Born in Blood



HISS!

The instructor saw the change in the snake's behavior and attempted to stop it, but Liam already grabbed it by the neck.

About to clench and turn the daring viper into mush, Liam noticed the instructor's frown. 

He threw it away, and the snake instantly slithered back to the dumbfounded instructor, hiding in his robe sleeve.

Instantly, the room's atmosphere changed. 

The other tryouts yet to leave the room looked at him with frowns, while the instructor himself looked aghast.

Before they could do or say anything, Liam cupped his fists.

"I will take my leave, senior. I am clearly not fit for your clan."

As he left, the instructor had a dark look on his face.

'A black heart devoid of remorse… and from such a young age. That boy is a threat.'

///

Liam managed to leave the Sect without trouble. 

The instructor apologized for the snake attacking him and offered him 100 'Ora' Stones for compensation, which he accepted without qualms.

It was a pity, really. The Piercing Sword Sect was ideal. Not too famous and not too weak… but Liam didn't worry too much.

Liam could afford to hold off on finding a sect. 

He wasn't too close to his breakthroughs and had the required techniques for the moment. 

His sea of consciousness wouldn't advance for a long time. His body was closer than the rest, but still far. 

Not too long ago, he had just advanced to the second Rank of the core.

Until then, he would work on finding the Temple of Shadow!

…Among other things, of course. 

Like finding out how to advance his chaos pearl thingie (he still hadn't given it a name) and forge items from Spirit Beasts. Giving himself some seclusion in learning how to attune the Blood Arts to his body was also something to think about.

Speaking of, that was Liam's next goal – living in the wilderness for a few months until he could find clues as to where the Shadow of Temple was.

He hadn't completely given up on finding another Sect, but in truth, none really gave him the comfort of being under. 

They were too public, and all Sects wanted to venture into the Main Lands at some point to expand their territories and make a name for themselves.

It was a pointless desire, really, but who was Liam to judge? 

If anything, he agreed with the expansion of territory – taking over more land and resources from Sectors.

Looking at his map, Liam thought of where to go next.

Past the north, there was a magical forest filled with various kinds of Spirit Beasts.

To the east, there were blocky mountains and pillars connecting to the clouds. 

Waterfalls and deep canyons to the west.

Here and there, there were small villages, but they were regular civilizations with a few martial artists as guards.

Overall, Ilali's center consisted of the Main Lands, but surrounding them were contrasting biomes and plains.

Surrounding them were different quadrants of the largest Sects under them.

Cultivators of a stronger realm were allowed to enter those areas for a price, but Liam was in no rush to go there.

However, Liam quickly noticed how past the main body of land, there were individual islands and Danger Zones separated by sea.

Liam didn't think they were Zenith ranked Danger Zones, but most likely contained one or two of them.

The map didn't give details to those areas, probably since it was too dangerous for normal people to venture towards.

'If there really is a Temple of Shadow, they wouldn't risk living in the central regions. They'd most likely live on the edges or separate islands.'

With a goal in mind, Liam began with making his way to the Rey'io Forest first, the nearest to him.

Stretching across 130 kilometers, the forest was brimming with life. The trees there were giant, resembling willows with drooping, rainbow-like colors.

Critters and small-sized creatures like squirrels skittered this way and that way, but Liam's expression was grave.

He was being followed.

Again!

'Was it those Piercing Sword guys? So much for being righteous and virtuous.'

They were skilled, he gave them that. 

They made sure to stay out the range of a Rank 1 Magus, not knowing Liam had sensed them ever since entering the forest. Their footsteps were also silent and they didn't even breathe, and their presence was hidden.

If Liam had to guess, they were roughly the same Rank as him, and were only three in number.

Liam's eyes turned cold, but he suppressed his aura from changing.

'I hope they have their Clan's martial arts in their rings.'

Acting as though he didn't notice them, Liam casually strolled through the forest and admired the scene. 

Eventually, he laid his back against a willow tree and closed his eyes, a peaceful expression on his face.

Slowly, the Piercing Sword Sect disciples were gradually closing the distance. 

They hid atop the trees surrounding Liam's resting place and patiently waited until he fell asleep.

Once they were absolutely sure he was sleeping, judging by the cartoonish snoring noises he made, they exchanged knowing looks.

WHOOSH!

At once, they erupted from their trees with their blades drawn, a gust of wind violently blowing back the leaves.

CLING! CLANG!

Liam awoke with a nonchalant expression on his face and his blades magically drawn, instantly intercepting the three that attacked him.

His calm expression made the three grimace, but they quickly realized the swords he deflected with were riddled with cracks, oozing with dangerous black smoke.

Simultaneously, the three took a short step back before shooting forward again, their glowing white swords drilling through air as they focused on Liam's blades and weak spots.

SHING!

Their combined attack managed to drill through Liam's swords and body at once. 

However, their swords didn't meet blood, but gaseous, liquid and solid darkness.

"Wha—!"

As their expressions twisted to a grimace, a sharp pain invaded the back of one of the disciples, and black needles flew towards the other two.