Back in the basic beast forest Shi Xuegang had met up with Da Chang and another cultivator named Josh Tyler. Josh was the scion of middle level martial clan that specialised in punching techniques. He was dressed in well made white combat robes fit for a warrior of average height, around 180cm along with spiked gauntlets.

The prince Shi ran into Da Chang a few days prior on a treasure hunt. After meeting up the two decided to team up for better chance at survival. This team up led them into meeting up with the new guy Josh.

Previously Josh was trapped by a carnivorous plant demon when the duo stumbled upon him crying for help. Having been raised to be a morally just person Da Chang rushed to help out the man. After which Josh decided to accompany the two in order to repay them for helping him out.

Being from areas owned by the Searing Sun empire, Josh was treated with suspicion by the prince Shi. This was because citizens of one territory would usually enter that territories holy grounds. Being from Searing Sun empire lands Josh would’ve normally entered the Royal academy there. However reason however, Josh decided to come the the Sacred Beast Kingdom lands and entered the Sacred Beast Sect.

So as they were making their way to the large energy source, Shi Xuegang kept a close eye on Josh. It seemed he sure that the blond man would stab him in the back any moment. Even now as they are moving along the treetops Shi Xuegang was still making sure Josh doesn’t leave his line of sight.

“Hey Xuegang, why’re you giving Josh the stink eye? You’re gana make us look bad” Da Chang mentally communicated to the prince after noticing his behaviour. “Are you kidding brother Da? This guy is from a foreign territory, what’s stopping him from being a spy?” Shi Xuegang answered back.

“Come on brother Shi, just because you’re from another country doesn’t automatically make you a spy. Even many of the participants are not natives of the Sacred Beast Kingdom” Da Chang replied back.

“Yes but their home nations are under the jurisdiction of the Sacred Beast Sect holy land. Even our Sacred Beast kingdom is under their rule. What reason would someone from the territories of the Searing Sun empire come all the way here?” Shi Xuegang looked at Josh from the corner of his eye. Josh was blond and blue eyes like most people from the Searing Sun empire, he was also fairly skinny and very handsome to the point where it seemed unnatural.

“Ah but brother Shi, not everyone’s like that” Da Chang began but was interrupted by another voice. “Um, what are you two talking about?” It was Josh. The blond man had in fact noticed the two having a private mental conversation and decided be included. The three were working together after all and excluding a team member is a sign towards betrayal especially in the cultivation world.

“It was nothing” Shi Xuegang hurriedly said before speeding up, “Come on, we don’t have all day”. Seeing the prince charging ahead, Da Chang and Josh charged after him. At this time Da Chang decided to reassure Josh“Hey Josh, don’t mind brother Shi, he’s just. Ah whats the word”.

“Suspicious?” Josh suggested. “No, he’s, he’s. He’s on edge thats all” Da Chang replied quickly not wanting the blond to get the wrong idea. “Brother Shi has been surviving on his own in this environment for days now. I don’t blame him to be on edge”. Seeing Josh understanding Da Chang though to himself, ‘No way this guys a spy, he’s too understanding and nice’.

‘Brother Da is too naive’ Shi Xuegang who had been observing the two without them noticing frowned. ‘Something’s off with that Josh. I just can’t put my finger on it’ Shi Xuegang narrowed his eyes in though. Because of his royal training, Shi Xuegang was highly suspicious of anyone not from within the Sacred Beast Sect territories.

This was because all nations within these territories belonged to and where loyal to the Sect including his own Sacred Beast Kingdom which until now have had the exalted position of being the leader of all the kingdoms under the Sacred Beast Sect. While the two share a similar name, their status and power is worlds apart. The Sacred Beast Kingdom is owned by the Sacred Beast Sect and have stayed in power because the sect said so.

In the shadows of the night, the three had made camp. Shi Xuegang had opted to stay on watch while the other two got some rest. Da Chang and Josh Tyler were now both asleep by midnight while the prince Shi was still on watch. Being cultivators they didn’t really need sleep but used it as a way to conserve energy and also to restore their mental strength. Since hey had yet to reach Gazing Nirvana realm, all three of them did not have the ability to remain awake and mentally strong night indefinitely. The three had then decided to rest atop a large branch.

A faint rosy smell enveloped the air. He smell was so faint that it avoided the prince’s detection while he was in though. Shi Xuegang was going over his sword techniques and any improvements he could make. His battle with the Qiong Qi tiger had inspired him to add more force to his attacks.

While he was already very powerful, he still lacked the punching power needed the pierce through powerful defences. After his fight with FengHuang, Shi Xuegang had realised how weak his sword force still was and would need major improvements if he wanted to defeat opponents of higher cultivation. The battle with the Qiong Qi just reinforced this.

‘let’s see, if I were to apply a slight rotation in my initial strike, I would be able to dent stronger defences. Or maybe a full twisting attack to make a drill strike. But spinning like that would disorientate me. But it also……. What is that?” At this moment Shi Xuegang smelled a faint rosy smell.

‘What is this?’ Getting to his feat the prince franticly looked around. There was a shadow on one of the smaller branches. Thinking fast Shi Xuegang shot a blast of concentrated sword Qi at the shadowy figure who bolted out of the way. ‘Damn, this guy is slippery. I need to, need to, need to. What is?’ Shi Xuegang suddenly found it hard to think.

The shadow reappeared on another brach and thew a sharp tree brach at the prince. ‘What’s going on with me?’ Still in a daze the prince barely noticed the branch and jumped out of the way in time. The brach stabbed directly into the large tree brach he was standing on breaking it. The prince leaped off the falling branch to a higher one leaving the sleeping Da Chang and Josh.

‘What’s going on? They should be awake may now.’ Shi Xuegang could smell the rosy smell more now and found pleasant. He also set tired and an extreme desire to sleep. ‘That’s it the smell’ Shi Xuegang although realised the problem could no longer remain in combat for long. His eyes were drooping and his mind was shutting down.

The shadow only continued to attack by throwing small wood projectiles at the prince who was having a lot of trouble dodging. ‘This is really bad’ Shi Xuegang’s mental strength was almost gone now. ‘Sleep doesn’t seem so bad, maybe I should just close my eyes for a. No, I need to concentrate’ however that brief slight hesitation was all the attacker needed.

Within moments, the shadow moved to the prince and struck out with its fist. This strike hit Shi Xuegang with enough force to send him flying into a nearby tree creating a crater in the bark. ‘Shit’ the prince coughed blood as he struggled to get up. With little ability to think straight he plummeted down to a lower branch. ‘Internal bleeding, this is bad’ he could see his talisman glowing seemingly wishing to take him out of the exam, any further damage and he would be teleported out.

‘Just what am I gana do’ looking up he saw the shadow land infant of him it’s feat gripped onto the branch.

“Heh Heh, not so tough now eh slayer of old Tong” the figure stepped forward revealing an ape covered in silver fur, “You’re gana pay for killing my friend”.