One swift kick.

As the sun began to set, Oz was drenched in sweat. He had cultivated from morning till evening without even stopping for food.

But it was worth it because he had finally broken through the third layer. Only two more levels to go until he could finally start practicing some fighting techniques.

"Here." He looked up to see Seraphin holding out a protein bar towards him. "I got it from the canteen earlier, you need to regain some energy."

"Oh, uh… thanks." Oz said awkwardly as he took the bar from her hands.

"It's good to work hard on getting stronger, but you must also remember to have some time to rest. Especially when your at such an early stage in cultivating." Seraphin smiled and Oz was once again surprised at her words. Sometimes it seemed that she was incredibly wise beyond her years, those grey eyes were filled with things Oz would never be able to grasp.

"What are you, his mother?" A chuckle came from behind them and Oz tensed. He had felt Lian and his henchmen's glares on the back of his head all day. He was wondering when they would approach him again.

"Come on, I'll walk you to the gates again." Oz ignored the approaching Lian and pulled himself up from the groud.

"Hey, I'm not done talking with you yet." Lian spat and Oz continued to ignore him, linking Seraphin's arm in his as he began to head towards the gates with all the other students.

"Hey!" Lian shouted and he shot out his foot to kick Oz's hand, sending the protein bar flying into the air.

Something inside Oz snapped as he turned to pounce on Lian, but a blur of silver passed by him before he could move.

"Argh!" Lian grunted as Seraphin landed a swift kick into the sensitive place between Lian's legs. He crumpled to the ground and the group watched in a stunned silence at his trembling form.

"They aren't crushed completely, but if you don't leave us alone, I'll make sure you all won't sire any children in the future." Seraphin said sweetly before flicking her silver curls over her shoulder and placing her arm back into Oz's. "Let's head home."

Oz walked in shocked silence for a moment before he burst into laughter. He laughed so much, that tears pricked his eyes as he replayed the scene over and over again in his mind.

"I'm glad that amused you so much." Seraphin couldn't help but chuckle at Oz's laughter.

"I just didn't expect it at all!" Oz laughed harder. "Remind me to never get on your bad side!"

The two chuckled some more and Oz felt lighter as they reached the gate. He couldn't remember the last time he had laughed so much.

"Why do you guys look so happy? What happened?" Xiao asked as they approached.

"None of your business." Oz grunted and he waved goodbye to Seraphin before turning and heading back home.

"You bastard, she really is your girlfriend, isn't she?" Xiao shouted whilst pulling Oz into a headlock and pulling down roughly on the cap he still wore.

"She's just a friend, you dick!" Oz yelled back and pushed him away, feeling more strength behind his muscles now than before.

"Yeah, yeah." Xiao rolled his eyes before directing Oz into a convenience store.

"Your family not looking for you yet?" Oz asked as they prowled the aisles, Xiao picking up various snacks and drinks.

"I was never at home much before I left, so I doubt they will notice a difference." Xiao chuckled dryly. "They're probably happy that I'm not there."

Oz didn't know how to respond to that, so instead he just piled a handful of snacks he liked into Xiao's arms.

"Your paying, right?" Oz asked happily and Xiao rolled his eyes before bringing everything up to the till.

After paying and leaving the store, they found a bench near a small park and began to eat.

"Did you hear about the cultivation caves opening up outside the Northern City?" Xiao asked as he popped a chunk of sandwich into his mouth.

"Yeah," Oz answered, feeling excited again. "Are you gonna enter?"

"Hell yes!" Xiao grinned. "Imagine how pissed my siblings will be if I win? They wouldn't be able to go until after me! Hah!"

"Why does it sound like you want to provoke them?!" Oz gave Xiao a thump to the head.

"Whatever!" Xiao grunted and took another bite before adding, "I've always read about secluded cultivation, I've always dreamed of it."

"Same here." Oz agreed. He could remember all the countless nights he spent reading through old Qi Gong journals from the past. They all detailed about certain seclusion caves that were high in Ki concentration and how ones cultivation could sky rocket when staying there. Of course, the information about the location of these seclusion caves were all lost when the continents joined together. The seclusion caves had become somewhat of a myth.

Until now.

"I made it to level 4 today." Xiao grinned. "I bet that by next week, I'll be level 5."

"I got to level 3," Oz announced, slightly annoyed that Xiao was still ahead of him. "I cultivated the whole day. I bet if I do it day and night the next few days, I'll get to level four."

"You little monster." Xiao laughed. "You'll end up exhausting yourself! Don't go overboard, ok?"

"Yeah, yeah." Oz waved off his concern. "You sound just like Seraphin."

"Are you comparing me to your girlfriend?" Xiao sighed dramatically. "Tell me truthfully… who do you like better? Me or her? It's me, right?"

Oz stared at Xiao blankly, as if he was the stupidest person he had ever met. 'How did I ever make friends with this weirdo?' He thought.

"You're so harsh! I can almost hear those rude thoughts in your head." Xiao muttered and finished off his food.

"Then don't ask such ridiculous questions and get up." Oz sighed and then gave Xiao a grim look. "I don't know if you remember or not, but my brother is waiting for us."

The fear in the air became palpable.