"The Journey Begins" (3)
The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting fragmented beams of light onto the forest floor. Yohan led the way, his movements purposeful yet cautious. Elara followed close behind, her staff at the ready, her gaze darting to every rustling bush and swaying branch. The forest seemed alive with unseen eyes, and both travelers knew they couldn't afford to drop their guard.
"We should reach the outskirts of the forest by mid-afternoon if we keep this pace," Yohan said, breaking the silence.
Elara nodded, though the fatigue in her steps was apparent. "And after that?"
"There's a town nearby. We'll restock there before heading to the Verdant Sky Sect."
Elara hesitated, then asked, "Do you think we'll run into more trouble?"
Yohan glanced back at her, his expression unreadable. "Always assume there will be trouble. It's the only way to survive."
They pressed on, the terrain becoming more uneven as they climbed over gnarled roots and wove through dense thickets. Along the way, Yohan dispatched a few low-tier and mis-tier beasts with quick, precise strikes of his dagger, earning a modest sum of Path Tokens.
"Path Tokens: 150," the system informed him after his latest kill.
Elara watched him with a mix of awe and unease. His efficiency in combat was undeniable, but his cold demeanor made it hard to tell if he even registered the danger they faced.
"Do you ever think about the lives you take?" she asked suddenly.
Yohan paused, cleaning his dagger on a patch of moss. "I think about survival," he said simply. "Hesitation gets you killed."
Her grip tightened on her staff, but she didn't press the issue. Instead, she focused on matching his pace as they continued their journey.
By the time they reached the town, night had fallen, and the streets were quiet save for the occasional passerby. The town was modest, with a few cobblestone streets and buildings clustered around a central market square. Lanterns cast warm, flickering light, illuminating signs for various shops and inns.
Yohan led the way to the largest inn, its wooden sign depicting a crescent moon and a sleeping cat. Inside, the common room was sparsely populated, with only a few patrons nursing drinks at the bar.
Approaching the innkeeper, Yohan kept his voice low and direct. "We need a room."
The innkeeper, a stout man with a graying beard, sighed. "You're in luck—barely. We've got one room left, but it's the last one, and it's a single."
Yohan's expression didn't change, but he could feel Elara's eyes on him. "We'll take it," he said without hesitation, handing over the necessary coin.
The room was small but clean, with a single bed pushed against the wall and a modest table near the window. A faint scent of lavender lingered in the air.
Elara stood in the doorway, her cheeks tinged pink. "I can sleep on the floor," she offered.
Yohan shook his head. "You'll take the bed. I don't need much sleep."
Without waiting for her response, he set his belongings on the table and sat down, his back to the wall. From his satchel, he retrieved the healing pills and checked his dagger, his movements methodical.
Elara hesitated but eventually set her staff against the wall and climbed into the bed, pulling the blanket up to her chin. "Thank you," she murmured.
Yohan didn't reply. Instead, he focused inward, activating the system. A familiar interface materialized in his mind, showing his status and inventory.
Name: Yohan Long
Age: 17
Path Tokens: 675
Cultivation: First Stage of the Spirit Transformation Realm
Cultivation Technique: None
Skills: Shadow Step 100%
Bloodline: Dormant
Physique: Dormant
Spirit: ???
Weaknesses: None
Scrolling through the shop, his eyes caught on a new entry: Dual Cultivation Technique: Harmony of Shadows and Light.
"What's this?" he asked, his voice low so as not to disturb Elara.
The system responded in its usual monotone.
"This technique allows dual cultivation between compatible partners, enhancing both parties' cultivation speeds and synergy. It aligns with the host's current environment and emotional state. The shop inventory adapts based on the host's surroundings and desires."
Yohan frowned. "Why would I need something like this?"
"Dual cultivation is an effective method of growth, particularly in a sect environment. It also fosters stronger bonds between individuals, which could prove advantageous in the long term."
He glanced over at Elara, her figure barely visible beneath the blanket. Her breathing had evened out, indicating she was asleep.
Turning his focus back to the system, Yohan debated the purchase. "Cost?"
"300 Path Tokens."
He clenched his jaw. It was a significant investment, but the system rarely recommended something without purpose. After a moment's hesitation, he selected the technique, watching as the tokens deducted from his total leaving him with 375.
"Acquired: Harmony of Shadows and Light."
The knowledge flooded his mind, the intricacies of the technique revealing themselves like an ancient scroll being unfurled. Yohan exhaled slowly, filing it away for later use.
For now, his priority was ensuring they reached the Verdant Sky Sect safely.
The morning sun spilled through the inn's small window as Yohan sat cross-legged on the floor, his thoughts focused on the journey ahead. Elara, already awake and seated at the table, sipped on a cup of tea she had brought from the innkeeper.
"We should leave soon," she said, glancing at him. "I overheard travelers talking about an entry test at the Verdant Sky Sect. If we want to join, we'll need to get there in time."
Yohan nodded, his crimson eyes gleaming with determination. "Then we leave today."
Before they departed, Yohan opened the system, his mind intent on securing better equipment. He navigated to the shop, quickly scanning through the inventory. Two items caught his attention:
Weapons: Shadowfang DaggersA pair of sleek, obsidian-black daggers with a faint red hue along the edges. Lightweight and perfectly balanced for precision strikes. The blades are enchanted to self-repair when damaged, ensuring they are always in peak condition. Cost: 200 Path Tokens.
Armor: Nightshade ArmorA fitted black leather armor set designed for maximum mobility and stealth. Reinforced with a flexible yet durable material that provides protection without sacrificing agility. Enchanted to self-repair over time, keeping it in pristine condition. Cost: 175 Path Tokens.
With 375 Path Tokens remaining, Yohan made the purchase, his token count dropping to zero.
"Acquired: Nightshade Armor and Shadowfang Daggers."
As the new items materialized into his inventory, the system's monotone voice chimed in.
"Now that Shadow Step is fully mastered, the host has unlocked a new skill: Phantom Slash. This technique allows the user to unleash a high-speed strike that creates a phantom image, confusing enemies and increasing damage potential."
Yohan examined his new gear, equipping the daggers and armor. The leather fit him perfectly, its design sleek and utilitarian. The daggers felt like an extension of his hands, their balance flawless.
Elara watched him curiously. "You've upgraded," she noted, she didn't even bother asking where he got that stuff, she knew he wouldn't answer.
"We'll need every advantage we can get," he replied.
Before stepping out of the room, Yohan asked the system one last question. "How many Path Tokens do I get for each kill?"
"Low-tier beasts: 5 tokens. Mid-tier beasts: 20 tokens. High-tier beasts: 100 tokens. Bandits: 100 to 500 tokens, depending on their cultivation level."
Yohan needed more Path Tokens to purchase the another cultivation technique because he didn't plan to use the Harmony of Shadow and Light technique often. Turning inward, he asked, "System, is there any way to earn Path Tokens faster? I need a cultivation technique, but I've used everything I have."
The system's voice responded with its usual calm precision. "Host can earn additional Path Tokens by completing system-assigned challenges, or targeting enemies with higher cultivation levels. Efficiency in battle, critical hits, and overcoming opponents beyond the Host's level can also result in bonus rewards."
Yohan frowned, digesting the information. "Challenges huh? Guess I'll have to keep an eye out." Determined to secure the cultivation technique he needed, he resolved to push himself harder in the days to come.
Satisfied with the information, Yohan turned to Elara. "Let's move. We don't have time to waste."
The pair left the inn, the bustling town streets already alive with merchants and travelers. Clad in his new gear and armed with the assassin daggers, Yohan led the way, his mind focused on the path to the Verdant Sky Sect and the challenges that lay ahead.