Chapter 3: Stranger at the Edge of River

Swish!

The mark on the tree had gone a bit deeper, but it was still not enough. Mountain's punch should have been able to effectively cut off the tree with just one punch. Yet Lin Xiao was still very far from that stage.

"Brother, it'll be too late if you don't depart soon," Lin Yun reminded.

"Ah!"

Lin Xiao stopped his movements and glanced to the West. The sun was still three hours from setting, but he would be too late if he didn't depart soon. He decisively stopped training and rushed to take the herbs basket from the corner of the house.

The herbs' basket was already worn out, but it was the best basket that Lin Xiao could have. Aside from helping out in the village to earn some copper coins, the youths in the village usually gathered herbs in exchange for money.

But of course, Lin Xiao's real intention to gather herbs was to be able to get the necessary herbs for his brother's sickness. Those that was unnecessary would be traded for some rice while the rest would be kept by Lin Yun to be brewed for medicine.

"I'm going now!"

Swish!

Running, Lin Xiao realized that his speed had grown faster. His heart grew excited at the thought that he had grown much stronger. It was totally out of his expectation that the difference between the fourth and fifth stage would be this big.

'No wonder they didn't allow those at rank 4 to join the hunting squad.'

But now that Lin Xiao had already reached the fifth stage, he was sure that he would be able to pass the test with no problem. He was heading in the opposite direction of the village and headed to the mountain. The side of the mountain was steep, but there were many valuable materials here.

'Time to climb.' Lin Xiao took out his knife and held it in his right hand. The danger of this place was not only falling off the rocks but also some beasts that would be lurking around without getting noticed.

Looking at the rocks, Lin Xiao speedily climbed the sharp edge while looking around him, looking for valuable materials. His right hand agilely moved the knife's position so that he would be able to grab the rock with no problem.

Stab!

A moving 'plant' was stabbed by Lin Xiao. He looked at the plant coldly. "Trying to disguise as a plant and trick me? You're too easy to found out."

He was talking to the dead plant, but Lin Xiao didn't care. It was so quiet in this place because no one else wanted to search for herbs here. They have much safer place with loads of herbs, but Lin Xiao couldn't head there because of some reasons.

"Hmm, there's not much herbs here."

Lin Xiao looked at his mostly empty basket with worry. The sun would set soon, so he had to hurry. However, he never dared to climb too high in fear that there would be more dangers up there.

'Should I press on?'

After thinking for a while, Lin Xiao decided to head back this time. He was not in dire situation and the higher he climbs, the more dangerous it would be. Slowly, Lin Xiao descended down and landed on the ground.

*rustle*

"Who's there?"

Looking around him with vigilance, Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes. He swore that he could hear the sound of leaves moving just now. Or was it only his imagination? He didn't think that it would be that way, though.

'Is it just the sound of the river?'

There was a small river not far from here. It was also the source of water for him and his brother. After deciding that there was still enough time before the sun set, Lin Xiao walked to the river.

He glanced around and furrowed his brows.

There was no one here.

He might have been too hard on himself because he was tired lately. Crouching near the river, Lin Xiao filled his gourd with water and drank a bit before washing his face. It felt much better after washing a bit.

Just as he was about to return back, Lin Xiao noticed clothes peeked from the bush not far from the river.

'There's someone else there?'

There should be no one who came to this small river. It was too far from the village and the other village in this area was also on the other side. They wouldn't purposely come here just to search for water.

Slowly, Lin Xiao got close to the clothes. He pushed the bush a bit and gained clearer view. The man in front of him was also a teenager. There were many cut wounds on his body along with tear on his clothes. It looked as if he had just survived from an ordeal.

'Ugh, I don't want to get involved…'

Looking at how bad it was, Lin Xiao knew that he would be in deep trouble if he tried to help this young man over here. However, he also didn't want to let someone die in front of him without doing anything.

What should he do?

His eyes looked at the clothing of the young man as he felt that it was highly familiar. It was then he recalled Taiyi Sect and how their outer disciples have similar clothing. Since everyone from the village was yearning to enter the Taiyi Sect, of course they would know some of the basic of the sect's clothes.

Lin Xiao was not an exception.

"He's an outer disciple from Taiyi Sect. Should I help him?"

Lin Xiao was tempted to leave him be because he knew that he would be pulled into trouble if he dared to help. But at the same time, he wanted to get on Taiyi Sect's good side.

But what if this man was actually a traitor?

What if this man try to kill him from the moment he woke up?

"Ugh…"

Bending down, Lin Xiao checked on the young man's pulse. Based on what he had learned, he could guess that the young man was only at sixth stage. While it might end up in brutal battle, the other party shouldn't be able to kill him so easily.

But he's Taiyi Sect disciple, which meant that he must be quite powerful…

"Ah, screw it!"