It Says Wet Paint but You Touched it Anyway

It is currently midnight and Clay is sitting on stone inside a cave he dug on a random cliff as he sipped tea during a heavy rain. Whenever there is lightning, his face is slightly illuminated in the dark. Although it is dark, he is carefully observing a fight happening from afar.

Nearly six months have passed after that gruesome death of a supposed-to-be a safe and fully planned mission. After looting everyone’s spatial ring, he realized that Deacon Loo is among the fatalities. Mage Ver Sosa said they will get their rewards regardless of the result of the mission however he is not that reckless to actually go back when everyone is dead. Technically he can but he is certain only troubles await him.

It is not like he did not get rewards. In fact, he got more rewards from the spatial rings of the demons who perished in his hands. Altogether, he got five sets of Heavenly Class ingredients for Core Formation Breakthrough Pill to which two sets have already been wasted.

The second set of ingredients was wasted thirty minutes ago and he had been contemplating on what happened. During his life at Gar Wahger Planet, he was able to concoct Tier III breakthrough pills using Fire Crystal and a Human Class Essence Flame but this world does not seem to allow him to achieve the same accomplishment. It is probably because this universe has a different fundamental law.

A few years ago when he tried to enter an Alchemy competition, it was pointed out that the problem is the type of flame he had integrated with. He just can’t understand what difference is there if he is integrated with an Essence Flame that has yet to mature when compared to an actual Human Tier Essence Flame. If only he could sever his connection with his current Essence Flame and start over but every time he attempts to sever it connection, he has this premonition that it will do him more harm.

Clay learned to trust his instinct especially that this current Essence Flame was the reason he got his Dao Powers. Besides, there are other options he can take like forcing his flame to evolve. However before he takes that route, there is one thing he needed to confirm even if it means he needs to waste another five years, and that is to visit the direct descendants of Barnachea. Back at Crescent Moon Sect, he did not have the chance to read all seven parts of the Barnachea book but he is hoping he can get a copy by visiting the descendants directly. It is a long shot but it is worth the try for someone who can manifest the Dao of Fire.

Clay took the less obvious path as he travelled the warzone and he estimate that he should reach the borders of the northern part of Ufka Kingdom within seven days.

Fifteen minutes ago, when he was attempting to refine the breakthrough pill, he felt ripples of Qi explosions which indicates a fight nearby. He ignored it and focused on the pill which eventually did not form as he wanted it to be.

It was then he decided to open the cave and observe the fight.

From what it looks like, there are three Lesser Elven all on Mid Foundation fighting against a Kulfagar Demon of the same strength. The three looked like they have the upper hand but in reality, another Kulfagar Demon is hiding nearby and its strength is that of an Early Core Formation.

He had been wanting to chance upon cultivators who are in dire need of help so he could save them and use them as guide during his travels but he never encountered one. Tonight though, regardless who this Core Formation expert is, he will time it perfectly when this guy makes his move. He already has an idea on the intensity of how much Dao is utilized to pierce through the exoskeleton of these demons.

After a few minutes, when the three Elves were about to deliver their finishing moves, the demon in hiding stepped out as well.

Clay on the other hand extended his aura towards the hidden demon. His aura hissed like a snake and when it reached the demon, the demon has been paralyzed at watched the three Elves finished its companion.

The Core Formation Demon turned towards Clay direction. His eyes were filled with fear and horror. On that exact moment, the three Elvens were petrified by the sudden burst of power but when the turned to see what was going on, the realized that another stronger demon had been lurking from the side and in an instant, an unknown shadow of aura manifested into the shape of a pointed blade and pierced the skull of the demon.

The three Elvens are all inner disciples of a major sect and are all geniuses among their peers and they know what expert is like and this expert having revealed himself by helping them out, the need to ensure they gain a favorable impression on him.

Clay observed the three Elvens. They did not dare move until after a minute.

After which, the three decided to pay their respects and carried the body of the two demons and are now approaching his cave. He did not plan on revealing his strength but since that moral dilemma from six months ago, he made a decision to reveal his Dao slightly stronger than the strength of that swordsman Darwus who got killed by Jesha many years ago. The plan is to test what would happen and the objective being is not to show off but warn off other cultivators from carelessly offending him which may lead to meaningless killings. It may force some cultivators to fake their respect but it is probably better than people looking down on him especially that he needs to seek the Barnachean Tribe.

If this test will not bring any favorable outcomes, then he will go back into being a talentless human people wanted him to be.

“We thank this senior for saving us. My name is Gio and we are disciples of Falcon Eagle Sect. If there is something this senior needs us for, I will see to it that it is done even if I have to report back to the sect.”

Clay heard a voice below. The three Elves are already kneeling in respect. He took out a fire crystal and used one of the magic tools he looted to create lamp then said, “You can keep the loot to yourselves and if you don’t like soaking in the rain, come up here and talk.” Clay injected his voice with his Qi like the Elf did.

The cave is small around 5 meters wide and sufficient for everyone to take cover from the pouring rain. After a few seconds, three Elves who looked in their twenties levitated and landed on his cave.

When the trio landed, they were quite surprised by the appearance of what’s supposed to be an expert and what is even harder to believe is that it is a young human. If they did not witness Clay eliminate that Core Formation demon, they will probably they probably will suspect that a heavenly treasure was used to kill the demon. Such powers cannot be faked.

“I am an itinerant cultivator and I’m on my way to Barnachea Tribe. I wonder if these friends have heard about them?” Clay initiated the conversation seeing that his appearance has disappointed the expectations of the three Elves who thought the will be speaking with an expert with a white beard.

“There are a few scattered villages of this tribe but if you are referring to the Barnachea City north of Ufka, then we can certainly guide you around.”

“I appreciate the kind help. This cave doesn’t have any seats but please do make yourself comfortable and I’ve run out of good tea so I apologize.” Clay was modest. He has quality tea from the rings he looted but he did not want to have these Elves suspect him if he suddenly wanted them to drink from his tea. Besides, he can already see that the other two Elves are trying their best to contain their pride.

“This senior did not need to apologize. We should be the ones apologizing from being too weak. We owe this senior our lives and it should be us preparing tea. In fact, I do have…”

“Do I need to do anything to gain audience from the Barnachea Tribe?” Clay interrupted Gio before he could finish his sentence. The conversation is gearing towards that awkward moment of repeatedly expressing their gratitude that he would rather talk about his destination before it gets really silent.

“I don’t know what this senior is in need of but it is an open city if that is what you want to know.” Gio sincerely responded.

“What if I want to speak with their leader, will it be troublesome?”

Gio lowered his head. “If this senior is after their refining techniques, I’m afraid that none of them have inherited their ancestor’s legacy. They are a normal Elven tribes now. If this senior is need of higher tier pills concocted, then I will speak to my master about it.”

“Then does your sect have any transcripts relating to this tribe and any of their pills techniques?” Clay asked a rhetorical question.

“I am forever indebted for saving us but…”

“It’s fine and you can leave for now. I only ask that you have never met me.” Clay released his aura to warn the trio to leave.

The three stood up and paid their respect and rushed to leave. They did not utter a word upon hearing Clay’s instructions especially that aura.

Clay inwardly cursed.

“What was I thinking?”

All this time he had been expecting that those descendants are still practicing and embracing their bloodline’s legacy and culture. His clue should have been the archived book and the restricted transcripts from Crescent Moon Sect.

Having wasted six months, he can only rethink his plans.