While Unit 04 was finishing up their plans and countermeasures for running into enemies or monsters on their way to Silver Lake City, Unit 05 decided to give Unit 04 more room to operate and leave their current position. However, the leader of Unit 04 did not overlook their actions.
"Why is Unit 05 here, and are they tracking us or something else?"
Death Sword pondered this question for a few seconds. Death Sword shook his head and finished making arrangements.
"Purple Night and Fall Night will scout ahead. While Jagged and I will take the near. By taking the near route, we can keep moving and watch our backs."
"Death Sword sounds like a good idea, and I agree with the plan. Plus, it gives us a chance to see what Fall Night can do in a solo or team setting."
Sifir looks at Death Sword and Purple Night with narrow eyes through his mask.
"Why do I have to go with the Death Sword word and not the rookie?"
Everyone looked at Jagged like he was dumb, stupid, or an idiot. Unit 4 members gave Jagged looks that left him unsure of how to respond.
Jagged chuckled.
"C'mon! Little Nighty Night will be in good hands with me. I am like a wonderful neighbor; you can count on me."
"Not everyone is stupid enough to believe the words that are coming out of your mouth, Jagged. It appears that you harbor animosity toward each new member we welcome." Purple Night spoke coldly to Jagged.
"I do not like Fall Night. It was just that guy who got to pick his own codename, and we could not." Jagged replied quickly.
"I was able to pick my codename, and so did Death Sword. You are the idiot who couldn't keep his mouth shut. Hence why you got the codename Jagged." Purple Night shut down the Jagged argument.
"The Elder already warned you in the mansion, Jagged. I would hate to see you perish in the Elder's hands before I can make you scream in a thousand cuts from the Noble Death sword." Death Sword stares intensely at Jagged.
Jagged felt a deep ache in his heart as Death Sword uttered words akin to a death sentence.
Meanwhile, Sifir looks at the surrounding area. It was a little too quiet for his liking.
"I think we should start to move before we attract some unwelcome company."
Everyone senses the surroundings and finds them devoid of life. A few things pop up in their heads, and they decide that Sifir is right to move now before they get stuck in a battle that provides no benefits.
"Should we get some steeds, or are we traveling on foot?" Jagged asked with a depressed tone.
"We are traveling on foot right now. Did you listen to our arrangement?" Purple Night shouted coldly at Jagged.
"I heard you. Maybe?" Jagged spoke softly while playing with one of his machetes.
"I should crack open your skull and see what really makes you think, Jagged." Purple Night was able to reach for the small pouch on her belt. However, Death Sword intervened and stopped her.
"Fall night; let go! Before I lose my cool so much and hurt this knucklehead!" Purple Night's voice roars out with anger.
The unit 04 members split into a two-man team. Purple Night and Fall Night advanced, and Death Sword and Jagged Blac stayed behind, covering their backs. They ensured they weren't ambushed by unknown enemies.
"Jagged, if you keep talking nonsense. I will rip off your mask and make you suffer." Death Sword spoke like a king to his subjects.
Gulp! "Why do you guys always argue with me as if I'm in the wrong?" Jagged spoke like he was wronged.
"Jagged, again, don't make me repeat myself. You know our mission, and the mission comes first. We can handle everything else later." Death Sword was unreserved in his remarks to Jagged.
"Yes, leader." Jagged replied dejectedly.
"Let's move and watch out for people who might be tracking us." Death Sword spoke calmly.
Jagged nodded and began to move with the Death Sword.
-
In the meantime, Purple Night and Fall Night moved a good distance from the other members of Quiet Storm. Purple Night and Fall Night didn't say much while they were on the move until they encountered the Golden Bear cub.
What makes Golden Bear deadly is its high endurance and high defense. High defense came from thick, tough fur. In addition to being thick, the fur had small, sharp hairs that could damage the nervous system of its target.
"Fall Night, you will handle this cub. It should be at the peak Human realm. Please demonstrate why the Midnight clan holds such high prestige and is capable of achieving this. Hehehe." Purple Night softly giggled, and the soft voice that could tempt was the strong-willed male.
"No problem. This should be fun." Fall Night was said with excitement.
The golden bear cub is fierce, even if it is at the beginning of its growth. Fall Night sized up the cub and moved quickly towards it. Fall Night speed wasn't world-breaking.
When Fall Night moved, most people could not register the movement. This was because Fall Night used [Nine Execution Steps], with the first step being a half-step. The half-step is unnoticeable, which makes it deadly if the cultivator does not pay attention, no less than a beast.
Purple Night looks at the fight between the Golden Bear cub and Fall Night. Purple Night was thinking to herself that Fall Night's personality had changed slightly.
'Fall Night's personality changes rapidly when it comes to fighting. It's almost like it's a game. Hmmm. This could be a little problematic if that is the case.'
'Fall night fighting prowess is in the middle stage of refinement. I am quite surprised that Fall Night has that much control over his body. That means Fall Night could break through in fighting prowess quicker than his cultivation power. That would be a good thing in the short run.'
While Purple Night watched the battle between Fall Night and Golden Bear Cub, Fall Night unleashed a palm strike that came out like a fierce dragon leaping out of the water. Upon witnessing the attack, the Golden Bear cub experienced a sudden chill throughout its body.
The cub attempted to retreat and defend itself against the palm strike. However, when the palm strike landed, it ripped through the thick fur and cut right into the flesh. The golden bear cub let out a roar of pain. He stumbled a few feet back after receiving the hit. The golden bear cub screams in fury and anger. The cub was calling for its parents to protect it from danger.
'Damn. I guess I need to finish this beast before the mother or father comes. I cannot handle that.' Fall Night let out a soft sigh.
Fall Night dodged a claw strike from the cub and moved to the back. Fall Night unleashed another palm strike and continued to do so until the cub's high defense reached a point where he could launch a stronger attack.
Fall Night slips past another attack from the cub and jumps in the air to dodge another attack that came to the midsection. The Fall Night body started contorting in the air like a drill.
Out of nowhere, a large claw came out and devoured the cub in an instant. The cub was powerless against this attack. The attack split the cub right in the middle of its skull. Purple Night saw this and was shocked to see it happen.
Purple Night could not tell what attack Fall Night used, but Purple Night knew it was quite powerful and fierce. She now mentally prepared to be on the lookout for Fall Night's next attack.
Fall Night's victory in the battle left Purple Night in a daze. Fall Night found the beast's core and started to skin the cub. The fur remained intact and could serve as an improved cloak against the cold. Fall Night removed the skin and put the rest into the dimensional pouch.
Purple Night snapped out of her daze. Upon realizing that nothing remained, Fall Night approached her with a serene aura. Behind the Purple Night's mask, she could only smile at seeing how quickly Fall Night moves.
"We should keep on moving before the parents of that cub come. That's something I would like to avoid." Fall Night spoke to Purple Night calmly.
"I agree. What was the last attack you used on the Golden Bear cub?" Purple Night's eyes glow softly behind her demonic mask.
"That last attack I used is called Immolation Claw. It is a basic technique of the Midnight Clan."
"Oh? That is a pretty strong attack. What was the attack you used before the last attack?"
Fall Night tilted his head with a mocking smile behind his black mask. "It was a simple palm strike, Purple Night." Fall nights let out soft chuckles.
"You are so petty and stingy. Why can't you tell me? Huh, Fall Night?"
"Purple Night, it was just a simple palm strike."
"I don't doubt that Fall Night. That palm strike was not simple by any means."
"Purple Night, you really have a charming side. Let's keep on moving."
"You are definitely a petty one, Fall Night."
Both Fall Night and Purple Night continue to m
ove toward the Misty Rain Forest. A few days later, Purple Night and Fall Night stopped right before entering the Misty Rain Forest.
"Fall Night, what do you know about this forest?"
"Not much, really, Purple Night. What I do know is that the Misty Rain Forest is not for the weak."
"That's really helpful, Fall Night. And here I thought a person from a big clan like yourself would have more intel about this forest."
"Let's wait for Death Sword and Jagged to come here. Then we can rest, and we can split up again."
"It's not a terrible idea there, Fall Night. Let me ask you something." Purple Night smiles with mirth behind her mask. Fall Night gestured for Purple Night to continue.
"What is the rule in this unit, Fall Night?"
"Strength, Purple Night."
"Now do you have the strength to command me, Fall Night?"
Purple Night moves very close to Sifir, like a wife about to seduce her lover. Purple Night places one of her hands on Sifir's chest. Without hesitation, Sifir moves away from Purple Night. However, a large wound was visible where Purple Night's hand had been.
Purple Night stands there, looking at Sifir coldly. "Who told you to move to Fall Night?"
'This is crazy...' Sifir thought to himself.
"I am not interested in playing this game, Purple Night."
Sifir narrows his eyes behind his black mask. A cold aura leaks out of Sifir's body.
"Do you think this is a game? Fine! Let's play a game Fall Night. If you can defend against three of my attacks, I may forgive you. If you cannot defend against my attacks, you will be mine for the rest of your life."
—
About 50 miles away, Death Sword and Jagged watch as Purple Night and Fall Night square off. Both Death Sword and Jagged were not surprised by this at all.
"How many moves can he last, Death Sword?"
"Mhhmmm. Hard to say, but I will say at least 2, Jagged. What I am more care about is his ability Jagged."
"You are no fun, Death Sword. I doubt he'll last even one move against Purple Night."
Death Sword did not say anything. Death Sword did not express agreement or disagreement with Jagged.
-
"Here is my first move, Fall Night."
"Whoa there, Purple Night. What do I win if I survive against those moves of yours?"
Purple Night did not slow down while Fall Night was talking. Purple Night taps her small pouch on her belt. Five talismans appear in the Purple Night hand. Purple Night tossed out the talisman, and then Purple Night clasped her hands together, forming hand seals. The talisman forms a small killing array.
Sifir used a half-step to dodge the attack. Yet, that small killing array did not stop moving. Sifir narrows his eyes, looking at that array. Sifir unleashed an attack that killed the golden bear cub. Sifir's attack destroyed the small array that Purple Night had constructed.
Purple Night taps her small pouch again. This time, 20 talismans appear in Purple Night Hand. She tossed them in the air. Purple Night clasped her hands again, and her quick-performance hands sealed.
[Heaven Earth Locked: Burial!]
Sifir did not know what [Heaven Earth Locked: Burial] was, and Sifir didn't plan to find out either. When Sifir saw the ground getting pulled up by those talismans, he became colder, and he started to release more of his aura.
'Something is wrong with the little brat.' Purple Night thought to herself.
"Let's see if you can handle this Purple Night."
Sifir kicked a large rock. The rock shattered, large pieces of rock interfere with the formation pattern of the talismans. Purple Night laughed at the attempt until she saw multiple pieces of rock shoot at the talisman. Given the stationary nature of this array formation, the array found itself in an disadvantageous position. The array was absorbing too much damage. Purple Night was forced to take the array formation back.
"Excellent, Fall Night. Now let's see if you can handle this!"
Purple Night moved instead of releasing another set of talismans. Purple Night tapped the large bag, and a small, thin talisman appeared in Purple Night's hand. The talisman shot out of Purple Night's hand like a cannonball.
"I hope you like this gift, Fall Night. By the way, this is a Seeking Talisman that been imbued with sword qi. Have fun, Fall Night."
Sifir moves using the [Nine Extinction Step: first step: half step],and it stuns Purple Night. Even if Purple Night's battle prowess were in the late stages of refinement, there wasn't a big enough gap to stop the effect of the half-step.
Purple Night was utterly astonished. Sifir's movement technique left Purple Night utterly speechless. Purple Night was rarely surprised; after all, she had dispatched numerous foes with her exceptional Talisman techniques.
Sifir was cut several times by seeking talismans before being in front of Purple Night.
The same effortless palm strike shot out with astonishing speed and struck Purple Night's chest. Before Purple Night could even think of retreating, Sifir effortlessly lowered his body.
Another palm strike came out like a sweeping wave, and it hit Purple Night's legs. Flipping in the air, Purple Night could only defend against other strikes. Sifir's eyes glowed cold, preparing for another attack.
However, the seeker's talismans flew toward Sifir's neck. Sensing danger, Sifir dodged the attack and moved back several feet. Only now does Sifir see several seeking talismans hovering around Purple Night.
Purple Night was a little frustrated by the fact that Sifir put up a decent fight against her. Purple Night looks down at her chest and leg, and she frowns at the damage.
Purple Night knew it would take several days to heal from these attacks.
"You did good, Fall Night. I will forgive you today. Let's rest and have something good to eat. Remember, you must have the strength to command."
Sifir stays quiet and looks down on his chest. The large wound didn't want to heal. The cuts from the seeking talisman left stinging pain. Sifir turned around and started walking into the Misty Rain Forest.
Purple Night narrows her eyes at Fall Night as she walks to the Misty Rain Forest after Fall Night.
-
Both Death Sword and Jagged were genuinely interested in the palm strike that sent Purple Night flipping in the air. The timing of the palm strike's release was impeccable. Sifir was someone who had fought against stronger fighters and demonstrated high-level battle prowess.
"Let's not gather with them and watch them from a distance. This could be a good chance to study how the Midnight clan trained their people, Jagged."
"I am definitely not interested in their training method. However, that last palm strike looks more like a claw strike to me. Plus, if it weren't a Little Night Nighty and it was me, I would have been able to follow up afterward. Purple Night would have had more injuries. Maybe I could use that move with my machete arts."
"Let us go, Jagged. We will have time to figure out all the Fall Night secrets."
"Okay, Death Sword."
When both Purple Night and Fall Night enter the Misty Rain Forest. They both felt like their senses were being clouded and their sensing range was limited.
'I guess the reason why it is called Misty Rain Forest is because of this rain-like substance that can cloud the senses of people who decide to enter the forest.
Until I can adjust properly, I need to take it slow. I bet these monsters in this forest have sharper senses than other creatures.' He was thinking to himself as he was walking through the forest. He was unaffected by Purple Night silence.
In addition, the monsters should be more aggressive, as Sifir pondered.
This could lead to a more intense and lethal battles. Escaping from battles could be done with ease; it could be troublesome if not done in a timely manner.
Purple Night reflected on her observations and the recent battle with Fall Night. Clearly, Fall Night had an undeniable affinity for battles. That certainly doesn't imply that Fall Night charges into every battle without thought or care. Observing this Purple Night, it was clear that Fall Night's battle instincts were exceptionally high and should not be overlooked, even after facing him in combat.
Purple Night was contemplating the notion that Fall Night did not fully reveal his combat capabilities. Purple Night perceived that she had forfeited a significant chance to secure Fall Night as a subordinate.