Alivar pushed the wagon in front of him. His sweat mixed with the humidity of the surrounding swamp making him feel itchy all over his body. Even if he was in his early thirties his face already showed signs of aging and the dark bags under his eyes spoke of another sleepless night at the Rainy Fort.
As he pushed he couldn't help but shift his gaze towards his current captain. Alivar's captain was a well built man with long black hair; his facial features were average making it difficult to spot him in a crowd. His name was Yun Qiang.
Unknowingly he let out a small sigh, that lost itself with the team's heavy breathing.
'Another greedy fool.'
After yesterday's events he started thinking Yun Qiang was different from the other captains. In his mind he had hoped in a captain that wasn't indifferent to the struggles of mortals. However this morning he had lost his hope; their captain showed up unannounced in their lodgings and forced them to push this wagon to Area 17. To outsiders this might look normal however every team at the fort only had to complete a task per week, everything beyond that was something captains did to get some extra points.
In his mind he had already categorized Yun Qiang as a "Fake righteous" cultivator, his actions were just an act, he only treated them well because he could get more out of them this way.
Yet he didn't speak his thoughts or complain to his teammates, he had already gotten used to this kind of life. He had worked in the Rainy Fort for one year and had served under three different captains. During this time he had worked, schemed, begged for his life, endured inhuman punishments and experienced many desperate situations. This wasn't the first time he lost hope or misjudged someone and for sure it wouldn't be the last one.
At noon they arrived at Area 17, and just like yesterday Yun Qiang ordered them to rest. However once the pause ended he didn't order them to carry corpses, instead he summoned his spear and looked in their direction.
In that moment Alivar's face became dark and his heart started thumping hard. A chill ran down his spine.
'Could it be he wants to kill us?'
A violent glint flashed in his eyes as he slowly gazed at the other two cultivators Sun and Lee. Their faces had become serious and they started scanning their surroundings.
Alivar gulped and forced down his fear; slowly he moved his hands towards a knife he kept hidden in his jacket. He didn't know why his captain wanted to kill them but he wouldn't go down easily. Obviously he knew that he would never be able to kill Yun Qiang, however if luck was on his side he could kill one of the other two cultivators.
He only had to wait for them to come close to him. A plan had already formed in his mind, first he would ask for mercy telling them he had a powerful treasure with him, then when Yun Qiang became suspicious and asked the others to check his person he would pounce at them with his hidden knife. If lady luck was on his side he was certain he could kill or at least gravely injure one of them. He only had to be careful and aim for their neck, cultivators were strong but a large hole in their neck wasn't something they could easily deal with.
His heart started accelerating and he could feel his blood accelerating however he forced it down and put on a calm look as if he hadn't realized what was going on.
Killing intent showed in Yun Qiang's eyes.
"Careful!" his scream was loud and clear.
Alivar's pupils shrank, Yun Qiang's spear had already pointed in his direction and was already coming for him. Instinctively he averted Yun Qiang's gaze fear started gripping his heart, however what he saw shocked him even more, the blond cultivator called Sun was already closing in on him with a knife.
'They already know?!'
Fear showed in his eyes as he saw the two cultivators coming closer. His mind filled with panic as his plans to resist them shattered. With a fear stricken expression he extracted his knife and closed his eyes, preparing for the worst.
Yet as he waited nothing hit him! instants stretched into minutes in his mind as he felt his perception of time dilate due to his fear.
Then after what felt like an eternity he felt blood trickling down his chest. The moment he opened his eyes his pupils shrank to the size of needles, surprise filled his mind leaving him with his jaw wide open.
A two meters long python was laying on his body his skull had been completely crushed while a large section of its body had been cut in two by Sun.
Alivar's gaze fell on his hand, he had barely managed to extract his dagger.
Even if it felt different the entire situation from Yun Qiang's scream to now had only taken a few seconds leaving Alivar unable to react in any meaningful way.
His breathing became rough and heavy. Still shocked by the turn of events Alivar could barely talk.
"T- Thank you" due to the shock his voice sounded more like a whisper than an actual thank you.
Yun Qiang acknowledged him with a small nod, before his eyes fell on Alivar's blade.
"Good reactions" Yun Qiang wasn't mocking him and a hint of respect could be heard in his voice.
Alivar had a stunned expression on his face and he couldn't help but follow Yun Qiang with his gaze as he moved backwards and sat on a small rock.
"Everyone take your time to calm down and rest." Yun Qiang paused for a second "We are not here to carry bodies today"
As Yun Qiang said these words a strange atmosphere spread among them, the surprise due to the python appearance mixed with Yun Qiang's strange words gave everyone complex expressions. Even Sun and Lee couldn't help but cast a few interrogative gazes towards Yun Qiang.
However nobody dared to question their captain's actions, Sun and Lee had complete trust in him while the mortals were used to seeing cultivators as powerful beings and would never dare to question their decisions or actions. There were few people like Alivar who were capable of thinking clearly and even resisting cultivators if something went wrong.
After a few minutes when everyone fell silent and the shock from the python's sudden appearance died down Yun Qiang spoke. He didn't have an authoritative or threatening tone, yet everyone paid attention to his words.
"The reason I decided to go out here today isn't to gain some extra points but something else"
Everyone's gaze was focused on him and a small smile formed on his lips as he stretched out his hand and nonchalantly summoned a small item.
Alivar looked at the red sphere with a curious look in his eyes. Rapidly he shifted his gaze away from the sphere and observed Sun and Lee's reaction. Doubts started filling his mind as he saw their surprised look.
What is this thing?
Yun Qiang's next words shocked everyone present.
"This is a talent sphere. If you have enough talent to cultivate I will teach you how."
A collective gasp filled with stupor could be heard in the humid bog before Sun's voice interrupted them.
"Qiang, you can't teach them the Skyward Pavilion cultivation method. They haven't joined the sect, if someone finds out they will hunt everyone down"
A cold chill ran down Alivar's spine, even if he wasn't a cultivator he had heard various stories about them and he knew that the biggest sin a cultivator could commit was divulging a sect cultivation technique. In the stories he had heard the thief is always captured and tortured in cruel ways while the mortals that practice the stolen arts are hunted down and mercilessly killed.
However Yun Qiang seemed to have known this and spoke once again.
"I have never received Skyward Pavilion cultivation method, the cultivation method that I practice and I will distribute is something I received by chance from a passing cultivator"
"Before the man died he told me that he wanted everyone to know his name and techniques. Teaching you how to cultivate can be considered a way to fulfill his wishes"
Once Yun Qiang finished speaking Sun took a step backward and didn't complain anymore. He already knew his friend had received a fortuitous encounter when he was a mortal and even if he didn't expect Yun Qiang to be so willing to share it with others he couldn't complain.
What Yun Qiang wanted to do with his techniques was his choice alone and since this wandering cultivator had passed away nobody would bother them if this cultivation method was given out to the members of their team.
After a few seconds of silence Yun Qiang spoke again, his tone sounded serious and filled with righteousness.
"However before you receive this method I want all of you to swear an oath. You have to swear to never sell this method and to never give it to other cultivators. If one day you want to teach it to other mortals you can but they have to swear the same oath that you did."
"As a personal request I will also add that you should try your best to not harm mortals during your life as cultivators"
Yun Qiang's gaze swept up all of the present.
"Understood?"
Alivar rejoiced in his heart before he joined the others and let out a firm Yes. The oath wasn't something difficult and the desire for cultivation was something he had dreamed of since he was young. There was no way he would refuse an opportunity like this.
After the mortals responded Yun Qiang spoke again. This time all of the onlookers had a fervish look in their eyes and seemed eager to start.
"Unfortunately only those that have a spiritual root can cultivate, so we will test you with this sphere. Now form a line and put your hand on the sphere, I will tell you if you have a spiritual root."
After hearing this nobody dared to complain and within the span of a few seconds the seven mortals that formed his team created an orderly line in front of Yun Qiang; only Sun and Lee stood to the side, watching them with curious looks.
Yun Qiang's smile became brighter then he moved the sphere toward the first mortal and said.
"Now say your name and touch the sphere."