A Cultivator in Equestria

By Staadnauthursil

Chapter Three: Warrior vs Cultivator

Theme Music: Kirin Theme (Original Concept Music) by Nathanaël Wsiaki

Disclaimer: I do not own anything copyrighted. This includes all of the youtube videos I use to give a touch of flair to my stories, please support the official releases along with those who work hard on these great youtube videos. As well as those YouTubers who make fantastic original works on their own

[Location: Freshriver Village]

Hardshell stared at the polite young kirin as they left the general store. The two chakrams he had received were hidden beneath the cultivator's purple robes, held by his waist by a leather strap attached to the belt around his pants.

He had seen various manners of weapons in the past. Chakrams were no different. He had seen sky grade swords and spears during the civil war and he had heard the tales of heart and soul grade artifacts used by great warriors, warlords, and even the emperor's personal weapon. The sword polearm is known as the [Render of Rivers] and was told to have the power to split open paths through rivers and lakes that lasted for hours. Which in turn could be used to tear apart entire formations of troops.

There were many tales of how artifacts of heart grade and above had their own will. He had more than once heard tales speaking of that of people who were not accepted by the wielder. No matter how much they tried to swing it they would never be able to properly use it or even be injured by the artifact itself.

Those chakrams were more than definitely at the very least heart grade weapons, which only deepens the impression that Guo Long's sect was far more powerful than he thought. At first, he thought they disliked the young kirin and attempted to kill him. But he could now see that it had been a test by the weapons, a test to see if Guo Long was worthy to use them.

And with how casually the kirin had caught the weapons and they just stopped moving, he was certain that he had succeeded. And it also showed that the young cultivator was not talking out of his ass about his abilities as a fighter. The tortoise was only middle-aged, he was still quick-witted and clear of sight. And yet he had not seen Guo Long's arms move as the chakrams flew towards him.

The young kirin might look like a greenhorn, but he was obviously a skilled and experienced fighter from his movements. It makes him wonder just how dangerous the lands around the Léiyǔ Sect were for such a young disciple to be so skilled.

Then the voice of Guo Long broke his thought. The cultivator was bowing to him again and speaking with a grateful look on his face. "Elder Hardshell, I am truly grateful for all you and your village have done for me and in turn my sect. But for now, I want to ask if you know of a good-sized boulder surrounded by green grass and possibly some fruit-bearing trees?"

Blinking a bit at the odd request Hardshell thinks for a moment. Trying to remember if he knew of such a location. "Hmm? Well, there are plenty of glades among the fruit trees but no boulders. We only have rocks by the lake and mountain. Although there is a large boulder out in one of the local fields no one has been able to move aside."

"Can you permit me to move the boulder to one of the glades? I need a proper place to practice cultivation and such I need a suitable environment around me for it." Again, blinking slowly the tortoise looked at the young kirin who was still smiling.

He was completely honest. For some reason, he intended to move a boulder to a glade to get a proper practice ground. *Well it's not the weirdest thing I've heard of. Though it sure isn't normal.*

While he knew that the fruit planters would not care about it, since they just used ladders and baskets. It would be safe to assume a single glade could be spared. But the problem was the farmer who owned the plot with the boulder. "Well I cannot speak for the farmer who owns the plot but the orchards will probably allow you to do so as long as you do not put it next to a tree. Although the boulder is at least two tons in weight, how would you even move it?"

With a grin on his lips like an honest lad seeking a challenge, Guo Long said something crazy. "Through physical efforts."

There was an awkward silence before Hardshell just gave him a blank stare. "Are you sure you don't need to lie down?"

[Some Time Later, Guo Long's Point of View]

I silently stare at the massive rock sitting on the grain field. It's bigger than me by a long shot. When he said it was big I thought he was exaggerating. But this thing is even bigger than I thought. It is big. Around the size of a car in mass, I guess. No wonder they haven't been able to move it.

"Indeed. This rock would be a challenge for many. Even many cultivators would find it hard to physically move it." The fact that the kirins agree with me makes me feel slightly anxious, but I will not give up yet.

The farmer who owned the field it laid on was a tall muscular bull who was giving me the stink eyes for some reason. "Well if you want to try to move this big lump of rock then I won't stop you. But I sure as the underworld won't help you."

Bit rude but I am not going to be bothered. I am just grateful the boulder isn't located too far from the orchards. Only about five hundred meters. And there was a decent pathway to use to roll the boulder there once I got it out of this field.

But I better inspect it first so I get a feel for how to move it.

I walk around it and feel the stone for any uneven edges or possible grips. There are a few points where there are some minor cracks. I will be able to get at least a half-decent grip to try and move the thing.

"Alright let's give it a go," I mutter as I remove my robes and put them aside on the wooden lid of a nearby basket. I place my chakrams on top of the robe to not risk injuring myself with the more getting them dirty.

I stretch my arms and legs and do some small breathing exercises. Need to be properly warmed up for this.

This was not the first time I had been forced to move a big rock. It was part of a punishment I had to go through when I accidentally fell asleep during a lecture. Teacher Fai Jung was kind of an asshole. He had me exercise one of those old philosophy questions to show me the limits of myself, but I think he just wanted to make me suffer in reality.

He told me that "no one can move mountains", or in this case "you can't move this rock". I might have been feeling a bit salty that he had been forcing me, a ten years old kid, to try and move a one-ton boulder. So when he told me to try and move the boulder, until I succeeded or until sunrise came. Instead of just failing his little 'test' I proceeded to do a little thing called, rocking back and forth.

I do not remember where I heard the tale that used this method. But it was a tale of an old badger whose den was blocked by a large rock. The old badger tried to push the rock by force but did not succeed. So instead he began to slowly move the rock, left and right, little by little rocking it. Until it managed to build up enough momentum that allowed it to push the boulder free.

After five minutes I had moved the boulder to the other side of the field as instructed. Once the momentum was built up the rock rolled pretty easily on its own. When the elder found me ten minutes later eating dinner he had been furious, think I had slacked off. When I pointed at the boulder he had asked me to move, the sight of his face is something I will cherish every day.

Now let us see if I can do the same now that I am older and a 5th ranked Cultivator of the Low Tier. My physical capacity should be five times greater than the limits of my body. And while I do not know the limits of this new body of mine can I tell that it is far stronger than that of your average human body.

Okay, I have my grip, now just move right, then left, right, left. There! I feel it wiggle a little! Need to up the speed. Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! It's really heavy but it is moving! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right!

The massive boulder is now rocking back and forth at a rapid and wide path and I can hear the surprised murmurs behind me. But I cannot lose focus!

Left! Right! Left! Right! Now! Breath in and heave! And push it! "Haaaaa!"

The rock rolls forward and I take a step to my side and follow the momentum, pushing the rock further along. When suddenly my hooves slide in the soft soil beneath me as it grants me no leverage and I slide sideways and the big rock nearly rolls onto me.

Thankfully it only shifts a little before sliding back a meter or so, leaving me on my side in the dirt with the rock only around two meters from where it had laid.

Elder Hardshell shouts out from where he stands by the field, as some of the farmers laugh at my failure. "Are you alright Guo Long?!"

I just stand up and wave at him. Might need to have these pants washed later. "I am okay!"

More laughter echoes out over the field and I wipe the sweat and dirt out of my brow with a rag. That had not been a pleasant experience. I had not realized that the soil here was so soft I could not dig in my hooves for leverage.

Gods, these things are going to force me to relearn my footwork and movement techniques. Not to mention none of the kicks account for double-jointed legs.

The tortoise looks at me with a concerned look in his eyes as I finish cleaning my face. "So I take it you will be giving up on it?"

No, I am not done yet and I shake my head at the suggestion. "No. I made a mistake by not accounting for the softness of the ground. I will try again."

The spirits once more speak to me through our bond, sounding apologetic. "Indeed. We also forgot to make note of this. We apologies for our lack of judgment."

No. Worries. Cannot expect everything to work out on the first try. Let's try again. This time though. I need to focus qi into the bottom of my hooves and spread it out like a sort of platform to keep them from sinking. It should work like that water walking technique I once saw one of the masters' use. It should be easier too since this is just soft earth and not pure water, right?

They hum in thought before agreeing with my idea. "That is indeed a decent idea. By channeling your Qi out through your hooves and spreading it out over the soil you should be able to spread the weight out."

Getting over to the other side of the boulder I press my hooves into the dirt to test it, and indeed it is very soft and easy to dig yourself into while not offering any kind of resistance for your hooves to maintain their position.

I take a small breath and hold it for a moment, focusing my Qi through my body. This was a basic technique called Body Enhancement, it allowed you to increased the capacity of your body for a short moment. But that was not what it was meant for this time around.

Instead, I shift the Qi downwards, the voices of the kirins bound to me guiding me how to move it to a specific point in my body. I can feel the energy flow down into my hooves and I start to spread out a thin layer of Qi from the bottom of my hooves.

At first, I struggle with the shaping, the sensation of the energy is a bit difficult to shape. It's like an invisible muscle I have to really focus on to shift and shape. But the guidance of the kirins is letting me get over this issue. "Use your body to feel the energy, use your mind to shape the energy, and then use your will to maintain the shape of the energy. These are the three base concepts for channeling Qi out of your body and shaping it."

Shaping out the field, radius half a meter centered around the middle part of my cloven hooves. Step onto the ground. I am not sinking. Good. Now let us try again.

Right. Left. Right. Left. Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! HEAVE!

Pushing it up again, the rotation and speed are the same as before and I press down my legs and push up with my arms and I roll it up onto the path by the field with a loud thump!

Instinctively I reach out with my tail and I grab my robe and the chakrams. carrying them with me as I push up the big rock onto the field path.

I must not let the momentum slow down. Stepping up after the rock I start rolling it by pushing upwards against its rolling shape, maintaining its rolling speed. With the qi fields maintaining my balance I start channeling Qi into my hands and my fingers gorge into the surface of the rock itself, letting me keep it straight.

Slowly but surely I push it forwards. The speed is not slow even with it being such a large and heavy piece of rock. After five minutes I roll through the orchards. The spot should be just straight ahead, a glade centered between several peach trees with a small patch of blue flowers growing between the roots of every tree.

There it is! Gods be merciful! This thing is heavy! But I am almost there!

With a final push the big rock slams with a thump into the green grass of the soil. Hopefully, that big trail I left behind me will not make anyone upset.

But enough of that for now I need to get my Qi training started, but I cannot do that until I get one thing handled first.

Getting up onto the rock I look over myself. My face is no longer overheated or sweaty as I feel a cool sensation as I breathe in the air around me. And while my body is a bit dirty and sweaty, is it nowhere close to what I normally experience while exercising.

I hope Hardshell forgives me for getting these clothes dirty already but I cannot make a decent effort of this without the proper attire. After all, no chakram artifacts worth their edge will allow someone who does not dress in fine clothes to wield them. Not really something I had ever considered when I found my talent for this weapon.

While I had managed to defend myself against the two chakrams called [Wind Serpent, Fangs of the Sky], and gain their acknowledgment. I had yet to gain their respect and in turn, I had not obtained the permission to wield their full strength in combat.

Artifacts differ greatly from one another. But chakrams are very picky and known to be fickle. They want their wielder to be able to dance, dress, and kill, all at once. It was not for not that wielders of the chakrams were sometimes called War Dancers.

"We can guide you and show you how to properly perform the dance techniques needed for these artifacts young Guo Long. The [Wind Serpent, Fangs of the Sky] is made from the ribs and fangs of a Sky Steel Snake. We know how to properly entice and charm the materials of the artifact to allow you an easier time to gain its respect." The kirins whispers to me.

It would be a great thing, to be able to use the most optional technique and with the guidance of ancient kirins, I would get the artifacts' respect. Sky Steel Snakes were famous for being highly aggressive but also very graceful, capable of flight and wind-based qi attacks that could rend the flesh and steel of low-grade cultivators and artifacts. And its temper is no doubt placed within these chakrams, along with its haughtiness, and vanity. To have a proper guide to aid in the taming of an artifact is something many cultivators would accept without hesitation.

However, I am not one of them.

Sure it would be safer and easier with the aid of the kirin spirits. But then it would not have been earned by me nor would it have been my achievement. Call me vain but I do not want to feel like I cannot do something on my own. Least of all taming my first artifact.

I look down at the chakrams resting on my lap and I slowly grip their handle bandstand up. Dressed in my robe again, the spirits look at me questioningly. And I shake my head slowly. I would not take the easy way out, that was not what I wanted. "No. This is not something I should take lightly and just cheat at. To use guidance during something as personal as proving my worth to an artifact might be the best solution. But I doubt I'd be able to live with myself knowing I'd never know."

After a few moments of feeling the gentle summer wind blowing in my face, the kirins speak to me in a curious voice. "Know what Guo?"

Sighing I look down at the chakrams in my hands, and I look at the small scars lining my hands. From the many hours of training, I had gone through. Fought for. Earned. By my own work and efforts. "If I could have earned their respect by my own merit and not by outside interference. It would be disrespectful to not just the artifacts as I would be essentially lying to them to earn their respect, but to myself as well. As I would be spitting at my own training, the pain, the joys, the struggle, the challenge, all of it would be pointless if I did that."

I relax for a moment, then I open my eyes and slowly widen my stance, lower my body, and spread out my arms, in a presentation. Imagining the sound of drums beating I tap my left hoof, getting a rhythm, as I speak up one final time. "So sorry spirits but this, this I have to do myself."

And then I start dancing with the chakrams.

[Author's Note: This is a scene from House of the Flying Daggers that inspired me to make this specific training technique. I was looking for pictures of chakram dances in games, animes, etc. Most of them were pretty pointless and didn't offer much more than a few blurry images or straight-throwing attacks. And while the long silk sleeves are not really part of the fiction dance, do I think it is easy to imagine it being the moments the chakrams are thrown. Was no real male dancers but this is still one of the better dancing scenes I've seen that could fit into what I wanted.]

My robe flowing like a liquid in the wind as I spin my arms wide as take a small leap into the air. The blades whisper gently through the breeze, leaves flowing over the blades, yet never touching them. I land without a sound and I make an upward thrust with both blades before swinging them back and I make a slow backflip.

With my [Graceful Crane Art] I could control the momentum of my body in the air, slowing myself, extending the time I remained in the air. Combining this with my strong Qi, I could make myself as light as a feather and practically fly. But that was not the purpose of this dance.

I only knew the basic dancing styles of the weapon art of the chakrams. But I did know the elemental alignment of the [Wind Serpent, Fangs of the Sky]. They were a pair of wind chakram blades. And wind-based weaponry was extremely rare in the region my sect was located in, seeing how lightning is the opposite to the wind. But that is a bit of a misconception.

Air is good against lightning because lightning normally needs a conducting element/material to be effective at a distance. Air is not a conductive element. And yet lightning can overpower wind with sheer might and cannot be dispatched by air. So both elements essentially cancel each other out.

And this brings us to my new training area. In cultivation, there is a reason why you need to think of your surroundings when you decide to meditate, train your qi, perform breakthroughs, and other such matters. If the Feng Shui of the area you are in does not work well with the element you are using, then it might even sabotage you.

There is a wide-open space in the glade with sunlight hitting the grass, allowing blue flowers to bloom. The blue flowers represent water and their energy supports the energy of the trees. As the wind travels through the glade will small leaves or even some ripe fruits fall to the ground. Combine this with the stone qi of the large boulder, granting me altitude that allows more wind to flow around me, I have a decent place to show these two wind-based weapons I am serious about earning their respect.

In Feng Shui, there is Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal. They represent the physical and mental energies of your surroundings. It is not totally the same as the feng shui of earth. It is a specific form of nature-based qi that can be utilized to create formations, rituals, training grounds, and so on. In truth, there are more elements to this, but producing them requires supernatural effects on the world or an area with extreme weather conditions.

I do not know more than this as I was only taught the basics. But I knew that I needed a combination of a high rock seat, to represent a mountain, the flowers feeding the trees makes them strong and allows them to drop their leaves even when green, thus granting me both water and wood, with the wood flowing int the air, allow me to attain an air qi in the area. With the sunlight acting as the fire element, warming up the plants and giving them life.

And the metal was my chakrams metal blades. Allowing the air qi to become represented by both wood and metal as I dance on top of the large boulder. When a sudden gust of wind blows a large number of leaves and peach flower petals over the glade.

Leaping upwards in a half spin I stretch out my arm and the left blade flies out of my hand and spins through the air like a frisbee. As I land I spin around on my hoof and I throw out the right blade, it flies in the opposite direction. Both of the chakrams spin and flies in arcs before turning back towards me as I leap up into a second half-spin leap.

The first chakram slices through the air towards my left side, my left hand, stretched out in the movement of the dance, suddenly sways and reaches down and grasps the chakram by the handle. At the same time, the other blade flows towards my lower back as I begin to fall back towards the rock. My free hand is held with a bent elbow, I slowly tilt to the side, and as my hoof hits the rock my right hand reaches out, uncurling like a snake from its position, and my fingers grasp the old leather of the handle.

And without pause, I keep dancing. The sunlight glimmers over the blades as I repeat this, throwing them out, catching them. Spinning them around in the air in circles before once more catching them. I did not control their flight, they themselves did.

With my qi as potent as it was now I could sense the movement of the chakrams, but it required my training with the weapon to be able to grasp it. And with my body as strange and unfamiliar as it was, I still managed to keep up the rhythm of the dance without losing my posture or affecting the grace of my movements.

I keep this up for what feels like forever. But barely an hour has gone by as I feel a sudden sensation flow into my body as I once more throw and catch the chakrams. And a rush of air flows around me, and I can distinctly hear the telltale sound of hissing snakes.

Again I lash out with the chakrams, I can see them fly through the wind, but the motion is different. Before their flight was curved or straight U-turns. But now, they were swaying around in the air. Almost like leaves, or slithering snakes. And I see leaves and petals, shredded up by the powerful wind fields surrounding the blades.

Pushing past my limit I keep going, maintaining the flow. The rhythm and pace of the dance increasing more and more. Until I made a final leap into the air, catching both chakrams. And I land as the final beat of the drum fall silent on both of my hooves.

I stand with my arms crossed in front of my chest, both chakrams held by my hands, glowing green as I slowly let my rapidly beating heart calm down. Sweat dripping down my face. But a wide smile on my face of what I had just achieved.

My legs are like jelly, my lungs are burning and my arms feel heavy like lead. But I did it. I managed to gain the respect of the chakrams, through my own work and effort. It feels rather good knowing that these artifacts found me worthy to wield them.

I probably could never have done this had I not been changed as I was with my cultivation increased. But I know this. Had I managed to reach rank 5 of the low tier of cultivation without the ritual of my sect, I still would have tried this.

Sitting down I slowly place the chakrams back on my belt, wiping my face with a rag as I regained my breath. "So what did you think spirits? Did I do good?"

Their voice was both chiding and proud. Making me feel like a boy whose teacher had caught him training something dangerous and succeeding. It did not feel too bad. "You were extremely reckless and there were more than a dozen flaws in your dance. But you had a lot of heart and emotions in your dance, and we believe that the [Wind Serpent, Fangs of the Sky] chakrams respected you for being so daring and succeeding. Even if barely."

Shrugging I lay back on the rock, looking up at the afternoon sun. "Well, I only know the basics of the chakram dances. I never learned the more unique techniques. Not to mention channeling my qi into artifacts I had yet to earn the respect from could be dangerous. So I combined my training and my improved qi senses to the best of my ability. Not much else I could do."

I can imagine the kirins nodding as they respond to my words. "Indeed. Wielding a sentient artifact without earning it can prove fatal even to mid-tier cultivators even if the artifact is not weaker than them. Most artifacts with a will of their own will not allow anyone to use them completely in combat unless you prove yourself to them. Though not all of them will test your talent, some will test your character, others your conviction, some will even test your soul. Artifacts might have limited power without a wielder, but when it comes to testing those who would wield them, their options are fairly limitless."

"Indeed. I rem- What was that?" There was a sudden crackle of lightning in the distance. I slowly stand up and I look northwards. My eyes narrow as I hear the clanging of a large bell and can see a column of smoke rise into the sky.

It appears my first combat challenge in this new world has arrived. Bandits.

Dammit. I haven't even had time to stretch!

[Back with Elder Hardshell and the farmers, 3rd point of view]

A young bull farmer by the name of Valteus stared with a gaping mouth as the kirin, who was probably his own age, rolled away a several-ton boulder. "How did he... do that?"

Hardshell shook his head to clear out the shock he was experiencing and tried his best to figure out how it was possible. But he could not figure it out and just admitted it to the farmers. "I personally have no real clue how he did it. Though he has told me that the combat arts he is learned allow one to break their limits. I did not think it would be like this but... I must admit I am impressed."

The patriarch of the bull farmers, Sparthos, took off his straw hat and rubbed his head a bit as he looked at where the giant rock had been sitting since before the village was founded. Ever since his family had expanded their wheat crops to this location thirty years ago, they struggled to remove the thing and yet failed. "Who'd have thought that a young lad like that could move a boulder not even I or my father could on our best day."

Sipping a cup of water given to him by a young cow by the name of Thylia, the youngest of the family, the old tortoise hums a little as he looks towards the orchard where the kirin had rolled the big rock. "When he told me he wanted to use physical efforts to do it I thought he had some kind of head injury from his trip down the river that I'd missed. So do not fault yourself for doubting him, even I did. I thought his combat style relied on speed and not on physical strength."

Young Valteus walked over to his little sister and helped her put back the jug of water on the wooden crate by their field. "Guess it is true as that old merchant told pa last spring. One cannot judge a book by its cover."

Hardshell just nods and finishes his water before walking over to the improvised table and gently placing his cup onto the crate. "Indeed. Though sometimes it is hard to swallow the truth without proof."

Laughing a little Sparthos just shook his head before putting back his hat. Walking over to the table he takes his own drink of water before looking at the now clear spot in his wheat field. "Well, I am more than convinced he's not talking out of his ass. That boy may look like a beansprout but damn he can lift some weight."

Elder Hardshell was about to follow the young cultivator into the orchard to witness his practice when suddenly young Freshy came running down the road. He was a young adult black panther who was part of the militia. His skills as a hunter and climber making him an excellent lookout."Elder! Elder! There's a trail of wagons with armed guards approaching on the road!"

There was a momentary pause from the bulls and the tortoise before the old tortoise looked towards the road leading into the woods. His eyes narrowed as he suddenly got a bad feeling in his gut, and it was not from his lunch. "No caravans or merchants should be heading to our village. The last merchant only left a week ago. And the last to leave the village was Grubber's eldest son transporting scavenged goods to the town for appraisal."

Walking over to the hunter Hardshell patted him on the shoulder. "Tell me all you can about those wagons you saw and how far away they are."

Using his curved short bow Freshy drew a crude image of a large four-wheeled wagon with a tied tarp covering it, with several figures carrying polearms. A total of twenty-two. "The wagons are covered by cloth, but I can tell by the wind blowing against them that they are cages. Big cages. They will arrive in less than two hours or so if they keep up the pace."

Sparthos frowns and looks over the drawing, it was hard to make out details but at least it gave them the numbers. "What did their gear look like? Did they have any emblems?"

Freshy shook his head. "None. They were mostly dressed in leather and splint mail, with some helmets. I saw ponies, horses, goats, lizards, and at least two bison. Sitting on the front wagon was a unicorn dressed in a green and blue painted splint mail. But there were no sigils or markings. Their weapons were long black polearms with large two pointed triangular trident heads."

Sparthos was not a well-educated person but he knew of the weapons used by the local garrisons and he had never heard of such polearms being used anywhere. "I've never heard of such weapons before, but a blue and green splint marks a person as a representative or officer who is part of the retinue of the Grassblade family."

Frowning Hardshell feels his unease grow. The Grassblade family was a minor power in the region but their lands included the Freshriver village. But he had met the young lord when he was made lord when all the local village elders gathered at the inheritance ceremony when he obtained the title from his father who died from a hunting accident. That had been twenty years ago and from what he had heard was the lord was still an arrogant and self-important twit. "The local lord hasn't sent a representative ever since he was made lord. He's just been staying at his manor ignoring his responsibilities. Why would he send messengers now?"

After a moment of silence, Sparthos made a loud snorting sound before he growled a little. His left hoof stomping the earth a bit in agitation. "I do not like this."

Hardshell nodded. These strangers were approaching his village armed to the teeth with covered wagons that probably were cages. Either case was bad. But if they were beast hunters it would be easy, but he had a feeling that was not their purpose. The reason why he doubted the possibility? The weapons, he had a nagging feeling he had heard or seen those weapons before from the description. But he could not remember from where."I do not like this either. Hmmm, those weapons... I feel like I've seen or heard of something like them before."

There was a bit of murmur in the air as several farmers who had gathered, along with a few militia members on guard duty, were being debriefed of the situation. Words would spread fast over the village. But to make people realize the possible danger was another question.

Spathos looks out at the forest with narrow eyes and he hums disgruntedly before he speaks. "What should we do if they prove hostile Elder Hardshell?"

Hardshell looks over at the tall bull with steel in his eyes and a spark of energy flows from his body for a short moment, showing the magical power he could wield. "We shall do what we have done for generations, flee and fight. Sparthos, go with your children and spread the word. Make sure to sound the warning bell if these strangers are what we suspect them to be."

He then turned towards Freshy and the nearby militia members. "Go and gather the militia and have them gear up if things turn hostile."

As the militia members ran off to prepare the tortoise looked at the remaining farmers as Spathos and his family began to jog up towards the village center on the cliffside. "Spread the words to everybody. We do not have much time. Have all unable or unwilling to fight to go to the walled section of the village. They knew the escape route if things turn sour."

His orders given the old tortoise began to walk with a bit more fervor to a large open area connected to the road. It could be described as a large gathering place or square made up of sand and gravel. The stump of a large tree left on the western edge acting as a podium in various situations.

A new air was filling the village, he could hear the clattering of doors, tools, and running legs. Thick tension and unrest were making the hot summer sun feel less of a burn and more like a chill. In the distance he could hear people running, some children panicking or crying.

Closing his eyes the old tortoise cranked his neck a little to ease the tension. When he heard a big thump from his right side and saw the old boar Grubber standing on the field, dressed in his merchant's clothes with a two-meter long wooden club covered with iron dubs.

Giving the fat pig a scrutinizing look the old tortoise cannot help but comment on this behaviour, for he had not seen the merchant wield that club for nearly thirty years. And for good reasons. "I thought you said you had given up on your 'dark past' Grubber."

With a frown the boar sighs as he lifts the massive club, resting it over his shoulder as more and more villagers and militia members gather on the sand field. "You cannot expect me to not stand up for my home now can you old Hardshell? I am not a greed-driven person, my children and grandchildren are worth more to me than any coins. So if I have to break a promise and break some skulls to keep them and my friends safe, then so be it."

Without reacting the old tortoise just gave the boar a calm look in the eyes. "Promises are not something to take lightly my boy. You know this more than others. You remember what you swore when you gave up that club?"

Grubber doesn't even blink as he looks the elder in the eyes. "I swore to never act like my old self and learn responsibility, principle, discipline, and purpose. I became a merchant, I became a father, I became a grandfather. And now my purpose is to protect those with discipline, lest I break my own principles."

The two look at each other for a few moments of silence before Hardshell breaks the standoff by smiling and nodding with approval. He was proud of Grubber's words. To hear how much he had improved since his reckless younger days was wonderful. "Good. Good. I am glad you realize this, even if it took you thirty years."

Chuckling a little Grubber rubs the pommel of his log-sized club with a grin. "Hehe. Better late than never right?"

One of the militia members, an elderly deer stag, looks at the approaching wagons through a plain spyglass. Putting down the spyglass he hands it over to the Elder. "I recognize that unicorn Elder. He's Gold Seeker, he was in the Imperial Army when I was serving in it. He was part of a family of officers but ended up demoted to sergeant and deported to the Golden Hills as part of some minor lord's retinue because of his ill behaviour. Last thing I heard of him he had left the service of his lord and become a leader of a group of bandits masquerading as mercenaries."

Hardshell looks over the approaching group and he looks at the strange weapons they were wielding. Tall black, twin pointed trident-like weapons. Clearly of some magical make or he doubted these bandits would have the courage to approach a village like this. "Their weapons look enchanted. So we can safely assume he's here to try and raid us."

Spitting on the ground the stag snorts and nods, gripping a spear tightly. "Indeed. That guy will do anything to earn easy money, one of his ill behaviours was when he tried to take part of his troops' payment for himself. He was also prone for claiming 'lost items' found on battlefields."

Nodding the elder returns the spyglass to the old stag and turns towards the militia members gathered in the market square. "Then we know to prepare. Have all militia members pull back to the guard towers in the outer and inner circles of the village and crew them. If these bandits have any surprises that let them breach my barrier I want you all ready. Volunteers are to act as the first line of defence against the raiders, but please do think of your families and future before deciding."

All the militia members nodded and began to act on the old tortoise's orders. Most of them moving back to the village to arm whatever defensive positions and towers within.

Five militia members, including the old deer and Grubber, would remain by the square while Elder Hardshell stepped back until he reached two stone pillars built on the left and right side of the road in front of two wooden guard towers. There was a network of these stone pillars spread out across the village. and their purpose was not decorative.

It was a more military purpose.

The old tortoise sits down on the sandy road and begins to trace his claws into the sand, the air, and on the chest portion of his shell. Blue light is channeled through his claws and takes the shape of intriguing symbols. As he does this, he begins to chant and murmur a spell. "La capa of empara gran àmbit enèrgetic producte desmentir ingrés of ens."

"La capa of empara gran àmbit enèrgetic producte desmentir ingrés of ens." He repeats the chant a second time and glowing blue lines emerge across various stone pillars spread out in a circle around the village. The two pillars on his left and right being the first to light up.

Two of the volunteers look on nervously, knowing things were serious with the elder activating the layered defences of the village. It would lock them out with the bandits, but it was for the best since it would keep their families safe. Others are stoic and silent, looking ahead towards the approaching intruders. Grubber and Old Stag both gripping their weapons, ready for combat.

"La capa of empara gran àmbit enèrgetic producte desmentir ingrés of ens!" By the final and third time, he spoke the chant had his voice become a rumble. and with the final word shouted he clap his clawed hand together. Beams of blue light erupt from the pillars across the village and gather at a point above the village, forming a bird-like cage. Which soon emerges together to form a singular dome of transparent blue energy around the village.

The bandits falter a bit at this sight but a command from their leader has them resume their march. And soon they are approaching the other end of the sand-covered field. As they come closer the volunteers step forward, weapons ready. and old Grubbers roars out at the approaching intruders.

"You are not welcome here! Go away before we have to get violent!" The bandits stop at this and look at each other before laughing at the glaring village militia members.

Then Gold Seeker, smirking from his seat on the lead wagon, as the other two are driven up on the left and right side of the one he is driving. "Heh! Why so hostile farmer? We are here for a proposal for you kind peasants. One that might benefit us all!"

Grubber blinks before frowning and looks at the Elder behind the barrier who just seems to shrug, just as confused. He then turns back to stare the bandit leader down. "I highly doubt scum like you have business with a poor community like our own that has anything of interest for us. So I suggest you drop the act and leave boy."

Gold Seeker just widens his grin and points with an open hand towards the village. As if he knew something Grubber did not want him to know. "Oh, I highly doubt that. You see. I have been informed that you have a very exclusive guest in your village. A noble even. And I would be more than willing to simply leave your dirt poor schmucks to the dirt and muck, in return for this one noble. A kirin boy dressed in royal purple robes with golden trims."

There is a sudden silence before Grubber groans and facepalms while Elder Hardshell chuckles a bit nervously. Clearly having forgotten that little detail about that purple robes was no longer commonly used by scholars. "Blasted stupidity of youth. That boy you wish for us to give you is not noble. He's a poor chap who was washed up here a week ago and we gave him those robes to wear."

A slight frown replaces Gold Seeker's smile as he hears this. But he soon resumes his fake kind smile again, clearly not believing what he had been told. "Now I don't believe that. Such exquisite clothing does not belong in a dirt poor village like this. Yo would have sold it ages ago if that was true."

The Old Stag walks over, holding a spear ready, and glares at the former soldier. "People like you will never learn. Not everything is about money. You greedy little shit."

"Oh, I beg to differ. Gold is everything in this world, and if you intend to keep me away from it I will have to get violent." The bandits heard the words of their leader and began to form up into ranks, their polearms held ready to start combat. Gold Seeker just smirks at the five old villagers who would try to defend their home, but once he got past them he and his troops would destroy the barrier with their new weapons and take everything of value. Including the noble, these peasants were trying to protect.

An angry snort gushes out of Grubber's nostrils and he glares at the bandit leader along with the other volunteers. They had known greedy people most of their lives, among all lives. But this unicorn took it to another level. "I suggest you go away before I crush your skull boy. It would not be the first time I've killed self-confident bandits with my club."

One of the older bandits frowns and looks closer at the large fat big, pointing his massive club towards them. And his eyes widen as he realizes something. "Wait a moment. Could he be that Mad Boar that rampaged around these parts thirty years ago? Known as the Gorger of Bandits!?"

A bit of murmur emerges among the bandits but Gold Seeker swiftly ends it with a laugh. Clearly not impressed by the fat boar. "Hah! What about it? He's just fat and old by this point. No need to worry about him. Just kill them all and let us get this raid on the move!"

Standing up Gold Seeker points a hand forward and the first row of ten bandits raises their polearms and begins to march forward as he screams out his orders. "First-line forward! Second-line act as rearguard and prepare to attack at my command! Clear out these peasants!"

The old stag rears back one of his spears and chucks it. One of the bandits blocks it with his polearm. But then two arrows are shot from two other militia members. The arrows strike a weak point in one of the bandit's armor and penetrate through the left elbow and the right shoulder. A bandit collapses screaming in agony at this, clutching his wounds. But he is swiftly silenced as a second spear strikes his face as he lays there on the ground, the spearhead splitting through his faceguard, tearing through the left eye, and socket, before exiting through the back of the head and out the back of the helmet.

With one of them dead the bandits begin to charge forward. Grubber and a militia member with a metal spear charge as the others keep firing at the bandits. The spear wielder evades two polearms and makes a swift thrust with his spear through the neck of one of the bandits.

Grubber charges forward and lowers his head. He deflects the polearms with his club and strikes the stomach of one of the bandits. His tusks tearing apart the armor-like tinfoil and ripping into the flesh beneath. Raising his head he drags out a good chunk of the screaming bandit's intestines before shaking them off, leaving the bandit dying on the ground.

With a pommel strike with his club, he knocks one bandit silly on the head, disorienting him. He then spins around to evade a polearm slice at his calf. And with a sideway swing, he cracks apart the bone and armour of another bandit's left leg, causing him to fall clutching his blood spurting mess of a leg before a cloven hoof crushes his neck.

Another volley of arrows and spears strikes at the bandits and this close some of them are injured or have to stop charging to block the projectiles. Yet another bandit is killed as the old stag jumps forward and head buts them, his antlers piercing through the eyes, the eye sockets, and into the brain in a spray of eye matter and bloody gore. He lifts the corpse, bleeding blood over his head before tossing it aside with a twist of his neck.

With another swing, Grubber crushes the head of the disoriented bandit into his own neck. A geyser of blood and gore erupting over the boar, the corpse, and the sand around them. Leaving a bloody mess.

Resting his blood-soaked onto his shoulder club Grubber stares coldly at the corpse in front of him. "I warned you."

By now was more than half of the first wave dead and the remainder of it was panicking. And then the remaining bandits routs and runs back for the second line. Which has yet to act as they had not been willing to risk hitting their comrades. Nor had they been given orders by their leader.

Who. By this point. Was pretty pissed.

"Don't just stand there! Front troops hold the peasants at bay while the rear guard takes them out before they have a chance to get to cover!" But Gold Seeker's orders were ignored by the first wave as they just kept running away screaming in terror.

Grubber lowers his head and charges after one of the cowardly thugs. After just a few steps he hefts his log-like club and with a powerful side-swipe, strikes at the fleeing bandit's left side. The wooden frame of the club slams into the head of the earth pony, there is a sound of crunching metal and fracturing bones.

Blood ruptures from the impact of the club, the arm is crushed, the splintered bones spraying blood out of the useless limb, while ribs and organs are crushed and shattered. Causing the bandit to barf up a spray of puke mixed with blood. The bloody carcass flew and rolled along the road a dozen meters before falling limp in front of the anxious bandits as they readied their polearms. The remainder of the fleeing bandits running behind them or joining by raising their own polearms.

A frustrated Gold Seeker growls at this lack of discipline but relents. These are not the large numbers of troops he used to command, even if they were mostly former soldiers. Each death was felt more because of their lack of numbers. That was not something he could get past.

The militia volunteers ready their weapons, expecting a charge from the bandits. When the polearms begin to glow and crackle with electrical energy as the bandits begin to channel magical energy into the shafts to activate the weapons' hidden power.

Elder Hardshell's eyes widen as he sees the gathering electricity at the end of the trident-like polearms. And it clicks, he recognizes those weapons. He had heard about them from old contacts in the capital. The weapons used by the minions of the renowned and feared Storm King for their ability to channel and fire lightning. "All of you scatter! Those are Lightning Polearms! They are Sky Grade artifacts!"

But his words came too late as lightning bolts lance out of the spear tips, the old stag has no time to react as his antlers catch the lightning and his head erupts in a geyser of ash and blood as the conducted energy flows directly into his cranium, flash boiling his brain. His spears scattering across the sand.

One militia screams out as electricity arcs across his body as several bolts strike his pure metal spear. In a flash of light, all that remains is a standing burnt-out skeleton that soon falls over in a pile of ash and bones. The spear burnt and bent from the heat.

Another falls over, their stomach and chest struck by the volatile energies. Flesh and hide burns, fur burns, fat melts, blood boils, and bones are fried. The ribcage burst open as the lungs explode, spraying blood, ash, and pieces of organs. Then the lower intestine and stomach follow as the stomach burns open. Revealing a scorched black mass of flesh and organs that collapse beneath the villager as they fall.

Old Grubber barely manages to roll to the side as lightning strikes the ground around him. The fourth volunteer screaming out in agony as their left leg is blown off before a second bolt strikes their head, leaving only the burnt-out cranium.

Bolts strike at Grubber as he tries to get to cover and he barely manages to get behind a large rock as a lance of lightning strikes the corpse of one of the dead bandits. A shower of shrapnel and molten metal erupts and Grubber collapses on his side against the rock as a large piece of molten metal from the fractured armour strikes his side.

One of the braver, read foolish, bandits rushes forward over the boulder and screams out a battle cry as he makes a downward stab at the boar. He strikes the boar in the stomach but the club of the Mad Boar hits his head and the sound of breaking bone is heard. The bandit falls limp to the ground, their head bent so far back that their nose was pointing at their tail.

But the damage was done and Grubber looked down at the spear protruding from his stomach. It had pierced his stomach and intestines down to the pelvis. Only a healer of magical or medical expertise could cure something like this, and they were rare and far between. Especially in the communities of the Golden Hills.

Grubber knew he was a dying pig. But that did not mean he would not take some of those bastard bandits before he perished. Grabbing the spear he takes it out, he has no idea how to use it, and would never learn to. Not with what little time he had left. So he stands up and throws it like a javelin.

The spear strikes and pierces through the breastplate of a horse bandit. A scream erupts as lightning crackles across their body and is just as swiftly silenced as only a burnt-out husk remains after a few seconds. Leaving the bandits terrified of the brutal death. And looks at their weapons, nervous if something like that would happen to them if they got taken from them.

Gold Seeker points at one of the bandits and roars out in fury and disdain at the constant failure of his troops. "Finish the fat bastard already! He's injured and helpless! Just keep out of range from his club! You have polearms!"

The bandit gulps in fear and walks forward, unwilling to risk the wrath of his leader. Walking over to the injured boar by the rock he carefully keeps out of reach as he raises his polearm, tip pointing downwards, and makes ready to strike down at the badly bleeding boar.

But as he moves to thrust a strange wind blows over the area. Blowing sand into the air. Obscuring the view for an instance. And as everybody's view was cleared an instant later. They heard a thud and saw the bandit still ready to make a thrust. Only, he was a head shorter. Literally.

All the bandits gaped in shock at the headless body of their fellow raider. His body still standing upright even as his confused head rolled down the sandy square like a tumbleweed. Villagers gasped in shock while the bandit leader stares with frustrated anger and shock at the impossible sight. "What!? What did that!?"

As if time resumed there was a sudden geyser of red blood spurting out of the headless corpse and it slowly swayed before dropping down to the ground with a loud thud.

And that's when everyone saw a figure standing behind the fallen bandit, it was Guo Long kneeling by Grubber's side as if he had appeared out of nowhere.

The fat old boar chuckles as the young kirin try to stem the bleeding in his gut. He had seen only a green blur as something flew by and sliced off the bandit's head. Before Guo Long came out of the wheat fields and instantly moved to aid him. It had been a very swift and impressive sight. One that made him glad to know the kid could defend himself. "Hehe... hurgh... You're a bit, late kid."

Kneeling by the dying boar Guo Long was pressing his hands against the open gash in Grubber's gut, channeling his qi in hope of staling the bleeding. Offering the old merchant a sad smile the young cultivator tried to reassure Grubber as he tried to keep him alive. "I am sorry Mr. Grubber. I came as soon as I heard the bell ring. Do not worry, I will keep you alive."

The old boar just chuckles and grabs his hand, slowly pulling it away from his gaping wound. Even as he felt his body grow cold the old merchant gave the young kirin a serious look. He knew he was dying, no one in the village could treat such an injury. "Do not apologies kid... do not do good deeds because of obligation... do it because you care... but do not waste efforts on the dying... I am too far gone for aid..."

"But I cou-" The boar silenced the protest before it could be voiced with a glare, making the young kirin flinch a little. Though it softens as he sees the young kirin nod, agreeing to his request, blood-stained hands still held by the old pig's larger one.

"Although... you could do me a small favour... kick their sorry asses and send their dark souls to the afterlife... I will be waiting for them theereeee..." With a final slump, the large warrior went limp on the ground. His hand's grip on Guo Long's hand lasts for a few seconds longer until it went limp and fell to the ground as well. The Mad Boar of Freshriver was dead.

Elder Hardshell lowering his head in sorrow as he kept the barrier up protecting the village as several of his friends died fighting the bandits. Five more death of the many people he had seen grow up in this village. It hurt every time. But he could not falter, his duty was to protect the village, he would not disrespect Grubber and the other villagers by lowering the barrier.

Meanwhile was a certain pair of bandits staring in shock and confusion at the kirin who had effortlessly killed one of their fellows. Thoughts about how it was possible were running through their brains when a heavy stomp sounded out behind them and the duo turned around to see the furious face of Gold Seeker.

The older bandit sucked in air and gently pushed the younger bandit to getaway. "Hey, boss."

Glaring at the ones who had given him the report Gold Seeker speaks up in a very tense and upset voice. "I thought you told me he was a painter or a poet."

Closing his eyes the bandit tries to explain why his assumption was incorrect. He knew he would not succeed. So he resigned himself to his fate and just started talking. "I don't know what to say, boss. He did not look-"

There is a sudden end to the bandit's words as Gold Seeker draws a fine blade from his side and slashes up the bandit's throat. He could not forgive nor have fools in his group that made him look bad and making the gang question his leadership. The former army officer had not been a bandit leader for so long for it to be lost because of fools.

Even if he was no different himself.

The remaining bandits did not even look at the corpse of the old bandit, unwilling to risk anger their leader further. Instead, they remain silent and stand in line, though some had a bit of bad twitch as fear shook their bodies.

Gold Seeker walks in front of his troops and looks at the young kirin as he slowly stands up after placing the old boar's hands over his chest. Gripping the fine blade, a nine-ring dao saber glowing with a blue shimmer, the bandit leader glares and growls at the young kirin. Seeking to intimidate him. "You better hope you are worth the lives of my men boy. Or I will be making your life real nasty. So you better give up before we have to get brutal."

Guo Long stands up and looks at the bandit, a bit confused but also too infuriated to care about the nonsense of bandits. Slowly he makes a stance, his legs spread forward and back with his left arm bent to the chest while the right was held forward, the index and middle fingers held out. "The only brutal thing that is going to happen here. Is your death."

"Capture him! Break his bones if you have to!" At the loud command of their leader, the bandits charge forward like a mob, polearms held with the pommels up to bash the young cultivator unconscious. Would not do to ransom a corpse.

But Guo Long. Was not easy prey.

[Start Combat Music Part 1 (No Lyrics): Beautiful Chinese Music - Rapid As Wildfires]

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A metal shaft flew at his head as the first bandit reached him, a panther. But before it could hit his face he weaved left, the pommel streaking past his head and neck. His left hand darted forward while his right moved at the bandit's face. The right hand was a distraction, forcing the bandit to flinch or move his head. He moved his head.

And Guo Long's fingers lashed out like a coiled snake, the sharp claws on the end piercing the fur-covered pelt of the throat.

*[Flesh Rending Pincer]* Even as he felt the sickening sensation of his fingers buried in living flesh Guo Long didn't flinch as he mentally called out his technique. Not even as his face was splattered with blood. The bandit gurgles and gasps as he tries to reach for his arm and pull out the fingers in his throat. Instead Long moved forward, pulling the bandit with him, tearing up his throat and sending a spray of blood into the air.

With a sickening thud and gurgle, the panther bandit collapses, clutching his torn-up jugular. Blood staining the sand.

Two others reached him, a pair of horses. Much larger than him. He shifts his stance and makes a single sideway steep that seems to grace the ground for several meters as if he had been gliding on the ground. Two well-aimed strikes from the charging horses' polearms were evaded.

With the heavy momentum leaving them overreached Long suddenly leaps a fairly high distance and uses their backs as landing points. Both bandits collapse to the ground, alive but disoriented. But Guo Long was already gone from their back. He jumps forward, tucks, and rolls, to evade the remaining seven bandits as they try to charge him.

It succeeds, partially. Two of the bandits managed to hit him in the sides as he rolls past them but he managed to evade most of them. And without giving them time to turn around his tail lashes out and wraps around the head of the rearmost bandit, a lizard. Tugging the bandit backward Long leans sideways and kicks with his left leg, the hoof impacts the neck portion of the armour.

A loud clang sounds, followed by the sickening sound of tearing flesh and bone, as Guo Long's tail rips off the lizard's skull by the neck like a cork off a bottle. Another spray of blood fills the air and the kirin flings the head behind himself, unwittingly hitting the chest of Gold Seeker who stares in shock at the bloody mess of what had once been a head and helmet, now a mess of crushed metal, bone, and gore.

Three bandits charge together, a bull, a unicorn, and a fox, this time wielding the pointed end of their polearms. Bolts of electricity arc across the tips of the polearms, though not at full power as the bandits intend to stun the kirin with physical violence and the lightning enchantment of the polearms at low power.

Guo Long ducks the bull's strike to his head- He then uses an open palm to catch the polearm's strike by the shaft and deflect the strike from the fox without risking shock. The unicorn lashes out with a thrust to his chest and he jumps back, trying to dodge away from the strike.

When suddenly the polearm leaves the unicorn's hand and flies, covered by a magical aura, with a similar aura surrounding the unicorn's horn. And Guo Long grits his teeth in preparation for pain as the polearm hits him, and pulses of electricity hit him and he is forced onto the ground, the unicorn pushing the weapon into his chest, keeping him in place.

There is a lot of cheer from the other bandits while the village militia behind the barrier could only watch in horror as the brave young cultivator was pushed down to the ground.

"Some of you get back here and get the chains! Three of you remain and keep him in place! He is at least a Soldier Rank Warrior!" Gold Seeker cries out. And soon Guo Long is held down by the bull, fox, and unicorn while the other bandits left to retrieve chains to tie him up.

Even as all this was going on, Guo Long was... confused. electricity was coursing through his body but unlike what he had felt before when struck by electricity during the teachings of his trainers, he did not feel the intense muscle spasms nor the burning pain. He felt a slight tingling sensation instead.

*I will figure this out later. For now. I better get these thugs off me before they can tie me up.* Putting his fingers into a claw-like grip he starts to twist and circulate his fingers as if stirring something in the air. The bandits do not react to this, thinking it is an erratic motion from electrical shock.

The unicorn sneers down at him and taunts the seemingly struggling in pain 'noble' as he and his fellows keep him in place. "You are going to be our big payday b-" only for his voice to go silent as suddenly his two fellows stop channeling magic into their rods and just stop moving altogether.

He stares at them in confusion and tries to speak, only to note he could no longer speak. Then a gust of wind blows past and he suddenly feels himself falling. He hits the ground, and yet he can see his own body still standing there. Only the head is missing. He hears two more thuds and sees the confused expression of the bull and fox staring back. His last thought was. *What happened?*

"Boss! I saw it! He has a pair of weapons!" One of the bandits cries out and points up at the sky above them.

All of the bandits, and even the militia, look up to see two flying circles surrounded by streaking green coloured wisps of light that look like a cutout portion of a twister. And as Guo Long stands up from the ground, the headless corpses collapsing onto the ground, the two circles fly down in a helix pattern towards him.

Jumping up with a graceful leap he catches both of the spinning circles, revealing the two wicked look chakrams Grubber had given to him a few hours earlier. Landing on the ground as soft as a crane the cultivator stood in a crane stance, the chakrams held outwards, his right leg held up in a bent form with the knee touching the chest.

Bandits and militia alike stared in awe at the magical weapons that seemingly could move on their own. Those were most definitely mid grade artifacts at least, even higher than the polearms of the Storm King the bandits were currently using.

But Gold Seeker reacted differently. Fearfully. For he knew that if they let that kirin remain unharmed, they could very well lose a lot of men to his weapons. So he points with his dao at the robed form of Guo Long and screams at his men. "Shoot him! Destroy his limbs before he can attack! Incapacitate him!"

The remaining bandits all raised their polearms and began to fire lightning bolts at full power towards Guo Long. The small village square was painted in the light of an immense thunderstorm as the scent and taste of ozone fills the air. Some of the bandits panicking enough to fire their weapons at full strength at the kirin.

"Get to cover Long!" Hardshell screams out as he witnesses the sight that had killed so many of his fellow villagers.

But the kirin was too busy focusing to hear the old tortoise cry. He jumped up into the air and began to spin with the momentum. Swinging his chakrams along the path, powerful winds flow from the chakrams as the green light once more emerges from them, and he utilizes this to glide through the wind, looking like he is dancing in the air.

Even as lightning lashes out towards him, it misses, striking rocks, trees, ground, or even nearby corpses. For the wind aura of the [Wind Serpent, Fangs of the Sky] Guo Long was using to glide was by no means just for show.

For air was the least conductive element, and by surrounding himself in a constant flow of small wind currents, Guo Long was essentially forcing the lightning to move to easier targets. He was not as much deflecting the lighting as he was misleading it to other targets.

After a minute of constant lightning volleys, the bandits have to stop to regain power, since the weapons utilized their own internal magical power. But even as the sandy square was covered in small craters, burnt corpses, scorched rocks, and smoldering corpses. Guo Long landed on the ground, completely unharmed.

The bandits did not know what to do and looked towards their leader for answers.

But Gold Seeker was also too busy staring to know what to do.

Meanwhile was Guo Long trying hard to control his breathing, he was far too inexperienced to utilize the artifacts nonstop like that. Channeling qi without pause was not easy for a beginner, his control had been highly insufficient and he had nearly drained himself of all energy. He would have to hope that it would take the bandits a bit of time to regain their senses.

He was not so lucky however as Gold Seeker comes up with a plan. "Release the beasts! Let them soften him up for us!"

*That doesn't sound good.* Guo Long thinks as he sees the bandits scramble to the three wagons they had driven into the village. There is a large tarp over each wagon and without the sound of battle one could now hear the sound of unruly snarls and growls from the wagons.

Roars echo out from the cages as polearms are pushed through the gaps of the bars as the bandits prod whatever lies within out the back of the cages. And soon Long stares in dismay at the sight of three large beasts made of lion, scorpion, and bat parts. Those were manticores. Though the wings were tied to the manticore's bodies with cloth and ropes. Preventing flight.

Slowly but surely were the large angry beasts pushed forward to the sandy ground of the square by bandits poking them with the enchanted polearms. Guo Long could tell from the many scars and burn marks on their bodies, these beasts knew not to mess with their captives as long as they had those weapons. So he highly doubted he could convince them to fight for him.

"Go! Attack that kirin! Damage him if you must but do not let him die! If you kill him I will have you all skinned and sold at the market as fur-covered toilet seats!" Gold Seeker's threat seems to affect the manticores and they begin to move forward, growling and snarling even as the bandits raise their polearms threateningly, sparkles acting across the tips.

Slowly the manticores move forward, snarling and growling. They sniff the air and prowls towards the young kirin who was trying very hard not to show himself as nervous. But they seemingly caught onto his fears as all three suddenly open their jaws and roars out before charging towards him.

Shaking his head Guo Long puts aside his artifacts, for now, he could not use them carelessly. He would have to not exhaust himself. But he was very uncertain if he could handle those large cats. *Great. Just how is this going to go?*

"Follow our guidance young cultivator. And let us show you how spirit beasts persuade each other." The kirins growl in his head as he looks ahead at the massive beasts the bandits had released. Clearly not impressed by the rhino-sized lions with bat wings and scorpion tails.

*Very well. Let's do this.* Slowly inhaling Guo Long infuses the air with his qi, and lets it brew and fuse in his lungs, crossing his arms before his chest he looks with cold eyes at the charging manticores. His clawed fingers bent as if ready to rip and tear.

The jeers of the bandits nor the screams of the concerned villagers do little to disturb his concentration as he feels a tingling sensation flow over his body as the kirins' guides the flow of theirs, and his own qi through his meridian network. Blue light seems to flow from his horn, along with the fur behind his hooves, and the hair of his mane from head to tail tip. But he doesn't notice.

Not even the voices of the kirins within him calling out the name of the technique. "[Kirin Spirit Beast Art: Roar of the Storm]!"

He is too busy pulling down his arms, fists clenched, jaws open wide, as the kirins pushes the qi through his throat. An unnaturally loud ear tearing howl erupts from his jaws. An invisible wave of force pushes back sand and gravel around the kirin cultivator as his roar keeps going for nearly fifteen seconds. Lightning arcs through his body's mane and fur, as well as the horn and eyes, whilst the sleeves and lower rims of his robes bellows in the wind caused by the roar.

Lightning arcs out from Guo Long's body, his mane and fur temporarily turning into a near energy state as the hairs ignite into blue-white plasma-like flames that arcs with bolts of azure energy. His eyes glowing like stars.

The manticores roar out in fear, eyes wide, they grind their paws against the ground, kicking up sand and dirt as they scrambled to run away from the fearsome monster before them. The powerful aura of intimidation was stronger than any beast they had ever seen, the sheer force of hostility and bloodlust enough to make them run past the bandits. Ignoring even the polearms as they struck their hides, and disappear into the woods like frightened kittens.

Guo Long's intimidating aura diminishes and he is left there on the now empty field, alone, staring at his claws as he can see small sparks arc between his claws. Deep in thought about what he had just done. *Did... did I do that? That... that was awesome.*

Meanwhile, the remaining bandits were panicking. Badly.

"What is this!? How could such a young kirin be able to use his Nirik form!?"

"I have never heard of a kirin with a lightning-based form! What is he!?"

"How do we handle this!?"

Gold Seeker, seeing his men faltering. Screams out in anger as he overcomes his own shock. "He obviously cannot hold that form for long! He only lasted a few seconds! I doubt he can do it again! Charge at him together! Take him out before he takes out his artifacts!"

The remaining bandits move, they are less than eight, including their leader. But hey, and him, charge together at the young kirin.

[Combat Music Part 2 (No Lyrics): JAPANLOVANIA 2]

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Guo Long ducks beneath a jab at his chest from a badger. He grabs the offender's arm and kicks with his knee into the elbow, breaking it. The bandit screams and falls back clutching his arm.

The two horses charge together and try to spear him in the gut. He barely manages to evade as he was about to take out the badger, but catches their movement before it was too late. One of them still manages to strike him in the head and he stumbles back, bleeding profoundly from a long cut on the left side of his skull.

With a clenched fist he punches the left horse in the jaw, forcing his head upwards, he then lashes out with a kick, breaking the other horse's left leg at the inner knee. Then with jaws of his fingers as he moved past them he pierces their throats from the side and rips out his fingers, leaving them to clutch their bleeding throats. *[Flesh Rending Pincer]*

A rat and snake both jump at him and grabs him by the leg and side. The snake moves to bite his throat and the rat prepares to stab his ankle with a dagger. But then lightning arcs out of Guo Long's body as he tries to imitate the lightning field the kirin spirits had guided him through before. Both bandits let go and fell back gritting their teeth in pain from the shock.

Guo Long sees a polearm come swinging down at him, he ducks aside, yet the stubborn bandit, a bear, swings the weapon sideways to hit him in the side. Seeing a window of opportunity Guo Long reaches out with his right arm and catches the shaft of the weapon. There is a momentary pause as the bear blinks in confusion.

*[Spear Sundering Grip]* Long suddenly grips the shaft and with a powerful twisting motion of his fingers, the metal shaft of the artifacts breaks apart in a circular twisting domino effect. Shrapnel of metal and sparkling crystal pieces fly out of the sundered weapon.

And as the tearing reaches the hand of the bear the motion continuous up the bear's limb and he roars out in agony as bone and flesh rip and tears, tearing out of his limp as it is twisted in a screw-like motion. The bear has no time to duck as a hand still gripping the end of the torn apart polearm stabs him in the eye and into the brain, the residue electrical enchantment frying the brain.

Even as the bear slowly collapses Long dashes forward and pulls out his two chakrams, and with two diagonal slashes he cuts open the chests of the rat and snake before they can get out of reach. The two bandits collapse on the ground, dead.

Two bandits run away, one of them clutching a broken arm. Leaving only Gold Seeker and Guo Long on the field.

The bandit leader, who had been at the rear, was beyond furious. He was beyond mad. This was supposed to be his day, the start of his rise to glory and riches beyond the meager wagers of an officer.

And yet this kirin noble, barely old enough to be out of school, had killed almost his entire gang forced the rest to flee!?

Seeing red the bandit leader howls out, his horn igniting in a dark golden aura as he fires a bolt of magic at Guo Long who ducks aside. "UNACCEPTABLE!"

He then makes a charge forward, saber held hey, its form glowing and eerie blue.

*Oh boy.* Was all Long could think as he found himself trying to read the movements of a berserker unicorn bandit leader.

Gold Seeker slashed wildly with his glowing saber at the young kirin who evaded several strikes before being forced to block one with his two chakrams. But even then is the strength of the far older fighter enough to push him back and Long has to shift aside to evade a brutal kick to the chest.

The frothing mouth of Gold Seeker spits out foam and saliva at the kirin as he headbutts him, making Long nearly blacks out. He had to duck aside as a cone of fire erupted from Gold Seeker's horn and nearly incinerated him. "You have cost me everything! Screw the ransom money! I shall cut your limbs off and sell you as a living sex toy at the black market!"

"No thank you I am not interested," Long said back with a disturbed look on his face.

"IT WASN'T A SUGGESTION, YOU LITTLE SHIT!" Gold Seeker roars out as he raises his dao and slashes at the kirin again.

Leaning to the side Long feels a bit lightheaded and bruised. His body was sore from training, his torso was covered in bruises, he had a big bleeding cut on the head, some of the kind people he had met had been killed. And currently, he had one of them, a maniac of a bandit intent on making his life a living hell. All in all, he was not having a good day.

The ground beneath him turns into sharp spikes and he barely has time to react to it, tearing some of the lower rims of his fine new robe, which by now was rather dirty with gore, grime, and dirt. Another thing to the checklist of bad things that had happened thus far.

Another clash of chakrams and saber occurred and another headbutt was heading his way. But this time Long retaliated.

Slamming his head upwards he struck the tip of Gold Seeker's horn, there was a sudden weird sensation through his skull, the pain was rather big but he still endured it. Even if it felt painful. But then as he pushed upwards, using his new weird legs to push up against the unicorn's head.

There was a sudden boom.

Blinking slowly Long found himself on his back, with a ringing sound in his head. Slowly standing up he nearly falls over, completely disoriented.

His vision is still clear and he can see the standing shape of Gold Seeker clutching his head screaming in pain, blood spurting from between his fingers. On the ground in front of him laid the broken-off half of a unicorn horn.

"Alright. Let's finish this." Holding his fingers together he focuses his qi and rejuvenates his body from some of the fatigue and pain. Although not permanently.

Gripping his chakrams he can feel their spirits hum in eagerness, to end this fight. And without so much as a thought, he throws both chakrams forward.

The first hit the ribcage, splitting past the skin, bones, past the lung, and through half of the heart. The second is more of a curve and slices through the left arm by the elbow before sinking into the neck, past the throat, into the neck, before ending half-buried in a diagonal angle into the neck.

And then after a few moments of ominous silence, the bleeding shape of Gold Seeker kneels, before falling over to its side. Dead.

Guo Long staggers a bit but remains standing, his hands falling to grip his knees to not keel over. Slowly controlling his breathing he lets the fatigue return and focuses on breathing.

*That... that was by far... not what I'd except my first real fight to be like.* Closing his eyes he felt the smoldering sun on his body, and began to reach over to his robes and tried to get more air to cool his torso.

His arms were too painful to properly do so, however. He could barely raise them to his shoulder.

Long suddenly feel a big hand pat him on the shoulder. He slowly turns his head to see the concerned face of Spathos the old bull looking down at him. "Hey boy. You can lay down and relax, you deserve some rest after that bloody mess."

But Long doesn't agree with that. The bandits had come mostly because of him after all, he still needed to help. To repay his debt.

"N-no. I need to help wi-" But his words are silenced when a blunt turtle claw touches his temple and a cooling sensation fills his body and his vision starts to dim.

The voice of Elder Hardshell is the last thing he hears before falling over, feeling gentle hands catching him before he hit the ground. "You've done more than enough for us young Guo Long, Disciple of the Léiyǔ Sect. Please. Leave the rest to us."

[TBC]

Author's Note

Staadnauthursil: And done. Hope everybody will enjoy this chapter.

Twilight Sparkles: EEEEEEH!? Why was Guo Long so badly beaten!? He was far stronger than those bandits! I checked his stat block!

Staadnauthursil: Wait, what? Did you read my notes? I told you those are private, and incomplete at that.

Twilight Sparkles: Ahahaha, no, of course not. *Teleports away a bundle of notebooks in her saddle bag* I made my own.

Staadnauthursil: Well anyway. Guo Long is not meant to be an OP character. Sure he has a lot of techniques and a group of guiding spirits but he's not equal in strength to a Soldier Rank Warrior wielding a good artifact. Even if he himself wielded a set himself was he still outnumbered and had wasted a lot of his Qi fighting the bandits.

Twilight Sparkles: But why did he not just absorb the lightning bolts and instead wasted energy to protect himself!? That was wasteful!

Staadnauthursil: Because he was struck by weaker attacks when the bandits tried to capture him. And so he did not want to risk injury by making assumptions, thus he utilized the nonconductive nature of air & wind to protect himself from the lightning bolts.

Twilight Sparkles: Hmmm... that fit what you've written. I am still a bit shocked you didn't make him as overpowered as Maleficus was. But then again Maleficus is a chimeric-like alicorn made up of conflicting elements and materials, not really something you can scale a kirin cultivator who hasn't even learned anything beyond the basics. I am looking forward to reading your next bundle of notes!

Staadnauthursil: You mean my next chapter, right?

Twilight Sparkles: Right!

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