93 Small beast horde (2/2)
As they ran, Chi Shan’s group started to display the graceful bearing of being one of the three strongest groups.
Each of them had rhythmic breathing, their footsteps fast and easy. Only Chi Cheng seemed to be in a difficult situation, but he would use his Scarlet Pill Cricket Gu from time to time, catching up reluctantly. Yet it could also be seen that he had received good teaching, for although he often staggered along the way, at least he never fell down.
When they reached the mountain foot, with one hand gesture from Chi Shan, the group swiftly stopped in their tracks.
Huff huff…
Chi Cheng had fallen behind by three hundred meters, and he was the last to catch up. His face was pale and he panted heavily, his gaze inconceivable as he looked at Fang Yuan.
During the journey Fang Yuan had always been following tightly behind, and up till now his breathing was only slightly heavy. He did not look the least bit like a newcomer who just graduated.
”Chi Cheng, remember, regulate your physical strength,” Chi Shan looked back and advised Chi Cheng. Then he swept his gaze past Fang Yuan, his eyes showing a hint of praise.
The looks that the other few group members gave towards Fang Yuan had also softened a little.
”We will be nearing the beast tide down there. Chi Cheng and Fang Yuan, come towards the middle of the team.” Chi Shan looked at the pitch-black mountain forest before him as he spoke.
This sentence let Fang Yuan reevaluate Chi Shan.
This huge boulder of a man sure had tolerance. The middle of a group is often the safest spot. Although Fang Yuan was not a person of the Mo bloodline, Chi Shan still maintained the manner of protecting a newcomer. To compare him to the sickly snake Jiao San, the latter would immediately pale in comparison.
The sky had already become completely dark, and the black clouds were in layers, causing the accumulated snow to also become dark and gloomy.
Chi Shan’s group had already changed their group formation. Their speed dropped greatly as they ran slowly through the complicated terrain of the mountain forest.
Fang Yuan and Chi Cheng were in the middle part of the group, where on the left side was the huge Chi Shan, while the right side was an old man. Behind them was a young woman with a head of watery blue-coloured long hair.
And in front of them was a male Gu Master called Chi She.
He was the reconnaissance Gu Master of this group, and he gave out hissing noises. From time to time he would stick his tongue out into the air.
Right now his tongue had a small divide in between, becoming the bright red forked tongue of a snake. As they entered deeper into the mountain forest, their surroundings started to show wild beasts violently running about wildly.
Suddenly Chi She opened his mouth and spoke, ”Before us, three medium-sized animals have appeared. Suspected to be wild deer.”
”Drive it away.” Chi Shan’s expression was unchanging as he immediately gave the order.
The six-manned group did not change their direction; they continued pursuing forward. Three wild deer appeared before them, quickly changing their direction and dispersing.
Not long after, Chi She’s expression changed. ”A group of medium-sized creatures. Suspected to be turtleback apes.”
”Shift,” Chi Shan said.
The small group immediately broke to the left side, bypassing this group of troublesome apes.
This was the benefit of having a reconnaissance Gu Master, he was able to anticipate and inform earlier, letting them make accurate decisions from it.
”Chi She is probably using the Snake Tongue Gu. This Rank two Gu worm can sense heat temperatures. But it has three very obvious flaws — firstly, the perception radius is small, secondly it is easily interfered with. Thirdly it cannot detect cold-blooded creatures. Yet no matter what, it is better than not having any detection. I have reached Rank two now, and in future to survive in the wild, I will also need a detection-type of Gu,” Fang Yuan thought.
Suddenly Chi She urgently spoke, ”A middle-sized creature, suspected to be a white tiger. It’s found us and is quickly approaching!”
”Engage.” Chi Shang’s tone was calm and collected.
Roar!
A fierce tiger jumped out from the thicket in front of them, and the group met it head-on. Without Chi She’s warning in advance, perhaps they would be caught unprepared.
But right now, the group had long anticipated.
Firstly, the old Gu Master on the right suddenly drummed up his cheeks and then spit out a white coloured, viscous substance.
The substance abruptly expanded in mid-air, becoming a huge spider net. It used its strong viscosity and trapped the white tiger full in the face.
The white tiger struggled fiercely in the net, and Chi Shan immediately stepped forward and brandished his fist, pounding onto the tiger’s head.
His fist had a golden luster flashing through, and with a bang, the tiger’s head was smashed into pieces. The white tiger died in one breath.
The group did not stop to stay behind, but instead walked over the tiger’s body and continued forward. Chi She took Chi Shan’s place again and ran in front, taking the lead.
Through the entire process it was like moving clouds and flowing water. All the group members displayed mutual understanding.
”That entire process did not take more than three seconds. If it was me right now who was taking on that tiger alone, I would need at least five minutes to contend with.” Fang Yuan’s gaze was flashing.
These Gu Masters were also Rank two like him, but the main disparity was still Gu worms.
They all used Rank two Gu worms, and this enabled them to bring out the best in each other. However, all the Gu in Fang Yuan’s hands were still Rank one.
Gu Master, Gu Master, the word Gu is before the word Master, signifying that Gu worms have a huge impact on a Gu Master’s fighting power. (1)
”Although I have advanced to Rank two, I still need to have Rank two Gu to be able to display the fighting power of a Rank two Gu Master. However right now I do not have many primeval stones on me, I have used up a huge portion from breaking into Rank two. Refining two Gu worms together will also use up a considerable amount of primeval stones.”
As Fang Yuan thought of this, Chi She who was in front of him suddenly said, ”I found the sickly snake’s group.”
(1) The Chinese like to repeat things sometimes when emphasizing something. Gu Master, Gu Master… Gu and Master! Gu is before Master, Gu is so important.
Translator's Thoughts
Skyfarrow Skyfarrow
[Random tip of the day: Chi She is pronounced as Chee Sher.] See you guys during weekends or something for the remaining chapters of the week then~ ⊂( ・ ̫・)⊃