Chapter Eighteen: Not Worth It

Zhao Zegang and Zhao Zeming, the two brothers, took on the roles of vanguard and rear guard respectively, while Captain Li Bofeng provided support from the center. The weakest members of the group, Luo Tian and Yang Qing, naturally followed closely behind Li Bofeng, not participating in any dangerous tasks.

“Brother Luo, if you ever carry out tasks on your own in the future, you must be careful. In the Shenyang Forest, there have been incidents where outer disciples clashed, and even inner disciples fought over treasures,” Yang Qing said.

For a typical team, a configuration of three to five members is most reasonable. Yang Qing knew the captain would never agree to let Luo Tian join, and once Zhang Chaoyue recovered from his poisoning, he would surely return to the group. Besides, Brother Luo—

Yang Qing sighed silently. Though Luo Tian, at the Body Tempering Stage, had helped many, his cultivation speed was notoriously slow—a fact none could deny. If things continued at this pace into the Qi Condensation Stage, it would be hard for him to even find a team.

He wondered if Luo Tian’s greatest skill—his ability to guide others in cultivation—would still be effective at the Qi Condensation Stage. If it remained miraculous, perhaps he could still find a suitable team.

Is that possible?

Luo Tian was startled by Yang Qing’s warning, but upon reflection, found it quite reasonable. The world was driven by profit; even blood brothers could turn against each other, let alone fellow disciples with lukewarm relations.

Perhaps the sect had established the dueling arena precisely for such reasons.

There was no point arguing who was right; in the end, only strength mattered.

“Yes, junior brother, I’ll be careful,” Luo Tian replied.

At the rear, Zhao Zeming curled his lip. This brat really knew no shame. Qing was meek and respectful, always addressing others as senior brother, yet Luo Tian himself was only in the first stage of Qi Condensation—where did he get the nerve to accept the title so calmly?

Still, knowing that if he spoke out, Captain Li Bofeng would surely intervene, Zhao Zeming kept silent.

“By the way, Brother Luo, you didn’t choose a body refinement secret technique, did you?” Yang Qing, still chatting with Luo Tian, suddenly remembered something and asked, a hint of concern in his expression.

“I took one. Is there a problem?” Luo Tian noticed Yang Qing’s strange expression and felt puzzled.

“Hah, you really know nothing!” Zhao Zeming finally couldn’t hold back, snorting with undisguised contempt. If not for the fact they were all in the same team, he would have scolded Luo Tian outright.

“It’s fine if you picked one, but Brother Luo, you mustn’t practice it!” Yang Qing, unwilling to offend Zhao Zeming, shook his head at Luo Tian. “Those things waste a lot of time and consume too much vital energy. They’re not very useful for cultivation. Brother Luo, you mustn’t touch it!”

“But the body refinement technique seemed quite effective to me.” Luo Tian recalled the “Tiger Descends the Mountain.” Merely holding the posture had noticeably improved his physical condition. If he mastered the entire “Tiger Form” section, it would surely bring great enhancement.

In the early Qi Condensation Stage, vital energy was very limited, so most would avoid practicing energy techniques, lest their reserves be quickly depleted. Even in the middle and later stages, where energy techniques could be used freely, close combat remained highly effective, so improving one’s physique naturally boosted combat strength.

Zhao Zeming scoffed, “Of course body refinement techniques are useful, but considering the effort required, they’re not worth it. Even a slight improvement in physical condition takes months, since you need daily, prolonged practice to identify weaknesses and then hone them.”

“But the meridians have a fixed tolerance. Just cultivating vital energy and completing a cycle daily already pushes them to the limit. If you strain them further with body refinement techniques—hmph!”

Though Zhao Zeming clearly disliked him and spoke with a sarcastic edge, Luo Tian didn’t mind. This brat would eventually have to call him senior brother, and then he’d teach him a lesson.

Still, though the reasoning was simple, the matter was probably not so straightforward.

Luo Tian thought of Tang Yueyan.

As a member of the Tang clan, she understood these subtleties better than most, yet still practiced the Jade Maiden Pouring Bottle body refinement technique. There had to be a secret here, or at least a reason compelling her to invest so much despite the cost.

Luo Tian had noticed the Jade Maiden Pouring Bottle technique in the room where the body refinement manuals were stored, proof that the sect didn’t hide its knowledge. The issue likely lay within the technique itself.

A roar suddenly echoed ahead, followed by the crackling and snapping of branches.

A tiger, its white fur dotted with yellow spots, bounded toward them.

“Attention, a magical beast is attacking!” Li Bofeng responded instantly, regaining composure within moments and issuing orders: “I’ll draw the attention of the Spotted Tiger from the front. Gang and Ze, assist from the sides and be ready to strike. Qing, stay alert. Tian, watch out for yourself and observe our actions!”

With the captain’s command, the others quickly took their positions, ready to support Li Bofeng in battle. As leader, Li Bofeng charged straight ahead.

Spotted Tiger?

Luo Tian stepped back a few paces and leaned against a tree.

This tiger-type magical beast measured three to four meters in length and stood over two meters tall. Words like ‘robust’ and ‘burly’ couldn’t begin to describe the impact of such a creature standing nearby. Yet, apart from Luo Tian, the rest of the team seemed unfazed, clearly accustomed to such situations and preparing methodically.

Maybe magical beasts in this world were all enormous?

Luo Tian wondered. This was his first time seeing a magical beast, so he was naturally curious. Everything in the Shenyang Forest felt new to him.

“Brother Luo, this Spotted Tiger is a second-tier, low-level magical beast, equivalent to an early Qi Condensation cultivator. But magical beasts are physically stronger than humans, so even Captain Li must be careful,” Yang Qing explained, seizing a brief lull to introduce the creature to Luo Tian. “But you needn’t worry. These beasts have trouble turning, and we’ve hunted them before. Unless something unexpected happens, the battle should end quickly.”

Li Bofeng nodded slightly at Yang Qing and Luo Tian’s exchange. The reason he was so cautious with a single Spotted Tiger was to set an example for Luo Tian—not to underestimate magical beasts just because the team outmatched them. Though everyone except Yang Qing could kill the Spotted Tiger one-on-one, good habits should be developed early.

“Brother Luo, this creature is mainly dangerous for its strength. Otherwise, it’s nothing special. Once I reach the second stage of Qi Condensation, I’ll be able to hunt them alone!” Yang Qing spoke with a hint of pride. In half a year or so, he would likely break through. Then he remembered Luo Tian’s pitiful cultivation speed in the servant quarters and grew anxious, fearing he’d hurt Luo Tian’s feelings, so he quickly fell silent.

The battle had already begun. Luo Tian paid little attention to Yang Qing’s words, his focus drawn almost entirely to the unfolding fight.