Wait and Watch

The night air in the forest was thick with tension as Zhou Yin and I crouched behind a cluster of thick bushes, peering through the dense foliage. We'd finally located the lair of the beast—the guardian of the Celestial Blossom.

The glow of the rare herb shone softly from a patch of ground near a moss-covered boulder, its allure potent even from this distance. The herb's worth was immeasurable; its energy could help a warrior at the peak of level 6 Body Refining leap to level 7—or even level 8—depending on their aptitude.

But our plans were complicated. The Yan Clan patrol was here, led by none other than Yan Cheng, a formidable Qi Refining level 1 cultivator known for his ruthless efficiency.

Yan Cheng, a man in his thirties with a perpetual scowl and a reputation as the clan's enforcer, paced with his squad of subordinates. His voice cut through the night, sharp and demanding as he spoke to the group of six men gathered before him.

"All right, listen up! This beast may only be at level 7, but don't get complacent," he said, his voice barely masking irritation. "It's a guardian beast and tougher than any creature you've encountered at this level."

I shared a glance with Zhou Yin. She had a small frown, her eyes narrowing with concern. "That's no ordinary level 7 beast. I can feel its strength even from here," she whispered. "It's definitely close to a Qi Refining level in power."

I nodded, my eyes fixed on Yan Cheng and his men. "You're right. This is a half-step Monster Beast. That means it has the strength to rival Qi Refining warriors, even if it hasn't broken through completely."

The Body Refining realm limits warriors to internal power use, meaning their strength and Qi remain confined within their bodies for attacks and defense. However, once they break through to the Qi Refining realm, cultivators gain access to spirit Qi, which allows them to briefly soar and project their Qi externally, either for enhanced offense or defensive techniques. This advancement signifies a substantial increase in power and versatility, marking a critical leap in a cultivator's journey.

With each breakthrough, they harness spirit Qi more freely, vastly amplifying their combat ability and mobility. This transformation into the Qi Refining realm is a vital milestone on a cultivator's path, opening doors to greater realms of power and technique.

Zhou Yin gave a subtle nod. "This might actually work to our advantage. If they're not prepared for its true power, we could use the distraction to get the herb."

My mind raced as I analyzed the situation. The Yan Clan had numbers, but the half-step Monster Beast's physical prowess was formidable. It would take the whole team just to keep it in check. They'd have no reason to think someone else would slip in for the Celestial Blossom.

"I've got a plan," I whispered, leaning close to Zhou Yin. "Let them start the fight. Once they're fully engaged, their attention will be locked on the beast. When the chaos reaches its peak, I'll slip in, take the herb, and then we make a quick escape."

Zhou Yin's face broke into a faint smile. "A smart plan. But be careful. Yan Cheng isn't just a brute; he's a sharp one, and his instincts are on edge."

"Then let's wait for the right moment." I held up a hand, signaling silence as the Yan Clan squad prepared to attack.

Yan Cheng raised his fist, signaling his team to ready themselves. "Form up! Circle the beast. We'll tire it out before going in for the kill."

The squad fanned out, surrounding the lair as the beast—a massive boar with a hide tougher than any armor I'd seen—emerged. Its dark eyes gleamed with a primal ferocity, tusks glinting in the moonlight as it let out a low growl, sensing the threat. I could almost feel the tension radiate from the Yan Clan squad as they realized just how formidable this opponent truly was.

"Stay sharp!" Yan Cheng's command rang out. "This is not an ordinary beast. And remember, we're here for that herb. Don't mess it up."

One of his subordinates, a brawny man with a scar across his jaw, chuckled under his breath. "It's just a boar. Big and ugly, but we've got the numbers. Let's make this quick."

Yan Cheng shot him a glare. "Arrogance will get you killed out here. Stay focused, or you'll be this beast's next meal."

The men tensed up, clearly realizing their leader was dead serious. But by then, the half-step Monster Beast had already made its first move, launching itself forward with a speed that belied its bulky frame. Its tusks slashed through the air, nearly catching one of the Yan Clan members off-guard. The man staggered back, shock evident on his face as he struggled to regain his balance.

Yan Cheng's voice cracked like a whip. "Stop slacking! Surround it! Wear it down!"

The patrol tightened their formation, attacking with synchronized strikes. But the beast was relentless, its thick hide deflecting their blows as it responded with ferocious swipes. Despite being surrounded, the boar showed no signs of slowing down, each blow from its tusks and hooves forcing the Yan Clan warriors to scramble.

I nudged Zhou Yin, motioning that I was about to make my move. "Stay here and keep watch. I'll grab the herb and be back before they notice a thing."

Moving stealthily, I crept around the edge of the clearing, my eyes locked on the softly glowing Celestial Blossom just a few yards away. With the Yan Clan so focused on containing the beast, they hadn't noticed me slip into the lair. I reached out, carefully plucking the herb and tucking it into my bag, every nerve in my body alert to the battle just feet away.

But in that moment, something shifted. The beast's snout flared, and its dark eyes suddenly turned in my direction. A guttural snarl escaped its throat, as if it had sensed that its precious herb was gone.

I froze, holding my breath as the beast shook off a blow from one of the Yan Clan warriors and turned toward its lair, its gaze filled with fury. Zhou Yin's voice echoed in my mind, cautioning me to stay careful. I couldn't stay any longer—I had to move.

I retraced my steps as fast as possible, catching Zhou Yin's eye from our hiding place. But as the boar approached its empty lair, its snarl became a roar of rage. Yan Cheng noticed the beast's shift in focus and tried to redirect his men, but the monster's wrath was fully unleashed now.

"What's going on?" one of the Yan Clan subordinates stammered, confusion evident in his voice.

Yan Cheng's eyes narrowed as he realized the beast was no longer interested in their attacks. "Something's wrong… It's looking for the herb. Someone must have taken it!"

The beast's rage intensified as it lunged toward the Yan Clan squad, its tusks slashing through the air with deadly precision. It didn't care about their numbers or their weapons—its only intent was to unleash its fury upon them.

"Fall back! Regroup!" Yan Cheng ordered, but his voice held a note of desperation now. He'd been outplayed, and he knew it.

Zhou Yin and I shared a look, a silent agreement passing between us. We'd accomplished what we'd set out to do, and now was our chance to escape.

As we slipped further into the shadows, the sounds of the Yan Clan squad's desperate struggle faded into the distance. Zhou Yin let out a breath of relief, glancing back with a smirk. "I think we managed to make quite the impression."

I allowed myself a small grin, glancing down at the Celestial Blossom tucked securely in my bag. "They got more than they bargained for. This herb is worth a small fortune in resources and breakthroughs."

Zhou Yin nodded, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Thank you for helping me with this. I didn't expect things to work out this well."

"We took a calculated risk, and it paid off," I replied, keeping my gaze forward. "But remember, the Yan Clan won't forget this. They'll be on guard if they suspect I was involved."

She gave a small laugh. "Then we'd better stay out of their path for a while."

With the herb in hand and the forest returning to its usual quiet, we made our way through the trees, leaving the Yan Clan's chaos far behind.