Chapter 6

“I’m 14 this year…” Saibot mumbled and then continued cultivating.

Just like that, time slowly ticked on and very soon, five days passed. Saibot followed these scavengers to cross over mountains and travel across plains.

Three people had left midway through the journey. This also verified Saibot’s assessment previously that these people had grouped together temporarily.

By the seventh day, after the two blade-wielding scavengers left as well, only Saibot and Captain Litcht remained.

On this night, at the foot of a mountain, Captain Litcht looked at Saibot. 

The latter took small bites of a bun next to the campfire while keeping some of the buns for later. After that, Captain Litcht slowly spoke.

“Kid, we’ll be able to reach our destination tomorrow at noon. That’s the place I live at and it is also a campsite where scavengers gather.”

Saibot looked up at the old man. The old man gazed into the far distance and continued speaking.

“Scavenger campsites tend to be set up next to forbidden zones. Therefore, the area on that side of the mountain next to the campsite is also a forbidden zone." He paused. 

“Compared to the rudimentary forbidden zone you were in previously, this one has existed for a very long time. Not only do ferocious beasts exist there, but there are also dangerous places, and the density of anomalous substances is extremely high. If an ordinary person doesn’t come out from there after one day, they will die. I can only hang on for seven days at most there."

However, that place produces seven-leaf grass in abundance. It is a necessary ingredient in refining white pills.

“White pills are the foundational alchemy pills that cultivators use to neutralize the anomalous substances in their bodies. Therefore, many outsiders come to this place. They care for their lives and aren’t familiar with the terrain, so they rarely go pick the seven-leaf grass themselves. They usually tend to spend spirit coins to get the native scavengers to enter the forbidden zone and pick the grass.”

After saying this, the old man looked at Saibot.

“Do you understand what I mean?”

“You’re saying that the native scavengers in the campsite are people who can do anything for the sake of money.”

When Saibot heard about the white pill and its effects, he squinted his eyes and said this after some thought.

Captain Litcht’s gaze had a hint of surprise and he smiled.

“Your answer is partially correct. What I want to tell you is that the rule in scavenger campsites is simply the survival of the fittest. Strength is above everything else."

“However, it is still a place of residency at least. Moreover, it has a marketplace where one can purchase or sell living necessities. There’d even be merchant groups who would come occasionally. Therefore, the housing at the campsite is quite valuable."

“As such, not everyone can enter as they please. For an unfamiliar face to gain residency rights, they must go through a beast fight. This was a rule decided by the camp leader."

“And if you pass it successfully, I can allow you to stay at my place for a fee,” said the old man slowly as he looked at Saibot.

But Saibot didn't panic like the others. Instead, he thought hard about the python's strengths and weaknesses, trying to figure out the best way to handle the situation.

When it was time to draw lots, everyone was tense. Nobody wanted to end up facing that scary python. And when the lots were drawn, it was a little girl who got picked, shaking like a leaf. She knew she had to face that giant python, and there was no way out.

The other Fire Possoms watched nervously as the girl stepped up to her challenge. They knew it was gonna be tough for her, but they hoped she'd come out on top. And as she faced off against the python, her bravery shone through.

Even though things looked tough, the girl never gave up. With each move, she showed how brave and skilled she was, earning respect from everyone around her. And in the end, she beat the giant python, proving just how strong she was.

This story reminds us that even when things seem impossible, we can overcome them if we believe in ourselves and never give up.

Meanwhile, Saibot received the bamboo slip corresponding to the smaller wolf, the weakest opponent among the beasts. Though relieved to avoid the python, he recognized the need for caution in his upcoming battle.

With the lots drawn and combatants arranged, the first match began amidst the raucous cheers of the spectators, signaling the start of a brutal contest for survival.