Chapter 30: Nightmare

Boom!

Flashes of spiritual power light erupted throughout the Black Beast Mountain Range, accompanied by constant rumbling.

Proud Sword Sect disciples were working together to complete the missions the sect had assigned.

Apart from a very small number of them, most outer sect disciples were joining forces to slaughter the demon beasts.

Yun Hao listened to the booms echoing from deep within the mountain range.

Curiosity made him want to stop and take a look.

In all the time since he had joined the sect, he had never watched how the other disciples used spiritual power in battle.

Although he had Elder Lin’s guidance, his actual combat experience was still very limited.

Now was a good chance to observe their techniques while those senior brothers worked together to kill demon beasts and gain more experience.

Yun Hao gazed into the depths.

Ahead stretched an endless forest filled with a cold, damp aura—the perfect place for hunters to set ambushes.

This distance is really far… and the deeper I go, the easier it will be to encounter powerful demon beasts.

Even if I only run into one, there might be others waiting to ambush me along the way… My strength is still too weak.

Yun Hao shook his head to himself, feeling a pang of regret, and abandoned the idea.

The stronger a demon beast was, the more intelligence it possessed.

They usually guarded their own territories and would not attack unless provoked.

But he could not rule out some beasts coveting another’s domain.

If he fought the beast whose territory had been invaded and another suddenly struck from hiding, real danger could follow.

He carried the Hunyuan Pearls, but he did not want to use them unless it was absolutely necessary.

Completing the training with his own true strength was the best outcome.

Yun Hao continued hurrying toward the previous assembly point.

Along the way he encountered one or two Qi Refining demon beasts and casually dispatched them with a single sword strike.

One mid Qi Refining wolf-type demon beast tried to ambush him, but a sudden sense of warning rose in Yun Hao’s heart.

He dodged ahead of time, then countered with the Shattered Star technique Elder Lin had taught him, exploding the beast’s head with one blow.

After these encounters, Yun Hao felt his spiritual techniques becoming smoother and more proficient.

The youthful side of his nature sparked a little excitement.

Looking at his bloodstained clothes, an idea slowly surfaced in his mind.

Why not find a water source in the outer area and wash myself? If I run into some low-level demon beasts along the way, I can keep honing my experience.

In his heart, missing the chance to watch the outer sect disciples fight together still left him with some regret.

He felt he had missed many opportunities to learn.

Once the thought appeared, it grew like vines, impossible to stop.

If I stay only in the outer area and remain careful, nothing should happen. With the Wind Shadow Art boosting my speed, I can escape before any danger arrives.

Besides, showing up in front of Senior Sister covered in blood would be embarrassing.

Having fully convinced himself, Yun Hao no longer hesitated.

He searched for a water source while advancing cautiously.

Actually, he could have washed himself at the clear spring on Sect Master Peak once he returned to Proud Sword Sect.

But ever since discovering the osmanthus cakes, Yun Hao had subconsciously refused to go near that mountainside.

He had consciously forced himself to forget the osmanthus cakes, and that spirit spring had become the most important reminder… He would not go there anymore.

…

Half a day later, Yun Hao had slain quite a few Qi Refining demon beasts.

The nausea and disgust he had felt after his first ambush on the Miye Deer had eased considerably.

Slaying these demon beasts now felt no different from killing chickens and ducks back in the prince’s mansion—only the initial contact made him queasy.

The difference was that these demon beasts fought back.

If he was not careful, they could injure him.

Their blood also sprayed far too violently.

A single decapitating strike sent their blood gushing at least a meter high, drenching him completely in crimson.

Exploding their heads was even worse—blood splattered everywhere with no place to hide.

Yun Hao’s combat experience was still too shallow.

Most cultivators in the cultivation world would surround their bodies with a thin layer of spiritual power both for defense and to prevent blood from staining them.

No one had taught Yun Hao this, so he ended up looking so wretched.

He continued groping forward.

The sky around him gradually darkened.

He felt something was wrong—the day seemed to have dragged on too long.

He looked up at the sky and judged it was already the final moment of the You hour.

Forcing his way back now would be too late…

Yun Hao pondered for a moment and decided to find a cave first that could shelter him from wind and rain and offer some safety.

The Black Beast Mountain Range at night was extremely dangerous even in the outer areas.

Darkness provided a natural ambush net, and countless beasts lurked in the shadows, waiting for prey to stumble into their traps.

He climbed higher, searching everywhere for a suitable cave.

As the last trace of sunset glow lingered on the horizon, Yun Hao finally found what looked like a decent cave.

He pushed aside the vines at the entrance and stepped inside to inspect it.

Deep inside the cave were traces of a campfire.

It seemed some cultivator or traveler had rested here before.

Yun Hao felt much more at ease after noticing this.

At least this cave was not some demon beast’s lair.

He had found a safe place to spend the night.

He lingered around the cave for a while longer, carefully checking for any demon beast tracks nearby.

Yun Hao was lucky—only ordinary small wild animals had passed through the area, with no demon beasts at all.

He gathered some firewood and returned to the cave.

Watching the campfire rise, Yun Hao sat hugging his knees and stared blankly.

The mission was already complete.

Tomorrow he only needed to find a water source, clean himself, and head back.

Actually, he could have found water today if he had not gotten carried away hunting demon beasts…

He recalled the two months he had spent with Senior Sister.

It felt like a dream—illusory and ethereal.

Senior Sister was so powerful and aloof, yet she had been willing to guide him onto the immortal path and let him stay by her side.

He felt both grateful and uneasy.

Grateful that Senior Sister was willing to keep him, uneasy that his future cultivation might disappoint her.

If one day Senior Sister no longer wanted him, he would surely go mad with despair…

She was all he had left…

Yun Hao’s thoughts drifted.

There was also his junior sister, who was only a year younger than him—his first playmate.

Back in the prince’s mansion, everyone had looked down on him.

No one his own age had wanted to spend time with him.

Junior Sister was the first.

And Elder Lin treated him like a grandfather, giving him warm care.

He had done nothing to deserve it, yet Elder Lin treated him like his own grandson, teaching him immortal techniques and common knowledge.

He could only accept that care with gratitude.

If I ever have the chance in the future, I must repay Elder Lin’s kindness…

Yun Hao’s thoughts grew hazy.

He seemed to see Senior Sister waving at him, calling him over.

He tried to walk toward her, but no matter how he moved he could not catch up.

He grew anxious, desperate to return to her side…

He tried to drive his body’s spiritual power, but even with all his strength he could not shorten the distance between them.

It was as if he stood on the ground while she floated in the sky.

No matter how hard he tried, he could never match Senior Sister’s pace.

He grew disheartened.

Inferiority and fear wrapped around him.

Had he done something wrong? Did Senior Sister no longer want him?

Lost in these wild thoughts, he suddenly felt Senior Sister quietly appear beside him and tap his shoulder.

He turned around.

The fear vanished instantly, replaced by overflowing joy.

Senior Sister was still by his side! She was still willing to wait for him!

But the inferiority had already sunk into his bones.

Even Senior Sister’s presence could not erase it.

After the joy passed, he felt at a loss.

Still, he smiled and was about to call out “Senior Sister” when he noticed a box in her hands—an exquisite food box.

His smile froze, and all joy disappeared.

Senior Sister smiled sweetly at him and tossed the food box at his feet.

Inside, perfectly made osmanthus cakes scattered everywhere, covered in a layer of dust that could never be wiped away.

Immense fear engulfed him.

His reason shattered.

In panic he scrambled to pick up the fallen osmanthus cakes.

They carried his longing for his mother and his respect and love for Senior Sister.

He looked up, wanting to ask Senior Sister why, but the graceful figure had already vanished.

A charming laugh rang out.

Senior Sister had returned to the sky.

He struggled to stand and chase after her, but black mud pits suddenly surged from the ground.

Thick tentacles shot out and locked him in place, then slowly dragged him underground.

He sobbed, watching Senior Sister smile down at him from above… until he could no longer see even a single ray of light.

…

“Senior Sister!”