The Science of Cultivation

Chapter 99: Following the Map

The trek through the forest took a toll on Li Lang’s young teenage body. The uneven surface and the dense foliage made every step many times more tiring.

It would’ve been even more strenuous if Li Lang had to worry about the Qi beasts lurking about as well. His Qi arts were either straightforward attacks or relied on tricks. The veiling shroud technique was more effective against humans than it was against beasts. That was because they had sharp senses, and didn’t rely on sight nearly as much. Thankfully, that wasn’t something Li Lang had to be worried about.

It took him a whole hour to cut across all the foliage. He regretted not having a sharp saber by his side to hack a path open.

By the time he got to the other end of the forest, he found a steep incline before him. Climbing up onto the hill, he was instantly assaulted by a wave of hot air. Before him lay an orange sandy desert. Behind him lay the verdant forest he had just traveled through.

The contrast was stark, but he didn’t waste any time gawking. Being on the hill left him too exposed. He didn’t just have to guard against Qi beasts, but other cultivators with ill intentions as well.

He swiftly dove into the desert after getting his bearings straight. He had a map, and he planned to follow it. He judged the pocket realm would unlikely provide him with a fake that led to a trap.

The deeper he got into the desert, the fiercer the winds grew. It didn’t take long to lose sight of the forest behind him. Thankfully, it wasn’t impossible to navigate. He could still see the sun. Using that as a marker, Li Lang soon arrived inside a derelict ruin.

The half-collapsed sandstone buildings still did their best to resist the elements. Li Lang took shelter behind the rubble to get out of the wind. He then checked the map, rested, and replenished himself.

It only took a few minutes to read the map, take a Nourishment Pill, and employ a water talisman to wash away the sand stuck to his face.

He found that his destination wasn’t far, likely within the ruins, which was a good start.

After his break, he went house to house,

He couldn’t even react in time when he suddenly found himself engulfed in flames.

Shit, shit!

He rushed to cover himself protectively with his Qi. He reached into his pockets for his talismans, only to grimace when he realized it would be burnt up along with him. His hands still completed the motion anyway, and to his surprise, he found the talismans completely fine.

In fact, he was fine as well. The fire didn’t hurt and simply enveloped him.

Li Lang didn’t even get to theorize how that was possible when he suddenly found himself inside a dark space. There was nothing around, and it was pitch black.

What in the world? Am I dreaming? Or did the fire kill me somehow…is this the afterlife?

No matter where he turned to, it was still pitch black. Just as he gave up, the same silverish-blue fire abruptly lit up in front of him.

Okay…so I’m guessing I’m not dead yet. Did this fire put me to sleep or into some kind of illusion?

As if the fire could read his mind, it flared. It flared violently toward him and formed a fist. It then punched Li Lang right in the face, blowing him back. The assault didn’t relent, as it continued unleashing a flurry of blows onto him.

What in the world? I’m being beaten up by the fire!

Li Lang still had the composure to think as he reflexively concentrated his Qi around where he was being hit. Still, it hurt.

That was why he began to dodge and retaliate. However, the fire simply phased through his Qi-empowered spear. It made the battle into a defensive one for Li Lang.

The pummeling didn’t last long. The flames could tell its blows weren’t effective and changed its mode of attack. It engulfed Li Lang’s entire body and gathered around his forehead. It formed a small wisp of fire and then launched itself into Li Lang’s head.

Instantly, Li Lang cried out in pain.

The roar of pain echoed in the dark space he was in. He felt his brain heating up drastically, and something was trying to drill its way into him. He instinctively knew that he could not let it prevail, but he did not know how to defend himself.

Li Lang could only roar out while rejecting the invader attempting to breach his mind. He didn’t even have time to panic as he fought back with the vigor expected of someone with their life at stake. He felt like he was in a tug-o-war match, and if he lost, he would fall forever into the abyss.

I can’t…give…in…