Chapter 67: Trial (Part Two)
Chapter 67: Trial (Part Two)
Deepest part of the valley, before the waterfall.
The blazing sun shone on the huge rocks by the mountain stream, and on Gao Jing himself.
His tight tank top was already soaked with sweat. Steam rose faintly as the intense heat dried it.
The skin on his arms, chest, and shoulders gleamed with a light bronze sheen. Muscles tightened and stood out under his skin, the tendons stretching tight.
Full of endless strength!
This was Gao Jing’s ninth day back at Shan Yue Village.
Though his bloodline was now awakened, just like before, he came here early every day.
Practiced the Thirty-Six Combat Forms of the Records of the Great Wilderness Combat on the large rocks.
Gao Jing had listened to the Elder Shaman’s advice, setting aside his eagerness to ascend and become a Totem Warrior.
He diligently focused on strengthening his body and will.
Even more seriously than before!
Because he knew, every bit of effort he made now would bring him ten times the reward in the future.
If you want to be great, you have to work hard and suffer!
He wasn’t alone either.
Shan Guoer sat nearby.
The little girl wore a large straw hat, with her Teddy Bear Plush beside her.
To keep the large toy clean, she’d carefully put a cloth under its bottom.
The children of the Shan Yue Tribe usually played with things like wooden sticks, Bone Clubs, or stone balls.
Shan Guoer was no different.
The cute pink Teddy Bear Plush felt like a dream gift to her.
Since getting the plush, she cherished it deeply, carrying it with her everywhere, every day.
Wouldn’t lend it to anyone, held it while sleeping.
Treating it as her best friend.
As for the puppy Ah Huang… well, its status had clearly dropped.
Dog bear, dog bear… but here, dog wasn’t as good as bear!
It could only lie nearby, looking rather put out.
Watching the little girl weave a flower crown.
Shan Guoer had gathered flowers from nearby bushes. She was making the crown for her bear.
So while Gao Jing practiced his Combat Technique diligently, she focused on her craft.
Neither disturbed the other.
The scene was incredibly peaceful.
Woof!
Suddenly, Ah Huang jumped up, looking at Gao Jing with a wary expression.
Even a hint of fear!
Gao Jing stopped moving at the same moment.
All the sweat on his body evaporated silently in an instant.
Time seemed to freeze.
The world around him seemed to change subtly against his senses. Something hard to describe.
Like everything had shifted.
But nothing had actually changed!
His soul felt like it was trying to separate from his flesh.
But an impenetrable, invisible barrier blocked that separation.
“Gao Jing?”
Shan Guoer’s call made Gao Jing snap alert.
He steadied himself and waved at her.
Signalling he was alright.
Gao Jing understood clearly. He had reached his limit.
The limit of a mortal body!
Through practicing the Thirty-Six Combat Forms of the Records of the Great Wilderness Combat, combined with his breathing technique, he had tempered his physical strength to its peak.
Beyond this lay the extraordinary.
But leaping from ordinary to extraordinary had a huge barrier.
He had truly touched that barrier just now.
Breaking through and advancing relying solely on himself was clearly impossible.
The Records of the Great Wilderness Combat had taught him all it could.
Gao Jing couldn’t help taking a long, deep breath.
No wonder the Elder Shaman said he’d know when the time came.
Now he truly understood!
“Shan Guoer.”
He said loudly: “I’m going back!”
Shan Guoer asked in surprise: “Going home?”
“Back to our home.”
Gao Jing said with a smile: “I’m ready.”
His home was the Elder Shaman’s wooden house.
The Elder Shaman had given the house to Gao Jing, making it his home within the Shan Yue Tribe.
The little girl came here every night to hear stories, often refusing to return to her own room.
Declaring it was her home too.
“Okay!”
Shan Guoer was instantly delighted.
She thought he meant returning to his homeland, meaning they wouldn’t see each other for a while.
Going back to the wooden house was fine.
Quickly, the little girl put the unfinished flower crown around the Teddy Bear’s neck.
She reached out to Gao Jing: “Come.”
Gao Jing smiled and stepped forward, closing the distance in an instant.
Suddenly he leapt high into the air, using her arm to launch himself into the Vine Basket she carried on her back.
“We’re home!”
Shan Guoer scooped up the little dog and tossed it into the back basket, then grabbed her large cloth doll.
She jumped off the giant rock.
Back at their wooden house, Gao Jing told the little girl to play here.
He went next door himself.
His mountain home.
The old shaman of the Shan Yue Tribe was smoking his pipe, reading a thick book laid on the wooden table.
The smell of tobacco filled the air.
“Shaman Chief.”
Gao Jing greeted first, then climbed onto the wooden table using a nearby stool.
He had no choice. Their size difference was too big.
This was the only way to talk easily.
“Hmm.”
The old shaman set down his pipe and smiled at Gao Jing on the table, “Are you ready?”
“Yes!”
Gao Jing answered with confidence, “I am ready!”
He was ready for the Hunting Trial.
A tradition of the Shan Yue Tribe!
“Good.”
The old shaman said, “You have five days to prove your courage and strength. Just bring back a trophy, and I will hold the elevation rite for you to become a Totem Warrior.”
Gao Jing nodded, bowing respectfully, “Thank you!”
No matter how hard he tried, without help from this old giant before him, the chance to achieve greatness wouldn’t be possible.
So Gao Jing felt truly grateful toward the old shaman.
And deeply respected him.
…
The next morning.
At the first light of dawn, the gate of Shan Yue Village opened.
The old shaman walked out with Shan Guoer.
“This is far enough.”
The old shaman said to Gao Jing standing in the little girl’s back basket, “The rest depends on you now.”
“Mm.”
Fully prepared, Gao Jing vaulted out of the back basket and landed on the grass.
He straightened up and ran toward the rising sun.
No Giant Rhinoceros Beast ride this time.
Rules of the Hunting Trial.
Seeing Gao Jing dash away, Shan Guoer couldn’t help but shout, “Gao Jing, come back soon!”
Gao Jing was already quite far.
He turned back upon hearing her call, waving his hand, “Got it!”
Then he picked up speed.
Shan Guoer watched Gao Jing vanish into the vast wilderness.
Worried, she clutched the old shaman’s robe and looked up, “Grandfather, will Gao Jing be okay?”
“Don’t worry.”
The old shaman lovingly ruffled her hair, “He’ll protect himself.”
The Hunting Trial wasn’t terribly dangerous. A warrior who could Ignite Bloodline could definitely defeat one fierce Wild Beast.
True, through Shan Yue Tribe history, many had walked the trial path.
Never to return.
The endless wilderness hid infinite dangers.
But the old shaman believed.
Gao Jing would complete this trial.
Because he was a miracle!