C22 Time off

At the same time, on the secluded slopes behind Black Tortoise Academy, Aotian was diligently honing his spear techniques. It had been a full six months since the last martial arts tournament at the academy. During this time, Aotian had dedicated himself to daily rigorous training, mastering the Earth-Splitting Spear to a commendable degree. Now, after half a year's worth of practice, he had completed the first three segments of the Circular Spear Technique, achieving near perfection in the execution of each move.

With a deep exhale, Aotian gradually halted his movements, closing his eyes to savor the sensation of his recent practice and mentally review any shortcomings in his technique. "It looks like I've got this move down," he mused. "Now, I'm just waiting for a breakthrough. Well, the holidays are just around the corner, so it's the perfect time to get some real-world training!"

With the holiday break a mere month away, Aotian resolved to seize the opportunity to intensify his combat experience. After a thoughtful discussion with his master, he set his sights on the Devil Beast Forest, a legendary and treacherous region on the continent. The forest was steeped in myth, said to be the epicenter of an ancient battle between gods and demons ten thousand years prior. Since that cataclysmic event, its creatures had undergone mutations, gaining immense strength, fearsome speed, and towering stature. The most formidable beasts in the heart of the forest were rumored to rival Saint Level warriors, and even more daunting, they tended to live in packs. There were whispers of divine beasts within those woods, creatures on par with Divine Level masters. To date, no expert had managed to penetrate deep into the forest's core. However, the creatures skirting the forest's edge were less formidable, their might comparable to that of human intermediate and advanced swordsmen. Aotian planned to test his mettle in the outer reaches of the Devil Beast Forest.

As the holiday approached, the campus buzzed with activity. Students packed their bags—some forming groups for shared adventures, others planning to return home for a well-deserved rest. Amidst the excitement, Aotian quietly prepared his own gear. He had previously informed his family of his intention to spend the break at a classmate's house, and with their blessing, he was ready. His luggage packed, Aotian was set to embark on his journey to the Devil Beast Forest the very next day.

"Aotian, the holiday is nearly upon us. What are your plans for the next two months? Are you gearing up for some intense cultivation?" Rohlin queried as soon as class began, his curiosity piqued.

"I'm thinking of traveling a bit, experiencing the diverse cultures and customs of the continent," Aotian replied.

"Wow, that's pretty laid-back of you. Aren't you interested in the trials? You know, a lot of our classmates are teaming up for that," Rohlin prodded, his confusion evident.

"No, where are they heading for these trials? And what about you? Any plans?" Aotian inquired.

"You're quite chatty today, more than usual! As for me, no grand plans. I'm heading home to cultivate once the holiday kicks off. Most of our peers are off to the Mercenary Guild to take on missions for their cultivation," Rohlin explained, his surprise at Aotian's engagement in conversation palpable. Typically, Aotian would respond with minimal interest, but today he was not only answering questions but also asking them, which was quite out of the ordinary for him.

"Oh, is that so?" Aotian murmured to himself upon hearing Rohlin's response. He was already somewhat familiar with the Mercenary Guild's trials. The Mercenary Guild was the continent's most formidable organization, with a presence in every corner and no allegiance to any particular power. Their strength was undeniable, and no nation would dare cross them lightly. They stood as the fifth major force on the continent, outside the Four Great Empires. Typically, they managed tasks on behalf of their clients, with registered mercenaries undertaking the missions. These often involved escorting merchant caravans or families, safeguarding them from bandits, or collecting items like animal skins and supplies. Essentially, if you could pay, they could post your mission, and a mercenary would take it on. The Mercenary Guild was indeed a complex place.

"Students, tomorrow marks the start of our holiday, and you'll have two months to yourselves. I encourage you to use this time wisely for cultivation and aim for significant progress. For those embarking on trials, please ensure you go in groups and stay safe. I wish you all a wonderful break!"

As the class was drawing to a close, Teacher Yang Ruobing addressed the students from the podium. With the holiday approaching, the students were noticeably distracted. Sensing their restlessness, the teacher smartly opted for a self-study session. After enduring the lengthy class, the students eagerly dashed out, eager to head home.

Aotian, too, made his way to his dormitory, with plans to set off for the Devil Beast Forest shortly.

"Aotian, wait up!"

Hearing his name, Aotian turned to find his sister, Loong Qian, calling out to him.

"Sis, what's up?" Aotian inquired with curiosity.

"I heard you're not planning to go home for the holiday. What are you up to?"

"I'm just going to wander around," Aotian replied nonchalantly.

Loong Qian didn't pry further into Aotian's plans. She figured his reluctance to return home was likely due to not wanting to face their family. Given that he was largely overlooked by everyone at home, being there or not made little difference. Better to avoid going back and feeling unwelcome.

"Second Brother and I are gearing up for a trial. Do you want to join us?"

"No, thanks. I'd just slow you down," Aotian declined promptly, brushing off her offer.

"Oh, okay. Just be careful when you're out and about," Loong Qian said, accepting his decision. She couldn't help but think to herself, "There's still a distance between Aotian and us." With a quiet sigh, she added, "Take care."

"Sure, good luck with the trial," Aotian wished her.

"I need to get my things ready; we're setting out this afternoon," Loong Qian said before hurrying off.

Watching her leave, Aotian sighed to himself, "Maybe she's the only one who cares whether I return or not. The rest of the family? They've probably forgotten about me by now."

Back in his dorm, Aotian grabbed his pre-packed gear and swiftly made his way outside. His destination: the Devil Beast Forest.

Upon reaching the city, Aotian shelled out five gold coins for a horse and swiftly galloped away, leaving a trail of dust behind him!

The journey to the Devil Beast Forest required traversing five cities and scaling a mountain across the border.

After a grueling five-day journey, Aotian stood at the edge of the Devil Beast Forest in the early morning light. He didn't rush in; instead, he took his time to meticulously survey the area. Only after getting the lay of the land did he decide to rest for the day, planning to venture deeper the following morning.

That night, Aotian found a large tree to rest under, recuperating from the weariness of his recent travels.

As dawn broke, a chorus of bird songs roused Aotian. Realizing the day was advancing, he quickly got ready and set off into the heart of the forest.