Page 43: Unfinished

"To leader Jin Danyi,

Follow the traces of powdered essence pill. By the time you read this, I might already be in their lair."

The short message written on a parchment given by the child was crumpled as Jin Danyi clenched his fist.

"I never thought the bandits would be this clever. To learn our schedules and take advantage of it. I hope alchemist Bai is safe.

You said there were nine who came. Since that's the case, eight if us will proceed and find the captives. The rest, please tend to the injured. Alchemist Hong, please make some medicine for the injured. Let's go!"

Upon entering the forest, everyone started to detect any remnants of a powdered essence pill. Jin Danyi was surprised with how Long Bai reacted with the situation. 'Alchemist Bai was clever. Using essence pill to leave traces would not definitely raise any suspicion since there's no trace left except the thick line of essence that would be coming from the powder as it sublime. If he used poison or other kind of pill, it might have been noticed because of its physical evidence.'

As it gets darker, the team reached the end of the essence stream.

"Leader, the essence stream ends here. There's no other destination 20 meters around here. Did the alchemist run out of the powder?" One member asked while being puzzled by the situation.

"No, it doesn't look like that's the case. See here, what do you see?"

Everyone responded with a shoulder movement that implies 'nothing?'.

"Lift that flat rock. Everyone, be on guard."

As the other members lift the rock, a small passageway showed up. It was dark but everyone can hear the sound of wind howling inside. Jin Danyi made some light and entered the narrow passageway. Every step was careful not to create a loud sound while they try to regulate their breathing. Upon reaching the first door, they found nothing. On the adjacent chamber, they found the captives blindfolded while laying on the floor.

"Someone go and check on them if they are still alive."

The leader gave an order and a member confirmed the women as asleep. On the corner of the chamber, 3 more women were laying but has already lost their will to live. One member tried to have them sit but he heard the words they kept on saying. It was faint but it was enough for them to hear in this cold and dark cave. All three women were repeating the words 'kill me' over and over. The member who was supposed to tend the three returned and reported the situation to Jin Danyi.

To Jin Danyi, such task must be carried by him. After instructing the members to carry the newly captured women, Jin Danyi stayed inside the chamber and went to the three helpless women.

"Say what you want. I'll do my best to deliver it." Jin Danyi said resolutely as he went closer to them.

"Re..ven.ge.."

It was what he heard from the three. With a heavy heart, Jin Danyi asked their last wish.

"I'll make sure to send them to hell. Now what is your last wish?"

Although he knew what they would ask, he asked them still. This is to really confirm their resolution of dying instead of living with the shame they experienced. After hearing their powerless answer, he finally let them rest in peace.

"I can only make it quick and painless as possible. Now you may rest." Jin Danyi covered the bodies with cloth before he exited the chamber. Upon getting out, he learned that the members found nine bodies along a certain crevice in the cave. As they reached the deepest chamber, they saw a youth rummaging on the shelves, checking things he thinks are useful. Before someone would make a move and attack, the youth turned his head and flashed a shy smile as if he was seen stealing someone's belongings. The moment he spoke, everyone returned to their senses.

"Ahh. Would you like to help?" Those words coming from Long Bai released the tension that was building up a moment ago. The rest must have thought that he was a member of the bandits. After checking the vicinity, everyone returned to the surface and listened to Bai's information.

After learning that the White Tiger Gang was just an auxillary force of a certain bigger group, everyone became depressed. The idea of fighting someone at the bone tempering was too much for any visceral tempering cultivators. In addition, their numbers would reach 50. It is already considered a small village not even counting the working commoners under them.

"I know this is a sad news but we need to report this to the sect. To fight a force who have three bone tempering stage would be a suicide mission for us unless we are geared with grade 3 artifacts, we can out up a fight. Originally, this quest was only for those who are at the visceral tempering but since the case has changed, a raid quest must be requested. Don't worry, since we saved the village, we will still receive a certain amount of merits."

Everyone returned to the village with the captives set free. Upon arriving, the villagers praised them while expressing their thanks. On the other side, the children whom Long Bai has been training went together and gave their salutes to their teacher.

"You did your job well as its instructed. As a reward, I'll help you become cultivators."

The children eyes glittered with hope and joy upon hearing their teacher's words. Since they can't travel for a long distance due to the dangers along the way, they can't attend any awakening ceremony. If they can have the chance to become cultivators, they would be able to help the village prosper.

"Give me a week. For the mean time, practice the skill set I taught you." What Long Bai taught was the training for taekwondo, another self defense martial art from earth. Although it was not totally complete, it was enough to give the children a taste of training. On the other hand, in order for the kids to awaken, Long Bai needs to study about arrays which he was able to get from the bandit's treasure trove. Before the group was able to enter the lair, Long Bai was already able to empty the treasure the bandits kept and took the seemingly important items like shards, array materials and a book entitled 'Array for Beginners'.

Since it was needed for the group to return, most of the members decided to go back except Long Bai and some few select that the leader tasked to help the village while waiting for the raid team. Now that the White Tiger Gang is wiped out, the village can return to their peaceful life. Although there is the Barbarian's den that poses as a threat, it is something that they don't need to worry as they are situated too far away from them.

For those who would be left, they would need to wait for at least three weeks before the raid team can reach the village. Since it would need two weeks for travel and another week for looking other members, Long Bai can use the time to explore more things.

That night, Long Bai started studying how to create arrays and how to write inscriptions. While reading, Bai learned that the language of arrays are tiny inscriptions which are lumped together in a fixed way. This lead Long Bai to another world of mysteries.

[System Notice: You have read the fundamentals of inscribing. You are now capable of creating simple arrays. ]

[Inscription skills

~tier 1(learned)

Basic array selection from data gathered:

-heat producing circle

*temperature within the circle can boil water

-water gathering array

*it collects water vapor from the surrounding air and condenses into droplets. Collects up to 100 mL per minute

-heat dispenser array

*removes heat present in the circle. It has a 30 cm area of effect

~tier 2 (unpracticed)

-essence gathering array

*collects essence into the center of the array formation. Range varies according to the materials used. More conductive metals, the better.

-core forming array

*assists a living being form a core within the body after stimulating the essence potential. Uses shards or core for an essence source.