Chapter 2

  Two peaceful days passed on the road for Jake and Soot before anything happened. On the afternoon of the third day the duo came upon farmland stretching far off into the distance. Jake saw multiple plumes of smoke rising in the distance “it looks like something is happening over there, should we take a look?” Jakes asked Soot. With an excited caw Soot winged off toward the rising smoke, smiling Jake followed. Quickly arriving to the area where the smoke was rising Jake saw a cultivator fighting off two creatures, they looked like giant porcupines with large saber like fangs.

  The cultivator was launching various fire techniques at the creatures, the owner of the land ran up to Jake breathlessly “you shouldn’t stand around here son, that cultivator is throwing his fire all over the place and those Feral Quillens aren’t any better.” The farmer was a hardy looking man with dark hair and simple clothes, seeking to calm the man Jake said, “it’s okay, I’m a cultivator as well, I saw the smoke so I figured I would try to help out here, since the other cultivator is handling the beasts, I can keep the fires from spreading at least.”

  “Really, you would do that master cultivator?” The farmer said in surprise. “Of course, there is no sense in your fields burning away if I can prevent it.” Jake replied while channeling water chi into a technique to put out the various fires spread around the field. Long ropes of water began to spread from Jakes hands moving toward the fires lashing at them and extinguishing them.

  Both watched as the cultivator fought with the Feral Quillens, he sent fireballs and whips of fire at them, keeping the beasts at a distance, “Hmm, I wonder why he doesn’t get closer it would seem he could use a more powerful technique if he did.” Jake observed. “Oh, that easy master cultivator, those Feral Quillen can shoot their spines at a ridiculous speed, if you’re to close then you could get run through by them.” The farmer replied excitedly.

  The Feral Quillens demonstrated this ability after they flanked the cultivator, Jake could see a shudder run through the bodies of the beasts then with shocking speed they sent a dozen spines at the cultivator. Quickly reacting to the attack, the cultivator jumped into the air flipping over a Feral Quillen, releasing a stream of fire at the beast as he flew over landing on his feet, with a painful screech the beast fell to the ground dead. The farmer clapped excitedly “He got one, did you see that move, that was amazing. You can do it!” he yelled to the cultivator, who posed fancily for the farmer.

  Looking over at the farmer the cultivator said “Good, that you acknowledge my greatness. Watch closely and be in awe of my master technique!”, fire began to cover his hands starting at normal looking fire and shifting into a bright yellow flame, once the flame changed the cultivator took a martial pose with his arms crossed leaning forward, in a blink the cultivator launched forward leaving a hole in the ground where he stood. Stopping a few feet behind the Feral Quillen, he stood and dusted off his robe, the beast fell apart like it had been cut in quarters.

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  Taking the cores of the Feral Quillen, the cultivator struts over to Jake and the farmer “See I told you I would handle those beasties with no trouble, you may take the meat and skin I have no need for them.” The cultivator eyes Jake up and down while the farmer praises the cultivator “Oh, thank you so much master cultivator.”

  Giving Jake a shallow martial bow “I am Guo Li a disciple of the Fire Falcon sect, I greet you, fellow cultivator.” Responding in kind “I am Jake Hwa, I do not have a school or sect, I greet you, fellow cultivator.” “Well now that is out of the way, what brings you here?” Jake pointed over at the various burns that were among the field “I saw smoke rising from the fields and came to see if I could be of help.” Looking a bit sheepish “yes well good job, but why did you not lend a hand with the beasts?” Guo Li asked Jake. “I did not want to interrupt; you looked like you had it under control and I wouldn’t want to be called a thief for taking a core if I killed one of them.” Jake shrugged.

  Guo Li just stared at Jake for a moment then broke out in laughter “You are a strange cultivator, most would have just jumped in and tried to attack me after the battle for the resources.” Stepping back from him “I think killing someone who hasn’t done anything to me is strange, I think it would be normal not to kill some random person.” Jake said. “Not amongst cultivators, we are always struggling for resources to get stronger. Oh, don’t worry I won't be trying to kill you I don’t believe in killing those who have done me no wrong.” Guo Li said waving his hands “I think ambushing people makes a cultivator weak, only by fighting with risk can you get stronger.”

  Soot soaring down from the sky lands on Jakes shoulder, Soot gives an inquisitive eye to Guo Li then croaks loudly at him, settling onto Jakes shoulder. “He seems a decent sort Soot.” Jake said patting Soot’s head. “Wow, that’s a big crow,” Guo Li looks closer at Soot “oh I see, he is a spirit beast isn’t he, that is really interesting.” Jake stiffens at Guo Li’s pronouncement “You both must have been friends for a long time huh? That is awesome I suppose fighting with a cultivator would help a beast grow stronger, with access to cores and spirit beast flesh.” Guo Li continued speaking unaware of Jake becoming defensive.

  “Well now that everything is settled and the farmer is no longer in need of help, I will be heading off.” Giving the farmer and Guo Li a bow, Jake and Soot head off to the road. Reaching the road Jake looks at Soot on his shoulder “I think we are going to have to find a way to hide you better, especially since you are going to be getting stronger.” Soot croaked in agreement with Jake. Looking behind Jake could see Guo Li running up to them “Hey, wait a moment. Do you have any plans? Where are you headed?” “I don’t have any plans; I am just letting fate guide my feet.” Jake replied. Smiling brightly “Great! Why don’t we travel together, I am trying to gather the cores needed for the tournament in the capital. The thought of fighting all sorts of cultivators sounds like a great way to improve and learn more” Guo Li exclaims.

  Looking over at Soot, Jake considered a moment “What do you think Soot?” Soot considered Guo Li intensely for a moment then cawed, seeming fine with the situation. “Sure, Guo Li we can travel, I don’t know much about the area, perhaps you can inform me of what is around here.” Clapping happily Guo Li says, “This will be great, it is really difficult finding good travelling companions.” With that that the trio heads down the road.