Beginning of Cultivation
Chapter 36: Wake up

Chapter 36: Wake up

In the desolate scenery, deep footprints were embedded in the ground among the fallen trees. Just moments ago, this place was the hottest spot along the mountain range that stretched for thousands of miles. There was a cleared area where two heavily injured figures lay motionless.

The battle between Jun Wu Xiao and Yue Guang had concluded with a draw. It wasn’t surprising, as both were combat geniuses, making it difficult for one to overpower the other using mere combat skills.

Neither knew who had won or lost before they lost consciousness. They were both stunned, their minds spinning in those final moments.

Dao San Qian, who had been observing from the sidelines, clearly knew the outcome of the fight. He quickly approached to carry the two back to the cave.

However, after seeing their current state, he sighed:

"Oh dear, you two have beaten each other to such a state that if I carried you back to the cave, you might just die on the way. Well then, since you’ve fought for my viewing, I’ll help you set up a tent here. Moreover, you don’t need to worry about wild beasts since you’ve scared off all the large animals. They may not be intelligent, but they sure won’t dare to approach a place inhabited by such monsters."

He quickly gathered materials to erect a tent around them. After finishing, he said with a rather proud tone:

"My tent doesn’t look too bad. Haiz, I really am a genius. Even without prior experience, I managed to build something decent."

After indulging in self-praise, he pondered another issue:

"But is it okay for these two to sleep together? It should be fine, in the cave there’s only one slab of stone that Jun Wu Xiao always lets Yue Guang use, so perhaps their relationship is more complicated than I thought."

But the reality wasn’t as complicated as he imagined. Yue Guang was the one who had arrived at the Kunlun Mountains first. Though they shared the cave, in Jun Wu Xiao’s heart, it should be prioritized for her, he believed that whoever arrived first should have the preference.

Therefore, he reserved the best spot for her to sleep without contesting, as he didn’t really need it.

However, this was a matter he didn’t think was important enough to discuss with anyone, so it was normal for Dao San Qian to be unaware.

After arranging everything satisfactorily, Dao San Qian continued his cultivation. Since he figured the two would be unconscious for a few more days, he saw no need to waste his time lingering there.

Dao San Qian had learned much while observing their battle, including approaches, attack techniques, defensive strategies, and appropriate reflexes for various scenarios.

He also understands that this is just a fight with friends, but when he encounters a real enemy, he will not hold back and directly focus all his strength on targeting the weak point.

However, the way the two fought was quite peculiar even by friendly standards. Their restraint meant ensuring that their blows wouldn’t be lethal.

Though Dao San Qian disliked fighting, he had his own methods of practical training. He could simulate combat scenarios to devise solutions for each situation, as his enhanced brain could process these simulations more adeptly than an ordinary person. He trained his body to have conditioned reflexes, ready to react immediately when faced with similar circumstances.

After this breakthrough, he wouldn’t spar with Yue Guang anymore because he felt it was no longer necessary. Initially, he was unaccustomed to wielding such power, but now he was familiar with being stronger.

In a small tent, what could be considered the most intact thing left standing in the middle of a devastated area. A few days later, Jun Wu Xiao gradually awoke, his body considerably recovered, only feeling a bit hungry.

It had only been a few days, so his stomach wasn’t seriously harmed, and over time everything would return to normal.

Suddenly, he smelled a familiar scent and muttered:

"This smell... it’s blood."

He then noticed that his clothes had turned the color of dried blood, not bright red because the blood had dried over many days.

"Haiz, these clothes should probably be thrown away." Jun Wu Xiao sighed.

Looking down at his feet, he saw another pair of feet, and for a moment he was confused. But soon he recognized them as Yue Guang’s. Usually, during their fights, they would remove their shoes knowing they would be destroyed due to the high intensity of their battle. He had seen her feet often enough to recognize them easily, even now covered in blood.

"But why is she lying here with me? Wait, where is this?" Jun Wu Xiao thought.

Looking around, he realized he was in a tent. He thought:

"Dao San Qian, I truly thank you. Seeing our battered bodies, you decided to build this tent for us to rest."

He then looked towards Yue Guang, reasoning that if he had awakened, she might also be able to but perhaps was just too tired and wanted to sleep a bit more.

Jun Wu Xiao intended to gently shake Yue Guang’s leg to wake her, but as soon as his hand touched her ankle, she reacted violently, delivering a punch in his direction.

Caught off guard, he quickly dodged and then held her to restrict her movements, not knowing what she might do next and certainly not wanting to start another fight that could knock him out again.

Yue Guang was suddenly hugged, startling her. However, upon seeing Jun Wu Xiao holding her, she was confused and couldn’t understand the situation.

Her reaction wasn’t because she had woken up, it was due to her terrifyingly well-trained conditioned reflexes. If anything approached her while she slept that her body perceived as a threat, she would attack instantly. So, unless one was strong enough, it was best not to approach her while she slept, or else one might end up dead without even knowing.

"You... you... what were you trying to do?" Yue Guang asked in bewilderment.

"Me... me?" Jun Wu Xiao showed a look of confusion and then responded.

But internally, he was cursing:

"What was I trying to do to you? Isn’t it rather what were you trying to do to me? You suddenly attacked and startled me. I just woke up and don’t want to be knocked out again."

She glanced down at her clothes, which were already torn in many places from their fight, and then suspiciously back at Jun Wu Xiao. Despite knowing him for so many years and understanding his character, she momentarily harbored doubts and said with suspicion:

"After over forty years, do you finally harbor inappropriate thoughts towards me?"

Jun Wu Xiao was dumbfounded by her accusation, pausing for a moment before replying:

"What intentions could I possibly have towards you? If I had any, I would have acted long ago, not waited all this time to be beaten by you. Besides, do I look like someone desperate for a woman?"

Yue Guang found Jun Wu Xiao’s explanation reasonable, considering their past disparity in strength would have made it easier for him to do anything if he wanted. Furthermore, with his current strength, he wouldn’t need to find anyone. If he reveals his abilities to the world, someone will come looking for him. Still feeling something was amiss, she asked:

"So why were you holding me?"

"It was because you were about to hit me, wasn’t it? When I tried to wake you, you suddenly attacked, and all I could think to do was restrict your movements as much as possible." Jun Wu Xiao explained.

With that, Yue Guang understood, aware of her own reflexive capabilities, though she hadn’t fully considered them at the moment. She responded:

"Ah, I see. But now, can you let me go? I’ve been awake for a while, and you’re still holding me. If you want to hug, maybe some other time. I need to go bathe now."

Jun Wu Xiao awkwardly released his grip, but her words made him pause. He asked:

"What do you mean by ’some other time’? What exactly is our relationship?"

"Um, well? Perhaps close friends. Chu Wu and Dao San Qian are my friends, but you hold a slightly higher place in my heart, so close friends seem appropriate." Yue Guang pondered and then said.

This left Jun Wu Xiao somewhat stunned, and he didn’t wish to delve further into this topic. He said:

"Whatever our relationship is, it’s fine. But go bathe first, you’re covered in the smell of blood, aren’t you?"

"Hmph, you’re no different, don’t criticize." Yue Guang retorted though she didn’t deny she would go bathe.

"You go bathe first, I’ll clean up the tent now." Jun Wu Xiao suggested.

Considering that the tent might draw attention if anyone accidentally passed by, it was best to take it down. He then began to dismantle it without remorse. If Dao San Qian were to see this, he might regret having made such an effort to build the best tent possible.