Blast

Sending a beast soul dagger into the vipers unprotected mouth. It screeched and withered in pain almost accidentally wiping her.

She inflicted damage to the viper but now she couldn't get an opportunity to attack the soft flesh of the creature's mouth with the beast now reluctant to strike.

The viper now relying on using its tail to attack, the fight was again at a standstill.

Annoyed, she summoned a mutant blue-flame butterfly beast soul boomerang. Already knowing it's usage.

She launched it successfully hitting the body of the viper. Igniting is a burst of blue flames, the viper shrieked in pain again finally damaging the creatures scales. 

That fight was all but over as she focused her efforts on attacking the damaged scales, finally dealing damage.

The vipers' meat was prepared and everybody had their own little share, but Huangfu Jing took the majority. After all the end goal was to work on her geno points.

Another week passed, never exiting the sanctuary and Huangfu Jing defeated yet another sacred-blood creature.

Though not happy with Rens unchanging negative mood. She planned on changing that tonight. ;)

Ren was the only person in the group that didn't use a tent, and with Huangfu Jing support he wasn't given any nightwatch duties, despite never contributing to the group and kinda leaching off everyone.

In the middle of the night Huangfu Jing snuck out of her tent finding Ren meditating on a tree branch nearby.

She softly tossed a rock at him to grab his attention.

Opening his eyes, she spoke with a serious look on her face. A super power all women had demanding no bullshit or backing out. "Can we talk?" It sounded more like a order than a request. 

Huangfu Jing was even a little surprised with herself finding her behavior similar to when her master talked to her when she was in trouble.

Hopping off the branch, next to her. Huangfu Jing grabbed his arm in her embrace dragging him away into a more secluded area.

Unaware of one of the soldier spying on their interaction. 

They were observed as Huangfu Jing spoke targeting the issue at hand. "What is wrong with you? You've been acting weird this entire time."

Saying, "it was nothing, and he was fine." She glared at him and gripped his armed with more strength. 

Ren didn't know what to say, so that's exactly what he said. "I don't know, what do you want me to say? What do you want to hear?"

Getting a bit angry at his words. She suddenly sighed looking deep into his eyes with a caring gaze. "I just don't like this Ren. I know there's a problem… and I want to help. Please let me know how I can help, please." She spoke almost in a desperate tone pleading.

Sighing, "it's not really a problem, and I don't think you could help me. I just need time to figure it out." He confessed in a vague manner.

Hesitating to respond creating a slightly awkward atmosphere. She let go of his arm instead hugging him, nestling her head in his chest they stood there for a while.

Ren not wanting to be the one to make things more awkward and Huangfu Jing just trying to help uplift his mood.

Eventually she looked up into Ren's eyes admiring his face. Ren was a little confused but didn't show it.

Suddenly she straightened her body getting on the tips of her toes she closed her eyes catching Ren in a kiss.

He was stunned silly, not because of the kiss, he saw coming a mile away once she started straightening her body.

But for what happened after, he felt something change within him.

Taking a second to realize what just happened, his life door had just opened. An ancient hyper geno art that after cultivating could only awaken after you strengthen your body and had a epiphany of life with meaning close to the users heart.

With this awakening he also sensed a change in his qigong.

It seemed the life door was the final hurdle he needed to overcome for his qigong to finally work the way it should.

While Huangfu Jing was struggling to escape his embrace and run away in embarrassment. 

He didn't let go, noticing his smile as he laughed boisterously she was confused but still embarrassed she struggled a little less. "Heh, I guess you're my lucky charm."

Even more confused, he sat down pulling her into his embrace she didn't resist. Now explaining the vague happenings around his qigong. Obviously not mentioning its capabilities nor that it's self made.

She made herself comfortable listening to Rens story, really happy that he was back to his previous self and being somewhat affectionate. 

She didn't want the exchange to end, stalling the conversation for a few hours.

Ren eventually wanted to turn in for the night. But Huangfu Jing had other plans. Trying to mimic her previous sternness to get Ren to do what she wished. "No, come spend the night in my tent, I can't believe you've been sleeping without any shelter this entire time." Applying pressure on his arm again with a stern stare. 

Ren didn't feel like he could decline so he opting to not speak, being dragged into her tent. He wasn't exactly comfortable not knowing any boundaries. Huangfu Jing just ignored the situation falling asleep almost instantly gripping his arm in a vice not allowing him to leave.

Ren sighed trying to take his own space a bit separated from Huangfu Jings sleeping form.

He woke up the next day with her cuddled up in his embrace. Carefully peeling himself away, he exited the tent and found his spot on a tree ecstatic to begin with his true qigong cultivation.

Feeling a great strength well up in him he circulated his energy through his body, soul and mind with a whole new meaning. Everything was clicking and he was gaining enlightenment like never before.

Cultivating for a few hours it felt like only a minute passed before being interrupted by the group reading themselves to move out.

Despite traveling the rest of the day he was still entranced in a cultivation state. Even when running, hunting and gathering cultivation didn't cease.

He flowed through the day like nothing existed, only Huangfu Jing noticing the transcendent aura around him while sitting in front of him on her mount.