Chapter 59: Value of Life (2)

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"One day," Hu Lana continued, "My parents passed away within the Icebound Forest. I and Xie Xan were already extremely close friends by then. So his father took me in. He took care of both of us and we started to like each other more. It was because of Xie Xan being there for me that I was able to grow out from my parents' death in a relatively shorter time period. We both awakened our martial souls and under the care of seniors of the village, grew upto the ranks of a Spirit Grandmaster.

"The two of our talents were better than anyone. Even my father was only a Spirit Elder at the time," Xie Xan squeezed Hu Lana's hands as his throat went a little dry.

"Slowly, I and Lana started taking care of father. We didn't want him to hurt himself in the forest and he finally agreed to our persuasion. But I was horribly wrong... so wrong. One day, I went out with a team to get my third spirit ability. Hu Lana was already a Spirit Elder. We both were eighteen years old by then.

But when I returned... I found my father trying to force himself on Lana," he spat with gritted jaws. His tone and expression gloomy. "The sight of Lana's tears, the sight of her garments being torn, everything sent me to an edge. Before I could think, I had activated my third spirit ring and had already stabbed through my father's heart."

Xie Xan's breath shuddered.

"But... he wasn't dead," Hu Lana whispered, "At that point, I was drugged. My body was weak and almost paralyzed. But barely, I picked the nearby lamp to hit his head. He stumbled sideways and Xan'er was still in a daze. But before we could think what to do ahead, the oil and the fire from the lamp lit... than man."

"I killed him," Xie Xan took a deep breath and looked at everyone.

Everyone here was a smart individual. They all knew that Ja Sun revealing his past wasn't as simple as a game. It was the first show of trust.

Everyone was cautious of one another and divided into three groups due to this lack of trust and unexpectedly, Ja Sun was the one who gave them a chance to start over. It was only because of this fight, finding out Liu Erlong's bloody urges, and spending fifteen days in silence together that Xie Xan and Hu Lana were willing to open up. Even Ah Yin's soft-spoken declaration was a clear hint.

But the two of them wanted to capitalize on this chance. If they are going to be working together, they need to build trust and better to start it with words even if it is the story of the past.

"We did," Hu Lana stated softly, her body leaning against Xie Xan.

"As you said, Ka-ul... I now think that Lana wasn't my father's first target. From now on, I will console myself to think that the Bastard raped my mother, too. And then killed her. Who I killed wasn't a father, but a monster."

Bibi Dong nodded and then gave Liu Erlong a look. Biting her lips, she sighed softly.

"I don't have a memorable victim myself. But if this game is based around death then I do admit that my first victim was a member of my clan. Those who know my identity, well and good, those who don't should know that I am a bastard of Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. My father is the second elder next to the clan head and my mother was a simple prostitute.

I only saw my father once. But when I was regarded as a variant of the clan's martial soul: A Fire Dragon, I never got to meet with him. Passion to get my father's praise drove me at the time. My mother was weak and though the two of us were subjected to the clan's mistreatment, I continued to train until my body was bloody. My talent finally attracted the main clan. But it also attracted many ill intentions."

Liu Erlong surprisingly gave a chuckle. Flipping her hand, she revealed a silver bracelet that she took back from Ja Sun.

"This is what my mother left me. The sight of the bracelet calms down. Of course, it is ironic since her death changed me. I know myself the best. I have a problem. But I love this problem of mine. I love the sight of blood and agonizing screams because it makes me feel powerful, unlike my weak, powerless past. The day my mother died, I heard that it was because of a poison. Not... an intentional one filled with toxins. But, it was food prepared from rotten materials by one of the clan young misses."

Liu Erlong looked at everyone, a bloody smile touching her lips, "I killed that woman in the middle of the street. I gutted her in front of everyone while she still screamed and cried, begging for my mercy. Later on, instead of being executed by the clan, they 'rewarded' me. Saying that I did good work killing corrupt individuals but I was all too clear at that point. They couldn't let a talent die.

From then on, I left the clan and severed my connection with them. They still consider me a part of the clan but I don't."

By now, nobody held pity for each other. All of them had troubled past... except for Ah Yin apparently.

Giving a soft sigh, Bibi Dong opened up, "Now, I believe it is my turn."

Taking a deep breath, Bibi Dong grew calm and stated, "I don't remember my first victim differently because it had been a spirit beast. From a young age, I am taught not to differentiate between beasts and humans. Kill those that profit, prevent mindless slaughter. My most memorable victim will always be an evil cultivator.

I say evil because he had been categorized as such. He was called Red Star. Although only a Spirit King, he had shed blood greater than many Titled Douluos."

"I have heard of him," Liu Erlong gasped and even Hu Lana's and Xie Xan's expression changed, too.

"What others don't know is that... Red Star wasn't practicing an evil technique. His martial soul was a variation of a bat. A Blood Bat. Without human blood every day, his body would turn weak and his cultivation would reverse. Though strong, he was also weak.

But, I didn't kill him in a fight. I was dispatched to find him. It was a test. I was only a Spirit Ancestor then. Red Star... when he learned that I was out there to kill him, he instead found me. He had a young girl in his hand."

Bibi Dong's expression was unseen, but her tone was strikingly calm.

"He said to me, either I kill him in one strike, or he will drain the girl in front of me. She was unconscious and couldn't resist Red Star at all. But why would such an 'evil' individual present himself to me? I didn't know about his affliction then and he enlightened me. His expression was serene. His words clear. He wouldn't resist any attack. He also revealed that his previous pursuers never tried to kill him after hearing his side. Pursuers of justice would pity him, selfish and weak would resonate with him.

And Red Star was incapable of committing suicide by his own admission. Of course, I killed him. It wasn't a bloody sight. A simple stab to through the heart with an ordinary knife did the trick. But I will always remember that I killed an ordinary, armless man. Even spirit beasts resist. He didn't. From then on, even though I still never differentiated myself from a spirit beast, I did characterize Red Star as an individual different from us. Now, I like to console myself by thinking that before meeting me, he truly had an evil conscience. That not all massacres were committed out of a need to survive."

Her heavy words ended.

"Teacher... not to ruin your moment," Ja Sun blinked, "But if you could kill him, why couldn't others, too?"

"I don't know." Bibi Dong shrugged, "But that's what he told me. Besides his life, that's what I took."

"Who would even come with this game?" Xie Xan grumbled and glared at Ja Sun.

---

"Kill him."

A young Jason was startled. His appearance was incomparably disheveled and thin. Looking at the gagged man with then knife in his hand, he looked at the man who called himself the 'Teacher.'

"Why?" Jason pouted. His maturity was already higher than other children due to his circumstances.

"What is the mission's rank?"

"E."

Jason replied and his gaze twinkled for a moment.

"Isn't he the one who broke your arm last week? Now you can get a reward by killing him. So why won't you?"

The deep voice attracted Jason's mind and he looked at the reward.

A 24 Karat Gold Watch.

Jason's hands flew and sliced the whimpering man's throat as the blood splashed over his young face.

---

The next week, Jason was brought to another specimen. A young boy who was bound. But his eyes weren't concealed. Tears poured out of the boy's eyes but he still hatefully glared at Jason.

"Kill him."

Teacher ordered once again.

"Why?" Jason frowned.

"Why did you kill his father?" Teach inquired once again.

"Because he hurt me and I even got a prize," Jason smiled innocently.

"Then what does the mission say this time?"

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"Nothing."

"Nothing?" Teach frowned. His gaze flickered and he stated with an overbearing expression.

"Kill the boy. I already told him about you. If you don't kill him, the boy will later grow and kill you instead."

Jason pouted, throwing his knife at the teach himself as he glared, "I said I'm not killing him! We used to play together. He even shares his snacks with me, you sick old fart!"

Suddenly, both the boy and Jason felt an incomparable chill in their hearts. Teach stepped forward while brandishing the small knife.

"If you won't, then I will."

"No," Jason continued to stand in between with a furious expression, "Go touch your own son or daughter. Not other's sons and daughters! You said only to kill if it benefits. If the profits are not equal to the loss, do not make the move. There is not even any benefit! You won't kill him."

"Is that it?" Teach glanced at Jason.

"And I don't want him to die."

Suddenly, the pressure disappeared and Jason felt a warm palm patting his head.

"Well then, remember this feeling. When you kill, always remember this day. Your hesitations regarding many matters will clear up. Now, come."

"What about him?"

"I will let him go. But he will try to kill you later," Teach smiled and Jason nodded with a slightly guilty expression.

"Don't feel guilty. Come, today, I'll teach you a game. It's called Value of Life.

---

"A friend of mine," Ja Sun replied Xie Xan but the mood had gotten lighter.

"The slaves inside are mostly children that have not gone through an awakening. They will be handled tomorrow morning. Let's rest for a little while before we will start the other phase of training."

Everyone nodded.

While eating, others finally began to converse with each other slightly. Despite their previous nature of relationship, only Xie Xan has reciprocated his jokes with a chuckled so Ja Sun grinned, "Xie Xan, now remember, when we train in the future, do not slap me. Someone will get extremely mad," he chuckled while nudging Ah Yin.

"Of course, of course. Who knew that Ah Yin would—"

Two thick vines of blue silver kings shot out and slapped Ja Sun and Xie Xan on the face, their heads flinging sideways as the crunching sound of Ah Yin eating her apple echoed.

"Go ahead. Laugh." Hu Lana smiled.

Liu Erlong looked a little uncomfortable as she gazed at Ja Sun getting attacked so easily.

"Pathetic..." She mumbled.

"Ouch," Ja Sun sighed, "Ah Yin, look at the two of them. They don't slap each other outside of bed—"

The rest was history as Ja Sun managed to offend the entire team in a matter of few minutes again. But of course, with his own initiative, the relationship had changed subtly.

---

The next morning, surprisingly, two cardinals and a small team of Spirit Warriors of the Spirit Hall had arrived at their location.

Slowly, everyone woke up and found the young children being led away in carriages. Those who could awaken with spirit energy will be admitted in the branches of Spirit Temple for care and those who couldn't would still receive a stipend for a period until they are capable of making it on their own. This was merely the lowest of facilities provided. Despite saving them, the truth was that Spirit Hall wasn't a charitable force but a ruthless organization through and through.

Once the merit points were added to their spirit badges and they received the bounty's reward, the team from the Spirit Hall left with a bow while Bibi Dong looked at the fortress with a smile.

"We all will stay within this fortress. Now, we will only leave once Ka-ul is at the peak of rank 40 or if anyone reaches their bottleneck before him. Meanwhile, our only concern will be combat training.

The previous exercise was similar to the mimicry environment of the academy. The environment of Valley Forests of the Yang Mountain Range is beneficial to spirit masters with poison attributes. All of you have gained a significant advantage from that location. Although not immune to poison, your bodies are constantly nurtured and washed by poison, making your blood reach a high resistance to poison.

Now, before visiting another extreme environment, I will teach you various spirit master tactics and abilities alongside teamwork."

With that, the day began as Bibi Dong assigned rooms to everyone. Then after eating and satisfying their hunger, she started theoretical lecture for the first time. The contents of her lecture weren't based on various unproven theories but they were the description of great spirit masters' battle in history and their thought processes during these particular battles.

Then, what Bibi Dong described as a team-building exercise was in fact sparring against each other. Every time, one of the five will be chosen to spar with Bibi Dong while the remaining would spar amongst themselves.

The missions Ja Sun could receive from this was from rank C to A, indicating that his strength had risen enough to that individually, Ah Yin (Without her domain,) Xie Xan, Hu Lana, and Liu Erlong weren't a major threat. Even Bibi Dong couldn't bring out an S-ranked mission because the rules were clear. The number of spirit rings will be matched. This actually put Ja Sun at a massive advantage.

With the consistency of the mission, Ja Sun received various fruits from Ah Yin, the kind that was sweet and beneficial to various parts of the body instead of blood directly.

With Xie Xan, Ja Sun had stopped creating missions after the seventh day. Why? He wasn't a blade user and Xie Xan's missions only brought him blades and swords of various kinds.

Hu Lana's rewards were the strangest. They were completely useless. He only got pelts of various foxes.

From Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong, Ja Sun received poisonous specimens that he used to train his Revitalized Blood Qi Art with.

By now, he was already poking against the bottleneck and into the seventh level of the technique but the progress had slowed down considerably. Either he could use immortal herbs that were nowhere to be found. Or he could persist daily.

He could only choose the latter.

In seven days, surprising everyone was that his cultivation had increased once again.

37.

To others, this would really be surprising but because of his trait, his progress was already high and now that he was working his body every day, cultivating his internal qi, mental energy, and spirit energy purified to the extreme with the same pace as he started out with, it would be strange if he didn't make any notable benefits.

But, on the eighth day, after many rounds of intense sparring, Ja Sun began to lose out to everyone.

His mission had changed, too.

After all, he found out what Qian Daoliu meant when he said about his lack of understanding of his spirit ability.

---

As Qian Daoliu had promised, he would come to check up on Bibi Dong and her students once every week. If they die to someone under the level of Titled Douluo, then it was Spirit Hall's misfortune. If someone of the level higher than Spirit Douluo target the kids, then it was their misfortune.

Qian Daoliu had weathered many events and was unlike the relatively passionate Gui Mei and Yue Guan.

This week, he came only to observe a strange fluctuation from Ja Sun's body. It was different from when he shifted the pressure of spirit energy into a single limb while using Silver Burst or Silver Light Wings.

This fluctuation represented the body's innate rebuttal towards suppression of spirit energy.

That day, Qian Daoliu returned with a brilliant luster in his eyes.

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