Chapter 30: Steam from His Forehead

Chapter 30: Steam from His Forehead

Almost immediately after Elder Chu’s announcement that orientation was ending, Guan Li and Paike heard several loud concussions come from the mountain’s peak. The two of them exchanged looks before breaking into a run.

Paike struggled to keep up with Guan Li, who was setting a punishing pace. It wasn’t that Paike was out of shape or anything, just that Guan Li was fast.

Although Paike was significantly ahead of Guan Li in spiritual cultivation, that only helped in certain aspects. Paike generally had a deeper reserve of qi, and his qi, when powering techniques, was inherently more powerful—there was a qualitative difference. But physically, Guan Li had awakened his physical cultivation before Paike and was simply a phenomenal talent. Tack that on top of an inborn attitude for running, and it made a significant difference.

Guan Li actually slowed down slightly, allowing them to run side by side so Paike could maintain the pace without any problem. Once he could speak as they ran, Paike brought up their earlier conversation. It was even more important now that they were fully combat-ready.

“We need to get you a technique as soon as possible,” Paike told Guan Li.

“I agree. I think I’m going to need some more offense,” Guan Li said.

Paike nodded, wishing that he had brought his newly acquired bo staff with him. Not that he was particularly fond of the weapon, but it would have been more helpful than just his martial arts. Without dedicated arts for hand-to-hand combat, he could already see a time in the near future when his effectiveness would drop precipitously. He needed to make a choice about more arts and probably learn a weapon as well. He’d probably end up selling the staff, but perhaps he should find a trainer or pick some different weapon.

When they arrived back at the sect compound, they found general chaos. Many of the disciples stayed home or scurried through the walkways, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone. Even on the road they were on, Paike could see four individual duels taking place, most of them rather one-sided. Paike and Guan Li weren’t exactly looking for a fight, but they knew better than to appear weak.

If Paike had been some low-ranked member of the sect, he might have been below notice, but he doubted that his age alone would have made him a target. Being older pointed him out as someone weak and slow, ready to be picked on. But he also wasn’t ranked low. He was in the top ten, and by extension, Guan Li was marked as well. His family name, though, made it a whole different matter.

Those who had done well in the physical cultivation trial would know that Guan Li meant business. That being said, Guan Li and Paike didn’t break stride. They continued running but with their heads held high. Several times, Paike stared down challenging faces. Most of those backed down, though others he remembered to watch out for—or perhaps challenge himself if the opportunity arose.

While they were all still in the lower realms and no one had gotten too far ahead of him in cultivation, it would be the time to make his mark. He had to be careful not to overextend and give cause for retribution, but at the same time, he didn’t want to be seen as weak. If he could establish a reputation now, that should protect him later on.

When they arrived back home, Paike saw that it was just in time. A trio of cultivators was approaching his door, one of them holding a burning length of log.

“Stop!” Paike shouted in his most authoritative and commanding voice.

The three young men turned to face him and Guan Li, who broke off and moved to flank the enemy.

Standing in the middle was a large boy. Standing only a few centimeters less than his own height, he made the difference in mass with muscle. On top of that, all three of the disciples had staves strapped to their backs.

“What is the meaning of this?” Paike demanded as he studied the three young cultivators who had just been about to burn down his house. They had been going for that building in particular, so clearly, something was off. Making a split-second decision, he puffed up his chest slightly to take up more space. It would be his role to keep their attention as much on him as possible as Guan Li was hopefully forgotten. He trusted his friend to get ready and act when he could have the most impact.

There was clearly a family resemblance between the would-be arsonists. However, none of their faces were ones that he recognized. Neither from his family’s dioceses on potential rivals nor from people he had met in passing. The clear leader couldn’t have been more than a year younger than him. But judging by the spiritual sense coming off of him, he wasn’t one of the newly initiated disciples.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

Paike swallowed nervously but didn’t let his anxiety show on his face or in his stance. Orientation week was over, and older cultivators were now allowed to engage with them. While the legacy cultivators of the outer sect were usually not thought of very highly—the true talents had advanced to the inner sect after their first year—having a year or more head start meant they usually outranked the new initiates.