Zian, a Direct disciple from the Immortal Sword Sect, silently advanced on the path up the mountain. Whispers floated in the cool wind, and one caught his ear - it was Lan Xiu from the Profound Elements Sect, suggesting an alliance with some disciples from other Sects, a truce that could easily break under the strain of ambition.
Zian weighed the proposal in his mind, eyes fixed on the distant, hidden peak. "Trust is the luxury of the naïve," he muttered, almost to himself. "Alliances on this mountain are sandcastles waiting for the tide."
He felt eyes on him, and not just any eyes - Cai Ying from the Hidden Blade Sect. She was like an assassin in the night, silent, mysterious, and deadly. Her gaze gave nothing away but spoke volumes to those who understood.
His senses, having been honed throughout the years, could feel the deep-seated malice within those eyes. However, he didn't react to this knowledge. If she thought he didn't know she was there, it was better for him.
'Though, I doubt that's the case.' Zian thought with a hint of annoyance. Disciples, especially Core and Direct disciples from the Hidden Blade Sect, were trained to act as if their opponent knew they were there.
There's no such thing as underestimating their opponents in their minds. Every target, regardless of strength, will be treated with maximum caution.
'Haaa… That's why they're so damn annoying.' He sighed, wishing he could just climb the mountain in peace. He still had to save his strength for the rather popular yet elusive fox from the Battle Maiden Sect.
Amidst this tense atmosphere, the tranquility was shattered by an eruption of energy. All heads turned toward Tian Le of the Divine Weapons Sect. With his thunderous staff, he commanded the forces around him, demonstrating power with an explosive intensity.
Yet, within his stormy gaze, you could see he wasn't just brute force. He was assessing, calculating, contemplating every move on this treacherous ascent.
'Another bothersome guy has made his appearance.' Zian almost grabbed his sword and cut the man in half to spare himself the torture of interacting with Tian Le, or anyone from the Divine Weapons Sect, for that matter.
Soon enough, he was spotted by Lan Xiu after she had finished forming her little group. She waved at him with a smile and ran over.
"Hey, Zian! Wanna travel together?"
"No." He replied instantly.
"Oh~! Don't be like that! This place is scary, you know? For us to keep up with the Elders and Sect Masters, we need to stick together!" She persuaded with a cheeky smile, but Zian wasn't buying it.
"Don't lump me in with you. I have no need for assistance from undisciplined weaklings." He said, casting an indifferent glance at her 'followers'.
Lan Xiu frowned for a moment but instantly hid it and returned to her cheeky smile. "...Woah~ No need to be so mean~ I was just trying to help~"
"Go ask someone else then."
"..."
Lan Xiu's eyes twitched, but her smile remained. "Alright. Maybe I will. I'll see you at the top if you can even make it there."
With that said, she turned around and walked off with her group, who were staring at him with unconcealed hostility.
Zian could already see that most of the people following her were going to betray her in due time, but since his life would be quieter without her, he kept quiet.
"Hahahaha! Good job, Zian! You scared that nasty bitch away!" Tian Le came up behind him, laughing. He tried to give his shoulder a pat, but a blade created from his Sword Manifestation stopped him.
"Oh? It seems you're ready to fight! Alright! Let's go!" Tian Le chuckled while gripping his staff, but Zian sighed once again.
"Why are you even here? Don't you have poop to fling and bananas to eat? Go do that instead, and stop bothering me."
"..."
Even Tian Le, a rather outgoing guy, couldn't help but freeze up at that response. He knew Zian was a rather antisocial individual, but he didn't think the man would be such a dick.
'Fling poop? Eat bananas? Does he really see me as a monkey!?'
Yes, that's exactly what Zian thought of the guy. An ape with too much strength.
"Bahahaha!" Tian Le burst out laughing, having never been called that before, and slapped the man on the shoulder despite the blade piercing his skin. "Now, I might really have to fight you!"
"Haaa… If you want a fight, I can sense a Late-Stage Rank 8 Golden Lion over there. I'm sure that'll satisfy your needs." Zian sighed, pointing in a direction diagonally up the mountain.
Tian Le's eyes lit up. "Really?! Then forgive me, but we'll have to postpone our fight until later! I need to see where I stand against such a beast!" Then he took off in that direction.
Zian shook his head, but a sly smile crept up on his face. 'What a fool.'
Now, there was just one troublesome person, but honestly, Cai Ying was the easiest to deal with. He just had to ignore her, maybe block a few assassination attempts, and she'd eventually leave.
Zian shrugged and put his sword at his waist before climbing the mountain once again, now having some peace and quiet.
Zian continued on his path, seemingly without a care in the world.
In the next instant, his senses pinged alert. A sequence of growls reverberated through the environment, carrying with them the distinct energy of Rank 8 beasts.
Eyes narrowing slightly, he spotted the beast approaching, which looked to be a group of bears.
His Sword Manifestation flashed, swift and bright, cutting through the beasts with ease. Without even knowing what happened, they dropped to the ground, their bodies cut horizontally.
Yet, amidst this, Cai Ying made her move. Daggers flew with deadly accuracy, aimed to pierce and kill. But Zian, with reflexes honed from countless battles, drew his sword and deflected the ambush effortlessly.
Without sparing a glance toward his attacker, he marched forward.
'As I thought. She already knows I know and is just playing with me. I guess to stress me out and wait until I make a mistake? Who knows…' Zian thought, but found this to be more interesting than just walking up.
At least with her, he'd always be on high alert, looking out for any attacks.
As Zian furthered his ascent, the atmosphere around him gradually intensified. He could sense the enemies becoming more and more dangerous.
In the spectral silence, a thunderous roar shook the mountainside. Zian's eyes flicked toward the source – a colossal Peak-Stage Rank 8 serpent, its scales shimmering menacingly under the veiled moonlight, slithered into his path, eyes gleaming with hostile intent.
With a nonchalant wave of his sword, Zian cut through the air in front of him. The Sword Manifestation, sharp and swift as lightning, struck down upon the serpent. A split second later, its gargantuan body thudded heavily onto the rocky ground, its life extinguished in the blink of an eye.
Yet, no victory was savored as another challenge presented itself. The change in the wind indicated yet another confrontation. Zian didn't need to turn around to recognize the familiar intent locked onto him - Cai Ying, persistent as ever.
This time, it wasn't the usual throwing daggers; the atmosphere around became dense, a crippling pressure descending upon Zian as Cai Ying initiated her concealed technique. Invisible chains of Qi enveloped the area, seeking to restrain and immobilize.
Zian sighed inwardly. With a slight squint of his eyes, he drew his sword, emanating a faint glow as he swung in a wide arc, dispelling the oppressive energy trying to entangle him. As the Qi chains dissipated into the night, Zian continued walking, leaving a frustrated Cai Ying in his wake.
All of this was nothing more than an annoyance to him.
In the distance, he could sense the Sect Elders and Rank 9 beasts duking it out, but he wasn't worried. Even if one of them approached him, he still had his trump cards. Unless a Mid-Stage Rank 9 beast or above came after him, he was confident he could live.
When a Late-Stage Rank 8 Eagle, with talons that could tear through Low-Stage Divine-Grade metal, swooped down upon him, its screech tearing through the still night, Zian merely raised his hand. A blade of pure energy shot out, slicing through the air and striking the eagle down, its cry abruptly silenced.
But the path had more in store. Cai Ying's presence, a constant shadow, flickered occasionally, projecting silent threats and attempted strikes. But Zian navigated through them with an air of casual indifference, deflecting and dodging without breaking his rhythm.
This dance continued under the silent gaze of the moon. It was a rather enjoyable experience for Zian, as Cai Ying always brought out something new to test him.
With the peak drawing closer, the challenges grew sterner. Yet, Zian's steps never faltered. And every failed attempt from Cai Ying only served to highlight the gap between their abilities.
Or perhaps that's what she wanted him to believe. Either way, it was fun.
Finally, after many hours of traveling, he reached a point where he could see the clouds blocking the peak, swirling around the mountain like a cyclone.
However, not far from him, he sensed a dangerous aura. One filled with a tremendous amount of killing intent that shook him to his very bones.
Tilting his head slightly, he saw a fox woman with nine multicolored tails staring at him from a distance with her blood-red eyes.
