charged at Ming Yue, who rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. He needed to use his Chaos Qi, but he knew it wouldn't be enough to kill the bear outright. He focused, channeling the Chaos Qi into his sword.

With a swift motion, he struck the bear's flank, the Chaos Qi corroding the flesh. The bear roared in pain, but the wound wasn't deep enough to incapacitate it. Ming Yue felt the strain of using the Chaos Qi. It was powerful, but he didn't have enough of it to sustain a prolonged fight.

The bear swiped at him again, and this time Ming Yue wasn't quick enough. The claws raked across his arm, and he hissed in pain. Blood seeped through his clothes, and he gritted his teeth. "I can't keep this up," he thought. "I need to end this quickly."

He remembered the training for the Rapid Viper Style, focusing on pinpointed attacks. He had to be precise. He waited for the bear to charge again, and when it did, he dodged to the side and struck at its hind leg. The Chaos Qi corroded the muscle, and the bear stumbled, its movement slowing.

But as soon as lunged forward to at a fast speed, the bear roared and the corroded leg started regenerating at a rapid rate. Ming Yue was taken aback and the problem now was that he was heading for the bears claws and if he tried to block, the sword would be thrown away leaving him disarmed. "Think, think, think!" Ming Yue's eyes shined, he had figured it out.

As the attack came, Ming Yue's footwork changed abruptly. The claw clashed with the sword, but if someone looked at it from another point of view it seemed as though the sword had just been tossed away, it looked as though the sword had no user as it had no direction. "By using the Shadow Void's footwork which has the rule of flowing with the environment, and the first form of the Rapid Viper style. I can combine these for a good way to avoid attacks, if l had the qi patternsto the Shadow Void mobility technique the fight would have ended long ago,"

MIng Yue was able to deflect the attack easily and used the first form of the Rapid Viper style: Spirit Guided Strike, which formed a unity of master and weapon letting it flow effortlessly in the air and this results in swift and unpredictable attacks that seem to come from the weapon itself than the wielder.

But though he had deflected the swipe, to stop it from disarming him, it still came crashing down his back and making blood spray out.

But Ming Yue's training in concentration had been working, he used the the first form to effortlessly cause dozens of deep cuts. The bear roared in pain as it continued swiping, but Ming Yue was now determined to end this fast as his qi would drop and it was better to cause a devastating attack than letting his qi pool dry by inflicting small injuries.

This time he was going to use the second form to end it fast, though it would drain a huge amount of his qi. Rapid Viper style: Swiftkill strike, an attack purely for killing and had a lot of misdirected and feint attacks.

The bear tried to block as it saw the incoming attack, but it was still recovering from it's injuries. Ming Yue dashed his attack seemingly aimed at the hind legs, the bear hurriedly tried clawing him.

Ming Yue saw his chance. He leaped forward, aiming for the bear's throat as the image of a viper coiling around the bears neck as it bore it's fangs out. The bear roared and swiped at him, but he was faster this time. He struck with all his strength and a beautiful blue arc with a hue of red appeared, the Chaos Qi surging through his sword. The blade pierced the bear's throat as blood sprayed on him and painting the clouded sky red and the white leaves of the Yin Vein Wood, and with a final roar, it collapsed.

Breathing heavily, Ming Yue stood over the fallen bear. His body ached, and his arm and back throbbed with pain. He had done it. He had defeated a beast stronger than him. The Chaos Qi had proven its worth, though he knew he still had much to learn.

As he sheathed his sword, he looked at the bear's lifeless body. "I did it," he whispered, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. But he knew this was only the beginning. There would be more challenges ahead, and he needed to be ready.

With the bear slain, Ming Yue collected its hide and claws, knowing they would fetch a good price. He made his way back to the village, his thoughts on the future. The sect entrance examination was still two months away, and he needed to prepare. But for now, he had overcome another obstacle on his path to power.