The Science of Cultivation [Xianxia]
Chapter 315: Breaking the Deadlock

“Who is that?” the Rolling Tide disciple asked as she watched the bald cultivator in the distance slowly walk into the cavern.

The man had claimed he would save them, but she doubted anyone below Violet Core Realm could do that in their current situation. From what she could tell, the newcomer wasn’t one of these eminent experts.

“That’s—let’s just say my bodyguard.”

Han Zemei did a double-take at the bald man and Long Yi. Their attire was completely different, but she couldn’t completely discount his words, either. Star Gem Academy was too new. She didn’t even know if what Long Yi wore was their uniform or if they had multiple styles of clothing to denote their position. It could also be possible that they didn’t have standardized clothing too, seeing how new they were.

This new neutral force was simply too young for her to know any of the details, and Long Yi hadn’t spoken much about it. Now that she thought about it, she didn’t even know what kind of technique their academy practiced!

While every sect had numerous techniques within their knowledge repository, the overwhelming majority of them had a core set of cultivation techniques, martial arts, or Qi arts that defined them.

For example, her Rolling Tide Sect was famed for their water affinity Qi arts that were both devastating and unrelenting. While there were a few talented disciples who didn’t fit entirely into the mold, they still adhered to the core tenet.

Orthodox cultivators were often so proud of their techniques that their sects were almost always named after them. In that aspect, the name ‘Star Gem Academy’ didn’t reveal much at all. It left Han Zemei guessing.

“Bodyguard? Not your senior or elder?”

“No. He’s actually—”

“Hey, you two!” the bald man interrupted. “Get ready to make a break for it. If you head down the tunnel I came from, you should be able to reach the surface if you keep to the right.”

“You’re not coming along?” Long Yi shot back.

“My plan doesn’t allow for it. We’ll regroup on the surface.”

“Wait, are you sure about your plan?” Han Zemei chimed in, trying to convey every bit of information she had as quickly as possible. “This place isn’t normal, you know? The Qi beasts won’t attack while you’re in this cavern unless you’re rejected by the heavenly earth here!”

“Yes, I overheard your conversation earlier. I have also read texts on similar occurrences back on the island.”

With the cultivator reaching an understanding, they exchanged a nod of acknowledgement before decisively taking action right away.

Long Yi and Han Zemei watched their rescuer bring out a few talismans and place them along the route to one of the many tunnels connected to the cavern. Once he was done, he stood at the edge and did the unthinkable. He repeatedly chopped out with a knife hand, sending out sword lights at all the Qi beasts surrounding them.

The attacks were just inches away from hitting the crowd when more sludge shot up from the ground, intercepting every attack with precision.

In an eerily uniform reaction, all the Qi beasts turned toward the new threat, along with the heavenly earth. There was a momentary pause before it collapsed a split second later. They all charged toward the human who dared to attack them.

“Good thing the heavenly earth didn’t take your attempt to subdue it as an attack. Otherwise, it’d probably join in like it’s doing right now,” Long Yi commented as he carried Han Zemei away to the exit while watching their ally disappear off into the tunnels before the threats could reach him.

The Qi beasts were fast, but they were quickly thrown off balance as they neared the explosive talisman that had been set on their path. The resulting smoke also helped add to the chaos—or so Long Yi thought until he saw a group of rabbit Qi beasts lock eyes on him. They had lost sight of their previous target and locked onto new ones who were in sight.

“Hold on tight, this may not be as smooth as we hoped,” Long Yi muttered as he adjusted his grip on the woman in his hands.

“Let me go, I can run by myself,” she answered.

“You sure? You didn’t look that good just now.”

“I’m not some frail mortal who needs days to recover. Put me down.”

Hearing the steel in her voice, Long Yi placed her down the moment he climbed into the opening of the tunnel. The two then instantly picked up their pace as the rumbling caused by a stampede of white furry beasts was ticking like a time bomb from behind.

For a few moments, the chase continued, as the only thing the humans focused on was the sound of their own breathing. However, that didn’t last long, as the growing volume from the rear caused Long Yi to steal glances at what was on their tail. Almost anyone in his position would’ve realized they weren’t in a great spot.

“Do you happen to have a skysword or maybe even a small Skyrunner that would fit these tunnels?” Long Yi asked.

“No! Most people in our sect don’t use skyswords. It doesn’t blend well with our techniques.”

“Then I hope you can run faster, because they’re going to catch up to us at this rate!”

Peeking over her shoulder, the Rolling Tide disciple scoffed.

“Your friend took the brunt of it. If it’s just this much, I can handle it.”

“I’m sure you can, but fighting them will only give more time for other Qi beasts to catch up. Then we have the tree roots to worry about. If the fight draws them to us, we’d be hard pressed to get away.”

“Worry not. Let me show you my techniques aren’t good for just fighting.”

Without an explanation, Han Zemei began channeling her Qi art. It was a familiar sight to Long Yi, having witnessed it in their duel, but that didn’t bring him any comfort. That was because the Qi art flooded the surroundings with water!

Long Yi didn’t even get a chance to protest before being engulfed. All he could see were white bubbles from the water suddenly slamming into the tunnel. While it wasn’t so easy for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to drown, that didn’t mean he couldn’t get disoriented.

Thankfully, he felt a hand grasp his hand and pull him forward. The cool water flowed around him rapidly, and the bubbles cleared out as he made good distance. It allowed him to see the figure of Han Zemei, swimming with movements like a mermaid. She dragged him quickly along the water at a speed that reassured him. Surely, those rabbit-like Qi beasts wouldn’t be able to catch up now.

He glanced back just to confirm and was relieved he hadn’t jinxed it.

With the imminent threat behind him, he relaxed as they swam quickly for the surface. Unfortunately, the free ride didn’t last.

The water subsided without much fanfare, becoming shallower by the second.

“That should be far enough, right?” Han Zemei’s weary voice sounded out as Long Yi watched her take another pill.

“Should be, but we should still hurry. Don’t use that again unless we have to. I’d rather you not exhaust yourself.”

The two drudged through the wet tunnel, anticipating sunlight at every corner, but it never came. The exit was further than they thought. To keep their anxiety at bay and keep their hopes up, they continued their conversation from earlier.

“So, who was that big bald guy from earlier?”

“His name is Da Feng. He’s a guard the Sword Saint Isle sent to ensure our academy took root, since we are still in our infancy.”

“You got an outsider as your babysitter? That’s hilarious! Did you throw a tantrum and run away from him, too? Is that why he wasn’t with you until now?”

“No, I simply asked for his help in procuring unique supplies once we got to the city. It saved time, so I didn’t have to recruit new students in a rush.”

“Hmm, whatever you say. I’m sure that was the reason,” Han Zemei stated with blatant sarcasm.

“You—”

Just as Long Yi was about to retort, a part of the wall beside them burst open as a tangle of roots rushed out. It shot straight into the waist-high flood, causing the water level to visibly drop.

“Your Qi art may have gotten us away from the rabbits, but I think it attracted the treants!” Long Yi shouted.

“Less talking, more running! The treants are the worst kind of matchup for me. If only I succeeded in subduing a piece of the heavenly earth,” the Rolling Tide disciple muttered with gritted teeth.

The two carefully maneuvered around the roots while it was busy enjoying the energy-rich water, but it was doomed to fail. The roots were merciless; any prey that tried to escape would earn its ire. Before the two human cultivators could get past the mass of roots, it reacted, forming a dense wall in their path.

Seeing this, Long Yi couldn’t help but remember the advice he had recently received. Leverage his strength.

To him, that meant he should focus on breaking through obstacles rather than skirting around them with dexterous and tricky movements.

I came here to put my strength to the test, so be it.

Mustering his resolve, he brought his broadsword up at the ready and enlarged it even further by using his Terra Moon Slash not as a projectile, but as an extension to his weapon.

The imposing mass of roots stood before the towering man with an oversized sword. A quiet moment passed between them for a short moment before they both took action at the same time.

Dozens of roots shot out like spears while the colossal sword was swung down. A clash between them was inevitable.