Blood and Ballock continued following the mountain chain as they fought beasts after beast. They had to admit that the beasts in this region were many times stronger than the beasts they were used to fighting. Their attacks were sharp and aligned, it almost looked like they could think exactly like how the humans do...
They could hear powerful howls and chirps as well as tyrannic shrieks as they walked along the foot of the mountain. They were so afraid after repeated battle. Fortunately, they could handle all that came their way until now.
Speaking of beasts, Ballock detects a large mantis in his detection range and both he and Blood went to engage it, but they remain hidden behind tall trees. They had learned that they have to use this means if they don't want to drag on the fight for long, attracting other beasts.
They've seen the beasts do this themselves. They've learned to follow their ways.
When they got close, they lower their steps and watched it carefully. It was eating the carcass of a Three-eyed Monkey. The blood was still fresh, so it likely was killed recently.
Ballock quickly went around it and sent an attack. A weapon in the shape of a needle rushed out from his shirt going for the mantis' head. The mantis moved and swiped its foreleg, hitting the needle away. Ballock didn't relent as he had expected this and another needle appeared, stabbing its abdomen.
The mantis flipped to the side, evading the attack. It didn't bother about its food anymore and flapped its wings crossing thirty meters.
"You missed your chance, Ballock." a scornful voice was heard and a red streak flashed pass. Blood went in pursuit of the beast.
The mantis couldn't flap its wings multiple times, so it stopped from time to time and used its legs to dash instead. Its speed could leave cultivators of the same stage in the dust, but not Blood.
He quickly utilized the skill he bought from the Blood Book's shop, Runner.
It was a simple term but was very efficient.
[Runner
Description: When activated the user's speed directly increases and the more the number of enemies on the user's pursuit the higher the user's speed becomes.]
Although, there was no one on his pursuit that didn't decrease the value of the skill because it was still incredibly fast and he wondered how fast he would be if there were actually enemies pursuing him.
He appeared twenty meters from his position and continue pursuing the beast. He had the beast in sight, so it was easier. He grazed by trees after trees and he soon reached the beast.
Fifty meters from the beast, he brought out his newly acquired weapon and thrusts himself off the ground, leaving dust behind before he threw the trident towards the aimed beast.
The trident moved at an incredible speed and almost lodged itself on the mantis' abdomen who moved away in time. A cloud of dust quickly covered the place.
Blood dashed with insane speed, using the 'Runner' skill to its fullest and picked the trident along the way. He propelled himself by swaying the trident and reached the beast in an instant.
His attack had disrupted its order.
He hadn't practiced well with the trident but seem to know the basics of its use.
He did a flip in the air and swung the trident, going for the mantis' head. The beast used the same approach as it had done previously but gravely regretted it in the next second.
It swung its forelimb to counter the stroke however, contrary to how it thought, the trident cleaved both forelimbs smoothly with no difficulty.
Its cries could be heard, although it didn't give up. A harsh smell escaped its abdominal region which quickly engulfed the surrounding. Blood twists to the side and bore a hole on its abdomen before quickly circulating his technique, Blood Balancing Art.
It helps him limits or increased the function of every part of his body and now he used it to reduce the amount of gas he inhales. He came to know about this when he fought a Three-eye Monkey.
The gas quickly dispersed and the mantis attempted to flee because of its grave injury only for it to dodge to the side as its escape route was compromised, narrowly avoiding the needle about to pierce through its thorax.
But that was not all, before it could land appropriately, a beam was directed towards its exact landing point which smashed into it, making it somersaults rapidly in the air before rolling on the hard ground.
Dark red liquid dripped from its body as it found it hard to move and wailed in pain. Many small needles pierced its defenseless body leaving it half dead.
"You can do your thing, looser." Ballock said triumphantly hinting that he had given the final blow, making the beast's wound fatal. He had been cooperative ever since Blood told him about the Blood Book. He then understands why Blood always wanted to give the final blow when they hunt together.
At that time, he had thought it was just a new fancy thing he'd picked up.
Blood put on a smug look before he smites the mantis' head off and the beast became motionless.
[Bronze Realm Stage 3 Grazing Mantis killed]
[300 Exp obtained]
[Accumulated Exp: 20700]
Ballock stored the beast and they continued without resting. The denseness of blood qi in the air automatically replenished their energy reserve.
Just taking a step from his location, Blood stepped on something which pricked his foot bypassing the defense of his shoe.
"Ouchh!" he cried in fright and looked at the lodged object. He unhooked it and held it in his hand.
"Hey, where did you get that? I also have one with me." Ballock said as he searched himself but couldn't find his.
"Didn't know you now keep stone pieces." Blood didn't lose this chance to tease him.
Ballock didn't pay mind to his words because the way he had found the 'stone piece' was strange, "What nonsense are you talking? I simply kept it because I thought it might be something valuable since it almost had my life.
"I saw some wolves guarding it and at that time it was emitting a profound light, and I thought it was something special, that's it." Ballock refuted dejectedly. "It was also the reason I was driven into the Dark zone anyway, just to escape the angry wolves. Just return it when you're done with it." he added.
He had this feeling that the 'stone' was special as those wolves wouldn't guard nothing, since they had ken senses. He was even pursued as if he'd taken their last hope of survival. He would take it to the blacksmith shop to check its worth. It might be a precious stone.
Blood raised his eyes in surprise. He was wondering why Ballock entered the Dark zone previously and wanted to ask him but with the series of events, he completely forgot. Every strange thingy in the Sand-scale forest now was suspected as something valuable.
Blood scrutinizes the object and casts his skill on it.
[Jade Eyes]
[One-Way Space Talisman
Description: A permanent space treasure which can establish a fixed location between two points whose positions can never be changed.
Unique Features: Camouflage
Limitation: One time used (the space passageway won't shatter).
Grade: ???]
Blood read the description for the third time and almost teared up. He looked at Ballock with an unusually gaze and said,
"Ballock, your stone piece just gave us some hope, and I think we've been saved. We're truly free. Our suffering has come to an end." Blood was ecstatic. He was here for the thirteenth day, how worried must his parents be.
He didn't waste any time and told Ballock what it was and how it was used. Ballock had a smug look as he kicked him hard and a satisfied smirk appeared on his face.
Blood could only grunt and said nothing since he knew it was his fault this time and simply curled his lips. He shrugged his shoulders before they started setting the One-Way Space Talisman.
They soon finished the settings and designated the distance they wanted to travel. However, since they don't know the extent of how far they were from the Sand-scale city or the possible scenario that they've transverse to another dimension, they came to the decision that they should fix the distance at the extreme the talisman could achieve.
Blood wrapped his energy on the Space Talisman, and a translucent portal appeared two meters before him. It was shining so brightly that they both have to close their eyes.
"I genuinely hope you're correct with your measure." Ballock said while breathing heavily.
Incorrect measure could get them in a beast's maw.
Blood didn't respond. He held Ballock's hand tightly and entered the portal.
He wasn't the only one who would suffer. They were both doomed if it was the wrong standard he took.