Chapter 20

  Cultivation in the Crags

  The alarm had been sounded.

  Ken didn't slow his pace, fueled by the raw energy streaming into him from the goblin casualties.

  The memory of the Swordsgoblin, and the clear threat of the three surviving elites, was a cold spur in his side.

  Gasping, ears straining to filter the sounds of pursuit from the natural noises of the night.

  Thankfully, the moon was nearly full, casting a bright spectral light through the thinning branches, allowing him to navigate the uneven ground.

  He ran until he hit water, drank his fill, then headed northeast.

  Pushing through the undergrowth, mind racing, trying not to break his neck.

  I’m being hunted.

  I need a safe location to hide and defend.

  The terrain began to rise as the trees thinned.

  It was a rugged area, offering strong vantage points.

  Crucially, he hadn't yet let a trail of bodies here.

  Yet.

  A circle of massive, wind weathered boulders, piled high, forming a natural shallow cavern at their base.

  Paydirt.

  He slipped through the cracks.

  It was cold.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  It was gritty.

  It was hard.

  Perfect.

  Ken sank down between two cold surfaces, looking inwards.

  Utter chaos.

  The energy was substantial.

  Violent but pure, it raged for release.

  Quivering, he struggled to contain it, thin strands of light wafting off his skin.

  Some of them must have been stronger.

  Good thing I didn't have to fight em’...

  It roiled beneath his skin, surging through his channels.

  I'm not doing enough… feels like I’m leaving gains on the table.

  Need to do something more…

  Committing entirely to focusing on the loose chi rampaging through his body, he started.

  Instead of compressing it immediately, he circulated it first.

  Energy painstakingly collected.

  Every bit of power circulated through every bone, every pathway.

  Sweat beads ran.

  Face twisted.

  Molten power drilled through the routes in his mortal coil, increasing speed.

  The burning scent of ozone filled the small cave.

  Again, and again, it circulated.

  Sitting in a puddle of sweat, a haze of pain, he finally brought the roaring chi to his center.

  It incorporated seamlessly.

  Stomach lurching, the density spiked as it settled.

  It sat, giving off a low, sustained thrum.

  Not painful, barely noticeable.

  A sensation of pure, concentrated, power.

  It didn't get bigger… but it’s more potent.

  I need more information damnit.

  He sank deeper into the cold stone recess.

  Thank you warm padded clothes.

  A grim smile played across his face as he closed his eyes.

  Twenty-seven kills.

  Putting in some work.

  My boss would be pissed.