23 Chapter 22: Survival (2/2)

At this rate I could practice for as long as I wanted without needing to worry about getting tired or running out of qi. I could practice a lot more than I ever could in the surface…probably practice a lot more than my former classmates ever did.

That's fine. What I lack in talent, I'll make up with hard work. Unending, unyielding amounts of effort and hard work!

Drinking another mouthful of water, I began to practice kicking once again with renewed determination.

”After all, I managed to learn the footwork techniques that Teacher Jiao showed me in just one month of unrelenting practice! There's no way I won't be able to learn a kicking technique that even a beast created!”

Determination rising within me, I practiced over and over again.

Days passed. Three days of unending practice went on and on. Even with my mastery of Shadow Steps, I realized that the kicking techniques were actually a bit more difficult than Shadow Kick and the footwork techniques, but after practicing for so long, I suddenly gained an epiphany.

The footwork techniques and the kicking techniques…they were related. They were similar to each other, and operated in similar principles and movements. Furthermore, I had already established a solid foundation with Shadow Kick. Infusing my feet with qi, relying on perfect timing and a burst of speed…

With that enlightenment, I was able to produce my own version of the Lunar Rabbit kicks. It was not identical to the original kicks, but was similar enough that no one but an expert could distinguish them apart. Part of the reason was because I based it off Shadow Kick and the other kick from the Shadow Steps. Furthermore, I began experimenting with ways of incorporating Shadow Steps and my footwork techniques into the Lunar Rabbit kicks.

And like that, I managed to find out how to execute the fourth footwork technique, Liu or Flow.

”So this was what Teacher Jiao meant when he said I could use it to disrupt the flow and rhythm of my enemies…”

Or at least that was what I suspected. I could finally come up with a working theory and put it into practice, but without any real opponents I was unable to test it out and see how it would operate in actuality. Thankfully there were real enemies awaiting me above the surface, but I still wasn't confident to go out there and confront them.

I still wasn't able to learn and use Shadow or Ying, unfortunately, but that was far too advanced for me. It was a pity, but as I said, I was no genius. I was relying on hard work and countless hours of unrelenting and unending practice to get me this far.

That was funny. Even though I had mastered Shadow Steps, the Shadow footwork technique was the last one left, the only one I still had yet to learn. I wondered if the Heavens were playing some sort of practical joke on me.

”Now that I somewhat understand how to kick like the Lunar Rabbits…”

I began practicing the icicle barrage I saw the Silverback Wolf used. This was a lot harder than anything else I had practiced, as it involved me manifesting my qi in the form of a long-range elemental technique. Hell, I couldn't even manifest short-range elemental techniques, so how was I supposed to fire off icicles from range?

”That's strange, I could have sworn this was how the Silverback Wolf circulated its qi. What am I doing wrong?”

Obviously I was skipping and missing many important steps. Perhaps I was approaching it from the wrong way.

”Before I even begin to shoot icicles, I have to find a way to clad my body in ice.”

Immersing myself in the Green Dragon Spring again, I attempted to convert the natural essence that I was soaking up in the spring into elemental qi. I tried fiery qi, since the yang qi within the Green Dragon Spring was so rich and dense, but as always, I didn't have much affinity with the element. Then there was wood qi. Since the Green Dragon's element was wood, perhaps I should try that. However, I failed.

Maybe I should try something simpler. Since this spring is made out of water, I should try turning my qi into water.

I had a bit more success in converting my qi into water techniques. I also found, after countless experiments, that I could even lower the temperature of the water and freeze it into ice. While it was nowhere near the level of the Silverback Wolf where I could fire off a barrage of icicles from range, at least I could cause the temperature of the immediate vicinity surrounding my body to plummet, and coat my body in frost.

But that's still not practical in combat. The ice isn't thick enough to serve as armor, and there isn't much I can do by wreathing my fist in ice except give my opponents a chill.

I was comparing my Frost Fist to Qi Fu Ren's Lightning Fist, and the difference was just too great.

”Ugh! Is there anything I can do?!”

I sighed at my failure. Even though I spent another three days trying to manifest elemental techniques, I was far from successful. It seemed that the only techniques I could rely on were my improvised Lunar Rabbit kicks.

”Well…”

Rubbing my forehead, I took a deep breath and calmed myself down.

”It's still better than nothing. Given how I began with absolutely nothing, no martial arts techniques, no offensive skills, a terrible weapon that broke on the first day…I guess I'm a lot better off right now.”

Yeah…now that I thought about it, it had been a week since I was trapped down here in this burrow.

No one came to rescue me.

My shoulders slumped downward. Perhaps they did, and I was sure that Zhu Jiao, Ban Zhang and maybe even Tong Xue would be leading the search. But they had no idea where to search. Hell, even I had no idea where I was. And given how I was so deep inside Sen Lin Forest, I doubted they would be able to reach this far.

Even if they did, the class would just get massacred by the demonic beasts dwelling in a region this deep. I didn't want them to die for my sake.

Besides, why the fuck would I want them to come save me? The only person I can rely on is myself. I don't want to be dependent on other people.

Rage filled me as I kicked another boulder inside the spring, blowing it into smithereens. Heaving, I wiped the perspiration from my brow and glanced at the row of boulders that marked my progress. A week ago, I hadn't been able to make even a small dent in the boulder. But as I practiced over and over and over and over again, I had finally gradually but surely cracked the stone. A line of broken boulders lay as testament to my efforts, each of them sporting different levels of damage in chronological order. I was pleased at my progress.

That's right. I couldn't die here. I had to get my revenge. Right now, my rage and thirst for vengeance were the only things keeping me alive. I had to return to the surface and crush that smug Qi Fu Ren for betraying me. I had to overturn the unfair treatment of Heaven and revolt against Fate. I was going to fight the Gods if I had to…for putting me in this ridiculous predicament. For abusing me, and then laughing and jeering up there in their celestial thrones, torturing me for their own amusement. I will smash this stupid thing called fate or talent and steal the heavens from the gods themselves.

That would teach them for toying with me, thinking that I was someone so easy to bully.

Gr…

My stomach rumbled loudly and I glanced at it. I had been so carried away in my practice that I had neglected to eat and now I was starving.

”Ugh…”

Even though the Green Dragon Spring provided miraculous restorative powers and helped my cultivation, it couldn't feed me. At this rate, I would die from hunger. Not only that, I had been expending a lot of strength and power through unceasing practices. I needed food and nourishment to replenish my depleted stores of strength.

”Damn it! I should have taken rations from Teacher Jiao.”

I regretted not pressing the issue and accepting the rations from Teacher Jiao. Back then, I had thought the rations were unnecessary. That as long as I stayed with the group, I would be able to return home safely. As it turned out, I was dead wrong, and now I was ruing my decision. In what seemed like a good idea at the time to save on my load and allow me more speed and movement, that choice backfired on me and now I was on the brink of starving to death. How stupid of me.

For the last week or so, I had been relying on qi to stave off my hunger and provide me minimal nourishment, but my expenditure rate had far exceeded whatever miniscule amounts of nutrients that drinking the Green Dragon Spring or the dense natural essence could provide. I needed real food and I needed it fast.

Pushing my glasses up, I smiled as I considered my options.

”I guess it's time to test my newly practiced martial arts against real, live opponents…”

*

The journey back to the surface was uneventful. While there were several passages that led into the underground cavern that housed the Green Dragon Spring, I took the passage that led me back out into the hollow of the tree that I sought refuge in when being pursued by the Ghost Bear. As I expected, after a week, the Ghost Bear had left.

Of course it had better things to do than to waste its time waiting one week for me to emerge from the hollow of the tree.

Relying on my knowledge of the various species of the magical beasts that dwelled within this level, I stealthily moved about. From what I knew, it seemed that the Silverback Wolves were the weakest demonic beasts in this level. Aware of their vulnerabilities, they moved in packs to cover each other. As a result, they usually moved around in groups of four to six.

The pack I was tracking was no exception, with about four Silverback Wolves prowling the vicinity as they hunted for food. They were scrounging the forest for prey, an isolated figure such as the Lunar Rabbit I encountered on my first day here.

But even a single Lunar Rabbit was enough to wipe out an entire pack of Silverback Wolves. This group was wise enough to search for a somewhat weaker prey, most likely a Gemstone Antelope, a magical beast with gemstone-like features embedded in its back. Usually hunted by human nobles, the fur of a Gemstone Antelope was in high demand to weave into expensive, luxurious leather coats for high-class ladies.

They were pretty common in this underground cavern, but like the Lunar Rabbit, far from helpless. A single kick from one of these Gemstone Antelopes could blow a hole through a rock wall, and they could generate elemental techniques from range. Apparently the organic gemstones in their backs produced a lot of qi, and were also regularly used to craft Spirit Engraved gear, empowered elemental weapons and defensive armaments.

But the pack of Silverback Wolves never got to track down a Gemstone Antelope. Instead, with their keen senses – especially their sense of smell – they sniffed the air and located me. Snarling, they twisted toward me, their jaws slavering and slobbering ravenously.

They had found a prey that was weaker than even the Gemstone Antelope. Or so they thought.

Cracking my neck from side to side, I stretched my arms and proceeded toward them. Smiling faintly, I beckoned them with one hand.

”What are you waiting for? Come at me.”

The first Silverback Wolf lunged at me without hesitation, its paws outstretched and its claws poised to eviscerate me. I had an image of the Lunar Rabbit and its attack on the Silverback Wolf about a week ago, and my body automatically moved to replicate its movements.

Spinning around, I pivoted on my left foot while striking out with my right leg in a roundhouse kick. My right foot connected with the Silverback Wolf's head, even as its claws maimed my right shoulder, drawing blood. Ignoring the pain, I increased the amount of force into my kick and sent the Silverback Wolf flying into the trees.

Thud.

A sickening crack echoed throughout the woods as the Silverback Wolf slammed into the tree, and then crumpled down, its neck twisted at an unnatural angle.

Success!

While I wasn't as good as the Lunar Rabbit, having sustained an injury in return, I had prevailed against my first foe. Elated by my success, I used my footwork techniques to advance forward. The second Silverback Wolf jumped back when I suddenly appeared in front of it, but I was already making use of my momentum to swing my leg forward and crack its skull. This time, I had used Shadow Kick. With a whine, the second Silverback Wolf went down, its throat bent and crushed.

The remaining two Silverback Wolves howled and lunged at me in vengeance. I used Tui to immediately retreat and avoided their attack. However, they quickly recovered and spun around swiftly and skillfully to face me once again. Their muscles bristled and bunched up as they prepared to pounce on me again.

”All right then…let's do this.”

Taking a deep breath, I remembered how the Lunar Rabbit dealt with the two Silverback Wolves that had foolishly attacked it when it landed. While the two Silverback Wolves pounced on me again, I did a backflip and landed on my hands. Whirling around, I tossed both legs out and spun about. The momentum of the Silverback Wolves carried themselves forward and right into the vortex of my kicks, and they were sent hurtling in opposite directions.

I did it. I actually successfully replicated the kicking techniques of the Lunar Rabbit! I was the real successor of the Lunar Rabbit Sect!

Dismissing the poor joke from my head and feeling a little sorry for Tu Zi Yi and her master, I jumped back onto my feet and proceeded toward one of the Silverback Wolves that had been struck by my kicks. One of them had survived, having managed to dodge its head in time, but I had caught it at the side of its shoulder and the power of my kick had shattered the bone.

Growling, it tried to stand, but could only limp on three limbs. I looked down on it coldly as I advanced. The Silverback Wolf glared at me defiantly and growled, but I wasn't intimidated. Instead, I shook my head.

”Sorry. It might hurt, but I have no choice. I'm doing this to survive…the same as you.”

The Silverback Wolves attacked me because they wanted to eat me. I hunted them because I needed to sate my hunger. That was why I didn't blame them. And they weren't hypocritical enough to blame me either, right?

It didn't matter. Unlike the Lunar Rabbit, I had no intention of toying with my victim. I delivered a devastating Shadow Kick onto the wounded Silverback Wolf, finishing it off cleanly with a single stroke. It let out a howl before its skull was caved in by my foot.

Exhaling in relief, I then glanced around to make sure that our struggle hadn't drawn the attention of more dangerous foes. I didn't want to get ambushed by another Lunar Rabbit or the Ghost Bear from before. Once I made sure that there was nothing nearby, I nodded in satisfaction.

”All right. Time to collect the food.”

Trying to stem my hunger, I bent down and picked up the Silverback Wolf's carcass. Collecting all four of them, I began to hastily return to safety.

My hunger was driving me mad, and I was nearly consumed by the desire to devour the fresh meat that I now carried. Suppressing my pangs of starvation, I quickened my pace, the promise of a fresh meal for the first time in a week awaiting me back in my temporary hideout.