Chapter 14 Desert Training

I asked in confusion, “What does it mean to cultivate both martial and magical arts?”

Iron Hammer smiled and said, “A body that can cultivate both magic and martial arts is one in ten thousand. It allows one to temper both body and soul simultaneously. I didn’t expect you, little brother, to have such fortune.” He paused for a moment, then continued, “With greater power comes greater responsibility. Perhaps this is your destiny. A thousand years ago, there was once a Heavenly Dao Warrior on the continent, also possessing a body that could cultivate both martial and magical arts. In order to stop the invasion of the Demon God Clan, he did not hesitate to detonate himself, sealing the Demon God. The Heavenly Dao Warrior was truly powerful, but there is always someone stronger…”

“Brother Li, are you a novice warrior?” Lan Yue asked.

“Yes, beginner level, sixth rank.”

“I’m also a beginner warrior, second rank.”

I hadn’t noticed before that the always gentle and frail Lan Yue was also a warrior, though the gap between second and sixth rank was considerable. Still, she was much stronger than an ordinary person.

As we continued forward, we came upon a large protruding boulder blocking our way. Nearby were several plant-like blooms, standing about three meters tall, with flowers nearly two meters in diameter. I had never seen such enormous flowers before. Their petals were a dark crimson. We leaned against the stone, catching our breath, when Lan Yue complained, “It’s unbearably hot. Why don’t we go back?”

I smiled wryly. “Let’s walk a bit further. If we still don’t find any beginner-level creatures, we’ll head back.”

“I don’t think you should’ve come, little sister,” Iron Hammer said. “A young girl like you should be at home, not running into the desert with two grown men.”

“Mind your own business,” Lan Yue retorted, pouting.

“Enough, don’t argue,” I said quickly, gently holding Lan Yue back. Before either of them could react, a violent wind erupted, sand and grit flying so fiercely we couldn’t open our eyes. When the sandstorm passed, the desert had returned to its former stillness. In the distance, a black whirlwind was speeding toward the edge of the desert. Only then did Lan Yue realize she was lying in my arms. Her face flushed red, she shyly glanced at me, then hurriedly tidied her disheveled hair.

“What was that? Was it a high-level creature?” Iron Hammer asked.

“A tornado,” I replied.

“A dragon?” Iron Hammer’s face was filled with fear.

“Don’t you know what a tornado is?” I asked.

“So, was it a high-level creature or not?” Iron Hammer pressed.

“Let’s talk about it later. For now, let’s keep going.” At this, Lan Yue became unusually quiet. Hearing my decision to continue deeper into the desert, she slowly got to her feet, brushed the dust from her clothes, and prepared to move on. Just then, the ground began to tremble slightly, and a few centipedes emerged from the sand.

Perfect—just the chance to practice my combat skills. Clutching my dagger, I rushed at the nearest centipede. With a swift slash, half its head was severed from its body. I felt a surge of energy flow into me, sending a pleasant shiver through my body. So, beginner-level creatures were this weak! Just as I was getting carried away, a giant centipede, twice as large as the previous ones, slowly crawled out of the sand. This one was different from the others—its movements were stiff, its long antennae waving ceaselessly, its entire shell gleaming dark and glossy. The centipede advanced on me step by step. I didn’t retreat; instead, I dropped my dagger and gathered a ball of flame between my palms. The flames grew fiercer, threatening to consume everything before me.

When the fire blazed so bright it hurt to look at, I thrust it toward the centipede. As soon as the fire touched its body, it began to burn, crackling loudly with the stench of scorched flesh filling the air. I retreated to the boulder and watched the scene unfold. The low-level flame technique from the beginner Soul Tempering Art was surprisingly powerful. If I could master the higher-level True Samadhi Fire, how powerful might I become? But reality quickly humbled me. Once the flames burned out, the giant centipede seemed barely harmed—at best, it had lost a layer of dead shell.

Since fire was ineffective, I’d have to fight it up close. I grabbed the short blade from Iron Hammer, leapt high—more than three meters, misjudging my strength—and brought the blade down on the centipede’s back. With a sharp clang, the blade flew from my grasp. I pressed a hand to its back, flipped back to the ground, and darted forward, but I was still a step too slow. One of the centipede’s antennae lashed out, striking my back with a searing pain. Another defensive-type creature—I'd need to be careful. Clenching my fists, I used the same move I’d used against the armored lizard before. My fist was enveloped in a silvery light, its brilliance intensifying, and I unleashed it with all my strength.

The fist-shaped silver light shot straight at the centipede’s head, hitting dead on and sending it tumbling through the air before landing on its back, unable to right itself, like a helpless turtle. Seizing the opportunity, I stepped forward, grabbed its two antennae, and with a mighty heave, flung the massive creature aside. I retrieved my dagger and plunged it into its belly; the underside was surprisingly soft—if only I’d known earlier, I wouldn’t have wasted so much effort. After a brief struggle, the centipede lay still, and a vast surge of energy entered my body. So warriors could absorb the energy of these beasts? At that moment, Lan Yue and Iron Hammer hurried over.

“Brother Li, watch out!” Lan Yue called out.

Before I could react, I was plunged into darkness, my entire body soaked through. What was happening? I pounded against whatever encased me, my breathing growing heavier and heavier. I don’t know how long it lasted, but suddenly, I felt a jolt and slowly opened my eyes.

“Brother Li, you’re awake,” Lan Yue said with concern.

“What just happened?”

“You were swallowed by that flower,” Iron Hammer explained.

“A flower?” I looked around. The corpse of the giant centipede lay on the ground, alongside a flower torn to pieces and two other vivid red blooms nearby. So, I’d been attacked by a flower! The thought made me laugh; I’d almost died at the hands of a flower, and if not for Iron Hammer’s timely rescue, I’d have become fertilizer.

“Flowers can attack people?” I asked in bewilderment.

“I think it was a man-eating plant,” Lan Yue replied with a serious expression. “There are many types of plants that attack people—thankfully, this one was just an ordinary man-eating flower.”

If plants could attack humans, there must be different ranks among them as well. I asked, “Are there other plants like this on this continent?”

“I’ve heard that the Misty Forest is full of such dangerous plants,” Lan Yue said.

“The Misty Forest?”

“Yes, it’s a forbidden area in these parts, full of rare treasures. Ordinary people don’t dare enter, and even if they do, it’s nearly impossible to make it out. A mid-level warrior ventured in once, and it’s said he came out blind.”

A mid-level warrior—so I’d need to reach at least that level before entering the Misty Forest.

“This is a mid-level creature. Its hide must be worth a fortune—this is a real windfall!” Iron Hammer said excitedly.

As noon approached, I called the others to prepare to return. Just then, a ball of fire descended from the sky, crashing deep into the desert.

“What’s that?” Iron Hammer asked.

A figure shot out of the sand, dusting himself off. “Lost again! One day, I’ll defeat you. Huh, people.”

“Excuse me, where did you just fly from?” I asked.

“I’m looking for someone—no time to chat. I’m off!” With a swish, he flew away.

I rubbed my eyes, watching the shrinking silhouette until it vanished from sight, stunned into silence.

“Did you see that?” I asked.

“Yes, I saw it. He seemed incredibly powerful,” Lan Yue replied.

“Could he be a Martial Sovereign?” Iron Hammer wondered.

“Martial Sovereign?”

“No way. A Martial Sovereign couldn’t possibly be so young,” Iron Hammer said.

Martial Sovereign—what did that mean? According to Xiao Xiangzi, even the Sword Demon Sect’s master had only barely reached the Martial Sovereign realm. Across the entire continent, there were fewer than ten individuals at the Martial God stage, and Heavenly Dao Warriors were mere legends. Who was that young man just now? Never mind—as long as he wasn’t an enemy, there was nothing to worry about. After tidying up, I called the others and we returned to Fenglan City.

Inside a magic stone shop in Fenglan City, “Five hundred gold coins,” the middle-aged shopkeeper said.

“Eight hundred.”

“Six hundred.”

“Seven hundred.”

“Deal.” I hadn’t expected a single mid-level beast’s magic stone to fetch seven hundred gold coins. I knew the shopkeeper would resell it for several times that, but what could I do? I couldn’t absorb magic stone energy myself yet. Besides, I desperately needed money—there was no way to explore the desert without decent weapons.