60 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

Chapter 50: Threats Among the three teams from Yucang Mountain, a ten-member squad led by Huai Ye, the most skilled cultivator, was randomly transported to a dense forest stretching over a hundred miles in the northwest of the Hun Yuan Realm. As night gradually fell, they lit a fire in a clearing in the forest. Several of those who went hunting returned without major injuries. However, Qin Miao was assisted back by Li Jun and He He on either side. He claimed that his calf was merely numb, showing no signs of poisoning. Qin Miao emphasized this partly out of concern that his peers might disdain him for holding them back. Although he outwardly dismissed it as a non-issue, internally, he was quite anxious. Cultivators in the Qi Refining stage possess physical strength far exceeding that of ordinary people. While they may appear weak, they might well overpower a strong mortal without resistance. However, even with their extraordinary appearance, Qi Refining cultivators are still flesh and blood mortals. The Foundation Establishment is a pivotal milestone distinguishing mortals from cultivators, marking the beginning of true cultivation. Post Foundation Establishment, spiritual energy strengthens the body, simplifying the external projection of spiritual power and altering the physique. Poisons from mortal beasts and low-level spiritual beasts can no longer easily harm them. Currently in the mid-Foundation Establishment phase, Qin Miao even appeared to be on the verge of transitioning to a later stage. The little snake earlier, far from possessing a demon core, evidently hadn’t yet absorbed any spiritual energy. How could it, then, contain any potent poison? Nevertheless, his calf was completely numb, and with a slightly pale complexion, Qin Miao clutched at his pants, a cold sweat gleaming on his back. Li Jun and He He placed him on a fallen log and were soon called away to assist others. Earlier, in the shadows, they couldn't identify it, but now illuminated by the firelight, the more experienced peers recognized it as a 'Soul-Draining Crow'—a low-level, carrion-feeding demon beast, typically no stronger than the Foundation Establishment stage. This year's contingent was unusual due to the inclusion of three exceptionally gifted, yet very young, disciples among the new recruits at Yucang Mountain. He He and Qian Da Ni were only ten years old, and Xu You Qing would turn ten in two months. He He and Qian Da Ni had only begun cultivating five months ago, neither surpassing the fifth level of Qi Refining. Born into a prominent family, Xu You Qing devoted herself to cultivation from the age of six, yet due to her frail body and underdeveloped meridians, she had only reached the sixth level of Qi Refining. In terms of age, Xu You Qing was the youngest but held the highest cultivation among the three. Despite their youth, Yucang Mountain believed the opportunity to enter the mystic realm was rare and hoped they could gain something within the Hun Yuan Realm. The sect's approach was straightforward: discreetly instructing Huai Ye to mentor the three. Yucang Mountain—and indeed the entire cultivation world—placed heavy trust on this emerging nineteen-year-old star. As Long Rui Qing put it, "It's fortunate you're naive enough." While their safety was assured, other inconveniences were beyond Huai Ye's capacity to resolve. Moreover, the senior sister remained lost in her thoughts high above in the tree branches, not uttering a word for a long time. Witnessing the strange ingredients, Xu You Qing was immediately horrified and refused to eat. Being young and from a noble background, she had never touched domestic chores and was a pampered princess. Rarely having seen raw meat, watching the senior sister tasked with cooking skillfully dismantle the strange bird left her pale-faced. The slightly older pair remained unperturbed. Qian Da Ni, the daughter of butchers, was accustomed to bloodshed from a young age, while He He, raised in the countryside, was no stranger to slaughtering fowl, even eagerly offering to help. Young Xu You Qing shook her head vehemently as dusk descended, and the strange birds appeared more sinister in the twilight. She refused to touch the creatures. "How can you say that? I've heard from fellow sisters that although the Soul-Draining Crow looks unpleasant, its meat is incredibly delicious and not to be missed," He He smiled, holding Xu You Qing's hand. Though terrified of He He, Xu You Qing couldn't pinpoint the reason. Perhaps it was an innate instinct for self-preservation that dulled with age, explaining why older brothers and sisters seemed blind to He He's charm. Growing up pampered and surrounded by servants, Xu You Qing developed a somewhat obnoxious personality, finding herself with only Qian Da Ni and He He as friends at Yucang Mountain. Despite both appearing gentle and kind, compared to the effortlessly mellow Qian Da Ni, Xu You Qing sensed a hint of dominance beneath He He's seemingly sweet exterior. This intuition led to the mistaken belief that He He was a dormant volcano, her peaceful facade concealing an inner turmoil. In dealing with He He, Xu You Qing subconsciously smoothed her edges. Whenever tempted to throw a tantrum, she sensed that He He was either on the brink of anger or would be upset once she finished. What could make He He angry? Possibly due to He He's ice spiritual root, her touch was cold, causing Xu You Qing's heart to quicken each time. He He squeezed her hand, her face warmly lit by the firelight, her voice soft yet unyielding, "I even hunted one of them myself. Surely, you should try it?" While inwardly submitting, her pride wouldn't allow her to yield easily. Clearing her throat, Xu You Qing said, "Well, it's not like I can't try it, just as a favor to you." She quickly hid behind the slightly chubby Qian Da Ni, peering out with an air of false superiority at the strange birds. Despite there being only two, the Soul-Draining Crows were enormous, their stubby necks nearly half a meter long. With several young ones present, everyone ate until they were quite full. Xu You Qing plucked the bird's feathers with a grimace, recoiling at the bumpy skin beneath, yet knowing not eating after putting in the effort would be wasteful. Pouting, she nestled by Qian Da Ni, seeking comfort as she pondered why she always backed down to He He. With teary eyes, she bit into the drumstick her senior sister offered. She glared at He He, who smiled back knowingly. Being carrion feeders, the Soul-Draining Crow's meat was, predictably, unpleasant. Xu You Qing glanced at her fellow disciples, noting even the troublesome Sheng Qing ate dutifully, understanding the rarity of food in the mystic realm. Surrounded by companions nonchalantly eating the peculiar tasting meat, she hesitated, unsure whether to swallow or spit it out. As Xu You Qing wrestled with her internal conflict, beside her, Qian Da Ni abruptly stood. Xu You Qing, expecting her to confront the covert bully on her behalf, watched excitedly. Her excitement waned, however, when she saw Qian Da Ni strolling towards the lone, injured senior with meat skewers in hand. "Senior Brother Qin, you haven't eaten all day. Don't starve yourself." Hearing the voice, Qin Miao initially assumed it was He He, turning to find it was the chubby girl who mingled with He He. Shaking his head, he refused, "I'm not hungry." His leg had lost all sensation, and his thigh sent waves of discomfort through his body, exacerbating his irritability. As the numbness slowly crept upwards, Qin Miao was overwhelmed with dread—what if he became disabled? If that happened, everything from his past life would vanish like a distant dream. "Eat a little; it helps recovery," Qian Da Ni casually suggested, "I noticed Senior Brother prepared snakebite medicine. Quite thorough." Irritated, Qin Miao brushed off her persistence, "It's not me; my capable master prepared them for Junior Sister He." Pausing, Qian Da Ni inquired slowly, "So... the medicine was prepared by Junior Sister He?" "She bandaged me too. Have you asked enough?" Qin Miao retorted, his tone increasingly irritable. "Well then..." Qian Da Ni squatted, meeting his gaze with serious eyes. "I heard snake bites heal better uncovered." "What are you implying?" "Perhaps... remove the bandages?" Fed up with her relentless pestering, Qin Miao snapped, "Enough already! I said I'm not eating! My master prepared that medicine; your hearsay can't compare to her skills. Can you just leave me alone?!" The clearing fell into an eerie silence, the crackling sound of branches breaking in the central fire the only noise. "Qian, ignore him. He doesn't appreciate a good intention," Sheng Qing instigated further, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Realizing the inappropriateness of his words, Qin Miao stammered, "No, no, that's not it… I'm sorry, I got carried away." The girl squatting in front of him stood slowly, her expression serious and unperturbed by his words. “You seem to have forgotten, Senior Brother, I’ve reached the fourth level of Qi Refining. I’m not a mere mortal,” Qian Da Ni said softly. The medicinal ointment might not even be from your master. Unfortunately, Qin Miao seemed oblivious to her underlying implication, leaving Qian Da Ni a little disappointed. She sighed and turned— Only to meet He He’s gaze behind her. Qian Da Ni's right hand trembled as she concealed it behind her back, meeting He He’s eyes—black as ink or perhaps a warm brown—unflinchingly. He He tilted her head slightly, as if scrutinizing her friend. After a pause, she spoke softly, "Even if you're upset, Senior Brother, that doesn’t mean you should take it out on others," her tone filled with regret and accompanied by a look of reproach and disappointment. Embarrassed, Qin Miao continued to apologize profusely. Qian Da Ni waved it off, saying she was fine, unable to take her eyes off He He. "If you're unhappy, Da Ni, say so. After all, it was Senior Brother Qin who started it," He He said, squeezing Qian Da Ni’s hand tightly. They stood so close that Qian Da Ni could distinctly see the curiosity flicker across He He's otherwise expressionless face. Hidden from the view of others, He He's expression revealed none of the innocence typically associated with children. Being just slightly shorter than Qian Da Ni, He He conveniently blocked onlookers from seeing Qian Da Ni’s face. When she led her towards the edge of the forest clearing, everyone assumed that considerate Junior Sister He simply wanted to console her upset friend in private. The pair didn’t wander far, remaining within sight. Feeling remorseful, Qin Miao watched intently and, despite attempting to eavesdrop with his mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation, heard nothing at all, nor did the others. He He placed a hand on Qian Da Ni’s face, her demeanor comforting, as if persuading her friend to let the matter go. In reality, it was quite different. "You sometimes wear expressions that are not at all childlike," He He's cold fingers trailed along Qian Da Ni’s face, brushing against her ear before cupping her cheek. At first glance, it seemed a tender gesture, but He He’s fingers pressed against the junction of her neck and ear, transmitting Qian Da Ni's pulse through their skin, a posture that forced her to lower her head, hinting at a concealed threat. Cradling her face, He He scrutinized intensely, her voice gentle like a soothing whisper, "Who are you? Why are you here? Because of me? Or…" In the shadowed darkness away from the firelight, He He’s face appeared enigmatic and obscure. He He slowly released her hold, drawing Qian Da Ni’s shoulders close for a gentle embrace, “Don’t hinder me.” “You know I can perceive the connection between this puppet and its true origin, right?” Author's Note: Thank you to the little angels who cast votes or nourished me with nutrient fluids between 2022-02-35 35:05:50 and 2022-02-25 19:05:22~ Thank you to the little angels who threw grenades: Jiu Wan Li, Water Bath Heating 1 each; Thank you to the little angels who provided nutrient fluids: Wu Qiqi 20 bottles; Crane Herd Manager 10 bottles; Split Personality Husky 5 bottles; 45352759 1 bottle; Thank you all very much for your support. I’ll continue to work hard! No pop-up ads, permanent domain (xbanxia.com)