Day after day passed as Lin Mu and ng Bai settled into their new life in the secluded valley. The tranquility of the place, combined with their dedicated training, made ti flow in a structured rhythm, bringing with it both progress and a sense of stability.
Their routine had now beco well-established. ng Bai spent the mornings practicing his new spear technique, the Nine Strikes Mountain Piercing Spear, under Lin Mu's supervision. His training stretched well into the afternoon, after which he shifted his focus to writing practice until nightfall.
Writing was sothing Lin Mu had insisted on, believing that a sharp mind was just as crucial as a strong body. Once his lessons were complete, he would eat the al that Little Shrubby had prepared before focusing on absorbing the energy refined from the spirit apples Lin Mu had provided.
The speed of his absorption had been increasing steadily, and now he could fully assimilate the energy in just six hours. This was a significant improvent, as it gave him two extra hours each night, which he dedicated to refining his Spirit Sense—a vital component of any cultivator's arsenal. His dedication was evident, and even though the process was slow, it was undeniably yielding results.
Lin Mu, on the other hand, divided his ti between studying various ancient texts and assisting ng Bai in his training. He would spar with the boy, allowing him to practice attacks against a real opponent. However, much to ng Bai's frustration, even when he successfully landed a hit, it felt as though he had struck an immovable steel pillar rather than a person.
Every impact sent shockwaves up the shaft of his spear, making his arms ache and his hands sting from the sheer force of the recoil. He was astonished by Lin Mu's resilience. The man wasn't even using any defensive techniques, nor was he dodging the attacks—yet ng Bai still couldn't leave a scratch on him. Had Lin Mu actively defended himself, ng Bai knew he wouldn't have been able to land a single strike.
Despite the difficulty, the experience was invaluable. ng Bai was gradually learning the intricacies of striking a human opponent. Lin Mu's unyielding physique served as the ultimate training aid—if ng Bai could learn to deliver effective blows against such an impervious target, he would surely be able to injure ordinary cultivators with ease.
Today was no different. The valley echoed with the sounds of their sparring, the rhythmic clashing of wood against flesh resonating through the air. ng Bai was currently executing one of the moves from the spear technique, his stance steady and his grip firm.
THUD! THUD!
"HAAAH!" he exhaled sharply, twisting his spear to unleash the Earth Shaking Sweep in an attempt to trip Lin Mu.
THUD! THUD!
The spear connected with Lin Mu's legs, but instead of sweeping them out from under him, the impact felt as though he had just struck the roots of an ancient tree. Lin Mu didn't budge an inch.
ng Bai sighed, lowering his spear as he caught his breath. "Still can't do it…" he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Lin Mu observed him closely. His arms were visibly trembling from exertion, and his grip had loosened—clear signs of fatigue. Yet, he was improving. His strikes were sharper, his stamina had increased, and his body was steadily adapting to the rigorous training.
"That's enough for today," Lin Mu declared. "Go wash up."
ng Bai, grateful for the reprieve, nodded and trudged toward the waterfall that ran through the valley. The cool, cascading waters had beco his sanctuary after each grueling training session. The force of the water acted like a natural massage, soothing his aching muscles and refreshing his mind.
He slipped into the river and leaned against a smooth boulder, allowing the current to wash over him. The mont of peace was blissful. He closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation, when suddenly—
CHIRP.
ng Bai's eyes snapped open. His gaze landed on a small, black bird perched on a branch nearby.
At first, he thought nothing of it. But then, a strange realization struck him—the protective array Lin Mu had placed around their training area was supposed to keep beasts and birds out. And yet, here was this bird, sitting re ters away, watching him intently.
His brows furrowed in confusion. "How did it get in here?"
The bird let out another chirp before hopping closer, landing directly atop the boulder ng Bai was leaning against.
ng Bai's heart pounded. There was sothing unnatural about this creature. His instincts scread at him that sothing was off.
And then, it spoke.
"Who are you?" the bird asked, its voice carrying a mischievous undertone.
ng Bai's entire body jolted in shock. "WHAT THE—!?" His startled movent sent him slipping backward into the water.
SPLASH!
In his panic, he inhaled a mouthful of water, choking as he flailed about. The river's current was deceptively strong, and before he could regain his footing, it began to drag him away.
"Shit!" he thought frantically. Just as he felt himself being pulled further downstream, sothing wrapped around his arms and yanked him upward.
His head broke through the surface, and for a brief mont, he was suspended in midair. Air flooded his lungs as he gasped, struggling to comprehend what was happening.
Then, he saw them.
Two serpentine creatures, their sinuous bodies coiled around his arms, their cold, sharp eyes locking onto his.
ng Bai froze in sheer terror. His breathing turned shallow as he stared into the slitted pupils of the twin snakes that held him aloft. The weight of their presence pressed down on him like an unshakable force.
These were no ordinary creatures. The imnse aura they exuded confird one thing—they were Immortal Beasts.
His body trembled involuntarily. Even though they weren't attacking him, their sheer existence was overwhelming.
The bird, anwhile, laughed—a high-pitched, childlike sound that only made ng Bai's dread deepen.
"Hahaha! How dumb are you to drown like that?" it mocked.
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