Flying across the forest while looking through his storage rings Edward realizes he only has enough for a few more batches of pills
[We only have a couple days left in the forest, and I need these for a final push. Rhea also needs help in advancing a tier or two]
In his previous life Edward didnt like to rely on pills for breakthroughs, he took his time in nurturing his inner strength and diligent physical training before training his soul became his priority
It is widely known those who come up relying on pills couldn't withstand the superior understanding and potency of a cultivator who broke through naturally
However, Edward already has deep knowledge of the dao as a whole and a complete understanding of his own, also having found a usage for his soul to temper his physical body
Him taking the medicine he makes will not hinder his future breakthroughs due to a lack of understanding or enlightenment but the people around him are different
[Is it even correct to feed her pills and give her the answers to her problems? I need competence and reliability from those around me]
Guiding his followers through their problems was natural but answering their questions and giving them the answers to blockage before they had them, on top of using his alchemy prowess to keep pills flowing through them would hinder their progress in the long run
Realizing his mistake Edward lays down the Double Flame array and has it refine his blood and remaining herbs into pills automatically
With his pills becoming complete he pulls some leftover cold steel he took from Master Hao and shaves it into fine pieces. Using his soul to reshape the steel into needles sheathlike and sharp
[Liam should soon breakthrough and I will help Rhea soon also but first I must see Wei Li and Jamir]
Taking the finished products into his artifact, Edward steps once inside the void and arrives at the canyon he made at the edge of zone two
Looking around and not seeing the pair he focusses and locates his soul attached to them
Flying from the canyon into zone two Edward remarks how deep the two have traveled inside of it
Finally, within sight of them Eward takes perch on a large tree and watches the fight they are engaged in
Jamir standing at the frontline is struggling to withstand the ferocity of the rank 4 Vampiric Shockwave Bat
The spirit beast larger than a fully grown man doesn't sustain itself with meat or greenery, but the blood of its prey. Vampiric Shockwave Bats have a piercing screech that only gets enhanced multiple fold depending on the amount of Chi it uses
White in color, albino from its natural habitat being dark caves without sunlight and moisture, Edward is confused about why it is outside in the sunlight and so blood lusted
[It must have developed a taste for human blood, but how? This forest is not only heavily regulated by the clan, but Lady Azlans divine sense covers it all, 24/7]
Why it is outside was unimportant to Edward, all that matters to him now is how his subordinates handle it
"Wei Li, you are going to get us killed! Why did you run so far into the forest?" Jamir with blood dripping from his ears, having stood and taken the soundwaves from the spirit beats head on
Wei Li in an odd state of mind doesn't respond she only throws her treasured glove at the side of the beast in preparation of attack
Stimulating the glove that remains on her hand with her Chi she teleports under the right wing of the bat
Grabbing the thrown glove with her left hand and tossing it across the chest of the spirit beast
"Combusting Jab!" a large amount of Chi imbued her arm from shoulder to knuckle, swinging her fist with a fair amount of velocity, halting the momentum before impact with the bat, and gently tapping it with her fist
The Chi on her arm inverses and shoots from her arm and off her fist into the ribcage of the bat, cracking multiple bones
The Vampiric Shockwave Bat with injuries that are already fatal in nature, turns its head and lets out its screech carrying a great amount of its Chi
The attack missing direct impact but still affecting both of the cultivators, Wei Li had teleported to her glove again
Tilting her body sideways and cocking her leg back, her heel nearly touching her glutes
"Hip Torque Crusher" letting her leg fly from its ready position, Chi covering her shin in multiple layers, adding mass to the movement, another direct hit into the ribcage of the bat
Swatting her unworn glove to the ground and teleporting to it to again, she avoids another attack form the Vampiric Shockwave Bat
"NOW JAMIR" Howling almost as loud as the spirit beast
Jamir with both hands on his sword brings it down low, the tip behind him almost touching the ground "Get out the way!"
After his warning, Jamir swings the treasure in a diagonal fashion releasing a wall of fire and explosion that travels at the bat
The smoke in the air obscuring the cultivators vision, with negligible stamina remaining they remain on guard waiting to see the result
However, after only a few seconds the smoke and ash in the air is ripped apart by the screams of the spirit beast
The attack holding all remaining inner energy of the beast, cause Jamir and Wei Li to fall onto their knees and spit blood from their mouth while blood stems from their ears and even Edward to shield himself and Shady
With their heads and ears both ringing from the sound they look up to see the rank 4 spirit beast missing a wing and with burns from head to toe
The Vampiric Shockwave Bat again tries to let out a screech but only spits out blood and coughs because of its injury
Looking at himself leftwards, up, down and right ways, the bat recognizes it is at deaths door and unable to fly away to try and mend itself
Thinking that it will at least take a body with him in death, the beast rushes towards Wei Li readying a bite
Tossing her glove at the bat rushing towards her, she waits until the moment it lunges and chomps down at her then teleports out of the way
Throwing her glove again then looking back at the bat she notices it is laid out and not moving
Wondering if it is dead, she looks up at Edward hovering and recalling a needle from the skull of the bat
"Whew" with a sigh of relief Wei Li stays laid down on her back happily but is condemned by Jamir
"Wei Li, what the hell were you thinking? Dashing this deep into the forest and not even listening when I called out for you!"
"Jamir, shut up. The Young Lord, gave us lifesaving treasures and I wanted to test myself" Shooting back Wei Li tires to make Jamirs words seem like a slight at Edward
"Still... what were you doing, you-" Jamir hesitant but continuing his questioning
"Enough, Jamir calm down and tell me clearly why you are upset." Edward interrupting
"Young Lord, master. I apologize, it's just Wei Li has been awkward, cold for over a week now. Distant, she wasn't conversing with me at all, and just kept throwing herself at beasts"
"Wei Li, is this true?"
"Young Lord, I didnt think I hurt his feeling that much"
Wei Li's response cause a sour expression on Jamirs face, angry she ignored the main point
"You will answer my question seriously. Even with a treasure capable of saving your life, a normal person wouldn't seek out danger so assertively. You put yourself and ally in danger, for what?"
Wei Li not having the strength to stand, sits up and responds "I was... proving to my self that I am right. That I can.." Quitting with her explanation hoping Edward would understand
"You have put in great work to reach this level, but you are wrong. A sword suits you the best, this a truth that will not change. However, you also have the resilience to become an accomplished physical fighter."
Edwards words were not only harsh to Wei Li but also made her happy. Knowing that the work she has put in was adequate, but her dao that was already shaking shattered.
Wei Li through this battle and Edwards words made her wholly realize and accept just how bad she had hindered herself
"Young Lord, I understand. Jamir I am also sorry I dragged you along into my mess, and am grateful you didnt abandoned me"
"Don't mention it" scratching the back of his head [How could I abandoned a comrade, and an elders daughter?]
-
[I wonder if she truly understood my words. I told myself that I wouldn't give them answers outright. If she needs another push to realize she can use the sword without becoming a fully fledged sword cultivator, and still incorporate her physical martial arts I will be disappointed]