Near Hope village, on a secluded area, the chief and Hong are facing each other.
The chief has his sword already drawn and Hong is facing him with his.
Hong made the first move. He dash toward the chief and he swing his big sword toward him.
His speed and power are incomparable to more than three months ago when the beast tide happened.
But the chief calmly defend with his sword.
No matter how fast or how hard Hong's attack, he couldn't move the chief.
"No! You need to focus on the basics of sword. You can't just blildy swing it with full power like a hammer." The chief said mid battle.
"Your attack need to be sharp and precise."
The battle goes on for 30 minutes that way.
The chief gave Hong some advice from time to time.
After 30 minutes Hong is laying on the ground. He is breathing heavily, clearly exhausted.
The chief is still standing calmly, there isn't any noticable difference in his breath. His breathing is no different from when they started.
"It's been more than a month, how do you think Cloud is at the city?" Said Hong through his ragged breathing.
"I figure he's doing fine. He must have arrived long ago and made some name there." The chief answer, while his face looks like reminiscing something.
"Do you really think he arrive safely at the city?" Hong said with a bit of worry.
He remember the time when he go up the mountain to build the village back then. There are countless beasts on the road.
He was so much weaker back then so he remember the fear.
"He should be fine. I've never seen such a talented boy in my life. Besides, Cloud is also smart. He can take care of himself."
"Also, the path to the city is indeed dangerous but with enough strength its not impossible to get through."
"Now that you have reached the ninth stage, it should be easy for you."
Yes, Hong has recently broken through to the ninth stage. He has completely digest his experience of the beast tide.
Also, the chief has been guiding his training since one month ago.
One month ago, Hong asked the chief to train him.
He was a bit impatient because Cloud had catch up to him. Also, he need to prepare for the next realm.
For that, who is better than the chief to help him.
So Hong asked and the chief agreed on a condition.
The condition is that Hong needs to train the hunter and villager.
----
On River City things are getting more festive.
Cloud asked around the inn and found that there would be a competition soon.
It's not hard for him to get the information. The people of the inn like the innkeeper and the helper who has become familiar with him told him.
He has stayed at the inn for one month and they become familiar with each other.
And the inn is the best place to get information.
Apparently, the city Lord is organizing the competition.
Only people below the age of 17 can participate.
It also seems that an important people came to watch.
After asking around out of curiosity, Cloud doesn't think much about it.
He doesn't even know what he gonna get if he compete or win so there is no need to think too much.
"Little Cloud, why don't you participate? You should be young enough." Said the middle aged innkeeper who is sitting at the counter.
Cloud doesn't know his actual age but he is pretty sure that he is less than 17.
He estimated that his body is probably around 15 years old, currently.
"I don't know, I don't even know what I would get if I win. Is it so interesting?" Cloud reply from beside the counter.
"You should participate. I heard that you can join a big sect if you win. With your strength, you should have a big chance of winning." The innkeeper encourage.
"Really? Then maybe I'll try." Hearing about joining a sect piqued his interest.
He was just looking for a way to further his cultivation.
He has asked around but haven't made a decision yet.
Now that an opportunity appears in front of him, how can he not take it?
Cloud then register for the competition.
He has to line up for registering.
Looking at the line, he estimated that about a few hundred people participate.
This is a city of a few thousands so a few hundred kids is not unusual.
There are ten people that help with the registration so the the line move quickly.
You only need to say your name and age to someone that would write it, so the registration is not complicated.
In just moments the registration is done.
"Sir, the registration is complete. There are a total of 299 participants." One of the men that help in registering report with a stack of paper in his hands.
In front of him is a middle aged man sitting and talking with a young man at his side.
"Have you register my daughter?" The middle aged man said after nodding.
"Yes sir, it would be exactly 300 with your daughter."
The middle aged man nod then he turn to the young man.
"Nephew Han, shall we proceed as usual?" Asked the middle aged man.
The young man beside him nod and reply, "Yes uncle, as usual."