~/``````````````````````/~

Zhou Huan was currently staring at the slain ape beast in front of him.

His hands were trmbling as he layed on his knees.

The fine gear he had before was forced to be confiscated and he was left to deal with simple clothing.

No spear and shield. Just a small little dagger with fire core imbued into it.

Huan's haggard breathing and countless wounds on his body, showed how tough the battle was.

Though with all that being said, his feeling right now was not relief but instead anger. It was all due to his dagger's reach and nothing else.

He forced his wobbling legs before standing up. 'At least I managed to defeat it somehow.'

Zhou Huan heard the announcer congratulating him and bestowing upon the right to use the dagger.

Hearing that he would receive the dagger, he spat onto the ground. 'I'm going to sell this thing for a hefty price later on.'

~/`````````````````````/~

Farengoth asked Lou Jun who was walking beside him, "Does she recognize you?"

"That slave? I doubt it."

"Makes things easier."

The knight leader walked towards the guards. At first they blocked his movement, but thought otherwise when he revealed a letter with a seal representing King Elric.

They moved out the away and even greeted the knight.

When Farengoth saw the body of the victim. He felt at first, puzzled.

There was obviously a slash wound, but the consistency of the size kept decreasing and increasing. As if the blade was changing shape as it traversed through the screen. It seems that the person's legs were sucked dry of its blood.

Lou Jun narrowed her eyes before saying, "This is... not the first time I see something like this."

A guard overheard what she said before commenting, "There has been rumours spreading by that dead corpses with limbs dried out from their blood is a sign of omen. A blood sucker, like the ones from the children books is roaming around the lands."

Farengoth hearing that caused him to say, "Another person who can speak something other than Kian. Also, human go far and wide to try and instil fear into people's hearts. Even though most were fabricated."

Lou Jun mockingly then said, "Does this corpse look like something that poofed out of air? This is plain evidance that the blood sucker exists. Look, there's a cut wound on both his legs."

"I don't care about whether he turned to a pile of skin and dust but instead I wonder why would it go after this person specifically."

The guard replied, "You can try and work out your answer with the young lady we took captive."

"Will do." Replied Farengoth.

~/``````````````````````````/~

Tengfei asked the young red haired lady who's covering herself entirely with a blanket, "So Lihua... Are you feeling better?"

The princess slightly revealed herself from the blanket, "Wuuuu... You're so unfair Tengfei."

"Unfair?" Tengfei felt puzzled before probing, "How so?" His expression was that of a teasing child.

"I..." Lihua couldn't find any word to follow her initial utter.

As if pleased by her looks, Tengfei decided to add kindle further the fire, "But it is true, you're the one that I chosen."

The blanket shook before Lihua slumped onto the bed. Defeated. She even turned to the opposite of Tengfei.

A knock was then heard. Tengfei replied by telling the individual to come in.

The person who entered was a long time friend. Having medical wraps, messy curly hair, and a bright childish smile. An individual who would spends days comparing object height, width and length, just to accurately estimate the sizes of women. Zhou Huan.

He casually said, "Yo."

Tengfei welcomed him before pointing out a chair.

Zhou Huan happily complied and took a sit. He then looked around before saying, "And here I thought you're the one wounded, and not your little princess over there."

Lihua bursted out the blanket before angrily replying, "I was emotionally fatigued you know!?"

Tengfei dryly coughed before asking his brother, "How was your fight?"

Hearing his question made Zhou Huan reveal a confident smile. Sticking out his chest, straigtherning his back and hardening his muscle. He then replied, "Hehe, even though I look wounded but in reality I completely shredded the beast to pieces!!"

Both Tengfei and Lihua sarcastically laughed it off while trying their best to not hurt his feelings.

Seeing their looks caused Zhou Huan's brows to twitch. Before he could rebuke their doubts, a cold voice came from his back.

"And here I thought you would honestly have a serious talk. Not boasting lies. Kind of now regretting handing over that permision slip."

A lady wearing a black robe with golden dragon embroided on the clothing. Wearing wooden sandals and having a doll like expression. It was none other than our ice queen, Li Meixiu.

Hearing her words, Lihua and Tengfei stared at Huan with half closed eyes.

Sweat started appearing on his forehead as he tries to laugh it off. He then tried to change the topic by asking Li Meixiu, "So, what do you think about my aptitude? Huh? Impressive am I right?"

Li Meixiu rolled her eyes. She then replied, "Before I get to that. I need to embarrass you now." She then sat on a chair before facing both Tengfei and Lihua.

"You see, this perverted buffoon actually ran around the whole arena enough times to actually tire out a second stage beast. A praise worthy achievement." She breathed in before glaring at Zhou Huan.

After seeing his sorry look, she then continued, "I bet it was not intentional as there's evidance that he was trying his best to activate the dagger he was given. It took lots of time before he figured out the gist of it. Even with a proper weapon at hand, he still had a messy exchange with the tired ape. Getting scratches here and there, and being flung left and right. Luckily he has completed his foundation, otherwise he would be on bed with fractured bones. Or dead."

Huan's previous prideful look was no where to be seen, and sadly not even remembered. "Come on, at least give some compliments to me..." Muttered Zhou Huan.

Lihua scoffed at him before metaphorically driving a stake in him, "Even though you have better aptitude, but when it comes to tactics in battle... Nothing compares to my Tengfei!"

Tengfei flicked her forehead before commenting, "Stop, that's embarrassing."

"Fwah~" Lihua rubbed her forehead while thinking over what she said. Especially the part where she proclaimed, 'My Tengfei'. It caused her to cover herself with the blanket. Again.

Zhou nodded before saying, "I admit that my brother is something for activating multiple rings with ease."

Tengfei was puzzled, "Is that something to be praised?"

Li Meixiu and Lihua answered, ""Yes, it is.""

Tengfei felt perplexed and Zhou Huan shook his head slowly.

Lihua then explained, "You see, a person who just recently become a cultivator, either physical or elemental, would require some time to practice directing their mana towards the ring or weapon. This is due to the difficulty of controlling the pathway of the mana. What surprised us the most is the fact that your refined mana in your pool, is so easily to manipulate for you."

Li Meixiu then interjected, "Like what she said, a person needs to figure out as to where exactly to direct the mana. Some time it goes towards the wrong limb. But for you, it's as if you're born to naturally control it."

Tengfei thought about it before revealing a smile. He then uttered, "Hey, it's a good thing that I know that I'm something special."

Lihua thought of the incidents from before. She then cooed sadly to him, "Tengfei..."

As if figuring out what she was thinking about, "Lihua, I never will blame you for that."

The princess didn't expect that he figured out what's in her head. She faced down before clutching her hand.

Both Li Meixiu and Zhou Huan noticed the sadness in the air.

Though everything changed when a pink snake slithered around Zhou Huan's legs.

He got startled before asking, "W-what's a snake doing here?"

Lihua answered, "You scaredy cat, that's Tengfei's pet."

Tengfei corrected, "Not pet, but friend."

The princess hearing his sincere tone regarding his little friend, made her giggle.

Zhou Huan showed a wry smile before complimenting, "You sure suprised me the most today."

Li Meixiu too brought out her pet. After witnessing the cute pink snake.

The fluff ball walked around before encountering the snake.

It bowed towards the pink snake. The snake blinked twice before hissing something.

Tengfei seeing this couldn't help but laugh as he says, "It's as if they're communicating."

Li Meixiu then asnwered, "Well, he does understand a wide variety of language. But the more shocking thing is that your toddler snake is able to understand him."

Mini, the pink snake gestured something with her tail before slithering around. The fluff ball followed her around the room.

"They sure get along quite fast." Zhou Huan commented.

The two females were glued to the adorable scene before them. Lihua even muttered, "I really need a pet."

Something came up inside Li Meixiu's as she said, "Oh, I almost forgotten. Zhou Huan, you asked me to evaluate your aptitude?"

"Yeah... I've been waiting for a long while now."

"Well to be blunt, your kind requires high maintanace and cost. I doubt any low end sect would fetch you. And by showing that ridiculous scene of you dancing with that ape... There's slim chance that any powerful sect would even consider."

Zhou Huan's complexion went pale as he trembles in place.

Li Meixiu then sighed before saying, "I'll see if we can recruit you into the same sect as me though."

His ears perked up before he dived to the ground and hugged Li Meixiu's leg. Rubbing his face on the smooth white skin.

Li Meixiu furrowed her brows before kicking him away, "Don't make me change my mind, pervert."

Lihua commented, "It's as if he turned to a human dog..."

Tengfei, "I hate to admit it... but yeah."

Li Meixiu fixed her clothing before turning towards Lihua's lover, "Anyhow, Tengfei."

"Yes?"

"Did Lihua evaluate your rings?" She questioned.

Instead of Tengfei, Lihua answered, "No, not yet."

As if forgeting something again, "Oh wait, before I get into that, I was told by my superiors to hand this to you."

Tengfei grab hold of the ring which was familiar.

"The barrier technique you used during the battle was damaged right?" Ask Meixiu.

Eyeing the crack on the ring she mentioned, Tengfei nodded in response.

"That ring I gave you is a replacement. People call it 'Rightoes Barrier' technique. The gem in that ring comes with the technique. You have activated it before already and witnessed its effect. It could engulf your foe in a barrier that burns them when touched. But that's only one of the many functions it has. Making a wall, bubble and any shape as long as you train diligently with it. Not to mention that the barrier could grow stronger for the price of removing its burning effect. Since you have 'E' mana grade, the amount of time you can hold the barrier should your priority to figure out."

"The second ring that you retrieved is something special as the creature that resides in it is quite sentient. Having the common knowledge of fending off the foe that aims to harm you. Wrapping them in strong mana strings which also burns them."

Lihua then asks, "Both are at the lowest tier? right?"

"Yes. Though they're high quality for ones at that grade."

Lihua nodded before asking, "How about the uses for each?"

"15 for the first and 14 for the latter."

Lihua muttered, "Not bad."

Tengfei removed teh broken ring before wearing the new one.

He then asks, "What I do with this?"

Li Meixiu inspected his cracked ring, "The broken ring? Just keep it with you, it might be handy one day if you ever meet a ring level inscription master."

After placing it in his pocket, he gave his thanks for explaining.

Li Meixiu nodded her head before saying, "If you want to thank me, then let her cook for me again next time."

Zhou Huan then commented, "I'm surprised you're not fat by the amou-"

Before he could finish his sentence, both Lihua and Li Meixiu revealed their elemental aura. Frightening Huan to silence.

"Hmph, you better think carefully before speaking next time." Lihua sternly said.

Tengfei stretched his body and then sat down again. He fixed his hair before asking, "How much time do we have left before the next stage?"

Huan answered, "From now... About 28 min."

Lihua had a relieved look as she comments, "At least with that much time, you can fully recover Tengfei."

"Did you forget, I'm also special when it comes to healing." Tengfei pulled out the bandage on his leg to reveal a stitched wound. Then he concentrated and made his light affinity mana travel towards his hand which has no rings. He let it rest on the palm for a little time before an aura of light covered his hand. He showed a smirk before hovering his hand on the wounded area. Though to no avail, the wound didn't close.

Tengfei twitched before asking, "Am I doing something wrong?"

Lihua was lost in thoughts but his question woke her. She then answered, "That's strange, normally it would heal easily."

Li Meixiu then said, "...Now I know why 'they' are interested in you. Being able to activate an aura but at the same time... Immune to healing. If you're not what they call 'special' then that word would lose meaning."

Zhou Huan inspected the wound and said, "Isn't it healing by itself?"

Noticing his proclamation, everyone witnessed as to how with their eyes that the wound slowly closes.

Lihua then thought, 'This reminds me... that you're not fully human. Maybe that's the reason why you can't be healed.'

The fluff ball slowly went toward Li Meixiu before yawning. Its tail was not energetic like before.

Seeing this, Meixiu brought her little partner back inside the ring where he could rest.

Noticing the drowsy looking Huan, she thought about something. Li Meixiu beckoned him before telling that they'll leave. Both of them gave their farewells before exiting the patient's room.

After their exit, Lihua finally relaxed. She then sat down on the bed before patting her thighs. Repeatedly lightly patting them as she smiles at Tengfei's direction.

"Uhh... What are you doing?" As if figuring out as to what she wants, Tengfei then mused her, "I know that your thighs is much more lovely compared to any woman I saw. Having volume but at the same time, fluff. Similar to a sculpture that depicts a goddess."

Lihua turned red as she replies with a soft tone, "Idiot. I'm not asking you to describe my obviously superior thighs, but instead I want you to lay your head on them."

Tengfei mouth curved to an 'O' before he did as told. When the back of his head touched the thighs, he can't help but mutter, "Soft. Like a pillow."

Lihua felt proud before she says, "See. You always have your eyes focused on my chest but that blinded you to my other perfect parts."

"Well I got to admit, your thighs and behind are quite... Seductive. Considering you're 15, in the future will definetely improve."

"Fwah~ Tengfei, you're turning to a pervert." She then caress his hair.

"Maybe Zhou Huan's influence is rubbing of me." He then thought, 'Or maybe tthe frustrations accumaltating each night...'

The princess closed one eye before saying, "But I'm not saying that's bad. I like a naughty you, time to time."

"Hah, same goes for me." He then smiled back at her. He then continued after witnessing Lihua averting her eyes with a blush, "I'll just be taking my time to enjoy your face from down here."

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Lihua was puzzled.

"Like, if you grew ample bossoms, it would be hard for me to see you."

Lihua snorted before pinching his nose. She then teasingly says, "You are one demanding young man."

Tengfei recalled something before answering, "Don't take me seriously. I just realized that I sound like a horrible partner, always asking you to change. But I want you to remember, I would love you no matter what."

Lihua scratched her glowing cheek. She then paused for a moment before replying, "That's... the first time you said 'love' towards me. And here I thought it would be at a more romantic time." She then revealed her smile before continuing with a question, "So, what changed you to be so striaght forward?"

Tenfei didn't want to look at the eyes of hers. He then quietly said, "You broke the barrier."

"You're always so vague when it came to answering. You know?"

"I realized recently that I'll never become alone again. That you truly would stick to my side. Unlike her. Lihua, you made me trust you entirely and I would go far and high to keep you from leaving me."

Lihua turned her face before replying, "Shucks Tengfei, you're going to make me cry again. But I'm happy."

Tengfei patted her as he thinks, 'Maybe there will be a day where we can share all secrets. And not only it being this one sided type... Though I don't like hiding secrets to her. It'll just distance us instead.'

After thinking about something, he then uttered, "I was in a foggy place and encountered both you and your father. They sang believable lies into my ear."

"I witnessed it. I saw as to how you broke through the endless spouting of lies. Not believing them."

Tengfei eyed her before thinking, 'This is what I'm talking about. She has secrets that are powerful enough to witness me in that place.'

Lihua saw as to how he looked at her. She felt really bad as she averted her eyes. Recalling as to what Tengfei said about her being trusted fully, made her feel really guilty. She is nothing better than that fake before. She then thought to herself, 'Master, I must tell him.'

Her Master didn't reply back, but a sound of her approval could be heard. As if she too has sensed the crisis in the air.

"Tengfei, I'm sorry. This time I'll tell you everything. Though there's some embarrassing trivial secrets that well remain with me..."

Tengfei was surprised as to how she knew what he was thinking about. He then nodded before awaiting her explanation.

She told everything form the part where she encountered her Master. What she asked for, what she seeked. Her training, the voice that leaded him to her despair state. How she was tired at some times. The necklace use. Mostly everything.

Tengfei took some time to digest all the information dumped into him.

He then told her, "Thank you. It's good to know." Though his look was filled with worry afterward as he continues, "But... I'm worried to what dnager awaits you. Because of what you told me now... I need to get stronger than before."

Lihua found warmth to what he said.

~/`````````````````/~

Farengoth and Lou Jun were currently in a room with a another person.

A young lady with tanned skin, mature complexion, and a feeble physique.

"I presume that you're Xoplisian?" Asked Farengoth in his native tongue.

"Yes, and you must be a Krehorian Knight." She said after noticing the badge on his clothing.

"I figured that every child of Xoplis understands Krehor's language."

"It's not like we wanted to. When we're at the tender age, we must know at least Kianese and Krehorian alongside our own native."

Farengoth smiled before taking a seat. He then said, "So, I'll get straight to the point why we're here. We want to know all kinds of information."

"It seems that my previous Master was found out."

Farengoth nodded, "Yeah, we know that he was part of 'them'".

"There's no point in asking me. They already placed a seal on my throat that would activate if I were to mention any detail about them. Causing you to have my detached lifeless head on your lap."

Farengoth swore inside, "Tsk, a powerful dark elemental sorcerer. Quite troublesome. But no matter, I still have another question."

He then continued with a question, "Did you ever catch a glimpse to the person who killed your ex-master?"

The woman replied, "Before I was knocked unconscious, I saw that my Master was shackled by blood like liquid."

Lou Jun was silent the whole time but when she heard the lady's last words, she then commented, "See dumbass, my speculation was true."

Farengoth ignored her. He then questioned, "Anything else?"

"Sorry, that was all." The lady looked at him with anger.

Farengot stood up before saying, "Thank you for your time."

The Xoplis lady threw a blacelet at him before angrily saying, "That's the remains of my family which your knightly guild killed."

Farengoth picked up the bracelet, then bowed before walking away.

Lou Jun witnessed the amount of scorn that lady directed at him. She didn't comment anything about it.

The Knight leader then uttered, "We'll catch him if he leaves out alive."

Lou Jun nodded in response.

~/````````````````````/~

Zhou Huan subconsciouly leaned to a wall.

"You really are sleepy." Said Li Meixiu.

He grimaced before saying, "There once was a time in my life where the word sleep causes me to feel fear."

The lady heard him and thought about the sadness following his words.

Huan noticed that the mood became damped because of what he said and so he tried to laugh it off.

Though that didn't stop her from observing his lonely back.

~/``````````````````/~

A lady in black was taking a sit on the corner.

No one was nearby and she didn't feel the presence of anyone.

She removed her mask and then inspected it. The moment she removed it, the color of the mask changed. Turning to purple from white.

After some time, a yawn was uttered from her.

She took out a cloth before wiping the sweat on her face.

Leaning her back to the wall, she looked up. Gazing at the cracks that reveal some of the light from above.

She then thought, 'Till now... I still really miss home.'

She wore the mask again before hugging herself.

~/`````````````````/~

A gloomy room with almost everything dark except the oil lamp on a table. The dim light exposed the messing bag and numerous amount of stuff. Mostly travelling gear.

Old archaic walls that shows as to how long ago the structure was built.

Previous inhabitants would use this room to treat guests from foreign lands. Back then when they were at the prime of their glory.

The man who called himself '.' was currently sitting down on a chair with a depressed look. Holding his hands together and resting his forehead on them. Having a downcast look.

Just recently, his younger brother died.

His brother was someone who looked up to him always. Even if he's not into studies like him.

They would fight off anyone with both of them together. Either if it's unfair or not. He really liked his sibling, they made good drinking buddies.

Now he's alone. His last sibling, or in better twisted terms, his last family member left him.

He was already done mourning for his brother. Gone through the stage of feigning his death. Then took some sobbings here and there. Afterwards, anger for being left behind. Though he didn't seek revenge like any person would. The man just found it... Useless. It'll not bring his brother back, but instead just create an endless bloody cycle.

Slowly but steady footsteps could then be heard, along with the creaking of a door. Dim afternoon sunlight came into the room but was shadowed by a figure.

A Xoplisian woman, an individual who recently spoked with the Knight Leader.

She came up to him, quivering, as she asks, "...How you are feeling?"

The young man combed his hair upwards, using his hand. After looking up, he then replied without forgetting to expose the turmoil in him, "...Oh, it's you." The man fixed his back, "I'm doing alright, better than I thought I would." He then inspected the woman before continuing, "You know, there's no need to be scared. I'm not blaming you. Nothing could be done when you were knocked unconsious."

The woman was confused as she thought that she was gonna be yelled at, or possibly beaten. A sense of relief engulfed her.

'.' then sighed before telling her, "You are a free woman now. I'll give enough money and you can live off that." He then traced his finger on the table, seeing that dust has accumalated. Before fetching the pouch nearby.

She went silent after hearing the man's words. Gripping her hands and standing still. If there were more light, you could tell that she was biting her lower lip.

As if something gone amiss, he asked, "Hmm? What's wrong?"

"..Uh" She prevented herself from gagging by swallowing it back in. The smell of blood still lingers in her nose. After resoluting herself, she told him with an anxious tone, "The child... The child I'm bearing."

Slowly the man looked into the eys of the woman as he tries to stop his shaking hands. "Don't tell me..."

She shed a tear as she says, "The child's father just got killed recently and now the pregnant widow has to travers the lands alone."

The sound of something dropped could then be heard. Barely reaching the zone of the lamp's light, the thing was a short sword. Covered in leather wraappings. A weapon who originally was wielded by his brother.

He scratched his hair and even gone close to thinking of pulling it. Good thing he stopped and calmed down. '.' then looked up to the ceiling while taking in deep breaths. Thinking very carefully and recalling every word that his brother thought him.

He then said after arranging his plan, "We're leaving."

The woman just finished fixing her messy hair. Then, with a puzzled tone, she asked,"Leaving? How about the contest?"

After spitting at the ground, ',' yelled, "Fuck the contest. How can a hatchling cultivator like me fend off my brother's assassin? He was earlier than me when it came to cultivating and so the odds of me escaping death is near nil!" He then picked up his stuff hurriedly before saying, "Help me pack up. We'll run far away from this god forsaken countries. Leaving that group and raising my brother's child together."

"But why go this far..."

"Didn't you realise already? As to why he's listening to you? Whether if you want clothing or warm food, he would go all ends to get it. By now you can guess as to what he feels about you. And it goes the same with me. You're a good woman and deserve better than us lowlifes."

She smiled in reply before starting to pack.

~/`````````````````/~