In around half a year since he had moved into the Wu Clan Residence, Wu Tianmo had grown considerably.
Yet there were still many things that Wu Tianmo needed to do.
He needed to save his clan member trapped at the Black Tower, prepare for the incoming beast tide, find a way for his future clan to prosper, and progress on the path of Cultivation.
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Within the training grounds of the Wu Clan Estate.
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Wu Tianmo ended his morning sword training and started to walk to the gate of the estate. He paid one last visit to his child-bearing wife, Jiang Ling'er, and made his way out of the city.
This was his time to prepare, his time to even the playing field between him and the other patriarchs.
Wu Tianmo gripped the sheath of his new sword,
"With this sword I will carve a path for my family. It's time to go hunt a tier two beast and see more of what this Blackwood Forest has to offer."
He made his way to the edge of the village's territory noticing the walls around their lands had been completed.
There was one gate that led out towards the expansive forest near his estate.
Chen Baoliang did this for two reasons, first it would provide an easy path into the gorge which led deeper into the forest. Second, when the beast tide hit, the Wu Clan would be required to fight and protect their estate.
He was a cunning old man who didn't particularly care for the upstart Wu Tianmo.
There were two guards at the gate who saw Wu Tianmo approaching. Both of them were mortals yet they possessed strong bodies.
The larger one, had a flying carp embroidered on his set of Blackwood Armor.
They remind me of the mortal guard at the Black Tower.. Perhaps there are ways for mortals to become stronger. Blackwood armor... That's quite impressive craftsmanship, the Chen clan truly has talent.
"Halt!"
Wu Tianmo lifted an eyebrow,
"Junior, what do you need?"
The guard who looked nearly 40 eyed this young man, who looked no older than twenty.
Is this brat calling me a junior?!?
He looked the guard standing next to him, one from the Zhang Clan, who was bowing with his hands clasped.
The jaw of the first guard dropped and he quickly asked,
This is a Zhang Clan member, who could possibly make them bow?!?
"Zhang Mingyu what on earth are you doing?"
Zhang Mingyu didn't even look at him and replied like a servant to its master.
"Junior Zhang Mingyu greets the Wu Patriarch."
Wu Tianmo nodded back towards him ignoring the other guards questioning,
"Little Mingyu, your armor suits you quite well. It seems like the Zhang and Chen Clans are getting along quite well."
Zhang Mingyu started to sweat, the dealings of the clan weren't within a mortals privilege to comment on.
"Patriarch I---"
Wu Tianmo raised his hand,
"I understand, I don't mean to place you in an uncomfortable position. I merely speak as I see. Let me guess, you're now members of the Blackwood Guard?"
The other guard, had now joined Mingyu in his bow and clasped his hands,
"Senior!... Er.. Patriarch Wu. This junior apologizes for his rude behavior please forgive me."
Wu Tianmo didn't respond to him and continued to look at Zhang Mingyu,
"Relax, no need to bow Mingyu."
Zhang Mingyu let out a deep breath, straightened his back and looked at Wu Tianmo. The other guard started to feel his blood pressure rise.
Have I caused a disaster.....
Mingyu quite admired the Wu Patriarch.
Wu Tianmo was younger than him, stood on an even level with the other Patriarchs and even had the guts to smack around the Zhang Clan's previous young master.
Though at this point he might as well be the young miss.
Zhang Mingyu elaborated,
"Patriarch Wu, you're correct, we're a part of the newly formed Blackwood Guard. The ignorant one next to me is Jiang Fulin. Third son of Merchant Leader Jiang."
Wu Tianmo finally looked at him,
"Rise Little Fulin"
Even knowing that this was the Wu patriarch, it still bothered him getting treated as a junior by this kid wet between the ears...
He just told you I'm the son of the Merchant leader you bastard.... These damn cultivators have no respect for their seniors.
He grit his teeth and responded,
"Patriarch Wu... It's good to meet you. I once again apologize for my previous discourtesy."
Wu Tianmo smirked and decided to stop messing with this mortal,
"Straighten yourself, you will hurt your back bowing too much. I must go, keep our village safe Little Mingyu and Fulin. My estate relies on your dutiful protection! Haha"
Wu Tianmo hopped onto the wall surrounding the village yet before departing Zhang Mingyu stopped him.
"Patriarch Wait!"
Wu Tianmo turned and crossed his arms while holding his sheathed sword,
"Patriarch, our scouts have begun pressing further and further into the Blackwood forest past the gorge. Some of them report large serpents that occupy one of the mountain peaks to the north. The mountain is home to a giant waterfall and many caves. Be careful!"
Wu Tianmo smiled,
"Serpents huh? Thank you for the warning. Goodbye!"
Wu Tianmo took off through the forest,
Beyond the walls, the forest was silent.
No birds sang, no wind stirred the leaves.
It was as if the Blackwood Forest itself was anticipating his very arrival.
"Since all I know how to do is kill, let us start with these serpents. Perhaps they hold the key to my breakthrough into the Meridian Opening Realm."
Wu Tianmo stopped and opened a bland map of Blackwood Forest, it only showed the outline of the forest, with no details within.
This forest hasn't been explored, we're the first here. There must be many treasures throughout, if I can find them, that will solve my current financial predicament. Perhaps I can even fill in this map a bit and that will provide me a direction for my clans prosperity long term.
He turned towards the gorge that was ahead and gripped the sheathed sword firmly,
"Well... I can only know by trying. Serpent Mountain, here I come!"
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Serpent Mountain
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A large black scaled serpent sensed something, a strange sense of foreboding crept over it. It quickly coiled tightly around a large stone pillar, guarding its treasure.
A pure white-stemmed flower with curved crimson petals, bathing in the spiritual mist of the cave growing stronger every day.
A faint hiss echoed throughout the cave, as the serpent's golden eyes gazed towards the gorge.