At that moment two guards arrived. They had hurried breaths so it was obvious they had been running for quite some time.
"S...stop" One of them spoke as he held his chest and scrunched his face."Ah Elder Jang" The other one noticed Elder Jang and bowed immediately. The second one too followed.Elder Jang raised one of his eyebrows in a look that questioned the guards."Elder Jang they forcefully came in through the sect's gate. We tried to stop them but before we could do anything they were long gone" One of them said with a worried look."So you broke into the sect, and also barged in here. You better have a good excuse for this?" Elder Jang looked at Rose with an angry face."I told you, u brought friendly competition" Rose smiled as she pointed at the two with her.Elder Jang took a low at the other two person with her. He couldn't see much of them as they had long black robes on them but from what he sensed, they would be of the younger generation."You two leave and report to the sect master at once" Elder Jang ordered the two guards."Yes, Elder Jang" They answered in unison and went on their way."Leave? Who said you could leave?" Rose sudden words brought an ominous feeling on those that heard it.As soon as she said that Rose vanished and appeared in front of the two guards."C'mon, stay and watch the show" She said with a very threatening smile.The guards shivered. They could feel a very bad energy coming from the woman, she was far above their levels. They couldn't do anything if she decided to keep them here forcefully."What is the meaning of this!" Elder Jang roared."I'm just saying they should watch, You two want to watch right?" Rose laughed as she looked at the two.The two guards nodded their heads several times. Who were they to say no in front of this power.Elder Jang held his cane tight and flew towards rose. The cane transformed into a fiery spear and elder Jang threw it straight at her.Rose immediately gathered energy and a liquid sphere was made around her.The liquid sphere managed to reduce the force of the spear before it collapsed. And as soon as the spear was free and not baring much force, a hand smacked it and changed it's direction.The spear changed direction and a student just happened to be in the way.Harith's body moved beyond his control and he swiftly dove out of the way. The spear then anted itself firmly into the wall behind him.Harith could have sworn he saw his soul fly out of his body. If he didn't have great reflexes he would have died just like that!"Are you okay?!" Elder Jang immediately as as he landed on his feet."I'm fine" Harith answered as he repositioned himself much further away. He wasn't looking to put himself in danger again.Rose looked at Harith and smiled "You could have died then, a boy as handsome as you wasted. Surely you wouldn't want that Jang chi" Rose looked at Elder Jang."So you are threatening my students now?" Elder Jang was furious. Not only had she broken into the sect, she had also forcefully entered the Youth practitioners building and now she was threatening his students? She could do anything but threaten his students...no one does that and goes scot-free."Ah no, how dare I threaten the great Jang Chi's students. I'm just saying, if we fight now, in this whole area" She stopped and looked at the Youth practitioners behind Elder jang "There would surely be a few casualties that we would both like to avoid""Hmm?" As she spoke she sensed something was off and she looked in a particular direction. One of the guards had tried to leave sneakily as she was talking earlier.*Bang* A loud force was heard as a stone shot out from a wall and hit one of the guards in the head, knocking him unconscious instantly.The other guard shivered as he saw his colleague knocked out cold on the floor."Now back to the topic, we both wouldn't want that right? Jang chi" She had a cunning smile."What do you want?" Elder Jang ask. To be honest what she said was the truth. He and rose were similar in power, and if a battle occured between people at their level, the destruction of a large arena would be miniscule compared to the casualties that would be suffered."Aha, now you're talking. You see as a neighbourhood sect, and considering the past relations between both of our sects, I have been curious about how competent the younger generation are. And you know, the great Jang chi students should be as great as their master. So today I have brought two of my students for that" Rose proposed."So you want a fight" Elder Jang got straight to the point."Woah a fight, the water serpent sect is challenging us?""Those two hmm" The students were naturally appalled. This strange woman wanted a fight and she had broken into the sect just to do that."Well if you put it that way... yes" Rose answered. "See even your students are excited" She continued."And how do we benefit from this 'fight' "Elder Jang questioned. He wasn't interested in making his students fight for nothing."Ah I knew you would ask that. Wouldn't you want to save face for your sect? I mean after all the controversies wouldn't it be nice to restore some form of respect for the sect. If word spread that your students defeated the The Great serpent sect students then you would do just that" Rose said with excitement."Leave" Elder Jang said with a stoic face."Alright alright, I have brought something" Rose said as she put her hand inside her robe and took out a pouch. She opened it and inside were green orbs that the students were dying to see. " I have brought Ten emerald eyes as a reward for whoever wins""Woah ten!""That's twice as much as before""I don't mind fighting if that's on the line!" The emerald eyes picked the students interest.Harith's eyes shone. He had been interrupted when he wanted to challenge the hole earlier but it seemed this woman had brought an even greater opportunity to get an emerald eye.Elder Jang sighed as he looked back at his students. They had nothing to lose if they fought and instead had much to gain. But he was still concerned, the water dragon sect's students weren't trained in the conventional ways."So what do you say, Jang chi" Rose looked at Elder Jang."We will fight" Elder Jang answered and sighed after. There wasn't much he could do since his students were very clearly interested. Also, if they lose...it would even be much better to his plans!"Good. They would fight five matches all together. Two emerald eyes would be awarded to whoever that wins any of my students. Is that okay?" She said.Elder Jang pondered for a moment before he asked "So both of your students would have to fight two or more of my students each?""Yes" Rose answered"And you are confident they would win?" Elder Jang narrowed his eyes."Let's find out shouldn't we?" Rose was as cocky as ever."Who wants to go first" Elder Jang took a seat and asked his students.It looked like one of the student had been waiting just to hear that and he immediately ran out. "Me me!" He waved his hand."Alright you go first" Elder Jang said without much talk."Yes!" The boy was clearly very happy and he walked to the front.Rose signalled to one of the two with her. The one on her left holding a fan stepped forward and removed the hood that covered her face.The crowd immediately went silent as they gazed on the girl's face. Beauty like that had never seen before was right in front of their eyes.She was a red head and had some freckles on her face but they only served to magnify the sheer beauty that radiated from her being."I am Amber, what is your name?" The girl, Amber, spoke in a soft voice that could penetrate any boy's heart."I'm F...f...Feng hao I mean H...hao Feng" Hao feng stuttered as he answered with a blushing face."It is an honor to fight you Hao feng" Amber bowed."I.. it is an honor as well" Hao Feng bowed hurriedly. She was so polite how could he not reciprocate her greetings."shall we?" Amber asked as she raised her hand brought out a waved her fan."Yo-" Before Hao Feng could answer a huge ball of water hit him and the stomach and pushed him backwards.Amber wasted no time and spread her fan fully, she then threw it at Hao Feng. The fan wan very precise in it's direction and went for Hao feng's neck.Hao Feng was shocked as he immediately dodged it. This beauty was so brutal, going for his neck in what was supposed to be a friendly match?!But Hao Feng wasn't given much time to think as the fan he has dodged came from the back again. It behaved like a boomerang in a way.Hao Feng reacted as fast as he could and tilted his head to the side. *Slice* The fan grader his cheeks and blood was drawn.The fan returned to Amber and rested in her hands while Hao Feng touched his cheek only to find out it was bleeding.Hao Feng immediately frowned and soon the frown had turned into anger. "You bitch" Hao Feng blurted and the his eyes turned bloodshot."Oh my" Amber mocked him.Hao Feng only got angrier as she spoke and his fists lit up. He didn't have a fancy weapon like she did and he didn't know much battle spells, he knew only one, and he knew it well.Hao Feng specialized in close combat like his brother Lee min. The family to which they belong was one of the most prolific close combat masters in the region, so as the second son he was well trained in that area. He had planned to take up Elder Jang's challenge today and atleast get an emerald stone but this woman just came and basically offered it to him for free! Hao Feng charged with an intent to cause pain. He was extremely fast and as soon as he got close enough to Amber he swung his fist. Amber step back and watched as the punch passed right in front of her face. She counter attacked as a ball of water formed in her left hand and she slapped Hao Feng across the face with it. Hao Feng was sent stumbling to the side as he struggled to maintain focus. A ringing sound pestered his ears like a fly would pester rotten food. But Hao Feng didn't let that stop him. Punch after punch he kept swinging, hoping one would connect but Amber proved to nimble for his punches. *Slice* Hao Feng fell to the ground as the back of his knee was cut by Amber's sharp fan blade. Amber immediately saw that as an opportunity to deliver more damage and she launched at him, her fan ready. As soon as amber got close a body shot was delivered straight to her stomach. With the fire around his fist, Hao feng's punch was greatly enhanced. Amber crouched as she held her stomach and Hao Feng delivered another massive Punch to her face with his right hand. *Thud* Amber's body fell to the floor as she lost consciousness. Hao Feng looked at her unconscious body shocked. She had lost consciousness that easily? "You have won. Here's the reward as promised" Rose said and tossed two emerald eyes to Hao Feng. Hao Feng immediately jumped and caught the orbs disregarding his injured knee. Hao Feng couldn't believe it, he had two emerald eyes in hands! It's that easy?!Hao Feng had the brightest smile on his face. This woman had really stuck to her words and actually given him the emerald eyes. He just had to beat her candidate...which he did easily. Even he was surprised at how easy he had done that. Sure he had a few cuts here and there but that was all, she didn't really prove much trouble in taking down."Guys what are you waiting for?" Hao Feng excitedly said to the crowd and he waved his emerald eyes for all to see."She really did give him!""It wasn't even that hard for Hao Feng to beat him" The crowd was ecstatic. Hao Feng was a average at best in terms of power but he had still easily taken the girl down. If they went then it was basically free emerald eyes assured."I wanna go next!""No me me, elder Jang pick me!" The students struggled to come forward. Elder Jang on the other hand wasn't too happy. This girl Rose had brought felt so weak compared to what he expected from an average Great water serpent sect youth practitioner. The averag
"It's remaining two pairs, if you want to fight now's your chance" Rose said as she looked in a certain direction with intent."Let me go this time" As soon as young master Baxia saw her look. He felt suspicious that she kept looking at him but he didn't focus on that. His focus was on the emerald eyes. If he didn't step up before the others the emerald eyes may be gone just when he could."Come on out then" Rose answered In place of elder Jang with enthusiasm. Young master Baxia looked at Elder Jang for his approval and since elder Jang had nothing to be suspicious about he just let him go. It wouldn't even last up to a minute before Baxia would win and he'd resume his time with his students."Eh? Wasn't she knocked out before?" A student pointed at Amber who was now standing opposite young master Baxia. Of course they found it strange, it was unlike before when she was fed the pill and took some time to become conscious. Now immediately Young master Baxia stepped up she just surpri
The next dayHarith had woken up very early and started with the stance right away. It was about five in the morning so everywhere was dark and silent, but this was what Harith preferred. The undisturbed silence gave him the leisure to focus more on the state he attained."Now let's see your magic" Harith muttered as he brought out the three emerald eyes he had earned...well he stole one but still most of it was earned. He placed two in his palms and one in front of him and sat on his bed cross legged. He placed his hands on his thighs and joined his fingers together. He then closed his eyes and breathe rhythmically.Sure this wasn't the position Elder Jang had taught him to stay in. But he had found out that one didn't necessarily have to adopt a particular stance before they could gather energy. So he stayed in a way that he was more comfortable with.The book he bought earlier had shown him in detail how the emerald eyes could be used for training. Now to understand that one must f
"Come here, sit down." Cho cheong guided Harith to her chair as he held his nose. She brought out a handkerchief from her pocket and offered it to him."Thanks" Harith took the handkerchief and pressed it on his nose. There was still much blood on it so the handkerchief was soaked in a few seconds.Cho cheong offered him another and finally the blood rush was stable."You shouldn't be getting into fights now, you know you're still not strong enough. How would you have defended yourself if Dang ju really wanted to attack you?" Cho cheong nagged him with a worried look."A fight? He was the one who attacked me when I did nothing to him!" Harith was perplexed at her words. The fuck did she mean he got into a fight, getting into a fight involved two or more parties mutually attacking each other. That was not the case earlier."Did you by any chance insult his looks or say anything about his body?" Cho cheong asked."...." Harith was speechless. He had a guilty look. He had clearly called
A week after.The Trials for Elder jang's emerald eyes had become fiercer. The students were improving at a solid rate. Now the vast of them were able to take out the Fiery bodies without any sweat. A good chunk of them were able to evade the air bursts. But they all stopped when it came time to enduring the water dragon's attack.Baxia had become the only one to successfully take an emerald eye. After leaving the medicine house, he didn't waste time in challenging the hole and after many trials he took just one of the emerald eyes. Overall, Elder Jang was very satisfied with what his students showed. They hadn't become strong enough to move mountains and stuff but they were much better than they were before. Now they didn't just rely on their elemental powers but they could also rely on their martial prowess. Something that would be very useful In an unforeseen battle.On the other hand, Harith was making progress too. Every day he would wake up very early in the morning and try to
Harith had a smile as he walked back to the marketplace. He was feeling especially happy as he looked at the red bead on his hand. Sure, an emerald eye was probably worth more than this bead but he had a plan in place. A plan that would grant him both the bead and the emerald eye. For now, he was satisfied with just this."Harith! I'm happy I met you here" As Harith reached the marketplace cho cheong called him from afar. She seemed like she was in search of something."What are you doing out here on this hot afternoon?" Harith asked with a smile."Tch" Cho cheong hissed and tapped him on the head. "So should I just stay home all day?" "ow!" Harith held his forehead "aren't you the one always concerned about your skin?!" Harith puffed earning another knock from Cho cheong."Shut it and help me" Cho cheong rolled her eyes.Harith rubbed the his forehead. He was certain it had gotten red...that little devil. "What do you want?" Harith asked. Cho cheong wasn't one to be out in a public
As the two finally left the confines of the sect, Harith was surprised to see the outer world. There was a barrier surrounding the whole sect, it seemed to be as a result of the earlier incident with the young master. But as they stepped out of the barrier Harith wasn't expecting what he saw."R...rocks?" Harith looked around. The gate of the sect was just behind them, but apart from that everything around him was full of nothing but rocks. Red rocks that looked like they had been endlessly hammered by the scorching sun that showed no mercy to man and earth alike."It's not just all rocks" Cho cheong rolled her eyes and picked up the pace. It was almost night time so they had to atleast get to the nearest transport station before that."Where do we go from here?" Harith asked. From what he could see, the rocks stretched endlessly never having an ending. "There's a transport station nearby. It's just about five kilometers from here" She said as she kicked a nearby stone."Huh?!" Harit
This was Harith's first time of seeing one(obviously). It had the head of a lion but the body of a horse. Very strange and fear inspiring."phew" Cho cheong exhaled a breath of relief. She was glad to see they had really arrived. No matter how much she travelled she still couldn't get used to the dangers and liabilities. That was part of the reason why she had Harith come with her. But seeing as they had arrived safely she could now relax."uh...u have something on your cheek" Harith shakily pointed to cho cheong's mouth."hmm?" Cho cheong said as she touched her lips. She felt a bumb on it, a bumb that had a very tough texture and felt like it was segmented.She immediately panicked and smacked her cheeks not caring for the damage it could possibly do to her face.The thing she had smacked away jumped and landed on Harith's arm. Harith in turn panicked. The shii felt like a huge fucking cockroach crawling on his arms. She waved his hand around violently, even going to the point of se