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🕑 Added 2022-05-06 16:01:06 +0000 UTCTitle: Crossroads (5)
A week was left before their God's wedding, and the first of many, Bi Ji assumed given that Ja Sun didn't seem to differentiate between status that much and had women flocking around him for some reason. Truly... he was just a scammer. Bi Ji knew better. But she needed help in preparations and she couldn't possibly ask Bibi Dong or Ah Yin for several reasons but most of it boiled down to Bi Ji's own behavior and nature. She liked this kind of managerial work more than just being the Big Sister in the King's Lair and she knew someone who could help her.
Of all the human team members, Bi Ji found Yuehua the most pleasing to her eyes, and for good reasons, too. Yuehua was soft-spoken and gentle. Determined, too. She tidied herself well and always presented herself in a gentle demeanor, that, for the most part, matched her nature. And even if she wasn't the strongest in the group, just the fact she was willing to face Zi Ji of all people to train even if for a few minutes for the past week spoke a lot about her attitude.
And, Bi Ji was led to believe is anyone can actually pull a good decoration of the sight for the Beast God then starting by asking Yuehua was a good choice.
But Bi Ji couldn't bring herself to interrupt Yuehua. The blue-haired woman had her long hair tied into a tight bun that was pinned using the same wardrobe ring she had acquired from Ja Sun... even now, thinking about the strangely translucent bunny costume would make her blush in shame and indignance towards his antics!
She wore light but calf-lengthed boots and a turquoise training outfit while the Clear Phoenix trotted beside her. She could ride her Phoenix, it was large enough to support an adult to fly, after all, but Yuehua chose to cover the distance on the ground. She hadn't called for support and this made Yuehua a little nervous. After all... it wasn't like her to be impulsive.
---
"Impulsive?" Yuehua frowned as she looked at Zi Ji a few days prior. Still bound by a rather straining purple dress that didn't leave much to the imagination as ink-purple scales grew from some areas of her exposed pale skin, Zi Ji nodded and replied, "Yeah... look at her. She is always eager to fight." Zi Ji pointed at Erlong and continued, "If you deconstruct it, then you have an objective to fight, and the eagerness for victory. But eagerness alone wouldn't help you. There needs to be an impulse for your goal. A deep-rooted desire for victory... which you don't have."
Zi Ji was right. Although the dragon in the human skin did not know of Yuehua's origin, she was right in concluding such. While Yuehua strived to do better and match up with the expectations of those around her, she did not have an impulse to fight just as much as she didn't have an impulse for violence.
"So... it is better to stop now. And think, no, in fact, do the opposite. Don't think. I am going to ask you something in the next few seconds and you will only have a few moments to answer. If you think too deeply, I will slap you unconscious."
Zi Ji stated somberly while Erlong grew curious.
"Ready?"
Yuehua understood what Zi Ji was doing and nodded, readying herself.
"Do you want to kill?"
"No."
"Do you want to learn?"
"Yes."
"Do you like defeat?"
"No!" There was finally a bit of response in Yuehua's tone as Zi Ji narrowed her eyes.
"Do you like victory?"
"No." Yuehua blinked in surprise. She never thought this would be her reply and even Erlong was surprised.
"You don't like to kill, you don't like the taste of defeat, you don't like victory either and you like to learn things... what is it that YOU want!" Zi Ji snapped with a feral growl, her tone turned commanding as Zi Ji stiffened and answered, "I want to grow strong while avoiding as much bloodshed as possible!"
When she said this, Yuehua fully expected to be taunted. After all, she knew that in this cruel world, holding such thoughts was naive at best and fatal at worst but this is what she wanted. A selfish path just for her. To grow strong without blood on her hands.
"So... you want to face a world of strength that will come at you with an intent to kill but you don't want to kill in return and defeat them still... hmm, so you have an objective. And you do sound impulsive." Zi Ji traced her chin with an amused expression as Yuehua was surprised by this reaction, "So, all you have to do is think of a way and make your goal work."
And then Zi Ji's slap of unconsciousness descended upon Yuehua.
---
Recalling that made Yuehua's healed cheek sting once again. She wasn't a frail being, after all, she endured the mental acupuncture technique by Ja Sun when she started her training and it allowed Yuehua to interact with the Clear Phoenix more appropriately without letting the will of the Clear Phoenix influence her.
Sighing softly, she reaffirmed her decision to do this alone. Only by actually risking herself would she be able to try and achieve her selfish path. Her siblings are the same, Ja Sun, too happened to be the same. But the sinking sensation in her stomach was hard to deal with.
Each step of her covered feet crunching on the slightly dried grass resounded within her. The Clear Phoenix could sense her nervousness and continued to communicate with her through its emotions, assuring her that it would win this time without a doubt.
But Yuehua didn't dare lose her control over the Clear Phoenix. Hers was a martial soul that could be 'killed.' She didn't want her Clear Phoenix to jump into battle without any thoughts once again.
This wasn't a battle in the first place. This was a hunt.
Yuehua and Clear Phoenix soon encroached on the territory of the Windswept Deers while Bi Ji silently trailed behind.
The Windswept Deers rarely left their marked territories. They were entirely dependent on the vegetation around them and were also quick as hell. The element of wind loved these beasts but then again, elemental beasts are loved by their respective elements anyway.
Yuehua had to separate the deers. The leader was the one that Clear Phoenix settled on and Yuehua didn't find it smart to tackle others. Another thing, like any deer species, the Windswept Deers are prone to panic when a loud and sudden noise enters their senses. Yuehua sighed softly and took out a weapon from her storage ring.
It was a handgun, at least, that's what Ja Sun called it. In total, he had only made two of these guns and no more. One for Oscar and the other one for her, claiming that the arrays on the weapon will absorb the spirit energy and then let out a compressed attack where the muzzle is pointed. Since it is dependent on the spirit energy, the stronger the user, the stronger the attack.
But Oscar's and Yuehua's gun was different. Oscar's gun had a form of scattering effect that divided the compressed form of energy into tinier pieces that would blast outwards while Yuehua's was a single target weapon.
Bibi Dong saw great potential in these weapons but she wasn't about to push Ja Sun when he had denied making any more of them. He didn't just state that the weapons were boring... well, they were, to him. But his further explanation of how the weapons would only serve to dilute the center of authority convinced Bibi Dong to not open this particular pandora's box.
Thus, Yuehua kept a safe distance and silently aimed at the 19000-year-old Windswept Deer. She had steeled her heart and silently aimed at the beast's body, close to its neck, as the beast slept under the protection of its herd. Her path stopped becoming that of no bloodshed the moment Clear Phoenix hunted a beast for her. So, she would adopt a path of minimalistic bloodshed. As long as she felt like not killing, she wouldn't. This also meant that right now, she needed to do this.
It was her decision.
The runic patterns on the silver handgun that Ja Sun called a Magnum lit up. The revolving chamber of the gun began to charge up.
She looked at the peaceful deer far from her. Her eyes silently observed the beast. Once again, she felt her breathing turning shallow and her heart dropping alongside the sink in her stomach. Throwing up would help... but she couldn't do that. Not after developing until now.
For a second, she imagined what it would have been like if her Brother Hao would have reciprocated her feelings... but she knew damn well that even if he didn't have anyone in his life, her pursuit was bound to fail. The thought of it would have evoked similar reactions she felt now. But... not anymore. She didn't know why. Maybe just living her life without any overt concern helped her move on. Maybe it was due to an external stimulus. Yuehua wasn't sure.
But change had become a part of her.
Assuring the worried Clear Phoenix who anxiously wanted to jump into the fray and take out the beasts with dignity, Yuehua once again viewed the peaceful beast.
She was once peaceful... just like the beast.
Just because the beast wasn't antagonizing her, she was here... preparing to hunt it.
In this cruel world, she must adapt. What she can have, she must. What she can't, she should let go and move on. The world wouldn't stop for her so all she has to do is pick up her pace.
Exhaling, Yuehua whispered, "I won't regret this..." The words were plain. They were a fact. She won't regret getting strong.
*Bang*
---
"Fufu, quite worried for your friend, right?"
Yuehua could try and escape silently but she would get noticed nonetheless and Bi Ji, would, of course, find the particular stalking party and keep herself even hidden from them.
Liu Erlong yelped in surprise and then blushed, "So what?" Her tone softened as she stuttered weakly, finding the prospect of getting labeled as a hawing and fussing woman quite embarrassing.
"Hmm, nothing," Bi Ji quipped with a smile and giggled, "Shouldn't you keep a watch over her now? If you remain shy and someone powerful attacks her, then what?"
Although Bi Ji herself did not promote violence, she had seen enough deaths. It was natural. Beasts needed to eat in order to grow.
As Liu Erlong gazed at the voluptuous green-haired woman with unbound mature charm, she snorted, "Whatever!" Unwilling to enter into an argument since the odds were stacked against her, she grew closer to Yuehua but still kept herself hidden.
As Erlong left, Bi Ji looked in a particular direction and smiled, "Hmm, and what's your excuse? Did the demon actually worry for a human?"
Walking out from the shadows and blushing deeply, Zi Ji muttered weakly, "Sister Bi Ji... it's nothing like that... I just wanted to see if she can do it or not..."
Unknown to them, a blue silver grass continued to hide within the patch of green grass.
***
"Did she do it?"
Near Emerald Lake, Yuehua's team gathered around Ah Yin as Ja Sun taught his students in a more... pleasant mood for some reason.
Smilingly, Ah Yin replied, "The gun didn't manage to kill the beast due to the difference in strength but Yuehua and her Phoenix did complete the job. Yuehua was the one who shot the beast dead eventually and if absorbing the spirit ring."
"It's her first kill, right?" Xie Xan frowned, "Would she be alright absorbing a 10000-year-old ring in this condition and face her first soul shock?"
"It's alright. She used her domain to calm her mind and only then began to absorb it. Her condition is within an acceptable range," Ah Yin replied as Bibi Dong and others sighed in relief.
"Not to mention, Erlong snuck out and followed her... amongst the few," Ah Yin chuckled.
Evidently, Yuehua couldn't hide herself from anyone but her team also made the note to not help her since she hadn't asked for it. This was also a wake-up call for Bibi Dong. If even a support spirit master can hunt alone using the guns then Bibi Dong didn't want to introduce these weapons unless absolutely necessary.
