ARK SPIRIT

The following afternoon, the sun had already begun to sink toward the west, staining one corner of the Tieu Dao Mountain valley red.

Hao Nhien arrived at the stream below the slope well before the appointed time.

He sat on a large rock by the bank, neither practicing his fists nor his sword, nor entering breathing cultivation. After several days of running missions, fighting, and gathering information throughout the outer sect, this was one of the rare moments when he truly allowed himself to sit still.

The stream wound through gaps between the rocks. Whenever it met an obstacle, it simply changed direction and continued flowing down the mountain. Hao Nhien watched the water for a long time, and before he realized it, his thoughts had drifted much farther away.

Ever since arriving in this world, everything had happened too quickly. Thanh Van Town, Thanh Van City, the Quan family, and now Tieu Dao Mountain. He had almost always been forced to keep moving forward, sometimes facing the next event before he had even fully understood the last.

Yet whenever the world became truly quiet, one name still surfaced in his heart.

Anh Nhien.

He wondered how she was now, and the thought brought a faint heaviness to his chest.

Hao Nhien reminded himself that at least Anh Nhien was only sleeping. If it truly was a deep sleep, then she would not have to suffer pain, fear, or loneliness in the darkness. As long as she still existed, hope had not disappeared.

He believed that if he continued growing stronger and gradually uncovered the deeper secrets of the Cosmic Ark, then one day he would find a way to bring her back.

The stream continued flowing while the evening light stretched farther across the water, and Hao Nhien’s thoughts drifted with it toward a place very far away.

A familiar voice suddenly sounded beside him.

“Young Master...”

Hao Nhien turned in surprise.

Tieu Lan was standing less than a step away.

She wore the pale blue robes of Medicine Peak, her hair tied neatly behind her, and carried a small cloth bag in her arms. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the walk, but the concern in her eyes was far more noticeable.

“Tieu Lan?”

Hao Nhien stared at her for a moment.

“When did you get here?”

“I just arrived, but I was already standing this close and Young Master still didn’t react.”

Hao Nhien fell silent. She was right. He had been far too distracted.

With his hearing, reflexes, and the vigilance developed over the past few days in the forest, it was normally difficult for anyone to approach this closely without him noticing at all. This was also the outer sect of Tieu Dao Sect, where he had only recently learned a rather painful lesson about lowering his guard.

Tieu Lan sat beside him.

“What were you thinking about? You shouldn’t lose awareness of your surroundings like that. What if it hadn’t been me?”

There was no reproach in her voice, only concern.

Hao Nhien turned back toward the stream and exhaled.

“Mm. I was careless this time.”

The fact that he admitted it so quickly only made Tieu Lan more worried.

“Were you thinking about something serious?”

Hao Nhien did not answer immediately.

A dry leaf fell onto the water, spun a few times, then disappeared downstream.

Only after a while did he speak.

“I was thinking about someone very far away.”

Tieu Lan paused, but did not ask who.

Hao Nhien did not explain either.

The evening wind moved between them.

When he turned toward her again, Hao Nhien suddenly realized how close Tieu Lan was.

So close that her presence had almost become one of the most familiar parts of his current life.

Ever since he awakened in this world, Tieu Lan had almost always been there. When he was weak, when he trained his fists and sword, when he was injured, when he broke through, when he left Thanh Van Town, and when he entered Tieu Dao Mountain, she had never truly disappeared from his life.

Perhaps because her presence had become so familiar, he sometimes forgot that nothing should ever be taken for granted.

“Young Master?”

Hao Nhien turned fully toward her.

“I was just thinking about someone very far away, and then I suddenly realized that there is also someone very close beside me.”

Tieu Lan froze.

Hao Nhien continued.

“I’ve grown used to you always being here. So used to it that sometimes I simply assume you’ll still be here tomorrow, just as you are today, without ever stopping to think about how much you’ve changed because of me.”

Tieu Lan lowered her gaze toward the cloth bag in her lap.

“Young Master, don’t say that...”

“I’m not saying it to make you uncomfortable.”

Hao Nhien shook his head.

“I only just realized that having someone remain beside you is something very precious.”

Tieu Lan was quiet for a long time.

Hao Nhien reached out and took her hand.

Her fingers were slightly cold.

“There are some things I still don’t know how to explain. It isn’t because I don’t trust you. Even I don’t know where I should begin.”

A trace of confusion passed through Tieu Lan’s eyes, but she did not ask.

Hao Nhien continued.

“Those things are very distant, and very difficult to explain. When the time is right, I’ll tell you.”

He paused.

“So that you can understand me better, not only the Hao Nhien sitting in front of you now.”

Tieu Lan watched him for a long time before nodding.

“I’ll wait.”

Only two simple words, yet Hao Nhien felt their weight.

He said nothing more.

The two remained beside the stream, sitting shoulder to shoulder as the water flowed onward. Time moved the same way, but for this brief moment Hao Nhien no longer felt as though he were merely being swept along by it.

There was still someone beside him willing to wait.

After some time, Hao Nhien finally changed the subject.

“I want to go into the mountains tomorrow.”

Tieu Lan did not seem particularly surprised.

“For missions?”

“Mm. This time I may stay longer. Ten days if things go quickly, perhaps close to a month if they don’t.”

Hao Nhien explained, “I want to find a more stable area where I can hunt first rank demonic beasts while gathering medicinal herbs. If I encounter a second rank demonic beast that I can handle safely, I’ll try. If not, I’ll withdraw.”

Tieu Lan immediately frowned.

Before she could object, Hao Nhien continued.

“I have the Cave Dwelling to hide in, and I’ll prepare properly this time. I won’t take unnecessary risks like before.”

She studied him for a while, seemingly trying to determine whether he was hiding anything.

This time, Hao Nhien did not avoid her gaze.

Eventually, Tieu Lan nodded.

“All right.”

She withdrew her hand and pulled the small cloth bag in front of her.

“I prepared a few things for Young Master too.”

Inside were several porcelain bottles, a thin wooden box, and a small cloth pouch tied with red cord.

Tieu Lan took out the first bottle.

“These are a few more portions of Hemostatic Powder.”

The second bottle contained a medicinal salve.

“This is for bruises, dislocations, or places injured by heavy impact. It can’t immediately heal broken bones, but it can reduce pain, help spiritual qi penetrate the damaged flesh, and keep the injury from worsening before you return.”

She then took out three small pale blue glass bottles. A slightly viscous liquid filled each one, releasing a fresh herbal fragrance as soon as the stopper was removed.

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“This is Qi Recovery Liquid.”

She pushed all three bottles toward him.

“I managed to prepare three more. Keep them for when you need them.”

Hao Nhien accepted them.

“Three bottles are already extremely valuable.”

“Not valuable enough.”

Tieu Lan continued, “Once I learn fire control and can truly refine pills, I’ll be able to help Young Master much more.”

Hao Nhien laughed.

“There’s no need to rush. Powder first, then medicinal liquid, then pills. One step at a time.”

Tieu Lan nodded.

Finally, she took out the cloth pouch tied with red cord. This time, her expression became noticeably more serious.

“I asked Master for this.”

Hao Nhien immediately became interested.

Tieu Lan placed the pouch in his hand.

“It’s a powder used to lure demonic beasts. Sprinkle some upwind and it can attract first rank beasts, sometimes even second rank ones, within a certain area. But Master warned me very clearly that it can’t choose what comes. It might attract one first rank beast, or two or three at the same time, or even something you absolutely don’t want to meet.”

She continued.

“The range also depends on wind direction and how much powder you use. Using more doesn’t necessarily make it better. If the scent lingers too long, it can attract other demonic beasts or even other disciples.”

Hao Nhien opened the pouch.

Inside was a fine reddish brown powder with a strange sweet, bloody scent. It was not unpleasant in the same way as fresh blood, but it stirred something instinctive, immediately reminding him of food.

“Old Van knows you’re giving this to me?”

“Yes.”

Tieu Lan answered without hesitation.

“Master said that if Young Master wants to earn points by hunting demonic beasts, this will save a great deal of time. But he also said that anyone who uses it without understanding their own limits shouldn’t complain if they die.”

Hao Nhien laughed.

“That certainly sounds like Old Van.”

He tied the pouch again.

“Blood Scent Lure.”

Tieu Lan blinked.

“Blood Scent Lure?”

“It’s easier to remember that way.”

She thought about it, then nodded.

“It does fit.”

Hao Nhien stored the medicine and the Blood Scent Lure in his storage pouch.

“Thank you.”

Tieu Lan shook her head.

“Young Master, stop thanking me all the time.”

“Then what should I say?”

She lowered her gaze.

“Just come back safely.”

Hao Nhien was silent for a moment before nodding.

“I will.”

The next morning, Hao Nhien left the outer sect.

This time, he did not return to the southern forest where he had encountered the Five Tigers of the Yang family. Instead, he circled toward a more distant region southeast of the mountain. The terrain there was more complicated and the roads more difficult, but according to the information he had gathered, older outer sect disciples visited the area less often. First rank demonic beasts were fairly common and low level medicinal herbs could also be found, though locating either required more effort.

For most people, the greater distance was a disadvantage.

For Hao Nhien, it was another layer of protection.

He had no desire to earn a little loot only to find another group waiting for him on the way back.

On the first day, he did not immediately use the Blood Scent Lure.

He spent most of his time searching for a sheltered ravine, checking the water source, demonic beast tracks, entry routes, and several possible escape paths. Only after deciding that the area was relatively safe did he summon the Cave Dwelling of the Cosmic Ark beneath the cover of ancient trees.

It was not until the afternoon that Hao Nhien scattered a very small amount of Blood Scent Lure upwind and withdrew to an ambush position.

Less than an hour later, bushes in the distance began to shake.

A Fire Boar appeared.

It was smaller than the demonic boar Hao Nhien had hunted before, but the fur around its neck was dark red like glowing charcoal. Each breath distorted the air in front of its snout with heat. Its four hooves scraped repeatedly against the ground, while its eyes had already reddened under the stimulation of the Blood Scent Lure.

Hao Nhien did not reveal himself immediately.

He observed first.

The Fire Boar was not as fast as a Black Cloud Leopard, but its charging force was much greater, and when enraged it could expel a short burst of heated air. Even a seventh layer Qi Condensation cultivator would suffer if struck directly in the abdomen.

Only after understanding its basic movement patterns did Hao Nhien step out.

The battle lasted for more than fifteen minutes.

He deliberately did not use the Tieu Dao Sword to finish it immediately. Instead, he used the Body Soul Fist Art to confront it. Whenever the Fire Boar charged, Hao Nhien used Tieu Dao Footwork to move off its direct path, then struck its neck, ribs, or leg joints.

Not every punch was effective, but every collision helped him understand more clearly how true qi should circulate through his body when receiving and redirecting heavy force in actual combat.

Only when the Fire Boar began to tire did Hao Nhien draw the Tieu Dao Sword and end the fight with a decisive slash behind its ear.

A first rank beast core entered his possession.

Ten points.

This time, Hao Nhien did not remain there celebrating. He immediately cleaned away the blood traces, collected his loot, and moved to another location before resting.

On the second day, he used the Blood Scent Lure again.

Another Fire Boar came.

This one was far more aggressive than the first, and one burst of heated air even scorched away part of his sleeve. During this battle, however, Hao Nhien began experimenting with the Soul Art.

Not to increase his strength directly.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, his Divine Soul maintained a steady internal circulation, allowing his awareness to remain clearer through repeated collisions. As a result, Hao Nhien could judge the boar’s charging angle and impact more accurately while controlling his own body with greater precision. He reduced unnecessary movements and saved a noticeable amount of true qi.

After the battle, he returned to the Cave Dwelling and regulated his breathing for nearly two hours before recording a note in his jade slip:

“The Soul Art does not directly make me stronger at this stage. Its greatest value is keeping my awareness clear so that my judgment and physical control become more precise.”

On the third day, the Blood Scent Lure attracted an opponent that forced Hao Nhien to become far more serious.

A Black Cloud Leopard.

The moment it emerged from the shadows, he noticed something unusual.

Its body was nearly one zhang long. Black qi had already formed around its claws, but the layer was very thin, while its second rank aura fluctuated with obvious instability. Compared with the Black Cloud Leopard Hao Nhien had encountered previously, both its demonic power and its ability to conceal itself were noticeably weaker.

Hao Nhien could not be certain, but he suspected that this beast had only recently broken through to the second rank.

If his guess was correct, it sat almost exactly at the edge of what he could currently challenge.

He did not underestimate it.

This time, Hao Nhien used his sword from the beginning.

The Tieu Dao Sword left its sheath, its cold gleam passing through the forest shadows like light reflected from water. Hao Nhien did not rush to kill the leopard. Instead, he repeatedly used the angle of his blade to force it to alter its attack paths, gradually exposing its habits of movement.

The experience of his previous defeat quickly proved useful.

After nearly fifteen minutes, Hao Nhien noticed that whenever the Black Cloud Leopard accelerated diagonally, its center of gravity shifted more heavily toward its rear left leg.

Perhaps it was simply a habit, or perhaps its force distribution remained uneven because its new rank had not yet completely stabilized.

Hao Nhien did not need to know which.

He only needed the opening.

When the leopard charged again, Hao Nhien shifted right with Tieu Dao Footwork.

His sword did not aim for its neck.

The blade dropped low and swept across the tendon of its rear leg.

Blood sprayed out.

The Black Cloud Leopard lost balance, twisting sideways before rolling violently across the ground.

Hao Nhien gave it no opportunity to recover.

He rushed forward, used the sword hilt to deflect an upward swipe of its claw, then drove a fist down into the center of its back.

Crack!

The leopard’s body convulsed.

Hao Nhien immediately retreated, prepared for one final counterattack. Only when the demonic beast’s aura truly weakened did he approach again and finish it with his sword.

Standing beside the corpse, Hao Nhien’s breathing was heavier than usual, but his eyes were bright.

Not because of the second rank beast core.

He had confirmed something far more important.

His previous defeat had not been wasted.

If the stronger Black Cloud Leopard had never forced him to retreat before, Hao Nhien might not have learned to remain patient enough to read this beast’s movement rhythm and identify its point of acceleration so quickly.

Experience gained from defeat could sometimes be worth more than an easy victory.

On the fourth day, he encountered an Iron Armored Turtle.

This demonic beast was almost the exact opposite of the Black Cloud Leopard. It was extremely slow, yet the dark gray shell covering its body was lined with steel-like patterns and so hard that even strikes from the Tieu Dao Sword left only pale marks across its surface.

The Iron Armored Turtle rarely attacked first, but once it withdrew its head and limbs into its shell, Hao Nhien had almost no idea where to begin.

He first tried the Body Soul Fist Art, then switched to his sword, but neither method had much effect against the thick shell. He even attempted to flip the creature over, only to nearly have his knee smashed by its short tail, which struck with the force of a hammer.

After several attempts, Hao Nhien voluntarily backed away.

Continuing to attack would only waste true qi.

He sat down more than ten steps from the beast and studied the motionless dark shell.

If he could not break through its defense, then he needed a way to make it leave that defense on its own.

Hao Nhien took out a piece of leftover beast meat, sprinkled a small amount of Blood Scent Lure onto it, and placed it in the open ahead.

Fifteen minutes passed without any reaction.

Then another fifteen.

The Iron Armored Turtle remained motionless.

Hao Nhien even deliberately retreated farther away, leaving the meat completely exposed before it. The demonic beast still sat there like a stone.

After waiting longer, Hao Nhien laughed.

“Not interested?”

There was no response.

He retrieved the meat.

A demonic beast capable of surviving for years despite moving so slowly was clearly not something that could be tricked out of its defenses by food alone.

Hao Nhien remained seated for a while longer, his attention settling on the narrow gaps where the creature’s head and limbs disappeared beneath its shell.

An idea gradually formed.

Food could not persuade it to come out.

Then what if remaining inside became impossible?

Hao Nhien stood and searched the nearby area for dry leaves, damp grass, and rotting branches. He did not build a fire directly beside the turtle. Instead, he arranged several small piles a few steps away and ignited them on the upwind side.

The dry leaves caught first.

The damp grass did not burn well, but it produced a great deal of smoke.

The wind carried the thickening smoke directly toward the Iron Armored Turtle.

At first, the beast still did not react.

Hao Nhien remained at a distance and watched.

He did not increase the flames too much and had no intention of burning the creature to death. Ordinary fire might not even harm such a thick shell, and if the beast panicked and fled, dealing with it would become more troublesome.

His objective was much simpler.

He wanted to force it to breathe.

Smoke gradually surrounded the shell.

After some time, movement finally came from within.

A faint scraping sound appeared first, followed by a slight tremor through the shell.

The Iron Armored Turtle was still enduring it.

Hao Nhien did not move.

He maintained his position upwind, occasionally pushing more damp grass into the flames to keep the smoke thick enough without allowing the fire to grow too strong.

Eventually, the creature’s small head emerged from its shell.

Only slightly.

It drew in a breath and immediately tried to withdraw.

Hao Nhien still did not attack.

It was not enough.

If he rushed forward now, the turtle might retract its head before his sword ever reached it.

So he continued waiting.

The smoke grew denser.

The Iron Armored Turtle finally began to struggle. The second time, both its head and front legs emerged, and its body shifted toward the clearer air.

Hao Nhien remained still.

He needed the creature to leave its fully defensive posture.

Only on the third attempt, when the Iron Armored Turtle was forced to stretch its neck farther out to breathe while planting both front legs against the ground to crawl away from the smoke, did Hao Nhien move.

Tieu Dao Footwork erupted beneath him.

The distance of more than ten steps vanished in an instant.

The turtle sensed danger and immediately began retracting its head.

But this time it had extended too far, with both front legs still supporting its body. Its retreat was slower by only a fraction.

That fraction was enough.

The Tieu Dao Sword stabbed diagonally into the narrow gap between its neck and the edge of its shell.

Thud!

Blood immediately poured out.

The Iron Armored Turtle convulsed violently and tried to drag its head back inside, trapping the sword between the shell and the soft flesh beneath.

Hao Nhien did not try to pull the blade free.

He rotated his wrist, drove true qi through his arm, and forced the sword deeper.

The demonic beast thrashed wildly, its four legs tearing through dirt and stones. Several breaths passed before its resistance finally began to weaken.

Only then did Hao Nhien withdraw the blade and retreat.

He did not approach again immediately. After waiting long enough to confirm that the beast had completely stopped moving, he finally lowered his sword.

Hao Nhien stood over the Iron Armored Turtle and studied the shell, which remained almost entirely undamaged, before laughing.

“If I can’t break the shell, I make it open itself.”

After returning to the Cave Dwelling, he recorded another note in his jade slip:

“A weakness does not necessarily have to exist on the body. Sometimes you attack an opponent’s habits, environment, or basic needs instead.”

Hao Nhien paused before adding another line.

“Greater strength does not solve every problem. Sometimes all you need is to create a situation where the opponent has no choice but to do what you want.”

Four days had passed.

Four battles against four opponents with completely different ways of fighting. One forced him to learn how to redirect overwhelming frontal force, another demanded that he read movement rhythm and timing, while the last made him abandon brute force entirely and search for a simpler answer.

No one stood beside him explaining each step.

The deep forest taught its own lessons.

And the tuition could be true qi, wounds, or sometimes even a life.

Hao Nhien stored the jade slip in his storage pouch and rose.

Only four days of the journey had passed.

There was still a long road ahead.