Dymas rode out of the valley at a steady trot. The stallion moved smooth under him, hooves kicking up small clods of earth. The jade box and herbs were tucked in the saddlebag. The manual on meridian cleansing stayed folded against his chest, inside the tunic. He would read it later. For now, the forest demanded attention.
The trees thinned ahead. Sunlight poured stronger. Qi lingered in the open spaces, lighter but still plentiful. His Qi Sense picked up small signatures: rabbits in the brush, birds overhead, a distant stream. No threats yet.
He kept the spear across the saddle in front of him. Axe at his belt. The cloak flapped loose. His black hair had grown a little longer in the days since rebirth, falling past his ears. The scar on his cheek caught the light when he turned his head. His gray eyes scanned the road ahead and the trees on both sides.
The path widened into an old cart trail. Ruts from wagon wheels marked the dirt. Broken branches lay scattered. Signs of recent travel.
Dymas slowed the horse.
Three figures waited in the middle of the trail, blocking the way. Young men. Early twenties. Robes embroidered with sect symbols. One wore the blue and silver of Frostveil. The other two in red and gold from smaller allied sects. Swords at their hips. Qi signatures clear: Qi Condensation Layer 5 to 6. Stronger than bandits. Arrogant posture.
The one in blue stepped forward. Tall. Lean. Hair tied back in a high knot. A sneer already on his face.
"Well, well. The cursed trash prince. Still breathing."
Dymas recognized him. Harlan Voss. Cousin to Seraphina. One of the young masters who had mocked him in the palace courtyard. The same one who had laughed loudest when the Chancellor read the exile decree.
Harlan's companions flanked him. One short and stocky with a shaved head. The other thin, with a scar over one eyebrow. Both had hands on sword hilts.
Dymas stopped the horse ten paces away. He did not dismount yet.
"Harlan Voss," he said. Voice even.
Harlan's sneer widened. "You remember. Good. Saves introductions. We heard rumors. A cursed rat running through the forest. Killing guards. Stealing from our sect's lost cache. Thought we'd check for ourselves."
The stocky one laughed. "Look at him. Still in rags. No cultivation base worth mentioning. Easy bounty."
The scarred one drew his sword halfway. "Hand over the herbs and the manual. Then we'll make it quick."
Dymas looked at each of them. Qi Sense showed their cores clearly. Stable. But not unbreakable.
He dismounted slow. Tied the reins to a branch. Spear in one hand. Axe in the other.
Harlan drew his sword fully. Frost qi gathered along the blade. Thin ice formed on the ground at his feet.
"You think you can fight three of us? You couldn't even stand straight in the palace."
Dymas stepped forward.
"I stood straight enough to leave."
Harlan's face darkened. "Kill him."
They charged.
The stocky one came first. Sword overhead swing. Heavy. Predictable.
Dymas Shadow Step. Blurred past him. Appeared at his back. Spear thrust low. Basic Sword Intent flared. The blade cut through tendon behind the knee.
The man screamed. Dropped.
Damage dealt: + partial kill progress
Dymas spun. The scarred one swung from the side. Sword aimed at his neck.
Dymas ducked. Axe up. Blocked. Metal clanged. Sparks flew.
Harlan attacked from the front. Frost crescent flew straight at Dymas's chest.
Dymas rolled left. The crescent hit a tree. Bark froze and shattered.
He came up fast. Cursed Burst released. Shockwave rippled out. The scarred one staggered. Harlan braced but slid back two steps.
Dymas closed on the stocky one first. The man tried to stand. Dymas drove the spear down. Through the chest. Clean.
Kill: Harlan's Companion (Qi Condensation Layer 5) – +1,600 Grind Points
Qi absorbed: +550
Current points: 32,357
Realm progress: Qi Condensation Layer 4 – 52%
The scarred one roared. Sword came in a flurry.
Dymas parried twice. Then countered. Axe swing caught the man's arm. Blade bit deep. Blood sprayed.
The scarred one dropped the sword. Clutching the wound.
Dymas finished with the spear. Through the throat.
Kill: Harlan's Companion (Qi Condensation Layer 6) – +1,900 Grind Points
Current points: 34,257
Harlan stood alone now. Face pale. Frost qi swirling harder around him.
"You… monster."
Dymas wiped blood from the spear tip.
"Still trash?"
Harlan's hands shook. He raised his sword. Frost gathered thick. The air dropped ten degrees.
"I'll freeze your heart."
He thrust forward. Massive ice wave rolled out.
Dymas stood his ground. Cursed Qi Absorber activated. The frost hit him full. Cold burned deep. Skin numbed. Veins flared with gray for a second.
Damage received: +1,200 Grind Points
Cursed Qi Absorber: Frost qi fully converted +1,800 Grind Points
Current points: 37,257
The cold faded. Dymas exhaled mist. His body steamed. The frost had fed him instead of killing him.
Harlan's eyes widened.
"Impossible."
Dymas stepped forward. Spear raised.
Harlan turned to run.
Dymas Shadow Step. Appeared in front of him.
Harlan slashed wildly.
Dymas caught his wrist. Twisted it. His sword fell.
He drove the spear through Harlan's shoulder. Pinned him to a tree.
Harlan gasped. Blood bubbled at his lips.
Dymas leaned in close.
"Tell the sects I'm coming."
He pulled the spear free.
Harlan slid down the trunk. Eyes wide. Breath ragged.
Dymas turned away.
Harlan whispered something. Too low to hear.
Then silence.
Kill: Harlan Voss (Qi Condensation Layer 6) – +2,400 Grind Points
Current points: 39,657
Qi absorbed: +900
Realm progress: Qi Condensation Layer 4 – 85%
Dymas searched the bodies. Swords. A few qi stones. A storage pouch on Harlan with silver coins and two mid-grade pills. He swallowed one. Crushed the other on his skin.
Qi gained: +1,500
Realm progress: Qi Condensation Layer 4 – 98%
Close again.
He mounted the horse. Rode on.
The trail stretched ahead. The forest thinned more.
But behind him, Harlan's last whisper echoed in his mind.
"Seraphina… will know."
Dymas rode faster.
The sects would come soon.
And he would be ready.